Official Auctions, Inc., Huge Fine Art Auction- Saturday December 13th 2008 from 10:07 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3130 Wheeling Ave., Kansas City, MO 64129.

Large private collections featuring hundreds of original framed oils, prints, serigraphs.  Signed prints: Matisse, Dali, Rockwell Merkin, Max, Escher, more. Sculptures by Preiss, hand carved Hopi Indian art. Original oils by famous artists: Jansem, & Simari. Early American, European, and Western art. Pre-Columbian pottery. Other auction items: Antique one owner vehicles, 1950 Packard, 1972 Lincoln Mark-4, 1948 Harley. Rare collector coins, antique furniture, railroad collectors pieces. Simulcast online bidding. Online catalog www.oaiauctions.com  816-861-3700

A rare bow front violano music player, made around 1910 by the Mills Novelty Company of Chicago and professionally restored in excellent playing condition, soared to $137,500 at a three-day multi-estate sale held October 10-12 by Showtime Auction Services at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. The violano, serial #195, is one of only 20 still known to exist.

The sale, which saw 2,340 lots cross the block over the course of the weekend, featured all three versions of the Mills violano. It might be the first time in auction history that all three Mills violano versions were offered in the same sale. The bow front sold had a midi player with wireless system that permits the user to operate it from 90 feet away. Included were three Mills rolls and four midi albums.

The featured collector of the sale was Sandy Rosnick, the founder of the Antique Advertising Association of America (AAA) and a dedicated collector of country store tins in many categories. A top earner from his collection was a very rare Mohawk Chief cigar tin with just some minor scuffs and scratches but otherwise in very good condition. The tin, once containing nickel cigars, brought $1,800.

“Sandy Rosnick was the featured collector, but we had so many items in such a broad range of categories this was our most diverse auction ever,� said Mike Eckles of Showtime Auction Services. “We weren't sure what to expect, because the financial crisis hit the week before the sale, and things were still in is a state of turmoil that weekend. But I was very pleased with the outcome. It was great.�

A strong crowd of more than 400 people enjoyed the balmy weather and packed the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. The Friday session was held solely for in-house bidders. On Saturday and Sunday, phone and absentee bidding was brisk, while about 2,500 registered bidders participated online via LiveAuctioneers.com and eBayLiveAuctions.com. In all, the auction grossed around $2.2 million.

Following are additional top lots from the sale. All prices quoted include a buyer's premium that ranged from 10-20 percent.

A paper sign advertising Buffalo Brewing Company of Sacramento, Calif., and depicting a nude Indian maiden on the back of a buffalo, in a period walnut frame and in mint condition, hammered for $45,100. Also, a Brunhoff light-up Coca-Cola advertising sign, inviting patrons to “Lunch With Us� and depicting a fountain glass, in excellent original condition (12 inches by 14 inches) fetched $12,650.

An original oil painting by the German-born American artist Edmond Osthaus (1858-1928) realized $44,000. The hunting scene, depicting two Irish setters and a pointer, measured 24 inches by 36 inches (32 inches by 44 inches framed). Osthaus was commissioned by the major firearms and gun powder manufacturers of the day, such as Remington and Winchester, for their posters and calendars.

A Watling Cupid trade stimulator (coin-operated, five cents, with gum vendor) in excellent condition and with keys, went for $38,500. Also, a limited-production exact replica of a Mademoiselle Zita fortune teller, in excellent working order, hit $17,050. The original was made by Roovers Bros. Mfg., Brooklyn, N.Y., around the turn of the century. The replica was manufactured by Mike Gorski.

A “Happy Jap� gum vendor, coin-operated and made around 1902, in good original condition (10 inches by 13-1/2 inches by 10-1/2 inches), went to a determined bidder for $39,000. Also, a four-gallon mechanical butter churn with no chips or cracks – a wonderful example of grey stoneware pottery – made $3,000. The piece, 35 inches tall, was made by Jos. Hamilton Mfg. of Greensboro, Pa.

A Buster Brown Shoes tin sign, depicting Tig pulling Buster in a big shoe, measuring 40 inches by 24-3/4 inches and made by American Art Works Lithographers of Coshocton, Ohio, and in overall excellent condition, climbed to $20,900. Also, a Boyce Moto Meter die-cut tin flange sign, two-sided, measuring 21-1/2 inches by 18-3/4 inches and with a bullet hole and a few bb dents, brought $18,700.

A child's sled intended as a Christmas present for a little boy in Pennsylvania in 1893 who died before the holidays, retired to an attic ever since and in original excellent condition, with a beautiful hand-painted rendering of the Finger Lakes in New York, wood with iron runners and geese head pulls, coasted to $5,775. Also, a Popeye Bag Puncher tin wind-up toy, with the original box, reached $4,125.

Showtime Auction Services' next big sale will be held the weekend of March 27-29, also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor. Mich. The featured collector will be Fred Bahlau who, over the course of 57 years, has amassed an impressive accumulation of leaded glass windows, Nickelodeons, lamps, signs, country store, petroliana, advertising and other items – 1,800 lots in all.

Select items from other estates will also be offered. Showtime Auction Services is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, estate or collection, you may call Mike Eckles, at (951) 453-2415. His e-mail address is Mikeckles@aol.com. To learn more about Showtime Auction Services and its calendar of upcoming sales, click on www.showtimeauctions.com.

Sunday OCT 26, 10 AM Sharp. A great consignment auction of hard to find and some one of kind antiques and collectibles, many from local estates. Our web page www.smab.com is updated for this auction which includes Victorian, turn of the century oak and mahogany, , early lamps, selection of clocks, early prints, glass, china, pottery, gold coins and other quality collectibles. ...

Furniture
 Museum quality R.J. Horner mahogany library  desk with full standing winged griffins, carved top & claw feet * Art  Nouveau style oak & marble top sideboard with leaded stained glass  door, French c. 1910 * Outstanding oak triple bow glass china cabinet with  bonnet top, carved winged lions, mirror back, claw feet * Highly carved  English oak umbrella stand with Northwind motif, refinished condition *  Fabulous Victorian mahogany hall seat by Paine Furniture Co. carved winged  lions, fancy brass hooks, lift seat * Great Victorian walnut Renaissance  Revival marble top deep well dresser with tear drop pulls * Beautiful  Victorian walnut 3 pc Rococo Revival parlor suite, Sofa & 2 side  chairs * Very ornate oak Armoire with 2 drawers, carved crest, beveled  mirror doors * Oak stacking lawyer's bookcase by Macy Co. * Exceptional  oak buffet with carved standing lions, fancy carved with claw feet *  Victorian 54" round oak pedestal dining table with 6 leaves * Quality oak  tall chest with serpentine front & sides, fancy carved with beveled  mirror * Quality 48" square oak dining table, 5 carved legs, with leaves,  c. 1900 * Very ornate oak hall seat, lots of carvings, round beveled  mirror, original brass hooks * 48" oak "S" curved roll top desk, double  pedestal base * Empire Period mahogany flip top game table * Pair of  French style 3 drawer inlaid side stands * Original oak Hoosier kitchen  cupboard * Mahogany Chifferobe with beveled mirror, Sandwich glass pulls,  c. 1890 * Great oak Morris chair with large claw feet, refinished &  reupholstered * Oak pressed back rockers * Unusual oak Larkin desk with  beveled mirror * Victorian walnut cylinder secretary bookcase desk, lots  of burling * Great Victorian walnut Rococo Revival full size bed, c. 1870  * Eastlake Victorian walnut & marble umbrella stand * Matching  mahogany tall chest & dresser with serpentine fronts, fancy carved  beveled mirrors * Art Deco style painted Hoosier kitchen cupboard *  Selection of oak & mahogany lamp tables & fern stands * Victorian  oak cylinder secretary desk, c1880 * Oak Jeweler's work desk, c. 1910 *  45" round oak pedestal dining table with claw feet & leaves * Sets of  oak dining room chairs * Oak office chairs * Set of 4 Hitchcock style  chairs with rush seats, c. 1840's * Matched pair of Victorian oak Armoires  with crests * Fantastic Eastlake Victorian stick & ball carved oak  hall stand * Louis XVI style mahogany vanity with beveled mirror * 2 door  mahogany bookcase with columns & claw feet * Unusual oak ice box with  sliding top * Arts & Crafts style oak blanket chest * Oak 4 drawer  file cabinet by Library Bookcase Co. * Selection of oak dressers, tall  chests * wash stands * Victorian walnut 42" ladies' S curved roll top desk  * Selection of Victorian walnut platform rockers * side chairs * Oak  smoker's stand, Arts & Crafts * Mission oak chairs & rockers *  Much more...
  
  
 Glassware & China
 Brilliant cut * Limoges * Nippon * Roseville *  Depression * Bavaria * Ironstone * Carnival * Victorian art glass * Cruet  sets * Brides' baskets * Fiesta * Moser * Much more....
  
  
 Miscellaneous
 Victor #5 oak record player with spear tip  external horn * Empire Revival mahogany 3 weight grandfather clock with  moon dial, c. 1900 * Victorian oak barber's chair by Koken, Chicago *  Victorian rolled wicker baby buggy with original parasol top * National  brass cash register, c. 1910 * Oriental rugs & carpets * Gold &  silver US coins * Estate jewelry * Quilts * Oak organ with carved gallery  & mirror * Collection of old radios * Early country store coffee tin *  Restored Victorian cast iron & brass scale * Edison "Home" model  cylinder record player * Selection of Victorian & 1920's decorative  prints & mirrors * Gone with the wind style lamps * Tiffany style slag  glass table lamps * Brass floor lamps * Leaded stained glass Tiffany style  hanging lamp shades * Mantle clocks * Advertising * Kitchen collectables *  Tools * Toys & dolls * Much more.....

Imagine: A 1,000-year-old carved rock crystal ewer, one of only seven known surviving examples, will be offered Christie's Islamic art sale next month. It's expected to bring over $5 million (U.S.)

Made for the court of the Fatimid rulers of Cairo in the late 10th or early 11th century, carved out of a single piece of hollowed-out rock crystal and later embellished in enameled gold mounts (1854) by a French silversmith.

The last time this ewer was bid on, it reached more than 1000 times its presale estimate. Well, the estimate is set pretty high this time, due to the more accurate description, I'm sure. This is truly a historic treasure.

A Waterbury antiques dealer has been barred from selling vintage American flags on eBay because of restrictions he placed on who can buy the flags.

(You can read the full story here.)

Iffy eBay goods draw ire of Internet posse: Cyber-vigilantes track down sellers of questionable items—often with blessing of overworked authorities

Among the highlights of Swann Galleries’ two-part auction of Art, Press & Illustrated Books, and 19th & 20th Century Literature on April 24 were original illustrations, some used in well-known books, some that never appeared in print, and an exceedingly rare copy of the first work published by Leonard Baskin’s famed Gehenna Press.

Christine von der Linn, Swann Galleries Art and Modern Literature Book Specialist, said, “This sale featured many unusual items, some never seen at auction before and others that hadn't appeared on the market in a long time. This made for a lively preview exhibition and a very successful auction. Prices for graphic material in particular were high—many of the art journals with original lithographs, etchings and woodcuts, and Art Deco pochoir portfolios were hotly contested.�

A group of three original watercolor illustrations from the 1950s by Félix Lorioux, best known for his illustrations of children’s books by Charles Perrault, brought $12,000*; and a set of 44 Art Deco gouache illustrations with text by poster artist Mary Louise Lawser for an unpublished children’s book titled Now A Days sold for $10,200.

A collection of works by Ludwig Bemelmans, popularly known as the author and illustrator who created the Madeline series, included a circa 1940 watercolor of a street scene, L’Apres-midi en face du Capitole de la belle ville de Sainte Paul, $11,400; and two signed lithographs, They Went Looking High and Low, from Madeline’s Rescue, $5,280, and To the Tiger in the Zoo, Madeline just said “Pooh, Pooh,� from Madeline, $5,040.

The featured small press book, a signed and inscribed copy of Leonard Baskin’s On a Pyre of Withered Roses, New Haven, 1942, realized $9,000. Baskin’s first book and the first publication of his Gehenna Press, this was the first copy ever to appear at auction and the only known copy outside that belonging to the Baskin family.

Beautiful works with pochoir illustrations included Sonia Delaunay’s Compositions Couleurs Idees, with 40 plates for textiles, wallpapers and other decorative uses, Paris, 1930, which sold for a record $7,350; Eugène Grasset’s La Plante et ses applications Ornementales, with 72 plates, Paris, 1895, $6,960; Paul Iribe’s own copy of his Les Robes de Paul Poiret, with 10 plates, one of 250, Paris, 1908, $5,760; Aleksandr Pushkin’s Conte de Tsar Saltan et de son fils le Glorieux . . . de Cynge, with spirited illustrations by Natalia Gontcharova, Paris, 1921, $4,655; and Emile-Alain Seguy’s Prismes, with 40 brilliant plates of natural reflections of light, Paris, circa 1930, $2,640.

Two gorgeous examples of French Art Nouveau illustrated books were La Porte des Rêves with illustrations by Georges de Feure, one of 200 copies printed on Japan paper, Paris, 1899, and Carlos Schwabe’s Hespérus, one of 20 reserved for member of the Société “Les XX,� Paris, 1904, $3,600 each.

Rounding out the illustrated books was Marc-George Mallet’s Le Ronde des Déesses, with an engraved frontispiece by Arthur Szyk, inscribed by the author, and with five inscribed and signed postcards by Szyk to the man who gave him his first solo show in Paris, Auguste Decour, Paris, 1925, $4,800.           

Modern Art highlights included a beautiful copy of Poèmes de Charles d’Orléans, a signed copy of Henri Matisse’s last book, Paris, 1950, $6,000; a small archive of Salvador Dalí material once belonging to his friends Maria and Jaume Miravitlles, which included a two-page inscribed pen drawing of Don Quixote, late 1950s, $19,200; Franz Meyer, Marc Chagall: Life and Work, one of 100 deluxe copies signed by Chagall, with an original numbered etching, New York, 1964, a record $5,760; and Andy Warhol’s Exposures, signed and inscribed to fashion designer Fernando Sanchez, with a signed photograph of a nude male posterior, New York, 1979, $5,280.

Part two of the auction was devoted to 19th & 20th Century Literature. Highlights of a comprehensive Robert Frost collection included a beautiful copy of his first regularly published book, A Boy's Will, inscribed and signed, in the rare gilt-stamped bronzed brown pebble cloth binding, London, 1913, $10,800; two variant editions of the same title, one with a binding of cream boards, London, 1913, the other one of only three variant copies in cream wrappers, first edition, second issue, London, 1913, $4,080 each; and an inscribed copy of North of Boston, first edition, one of 200, London, 1914, $3,360.

Other literature highlights were Washington Irving, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., first edition in the original seven parts, New York, 1819-20, a record $5,760; first editions of William Combe, The English Dance of Death, and The English Dance of Life, together, three volumes, London, 1815-16, 1817, $3,600; and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit or There and Back Again, first edition, first impression, London, 1937, which brought $3,600—even without the dust jacket.

Wow. Just wow.

Suitcase of money falling from the sky... 

Find a painting in a shop, pay about $700 bucks for it, find out it's worth about $500,000... NOt a bad days work for an umemployed 23 year old in England.

Not a bad life's work, actually. No pic, so I don't know what it looks like. Thing is, too, the guy is going to keep it probably... How un-American...

Wow.

This an awesome sculpture, but - perhaps, jus' a l'il bit - overpriced. $14M? That's Monopoly money, right? right? Of course, it was a t Christie's, so I'm betting the bid wasn't all about the piece itself.

I couldn't imagine spending that kind of cash on something, plus, I can't help but think that spending that kind of money on a piece of sculpture - a relic of the material world, which - according to The Buddha - doesn't even really exist, except in the constructs of our minds as determined by karma - that is completely contrary to the teachings it represents...

Hmmm... Have to mediate on that one.

Oh, and I really love the blog that I pulled this story from - Bad at sports - which is an often humorous look at the world of contemporary art...

Good for the authorities that busted this ring, and good for fine art lovers!

Just goes to show that you should always know your source, and know their reputation! Nowhere is a dealer's rep more important than in antiques and art.

This doesn't say anything about whether the whiskey's any good, but the bottles most certainly aren't.

This comes via a Chicago Web site called The Chicago Syndicate. It's a fun Web site, but the story is real, and serious.

There are a lot of folks out there that take their antique whiskey bottles - and their whiskey - seriously. If you are buying bottles online, and it's coming from Europe, especially Scotland, caveat emptor!