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LOT 3067
Fine Donald Yena Bronze and Print Set, “The Long Shot”, with
Correspondence, Attributed to the Inventory of Colt Industries - Born
up north and raised in Texas, Donald Yena is chiefly noted for his paintings of
Texas and the historic American West, with limited entries into bronze work.
“The Long Shot” was produced both as a bronze statue and as an art print,
with a planned limited run of 25. However, per a photocopied letter from
the artist, the process of making the bronze turned out more complicated
and expensive than originally imagined, and the plug was pulled at only 8.
Additionally, this letter and other included correspondence (copies) from a
prior owner indicate that this particular set of print and bronze was procured
by Colt, with an eye to a possible promotional run. Much like the bronze itself,
this plan was eventually scrapped, and the statue and print were handed over
to a PBS station to be auctioned as a fundraiser. Both the print and the bronze
depict a frontier marksman seated on the plains, lining up his shot with a
Sharps rifle, muzzle supported by a shooting stick and elbows braced against
the legs. Around him on the ground are a number of loose cartridges and
ammo boxes, and riding on his left hip are a large bowie knife and a revolver
in a cross-draw flap holster. The print measures 15 1/2 inches tall
and 23 1/2 inches wide, set in a hardwood frame, with “DONALD
M. YENA/71” signed in the lower right hand corner. The bronze is
installed on a hardwood base with integral drawer, 10 1/2 inches
tall, 14 3/4 inches long and 9 5/8 inches wide, dated 1970, and
marked “FENN/BRONZE” and “COLT 3/25”.
CONDITION: Both print and bronze are very fine,
with some light handling marks.
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
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