Erté Circus Costume Drawings, ca. 1930
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APPRAISER:
When did you acquire this collection?
GUEST:
That would be... 1978.
APPRAISER:
The artist, Romain de Tirtoff, was a Russian who studied in Paris. He went by the name Erté. And in fact, this work is signed "Erté." He became one of the iconic designers of the 1920s and '30s. These are the most iconic examples of his work. This is a collection of Erté costume designs for the Ringling Brothers Circus.
GUEST:
That's correct.
APPRAISER:
You have these wonderful sketches, as well as these highly finished, highly detailed drawings. You have about ten fully finished ones, like our ringleader lady here. And you have about 15 of the smaller sketches. They're in excellent condition. The smaller ones tend to sell for about $1,500. The larger ones go for between $3,000 and $5,000. I think that because of the circus interest, the total collection would be more like $50,000 to $60,000.
GUEST:
That isn't what I paid for them.
APPRAISER:
It isn't? (chuckling):
GUEST:
No.
APPRAISER:
Was it less or more?
GUEST:
Much, much less. $50 or $60, something like that.
APPRAISER:
For the whole collection?
GUEST:
Yes, mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
Wow.
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