Last week I ventured over to the Dallas Auction Gallery for the auction of Derrill Osborne’s lifetime bovine collection. Yep, you read right, bovine, as in cows. My first time to an auction, I was not sure what to expect. Nothing could have prepared me for the bevy of bovine art and furniture I witnessed as I stepped foot into the auction gallery.

Furniture, paintings, sculptures and other cow collectibles lined the walls of the large auction hall. It was SRO as patrons filled the 200+ seats in the auditorium. Organizers informed me there were over 300 in attendance, not including online and phone bidding. Over 30 countries were represented in the online bidding and bids came by phone from all over the United States. Apparently a lot of people drove down from Oklahoma for the auction too. Not too surprising — you know how those Okies love their cows!

I have to admit, I was a bit shocked over the enthusiasm expressed over a few (well, a few hundred actually) cow pieces.

I guess, more than the cows, it had a lot to do with the collector: Derrill Osborne, the eccentric fashion icon who stood for 23 plus years at the helm of Neiman Marcus’s men’s fashion division. Mr. Osborne’s assembled his collection for over 50 years from across the globe – from China to Germany, New Mexico to Texas.

The auction started at 6 and bidding lasted until almost midnight. (I only lasted till about 8:00 pm). Scott Shuford, president of Dallas Auction Gallery said, “It was an honor to host the Derrill Osborn auction. The event was a great success and we are very pleased with results. We are thrilled that these prized bovine works have gone to good homes.”

Raising over a half a million dollars, I’d say that was a success too!

See below for some of the most surprising pieces and prices of the night:

American Folk Oil Painting

On wood triptych depicting a horse fair with cattle. Unsigned. Unframed.
Presale Estimate: $500-$700
Price Realized: $10,755.00

Panel: 30"H x 40.5"W. Provenance: The collection of Derrill Osborn.

Chinese cinnabar curio cabinets

The top panels with greek key borders, the lower panels carved with peony decoration.
Presale Estimate: $1,000-$2,000
Price Realized: $12,250.00

Provenance: The collection of Derrill Osborn.

“Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive”

Donna Cook oil painting on canvas. Signed and dated lower right.
Presale estimate: $5,000-$7,000
Price Realized: $10,755.00

Canvas: 20"H x 48"W; Frame: 28"H x 55.5"W. Provenance: The collection of Derrill Osborn.

Collection of 300+ vintage toy cows, horses, and other farm animals

Made from metal, wood, plastic, celluloid, etc. Plus trees, wagons, fencing and people. All in a custom built painted cabinet.
Presale Estimate: $1,200-$2,500
Price Realized: $5,975.00

Provenance: The collection of Derrill Osborn.

See more photos on Flickr: Derrill Osborne Lifetime Bovine Auction

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