Stories for March '24
(Issue Story)Auction Prices Realized
Here are a few notable prices of antiques sold recently at auction, as provided by press releases. All prices include the buyer’s premium when charged. We’re always looking for news of prices realized at auctions, particularly unusual or top lots. Send pictures, complete descriptions, and information to A.P.R., Maine Antique ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Man Arraigned for Historical Society Theft
Brian Anthony D’Ambrosio, 49, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was arraigned in federal court on January 16. He is suspected of stealing items from the Montana Historical Society, including letters by the wife of Western artist Charles “C. M.” Russell (1864-1926), and then selling them on eBay.
D’Ambrosio pleaded not guilty ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Antiques Roadshow 2024 Production Tour
The Antiques Roadshow 2024 production tour dates and cities have been announced. The PBS television show will visit Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 1; Bentonville, Arkansas, on May 14; Littleton, Colorado, on May 29; Urbandale, Iowa, on June 10; and Baltimore, Maryland, on June 18. Antiques Roadshow will reveal the ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Changes at Cordier Auctions
Cordier Auctions, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has hired Jane Seibert as its consignment manager. As part of a business transition in 2023, Siebert joined the company in September. She has been handling client inquiries and vetting consignments as well as conducting marketing efforts for Cordier in conjunction with its sister company, Sunset ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Tailgate Show Moves to Saturdays
The Tailgate antiques show in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, is the brainchild of Connecticut antiques dealer Ian McKelvey and Massachusetts antiques dealers and show promoters Kris and Paul Casucci. In 2016 McKelvey and the Casuccis were looking for a show that would combine resources for picking fresh antique merchandise with a ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Montgomery Prize and Award Reestablished
After a lapse of several years, the Decorative Arts Society (DAS) is reestablishing the Charles F. Montgomery Award and Prize for excellence in decorative arts scholarship, honoring the pioneering work of connoisseur, collector, antiques dealer, author, and teacher Charles F. Montgomery (1910-1978). Entries are now open, and the deadline for ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Vocational Awe
Beneath the Surface
One of the challenges of self-employment is that there are very few “lines” in our lives that divide our days into sections. This is especially true since we opened an auction house, but it is true of being self-employed in any way these days. There are for many ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Rate Changes at Sotheby’s
On February 1 Sotheby’s announced a dramatic change to both its buying and selling commissions. On May 20 the buyer’s premium will be 20% of the hammer price up to and including $6 million. Beyond $6 million, the buyer’s premium drops to 10%.
The previous buyer’s premium was 26% up to ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Seduction and the Casting of Spells
“I just love that highboy! Look at the (portrait) bust. Oh, the lines! Oh, the legs! The curves. Original surface.” The very language of antiques collecting seems oddly like that of romance (OK, maybe not “original surface”). Marvelous objects entice, ensorcell, enchant, enrapture.
Hardened collectors can be reluctant romancers, yet they ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)A Welcome Change
The recent announcement by Sotheby’s that the firm is overhauling its buyer’s premium and seller’s commission is welcome news (see page 28). For the first time in years, an auction house hasn’t tried to increase profits by digging even deeper into the pockets of buyers.
Beginning in May, Sotheby’s will charge ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Hanging with Sheridan Loyd
Sheridan Loyd grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri, with parents who collected 18th- and 19th-century Chinese furniture and decorative arts. When she was a child, “they would drag me to auctions,” she recalled.
She has fond memories about that time and reminisced about one auctioneer who would keep a box of ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Exhibitions, March 2024
Grant Wood (1891-1942), March, 1939, lithograph on deckled white wove paper, 12½" x 15¾" (sheet size). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rothschild, 1978.67.1.
—Through April 23 —Rockland, Maine
Prints for the People: Associated American Artists at the Farnsworth Art Museum explores the transformation of modern print collecting in the United ... (Read More)
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(Auction)“Visions of America”
Sotheby’s, New York City
Photos courtesy Sotheby’s
Saturday, January 20, was Americana day at Sotheby’s in New York City. The 71 lots offered in a live morning sale were sold in an hour and a half. The total was $3,383,153; total estimates were $2,904,000/4,573,000, and the sale was 77% sold by lot. ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Important Americana
Christie’s, New York City
Photos courtesy Christie’s
The January Americana Week sales in New York City have been called the Super Bowl for American antiques. Sotheby’s and Christie’s have been the perennial opposing rivals. In recent years, some strong competition has come from regional teams in another league.
The Super Bowl analogy doesn’t ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Art of America at Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s, New York City
Photos courtesy Sotheby’s
As part of Sotheby’s “Visions of America” sales in January, billed as “a new celebration of American craftsmanship and culture,” the auction house offered 74 lots of paintings in its “Art of America” sale on the afternoon of January 19 in New York City. The ... (Read More)
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(Auction)19th-Century and Western Art Sale
Christie’s, New York City
Photos courtesy Christie’s
Christie’s sale of 19th-century American and Western art in New York City, now in its third edition positioned during Americana Week, showed solid results. The 10 a.m. sale on Thursday, January 18, presented 100 lots. One lot, Cardplay at the Camp by Eastman Johnson, was ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Stamp Act Defiance Placard Sells for $4.5 Million
Christie’s, New York City
Photos courtesy Christie’s
Americana Week in New York City began on a strong note January 17 with Christie’s sale of printed and manuscript Americana. The total of $11,146,052 was swelled by the $4,527,000 (including buyer’s premium) paid for a Stamp Act defiance placard that was estimated at ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Olde Hope Offers the Dittmar Collection
On January 17 Olde Hope opened its latest selling exhibition, The Dittmar Collection: Living with Antiques at Duck Hollow—a 20th Century Journey, in its New York City gallery. Folk art, furniture, paintings, ceramics, textiles, and more are offered for sale.
“By the time their home and collection were featured in the ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Rare Stoneware Pitcher Sells at Laughlin Auctions
A previously unknown Rockingham County, Virginia, cobalt-decorated stoneware pitcher recently surfaced during an online-only auction conducted by Laughlin Auctions of Edinburg, Virginia. The auction was hosted on the HiBid platform and closed January 17.
The approximately two-gallon pitcher stands 14½" high and has a bulbous body with a relatively high, conical ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Rufus Porter Collection Gifted to Historic Deerfield
A significant collection of Rufus Porter material—nearly 30 miniature portraits, 15 wall murals, and more—from the collection of Julie Lindberg and her husband, Carl M. Lindberg (d. 2009), has been gifted to Historic Deerfield, Deerfield, Massachusetts, by Julie Lindberg. “It’s a total gift,” said Lindberg.
Julie Lindberg.
The gift was announced on ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Freeman’s | Hindman Holds Reception in New Manhattan Space
Freeman’s | Hindman held a reception on Tuesday, January 16, in New York City to introduce its new space to collectors, dealers, and auction house specialists. The weather was brisk, but guests eagerly made their way to 32 East 67th Street. The townhouse is just off Madison Avenue and is ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)284-Year-Old Lemon Sells at Auction
It was a sweet sale. On January 16 Brettells Auctioneers & Valuers sold a 284-year-old inscribed piece of citrus—possibly a lemon—for $1759 (includes the juice).
The auction house, founded in 2001 in Newport, Shropshire, England, had cataloged the lot simply as “A Dried Citrus with Inscription ‘Given By Mr P Lu ... (Read More)
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(Show)For the Joy of It: Creating Beautiful Spaces
The Washington Winter Show, Washington, D.C.
The 69th edition of the Washington Winter Show was held January 12 to 14 at the Katzen Arts Center on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C.
The theme of the show was “For the Joy of It: Creating Beautiful Spaces.” That title is derived ... (Read More)
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(Auction)What’s New at Brunk Auctions for 2024
Brunk Auctions, Asheville, North Carolina
Photos courtesy Brunk Auctions
It took a phone call to verify the dates for the first Brunk Auctions sale of 2024. Yes, the advertisement was correct. The sale was on Wednesday and Thursday, January 10 and 11. Weekday sales are in for 2024 at Brunk Auctions; weekend ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Early 20th-Century Design
Toomey & Co., Chicago, Illinois
Photos courtesy Toomey & Co.
When advance notice dropped that works from the collection of Thomas S. Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s pizza and a known longtime collector of important early 20th-century works, were to sell in a December 12 Toomey & Co. auction, bidders took notice ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Native American Art at Auction
Bonhams, Los Angeles, California
Photos courtesy Bonhams
Bonhams’ department director Ingmars Lindbergs said about the large (341-lot) auction of Native American art held December 12 in Los Angeles, “That was fun. And a lot of work.” Thanks to some impressive and famous collections, “We had some great stuff across the board, and ... (Read More)
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(Auction)NOAG Finishes 2023 in Style
New Orleans Auction Galleries, New Orleans, Louisiana
Photos courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries
The December 2 and 3 estates auction at New Orleans Auction Galleries (NOAG) showcased the types of items this well-oiled machine of a business is known for selling: fine antiques, fine art, and the best decorative elements desired by ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Freeman’s American Art
Freeman’s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Photos courtesy Freeman’s
American art auctions seem to be in a holding pattern. Freeman’s annual December American art sale reflected the downturn in the market for American paintings this season. In this picky market 30% of the lots offered did not find buyers.
Alasdair Nichol, chairman and director of fine ... (Read More)
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(Show)Greater Boston Show Brings Good Sales
Greater Boston Antiques Show & Sale, Wilmington, Massachusetts
Buying and selling was in the air December 2 and 3 at the Greater Boston Antiques Show & Sale at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Promoter John DeSimone of Goosefare Antiques & Promotions told M.A.D. that although the gate was relatively the ... (Read More)
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(Auction)The Skinner Collection and More at Eldred’s
Eldred’s, East Dennis, Massachusetts
Photos courtesy Eldred’s
The personal collection of Robert “Bob” and Nancy Skinner was the highlight of Eldred’s three-day sale November 15-17 in the East Dennis, Massachusetts, gallery. Bob (1932-1984) and Nancy Skinner were founders back in the 1960s of the Skinner auction house, which was originally in Bolton, ... (Read More)
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(Auction) “Splendor of American Furniture”: The Lippman Collection
Bonhams Skinner, Marlborough, Massachusetts
Photos courtesy Bonhams Skinner
Rhode Island native William Dana Lippman (1933-2022) was a man of many interests, and he collected accordingly. One of his collections, that of American Chippendale furniture, came to market November 14 in a single-seller auction titled “Splendor of American Furniture” at Bonhams Skinner in ... (Read More)
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(Show)Strong Crowd at Semiannual Gathering
A Gathering on the Prairie, Arthur, Illinois
A Gathering on the Prairie drew more buyers than usual during the show’s fall edition, held November 11 at Arthur, Illinois. “We had our biggest crowd since Mary and I have been running it,” said promoter Chuck Springob. He and his wife took over ... (Read More)
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(Show)Surging Sales with Fewer Dealers
Rural Life Antique Show, Tuscola, Illinois
The short story of the Rural Life Antique Show, held November 10 and 11 in Tuscola, Illinois, is one of surging sales. But it’s not the whole story. The bigger picture is a little more difficult to discuss. It involves a significantly shrinking dealer ... (Read More)
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(Show)Antiques, Folk Art, and Furniture Sell at Homesteaders
Homesteaders Antiques & Folk Art Show, Arthur, Illinois
The third time was (still) a charm for Homesteaders Antiques & Folk Art Show, held November 10 and 11 in Arthur, Illinois. It was the third year Homesteaders occupied the Arthur Sale Barn, having previously been at the local fairgrounds. The current location, ... (Read More)
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(Show)Continuing Success at Country Spirit
Country Spirit Antique Show, Arcola, Illinois
The continuing success of Country Spirit Antique Show, held November 10 and 11 in Arcola, Illinois, could be seen late during the first day, not long after the show’s third venue opened its doors Friday evening. Rich Myers of R. L. Myers Americana & ... (Read More)
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(Show)The Collector’s Eye
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The Collector’s Eye held its fall edition October 22 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The semiannual show again paired with the Midwest Antique & Art Show in the Expo Center on the Hawkeye Downs Fairgrounds. One admission covered both events, with the shows running in adjacent halls.
Thirty-three dealers set ... (Read More)
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(Show)Midwest Antique & Art Show
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
On the eve of the fall edition of the Midwest Antique & Art Show, held at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, October 22, the receptionist checking me into the hotel asked about my stay in town. When I mentioned the show, the young woman, all of 20-some years old, ... (Read More)
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(Auction)A Triple-Header in Savannah
Everard Auctions and Appraisals, Savannah, Georgia
Photos courtesy Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Many people in Savannah, Georgia, have a strong sense of and interest in history. Savannah was England’s first settlement in what became the 13th and last American colony, and many of its families trace their history to those early years. ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Snow Doesn’t Stop Boxborough Show
The January 7 edition of the Boxborough Antique Show opened at 10 a.m. to 12" of snow and freezing temperatures. Run by Rachel and Joshua Gurley at the Boxboro Regency Hotel in Boxborough, Massachusetts, the show carried on. Although most events would have canceled, the Gurleys say “Rain, Snow, or ... (Read More)
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