American Legion mural could fetch millions at auction

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,, at 18:41

Inside the Lehighton American Legion and behind the banquet hall bar is local history captured on canvas.



The Carbon County fairgrounds, Lehighton Cemetery, airplane hangar, the Lehigh River can all be seen in the giant scene.



The panoramic view was painted by local Artist Franz Kline nearly 70 years ago.



"A treasure. A Franz Kline painting and we in the post think it's very valuable," Floyd Brown said.



Legion member Floyd Brown isn't just painting with a broad brush of optimism.



Kline, who died in 1962 is considered, along with Jackson Pollock, a leader in the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940's and 50's.



On of his untitled black and white painting from 1957 sold for around 40 million dollars in 2012.



Back in the 1940's Kline would drink with 93 year old World War 2 Vet Cornelius McHugh. McHugh says he wasn't impressed then and still isn't today.



What do you think about the painting behind the bar?" I asked McHugh.



"If it wasn't a Kline, I wouldn't give you a nickel for it," he said.



Floyd is hoping others disagree.



"Maybe sell it, put it where it belongs in an auction where people all over the world can see this thing," he told us.



With the proceeds Floyd wants to make the Legion solvent, donate to the Wounded Warriors and the local high school..but father time has drawn a bit of snag.



"Throughout the years we watched this painting, it's just deteriorating," he explained.



You can see where canvas is creeping away, bubbling up and tearing off the wall.



Both Brown and McHugh know if the painting isn't sold soon, this potentially valuable piece of art may not be worth saving.



"It means a lot to me and to people in this community and many don't want to see it go but sooner or later someone has to step up to the plate and do something with it," Brown added.






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