— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Collect.com Auctions is expanding its reach across the collecting spectrum by offering 487 lots including the largest known collection of metal mesh handbags and vintage fashion. CLICK HERE to download the free special eight-page catalog for the sale, composed primarily of the Dennis and Terri LaMothe Collection, a three-decade pursuit for Whiting and Davis and Mandalian Mfg. Co. metal mesh handbags and fashion, plus additions of fine jewelry. The online, absentee and telephone auction opens Nov. 23 and closes Dec. 12 on www.collect.com/auctions.

It’s rare when husband and wife come together with a shared passion for collecting, yet the LaMothes’ union produced two of the 20th century’s top collectors of metal mesh used in fashion. The auction is comprised of four different categories: antique mesh, vintage fashion, jewelry and the LaMothes’ collection of Department 56 collectibles.

Standout lots include a series of handbags depicting Hollywood icons Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable and Mickey Mouse as well as celebrity memorabilia from Cher and Lisa Hartman-Black.

Included are a number of rare scenic handbags depicting a range of Art Deco-inspired themes such as skyscrapers, peacocks, sunrises and meadow scenes. Once a design was chosen it naturally narrowed the market for the handbag. As such, the design and style had to be of the finest quality and feature dynamic designs. “It took 24 hours for each color to dry once it was applied,” Terri said of the different colored enamels used in the designs. “Once they were complete the stencils were destroyed so they really are living history.”

Also in the selection of handbags are 70 lots of rare specimens made by the Mandalian Manufacturing Company. Mandalian-made handbags are highly sought after by collectors because of the company’s eclectic designs and strict production methods. “They used crushed fish scale and applied it to the mesh to give it the shine,” Terri said. “They made a better bag but they couldn’t go up against Whiting and Davis.”

Rounding out the metal mesh collection is a selection of vintage fashion designer Anthony Ferrara made specifically for the Whiting and Davis line.

Among the fine jewelry is a white gold bracelet adorned with 72.23 carats of rubies and a pair of earrings with an impressive 8.7 carats of sapphires accented with diamonds.

Collect.com Auctions’ first vintage fashion sale welcomes mail, phone, absentee and online bids through Collect.com. Bidding opens Nov. 23 and closes Dec. 12. Complete descriptions and images for all lots can be found at www.collect.com.

For information on any lot or to learn more about bidding in this sale, call the Collect.com offices at 888-463-3063.

Photos courtesy Dennis & Terri LaMothe.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE CATALOG (PDF)

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Click Here for Free Admission to the Historic Alexandria Antiques Show

 

This year's Historic Alexandria Antiques Show brings together 30 top-ranking antiques, fine art and jewelry dealers from around the US and abroad.  You'll discover thousands of pieces of period furniture, paintings, prints, folk art, tapestries, textiles, carpets, lamps, ceramics, glass, jewelry and unusual decorative accessories, every one backed by a guarantee of authenticity.

 

The show takes place November 13-15 at the Holiday Inn Historic District.  Hours of the show are Friday, November 13, 11 am-8 pm; Saturday, November 14, 11 am-6 pm; and Sunday, November 15, 12 noon-5 pm.

 

You and a companion can enter the show free of charge.  Simply click here to print out your free pass.  And be sure to forward this message to a friend! 

Visitors to this year's Historic Alexandria Antiques Show can also receive free verbal appraisals of their treasures by antiques expert and professional appraiser Todd Peenstra.  Verbal appraisals will be limited to two items per visitor.  It's a great chance to learn if you have hidden wealth.

 

The Holiday Inn Historic District is located at 625 First Street.  Free parking is available.  For more information and directions, click here.  

 

Proceeds from the show benefit the Historic Alexandria Foundation.  Separate tickets are required for the preview party, November 12, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm, and for all other special events.  More information is available at 703.549.5811.

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— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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"Once a popular prize found in oatmeal boxes, and used by movie houses and gas stations as a free gift with purchase, the history of Depression glass is as diverse as the pieces themselves. Learn the history behind the companies, commonly reproduced patterns and why the hobby of Depression Glass collecting is getting bigger every year."

• 610 cardboard boxes
• filing cabinets
• a large shipping container

"In the 18 months since the project began, archivists have opened 177 boxes, each with an average of 400 items tucked inside and some containing many as 1,200 items. One box that was opened was said to have contained over $17,000 in cash, including antique jewelry appraised at over $1 million, and an autographed picture of a naked Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis."

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— posted by Eric Bradley

From Sept. 30, 2009 issue of Antique Trader magazine

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"What are some of the most strange and unusual antiques or collectibles you’ve ever seen people collect?"

Keith Christiansen and Michael Gallagher of the Met discuss their research and conservation of the first known painting by Michelangelo believed to have been created when he was twelve or thirteen years old (circa 1487-88). Recently acquired by the Kimbell Art Museum, the painting The Torment of Saint Anthony underwent conservation and technical examination at the Met, leading to this new attribution. This podcast accompanies the special exhibition Michelangelo’s First Painting, on view now through September 7.

IOWA AUCTIONEER EXTRAORDINAIRE
H. JAMES “JIM” JACKSON PASSES AWAY AT AGE 78

CEDAR FALLS, IA.- H. James “Jim” Jackson, founder of Jackson’s International Auctioneers & Appraisers of Antiques and Fine Art passed away on August 9, 2009, after a two year battle with cancer, he was 78.

Locally, Jim Jackson was known by the many different hats he wore; teacher, elementary school principal, civic and church volunteer, antique appraiser, lecturer and auctioneer. However, regardless of how one knew him, all remember his infectious and sincere smile; his wealth of freely shared knowledge and his ardent desire to assist everyone and anyone who needed help in anyway. Wisconsin antique dealer and ISA appraiser Karen Halboth, a longtime Jackson acquaintance was quick to share, “I learned a lifetime of information about antiques and life in general from Jim simply by attending his auctions. He was one of those rare individuals who shared his knowledge freely and would always make time to assist in identifying an item or lend a hand. His generosity was only surpassed by his honesty.” 

A native Iowan, Jim was born on his parent’s farm near Bagley, Iowa in December of 1930. His interest in antiques was fostered by his grandmother and parents, with whom he began attending country auctions at the age of five, way back in 1935.  Jim received his B.A. in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1952. After four years of teaching, Jim and his family moved to Southern Germany (Augsburg) where he taught school for five years. Jim took advantage of the cultural opportunities available and traveled extensively on the continent while at the same time developing a fluency in the German language. 

Upon his return to the U.S. in 1962, Jim entered the graduate school at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, where he earned his M.A. in Educational Administration and at the same time began collecting vintage American toys. His love of teaching combined with his love of history and antiques soon found him on the Midwest lecture circuit presenting programs to a variety of cultural and civic organizations on the topic of antiques and collecting. With the arrival of summer and with school administrator duties temporarily set aside, Jim began trading in antiques to supplement his “educator’s” income. Soon his knowledge of antiques and his honest reputation caught the attention of local law firms and Trust Departments who sought Jim out to produce personal property appraisals primarily for probated estates. This then lead to fiduciaries asking Jim to help sell such merchandise to which Jim did by holding small local on-site estate auctions beginning in 1969. Thus was the foundation laid for what would eventually become Jackson’s International.

Although it was really never his intent, Jim’s honest and results-oriented business blossomed into a small and growing enterprise providing ample work throughout the year and eventually requiring the need of full-time employees and later on a facility.
“I really never intended or better yet envisioned it would get as big as we did, it just sort of happened,” said Jackson in a 1999 interview. By 1980 Jim and his staff (then known simply as Jackson Auction Company) conducted an average of about 40 auctions yearly, mostly consisting of smaller on-site estate auctions. And later on and with the addition of a rented facility, consignment auctions combined with on-site auctions filled the calendar. In 1993, two years prior to retiring from a 35-year career as an elementary school principal, Jackson sold the company to his son James L. Jackson, who left the vice presidency of a large advertising agency and reentered the auction world where he had worked for many years while growing up. Son James quickly expanded the facility and repositioned the company with a regional/national focus on higher end fine art and antiques now with peak annual sales approaching the ten million dollar mark.
In a 2006 interview celebrating the firm’s 35 years of business Jim Jackson Sr. reflected, “I am amazed at how the company grew. I am also amazed at the outstanding world class roster of employees.  It is no wonder they receive so many compliments and so many wonderful referrals.”  He continued, “To be certain I was never the consummate marketer and businessman my son is, he’s the real genius, rather my real joy came from simply being able to share a bit of obscure information about an old apple peeler or the like to a fledgling collector or dealer as I was up on the block selling - I guess that’s the teacher in me.” 
Jim was a recognized leader in both the areas of antiques, auctioneering and elementary education with an emphasis on the needs of the handicapped, and he wrote and lectured extensively on both subjects. Former teacher Dr. Susan K. Sheerwood, Professor of Education at Wartburg College, Waverly Iowa said on the passing of Jim Jackson, “He was by far the most influential person in my life – the personification of both a master educator and  true gentleman. His likes will never be seen again.”

Outside the world of antiques and auctions Jim was known as a passionate advocate for the poor, marginalized, underprivileged and the handicap.  He was particularly interested in the rights and full participation of all children and adults with social, economic, intellectual and physical disabilities. To this end in the mid 1960’s Jim served as Chairman of the Black Hawk County Community Action Council, an anti poverty organization. He was also a member of ARC- Association for Retarded Citizens, and in 1990 received the Friend Of award from the Iowa TASH – The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps. Jim also served as a member of the Iowa Department of Educational Assistance Team for Integration.  Jim was past Chairman of the Iowa Association of Elementary School Principals, and past member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals, past Board of Directors member of Head Start and member of the Junior League Advisory Board. In 1965, Jim received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Civitan Club and in 1990 was named Iowa Reading Association Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Association of Elementary Educators. He was a member in good standing in a vast multitude of organizations including the National Auctioneers Association, the International Society of Appraisers, and the Appraisers Association of America to name a few. He was also an active 45 year member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls where he served in many different capacities over the past four decades. He is survived by his wife Joan of 57 years, four children and thirteen grandchildren.

President and CEO of Jackson’s International, James L. Jackson reflecting upon his father’s legacy said, “For anyone who really knew my father, they know that his real legacy in life rests not in antiques, or auctioneering or even education per-se, but rather his is a legacy of love, especially for the marginalized.  More than anything else my father felt a profound connection with the down and out, something that was fostered by his very deep and personal faith life which he was blessed in having a partner for 57 years who shared an equal passion and love of God.”

Police Chief Ron Schleuter said including jewelers and antique shop owners in the law, which is already a part of state law, would help law enforcement catch criminals. With the price of gold on the rise, the chief said thieves are taking gold items and selling them to the jewelers and antique shops at a fraction of what they are worth.

Schleuter said a Monroe resident recently purchased 16 gold coins as an investment, and 13 of them were taken from his residence. Ten of the 13 coins were recovered at jewelry stores and an antique shop.

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