Stories for March '19

(Auction)

Editorial: Shine on the Apple
by Clayton Pennington

Editorial, March 2019 Americana Week in New York City has undergone a discernable shift, more noticeable this year than ever before. The sales at the auction houses are no longer strictly Americana; the Winter Show, sans the word “antiques,” has fewer Americana dealers; and the only satellite show still standing—The Art, Design ... (Read More)

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Invaluable and Mearto Partner Up to Offer Online Appraisals
by M.A.D. staff

Invaluable, an online marketplace for fine art, antiques, and collectibles, has entered into a partnership with Mearto, an online appraisal service. Scott Miles of Invaluable said in a press release that “the partnership will provide a convenient, sought-after service for Invaluable customers who are increasingly interested in both buying and ... (Read More)

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Christie’s Raises Buyer’s Premium
by M.A.D. staff

As of February 1, Christie’s has changed its buyer’s premium. The new fees the auction house charges buyers for all categories except wine are 25% up to $300,000, 20% from $300,001 to $4,000,000, and 13.5% at $4,000,001 and above. The previous buyer’s premium fee schedule was 25% up to $250,000, ... (Read More)

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New York Man Arrested on Burglary Charges
by M.A.D. staff

New York State Police arrested Clifford R. Williams, 56, of Selden, New York, for second-degree burglary, a Class C felony. Williams is accused of unlawfully entering a relative’s residence in the town of Eaton through a window and taking several antique items from within the home. Williams was arraigned and remanded ... (Read More)

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Hazelton Named LiveAuctioneers Advisory Board Chairman
by M.A.D. staff

Brook Hazelton has been appointed to LiveAuctioneers’ newly created position of advisory board chairman, heading the soon-to-be-launched auctioneer and dealer panel. Brook Hazelton, newly appointed advisory board chairman at LiveAuctioneers, will head the company’s auctioneer and dealer panel. Photo by Mark Seliger. Hazelton served as Christie’s president for North and South America ... (Read More)

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Granite State Book Fair Changes Hands
by M.A.D. staff

Richard Mori of Richard Mori Books, Franklin, New Hampshire, is the new owner and promoter of the Granite State Book and Ephemera Fair. The fair has been produced by Marvin Getman for the past five years. “The show has traditionally had fifty or sixty dealers. It’s going to take some work and ... (Read More)

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Ivory Lawsuit Dismissed
by M.A.D. staff

On February 1 U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield dismissed a lawsuit by two antiques dealers’ trade groups challenging a 2014 law making it a felony to trade ivory in New York. In an eight-page opinion, the judge ruled that the Art and Antique Dealers League of America and the National Art ... (Read More)

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Beach to Receive ADA Award of Merit
by M.A.D. staff

In 2019, the finial is being awarded to a keeper of the flame. The Antiques Dealers’ Association of America’s annual Award of Merit, represented by a presentation flame finial award, will be given to journalist and author Laura Beach at a ceremony on April 26 in Philadelphia. Beach specializes in writing about ... (Read More)

(Computer Article)

Bulk E-mail
by John P. Reid,

Computer Column #362 This sort of thing happens often. A member of a group sends an informative e-mail to other members of the group in a single message with multiple addressees. Within days, weeks, or months, the addressees begin to receive spam—ads for cigar cutters or mail-order spouses, or fake messages ... (Read More)

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R.O. Schmitt Changes Name
by M.A.D. staff

Auction house R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts LLC, Windham, New Hampshire, which for 40 years has specialized in antique clocks, watches, mechanical music, and scientific instruments, is changing its name. On February 19 the firm will become Schmitt Horan & Co. As part of the change, there will also be a new ... (Read More)

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Cabot Mill Antiques Passes One Million per Annum Sales Milestone
by M.A.D. staff

Cabot Mill Antiques in Brunswick, Maine, surpassed one million dollars in sales per annum on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Customers Mary and Brion Controvillas of Maine bought an oval walnut marble-top Victorian-style side table that put Cabot Mill Antiques over the million-dollar mark. Deborah Stufflebeam, manager of Cabot Mill Antiques, said, ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Letter from London, March 2019
by Ian McKay,

Letter from London There are still a number of fine old masters lining up for a place in next month’s “Letter,” but other than that, this month’s selection pretty much wraps up the old year for me. Sales in the new year tend to get into their stride much later in London ... (Read More)

(Young Collectors)

Ode to Joy
by Hollie Davis and Andrew Richmond

The Young Collector Winter, for many people, is binge weather. There’s no yardwork to be done on Saturday, nowhere to go when it is snowy and dark, so it is the perfect time to settle in and watch enough hours of television that Netflix becomes concerned and asks if you are ... (Read More)

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Gurley Antique Shows Adds Date for Boxborough Series
by M.A.D. staff

Gurley Antique Shows Adds Date for Boxborough Series Joshua and Rachel Gurley of Gurley Antique Shows will be adding a fall date to their Boxborough, Massachusetts, show series at the Boxboro Regency Hotel. The new date will be September 22. It will be followed by October 27 and January 5 and ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Martell & Suffin Antiques, Woodbury, Connecticut
by Frank Donegan

In the Trade Years ago, when Manhattan real estate prices weren’t quite as absurd as they are now, there was a thriving wholesale antiques district on Broadway below 14th Street. These shops were not for the faint of heart. They were for pros. They catered to the decorator market. You didn’t ... (Read More)

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Faker Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud
by M.A.D. staff

Harold Gordon, 69, of Templeton, Massachusetts, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Connecticut on January 29 to one count of wire fraud. As first reported in Maine Antique Digest, Gordon was the maker of a fake Civil War secretary that was sold by ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Exhibitions, March 2019
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)

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Flying Pig Antiques Opens in New Hampshire
by M.A.D. staff

Connecticut antiques dealer Ian McKelvey and Massachusetts antiques dealers Kris and Paul Casucci have again joined forces to create a new venture, Flying Pig Antiques in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. After extensive renovations, the shop will feature over 40 antiques dealers from New England and New York in booths and cases throughout ... (Read More)

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Ferren Plasters Sell High
by M.A.D. staff

Two abstract plaster reliefs by John Millard Ferren (1905-1970) were the top lots at Kaminski Auctions in Beverly, Massachusetts, on February 3. There was strong competition for the pieces, both of which were signed and dated 1937. The work numbered 29 sold with buyer’s premium for $69,600 (est. $20,000/30,000). The ... (Read More)

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Corn Mummy Opens The Potomack Company’s Year
by Walter C. Newman

The Potomack Company opened its 2019 auction season with a series of antiques and fine art sales beginning on February 2. The high lot of the live catalog sale was probably one of the oldest items ever offered by the Alexandria, Virginia, firm. This Egyptian corn mummy in a gilt and ... (Read More)

(Show)

The Winter Show
by Lita Solis-Cohen

New York City The Winter Show celebrated its 65th year, a sapphire jubilee, January 17-27, at the Park Avenue Armory. There were sapphire lights projected on the ceiling and on the front of the loan exhibition, Collecting Nantucket / Connecting the World. Many at the preview party wore sapphire blue, making ... (Read More)

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Edmondson’s Miss Lucy Brings $324,000
by M.A.D. staff

On January 26 a sculpture by William Edmondson, Miss Lucy, An Uplifted Lady, sold for $324,000 (includes buyer’s premium) at Case Antiques Inc. Auctions and Appraisals in Knoxville, Tennessee. That figure is believed to be the highest price ever paid at auction for an Edmondson female figure, according to Case. The ... (Read More)

(Show)

The Art, Design & Antiques Show at Wallace Hall
by Clayton Pennington

New York City In 2015 the Art, Design & Antiques Show at Wallace Hall was added to Americana Week events in New York City. At that time, the New York Ceramics & Glass Fair was in full bloom, Metro Curates was doing business at the Metropolitan Pavilion, and the Winter Antiques ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Joshua Johnson Portraits Top Americana Auction
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Sotheby’s, New York City Photos courtesy Sotheby’s Sotheby’s various-owner sales followed the sale of the Teiger collection without a lunch break on Sunday, January 20, and it took until 7 p.m. to sell the 383 lots of furniture and decorations. The auction included 17 high chests, of which all but four found ... (Read More)

(Auction)

The Sale of the Teiger Collection
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Sotheby’s, New York City Photos courtesy Sotheby’s The sale at Sotheby’s of the collection of David Teiger (1929-2014) on January 20 was a test of the market for folk art. The collection was put together over a period of 20 years in the 1990s and into the first decade of this century, ... (Read More)

(Show)

Washington Show Succeeds in the Face of Politics and Mother Nature
by Walter C. Newman

Washington Winter Show, Washington, D.C. The annual Washington Winter Show of antiques and fine art was held January 11-13 at the Katzen Arts Center on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 64th edition of the show and the ninth year that it has been held ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Two-Day Americana Sale
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Pook & Pook Inc., Downingtown, Pennsylvania Photos courtesy Pook & Pook  Pook & Pook started 2019 with its largest various-owners catalog sale to date. Offered in two sessions on Friday evening, January 11, and Saturday, January 12, it presented a number of estates, consignments from downsizing collectors, and consignments that just walked ... (Read More)

(Auction)

An American Main Course with Some Eastern European Seasoning
by Mark Sisco

Hap Moore Auction, York, Maine At Hap Moore’s December 15, 2018, auction in York, Maine, the seasoning in the sale was a collection of early European artworks from a single consignor, but the main course was Charles Woodbury. The European paintings were provided by a consigning couple from Maine, now ages ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Patek Philippe Clock and Colombian Emerald Pendant Star
by Mary Ann Brown

Antique Jewelry & Gemology Photos courtesy John Moran Auctioneers John Moran Auctioneers’ fine jewelry and timepieces auction was held on December 11, 2018, and was highlighted by the sale of a Patek Philippe “Mrs. Butterfly” pendulette dôme clock that realized $118,750 (includes buyer’s premium); the estimate was $60,000/90,000. Following closely behind was an ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Native American Baskets and Art
by Alice Kaufman

Bonhams, Los Angeles, California Photos courtesy Bonhams Department director Ingmars Lindbergs said he was “very pleased” with the results of the December 10 and 11, 2018, Bonhams auctions in Los Angeles. The first was a single-owner sale of baskets belonging to Albuquerque, New Mexico, collectors Alan and Bronnie Blaugrund. On the next ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Freeman’s Design Sale
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Freeman’s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Photos courtesy Freeman’s Freeman’s design sale on Monday, December 10, 2018, was preceded by the single-owner morning sale of the estate of Bonnie O’Boyle. A Bucks County resident, O’Boyle collected American paintings and American design, mostly by New Hope artists and designers, including George and Mira Nakashima and local ... (Read More)

(Auction)

American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionism
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Freeman’s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Photos courtesy Freeman’s Freeman’s December 9, 2018, American art and Pennsylvania Impressionism sale attracted a standing-room-only crowd of mostly collectors, many of them locals who came to bid on Bucks County landscapes. While attendance at auctions has been shrinking as more and more bidders prefer online or phone bidding, ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Barrett/Pook & Pook Toy Sale
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Pook & Pook, Inc., with Noel Barrett Antiques & Auctions Ltd., Downingtown, Pennsylvania Photos courtesy Pook & Pook, Inc./Noel Barrett Noel Barrett’s two-session toy sale held December 7 and 8, 2018, at Pook & Pook was designed for Christmas shopping. The 777 lots covered every corner of the toy market. Friday night ... (Read More)

(Auction)

A Surprise Conclusion to the Americana Sale at Mebane
by Pete Prunkl

Mebane Antique Auction Gallery, Mebane, North Carolina Photos courtesy Mebane Antique Auction Gallery Fans of Jon Lambert’s sales know that if it’s Friday, there is an auction at his spacious gallery in Mebane, North Carolina. The first Friday of December, however, is special. It’s the date of Lambert’s annual Americana and Continental ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Tradition & Innovation Plus Art & Design
by Danielle Arnet

Toomey & Co., Oak Park, Illinois Photos courtesy Toomey & Co. When John Toomey and a youthful staff led by his daughter Lucy Toomey as chief executive officer set about rebranding his newly renamed and configured Toomey & Co. gallery, they wasted no time. As a result, clients who wondered what the ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Curiouser and Curiouser
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Rago Arts, Lambertville, New Jersey Photos courtesy Rago Arts After a fairly successful sale in October 2017 christened “Curiouser and Curiouser,” Miriam Tucker, a partner in Rago Arts, teamed up again with New York City Outsider art dealer Marion Harris for their second foray into an emerging category at auction, selling self-taught ... (Read More)

(Auction)

American Art Auction
by Julie Schlenger Adell

Christie’s, New York City Photos courtesy Christie’s Christie’s held its fall American art auction on November 20, 2018, one week after “An American Place,” its sale of the Barney Ebsworth collection, which set a record for an American art auction. The November 20 morning auction offered 71 lots that totaled $26,491,500 (with ... (Read More)

(Auction)

The Louisiana Purchase Auction: An Annual Celebration of Regional Culture
by Karla Klein Albertson

Neal Auction Company, New Orleans, Louisiana The Louisiana Purchase Auction: An Annual Celebration of Regional Culture by Karla Klein Albertson Photos courtesy Neal Auction Company Neal Auction Company’s annual Louisiana Purchase Auction, held most recently November 16-18, 2018, is the main event on the firm’s sales schedule. Themes that appeared in the September event ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Maritime and More
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Eldred’s, East Dennis, Massachusetts Photos courtesy Eldred’s Desirable scrimshaw and other maritime objects, along with some fine examples of early American furniture, brought bidders to Eldred’s auctions November 15-17, 2018, in the East Dennis, Massachusetts, gallery. Some furniture showed a decided uptick. Three substantial catalogs were published for the sales. From the collection ... (Read More)

(Auction)

American History
by Don Johnson

Cowan’s Auctions, Cincinnati, Ohio Photos courtesy Cowan’s Auctions Two unpublished ninth-plate daguerreotypes—one of noted Texas politician Sam Houston (1793-1863), the other of his third wife, Margaret Lea Houston (1819-1867)—sold for $39,600 the pair (including buyer’s premium) to highlight the American history sale held by Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 16, ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Bertoia Sells a $1.5 Million Sleigh-Load of Toys
by Dick Friz

Bertoia Auctions, Vineland, New Jersey Photos courtesy Bertoia Auctions Bertoia Auctions’ annual three-day fall sale in Vineland, New Jersey, held November 9-11, 2018, delivered countless thrills. Bidders chased more than 1400 lots of toys, banks, trains, and holiday fare. Derrick crane, Carlisle & Finch, 1905-07, mounted on a wooden flatcar with eight wheels ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Love Letters and a Lautrec Lithograph Lead Auction
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Grogan & Company, Boston, Massachusetts Photos courtesy Grogan & Company Love letters headed the action at Grogan & Company’s November 11, 2018, sale at its Boston gallery. A group of 43 letters from the young and emerging artist Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) to Alice Moore, written between August 1, 1937, and March 24, ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Antiques and Allen Michaan: The Perfect Mix and Match Covers All Corners of the Market
by Karla Klein Albertson

Head of the House Photos courtesy Michaan’s Auctions Prices in captions include the buyer’s premium. Allen Michaan of Michaan’s Auctions, Alameda, California, has always been an entrepreneur. An early interest in the architecture of historical movie theaters led to a passion for a wide range of artifacts from the past. When the Bay ... (Read More)
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