Category Archives: Auctions

In a stunner Morphy Auctions buys James D. Julia Auctions

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. There has been a lot of auction action in December, which I’ll cover in the next few weeks. You won’t want to miss these posts, which will be every Monday and Thursday.

First and foremost I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all of my Christian friends, clients and readers.

We’re just back from a wonderful 3-week vacation in Asia, having visited Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong. Now back to work.

Because of the importance of this post, I will leave it for the entire week. The next post will be next Monday.

Dan Morphy (left) and Jim Julia (right) shake hands

In a stunning turn of events, Morphy Auctions of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has bought James D. Julia Auctions of Fairfield, Maine. Their publicity lists the sale as a merger, but that seems like a bit of hyperbole. Well I guess it is a merger, sort of. Morphy Auctions will acquire the mailing lists of Julia Auctions and will continue to employ the sales staff and department experts of Julia’s. All of the support staff at Julia’s including secretaries, accountants, photographers, shippers, etc. will lose their jobs. Julia’s will still hold a February and a March sale in Maine, but will close its doors on May 1, 2018. I’m told those employees losing their jobs will receive generous severance packages.

Sales at Morphy’s have been approximately $35 million per year, while Julia’s had sales of $43 million. Dan Morphy is hoping the combined company will achieve sales equal to or better than the individual totals. Morphy will gain important departments, including the highly successful Rare Firearms and Glass and Lamps divisions. Mike Fredericks, head of Julia’s Glass & Lamp Department, will be moving up to become manager of all departments — a smart move by Morphy.

I’m sure part of Jim Julia’s motivation is to spend as much quality time as he can with his wife, Sandy, who is dealing with brain cancer. They are both personal friends of mine whom I wish nothing but the best.

If size is important (and it probably is) and Morphy does a good job of integrating Julia’s staff, it should work out well. Time will tell. Got my fingers crossed for all involved. Don’t be surprised if Morphy buys another auction house a few years down the road. You heard it here first.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Unfortunately I missed Doyle Auction’s Doyle + Design sale, November 21, 2017

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We’re back from vacation, so I’ll begin posting new blogs twice weekly, starting Monday, Christmas Day. It will be a good one on an important and unexpected merger in the auction business. You won’t want to miss it.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

November 21, 2017 was a busy day for auctions, with four auction houses holding simultaneous sales, including Leslie Hindman, Bonham’s LA, Heritage and Doyle New York. I had catalogs from all of them, but I was (and still am) so busy I didn’t realize it until the sales were over. I did manage to buy some nice items at two of the sales, but I should have paid more attention to the sale at Doyle’s. It was a disaster for them, but a gold mine for buyers.

Daum Nancy floral vase, Doyle lot #169

Lot 168 was a beautiful 11″ Daum Nancy vase, estimated to sell for $2,000 – $4,000 — a fair, but low estimate. The vase actually sold for $1,250, including buyer’s premium. It’s a vase that I could have easily sold in the $6,000 – $8,000 price range. Ouch! That hurts.

Handel floor lamp with Tiffany 10″ Favrile shade, Doyle lot #174

Lot #174 was more of a dealer lot. By that I mean it was a marriage of a 10″ Tiffany Favrile shade and a Handel base that a lamp dealer could make into two proper lamps. Namely you would need a suitable Tiffany Studios base for the shade and a 10″ Handel or Steuben shade for the base. It sold for the low estimate of $3,000 ($3,750 including buyer’s premium). It wasn’t the greatest of lamps, but it was well worth the money, especially to a dealer.

French marquetry game table, Doyle lot #170

One more example was lot # 170, a beautiful French hand-carved and marquetry game table. It sold for only $1,875, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-auction estimate of $3,000 – $5,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Works by Patrick Nagel led Heritage Auctions’ Original Illustration Art sale, October 14, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Patrick Nagel painting, Bold, Heritage lot #71116

Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas, held their Original Illustration Art sale on October 14, 2017, with total sales of $1,098,328. An acrylic on canvas work by Patrick Nagel entitled Bold led the sale with a $200,000 result. Personally I don’t understand it, but guess what? The bidders didn’t ask me and didn’t care what I thought. I wouldn’t have bought it at any price.

Hugh Joseph Ward illustration, Heritage lot #71171

I would love to have bought lot #71171. It was a wonderful cover illustration by Hugh Joseph Ward entitled Undercover Man for the April, 1942 edition of Detective magazine. It sold for $81,250, including buyer’s premium — the second best result of the sale.

Gil Elvgren 1968 calendar illustration, Swingin’ Sweetie, Heritage lot #71047

Works by Gil Elvgren frequently led previous Heritage’s Illustration sales, but not this time. It appears that prices for Elvgren’s works have been heading lower after peaking several years ago. The top Elvgren lot of the sale, #71047, a 1968 calendar illustration for Brown & Bigelow entitled Swingin’ Sweetie sold for $32,000, good for the fifth best result of the sale.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in (free) for the prices.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Leslie Hindman sold the Estate of Robert Smith in its Modern Design sale, 11/14/17

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago, IL, held their Modern Design sale on 11/14/17. Included in the sale was the Estate of Robert Smith, which consisted mostly of French cameo glass. Don Williams was Robert’s main source for glass, until Don passed away a few years ago. Then Robert turned to me to continue collecting. He passed away last year from a rare form of bone cancer.

Daum Nancy Alpine vase, Hindman lot #467

I was anxious to buy back some of the glass that I’d sold to him, especially lot #467, a beautiful and rare Daum Nancy Alpine scenic vase, but it eluded me. It sold for $12,500, against an estimate of $4,000 – $6,000. I was the underbidder. The buyer who bought it paid a fair price, but it was just beyond what a dealer can pay and still make a fair return on his investment.

B&S vase, Hindman lot #468

Robert’s collection included more than a few fine examples of internally decorated Burgun & Schverer (B&S) vases. I was successful in purchasing a couple of them. The top result of the group went to lot #468, probably because collectors appreciated the rare shape. It sold for $8,125, against an estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

B&S Orchids vase, Hindman lot #472

Lot #472 was beautiful and sold for a song, because of a major flaw on the backside, original to the making. It sold for $2,750 against an estimate of $2,000 – $4,000. I wasn’t going to buy it at any price, but the collector who did, bought an impressive vase at a very low price.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

A few French cameo glass results from recent auctions

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Gallé Tulip vase, Treadway Toomey lot #113

Treadway Toomey Auctions of Chicago, IL, held their Art In Glass: Collection of Joan & Milton Baxt sale on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Included in the sale was one fine lot of Gallé glass, with provenance from Minna Rosenblatt Ltd., New York City, August 2, 1986. With four layers of colored glass on a salmon background, great detail, and a nice 15″ size, it was much better than most Gallé vases that have come up for auction recently. The multiple layers allowed for an unusual effect, with tulips on the back looking like the negative of those on the front. Couple fine quality, market freshness and a low estimate of $2,000 – $4,000 and you’ve got the recipe for a great result. The vase sold for $15,000, including buyer’s premium. I tried to buy it, but it flew past my price to a full retail price.

Gallé Moth vase, Humler & Nolan lot #0572

Humler & Nolan of Cincinnati, OH, held a pottery, glass and Rookwood auction on November 4-5, 2017. Included in the glass section of the sale were a few good items, along with more than a few ordinary items. Lot #0572 was a small (3¾” tall x 4½” long), but very high quality, Gallé vase with wheel-carved moths. Wheel-carving by hand yields a level of detail that is not attainable with acid-etching only. When done by a skilled craftsman, the result can be wonderful. This example was no exception, with great artistry, on a very rare shape. Collectors were willing to overlook the small size and bid the vase to $13,310, against an estimate of $2,500 – $3,000. I, on the other hand, was unable to buy it at a price where I thought I could resell it.

Daum Nancy Cornflower pitcher, Humler & Nolan lot #0622

Lot #0622 was a nice, but unspectacular, Daum Nancy pitcher with Cornflower decoration. Estimated near retail value, $5,000 – $7,000, it sold for the low estimate, $6,050, including buyer’s premium. I had no interest in this item and did not bid.

For the complete results of the Treadway Toomey sale, click here. For the complete results of the Humler & Nolan sale, click here.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

J. Levine Auction & Appraisal LLC sold some very nice Daum Nancy glass, July 23, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, readership slows down in the summer, so I will only publish on Mondays until the weather gets cold and readership picks up.

J. Levine Auction & Appraisal LLC, Phoenix, AZ held an online-only auction yesterday that included three fine Daum Nancy vases. I tried to buy all three but was unsuccessful.

Daum Nancy Weeping Willow vase, J. Levine lot # 2691

The first was a rare, fantastic, 9¼” scenic vase with weeping willow trees. It was especially fine because the artist who painted it was B.S., Daum’s best artist. Click here to read my blog about this artist. It sold as lot #2691, with a very low estimate in the hundreds. Bidders knew this wasn’t a $1,000 vase and pushed it to $9,750, including buyer’s premium. I really, really wanted to buy this vase, but the price was just too high for a dealer, so I was the underbidder. Congratulations to the buyer.

Daum scenic vase, J. Levine lot #2688

Lot #2688 was a very nice, but smaller (5¾”), scenic vase with excellent color and detail. It also carried a low estimate, but sold for $3,100 — a good price for a collector but a bit too much for a dealer.

Daum Winter scenic vase, J. Levine lot #2690

The last of the three Daum vases was a nice Winter scenic vase, 7½” tall. It sold for $3,500, which is in the wholesale range, but too much for me because I have a better example of this vase in the same size and shape. I would have bought a second example if the price were lower.

Our next show will be the eagerly anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 24-27, 2017. It’s the best show of the summer and possibly the best of the year. People fly in from all over the world to attend, including Europe and Japan. If you haven’t yet visited, you should. It’s big, with some of the best national and international dealers. You’ll also enjoy Baltimore. Hope to see you there!

Click Philip Chasen Antiques to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I recently added several new items and I’ll be adding more this week. They’re some of the best items I’ve ever had, so I suggest you click on the following link and take a look. Philip Chasen’s new items.

I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

James D. Julia, Inc. knocked it out of the park with its Rare Lamps, Glass and Fine Jewelry auction, June 16, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, readership slows down in the summer, so I will only publish on Mondays until the weather gets cold and readership picks up.

Attendance was much higher than the usual Julia auction

James D. Julia, Inc. held its Rare Lamps, Glass and Fine Jewelry auction on June 16, 2017, with record sales just short of $4.4 million. Two important collections were included in the sale with no reserves. As I’ve stated before, there is nothing better for a successful auction than fresh, important merchandise with no reserves. Julia’s had a record crowd of about 100 in attendance, as well as a record number of phone and Internet bidders. Julia’s is located in central Maine, so most of the attendees flew in from all over the US and one from Japan. All the excitement led to strong prices throughout the entire sale.

Tiffany Studios Dogwood floor lamp, Julia lot #1108

The top lot of the sale was a very rare, large, important Tiffany Studios Dogwood floor lamp. It sold to a dealer on the telephone for more than double its pre-sale high estimate of $150,000, realizing $406,600, including buyer’s premium. Ultimately it will sell to a collector at a still higher price.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria window, Julia lot #1365

Authentic Tiffany Studios windows have seen a resurgence of late, realizing strong prices at major auction houses, including Julia’s. The top window of the sale, a Wisteria design, was lot #1365. It easily surpassed its high estimate of $150,000, realizing $257,850, including buyer’s premium.

Daum Nancy Snail vase, Julia lot #1596

Julia’s had a strong selection of fine French cameo glass. The top lot of the sale was #1596, an important Daum Nancy vase with applied grapes and snails. It sold within its pre-sale estimate of $17,500-$22,500, realizing $21,780, including buyer’s premium.

The 777-lot Julia sale included a huge variety of lamps, vases, candlesticks and jewelry. Click here for the complete results of the sale. You will have to sign in for the prices (free), or you can click here to look at the highlights with prices, where you won’t have to sign in. Kudos to Mike Fredericks, head of Julia’s Lamp & Glass Department for putting together a great sale.

July 14-16, 2017, Denver Mart EXPO Building – 451 East 58th Avenue, Denver

Our next show is the Denver World Wide Antique Show in less than two weeks, July 14-16. I’ll be buying and selling in the meantime, so be in touch if you’re doing either.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Excellent results at Christie’s New York Design sale, June 7, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, readership slows down in the summer, so I will only publish on Mondays until the weather gets cold and readership picks up.

Christie’s New York held its Design sale on June 7, 2017, a day after Sotheby’s similar sales. Sales totaled $7,162,375, for a very impressive average of $87,346 for the 82 sold lots. 20 lots failed to sell.

Gallé Wisteria table lamp, Christie’s lot #16

The sale began with the Joel Schur collection of Emile Gallé glass, including superb examples of vases and lamps from the 1920s. Lot #16, a huge, 30″ tall, beautiful Gallé Wisteria table lamp led the group with a price of $331,500, including buyer’s premium, above its pre-sale high estimate of $250,000.

Galle Rhododendron table lamp, Christie’s lot #12

Lot #s 12 and 13, identical Gallé blownout Rhododendron table lamps, tied for second and third places in the Joel Schur group. They each sold for $295,500, including buyer’s premium, well above their high estimates of $180,000.

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Christie’s lot #24

The top lot of the Tiffany lamp section of the sale was #24, a full-sized Laburnum table lamp on a tree-trunk base. It exceeded its high estimate of $200,000, realizing $259,500, including buyer’s premium.

I won’t concern myself with the more modern items in the sale, but suffice it to say they did very well including $631,500 for a carpet and $907,500 for a bronze. See for yourself by clicking here for the complete results of the sale.

July 14-16, 2017, Denver Mart EXPO Building – 451 East 58th Avenue, Denver

Our next show is the Denver World Wide Antique Show in mid-July, so we’ll take some time to smell the roses. I’ll be buying and selling in the meantime, so be in touch if you’re doing either.

I recently listed some new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Superb results at Sotheby’s New York Estate of Carol Ferranti sale, June 6, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, readership slows down in the summer, so I will only publish on Mondays until the weather gets cold.

Sotheby’s New York held a special one-owner sale on June 6, 2017, The Estate of Carol Ferranti, Masterworks by Tiffany Studios. Sales totaled $2,388,500 for the 36 lots that sold, for an impressive average of $66,347. Only 2 lots failed to sell.

Tiffany Studios Butterfly lamp, Sotheby’s lot #16

A Butterfly lamp, lot #16, was the top lot of the sale. It sold within its pre-sale estimate of $400,000 – $600,000, realizing $648,500, including buyer’s premium. The exceptionally rare design included very unusual and attractive iridescent glass in the butterflies.

Tiffany Studios Apple Blossom enameled box, Sotheby’s lot #13

Part of the fabulous collection included seven enamel on copper vases and boxes, all of which were rare, but some exceptionally rare. The top enamel lot of the sale was #13, a fabulous Apple Blossom box. It sold for $106,250, including buyer’s premium — well above its estimate of $50,000 — $70,000.

Tiffany Studios Butterfly inkwell, Sotheby’s lot #29


A rare Butterfly inkwell, lot #29, did exceptionally well. It brought $80,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $12,000 — $18,000. I suspect it did so well because of the result of the Butterfly lamp. If you had the money to buy the lamp, it was just chump change for the matching inkwell.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

July 14-16, 2017, Denver Mart EXPO Building – 451 East 58th Avenue, Denver

Our next show is the Denver World Wide Antique Show in mid-July, so we’ll take some time to smell the roses. I’ll be buying and selling in the meantime, so be in touch if you’re doing either.

I recently listed some new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

A few results from the Heritage 20th Century Design sale, May 25, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, readership slows down in the summer, so I will only publish on Mondays until the weather gets cold.

Heritage Auctions held a 20th Century Design sale on May 25, 2017. It wasn’t an important sale, but there were a few special items included. I’ll only cover the decorative arts.

Lalique Cactus table. Heritage lot #63163

A Lalique Cactus table, designed in 1951, was the top glass lot of the sale. It sold within it’s pre-sale estimate of $20,000 – $30,000, realizing $33,750, including buyer’s premium.

Pablo Picasso pitcher, Heritage lot #63258

The top ceramic lot of the sale was #63258, a 13″ Pablo Picasso pitcher from 1952. It sold for $37,500, including buyer’s premium — double its high estimate of $15,000. I don’t know much about Picasso pottery, but I do know there was a very good market for it at one time, especially in Paris.

Martin Brothers jug/vase, Heritage lot #63001

A really goofy Martin Brothers handled jug/vase sold well, bringing $15,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $8,000. I love Martin Brothers stoneware, but there was no way I was going to buy this one. I really didn’t like it.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You’ll have to sign in (free) to view the prices.

July 14-16, 2017, Denver Mart EXPO Building – 451 East 58th Avenue, Denver

Our next show is the Denver World Wide Antique Show in mid-July, so we’ll take some time to smell the roses. I’ll be buying and selling in the meantime, so be in touch if you’re doing either.

I recently listed some new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.