Circle Auction is proud to offer an outstanding collection of lithographs by artist Thomas Hart Benton, assembled by the late Dr. Clarence R. Decker, who served as the president of the University of Kansas City (now called the University of Missouri – Kansas City) from 1938-1953. During Decker’s time in that position, he helped to grow the university many times over. He played an instrumental role in UKC’s accreditation, and under his tenure, the university became the first institution of higher learning in the state to enroll Black students and the first in the region to accept Japanese-American students following World War II internment.
Decker also built a program that brought visiting artists and cultural leaders to campus. Benton was among those welcomed to UKC, and accounts of the period describe Benton as part of the Deckers’ personal circle, including being hosted by Clarence and Mary Decker at University House. This personal connection is reflected in the collection itself, with many lithographs inscribed by Benton to Clarence and Mary.
In 1949, Decker commissioned Benton to create the lithograph Prayer Meeting, as documented in Creekmore Fath’s catalogue raisonné, The Lithographs of Thomas Hart Benton. Decker left the University of Kansas City in 1953, and continued serving in higher education until his death in 1969.
Assembled 60 to 80 years ago and preserved in the Decker family ever since, this single-owner collection is now being offered to the public, giving collectors the rare chance to acquire Benton lithographs with direct personal association to one of his Kansas City friends and patrons.
Register: First time bidders will need to create an account with Circle. After you have an account, you can register for the auctions you’re interested in bidding on here.
Auction Preview: Every auction we host an in-person preview a day or two before the auction closes. This is an opportunity for bidders to see items in person before bidding on them.
Bid: Our auctions take place online and are open for bidding for two weeks. You can either submit your highest bid for an item, or wait until the final day of the auction when bidding is most active. You can bid via computer, the Circle Auction app, or you can submit a phone bid by filling out our form here.
Buyer’s Premium: Auction winners, in addition to their high bid amount, pay a Buyer’s Premium of 19% (this fee helps keep the lights on at Circle).
Payment: After you have won an item, payment is due within five business days of the auction. We’ll email you an invoice which includes your winning bids and buyer’s premium (you will not be automatically charged to the card used during auction registration). We accept cash, credit, debit, wire transfers, and certified checks.
Pickup: Once your invoice is paid, you may pick up your item from Circle’s office during regular business hours. Please bring a copy of a photo ID to pick up your item. Circle Auction Office: 901 Woodswether Road, Kansas City, MO 64105
Shipping: While we don’t offer in-house shipping (making it the buyer’s responsibility to arrange shipment), we’ll happily guid you through the process. You can view more information on the shipping process and our list of recommended shippers here.
Free Delivery: We offer free delivery for any bidders within 20 miles of our offices for any item under 200 lbs on a set delivery date. (If you are outside of the 20 miles or the item is more than 200 lbs, please reach out to our office for a delivery quote.)
First time participating in one of our online auctions? Check out our guide here.
