Wonderful collection from the Estate of Dr. Donald M. Sledz

Auction Description

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Wonderful collection from the Estate of Dr. Donald M. Sledz, Allentown, PA.

Online Auction 7PM Monday, August 29th, 2022

Interesting artwork, artifacts, art glass, ethnographic art, decorative furnishings and unusual objects.

Includes a wonderful painting by Fern Coppedge, titled ‘Low Tide’, 14” x 16” oil on canvas, circa 1880s Faberge vodka cup (Charka), Walter Baum, Mel Stark, Harris Strong, Glenn Wessels, Pat Junau, Howard Finister, Several Peter Keil, Shozo Nagano, Bernard Pfreim, Paul Harryn, Seymour Zayon, Paul Kostabi, Alexander Calder, and many others including an interesting collection of outsider art, Harris Strong tile art, ethnic wood, carvings, Peruvian jewelry and much more.

Two Warren Platner lounge chairs, two Tom Dixon “Jack” lights, Rietveld meets Monrain multi color chair, Eero Aarnio pony chair, Gaetano Pesce B&B Italia Up Lounge Chair, Eames chair and ottoman and others!

Preview the auction 10am-3pm  Thursday, August 25 and Friday August 26 or by appointment Monday August 29 from 10am-3pm

DONALD M. SLEDZ

The late Dr. Donald M. Sledz, a longtime Lehigh Valley, PA, urologist, was well-known locally as an avid collector with eclectic interests and wide-ranging knowledge. His medical office memorably housed an ever-expanding collection of artwork, furniture, decorative objects, and collectibles from all over the world, including, unexpectedly, a stuffed grizzly bear and working vintage jukebox. His historic townhouse in downtown Allentown, from which the items offered here come, held an even larger collection that reflected Dr. Sledz’s restless curiosity and decades of travel, as well as his willingness to display unlikely pieces side-by-side.

He made his first purchase as a collector in 1969, together with his former wife, Dr. Ann Marie Sledz: ancient pottery shards from Christie’s London (Christie’s didn’t have an American salesroom at the time). Over the decades, as his knowledge grew and his collecting interests changed, he at one time or another acquired: African Art, Ancient and Primitive Money, Antiquities, American Paintings, Art Pottery, Classic Cars, Coins, Gems & Minerals, German Expressionists, Modern and Contemporary Glass, Photographs, Rugs & Carpets, Russian Works of Art, Stained Glass, Stamps, and War Effort Posters. He was equally eclectic in where he purchased, including from: International auction houses Christie’s London, South Kensington, Amsterdam and New York, and Sotheby’s Parke Bernet (later, Sotheby’s); national and local auction houses, such as Rago Auctions and, yes, Tom Hall, where he was a regular; and fellow collectors, dealers, mail order catalogues, thrift stores, and Ebay.

While almost no collecting area escaped his notice, his later collecting focused on iconic Mid-Century Modern furniture pieces, Southeast Asian works of art, and Outsider Art, including pieces by self-taught artists who hailed from Pennsylvania. 

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Sledz studied Philosophy and Chemistry at Georgetown University prior to attending Medical School there. He crisscrossed the United States and the globe in his travels, always carving out time to visit museums wherever he went. Dr. Sledz deeply admired the things humans created—whether art or music, science or literature, even the perfect cup of coffee—and was ever keen to discuss his latest interest and latest find. He was drawn to objects, gestures, and thoughts both big and small—and always to the spirit of adventure and the thrill of discovery that came with it. 

Preview the auction by appointment, call 610-799-0808