Norman Rockwell Painting Sells for $1.6 Million at Auction

DALLAS (AP) — A rendering by Norman Rockwell of one of his best known paintings has sold at auction for $1.6 million.

Heritage Auctions says the painting sold Sunday in Dallas to a buyer who wants to remain anonymous.

The work was a study — a preliminary work — for Rockwell's "Tough Call." The painting with three umpires looking skyward pondering whether to call a game because of rain arguably is the most recognizable of his baseball-themed works.

The Austin family that put the work up for auction had thought they just had a print of the work before they had it examined.

The final painting is in the possession of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.