ONLINE AUCTION
“A canny collector possessed by a calling, Paul F. Walter learned as if by osmosis, amassing decorative objects and works of art almost daily, chronicling purchases in an orderly fashion, noting every delicate detail on page after page in spiral binders. Acquisitions nourished his creative mind and, over time, subtle patterns emerged like ribbons of intellect underpinning a decorative web. There is no question that the process, for Paul, was organic. His helix of avid purchasing was punctuated by many different collecting phases, each a skipping stone radiating concentric rings.
Paul liked to acquire in bulk, he built themed collections that dangled tendrils, it was his lifelong passion and lofty pursuit. Voracious buying was balanced by targeted gifts to institutions, a specific generosity for which he will be widely remembered. Of necessity, Paul periodically sold the fruits of his labors too thereby raising cash for future chapters. He was practical and purposeful; he researched, read, travelled, was endlessly inquisitive and equally sensitive to shaping new sensibilities with fresh finds. Just as a sculptor kneads clay, so Paul molded collections — such was his art form, a true plasticity.
A man of enormous physical bearing, Paul’s mind was ever so nimble. His elegant fingers fluttered in tempo with his thoughts. Acumen, an acquisitive nature and a forceful appetite for life fueled his indefatigable fine and decorative arts quest. While he digested expert information along the way, Paul’s true impetus was a profound curiosity; he remained ahead of his time as a collector and those in his company absorbed, and were informed by, “the school of continuing education” he naturally imparted. A necklace of words, a thread of ideas, it was an elusive language that Paul silently taught in zigzag stitches.
A true polymath, Paul continues to teach. The mosaic poetry of this sale is as palpable as its provenance, a richly layered stratum of cultivated ownership to which his name is now posthumously added. Bravo to Paul, artistic pioneer forever in pursuit, and gentlest of friends full of visionary wisdom.” — ANGUS WILKIE
Stair Galleries is delighted to offer property from the Estate of Paul F. Walter, Sag Harbor and New York City, on November 11, 2017 followed by an online auction on November 15, 2017.
We accept online and absentee bidding for this sale.
All purchases are subject to a 22% buyer’s premium discounted to 20% for cash or check.
The necessary forms for absentee bidding can be found on our website under “For Buyers” and can now be filled out electronically and emailed directly to us. To register for bidding by absentee, click here. For more information on bidding, click here.
We accept online bidding via Invaluable.com or Bidsquare.com. Click the preceding links or click on the logos at the bottom of our homepage. Please register for online bidding approval by Tuesday, November 14th, 5pm EST.
For inquiries regarding the items in this sale please contact us at 518-751-1000 or info@stairgalleries.com.