A large-scale work by Tony Rosenthal – the artist behind the famous Astor Place cube called “The Alamo” – has been auctioned for $ 62,500 to a New York dealer.

The 9-foot-tall, 1,000-pound piece, titled “Lovers,” is crafted from brushed aluminum. The sculpture was auctioned by Roland Auctions in Glen Cove, NY as part of Rosenthal’s personal collection and was once housed on his lawn in Southampton.

This summer it was the first time it was accessible to the public, on display at the auction house as well as at the Southampton Fine Arts Fair.

But “Lovers” was not the only Rosenthal sale.

Some 200 items were up for grabs, including two smaller variations of his iconic Astor Place cube. A representative tells us that a small version in polished bronze sold for $ 23,750 and a black painted aluminum version for $ 22,500.

Prominent Asian collectors Kim and Lito Camacho collected 19 items from the Rosenthal collection, according to a representative.

The artists’ works have been exhibited at the Met, MoMA and Whitney in New York. He is also known for creating public sculptures: in the city, there is one in front of the East 58th Street branch of the New York Public Library, as well as pieces by Rosenthal at Police Plaza and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

His most beloved work, Astor Place “Alamo”, was first presented over 50 years ago as part of the “Sculpture and Environment” program of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Rosenthal died in 2009 at the age of 94 from a stroke. His wife Cynthia watches over the estate.