Nov 19, 2025 11:00 EST
The Evelyn D. Farland Collection
17
Man Ray
The Evelyn D. Farland Collection
French/American, 1890-1976
This is the Thesis, 1963
Signed Man Ray, titled This is the Thesis and dated New York 1963 at the rim
Cigarette butts, ashes, matches and torn typescript in a glass jar
Height: 8 inches (20.3 cm)
Diameter: 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm)
Provenance:
Mr. and Mrs. Leo and Evelyn D. Farland, New York (a gift of the artist)
Thence by descent to the estate
Literature:
Pierre Bourgeade, Bonsoir Man Ray, Paris, 1972, p. 16-17, discussed
Executed in New York in 1963, when Man Ray was staying with his friends Leo and Evelyn Farland to attend his exhibition held at Cordier & Ekstrom gallery. He received by post from a New York student a 12-page questionnaire that not only asked a multitude of questions on his life and art, but also his views on literature and the arts in the past forty years. Man Ray was furious, having recently published the same year his comprehensive autobiography, and crumpled the typescript sheets of paper and bundled them into a glass jar, filling it with cigarette butts and ash. He titled this new object “This is the Thesis” and gifted this unique object to his hosts.
Andrew Strauss and Timothy Baum of the Man Ray Expertise Committee have confirmed the authenticity of this work under reference 00591-O-2025 and that this work will be included in the Catalogue of Objects & Sculpture of Man Ray, currently in preparation.
Sold for $23,040
Estimated at $25,000 - $35,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
The Evelyn D. Farland Collection
French/American, 1890-1976
This is the Thesis, 1963
Signed Man Ray, titled This is the Thesis and dated New York 1963 at the rim
Cigarette butts, ashes, matches and torn typescript in a glass jar
Height: 8 inches (20.3 cm)
Diameter: 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm)
Provenance:
Mr. and Mrs. Leo and Evelyn D. Farland, New York (a gift of the artist)
Thence by descent to the estate
Literature:
Pierre Bourgeade, Bonsoir Man Ray, Paris, 1972, p. 16-17, discussed
Executed in New York in 1963, when Man Ray was staying with his friends Leo and Evelyn Farland to attend his exhibition held at Cordier & Ekstrom gallery. He received by post from a New York student a 12-page questionnaire that not only asked a multitude of questions on his life and art, but also his views on literature and the arts in the past forty years. Man Ray was furious, having recently published the same year his comprehensive autobiography, and crumpled the typescript sheets of paper and bundled them into a glass jar, filling it with cigarette butts and ash. He titled this new object “This is the Thesis” and gifted this unique object to his hosts.
Andrew Strauss and Timothy Baum of the Man Ray Expertise Committee have confirmed the authenticity of this work under reference 00591-O-2025 and that this work will be included in the Catalogue of Objects & Sculpture of Man Ray, currently in preparation.
Overall in great condition. All the internal elements remain intact. The lid is glued shut. Ligth dusting on the surface.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact and our Organization shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. Please contact the specialist department to request further information or additional images that may be available.
Auction: The Evelyn D. Farland Collection, Nov 19, 2025
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Auction of The Evelyn D. Farland Collection on November 19, 2025 Tops $3.3 Million
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Andy Warhol's Brillo Boxes from 1964 Achieves $1.6 Million
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Outstanding Results for Alexander Calder, Sonia Delauney, David Hockney, Francois-Xavier Lalanne and Tom Wesselman, Among Many Others
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Pioneered the Art Poster in America as Founder of Poster Originals, Ltd.
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's auction of The Evelyn D. Farland Collection on November 19, 2025 saw competitive bidding by prominent collectors drive exceptional results and a sale total that surpassed expectations. This important and extensive group of Modern and Contemporary artworks was assembled by a discerning collector, publisher and arts advocate whose influence helped reshape the role of the art poster in America. As a founder of Poster Originals, Ltd., Evelyn Farland expanded public access to visual culture while cultivating lasting relationships with major artists, influential galleries and distinguished institutions. Her collection, built over several decades, is a testament to her sophisticated connoisseurship and deep engagement with the New York art world.
Highlighting the auction was a set of three Brillo Boxes by Andy Warhol (1928-1987) that achieved a strong $1,633,500. Comprising two white boxes and one yellow box, the set boasted provenance of both Leo Castelli Gallery and prominent collector Peter Brandt. Crafted from plywood and silkscreened to mimic commercial packaging, Warhol’s Brillo Boxes elicited sharply polarized responses when first exhibited in 1964. They have since become among the most iconic works of the 20th century.
An Untitled standing mobile by Alexander Calder (1898-1976), circa 1962, realized an impressive $540,250. Calder’s miniature standing mobiles, such as this example, translate the lyrical motion of his larger works into an intimate, table-top scale. His background in mechanical engineering is evident in these carefully balanced constructions of wire, brass and painted metal elements.
In addition to its strong holdings in Contemporary Art, the Farland Collection also featured Cycladic sculpture dating to the Early Bronze Age II. A Greek Cycladic marble idol, circa 2600-2400 BC, measuring 7 1/2 inches in height, soared past its estimate to achieve $83,050. The minimalist elegance of Cycladic figures such as this resonate strongly with modern artistic sensibilities.
Evelyn Farland’s eclectic collection of art pioneers such as Alexander Calder, Sonia Delauney, David Hockney, Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselman challenges conventional perspectives, often infusing it with humor, irony, and a sense of joy. By bringing together diverse artists who were often personal friends, the collection creates a dialogue across mediums and movements—highlighting a collective celebration of avant garde. This fusion invites viewers not only to appreciate each piece on its own terms but also to explore the broader artistic conversation about the power of visual experimentation.
Read more about Evelyn D. Farland and Poster Originals, Ltd. Click here
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