Sotheby’s sale of Canadian art brought C$4m from works that sold within or below estimates like this Tom Thomson painting that failed to ignite bidding, according to the Vancouver Sun:

A 1916 Tom Thomson painting, titled Early Snow, Algonquin Park, fetched $425,000 Thursday night at Sotheby’s auction in Toronto. […]

“It’s a big deal. There are probably only 300 panels like this in existence, so for them to be able to hold one was a rare opportunity,” said Linda Rodeck, vice-president of Sotheby’s Canada.

In March, Rodeck had driven to Pittsburgh to retrieve the Thomson painting; it had hung in a little waterfront bungalow for several decades. It was estimated to sell for $450,000 to $650,000 by came in below. “One border official said to another, ‘Hey Jim, it’s like holding your house and a half in your hands,’ ” Rodeck said.

Tom Thomason Painting Sells for $425,000 in Toronto (Vancouver Sun)