In February 2007, Richard D. Hatch & Associates held a sale that most auction houses only dream about. It had been consigned a treasure trove of modern Irish art – about 40 pieces, from the estate of Alan Breedon Malcolm Brush, born near Dublin, Ireland, in 1918. The paintings sold for nearly $1.5 million, and the sale overall topped $2 million – a record for the firm.

So imagine Richard Hatch’s delight when he was contacted about four more important Irish works belonging to Mr. Brush that had been left with a neighbor in Atlanta for safekeeping. The group includes Louis Le Brocquy’s “Traveler Man” (1947) (Illustrated); Colin Middleton’s “Teresa” (1948); an abstract oil by Neville Johnston; and a painting by Thurloe Connolly. They will all be auctioned September 26-27.

“I feel like lightning struck twice in the same spot, and how often does that happen?” asked Mr. Hatch. He said the paintings were purchased at the Victor Waddington Galleries in Dublin, Ireland, prior to Malcolm and his wife Meg’s moving to the United States in the early 1950s. Both were great patrons of the arts, befriending many of the top Irish artists of the period and purchasing their works.

Louis Le Brocquy, born in 1916 and still painting to this day, is known as “the elder statesman of Irish art.” In the February 2007 sale, four watercolors from the artist’s ‘Tinker’ Period’ (1945-1948) sold for a total of $317,500. At a recent sale of Irish art held by Sotheby’s in London, three Le Brocquy watercolor paintings finished in the top ten lots. “Traveler Man” is expected to bring $30,000-$50,000.

Colin Middleton (1910-1983) was probably the most eclectic Irish painter of the 20th century. He moved easily between Cubist, Surrealist and Expressionistic styles. Mr. Middleton was largely self-taught and quite prolific, producing hundreds of works in the 1930s alone. At last year’s Hatch auction, two of his works sold for $70,000 each. “Teresa” is expected to change hands for $30,000-$50,000.

The abstract oil painting by Neville Johnston is estimated to bring $4,000-$6,000, while the abstract oil by Thurloe Connolly (Illustrated) is expected to fetch $3,000-$5,000.

Start times for the September sale will be 5 p.m., Friday, September 26, and 11 a.m., Saturday, September 27. Previews will be held Thursday and Friday, from 1-5 p.m., and on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the start of sale. Richard D. Hatch & Associates conducts its sales in a spacious, well-appointed 11,900-square-foot facility in Flat Rock, just off Interstate 26, near Hendersonville.

Richard D. Hatch & Associates is celebrating 28 years of consistently impressing its customers with quality consignments and exciting sales. The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call (828) 696-3440, or e-mail them at hatchauctioninfo@yahoo.com. To learn more, visit them online at www.richardhatchauctions.com

Scottish & Southern Energy is running the rule over a potential cross-border utility takeover, with Energia, Ireland’s biggest independent power company, in its sights.

Analysts say the Scottish utility is a front-runner for a £2 billion bidding auction, which is expected to be started soon when Dresdner Kleinwort posts an information memorandum to prospective bidders.

The Autorola Group, Europe’s leading online car auction company is expanding again. The Danish company has just opened a subsidiary in Ireland, so now Autorola has online car auctions in 13 European countries. Autorola’s online car auction at www.autorola.ie is the first of its kind in Ireland. The launch of Autorola in the Irish motor trade has attracted great interest in the industry.

The new Autorola-subsidiary, with offices in Rathcoole near Dublin is managed by Eddie Lane. Eddie is well known in the motor trade in Ireland, England and Scotland and has 21 years of experience in the trade. He has worked with BMW Ireland, Scottish Car Auctions, Direct Car Finance UK and Direct Car Finance Ireland.

Currently, Autorola Ireland is signing car dealers for the online car auctions and making deals with leasing companies and financial institutions that want to sell cars via Autorola’s online car auctions. The interest is huge and the first auctions with cars from dealers are already running.

The opening in Ireland is the first since the successful opening in the Czech Republic earlier this year. CEO Peter Grøftehauge is pleased to welcome the Irish car sellers and buyers to the Autorola-universe:

“We are convinced that we have the right platform for the Irish trade car market and we are happy to see that the Irish sellers and buyers are reacting positively to what Autorola offer. We hope for a long term relationship”, he said.

The Autorola Group is planning additional Autorola subsidiaries both in Europe and further afield in the future.

Fine Art & Antique Auction Thursday 24th July 10:00am, viewing Wednesday 23rd July 2pm - 9pm. In our salesroom 161 Lwr Rathmines Road, D6. Ca

Herman & Wilkinson,
161 Lower Rathmines Road,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6
IRELAND
Telephone : +353 1 497 2245
Fax : +353 1 496 2245
Auction info HermanWilkinson.ie

Cheffins will hold a major dispersal auction sale of classic and vintage tractors, spares, modern farm machinery and equipment on Saturday 19th July, at Castlewarden, Kill, Co. Kildare.

The sale comprises a collection of Fordson Major tractors, by direction of the executors of Alan Ross Deceased, and will be conducted in association with Murtagh Bros of Mullingar, who are organising the sale.

Bill King, director at Cheffins, said: “Cheffins are delighted to be involved with this unique auction sale and it offers an exciting opportunity to offer for sale tractors to the many Irish customers that support our regular vintage sales. We are also pleased to be working along site Dillon Murtagh of Murtagh Bros, who will be organising the sale”.

The sale includes 14 Fordson Super Major’s, of which two are 6cylinder conversions, 2 Fordson Diesel Major’s, an E27N Major and a Universal UTB tractor, 2 Allis Chalmers HD5 crawler/dozer complete the line up of classic tractors. In addition to this there is also a selection of modern farm machinery, which will include a 1998 Massey Ferguson 6190 4wd Dynashift with just 321 recorded hours. A 1996 John Deere 4500 4wd material handler with just 763 recorded hours, a Ford 8700 2wd Dual Power and a John Deere AMT 626 Gata.

There is also a significant number of Fordson Major spares, enough to built 8 Fordson Major tractors!

Catalogues will be available on-line from Cheffins on www.cheffins.co.uk and Irish enthusiasts can obtain catalogues directly from Murtagh Bros on 00353 44 9342512 or www.murtaghbros.ie.