The Estate of Ruth Rattner, Birmingham, MI

Items from the Estate of Ruth Rattner, prominent Detroit collector of fine art, ceramics, jewelry, and art books will be offered in a 2-day Estate Sale this Saturday & Sunday in her home in Birmingham, Michigan. This remarkable collection, carefully curated over a lifetime, represents a rare opportunity for connoisseurs, dealers, and enthusiasts to acquire exceptional works of art and design. Ruth Rattner was an art educator, cultural advocate, art historian, art advisor and appraiser. She was a passionate collector and supporter of Detroit’s cultural community including; Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Opera House, Wayne State University College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, and others.

Whether you are a dedicated collector, or simply appreciate beauty and fine art, this event promises to inspire and delight.

The sale will feature:
• Original paintings, prints, and sculptures by noted artists.
• Studio ceramics from the region and ancient pieces from Europe and Asia.
• Fine jewelry including artist-made works as well as antique pieces    
• An extensive library of rare and out-of-print art books as well as essential art and design titles

Dates: Saturday, December 13,  and Sunday December 14, 2025
Hours: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Address: Birmingham, Michigan, 48009  (Address will be listed closet to the sale.)

Estate Sale Terms and Conditions:

By entering the property and participating in the sale, you agree to the following terms:

1) Limited Entry – Due to space and safety considerations, a limited number of people will be allowed in the home at one time. Please be patient and wait for your turn to enter when capacity is reached.

2) Handling of Items – For the protection of valuable and fragile items, customers must request assistance before handling any works of art, jewelry, or other delicate pieces. Our team is happy to help you view these items safely.

3) Right to Refuse Service – We reserve the right to refuse admittance or continued participation in the sale to any individual for disruptive, unsafe, or disrespectful behavior.

4) All Sales Final – Items are sold as-is with no warranties or returns. Please inspect merchandise carefully before purchasing.

5) Payment Methods – Accepted forms of payment will be posted and explained at checkout. Large purchases may require valid identification.

6) Personal Belongings – Please keep personal items (bags, coats, etc.) away from furniture and display areas. We are not responsible for lost or damaged belongings.

7) Children and Pets – Children must remain under adult supervision at all times. No pets are permitted inside the sale premises, except service animals.

8) Property Safety – Enter and move about the property at your own risk. Neither the homeowners nor the sale organizers are liable for accidents, injuries, or loss while on the premises.

PARKING: Parking in the area is limited. Obey all posted signs and traffic laws. Do not park on private property or block driveways or mailboxes.

Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation. We appreciate your understanding.

SPECIAL BOOKS: 

1. Jean Dubuffet, Algebre de L’hourloupe 52 Figures Extrapolaratoires. 52 color cards in a box, published by Jeanne Bucher a Paris Beyeler a Bale. Cards and box in good condition with pull-out ribbon. "The word HOURLOUPE was coined by Dubuffet, who never explained its meaning. The HOURLOUPE cycle, which began in Summer 1962 when Dubuffet made some ballpoint pen doodles, inspired numerous drawings, books, paintings, and sculpture over the next twelve years." SCARCE.

2. The Black Cat, Edgar Allen Poe, Cheloniidae Press, 1984, 325 copies, designed by Alan James Robinson and Arthur Larson, and signed by Robinson. Finely printed by Harold McGrath and illustrated with eleven wood engravings by Alan James Robinson. Designed by Alam James Ropbinson and Arthur Larson, the text based on the 1845 Witney-Putnam edition. In fine condition.

3. Wallace Steven’s Poems, The Arion Press, 1985, copy 90 of an edition of 326 with a frontispiece etching by Jasper Johns, signed by the artist. A selection of poems by Stevens with an introduction by Helen Vendler. Fine. With Slipcover in need of minor repair. 

4. Birds St. John Perse, Bollinger Series, Pantheon, with four color etchings by George Braque, 1966. hardcover. Condition: fine. Dust Jacket Condition: near fine. Braque (illustrator). First. With reproductions of four color etchings by Georges Braque. Translated by Robert Fitzgerald. 71 pages of text in French and English. Thin oblong 4to, brown cloth, d.w., board slipcase. New York: Pantheon, (1966). First edition thus. A fine copy in slipcase that requires some restoration. Bollingen Series LXXXII.

5. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, S.T. Coleridge, The Caxton Press, 1968, edition of 225 with frontispiece by Leo Bensemann. Very good condition.

6. Technics and Creativity, exhibition catalogue from the Museum of Modern Art in conjunction with Gemini’s G.E.L., including a multiple by Jasper Johns (signed by artist). Text by Riva Castleman. White plastic box containing glossy softcover book (108pp) in fine condition, descriptive small leaf, foam protective sheet (toned) and the pristine Target 1970 sheet with facsimile signature, paint pads and attached brush. The white box is about fine; quarto; 108 pages.

7. Aragon - Picasso: Shakespeare, Editions Cercle d’Art, 1965. copies. A limited and numbered edition; this is no. 1721 out of 2000 copies. The book contains texts by Louis Aragon and 12 reproductions of Picasso's lithographs. Hardback, 123 pp., cover slightly worn and faded, condition: good 

8. Le Masque, Saul Steinberg, texted par Michel Butor et Harold Rosenberg, Maeght Editeur, 1966. Hardcover with slipcase. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good+. Saul Steinberg (illustrator). First Trade Edition. Oblong 4to. Unpaginated. Illustrated with color and b/w plates by Steinberg and 22 photographs by Inge Morath. Text in French. Illustrated paper-covered boards with mylar dust jacket. Housed in the cardboard slipcase with illustrated title label. Book is Fine, mylar Very Good+ Housed in a Fine slipcase. 

9. Roadkills, a collection of prose and poetry by John McPhee, Gillian Conoley, Gary Snyder, Madeline DeFrees, William Stafford, Richard Eberhart. Original etching/engravings by Alan James Robinson. Cheloniidae Press, 1981, each illustration signed by Robinson. Number 47 of an edition of 250. In Slipcover. Fine condition overall. 

10. My Love, Niki de Saint Phalle, printed in Sweden by Litografik AB. A continuous fold-out book. Beautifully illustrated tribute by Niki de Saint Phalle. White paper wraps are browned at the edges and spine. Interior is clean and delightful. 

11. Cider House Rules, John Irving, William Morrow and Company, 1985, First Edition, signed by author. Hardcover, near fine condition. No slipcover.

ARTISTS:  Earl Kerkam, John Lees, Brenda Goodman, Peter Williams, Jim Melchert, Bozil Manz, Michael Simon, Suzanne and John Stephenson, Pewabic, Rookwood, John Glick, Mary Roehm, Edwin and Mary Scheier, Tom Phardel, Jacob Feige, Malcolm Morley, John Makepeace and others.

FURNITURE & LIGHTING: Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Bertoia for Knoll, Akari Light Sculpture by Noguchi, vintage MCM lighting.

CLOTHING: Better brands from Linda Dresner, Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, Nordstroms, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Lands End, Uniqlo, and others.

HOUSEHOLD & TABLETOP: Linens, Pillows, small kitchen appliances, office, exercise, Dansk, Mikasa, and other quality items.