- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
September Great Estates Fall Curated Auction
Lot 106:
Mihail Chemiakin (Russian, 1943). Mixed media cigar box field report from a Russian spy on the secret weapon of tobacco. A wooden Davidoff Aniversario No. 2 Dominican cigar box, with Russian stamps and writing, in Russian. Signed M. Chemiakin and dated 1997. The interior of the box lid contains six drawings by Mihail Chemiakin "portraits of the members of Davidoff", with handwritten Russian notations. The interior insert / cover contains more handwritten notations "Top secret. Field report, 1723." On the interior of the box, additional drawings and notations, and a small display including three pendants containing tobacco, as well as 2 bronze rats and a skull, affixed to the bottom of the box. Contained within the box are two handwritten letters (in Russian) detailing the tobacco pest. Both envelopes are addressed to A.F. Tolstoy and contain additional notations, drawings and wax seals. Inside each envelope is a handwritten letter, detailing the threats of tobacco, with additional drawings by Chemaikin. A typed English translation of the Russian language writing is included. The box was Mihail Chemiakin’s submission to Cig Art2, a benefit auction for The National Arts Club & Visual Arts Foundation Student Scholarship Funds that took place in New York City in 1997. 50 artists participated in the event including Mihail Chemiakin, Will Barnet, Milton Glaser, Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein and LeRoy Neiman. Box 10" x 7 1/2" x 2"
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