The Art and Passion of Collecting Japanese Woodblock Prints
The Art and Passion of Collecting Japanese Woodblock Prints
Podcast Description
On the latest episode of the Auction Waves Podcast, we interview a distinguished expert on the art and passion of collecting Japanese woodblock prints. Guest David Kutcher of Moonlit Sea Prints in Easthampton, Massachusetts joins Elizabeth McLeod for a lively discussion of the history and the appreciation of these delicate and intriguing works, including a detailed analysis of the works of Kawase Hasui, one of whose notable prints appears in our May 2nd Japanese Art and Antiques Auction.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on fine art collecting, auction insights, and historical significance of artifacts with episodes covering topics such as the history of Japanese woodblock prints, specific artists like Kawase Hasui, and the dynamics of art valuation.
“Auction Waves” takes you beyond the auction catalog for an up-close look at the antique and the classic, the rare and the beautiful, the eclectic and the unique. Host Elizabeth McLeod brings you enlightening and entertaining conversations with experts and authorities from the worlds of art, history, culture, style, and technology to bring you the inside story on distinctive items from our galleries.
In this special year-end edition Elizabeth McLeod recaps the highlights of each of the ten auctions conducted at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries over the year past, and looks ahead to the coming 2026 auction season!
From rare coins to classic cars, and fine timepieces to landmark works of fine art, historic Americana, and headline-making estates—including Brooke Astor, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Herb Belkin—this episode revisits the standout moments from a remarkable auction year.
Highlights include record-setting results, unexpected discoveries, and memorable bidding moments—from a legendary 1895 Morgan silver dollar and a royal Ottoman pocket watch, to important works by Andrew Wyeth, Ram Kumar, Dahlov Ipcar (including Chickens in the Garden and Antelope Mandala), and James Fitzgerald.
The episode also explores the discovery of a previously unknown verso image on a Fitzgerald work (”Two Dories”, CR# 1354, Second image verso, ”Island Women” CR# 1353) and the collaborative scholarship undertaken between Thomaston Place Auction Galleries and the Mohegan Museum and Fitzgerald Legacy, offering listeners a rare view into the research and stewardship behind significant works of art. Listen to the episode and read the full story.
Inviting Collectors
Collectors take note: listeners can look forward to more important works by Dahlov Ipcar and James Fitzgerald in the coming year, as Thomaston Place Auction Galleries continues its commitment to stewarding important Maine artists. The 2026 season will also feature important works by artists with strong Maine connections, including Imero Gobbato, Everett Shinn, and William Thon, alongside nationally and internationally renowned artists.
No matter how you look at it, 2025 was a year to remember—and in this celebratory episode of Auction Waves, Elizabeth takes listeners on a richly detailed journey through an extraordinary auction season.
In addition to fine art, the year brought notable results in jewelry, furniture, memorabilia, and even a classic Mercedes roadster, underscoring the breadth and vitality of the auction program. Throughout the episode, Elizabeth places each sale in context, offering insight into collector enthusiasm, evolving market trends, and the behind-the-scenes rhythm of life at a working auction gallery.
Marking both the close of the auction year and the completion of the first full year of Auction Waves, this episode offers a moment to reflect on what has been accomplished—and to look ahead to what promises to be another compelling auction season.
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