Scientists had assumed that a
series of ancient lakes once scattered from Kansas to North Dakota were largely
alkaline, because
of the large quantities
of salt found in the area's sandy reddish rocks that were formed when the lake evaporated about 270 million years ago.
Other standout lots were the very strong «Self Portait as a Heel - Part Two,» by Jean - Michel Basquiat (1960 - 1988), Lot 16, shown at the top
of this article, an acyrilic and oil paintstick on canvas, 1982, that sold for $ 772,500, well above its high estimate
of $ 600,000; two sculptures by Agnes Martin (b. 1912), Lots 17 and 18, which sold for $ 217,000 and $ 233,500, respectively, both considerably over their respective high estimates
of $ 45,000 and $ 120,000; «Broadway and 64th Street,» a very good, large oil by Richard Estes (b. 1932), that sold above its $ 300,000 high estimate for $ 354,500; Lot 31, a large canvas from his Rorschach
series by Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987) that more than doubled its high estimate and sold for $ 684,500; Lot 13, «
Alkaline Phosphatase - Polyethelene Glycol,» by Damien Hirst (b. 1965), 1992, sold for $ 140,000 and had a high estimate
of $ 80,000; and Lot 37, «a delightful large acrylic on vinyl tarpaulin by Keith Haring (1958 - 1990) that sold for $ 200,500 and had a high estimate
of $ 150,000.