Stories for May '17

(Fragment)

StuffSavvy Launches
by M.A.D. staff

In 1999 auctioneer Leslie Hindman launched Eppraisals.com, a company that offered low-cost and quick appraisals over the Internet. The company had hundreds of specialists in 300 collecting categories to provide information and valuation of art, antiques, and collectibles. Eppraisals raised millions of dollars in venture capital and signed a deal ... (Read More)

(Young Collectors)

Comfortably Numb
by Hollie Davis and Andrew Richmond

The Young Collector The world is getting smaller. Computers have collapsed distances virtually, at the same time that dropping phone prices have made keeping in touch over long distance easier as well. Our kids will never understand that we had to retrain their grandparents to start calling us before 11. Even ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Red Tag or Dot Means Sold
by Baron Perlman

You’ve seen it hundreds of times at antiques or art shows, in art galleries too—the red sold tag stuck in the corner of a painting, half visible inside a chest drawer, or stuffed into a crevice of a weathervane. More subtle, and some might argue classier, is the red dot. ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Rubenstein Pleads No Contest
by M.A.D. staff

Art dealer Perry Rubenstein, 63, pleaded no contest on March 30 to charges that he failed to pay more than $1 million to the owners of paintings sold through his gallery, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Rubenstein entered his plea to two counts of grand theft by embezzlement. ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Corporation Pleads Guilty in Ivory Case
by M.A.D. staff

In New York state’s first Class D felony conviction since new ivory legislation was instituted in 2014, the corporation that owns Landmark Gallery, a Manhattan art and antiques store, pleaded guilty to selling illegal elephant ivory, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced on March 8. Changes to New York state’s ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Revolution at Home: The Muhlenberg Family of Pennsylvania
by Lita Solis-Cohen

The town of Trappe in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was named for its tavern. The story, told in the journal of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America, is about an English fellow who had stayed too long at John Jacob Schrack’s tavern, had a row with ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

A View of Old Newburyport
by M.A.D. staff

A rare daguerreotype from the collection of the Museum of Old Newbury in Newburyport, Massachusetts, is featured in East of the Mississippi: Nineteenth-Century American Landscape Photography, an exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., through July 16. The exhibition will be at the New Orleans Museum of ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Christie's Scales Back in a Shrinking Market
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Citing a shrinking market and an untenable business plan, Christie’s announced that it will close its secondary South Kensington salesroom in London at the end of this year and scale back its operations in Amsterdam to two contemporary art sales a year. “The current proposal is to offer a single ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Collected--a Sampler of Books on Collectors and Collecting
by Jeanne Schinto

A review copy of yet another book on collectors and collecting, Possession: The Curious History of Private Collectors from Antiquity to the Present by Erin L. Thompson, has recently come through my mail slot. Its arrival has prompted me to take a look at the previously published books on this ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Dealer Sues in Swastika Flour Bag Flap
by M.A.D. staff

It was an antique flour bag that made national headlines. Now the case is heading to court. Nicole Guida, owner and operator of Chic & Unique, Littleton, New Hampshire, has filed suit against Katherine M. Ferrier, alleging defamation, false light, emotional distress, and more. The case centers on a circa 1900 ... (Read More)

(Book Review)

Books Received, May 2017
by M.A.D. staff

These are brief reviews of books recently sent to us. We have included ordering information for publishers that accept mail, phone, or online orders. For other publishers, your local bookstore or a mail-order house is the place to look. The Hidden Art: 20th- & 21st-Century Self-Taught Artists from the Audrey B. ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

After Three Insurance Companies Deny Claim, Collector Sues His Broker
by M.A.D. staff

A consignment gone wrong and the refusal of three different insurance companies to cover a loss has led to a lawsuit filed in California. Entertainment mogul and collector Peter Guber—who has a net worth of $400 million, according to some reports—filed suit against Abacus Insurance Brokers of Santa Monica, California, ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Bonnie and David Ferriss, Lake Luzerne, New York
by Frank Donegan

In the Trade In this feature, we’ve reported on all sorts of strategies that dealers have used to cope with the changing antiques market. But longtime dealers Bonnie and David Ferris haven’t felt any great need to devise new coping mechanisms. Today, they do pretty much what they’ve done since they ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Artworks from DuPont Collections Go to Local Museums
by M.A.D. staff

When the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware, was sold to the Buccini/Pollin Group in January, those who are frequent guests at the hotel wondered what would become of the art on the walls. The 103-year-old 217-room hotel will continue to operate under the Hotel du Pont name with all ... (Read More)

(Computer Article)

Computer Backup and Editing PDFs
by John P. Reid

Computer Column #341 John P. Reid, [email protected] Computer backup is revisited, and Adobe Acrobat as a universal document format is discussed. Computer Backup Our parents said, “Look both ways before crossing the street.” Computer columnists said, “Back up your computer.” We do not hear that as much these days, but the advice is still ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

New Chief Curator of American Art at the Huntington
by M.A.D. staff

Chad Alligood. © Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography. Chad Alligood has been named chief curator of American art at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. Alligood will join the Huntington in late April and will oversee a growing collection, including a newly acquired group of early American ... (Read More)

(Book Review)

Ceramics in America
by Lita Solis-Cohen

A Book Review Ceramics in America 2016 Edited by Robert Hunter The Chipstone Foundation, distributed by University Press of New England, 2016, 276 pages, hardbound, $65 plus S/H from University Press of New England, (800) 421-1561 or (www.upne.com). Who would think that a journal devoted to ceramic history, archaeological research, technology, social ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Leslie Hindman of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago, Illinois
by Karla Klein Albertson

Head of the House Leslie Hindman always knew that Chicago needed its own auction house. She opened her first salesroom there in 1982. Over 35 years, her company has transformed and grown into a firm of global reach with multiple branches and a schedule of over 60 auctions a year. How did ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Only Ten
by Clayton Pennington

Editorial The City Council of Belleville, Illinois, thinks that antiques stores are a detriment to its municipality. Ditto for art galleries. In late March, the city council overwhelmingly voted to limit to ten the number of business licenses for selling secondhand goods within the city limits. Secondhand goods include used clothing, electronics, ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Letter from London, May 2017
by Ian McKay

Ian McKay, <[email protected]> High-priced pictures by Titian, Klimt, Sisley, and even Atkinson Grimshaw feature in this month’s selection, and are joined in the six-, seven-, and even eight-figure world by a couple of erotically charged sculptures. Also on offer are rather more prosaic and largely more modestly priced pieces of early furnishings, ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

New Features at Rhinebeck Show
by M.A.D. staff

Barn Star Productions’ Spring Antiques at Rhinebeck Show and Sale will take place on Memorial Day weekend, May 27 and 28, in Rhinebeck, New York. Approximately 125 exhibitors will fill three huge buildings with folk and fine art and American and European antiques. A gourmet food truck court will be new ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Exhibitions, May 2017
by M.A.D. staff

Maine Antique Digest includes, as space permits, brief announcements of exhibitions planned by galleries, museums, or other venues. We need all press materials at least six weeks in advance of opening. We need to know the hours and dates of the exhibit, admission charges, and phone number and website for ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

DC Big Flea & Antiques Market Adds Modernism Show
by M.A.D. staff

The April 29 and 30 DC Big Flea & Antiques Market will have a special attraction—the 34th Washington Modernism Show, produced by Jim Linz of the Art Deco Society and featuring over 50 dealers and several special exhibits. The special exhibits include two modern trailers from the latter half of ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Wilkes and Liberty No. 45
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Robert Hunter, collector, dealer, and editor of Ceramics in America, has always had an interest in historical ceramics. When he learned that Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury, U.K. was offering a 5" tall creamware mug with a portrait of a bewigged, red-robed, and cross-eyed fellow with words in a banner ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Changes to California Autograph Law Clear Committee
by M.A.D. staff

It was a law passed with good intentions but little notice and even less foresight. When Governor Jerry Brown of California signed into law on September 9, 2016, a bill that amended a state law that tightly regulated the sale of signed memorabilia, it sent shock waves through the industry. The ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Herter Brothers Servers Sell at Farmer Auctions
by Walter C. Newman

For more than two years, Farmer Auctions, Salem, Virginia, has been systematically liquidating a large consignment from the estate of W.P. Henritze (d. 1959), a Roanoke, Virginia, entrepreneur and real estate investor, who had moved to the area from West Virginia in the early 1900s. Early on, Henritze purchased the ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Freeman's Boutique Sale of Design
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Photos courtesy Freeman’s Freeman’s in Philadelphia offered 57 lots of 20th-century design on Sunday, March 19, from a small, well-designed catalog, and it was not ignored. There were buyers in the room, online, and on phones, and some bids had been left with the auctioneer. Tim Andreadis, head of sale, said the ... (Read More)

(Auction)

No Provenance, No Problem
by Bob Frishman

Willis Henry Auctions, Rockland, Massachusetts Photos courtesy Willis Henry Auctions All 53 lots of military watches and instruments sold strongly, without reserves, at Willis Henry Auctions on the afternoon of Saturday, March 18. The Commander William R. Bricker single-owner collection was offered live at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Rockland, Massachusetts, but ... (Read More)

(Show)

60th Spring Fox Valley Antiques Show
by Danielle Arnet

St. Charles, Illinois We think we found a new first for antiques. It happened when we went to an antiques show, and ticket buyers were gifted with something free. That was new to us, and it transpired as first arrivals were offered a piece of cake at the 60th Spring Fox ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Police Raid Antiques Shop in Worcester, Massachusetts
by M.A.D. staff

On March 10 members of the Worcester Police Vice Squad executed a search warrant at Unique Finds, an antiques shop located at 1329 Main Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. According to police, a search of the premises produced 100 acetaminophen pills, 71 Suboxone strips, 23 individually knotted bags of heroin, eight Concerta ... (Read More)

(Show)

The 2017 ADAA Art Show
by Julie Schlenger Adell

New York City The Art Show, the Art Dealers Association of America’s annual show, shone brightly this year. The art was the star. The unfussiness and quiet elegance of the booths in the Park Avenue Armory’s Drill Hall allowed showgoers—and there were thousands each day from March 1 to 5—to remain ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Myrick Scrimshawed Tooth Brings $110,700
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Skinner, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts Bitter cold in Boston was no deterrent to bidders at Skinner on March 4 for the Americana sale in the Boston gallery. Staff members found themselves bringing out extra seating to accommodate everyone in the gallery. Many came to observe and participate in the sale of scrimshaw from ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Retha Walden Gambaro, Native American Sculptor
by Walter C. Newman

The Potomack Company, Alexandria, Virginia Photos courtesy The Potomack Company On February 28 The Potomack Company held an online sale of Native American artwork and artifacts. Of the 236 lots offered for sale, 180 were from the studio and collections of Retha Walden Gambaro and Stephen A. Gambaro. This report focuses on ... (Read More)

(Show)

Morristown Armory Antiques Show
by Julie Schlenger Adell

Morristown, New Jersey The armory in Morristown, New Jersey, a cavernous space just outside of town, was the site for JMK’s winter antiques show held February 25 and 26, over a balmy weekend. The twice-a-year show draws regional dealers, many of whom have remained loyal participants in promoter Allison Kohler’s events. ... (Read More)

(Show)

Haeger Potteries Auction
by Kay Manning

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago, Illinois Photos courtesy Leslie Hindman Auctioneers Deciding to close Haeger Potteries in 2016 after 145 years was a difficult decision for Alexandra Haeger Estes, great-granddaughter of the founder of the East Dundee, Illinois-based company, but it was eased somewhat by watching people line up for the remaining pieces ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Jewelry Collections Add Interest and Bring Good Results
by Mary Ann Brown

Antique Jewelry & Gemology On February 22, Doyle New York gave us hope that winter would eventually come to an end in the form of its fine jewelry sale, the catalog for which was graced with colorful pieces of jewelry in bright spring colors. Featuring jewelry from the collections of Mrs. ... (Read More)

(Show)

American Indian Art Show/Marin
by Alice Kaufman

San Rafael, California Colorado dealer Steve Begner praised producer Kim Martindale for “getting the crowd out.” As a Bay Area resident, I found ads and promotions for the 33rd annual American Indian Art Show/Marin, held February 17-19, unavoidable. Was this different from past years? “Completely,” said Martindale. “We had a lot more ... (Read More)

(Show)

Jenkins Adds It All Up at the Fairgrounds
by Karla Klein Albertson

The Nashville Show, Nashville, Tennessee The Nashville Show is the largest of three events that bring together hundreds of dealers and collectors for an extended antiques weekend every February in Tennessee. The old Music Valley and Tailgate designations for Jenkins management events have been united under this umbrella title, and, frankly, ... (Read More)

(Auction)

SEWE Auction a Success for Guyette & Deeter
by Susan Emerson Nutter

Guyette & Deeter, Inc., Charleston, South Carolina Photos courtesy Guyette & Deeter The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) was the place to be in February for those who desire fantastic decoys. Guyette & Deeter, Inc. offered more than 280 lots during its Saturday, February 18, auction at the SEWE. The sale total was ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Copley's Winter Sale of Sporting Arts Makes $1.4 Million
by Susan Emerson Nutter

Copley Fine Art Auctions, Charleston, South Carolina Photos courtesy Copley Fine Art Auctions Fine art, bronzes, and vintage fishing gear followed by an extensive array of vintage and contemporary decoys composed the Winter Sale 2017 hosted by Copley Fine Art Auctions, LLC on February 17 at the American Theater in Charleston, South ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Buffalo Pottery Has Special Appeal
by Walter C. Newman

Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, Mt. Crawford, Virginia Photos courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates On February 17 Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates held a little sale at its gallery in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. I refer to the sale as “little” for two reasons. This was a single-theme sale, and it consisted ... (Read More)

(Show)

Heart of Tennessee Antique Show: Second Edition Moves to New Wilson County Expo Center
by Karla Klein Albertson

Lebanon, Tennessee The second edition of the Heart of Tennessee Antique Show, under the enthusiastic management of Katherine Bovard, presented two changes from last year’s debut. Most important was the move to the recently completed, neo-farm-style Wilson County Exposition Center, just off Interstate 40 in Lebanon, Tennessee, on the eastern edge ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Tobacco Figures Smoking Hot at Thomaston
by Mark Sisco

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Thomaston, Maine Superlatives were easy to come by at the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ February 11 and 12 auction in Thomaston, Maine. President and auctioneer Kaja Veilleux called it “the biggest and best of this kind of stuff we’ve had in twenty-five years.” He was referring to ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Native American Art
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Skinner Inc., Boston, Massachusetts A single-owner collection of American Indian art that was offered at Skinner on February 10 in the Boston gallery was a mighty tempting treat for collectors and dealers. The Philip and Patricia Marco collection was begun in the mid-1980s after Patricia Marco made a visit to a ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Winter Auction Bangs Out Over $3.2 Million
by Mark Sisco

James D. Julia, Fairfield, Maine James Julia took a leave of absence for a few months before the February 9 and 10 auction in Fairfield, Maine, to be with his wife, Sandy, as she was being treated for a potentially devastating illness. As of this writing, the report is that Sandy ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Gems and Art
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Grogan & Company, Boston, Massachusetts The weight of the February 5 sale at Grogan & Company in Boston, Massachusetts, was on the carats—of diamonds, that is, as bidders pursued over 120 lots of jewelry. Art took a bit of a backseat to the sparkle. The highlight was the 9.19-carat pear-shaped diamond ring ... (Read More)

(Show)

The York Show: Signs the Market is Getting Stronger
by Lita Solis-Cohen

The Original Semi-Annual York Antiques Show, York, Pennsylvania Ninety-eight dealers exhibited at the 168th Original Semi-Annual York Antiques Show and Sale at Memorial Hall East on the York Fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania, February 3-5. On Friday, a large crowd from all parts of the country came to shop. Show manager Melvin ... (Read More)

(Show)

Antique Sporting and Advertising Show
by Don Johnson

Oshkosh, Wisconsin A poster for Blue Jeans, a 1917 silent movie, likely went unnoticed by many shoppers at the 15th annual Antique Sporting and Advertising Show, held February 3 and 4 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The one-sheet depicts a loose interpretation of “The Great Saw Mill Scene,” in which the movie’s villain ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Calder Mobile Tops Art Auction
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Skinner, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts Alexander Calder (1898-1976) garnered top honors at Skinner’s January 27 auction in its Boston gallery when his 5¾" high standing mobile from about 1965, an untitled sheet metal, brass, wire, and paint construction (est. $150,000/250,000), sold for $471,000 (including buyer’s premium). The catalog cover lot, it had ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Diverse Sale in Chicago
by Danielle Arnet

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago, Illinois We’ll say this for the furniture, decorative arts, and silver sales at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers: whatever you’re looking for in those categories, it’s bound to end up there sooner or later. For example, the January 24 and 25 sale included a set of 11 American Empire ... (Read More)

(Auction)

American Silver, Porcelain, and Prints
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Sotheby’s, New York City Photos courtesy Sotheby’s After selling 270 lots of silver from the collection of the late Iris Schwartz in a single-owner sale on the morning of Inauguration Day, January 20, Sotheby’s offered more silver from various owners on Friday afternoon followed by Oriental carpets, Chinese export porcelain, and prints. Dealers ... (Read More)
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