Andy Williams (1927-2012) is fondly remembered as one of the most talented, beloved and successful performers of his time. Andy's long and prolific musical career spanned generations, with his love of song evident in most every aspect of his life. With passions that extended far beyond his vocal abilities, Andy's generosity and charisma permeated both stage and screen for many decades and will continue to do so for years to come. Born in Wall Lake, Iowa in December of 1927, Andy began his career with his older brothers, Bob, Dick and Don, as a member of the Williams Brothers Quartet singing in the choir of Wall Lake's Presbyterian Church. The group quickly became a town favorite and the boys parlayed their newfound star-power into a standing gig with WHO radio in Des Moines, Iowa, where they soon became a local easy-listening staple. From Des Moines, the Williams Brothers found pervasive popularity in wartime radio, performing for stations in both Cincinnati and Chicago. Their success caught the attention of music legend, Bing Crosby, who soon invited the Williams Brothers to participate in his smash hit of 1944, Swinging on a Star, thereby launching the young group into nation-wide fame. They next joined up with the famed singer and nightlife personality Kay Thompson and quickly became the highest paid nightclub show in the country, working together until 1951. Andy then began to build on his experiences and ventured out East to take a chance at a solo singing career. His big break came in the form of Steve Allen's 1953 Tonight show, which brought the young Andy on the air for regular singing performances. Andy's musical talent was out-shown only by his ingratiating, warm, and wholeheartedly charming television presence. In 1962, Andy became the star of his own weekly television show, the extremely popular and highly-regarded Andy Williams Show. Concurrent to his highly successful plunge into The Andy Williams Show, Andy made a lucrative label change to Columbia Records with whom he produced, among many others, such hits as Can't Get Used to Losing You as well as a collaboration with Henry Mancini that inspired Andy's signature tune, Moon River. Andy's time with Columbia Records was extremely prolific- he at one point held more gold albums than any other singer, except Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and Johnny Mathis. Andy earned everything in life by learning and practicing, working harder than anyone else to be the best. One could draw an analogy between his entertainment career and his collecting career. In both, he was blessed with born talent-in the case of collecting, a precocious eye-but just as he tirelessly worked at his craft in singing and dancing, he was restless in his pursuit of building a great collection.

FRANCOIS-XAVIER LALANNE (1927-2008)

'NOUVEAUX MOUTONS', A FLOCK OF SHEEP, DESIGNED 1990, EXECUTED 1996

Details

FRANCOIS-XAVIER LALANNE (1927-2008)
'NOUVEAUX MOUTONS', A FLOCK OF SHEEP, DESIGNED 1990, EXECUTED 1996
including two 'Bélier', two 'Brebis' and three 'Agneaux', epoxy stone, patinated bronze
each bélier: 36½ in. (92.7 cm.) high, 42 in. (106.7 cm.) wide, 12 in. (30.5 cm.) deep; each brebis: 35½ in. (90 cm.) high, 40 in. (101.6 cm.) wide, 11 in. (28 cm.) deep; each agneau: 21½ in. (54.6 cm.) high, 22½ in. (57.1 cm.) wide, 5½ in. (14 cm.) deep
each bélier and brebis stamped FxL Lalanne 1996 Landowski Foundeur and stamped with edition number 55/250, 57/250, 100/250, 101/250 respectively; each agneau stamped Blanchet Fondeur 1996 and stamped with edition number 16/250, 17/250, 18/250 respectively (7)

Provenance

Greenberg Van Doren Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri.

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Lot Essay

cf. D. Marchesseau, The Lalannes, Paris, 1998, p. 37 for other illustrated examples;
D. Abadie, Lalanne(s), Paris, 2008, p. 188 for other examples.

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