OTIS KAYE'S COIN COLLECTION

Undated (1930) "Otis Kaye's Coin Collection" Painting. By Otis Kaye (1885-1974). Oil on Panel.

Approximately 9.5 inches x 6.5 inches. Professionally re-framed in a modern wood frame reminiscent of the middle to late 19th century styles. This is the only difference in the piece between our offerings of this impressive little work in our (Stack's) May 2008 sale, and our March 2020 sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection. We are pleased to offer it once again in the present sale, described as in our previous presentations with minor edits:

"Fourteen coins, accurately depicted, standing on edge or laying flat, on the three shelves of a time-worn wooden cabinet. Otis Kaye (1885-1974), was born in Nahma, Michigan. He produced relatively few paintings previous to 1929, but then suddenly became far more prolific. Kaye was one of the countless victims of the Great Stock Market Crash, losing his family's entire fortune consisting of over $150,000. He began painting pictures of money, and his paintings reflect Kaye's deep feelings of anger and loss. At a time when wealthy coin collectors were keeping their numismatic treasures in ornate, stained and varnished wooden 'cabinets,' Otis Kaye's 'Coin Collection' is shown residing in a battered wooden kitchen cabinet, protected by a lock that might easily be opened with a skeleton key. Most of the coins are well circulated, having been pulled from everyday pocket change. The name of Kaye's collection isn't set in gold leaf. Instead, the title has been typed on to a tattered scrap of paper, and thumb-tacked into place. Kaye's frustration is further echoed by the scrap of paper pasted to the bottom of the cabinet which states MONEY COSTS. In November of 1988, examples of Otis Kaye's work were on display at Berry-Hill Galleries, on East 70th Street in New York, alongside other trompe-l'oeil masterpieces by John Haberle and others, some of which were priced well over $1 million. Kaye's oil paintings were then being offered for up to $100,000. 'Otis Kaye's Coin Collection' is a wonderful example of a genre that is both whimsical, and compelling. Paintings of this caliber are rarely offered, making this is an opportunity that should not be missed."

Indeed, D. Brent Pogue took advantage of the opportunity to acquire this lovely painting in our 2008 sale, where he paid $74,750 in recognition of its beauty, rarity and artistic significance. While such works are not often seen in the realm of numismatic auctions, the particular subject matter and sentiments behind Kaye's artistic expressions make this an ideal accompaniment to another advanced collection.

Provenance: From our (Stack's) Minot Collection sale, May 2008, lot 3139, where it realized $74,750; D. Brent Pogue; our sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part VII, March 2020 Auction, lot 7419.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
OTIS KAYE (1885-1974) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n35a22.html)