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.

World-renowned antique dealers will exhibit at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show on January 22-26, 2009, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach.

The Original Miami Beach Antique Show will feature more than 1,000 national and international exhibitors. The most prominent dealers will arrive from London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Geneva, Brussels, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, as well as Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and Sydney.

This lavish show will exhibit rare and unusual historical art collections and antiques from around the world such as 18th - 19th and 20th century furniture; original paintings and works of art spanning more than three centuries; fine American and European silver; highly sought 19th and 20th century art glass such as Tiffany, Lalique, Galle and many others; as well as world-renowned porcelain such as Meissen and KPM.

Show hours are from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 22, through Sunday, January 25, and noon to 6 p.m. on Monday, January 26. A one-time admission of $15 is valid for all five days of the show.

“The Original Miami Beach Antique Show is the destination of choice for dealers from all over the world to bring to Miami their one-of-a-kind antiques,” said Andrea Canady, fair director for dmg world media group’s Miami Beach Antique Show. “Each year, our goal is to provide the perfect platform that allows dealers and buyers and even browsers to view the best selection of antiques available anywhere. This year’s show will exceed even our highest expectations.”

“As far as I'm concerned there is only one Miami Beach show. Every facet of the operation is handled in a professional manner and is dedicated to the dealers’ needs and concerns. The show allows dealers to conduct business with peace of mind,” said Nina Som with Tri-State Antiques, which showcases primarily 18th & 19th Century European decorative and fine arts. “The show has afforded me a chance to develop relationships with collectors and dealers from all over the world, all year long. I could never have met them without the show!”

Harvey Kessler, owner of Harvey Kessler Jewellery in Toronto, Ontario, said, “We have been exhibiting at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show for more than 15 years and develop new relationships with collectors and dealers each year. This show is the most important estate and antique jewelry show in the Americas. We do more business at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show than any other.”

Nan Summerfield, owner of Summerfield’s in Beverly Hills, said, “In this tight economy, beautiful jewelry is coming onto the market that we haven’t seen in several years. This is a great time for people to invest in tangible assets at good prices.”

“We've been exhibiting at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show for more than 10 years because this is the only show that affords us the best buying and selling opportunities with other retailers and consumers,” said Albert Levy, owner of A.B. Levy Antiques in Palm Beach, Fla. “What is most interesting is the vast array of clientele and price ranges of items available for purchase. For example, we will be featuring a Monumental Galle "Wisteria" Lamp from the early 1900's.”

For show information, please call (239) 732-6642 or visit www.dmgantiqueshows.com.

About dmg world media
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show is just one of more than 300 trade exhibitions, consumer shows and fairs that dmg world media produces every year in the United States, the United Kingdom and France. The company also publishes more than 45 magazines, newspapers, directories and market reports. dmg world media is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), one of the largest media companies in the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.dmgantiqueshows.com.

As I was running errands yesterday, I ran into my daughter's school bus driver at the post office. She was mailing off a beautiful quilt she had made to one of her relatives. It was gorgeous; it had several different types of material. The most striking of the blocks were made from salvaged needle-worked linens. (I wish I would have had a camera with me so I could have snapped a pic to include here, but you'll have to take my word for it.) It just looked so right. The materials were old a new and of different textures.

I couldn't help but think what a wonderful way to salvage these beautiful pieces of fabric art — to include them in yet another family heirloom that I'm sure will be cherished for decades to come.

She said, "That's what I do." ... She goes to garage/rummage sales and picks up these old things and reworks them into something "new."

How about you, Antique Trader readers? Do any of you make something new from something old?

Never mind that Halloween candy is barely polished off and leftover Thanksgiving turkey still lurks in the refrigerator, all of a sudden it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. Every year about this time the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge saying “Bah, humbug!” comes calling when I hear that first Christmas carol way too early and see stores putting out Christmas decorations as they remove the Halloween décor.

But before long, I get caught up in the holiday spirit. I start baking cookies and looking for that perfect gift. I send old Scrooge packing and welcome the memories and traditions of Christmases past.

Most families can say they have them – traditions that make the holiday uniquely their own. Traditions have always been a part of the Sparks family Christmas. The entire clan looks forward to chowing down on my famous garlic mashed potatoes and yes, another turkey, complete with stuffing made the same way as last year, and the year before that. The meal wouldn’t be complete without sweet potatoes with marshmallows and cranberry-orange sauce.

When it’s time to exchange gifts, someone is chosen to be Santa, a much-coveted role; Santa gets to hand out the presents in any order he or she chooses. Before Santa gives out that first gift, though, everyone – young and old – must relate a memory from a past Christmas.

Then gifts are handed out and opened one at a time. Sometimes that can take an entire afternoon! Many gifts exchanged are not fancy or store-bought. They certainly cannot be found in any catalog. One year my mom gave me a tablecloth, exquisitely crocheted by her mother. It’s nearly 100 years old now. Another year she made me a quilt using scraps of clothing I’d worn as a child. She’d kept them all those years. Seventeen years ago my husband made a potty chair for our first grandchild, and our daughter already considers it an heirloom that she’ll pass on to Kayla some Christmas in the future.

Some of our traditions have lasted for many years. Some have been tweaked to include new family members. As the family grows, some traditions have been added and some have gone away, but the longest-lasting is to try to get the entire family together at least for one day. I know that as the kids grow up and start their own families and their own traditions, it won’t always happen, but no matter where we are, or how much things change, I’m confident we’ll always be together in heart.

As you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Christmas and embrace old traditions or start new ones, enjoy family and friends who give the holidays their true meaning.

What holiday traditions do you look forward to each year? Have you been the lucky recipient of a family heirloom? Have you given someone a gift they will someday pass on to the next generation? Let us know about your favorite traditions or most memorable holiday by Dec. 10. We’ll share them with all our readers in a future issue.

P.S.: Visit the blog at www.antiquetrader.com to find out what happened on my most memorable Christmas. Nothing will ever top that one!

Our tradition: When it’s time to exchange gifts, someone is chosen to be Santa, a much-coveted role; Santa gets to hand out the presents in any order he or she chooses. Before Santa gives out that first gift, though, everyone – young and old – must relate a memory from a past Christmas.

It's a tough economy, but if you have the money, whether you're in the market for stocks, real estate, or antiques, it's a buyer's market. Here's a great opportunity to exercise that fact ... and when you throw in free parking and free admission, it only makes the deal all the better. (The Dec. 4-7 show has free admission.)

Read on ...

Charlotte, NC—The Metrolina Tradeshow Expo continues its long-standing tradition of hosting one of the most extensive, exceptional monthly antique shows in the region with its new International Collectibles and Antiques Shows, beginning December 4-7, 2008.

With 98,000 square feet of shopping and more than 2,000 vendors, rare and unique treasures await show attendees at every turn, including high-end antiques, home décor items, vintage jewelry, silver, glass, pottery and ceramics, fine art, toys and memorabilia of all varieties.

Hundreds of experienced, professional antiquities dealers will travel from across the country to present the finest offerings in the Antique Village – 13 free-standing ‘storefronts’ presenting the finest quality crafts, antiques, unfinished and finished furniture, rugs and more.

These monthly shows will also feature the East coast’s largest flea market, with more than 3,000 outdoor exhibit spaces, offering one-of-a-kind items at unbelievable prices.

Guests will also find unique riches on Piccadilly Lane, where more than one hundred permanent vendors display their distinctive wares, including homemade and gourmet specialty foods and goods, as well as a variety of food and refreshment vendors to help fortify them as they shop.

Guests are also encouraged to bring their family antiques and personal treasures to the spring and fall ‘Classic’ shows, which will include professional antique appraisals and auctions similar to those found on the popular television series “Antiques Roadshow”.

Additionally, for the first time in Metrolina’s 30 years of operation, guests are offered free weekend admission, a $25 value, to the inaugural International Collectibles and Antiques Show, December 4-7, 2008, as part of the grand opening celebration weekend.

Show schedule:
December 4-7, 2008 – grand opening celebration weekend
January 1-4, 2009
February 5-8, 2009
March 5-8, 2009
April 1-5, 2009 – spring ‘Classic’ show
April 30-May 3, 2009
June 4-7, 2009
July 2-5, 2009
July 30-August 2, 2009
September 3-6, 2009
October 1-4, 2009
November 4-8, 2009 – fall ‘Classic’ show
December 3-6, 2009

Hours:
Monthly shows: Thursday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Classics: Wednesday-Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Tickets:
FREE for December 4-7, 2008 grand opening celebration weekend

All other monthly shows, excluding ‘Classics’: children ages 12 and under – free admission; general admission - $4, seniors - $2 (Friday-Sunday); early shopper four-day pass available - $15 (Thursday-Sunday)

‘Classics’ admission: children ages 12 and under – free admission; general admission - $6, seniors - $3 (Friday-Sunday); early shopper four-day pass available - $20 (Thursday-Sunday); sneak preview, five-day event pass - $30 (Wednesday-Sunday)

Season pass for all 12 shows, including ‘Classics’ - $45

Parking:
Free parking for all shows

For additional information, visit www.icashows.com, or call 704.663.1500.

NAWCC Chapter 59 in San Diego announces that its annual "Southwest California Regional" in Del Mar, a massive, multi-dealer sale of antique and collectible watches and clocks, will be open to the public for one day only, Saturday, November 22, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California. SAN DIEGO, CA, November 06, 2008  -- The San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), Chapter 59, is pleased to announce that the Southwest California Regional will be opening its doors to the public for the first time ever. The Southwest California Regional is an annual sales event for collectors of antique and vintage watches and clocks. The public will be admitted Saturday, November 22, from 9 am to 3 pm. Saturday-only admission costs $10 at the door.

"This is a great opportunity for anybody who's interested in collectible clocks and watches to come get a preview of what's available to NAWCC members," says Mark Weaver, General Chairman of the Southwest California Regional. "You'll get unlimited access to all the dealer tables, resources, and bargains."

"If you're at the Fairgrounds for the Del Mar Antique Show, come check us out in the Wyland Center," Weaver says. "Especially if you're looking for antique and vintage watches and clocks - we'll have the place filled with them!"

"And, of course, we'd love you to join the NAWCC," Weaver adds. "We'll have plenty of applications on hand."

The Southwest California Regional is a three-day event, held November 20-22, 2008, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California. The Mart, which is the sales part of the event, attracts horological sellers and buyers from all over the world, all seeking treasures and making deals over more than 250 tables jam-packed with watches, clocks, spare parts, watchmaking and clockmaking tools, reference books, watch and clock accessories, and more.

Many antique dealers attend the Southwest California Regional to replenish their inventory of vintage clocks and watches, making it one of the few major events at which the average collector can discover true "wholesale" deals on collectible timepieces. And now, this once-private event is open to the public for one day only.

"We'd love to see a lot of people take advantage of this opportunity," Weaver says. "This is the first time we've ever opened the Mart up to the public. And Saturday - it's the last day of the Mart, so dealers would rather sell stuff than pack it back up. It's traditionally been a good day for bargains."

"Come on down!" Weaver says, with a wide, welcoming smile.

The Southwest California Regional will also have a display of antique and vintage watches and clocks.

For more information about the Southwest California Regional, visit http://www.nawcc59.org/regional.html.

About NAWCC Chapter 59
The NAWCC is a non-profit organization, and Chapter 59 is the San Diego chapter of the NAWCC. It produces and manages the annual Southwest California Regional every November with its co-host, Chapter 136. Chapter 59 members come from all over San Diego County. Visit NAWCC Chapter 59's website at http://www.nawcc59.org to learn about monthly meeting times and member benefits.

It is highly unlikely my son, a fifth-grader, will ever have to actually dial a phone. Nor will he ever have a sneezing fit while cleaning the chalkboard erasers. Nor will he curse over jammed typewriter keys because his fingers were faster than the machine.

In fact, I’d wager his only exposure to typewriters is “history” articles like the one Martin Howard shares with us in this week’s Antique Trader.

Mr. Howard set out to collect something “off the beaten path,” and he certainly found it. I don’t know many people who collect the oh-so-heavy and clunky-to-handle writing tools of days gone by. Mainly because they are oh so heavy and oh so clunky to handle. But those who do, know they have in their possession one of the most essential pieces of machinery in history!

Although the shape, design and weight of typewriters have changed over time, and there was even some effort to rearrange the letters, one thing has remained the same: the keyboard is still an essential means for communication. In fact, as Mr. Howard notes, “The keyboard truly connects the planet.”

Look around you at all those businessmen and women typing on their BlackBerries. Look at just about every teenager out there “texting” their friends. Look at all the e-mails in your inbox.

Where would we be without those first typewriters and keyboards? How exciting it must be for folks like Martin Howard to track those down, buy them and, in his case, restore them.

I remember typing essays and reports in junior high and high school on my mom’s big Royal. Lifting that monster onto the dining room table may have been the start of my back problems! But it worked.

It typed. Not as fast as I’d like sometimes, but the letters went on the page and the papers were up to my teacher’s standards. So I really couldn’t complain. But I was a teenager, so I did – especially after we got electric typewriters in school and then, by my later high school years, computers with this “ultra-fast” keyboard.

Fast-forward 30 years and my 10-year-old already knows the “home row” and is typing with both hands poised over the keyboard. In his classroom, both the chalkboard and overhead projector have been replaced by what is called a SMART Board – an interactive, electronic whiteboard.

Let me tell you about this SMART Board. You can draw or write on the touch screen and save that info into a document. The teacher can display everything from class pictures to movies to Web sites. What an incredible teaching and learning tool!

But then again, that’s what the typewriter was and always has been. If someone hadn’t figured out a way to get type-written words on paper, you probably wouldn’t be holding this newspaper in your hands either. Those typewriters are pretty special to us writers and editors.
Perhaps I could start my own collection. They certainly would look a lot more attractive than that pile of outdated computer monitors and broken keyboards!

Antique Trader would like to know if you collect something that was significant to history (typewriters, telephones, radios, etc.) but evolved into something else we still use today — something that perhaps has transformed over time from something enormous to electronic. Use that new-fangled keyboard and send me an email at robyn.austin@fwmedia.com or post a reply here.

Until next time, keep your hands on the home row... asdf jkl;... asdf jkl;...