The first time I exhibited at the Southfield Antiques Show in Southfield, Michigan was in 2002.  Set-up was going as usual, with all of the dealers walking around the show and shopping in each other’s booths.  I went into a booth in the first aisle and saw a vase that looked familiar.  I inquired about the price.  The owner volunteered that it was not Loetz and quoted me a price of $400.  I don’t know where he got his information nor was I sure why he thought it important to mention to me that it wasn’t Loetz.  I knew what it was and it was a very special Loetz vase, called a black bottom vase.  I bought it.

I called Dudley Browne, the head of the Lamp and Glass Division at James D. Julia, Inc., in Fairfield, ME, and told him of my purchase.  He was happy for me and said he would put it on the cover of the catalog for his next auction.  It sold for $12,650, including the buyer’s premium.

James D. Julia November, 2002 catalog cover. (The vase is the one on the right, above the blue Tiffany compote.)

Knowledge is power.  Sir Francis Bacon, Religious Meditations, Of Heresies, 1597.

Pleeeeaaase write to me with suggestions and/or questions.  If they’re interesting, I’ll write a blog entry.  If you like my blog, please recommend it to others.

Please let me know what you would like to buy, sell  or trade.  philchasen@gmail.com