Antique Trader Blog - fine art

Heritage Auctions NYC Gallery opens Sept. 1

Karen — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:36:57 GMT

NEW YORK – The eagerly-awaited new Manhattan gallery and offices of Heritage Auction Galleries will open at 445 Park Avenue (at 57th Street) Sept. 1, 2010.

The expansion of Heritage, the world’s third largest auction house, into the New York City market comes at a time when many major auction firms are contracting. The Dallas-based firm also opened a Beverly Hills, Calif., gallery and salesroom earlier this year.

“The New York City area is home to many of the top collectors and collections, and the center of the art and antique market,” said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage. “It’s a perfect fit with our increasingly expanding services, and the best possible place for us to serve the art and high-end collectible needs of our clients. I can think of nowhere else we'd rather be opening a new gallery right now than right in the heart of Manhattan's auction district.”

"Heritage is distinguished by its superb sales catalogs, unequalled online resources for buyers and sellers and transparency in how we do business. We have a non-stop auction rotation that features the very best across 30 categories including rare coins, collectibles, fine art, jewelry, comics, movie posters, rare wine, sports memorabilia and much more," explained Rohan.

The first auction to take place under the auspices of Heritage Auctions New York City will be the company’s Oct. 16 Signature® Illustration Art Auction at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion (The Ukrainian Institute), 2 East 79th Street. It will feature some of the very best illustration pieces Heritage has ever offered, including works by Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell, Gil Elvgren, J.C. Leyendecker and one of the most iconic pieces of illustration art pieces to come on the market anywhere in years, Garth Williams’ original graphite and ink on paper drawing for the cover of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, 1952.

One of the most talked about features of Heritage’s new Manhattan venue will be the Heritage Window on Park Avenue, which will feature a continually rotating selection from upcoming Heritage auctions, across all of the firm’s categories.

“We expect the Window to become a regular attraction for both collectors and everyday New Yorkers alike,” said Rohan.

The offices on Park Avenue at 57th will be open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more auction news and coverage, visit the Antique Trader magazine website at www.AntiqueTrader.com.

— Karen Knapstein

Art Loss Register recovers Dieppe carved ivory box

Karen — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:43:06 GMT

Relying on its one-of-a-kind, international database of over 300,000 lost and stolen items, the Art Loss Register has recovered an ivory box stolen from a private residence in , while the theft victim sat rooms away.

The theft of the delicately crafted box, executed by famed French draftsman Charles-Etienne Thomas (1787-1857), occurred in December 2009.

Chubb Insurance, acting on behalf of the theft victim, was quick to provide photographs of the stolen property to the Warwickshire Police who within days reported the items to the Art Loss Register. The ALR maintains the largest international database of lost and stolen works of art. It records both public and private losses, regularly conducts searches of the database against international auctions, private treaty sales, gallery stock, art fairs and museum collections, and aims to identify then mediate the return of these items.

In March 2010, just over three months after the box's theft, the ALR matched the stolen box at a Christie's New York auction where it had been valued at $4,000 to $6,000. The name 'Dieppe' is attached to the box as it denotes the type of ivory traded in the port city in France, which served as a luxury commerce hub from the 16th through 19th centuries.

Christie's immediately withdrew the box from auction and held it until the ALR negotiated the consignor's surrender of the item. The consignor, a former US police officer, was completely unaware of the box's crooked history, and cooperated fully with the ALR and Detective Constable Paul Whitehurst of Warwickshire Police, who led the UK investigation.

By June, a mere six months after it was stolen, Chubb was happy to offer the Dieppe Carved Ivory Box back to its client, the theft victim.

Christopher A. Marinello, executive director and general counsel for the ALR, who led the case, commended Detective Constable Whitehurst for his persistence. "The theft victim was fortunate to have such a diligent officer working on his behalf. Choosing a quality fine art insurer like Chubb who painstakingly documents its client's possessions is the smartest move you can make if you ever hope to recover a cherished family heirloom after a theft."

-posted by Eric Bradley

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Star of the North Show this weekend at the Minn. State Fairgrounds

Karen — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:09:06 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Townsend Promotions, Inc., is pleased to announce the Star of the North Antique Show will be returning this weekend (June 25-27) to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Townsend promoters hear many, many positive comments from customers and exhibitors about the show as well as the location and, of course, the free parking.

The Star of the North has something to offer for every collector from beginning to advanced. You will see an exciting array of antiques in every category from Civil War, historical, political, advertising, coins, vintage toys, fine art glass, fine porcelains, flow blue china, paintings, Moser glass, jewelry, sterling silver matching service, art pottery, holiday collectibles, prints, decorative antiques, carnival glass, cut glass, Fenton glass, Cambridge, Royal Bayreuth, Royal Doulton, Nippon, hatpins, napkin rings, match safes, bookends, door stops, notary seals, postcards, ephemera, furniture, primitives, old books and much more.

New to the show – verbal jewelry appraisal services available at the show daily from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. This is in conjunction with a Vintage Clothing Show held in the Fine Arts Building and a Book Fair in the Progress Building.

The show will again be held in the Education Building which is located near the entrance of the fairgrounds and free parking. Hours of the show will be: Friday: 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday 11 am – 4 pm.

Admission is $6 and is good all three days of the show – mention this news release on the Antique Trader blog and receive $1 off one admission at the door.

For show information, call 641-832-2700 or 507-269-1473 or email us at Townsend Promotions.

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-posted by Eric

Mated pair of Andrew Clemens sand art bottles surface ... again

Karen — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:52:09 GMT

A curious and unique pair of sand art bottles, handcrafted by Andrew Clemens (1857-1894) of McGregor, Iowa, will be offered for sale in a July 2 auction held by W. Yoder Auction and carried live via ProxiBid. Popularly referred to as the Sweetheart Sandbottles, these rare bottles have surfaced for sale no less than three times in the last five years - twice in just the last four months.

Clemens lost his hearing and speech at age 5 due to a "brain fever." As a deaf-mute he earned worldwide acclaim for his ability to "paint" images inside blown glass bottles with nothing more than a set of special tools (including a fish hook) and the patience of a yeoman. He was proud that his specially colored sand came from Iowa's Pictured Rocks area of Pikes Peak State Park. According to several online articles, Clemens created most of his work from 1880-1886 and is acknowledged as the inventor and possibly the sole practitioner of his art form. Antique Trader featured Clemens' work in a cover story in February 2008.

It's estimated that of the hundreds of sand art bottles Clemens made during his regrettably short life (he died at age 37 or 42 depending on which account you read) only about 50 bottles remain. They are highly coveted by American folk art collectors for their ingenuity and beauty. Prices range from about $500 for lesser quality examples to as much as $25,000. Four bottles are on display at the Iowa State Historical Museum in Des Moines and other bottles are documented on a fan site.

They are referred to as the Sweetheart Sandbottles, at least that's how auctioneer Wes Cowan described them when he sold the pair for $24,500 (not including buyer's premium) in February 2005. The commissioned bottles were made for Helen Wimmler, Milwaukee, and Henry Reinken, Manitowoe, (sic) Wis. (The Wisconsin city of Manitowoc is misspelled.)

Fast forward to Feb. 16, 2010. In a listing that's since expired from general searches, the sandbottles were offered by a Florida seller on eBay. By all accounts the listing shows the bottles were claimed after five bids for $19,000. The listing is for the same Wimmler and Reinken bottles, "the only 'mated pair' of Clemens sand bottle art."

For whatever reason, the wonderful Sweetheart Sandbottles are back on the market and represent one more opportunity for collectors to own a piece of peculiar folk art. The bottles are shown on Yoder's auction website along with three other rare examples included in the firm's July 2 auction. One of the three examples depicts an American eagle above a banner reading "M.W. Cole," another shows a paddle wheel boat and the third depicts a floral bouquet in an urn.

-posted by Eric Bradley

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Record set for Lalanne sculptures

Karen — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:53:27 GMT

VAN NUYS, Calif. – Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) announces Francois-Xavier Lalanne Singes Attentifs SI & SII, sold for a record price of $199,062 (estimate $100,000-$125,000) and was the top lot in the May 23 Modern Art & Design Auction.

The artist’s daughter, Marie, was on hand to witness the sale and posed for a photograph with one of her father’s sculptures.

The May 23, 2010, Modern Art & Design Auction totaled $1.67 million (including buyer’s premium) selling 64 percent of the 451 lots available. More than 300 people attended the auction, making it the largest attendance at a LAMA auction to date.

The gallery was standing room only and was filled with buyers from all over the world. Buyers represented France, Portugal, Israel, Mexico, and a heavy percentage from California. ■

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Rare preliminary watercolor from Pinocchio on the auction block

Karen — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:10:57 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Bonhams & Butterfields' Entertainment Memorabilia auction on June 13, 2010 will include a wide range of collectible items related to our popular culture including a rare preliminary watercolor from the Oscar-winning® Walt Disney film "Pinocchio," 1940, by famed children's book and cartoon illustrator Gustaf Tenggren.

The painting, seen below, depicts a scene from the animated classic where Pinocchio runs into Gideon and J. Worthington Foulfellow on a cobbled narrow Bavarian street. In this watercolor, the puppet's two acquaintances are depicted as well as a quaint village with diminutive houses, which feature carved details.

After joining Disney Studios in 1936, Tenggren worked on preliminary paintings for several classic films such as Snow White and Pinocchio. His style was very reminiscent of illustrators Gustave Dore and Arthur Rackham. For Pinocchio, Tenggren painted street scenes of charming villages with narrow streets, petite houses, street lamps and townspeople going about their daily chores. Many of these paintings were inspired by a small Bavarian medieval town by the name of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

Rare to auction, the watercolor is expected to bring $30,000 to $40,000.

The illustrated auction catalog is online now at www.bonhams.com/us.

Preview: June 11-12, 2010, Los Angeles
Auction: June 13, 2010, 10 a.m.
Information: www.bonhams.com/us

A Gustaf Tenggren preliminary watercolor from "Pinocchio," 1940, watercolor on paper. Estimate $30,000 to $40,000.
Photo courtesy Bonhams & Butterfields; © Disney Enterprises, Inc. 1940

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Antique Trader is giving a free antique appraisal to attendees of the Chicago Antique Market

Karen — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:59:13 GMT

Own an antique or collectible?
Of course you do!

Want to know its value?
Absolutely!

Come meet Antique Trader at Chicago's largest antiques and collectibles festival May 29-30! Every attendee to the Chicago Antique Market at the Randolph Street Market Festival will giving free antique appraisals at the inaugural Antique Trader Appraisal Fair. After shopping from aisles and aisles of more than 300 vendors inside and outside Chicago’s historic Plumbers Hall, regional and nationally-known antiques experts will answer your questions on family heirlooms and rare items from your collection.

Situated under the big top tent, every attendee is eligible for a free appraisal of an antique or collectible with additional appraisals (as time allows) available at $10 each. Appraisal fair hours are limited to 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 29 and from 11 to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 30.

Among the experts scheduled to appear:

* Mark Moran, appraiser and senior editor of Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide, 44th Edition antiques and collectibles books for Krause Publications and an appraiser for PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow.”

* Brett Benson owner of Jewel Sphinx Extraordinary Objects and Jewels

* Daryle Lambert, founder of the 31 Corp., and author of the book 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles.

Among the unique “show within a show” features at the Chicago Antique Market include:

* The Indie Designer Market, the lower level of Plumber’s Hall, features the hottest young designers creating avant garde and one-of-a-kind fashion, art and jewelry.

* The Vinyl Swap Meet, where thousands of collectible records from 45’s to LP’s, jazz to rock and show tunes are availabel to buy, swap or sell.

* The Fancy Food Market, offering all types of chocolates, cakes, breads, spices, olive oils, salsa to bring home or enjoy during the event.

More Info:

Chicago Antique Market at the Randolph Street Market Festival Saturday & Sunday, May 29-30, 2010

1350 Block W. Randolph Street & inside Plumbers Hall, 1340 W. Washington Street, Chicago.

Free pickup and drop off from Water Tower Place, 835 N Michigan Ave.

Show hours

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 29
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 30

Antique Appraisal Fair Hours

1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 29
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 30

Tickets

$10, available at the gate or in advance online

Chicago Antique Market
312-666-1200
info@chicagoantiquemarket.com
www.chicagoantiquemarket.com

-Posted by Eric Bradley

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Antique map at auction shows early Washington before District of Columbia

Karen — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:08:35 GMT

The extraordinary private collection of more than 100 maps documenting the topographical and development of Washington D.C. history is making big news in the Beltway.

The maps cross the block Thursday, May 20, 2010 at Quinn’s Auction Galleries & Waverly Rare Books in Falls Church, Va. As part of the map collection of Washingtonian John Richman, the collection of rare maps traces over 200 years of the District’s physical progress, including the dredging of the Potomac that enabled the creation of a unified new city.

“This collection is a virtual 200-year time capsule of how Washington was established, how it looked before the District was formed, and how the aspects of some of its most important landmarks changed the landscape,” said Matthew C. Quinn, co-owner of Quinn’s Auctions. “There are maps of the City of Alexandria, the City of Georgetown, and then the newly established City of Washington. Additionally, there are maps showing The Washington Monument as it was being built.”

The ongoing architectural improvements and transformation of the nation’s most famous monuments (including The Washington Monument), The White House and other structures are documented in several maps that show the evolution of our nation’s capital. “All this history in one location, how often do you see that?” Quinn said. “It’s fascinating to compare the city’s transformation over centuries.”

Most of the D.C. maps are over 100 years old, and some are on the pricier side, like Andrew Ellicott’s late-18^th-century “Plan of the City of Washington in the Territory of Columbia ceded by the States of Virginia and Maryland to the United States of America.” Its auction estimate is $500-$1,000. But Quinn stressed that most of the maps entered in the sale are very affordable, with individual estimates starting well under $100.

“This is a rare opportunity for Washingtonians to own fascinating views of their city from over a century ago. Each map is attractively framed and ready to hang as a historical artwork in the home or office,” Quinn said. The maps have been featured on Washington-area television stations, drawing interest from collectors and Washington history buffs alike.

The John Richman District of Columbia map collection is the centerpiece of a larger selection of rare books, maps and atlases to be auctioned Thursday May 20 at 6:30 p.m. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet.

Contact Matthew Quinn by calling 703-532-5632 or e-mailing matthew.quinn@quinnsauction.com. Visit Quinn’s online at www.quinnsauction.com.

This isn't the only antique map making headlines this month. Garth's is offering the 1826 Savery-Sumner map, titled “Map Of The Western Reserve Including the Fire Lands in Ohio,” May 29.

- Posted by Eric Bradley

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Art & Antiques magazine has new owner after sale

Karen — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:23:27 GMT

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Wilmington-based Art & Antiques Worldwide Media said May 6 it has acquired Art & Antiques magazine from CurtCo Publishing.

The corporate offices of Art & Antiques, which has 35,000 paid subscribers, will move to Wilmington, said Phillip Troy Linger, president and publisher of Art & Antiques Worldwide Media.

Editorial offices and key editorial staff of the magazine aimed at affluent collectors will remain in New York, and sales offices will remain in California, Texas and New York. According to a news release, Linger’s plans include reintroducing the publication to national newsstands and enhancing its online presence.

— Eric Bradley

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Picasso breaks all art records at $106.5M

Karen — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:13:56 GMT

NEW YORK – Art market history was made at Christie’s May 4 when the Pablo Picasso painting, titled “Nude Green Leaves, and Bust” sold for $106,482,500 to an unidentified telephone bidder, setting a new world record for any work of art sold at auction.

Silence fell over the packed saleroom as Christopher Burge conducted nine minutes of bidding that involved eight clients. Christie’s lead auctioneer took bids from a client in the saleroom as well as those on the phone before the competition settled down to two bidders at the $88 million mark and a one-on-one battle ensued. The final bid was hammered down at 7:32 p.m. at $95 million. Christie’s buyers premium takes the price of the painting to a record breaking $106.5 million.

“Nude, Green Leaves and Bust” is the star lot of the Collection of Mrs. Sidney Brody, a stellar assemblage of Modern Art purchased primarily in the 1940’s and 50’s and kept in the family home since. Known among experts as the “lost” 1932 masterpiece because it had never before been published in color, Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust is a sensuous depiction of Picasso’s muse and mistress Marie-Therese Walter. In previous years, Christie’s has successfully sold six paintings from Picasso’s celebrated 1932 series. As befitting its importance within the canon of Picasso’s work, the $70-90 million pre-sale estimate was the highest placed yet on an artwork offered at Christie’s New York.

The previous highest price for a work at auction was $104,327,006 paid for L’homme qui marche I, bronze, 1960, by Alberto Giacometti on February 3, 2010. The previous highest price for a work of art by Pablo Picasso was $104,168,000 paid for Garçon à la pipe, 1905 on 5 May 2004.

-posted by Eric Bradley

IVPDA online poster show a tour around the world

Karen — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:46:31 GMT

Who is The International Vintage Poster Dealer Association (IVPDA)?

According to their website, the IVPDA is a non-profit association that was founded in 1996 by a group of highly respected poster dealers from North America and Europe. It was created to inform and educate the public, collectors and other buyers and to help promote the appreciation of the wide variety of vintage posters from around the globe.

Why is the IVPDA is important? The Association, with more than 80 members, provides strict guidelines to ensure the authenticity of the posters they offer for sale and to promote ethical and fair business practices.

Buyers who do business (pleasure) with IVPDA dealers can do so with confidence.

But I digress ... the IVPDA is great and all, but I really wanted to tout their spring online show titled “Life is Beautiful,” which is part of a series of ongoing online exhibitions.

When you click through and visit their show (which can be viewed by clicking HERE or on the poster image above) be prepared to spend some time perusing and appreciating all the wonderful vintage posters on exhibit.

Many are beautiful, many are intriguing and thought-provoking ... take your time.

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Anonymous donation of 13 Taper paintings will benefit NY AIDS organization

Karen — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:03:51 GMT

NEW YORK — Housing Works is New York City’s largest community-based nonprofit AIDS organization. Housing Works' thrift shops and auction sales proceeds benefit Housing Works’ lifesaving services for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS, providing necessities such as housing, meals and medical care.

The organization received an anonymous donation of 13 paintings from the estate of the New York City painter and environmental artist Geri Taper (1929-2004). Taper has been included in several shows at MOMA, which has her works in its permanent collection. She's been exhibited worldwide at the Palais des Congres in Paris, the Carnegie Museum of Art, Madden Galleries in London and the Masavi Gallery in Japan.

A few of the donated paintings are shown here. To see all 13 paintings, CLICK HERE. Learn more about Geri Taper at www.geritaper.com.

Housing Works will be auctioning off all of the donated Taper creations through their window auctions. The Tapers will be displayed in the windows of their 23rd Street Gramercy thrift shop — people can bid on the items through their online store, www.ShopHousingWorks.com beginning Thursday, April 15. The auction will run through April 28 and all of the proceeds will benefit homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDs.

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Antique Trader has gone wild

Karen — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:01:37 GMT

At least some of the features in our last issue have, anyway.

How's this for a fresh, fantastic look for Antique Trader?

Eric Bradley put together a wonderful package exploring the diversity and popularity of American wildlife art in the April 28 (cover date) issue of Antique Trader.

Click on the links below to start your exploration of American wildlife art.

• Collectors set their sights on American wildlife art

• Decoy market educating hobby’s future collectors

• Wildlife Art Museum celebrates Bodmer studies

• Sporting goods memorabilia sales thriving online

You may also be interested in "Decoy prices remain strong at auction"

As always, drop us a line and let us know what you think (at eric.bradley@fwmedia.com).

You can even send your ideas our way as to what you'd like to see in the pages of Antique Trader.

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LiveAuctioneers.com, Dreweatts announce marketing partnership

Karen — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:20:24 GMT

NEW YORK – Manhattan-based LiveAuctioneers.com, which provides Internet live-bidding services to more than 900 auction companies worldwide, has entered into a marketing agreement with the renowned British auction house Dreweatts.

It is anticipated that LiveAuctioneers will be working cooperatively with Dreweatts on 30 to 50 auctions in their first year of collaboration. Under the terms of the new agreement, LiveAuctioneers will present and promote Dreweatts’ auction catalogs online, and enable bidders to participate in Dreweatts’ sales either absentee or live via the Internet as those sales are taking place.

“It is a great honor for LiveAuctioneers to be working with a company as highly regarded as Dreweatts,” said LiveAuctioneers’ CEO Julian R. Ellison. “Dreweatts has operated at the top tier of fine art valuation and auctioneering in Britain for 250 years. They respect tradition, and their long-held reputation for appraising and auctioning quality estates is impeccable, yet they’ve also been open to adopting new methods of generating maximum returns for their consignors. They were right on the front lines in adding Internet technology to their marketing plan. Their Newbury-based Donnington Priory salerooms first embraced online bidding in 2006, which was a signal to other auction houses that they had better get on board with the Internet.”

It will be an especially busy year for Dreweatts, said Scott Miles, LiveAuctioneers’ Senior VP Sales. “Dreweatts has formed a marketing alliance with another of our clients, Bloomsbury Auctions – a world leader in antiquarian books and manuscripts. This has cemented Dreweatts as a major force in the UK market. They’ll be reciprocally sharing their resources with Bloomsbury’s galleries, not only in London but also New York and Rome. Dreweatts is poised to become much more of an international force.”

Miles said LiveAuctioneers views the new association with Dreweatts as “a wonderful opportunity to expand our presence in the UK and Continental Europe, and at just the right time, since bidders are now able to take advantage of our bidding platform’s foreign language translation and instant currency conversion features.

“We have always had a strong commitment to both the British and greater European market, but an association with Dreweatts lends further credibility to our company,” Miles continued. “We’re extremely pleased to be included in the overall marketing strategy that Dreweatt so effectively employs.”

Dreweatts’ first auction conducted with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers will be a 334-lot, April 14 sale featuring furniture, carpets and works of art. A star lot in the sale is a circa-1615, James I sculpted and painted alabaster bust believed to be a depiction of the eminent 17th-century botanist and physician Dr. Peter Turner. The bust reputedly was erected in the South Aisle of Saint Olave’s Church in the City of London, where Turner was buried. Saint Olave’s narrowly escaped the Great Fire of 1666, the flames coming to within 100 yards or so of the building. During the 1941 London Blitz, the church was gutted by German bombs. Presumably the bust of Dr. Turner was salvaged from the ruins, but its history since the Blitz is undocumented. A highly important architectural element, it is expected to make $75,000-$105,000 at auction.

The fully illustrated catalog for Dreweatts’ April 14 sale may be viewed online at http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/21240.

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$104M sculpture becomes most expensive work ever sold at auction

Karen — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:43:11 GMT

Sotheby's today sold a life-size bronze sculpture by Alberto Giacometti for £65M, ($104M USD) setting the bar as the most expensive work ever sold at auction.

The piece is titled "L'Homme Qui Marche" and now ranks among Vincent van Gogh's esteemed "Portrait of Dr. Gachet," which sold for $83.5 million in 1990, and Pablo Picasso's "Garçon a la pipe," which sold for $104.1 million by Sotheby's New York in May 2004.

Press reports say bidders spent all of 8 minutes driving the price far beyond the sculpture's pre-auction estimate of £12m to £18m. The final bidder was anonymous and placed his bid through the telephone.

The £65m price tag includes the buyer's premium.

Giacometti (1901-1966) created a diverse body of work. The Swiss artist was considered primarily a contributor to the Surrealist Movement and worked as a sculptor, painter, draughtsman and printmaker. His L'Homme Qui Marche is considered by critics to be one of the most important works Giacometti ever accomplished.

-Posted by Eric Bradley

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'Lost' Georgia O'Keefe painting brings $225,150

Karen — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:02:37 GMT

Skinner, Inc., one of our favorite auction houses for the depth and breadth of their sales, yet again earned its reputation for being a savvy player in the fine art market. Its Jan. 29 American & European Paintings & Prints auction featured a number of important works and more than its share of curiosities.

Chief among these was the fantastic 'rediscovered' painting by American masterpiece artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Titled "," the painting was considered lost since the mid-1950s. It was last known to have been purchased by a Cape Cod collector. The piece is representative of O’Keeffe’s early work, describing “nature in her simplest appearance” and is indicative of O’Keeffe’s artistic relationship with modernist painter Arthur Dove.

The full auction listing can be seen here at SkinnerInc.com.

Take note that, once again, it's the hardworking, aggressive auction houses like Skinner that are discovering and selling these dazzling pieces.

-Posted by Eric Bradley

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Cloisonné vases abandoned in storage unit sell for $52,900 at auction

Karen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:16:26 GMT

MERIDEN, Conn. – A pair of rare cloisonné vases, abandoned due to unpaid storage fees in Oxford, Conn., set a new auction house record Jan. 30 when they sold for $52,900 at Next Egg Auctions.

According to auctioneer Ryan Brechlin, the gavel price for the lotus blossom vases turned out to be a bit of a pleasant surprise. “They were in with more than 25 storage vaults from a Greenwich home.” Brechlin said. “Our early estimates for the pair were that they might sell for a couple thousand.”

Nest Egg Auctions had been contracted by Joyce Van Lines of Oxford to sell the contents of the vaults to satisfy storage liens on nearly $50,000 in unpaid fees. "It’s one of those contracts where we just sell what comes out of the vaults," Brechlin added. "You never know what might be in there."

When the vases came up for sale, the auction took on an international flair as a phone bidder telephoned in from London, some five time zones away where it was midnight. In the crowded auction hall a southern Connecticut buyer, who had closely examined the vases during the preview period, signaled his intention to make the vases his.

Cloisonné is an ancient technique for detailing metal objects. Shapes are outlined on the metal base with gold or silver wires. Colored enamel powder paste is carefully worked into the spaces and the object fired in a kiln.

Brechlin opened the bidding at $300 and the price soared, moving quickly as he shifted to $50, then $100, and then $500 bid points. Both the Connecticut buyer and the man in London showed no sign of dropping out. Bid points went to $1,000 and finally to $2,000 until the vases were sold to the live bidder at $46,000 plus a $6.900 buyer’s premium.

The crowd, many who had been holding their breath as the bidding soared higher, gave a standing ovation and cheered as the gavel slammed down on the sale.

-Posted by Eric Bradley

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Painting sells for $156,875, blows away estimate

Karen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:07:05 GMT

DELAWARE, Ohio – An oil on canvas titled “The Robe of Winter” sold for a surprising $156,875 to Boyertown, Pa. dealers, Valerie and Kurt Malmberg of Greshville Antiques and Fine Art during a Jan. 30 sale at Garth’s Auctions.

Bidding opened up at $20,000 – just a bit higher than the conservative estimate listed in the catalog – and did not stop until it was knocked down for a record breaking $156,875, including buyer’s premium.

The painting was the second lot in Garth’s Fine & Contemporary Art and Asian, Continental & American Furniture & Decorative Arts auction.

The monumental 42-inch by 46-inch oil on canvas landscape was painted by Pennsylvania artist Arthur Meltzer and was deaccessioned from the Columbus Museum of Art.

In addition to its original frame it retained labels from six major, early 20th century exhibits and the evidence of three other missing labels
All these features prompted the Malmbergs to cancel their previously arranged phone bids and make the trip to Ohio to bid and eventually win the lot in person.

“It is an honor to have purchased such a beautiful painting and it is exciting that it is one that represents the rare ‘total package’ - excellent condition, original frame, award winning history and a strong provenance,” Valerie Malmberg said. “It is a gem!”

The Malmbergs plan to unveil the painting at an upcoming show or gallery event after very light restoration.

-Posted by Eric Bradley

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Jackson's International knows the key to success

Karen — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:27:48 GMT

and they share it in this week's issue of Antique Trader.

CLICK HERE to read this uplifting article.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Antiques news you won't want to miss

Karen — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:44:00 GMT

Click on the links below to read the articles:

Red Baron’s three-day fall auction a success

Dealers from 12 states to attend Antiques in Charlottesville

Audubon’s ‘Birds of America’ folio brings $272,000

Art Deco and Modernism light up San Francisco

Worthpoint, Heritage Auctions announce mobile phone applications

Original Frederick Remington plaster model will be sold in January auction

Archive of cigar label proofs among top lots in Dec. 3 map, ephemera sale

Carved box that consignor used for storage realizes $26,450 in Thanksgiving sale

Jumeau doll found in the Midwest brings $37,375

Visit www.antiquetrader.com for more news and features.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

It really is in the mail today ...

Karen — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:34:35 GMT

... the newest edition of Antique Trader, that is.

Here's a look at the cover:

It looks great, doesn't it? And it's packed with antique news and features, too!

Visit www.antiquetrader.com for your antiques news fix.

Inaugural Baltimore Big Flea draws the crowds

Original York Antiques Show & Sale returns in January

Record number of bidders take part in poster sale

Japanese toys gross $700K in November auction

Rare diamond brings eight figures at Christie’s auction

Glass museum launches drive to clear mortgage

“American Pickers” coming to television

Art restoration company reveals $300K Duncanson painting

Greater Charlotte Show sells to Lydia Sullivan

Tiffany on Display: Colorado collector shares his passion with the world

... that's a lot of news, isn't it?! And that's not all of it, either!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Tempting and intriguing lots with nary a bid

Karen — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:02:15 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I'm enjoying this special time with my family, and I hope you all are enjoying this special day as well.

I'm sneaking in some web surfing between cranberries and turkey and pumpkin pie, though.

I had to check out the current Collect.com auction (their Sports & Americana auction that ends Dec. 3), because I looked the other day and saw that there are quite a few lots that I could find a home for.

Mae West. The name evokes attitude. Lot 969 is a signed, canceled check with a photo from this beauty of the Silver Screen. I've always been a fan - I think because I always secretly wanted to get away with her sass! Opening bid $100 ... I'll have to watch that one. She won't take up much space ...

And there's all kinds of other music and entertainment memorabilia, from the Beatles to Frank Sinatra.

There are also many lots of vintage photographs, ephemera, Civil War items, paintings, and antique toys.

Drop on by the current Collect.com auction - you may just be able to pick something up for yourself or someone on your gift list without heading out to the mall at 5 a.m. tomorrow!

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Nov. 7 LA gallery event to benefit Linda Blair's animal rescue charity

Karen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:14:52 GMT

LOS ANGELES - On Saturday, Nov. 7, Gallery Brown and internationally acclaimed pop artist Steve Kaufman will present "Art Goes To The Dogs," a benefit for film star Linda Blair's animal rescue charity, the World Heart Foundation. Blair will be present at the event, which will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the gallery, located at 140 South Orlando Ave., Los Angeles.

Steve Kaufman, "the former assistant to Andy Warhol," will feature all his colorful images including Marilyn, The Rat Pack and Michael Jackson, plus homages to Lichtenstein, Picasso, Dali and van Gogh. See these famous icons come alive on canvas.

The Linda Blair World Heart Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused animals from the harsh streets of the Los Angeles area and the overcrowded and overwhelmed city and county animal shelters.

The fundraiser is open to all, and there is no charge to attend. The evening starts with complimentary valet parking, followed by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction that will feature Steve Kaufman's 36-inch-tall RCA Dog, one of a limited edition of 20. Additionally, 10% of all show sales will go directly to the Linda Blair World Heart Foundation.

LA art fans won't want to miss this exciting opportunity to meet both Steve Kaufman and Linda Blair on Saturday, Nov. 7. For further information, call 323-651-1956 or visit the gallery's Web site: http://gallerybrown.com.

Visit Linda Blair's World Heart Foundation online at www.lindablairworldheart.org.

Antique article shortcuts

Karen — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:57:56 GMT

Here's an easy way to get your antique news: click on the links below to read the articles:

Antique Trader breaks new ground with new “Collecting Depression Glass” online seminar

Portraits and pistols earn top prices at Garth’s

Liberace’s cousin’s estate draws standing room only

This Emilio Pucci designer dress with matching panties was sold at Liberace's cousin's estate auction in Wittenberg, Wis. Photo by Eric Bradley.

Brimfield completes Fiftieth Year Celebration

Jenkins Shows draws 20,000 for Springfield Extravaganza

Toy world mourns passing of Donald Kaufman

Depression glass collecting continues to evolve

Art Markets: Gallery label prompts investigation of attic find

Ask Antique Trader: Cheers! Robj liquor decanters worth $900

Posted by Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.

Kathleen Guzman hosts charity prints auction

Karen — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:18:11 GMT

Here's your chance to expand your collection and do a good deed in the process:

Guzman to host VIP party with TV experts Daile Kaplan, Nicholas Lowry, Joyce Jonas and Eric Silver

EVENT: Housing Works Auctions Presents “Early American Prints,” a live charity auction with Kathleen Guzman

WEB SITE: www.housingworks.org/earlyamericanprints

DATE: Wednesday, October 7, 2009

TIME: VIP cocktail hour with celebrity appraisers, 6-7 pm. Live auction, 7-9 pm

LOCATION: Housing Works Gramercy Thrift Shop, 157 E.23rd St (between Lexington and 3rd)

COST: $50 for VIP cocktail hour. Live auction is FREE and open to the public.

BENEFITS: All proceeds benefit Housing Works, which provides lifesaving services such as housing, medical care, meals and job training to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.

Currier & Ives, publisher
The Yacht “Sappho” of New York, 1869 (Conningham #6815)
Hand Colored engraving
19 1/8 by 27 7/8 inches.
Kennedy Galleries label, on verso

Housing Works Auctions announced that on Oct. 7, it will host “Early American Prints,” a live charity auction of 60 fine prints from 19th century America, including dozens by legendary engravers Currier & Ives. Longtime Housing Works volunteer and celebrity appraiser Kathleen Guzman will serve as auctioneer. The prints, which can roughly be broken down into Pastoral Scenes, Marine Subjects, Historical Figures and Events and Maps, range in estimated value from $100 to $1,500.

While the live auction is free, for $50, the public can meet Guzman and a group of her celebrity colleagues, including Daile Kaplan, Nicholas Lowry of Swann Galleries, Eric Silver of Lillian Nassau, and Joyce Jonas, jewelry appraiser, at a VIP pre-auction cocktail party. (Housing Works members get in free. Join at www.housingworks.org). Guzman, Kaplan, Jonas, Lowry and Silver have appeared frequently on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow.

Charles Hart, lithographer/ L.M. Delevan, publisher
Washington Family, after William Savage, artist
Hand Colored lithograph
16 3/4 by 23 5/8 inches.
Kennedy Galleries label, on verso

The venerated auction house Swann Auction Galleries and the collectibles Web site Worthpoint.com are contributing support to the “Early American Prints,” event, which will feature champagne, light hors d’oeuvres and Martine’s fine chocolates of Bloomingdale’s.

If you can’t make the Oct. 7 live auction, a separate selection of prints will be auctioned online on Housing Works Thrift Shops’ auction site, Shophousingworks.com. Bidding online is underway and ends at 7 p.m. Oct. 8. Online auction items will be featured in the windows of Housing Works Thrift Shops’ 23rd St. and 77th St. stores starting on Sept. 25.

“Early American Prints” was prompted by an anonymous donation of nearly 300 engravings and prints. Many were originally sold by the famed Kennedy Gallery.

“This is a unique opportunity to bid on treasured artwork for your home or collection and generously help a worthy cause,” says appraiser Guzman. “Charming and significant prints by Currier & Ives, Endicott Brothers + Company, and William Sartain will be offered. Most notable are the many works depicting Hudson River subjects and the Catskill Mountains to be sold without reserve to the highest bidder.”

— Posted by Karen

Rembrandt portrait may bring up to $41M

Karen — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:44:39 GMT

*whistle*

Scott Reyburn of Bloomberg news writes:

A Rembrandt portrait of an unidentified man with his hand on his hip may be the most highly estimated Old Master painting ever offered at auction when it comes up for sale in London in December. ...

“Old Masters have been a resilient market over the past few years,” Richard Knight, Christie’s international co-head of Old Masters and 19th-century art, said in an interview. “The success of the Yves Saint Laurent sale in February has had a positive effect on our market. Neither of these paintings is a forced sale. People are taking advantage of what is perceived to be strong demand for rare things.”

CLICK HERE to read the full story

Intrinsic value, rarity, demand, market conditions: which will weigh the heaviest when it comes to the final price?

Photo courtesy Christie's.

Valuable marketing tool for dealers: hold a show before the auction

Karen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:31:16 GMT

This struck me as an innovative way to generate valuable pre-auction publicity, help educate the public and be a good citizen all at the same time.

Poster Auctions International and Long Island’s Cradle of Aviation Museum are teaming up to launch an exhibition of rare, early aviation posters. The exhibition, held on location at the museum opens tomorrow and runs through Oct. 18. The exhibition includes posters from private collections located around the world as well as the museum's permanent collection

Once the exhibit wraps up, the posters (not those from the museum's permanent collection) will be returned to Poster Auctions International in time for its bi-annual auction of rare, vintage posters on Sunday, Nov. 8.

What an interesting opportunity for both experienced and novice collectors visit a new museum to see a rare collection in one place at the same time. And what a savvy method to whet the appetite of poster dealers and collectors.

Free Michelangelo podcast today from the MET

Karen — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:14:11 GMT

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is offering a free podcast on the fascinating topic of the first known painting by Michelangelo Buonarroti.

According to the MET:

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.

The podcast may be found by clicking the museum's media link. If you don't have an audio player installed you can still download a transcript.

-Posted by Eric Bradley

Iowa Auctioneer H. James "Jim" Jackson, 78, passes away Aug 9

Karen — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:01:20 GMT

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of James “Jim” Jackson, founder of Jackson’s Auctioneers, who passed Sunday. He was a professional in every sense of the word.

Jackson developed his auction house into a world-renowned source for fine American and European art and Russian icons.

He will surely be missed. A full obituary is below.

—posted by Eric Bradley

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.”

January Pier show added to Stella 2010 antiques show calendar

Karen — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:34:53 GMT

After a two-year hiatus, Americana & Antiques at the Piers has recently returned to the calendar of events produced by Stella Show Mgmt. Co. designed to coincide with Antiques Week in New York, the 2010 show is scheduled for Jan. 23-24, 2010.

“We are very pleased to have this show again,” said Dorothy Stella, president of Stella Shows. “It has been sorely missed by our exhibitors and our customers. The piers were not available in January for several years. Now that dates have changed, we can have Pier 92 for Antiques Week in New York again.”

There is a wide variety of antiques events on the Stella Show Mgmt. Co. 2009/10 calendar including Antiques & Design in the Hamptons, Aug. 14-16; Country Living Fair, Sept. 18-20; the Modern Show, Oct. 16-18.

NH man hawked paintings stolen from Fla.

Karen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:43:57 GMT

NH man hawked paintings stolen from Fla.

SALEM, N.H. (AP) - Police say a stolen painting a New Hampshire man was selling on Craigslist was among $47,500 worth of antiques, furniture and other valuables he stole from a Florida home.

Twenty-five-year-old John McCulloch was arrested Friday after a potential buyer on Craigslist turned out to be a private investigator hired by the painting's real owner, William Shoemaker of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fla.

Police say Shoemaker came home May 4 and found his house cleaned out, allegedly by his houseguest, McCulloch.

The Eagle-Tribune says McCulloch told police he started hawking other paintings and valuables to get back home.

The painting that led to his arrest is by Wildlife artist Douglas Van Howd, the official White House artist during the Reagan administration.

M.S. Rau's new blog

Karen — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:02:26 GMT

M.S. Rau Antiques has been in New Orleans' French Quarter for almost 100 years. Their 25,000 square foot gallery is filled with collections of fine art, jewelry and the finest 18th and 19th century antiques. (Just saying they're "fine" and even "finest" seems like an understatement.)

They've recently relaunched their Web site (http://www.rauantiques.com/). It's a nice site with a selection of collections that you can lose your day perusing.

And now they've launched a blog (http://www.rauantiques.com/blog/) where you’ll find information on the gallery’s latest acquisitions, show information and their personal insights on antiques and fine art.

Before you pop on over there, you may want to reserve a respectable amount of time to dedicate ... but then again, you may have more strength and restraint than I do.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.

• Learn more about Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
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• Find us on Twitter HERE.

Lots of auction news: previews and highlights

Karen — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:26:14 GMT

And the auction news:

Angel and evangelist icons fetch $30,510 at Philip Weiss auction

The illuminated vision of Ed Hardy at Bonhams & Butterfields

Impressionist and Modern Art brings more than $100 million

Bronze wins gold at Kaminski’s April auction

Howard no. 61 Astronomical Regulator with impeccable provenance in Fontaine’s sale (more details coming on this sale)

Glitz, bling and glam challenge elegance, history and the classics at Brookfield auction

New online marketplace launched for antiques and art

Morphy Auctions returns to its roots: Dan Morphy buys back company’s operating assets

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.

Shortcuts to antiques and collectibles features

Karen — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:14:44 GMT

Do you have little patience for looking for feature stories?

I have a treat for you: here are some quick links to Antique Trader feature articles right here on the Antique Trader blog!

Pardon me, but do you have the time? (Collecting vintage watches)

PEZ: 92 years and counting

Charlie Chan, international man of mystery

The game is afoot! Who is Arthur Conan Doyle?

Take these postcards with a grain of salt

How about a little history? The Quad Cities’ quirks

Modern art movements relegated the queen’s paintings to the attic

Ask Antique Trader: How to fix an old cane seat

Exploring the whalers’ art: Scrimshaw enthusiasts from around the world gather in Massachusetts

As always, feel free to contact us and let us know what you think and what you would like to see more (or less) of!

One of my personal favorites in this week's issue is the Charlie Chan feature. (I never knew he was based on a real person.) It took me back to watching the Saturday afternoon movies on TV as a kid (and my Mom saying "It's nice out! Go play outside!" ... I think so she could watch it in peace by herself ...)

I also enjoyed this week's Art Markets column. It was nice to get a glimpse of Queen Victoria the woman as opposed to Queen Victoria the monarch.

Sandy's favorite article in this issue is "Who is Arthur Conan Doyle?" She said once she was too old for the Hardy Boys, she turned to Arthur Conan Doyle ...

— Posted by Karen

More news from Our Man In Brussels

Karen — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:13:37 GMT

We've received more news from our own Mark Moran, who is at the Brussels Antiques and Fine Arts Fair, the second largest of such shows in Europe.

You can check out his latest pictures here.

And don't forget to check out: In European antiques trade, timing is everything

In the article, Mark talks with 20-year antiques veteran Victor Werner, who shares his insights in the antiques market.

BRAFA, Europe's second-largest antiques and fine arts fair, gets underway this week

Karen — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:08:05 GMT

The 54th Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA), Belgium’s oldest and most important antiques fair, will take place from Jan. 23-Feb. 1, 2009, at the Tour & Taxis site in Brussels, Belgium.

Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA), a major antique and arts fair taking place in the heart of Europe, has become a benchmark event for European art markets with some 40,000 visitors expected to attend, ranging from museum curators to collectors and lovers of art.

Some 130 exhibitors, 50 percent Belgian and 50 percent international, will share 130,000 square feet in Tour & Taxis Building A. Special care is paid to the quality and authenticity of the works on display, which undergo strict selection procedures by an independent board of museum curators and international experts not participating in the fair. It is this insistence on the exceptional quality of the exhibits that has enabled the fair to flourish internationally since its move to the Tour & Taxis site in 2004.

For the first time in the history of BRAFA, two galleries from the United States (Tony Anninos – Asian Arts, San Francisco and Sophie Scheidecker – Fine Art, 19th and 20th century and contemporary paintings and drawings, New York) will be taking part in the fair.

Beyond BRAFA, antique lovers can enjoy the eclectic antique market every Saturday and Sunday on the Place du Grand Sablon. But that is not all! Brussels, Belgium, offers sophisticated simplicity and welcomes visitors with 85 museums; the famous Grand’ Place where hanging out is a must; renowned architecture and art nouveau; gastronomy and world-class beer and chocolate – Brussels is where fun is always in fashion!

Discover the many beautiful castles and cities of French-speaking Belgium such as Namur, a romantic city on the River Meuse at www.namur.be. For information on other cities in the region visit www.opt.be.

Our own Mark Moran, who wrote the above piece, will be attending the BRAFA and keeping us current with the goings-on at this important and exciting event.

Stay tuned!

Click here for Mark Moran's review of the 2008 BRAFA fair, "High style in the low country."

How collectible will Razzia prove to be?

Karen — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:36:39 GMT

From auctions to shows, posters have been making a buzz in the art collecting world lately. They provide a beautiful blend of pop culture and fine art.

Check out this upcoming event at the International Poster Center:

Razzia and the Art of Advertising

The first major US retrospective of the artist will be shown at the International Poster Center.

Particulars: January 15 to February 1. Mon-Fri, 9-5; Sat/Sun, 11-6
Opening Reception with the Artist: Thursday, January 15, 5-8 pm

The first major US exhibition of one of the greatest living poster artists, Razzia. Synonymous with the retro-deco style of the 1980s, and creator of arguably the most important advertising campaign for Louis Vuitton, Razzia’s posters never lack punch and pizzazz. Part of a dying art, Razzia conceives his posters from an original painting rather than utilizing computer graphics, resulting in unique and distinguished works of art that revolve around the pure power of the image. Always bold and instantly recognizable, his work stands out as some of the finest in contemporary graphic design.

This retrospective will cover the entire arch of his career, beginning with the posters he created for the European rock scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Having been commissioned by the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Roxy Music, and Pink Floyd, his music posters where at the very heart of this era in popular culture. Of particular interest in this show are two posters made for the famous French music venue, The Palace: the first, advertising Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ ‘I Put A Spell On You’ Tour; the second, for Rainer Fassbinder’s wife, the great expressionist singer Ingrid Caven.

Also highlighted are Razzia’s many posters for the icons of Parisian life and style: his famous images for Paris Fashion Week, ‘Pret a Porter Feminin’ and ‘Haute Couture;’ as well as those advertising such well-known French establishments that their names instantly invoke the romance of Paris: ‘Café de Flore,’ ‘Bistro du Nord,’ and ‘La Coupole.’

Dominating the exhibition are the many works Razzia created for Louis Vuitton, in which the artist gives his spin on the “Art of Traveling with Style.”

For more information, visit www.postersplease.com.

Fifty years and counting

Karen — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:45:23 GMT

This just in from the Edna Hibel studio:

Edna Hibel Studio Celebrates 50 Years

Edna Hibel’s first studio activity, a gallery in Rockport, Massachusetts, opened in 1960, making 2009 the renowned Edna Hibel’s 50^th year as a professional fine artist. "To celebrate this practically unprecedented milestone," says Hibel’s CEO Andy Plotkin, "Edna Hibel Studio will be offering special values to the public throughout the year." One way in which the public can take advantage of these special promotions is by visiting the Studio’s location at 1910 7^th Avenue in Lake Worth, Florida 33461.

Edna Hibel will also hold special exhibitions, such as the forthcoming art extravaganza and Hibel’s 92^nd birthday celebration at the Hibel Museum of Art on the FAU campus in Jupiter, Florida, on January 17 and 18, from 1 to 4 each day.

Special events will also be announced by e-mail and postal service. For more details, members of the public may call (800) 275-3426 or (561) 848-9633 and visit www.hibel.com.

Edna Hibel, 92, is one of America’s best-loved artists. She has been honored as the first American woman to win the coveted Leonardo da Vinci Award, and is a recipient of the National Women’s History Month Award. She has exhibited her paintings, stone lithographs, and sculptures in more than 20 prominent museums and galleries spanning four continents, including six national museums.

For her latest honor, Edna will unveil her newest painting, "Ode to Reading," for the Florida Governor’s Literacy Coalition in February in front of Barbara and President George H.W. Bush (the elder) and Columba and Governor Jeb Bush.

"Variety" sums up this auction offering

Karen — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:48:55 GMT

I perused the ProxiBid listing for this Official Auctions, Inc., auction. (Click here to take a peek here if you like.)

Lots of cars, coins & a wonderful variety of art.

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

Surrealist art market ripe for upswing?

Karen — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:56:59 GMT

This from Nicholas Forrest of ArtMarketBlog.com:

The Rise of the Value of Surrealism

There is no doubt that Surrealism is a highly undervalued and under appreciated movement that has the potential for a significant increase in desirability and value in the not too distant future for reasons that I will explain later on. The most famous Surrealist artist would have to be Salvador Dali with the other major Surrealist painters being Jean Arp, Max Ernst, André Masson, René Magritte, Yves Tanguy, Pierre Roy, Paul Delvaux, and Joan Miró. It is interesting to note that if you go to google and search for “dali auction record” (with quotation marks) you get no results but if you search for “warhol auction record” you get 47 results or if you search for “picasso auction record” you get 29 results. Even more interesting is the fact that the auction record for Picasso is US$104 million dollars and the auction record for Warhol is US$71 million dollars whereas the auction record for Dali is a mere US $3.6 million dollars. Is Dali any less important or an less talented than Picasso or Warhol? The other Surrealists don’t fair much better with Andre Breton, the father of the Surrealism movement, managing an auction record of US$3 million and most of the other major players achieving around the same prices for their Surrealist works with a few exceptions.

The most successful of those artists who dabbled in Surrealism based on the value of their work would have to be Joan Miro who has a current auction record of $16.7 million for the work ‘La caresse des étoiles’. According to the Christie’s catalogue entry for this work “It is a 20th century masterwork in the most profound sense, for in addition to its exceptional pictorial qualities as a work of art, it offers illuminating insight into the tragic drama of modern history in which it was created”. The phenomenal price achieved for ‘La caresse des étoiles’ can, however, be attributed to the history and provenance of the work, it’s cultural and historical significance as well as the fact that Miro chose not to become a fully fledged member of the Surrealist movement in order to remain free to experiment with other styles. For these reasons the price achieved for ‘La caresse des étoiles’ could be considered to be anomalous.

The main reasons that Surrealism has failed to achieve the same success as other art movements is that Surrealism is relatively ambiguous, ill defined and difficult to understand which make the works much less attractive. Also, many of the artists who produced work that is considered to be Surrealist were not solely dedicated to the pursuits of the Surrealist movement and did not adhere to the rules and regulations of the movement which makes the task of contextualising Surrealist artworks even more difficult. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica “The work of these artists is too diverse to be summarized categorically as the Surrealist approach in the visual arts. Each artist sought his own means of self-exploration”

Surrealism is, however, beginning to receive the attention and respect that it deserves which is being reflected in the market for Surrealist works.

From Barbie to barbed wire...

Robyn — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:13:52 GMT

Barbie, Thomas Kinkade, Stickley, Double Eagle, Stradivarius, Whitetail

What do these items all have in common?

Their collectible value, millions of enthusiasts worldwide and they can now be insured.

With the addition of a new insurance carrier, Collectibles Insurance Services reports it is now able to provide coverage for Dolls, Fine Art, Antique Furniture, Gold Coins, Musical Instruments and Taxidermy. "The addition of these types of antiques and collectibles allows us to fully satisfy our customers' needs for specialized insurance," advises Dan Walker, consultant for Collectibles Insurance Services.

Click here to learn the details.

Although the most popular collections insured at Collectibles Insurance Services are stamps, sports memorabilia, firearms, model trains, comics, glass and pottery, Walker says they also insure unique collections which include barbed wire, vintage airline air sickness bags and most recently a shrunken head. How's that for meeting the demands of customer satisfaction?

I guess for every weird and wonderful item out there, there is a collector waiting to add it to their treasure chest. And keep it safe.

Edna Hibel 1986 art exhibit: Building a bridge

Karen — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:25:22 GMT

From the good people at the Edna Hibel studio:

(By the way, if you haven't checked out her artwork, I encourage you to do so. She's a talented artist. You can see her work at www.hibel.com.)

An Artist's Role in Opening Up China to the World

The opening up of The People's Republic of China to the degree where it has welcomed the world inside its borders for the 29th Olympiad—hardly conceivable a scant thirty years ago—has occurred in small, incremental steps, beginning with the ping-pong diplomacy days of President Richard Nixon. In addition to sports, art has been instrumental in this increase of freedoms within China. Perhaps two important small steps toward China's increasing freedoms that have occurred along the way were the historic 1986 Edna Hibel art exhibitions in Beijing's China National Art Gallery, and Chongqing's Sichuan Institute of Fine Arts. These were the first exhibitions by a foreign woman in China.

Here is a brief history of what occurred in the aftermath of Edna Hibel's exhibitions in China, both of which were endorsed by then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, and then-Chinese Ambassador to the U.S.A., the Honorable Han Xu. (Other official endorsements came from then-Florida Governor Bob Graham, the then-American Ambassador to China, Winston Lord, along with officials from important American art institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.)

The Beijing opening of Hibel's exhibition was seen by many millions of Chinese on television. During the broadcast, the host said, "Hibel's beautiful art touched the hearts of the Chinese people." Several viewers from outlying provinces reported that they had sold their bicycles—their only mode of transportation—in order to travel to Beijing to view the Hibel exhibition.

Upon the conclusion of these historic Sino-American art exhibitions in 1986, China's Consul General to the U.S.A., Ni Yaoli, proclaimed to a large audience, "Edna Hibel has built a golden bridge between our two nations." Immediately, another exhibition invitation was extended to Edna Hibel by the Chinese government.

As an example of this "golden bridge," one of the paintings in Hibel's groundbreaking 50-year retrospective exhibitions in 1986 in China was a portrait of one of her classmates, Winnie Cheng, who returned to her native China shortly after the painting was completed in 1936. Winnie and Edna corresponded, but lost touch with each other after the start of WWII. As a result of the exhibition, however, a photograph of the Winnie Cheng painting appeared in a Shanghai newspaper.

Consequently, Winnie's son and grandson were found to be living in the U.S., and a tearful meeting was arranged where Edna learned that Winnie and her husband had died shortly after the end of the Cultural Revolution. Edna then created a drawing of Winnie's grandson, William, which was slated to be used as a poster in "A Golden Bridge," the forthcoming Hibel exhibition scheduled for September 1989 in Beijing. Unfortunately, the Tiananmen Square incident intervened and that second Hibel exhibition in China did not take place.

The "Antiques Rogueshow," starring the Johnson family

Sandra — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:53:19 GMT

It took a while, but this rogue family in the UK has finally started serving time. For stealing over millions in art and antiques over the last 20 years, the five members of the Johnson crime family will serve a total of almost 50 years.

It doesn't seem like much time to serve, does it?

Imagine: Staking out a British manor for a week, waiting until the right time, and smashing your 4-wheel-drive into the property and hauling away a take of $A49 million in art, jewelry, and antiques in 10 minutes.

That's just one of the nefarious family's misdeeds over the past 20 years, but it was the family's largest heist.

One article says of the family: Barely able to read, write or even spell their own names, their loves included dog and game bird breeding, hare-coursing and bare-fist fighting.

Crude, but apparently they could spot the good stuff.

You can read more here. Or click here to Google "Johnson crime family" and take your pick of the coverage.

Vargas hottie - still turning heads 70 years later

Karen — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:29:07 GMT

Readers are commenting on a rather racy drawing heading to auction July 15. Some say the very first Vargas girl is a little too risque for Antique Trader readers.

One commenter said the image was perfectly acceptable in 1940- the year Alberto Vargas sketched the relining nude blond bombshell for the pages of Esquire Magazine - but not in 2009. Vargas became one of the most prolific and popular pin up girl artist of all time. Not only are his actual images valuable (the original drawing is estimated to bring $20,000 to $30,000) but back issues of Esquire are more valuable because of Vargas' work.

What do you think? Do you think the Vargas print is a bit too racy to include in Antique Trader and on its Web site?

Let us know here or on Twitter. We'd love to print your reaction in next week's issue.

*Posted by Eric
eric.bradley@fwmedia.com

Click on the picture to see Antique Trader's original article on the rare Vargas drawing.

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Buying high-priced art?

Noah — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:13:57 GMT

Here's a British article aimed a teeny, tiny little audience, but it's an interesting discussion just the same - especially if you have a few mil to throw at a Warhol...

Great Tibetan painter dies

Noah — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:03:40 GMT

Tinley Chojor was a very well-known name in Buddhist art circles.

Chojor painted many many beautiful things, among them the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Monastery in Woodstock, NY, just across the mountain from where my best friend and his family had a house in the area, and where I spent many happy hours as a young man in my 20s.

Times Herald-Record/DEBORAH MEDENBACH

This is a picture of Chojor in Woodstock, takinga break from his work.

Chojor's awesome lines were second only to his deep belief in the philosophy he was charged with painting. He was a native to Tibet, who learned the art from his father.

This story is from the Times Herald Record, based in the Hudson Valley, where I lived for almost a decade.

I would say I'm sad, but not really. He had an amazing life and leaves behind an amazing legacy of great art - ceratinly the best at his craft in the states, if not all of the world. According to the Buddhist principles that Chojor based his life and art on, he's already moved on toward his next life.

Rest in peace to a great artist.

Asa Ames at AFAM in NYC - Folk art as good as it can get

Noah — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:39:54 GMT

Say the name Asa Ames to collectors of folk art and their eyes will glaze and they will begin to salivate. Just look at that stuff.

Amazing amazing painted wood sculptures with so much detail, energy and life that it's hard to look at the pictures. I simply want to scoop one of these things up, take it home, make it a cup of tea and ask it about its creator.

Right now, just opened - and as reported here by the New York Times - The American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan is featuring an exhibition of eight sculptures by Asa Ames, one of the most talented and mysterious of the itinerant 19th century folk artists, born and died in Buffalo, NY when he was just 27.

Ames left behind only 13 known examples - there may well be more hiding out there - many of which were done toward the end of his life.

Where did he learn his art? Why didn't he make more? Did he make more? Who has them?

Part outsider, part folk artist and all genius, check out the Times article and the slide show of the works in the exhibition. The AFAM is an amazing place, with as much great art as any museum of its size in the world. For lovers of real folk and Outsider art, there is nothing quite like it. Simply the best.

Antiques and the Russian mob. I think I smell a tv pilot...

Noah — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:44:42 GMT

This is interesting and - dare I say it - sexy for the antiques industry.

From ArtInfo.com.

I wrote here not two weeks ago about the market in Russian art, followed by something about Muslim art, and shortly after that Sotheby's has a huge sale of Russian art. Who buys it? Oh yes, Russians.

Except that one peice, and only one piece failed to sell for it's estimated amount. Why? It's alleged ties to the Russian Mob, and the death threats that came with its initial theft.

No picture available to my knowledgable, which might just push this thing mainstream. I hope that guy from CSI Miam is in in the pilot...

Yes. Very sexy.

The most permanent impermanent - Oldest oil paintings in Afghanistan

Noah — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:03:47 GMT

This is pretty cool, especially considering that a) the philosophy of the Buddha was about the impermanance of all things and b) it's in Bamayan region of Afghanistan - well associated with the destruction of the giant stone Buddhas there by the taliban in 2001 - and these paintings are the earliest oils known.

This story is from Discovery News.

The giant stone buddhas are blown-up. Much gnashing of teeth. Seven years later, more, and rarer images show up in a hidden cave.

Afghanistan is so widely associated with Islam and the taliban, that it's easy to forget how important the region was in terms of the Buddhist way for several hundred years. It was a center of study and art and monasteries.

I hope these paintings are kept safe and sound. If not, never fear. It's all about impermanence anyway...

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Buying high-priced art?

Great Tibetan painter dies

Asa Ames at AFAM in NYC - Folk art as good as it can get

Antiques and the Russian mob. I think I smell a tv pilot...

The most permanent impermanent - Oldest oil paintings in Afghanistan