Circle Auction
Live Auction

Lithographs of Thomas Hart Benton: The Elman Collection

Sat, Feb 21, 2026 11:00AM EST
  2026-02-21 11:00:00 2026-02-21 11:00:00 America/New_York Circle Auction Circle Auction : Lithographs of Thomas Hart Benton: The Elman Collection https://bid.circle-auction.com/auctions/circle-auction/lithographs-of-thomas-hart-benton-the-elman-collection-20009
Circle Auction is proud to offer an exceptional collection of lithographs by artist Thomas Hart Benton, assembled by the late Dr. Arthur Elman, a Kansas City-based oncologist and former French consul to the Midwest. Arthur was a man of myriad interests, passions, and talents, so much so that Kansas City Magazine once deemed him the most interesting man in Kansas City. In 2014, Arthur and Carolyn Elman teamed with designer Kelee Katillac to rescue the historic Henry Blosser House in Malta Bend, Missouri, which had been declared the most endangered home in the state by Governor Jay Nixon. Circle Auction info@circle-auction.com
View Catalog (53)

Prev Lot
Next Lot
Thomas Hart Benton "County Politics" Lithograph (1973)
Lot 46

Thomas Hart Benton "County Politics" Lithograph (1973)

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
Inquire
Starting Bid
$2,000
[0 Bids]Bidding History
Bid increments chart

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$5,000 $250
$10,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$75,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

Thomas Hart Benton

(American, 1889-1975)

County Politics, 1973

Lithograph on paper

14" x 17" (image)

Edition of 250

 

Pencil-signed to the bottom right corner. Circulated by Associated American Artists, New York City. The sheet measures 18 ½” x 22 ¼” and the glazed frame measures 21 ½" x 24 ½".

 

Of County Politics, Benton wrote: "County Politics shows what we used to call 'the courthouse gang' arguing out its allegiances, favors, rewards and punishments. Every rural court house had one and probably still does. Those who run for public office, however high, must take these gangs into account. They know where the votes are and how to round them up."

 

Literature: Creekmore Fath, The Lithographs of Thomas Hart Benton, 2001 (third edition), University of Texas Press/ Alan Wofsy Fine Arts (San Francisco), 89.

Condition

The sheet is not laid down, hinged to the back mat with archival tape. Mild toning from sunlight exposure within the mat window. Area of mat burn at the bottom right corner of the sheet from contact with a non-archival sticker inside the mat.

Overall Dimensions
Height: 21.50 in
Width: 24.50 in
Depth: 1.00 in

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

Pick Up, Packing, & Shipping: Winning bidders may pick up their lots, once paid in full, at Circle’s auction office Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm, beginning the first business day following the date of the auction. Lots are not available for pick-up on Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays. If packing and shipping is required, we can provide you with a list of recommended shippers by request. You will be responsible to contact, arrange shipment, and pay 3rd party shippers. Circle will not be responsible for loss or damage of purchased lots handled or shipped, nor for acts and omissions, by 3rd party shippers, whether recommended by us or not. Circle will not release the lot for shipment until payment has been made in full and a buyer’s written shipping authorization form has been received. Winning bids may not be retracted, canceled or rescinded due to issues with shipping including, but not limited to, costs or prohibitions. It is the responsibility of the bidder to account for shipping prior to bidding. Failure to Pick Up & Storage: Winning bidders must pick up or have lots shipped within 15 calendar days of the close of the auction. On lots requiring a blanket shipper, shipping must be scheduled with the blanket shipper and confirmed with the auction house within 15 calendar days of the close of the auction,with lot pick-up scheduled no later than 30 calendar days from the close of the auction. On the 16th day from the close of the auction Circle has the right to charge the winning bidder a storage fee of $5 per lot per day. Lots that have been paid for, but remain on our premises sixty (60) days from the close of the auction may be sold by Circle, with no notice to the buyer. Any funds in excess of the purchase price, commissions, applicable costs, and storage fees will be remitted to the original winning bidder. At the point where storage fees associated with an unshipped item exceed the hammer price of the item the winning bidder will be considered in default of our terms and conditions and forfeits ownership to Circle Auction or its affiliated companies. In the case where the item is forfeited the winning bidder will not be compensated in any way. Lots left with Circle after the 16th day from the close of the auction are stored at the buyer’s risk. If you have any questions regarding these terms please contact Circle Auction by email at : Info@Circle-Auction.com