Circle Auction is proud to present an exceptional single-owner collection of 48 Thomas Hart Benton lithographs, all pencil signed and issued in limited editions. For collectors of American Regionalism and Benton’s iconic vision of American life, this offering represents an uncommon chance to acquire strong examples with cohesive provenance and local Kansas City ties.

Live online bidding starts Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST.

In-person preview:

• Thursday, February 19 from 1–5pm

• Friday, February 20 from 1–7pm
  Location: 901 Woodswether Rd, Kansas City, MO 64105

Why this Benton collection matters to collectors

Single-owner collections tend to have a few advantages that matter in real life, not just in a catalog. They are often assembled with a consistent point of view, kept together for years, and cared for in the same environment. That can mean fewer surprises when you compare impression quality, paper condition, and overall presentation from lot to lot.

This collection also includes a strong cross-section of Benton’s printed work across decades, offering collectors multiple entry points. Some buyers come for early lithographs and bibliographic significance, some for motion and Americana subjects, and others for the personal stories Benton embedded in late works. Here, you can see those threads side by side.

And for Kansas City collectors, Benton’s presence is not abstract. His home and studio are just minutes from Circle Auction. This sale brings a deeply Missouri-rooted body of work to market in the city that still feels like part of Benton’s story.

Collection highlights: rare examples and sought-after pieces

This offering includes several standout Benton lithographs that collectors consistently look for, spanning early printmaking through late, story-rich works:

• Wreck of the Ol’ 97 (1944): a dramatic Americana narrative scene with strong visual punch.

• Running Horses (1955): classic Benton motion and draftsmanship, a perennial collector favorite.

• Forward Pass (1972): Kansas City-inspired, tied to Benton’s Chiefs game and practice-session sketches that led from sculpture to lithograph.

• Strike (1933): one of Benton’s earliest lithographs, listed as #5 in Creekmore Fath, prized for chronology and reference significance.

• Ten Pound Hammer (1967): a bold labor theme that captures Benton’s muscular realism.

• County Politics (1973): a sharp, story-dense view of civic life, rewarding repeated looking.

The story behind the collection: Dr. Arthur Elman and the Henry Blosser House

This collection was assembled by the late Dr. Arthur Elman, a Kansas City-based oncologist and former French consul to the Midwest. Arthur was widely known for his curiosity and range of interests. Kansas City Magazine once dubbed him the most interesting man in Kansas City, a label that fits the breadth of his pursuits.

In 2014, Arthur and Carolyn Elman partnered with designer Kelee Katillac to rescue the historic Henry Blosser House in Malta Bend, Missouri. The 1870s home had been declared the most endangered house in the state by then-Governor Jay Nixon. Through years of careful preservation and renovation, it became a restored landmark of thoughtful interior design and a refuge for historical objects and fine art.

Within that locally-minded collection were dozens of lithographs by Missouri’s favorite son, Thomas Hart Benton. In 2025, the Henry Blosser House was offered for sale, and this extensive Benton group now comes to auction, ready to find new walls and new stewards.

Preview and bidding details

Live online bidding starts Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST.

Open house preview:

• Thursday, February 19 from 1–5pm

• Friday, February 20 from 1–7pm
  Address: 901 Woodswether Rd, Kansas City, MO 64105