The Auctioneer by Norman Rockwell

April 29, 1922 Issue of The Country Gentleman

The Country Gentleman was published by Curtis Publishing Company. The masthead billed it as "The Oldest Agricultural Journal in the World." Curtis Publishing also published The Saturday Evening Post.

This illustration was the thirty-fifth and final Country Gentleman cover painted by Norman Rockwell. Rockwell painted thirty-five covers for The Country Gentleman starting in August 1917, the first Cousin Reginald cover, and continuing through this cover, April 1922.

The Auctioneer

This painting illustrates some truths concerning auctions and, indeed, life itself.

The first and most obvious lesson of this picture is literally shoved in the viewer's face. Always examine the goods up close before the sale. If you were seated in the back of the auction house, you might not notice that the statue's head is missing.

Also it is so easy to get caught in the excitement of an auction. Some folks want a item just because somebody else also wants it. Other folks want to win the auction just so someone else (whom they dislike) will not win the item. Both produce only short-lived pleasure. The winner still has to cart the junk home. Then store it or display it, then remember paying too much.

Another lesson: The best is often saved for later or even last. See the bust, the urn and the lamp on the right. The auctioneer is saving these fine-looking items for later. He is busy selling the damaged and incomplete items first. Save your money for what you really want.

No doubt, Norman Rockwell attended several auctions to be able to capture the flavor of the event in his studio and on his canvas ...
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