Estate Auction: dog related fine and decorative arts

Bonhams & Butterfields Sunset Estate Auction, Los Angeles, March 30, 2008. Click for big.

The collecting bug: one minute you're happy with two or three porcelain sheepdogs and a "Ban Stupid People, Not Dogs" mousepad, and the next thing you know, you're on eBay in a bidding war for a set of kissing-pugs salt and pepper shakers. Or at Christie's bidding on a Hockney etching of a dachshund. Or both.

This Sunday, one of the world's largest collections of dog-related art and memorabilia will be sold at auction in Los Angeles. Bonhams & Butterfields is in charge, and you can visit their site to see some of the wonderful old tintypes and photographs of dogs from the Jennifer Berry collection. Lots of working collies and pit bull types, and many other breeds -- even sheep!

Over the past five decades, Los Angeles collector and animal lover Jennifer Berry has amassed what is surely one of the largest collections of dog-related memorabilia in the world. Housed in her prestigious Brentwood Hills, California home, it has remained virtually unknown but to close family and a handful of collectors[...]

Within the highlights is photography, embodied by highly sought after daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes. Almost all of images feature dogs sitting for a portrait. Considered highly desirable to both photography collectors as well as dog art lovers, these seminal images document not only the practice of early photographic portraiture, but accurately depict the state of various breeds in the 19th century. [Source]

Old books, too. From the Bonhams & Butterfields site:

Sale 15882 - Sunset Estate Auction
30 Mar 2008
7601 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles

The March Sunset Auction features the Jennifer Berry Collection of Dog related fine and decorative arts[...]

Viewing in our Los Angeles Gallery:
Friday, March 28th 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, March 29th 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday, March 30th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Representatives from spcaLA will be on hand during the preview to provide information on their programs and services for our clients.

Meanwhile, back on the Bay:

"Girl w PIT BULL DOG Staffordshire Terrier Original CDV card photo dated 1866 England."

I want 'em all.