Christie’s South Kensington London held a most unusual Out of the Ordinary sale, September 3, 2014

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Philip Chasen

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

The door to Paul McCartney’s childhood home, Christie’s lot #1

Bernard Buffet’s monumental stage curtain from the Paris cabaret club L’Alcazar, Christie’s lot #119

Christie’s South Kensington, London, held a very eclectic sale on September 3, 2014, entitled Out of the Ordinary. The sale couldn’t have been more diverse, with items ranging from the door to Paul McCartney’s childhood home (£6,875 = $11,316) to Bernard Buffet’s monumental stage curtain from the Paris cabaret club L’Alcazar, opened by Jean-Marie Rivière in 1968 (£194,500 = $320,147).

Royal Navy machine gun, 1880-5, Christie’s lot #147

The Bernard Buffet curtain was the top lot of the sale, but a Royal Navy deck-mounted machine gun from 1880-5 was the second best lot. It exceeded its high estimate of £70,000 ($115,990) to sell for £86,500 ($142,379).

German WWII Enigma encrypting machine, Christie’s lot #25

Other fascinating lots included a WWII German Enigma encrypting machine (£50,000 = $82,300), a circa 1900 Elizabethan Capture chair (£27,500 = $45,265) and a large Ammonite mineral (£32,500 = $53,495). To view the complete results of the sale, click here.

The show will be held in the white building on the left, September 27-28, 2014

Our next show is new to our schedule and almost upon us. The NYC Big Flea Market will run two weekends from now, from September 27-28. The new promoters, D’Amore Promotions, will be using the same Pier 94 that is used by USA Antique Shows for their November and March shows. This one will be substantially different, with an entirely new cast of dealers. Click here for more information. It should be good, so I’m really looking forward to it.

Click here to view our new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Duffner & Kimberly lamp sells at McInnis Auctions, September 6, 2014

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Duffner & Kimberly table lamp, McInnis lot #599

John McInnis Auctioneers, of Amesbury, MA, held a two-day estates auction on September 5-6, 2014. Included in the sale was an attractive, unsigned Duffner & Kimberly table lamp with a floral border. Although it was unsigned, it was clearly a Duffner lamp, including the very distinctive cap, finial, base and shade design. But that was only to the trained eye. With a very attractive estimate of $2/4,000, I had hoped to sneak up on it, as it was definitely underestimated. But all it takes to spoil the party is one other knowledgeable bidder. The lamp sold for $5,750, which although still fair, was a little too much for a dealer to pay. Oh well! Maybe I’ll have better luck next time.

For a look at the sale (without results), click here.

The show will be held in the white building on the left, September 27-28, 2014

Our next show is new to our schedule. The NYC Big Flea Market will run from September 27-28. The new promoters, D’Amore Promotions, will be using the same Pier 94 that is used by USA Antique Shows for their November and March shows. This one will be substantially different, with an entirely new cast of dealers. Click here for more information. It should be good, so I’m really looking forward to it.

Would you pay $3.2 million for a comic book? Someone did.

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Action Comics #1, sealed in plastic

A copy of Action Comics #1, which introduced Superman to the world, was put up for auction on eBay. By the time the sale ended on August 24, 2014, a new world record of $3,207,852 was established — not bad for a comic that originally sold for 10¢ in 1938. This example was sealed in plastic by Comic Guaranty LLC (CGC), a comic book grading service, and graded 9.0 (out of 10). That made it the highest-rated example of the estimated 50-100 examples thought to still exist, of the original 200,000 printed. It had been stored in a cedar locker for decades, so it had perfect white pages and no damage — just what collectors desire.

Darren Adams, with his Action Comics #1 (photo courtesy of eBay)

Many times the name of the purchaser or seller is not known, but in this instance, we know the identities of both. Darren Adams, the owner of Pristine Comics, was the seller, who purportedly paid over $1,000,000 (but how much over only he and the seller know). Vincent Zurzolo and Stephen Fishler were the buyers. They are the partners of Metropolis Collectibles of NYC, the bigshots of the vintage comic book world. Their belief is that their purchase is a good investment that will realize a profit.

Vincent Zurzolo (right) and Stephen Fishler with a different copy of Action Comics #1

In my eyes, it’s a game of musical chairs. I wouldn’t want to be the last one standing, with a $3.2 million comic book, when the music stops. In the meantime, the prices keep marching on. The last eBay auction of Action Comics #1 was in 2011, when it set the then current record of $2,161,000. Prior to that, in 2010, Comic Connect was the first auction house to break the $1 million barrier with another copy.

Christopher Reeve as Superman

Christopher Reeve was probably the best-known of all the actors who portrayed Superman. In 1995, he became a quadriplegic after being thrown from a horse during a competition. Darren Adams intends to donate 1% of the sales price to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for spinal-cord injury and paralysis research.

The show will be held in the white building on the left, September 27-28, 2014

A Chinese bowl, used by the family cat as a bed, sold for £108,000 at auction, August 6, 2014

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Philip Chasen

15th century Imperial Ming dynasty bowl

A Chinese bowl, used by the family cat for sleeping, was sold at auction in the UK on August 6, 2014 for £108,000 ($177,763). Reeman Dansie Auctioneers of Colchester, UK, estimated the bowl to sell for £200-300, considering it was in poor condition.

The underside of the 12″ diameter bowl

The good news was that the bowl was probably authentic and from the 15th century Imperial Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644). Chinese fakes are a big problem, so the provenance and condition convinced the bidders that this was the real deal. The bowl had been passed down for generations in the family of Major General John Tulloch, who brought it back to England from China in 1900. At some point in its history, it was broken in two and repaired with staples. This was one of the rare times that poor condition added to an object’s value.

A staple used for the repair can be clearly seen

The bowl was one of nine Chinese lots consigned by the family to the auction. All of the items did very well, mainly because of the rock-solid family provenance. For example, an 11″ vase from the 19th century sold for almost £40,000 ($65,847) even with a damaged lid. Most of the bidders were Chinese, looking to repatriate their heritage. Chinese antiques have been on a decade-long tear since the rise of a wealthy upper-class in China. The winning bidder for the bowl bid by telephone from mainland China.

The show will be held in the white building on the left, September 27-28, 2014

We decided to add a new show to our schedule, the NYC Big Flea Market. The new promoters, D’Amore Promotions, will be using the same Pier 94 that is used by USA Antique Shows for their November and March shows. This one will be substantially different, with an entirely new cast of dealers. Click here for more information. It should be good, so I’m really looking forward to it.

Sotheby’s London sold the Treasures of the Dukes of Northumberland, July 9, 2014

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Philip Chasen

On July 9, 2014, Sotheby’s London held their Treasures Including Selected Works from the Collections of the Dukes of Northumberland sale, with stellar results. The sale grossed the highest-ever total for a decorative arts sale in London, £23,593,850 ($40,394,981) — very strong for a sale with only 57 lots. Many of the lots sold above their high estimates. 12 did not sell, making the average selling price for the 45 sold lots an impressive £524,308 ($897,666).

Marble sculpture of Aphrodite, Sotheby’s lot #17

Lot #17 was a Roman marble statue of Aphrodite from the 1st century A.D. It handily exceeded its high estimate of £6,000,000, to sell for £9,378,500 ($16,056,479), establishing a record for the highest auction price ever paid for a classical antiquity in Europe.

1790 English automaton, Sotheby’s lot #48

A wonderful, amusing George III musical automaton from 1790, almost 4′ tall, sold for the second highest price of the sale, £2,266,500 ($3,880,361), against a pre-sale estimate of £1,000,000 — £1,500,000. It was originally made for the Chinese market.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

July 25-27, 2014

Our first show of the summer will be the Denver Antique Show, which will open to the public in less than two weeks, on July 25th. We’ll put together a great display with all of our new purchases. Make sure to come and visit us if you’re in the area.

This rare R. Lalique Douze Figurines bottle just arrived

Martin Brothers birds still flying high at Woolley & Wallis Arts & Crafts sale, June 18, 2014

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Woolley & Wallis, of Salisbury, UK, held their Arts & Crafts sale on June 18, 2014 with total sales of £651,200 ($1,117,231). 44 of the 593 lots were Martinware ceramics, which sold collectively for £385,000 ($660,525) — more than half the value of the entire sale. In particular, two birds each flew out the door for over $145,000.

Lovely Martin Brothers bird, Woolley & Wallis lot #148

Lot #148 was a tall (13¾”) Martin Brothers bird from 1898, with a lot of personality — just what the collectors were looking for. It soared to £91,500 ($156,982), against a pre-sale estimate of £20,000 – £30,000 ($34,313 – $51,469).

Superb Martin Brothers bird, Woolley & Wallis lot #149

The next lot in the sale, #149, was another Martinware bird, a year younger, from 1899, the same height, 13¾”, and equal personality. It rocketed to £85,400 ($146,516), against the same pre-sale estimate of £20,000 – £30,000 ($34,313 – $51,469).

There’s no doubt Martinware collectors put their money where their mouths are. There are some great collections forming around the world.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This lovely Tiffany Favrile decorated vase just arrived

It’s summer, and we’re getting ready to start our summer circuit of shows in Denver on July 25th. We’re still very much in business. Click here to view our new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

French Cameo and Tiffany Favrile Glass shine at Grogan’s The June Auction, June 8, 2014

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Grogan and Company held their sale entitled The June Auction on June 8, 2014. Included in the sale were several art glass lots by Daum Nancy, Emile Gallé, and Tiffany Studios. The exceptional results are detailed below.

Tiffany red decorated vase, Grogan lot #496

The better art glass started with lot #496, a red decorated Tiffany Favrile vase. Red is the cat’s meow when it comes to Tiffany and the result did not disappoint. The vase sold for $18,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

Daum Nancy Violets bowl, Grogan lot #557

The Tiffany vase was followed by lot #557, a huge, 16″ long, Daum Nancy Violets bowl. It more than doubled its high estimate of $4,000, realizing $10,200, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé padded and wheel-carved vase, Grogan lot #615

Lot #615 was a sophisticated Gallé vase with an applied cabochon, wheel-carved, with internal foil, and a second, tear-like, application. The decoration was undersea with wheel-carved scallop shells. To my eye, the workmanship was outstanding, but the artistry a failure. Luckily for the consignor, the buyer did not ask my opinion. It sold for $15,600, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $10,000.

Gallé wheel-carved flacon, Grogan lot #620

Lot #620 was a gem — an important Gallé perfume bottle, in the original leather case, with a mixed-metal top, made for the Paris Exposition of 1889. This was really a museum-quality object. Estimated to sell for $5,000 – $10,000, it went out the door at $19,200.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

It’s spring, so there are no shows, but we’re still very much in business. Click here to view my new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Sales total over $2.3 million at James D. Julia’s Lamp and Glass auction, June 11-12, 2014

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held their Lamp and Glass auction on June 11th & 12th, 2014. It was a huge two-day sale with 1418 lots crossing the block, and sales of $2.3 million. Some areas showed strength and others weakness, with two private collections performing very well.

Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre Dragon King vase, Julia’s lot #1274

The first collection was the Betty and Leonard Issod collection of Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre. Top lot of this group was #1254, a 24″ Lustre Dragon King vase — the largest known example. It sold near its high estimate of $60,000, realizing $74,062.50, including buyer’s premium.

Pair of Moser ewers, Julia’s lot #1035

The top lot of the George Klabin collection of Moser glass was #1035, a pair of decorated ewers. Even with a crack to the handle of one of the ewers, the lot almost doubled its high estimate of $10,000, realizing $20,737.50.

Argy-Rousseau Poppy vase, Julia’s lot #2000

Three French glass lots tied for the top price of $15,405 (excluding R. Lalique) — #2000, an Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre Poppy vase; #2082, a Daum Nancy Winter scenic boudoir lamp; and #2083, another Daum Nancy Winter scenic boudoir lamp.

Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Julia’s lot #2462

Lots #2462 and #2560a shared the spotlight for the highest price realized by a Tiffany Favrile vase — $14,220. #2462 was a lovely Lava example, with a hairline crack that was probably original to the making. Lot #2560a was a Paperweight example with white jonquil flowers.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

A Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp led the way at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 10, 2014

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Bonham’s New York held their 20th Century Decorative Arts auction on June 10th, 2014, a day ahead of Sotheby’s and two days ahead of Christie’s. 227 lots crossed the block with 100 failing to sell, for a sell-through rate of 44% — less than Sotheby’s sell-through rate of 66% and Christie’s sell-through rate of 67%. Bonham’s did not post total sales.

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Bonham’s lot #70

Top dog of the sale was a beautiful 24″ diameter Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp. It sold for $425,000, including buyer’s premium.

2001 William Morris sculpture Laibon Man, Bonham’s lot #227

The last lot of the sale sold for the second highest price of the sale — a 31½” contemporary cast glass and steel mount by William Morris, entitled Laibon Man from the Man Adorned Series of 2001. It sold for $100,000, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

Christie’s New York sells over $5 million at its Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 12, 2014

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s New York held their Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale on June 12, 2014, a day after Sotheby’s. Christie’s sale was much larger, with 309 lots offered. Of those, 103 did not sell, for a sell-through rate of 67%. The sale totaled $5,954,500, for an average of $28,905 for each lot sold. Sotheby’s sell-through rate was 66%, with an average of $53,290 for each lot sold.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria lamp, Christie’s lot #15

Christie’s sale was much less reliant on Tiffany Studios than Sotheby’s. However, the top lot of the Christie’s sale was a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, lot #15. It sold near the high estimate of $350,000, realizing $437,000, including buyer’s premium. The previous day, Sotheby’s sold a Wisteria lamp of similar quality for $575,000.

Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann cabinet A ‘Meuble à Fards, Christie’s lot #107

The second highest price of the sale went to Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Lot #107 was a 1926-27 cabinet entitled A ‘Meuble à Fards. It sold within its estimate of $200,000 – $300,000 realizing $281,000, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Daum Nancy Penguin vase, Christie’s lot #31

The top-selling French cameo glass lot was #31, a rare Daum Nancy Penguin vase. It more than doubled its high estimate of $7,000, to realize $18,750, including buyer’s premium. I would have loved to have bought this vase, but the price realized was the full retail price for a 6¾” example.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This A. Walter pâte-de-verre sculpture is coming shortly.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Auctions

Christie’s South Kensington London held a most unusual Out of the Ordinary sale, September 3, 2014

Duffner & Kimberly lamp sells at McInnis Auctions, September 6, 2014

Would you pay $3.2 million for a comic book? Someone did.

A Chinese bowl, used by the family cat as a bed, sold for £108,000 at auction, August 6, 2014

Sotheby’s London sold the Treasures of the Dukes of Northumberland, July 9, 2014

Martin Brothers birds still flying high at Woolley & Wallis Arts & Crafts sale, June 18, 2014

French Cameo and Tiffany Favrile Glass shine at Grogan’s The June Auction, June 8, 2014

Sales total over $2.3 million at James D. Julia’s Lamp and Glass auction, June 11-12, 2014

A Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp led the way at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 10, 2014

Christie’s New York sells over $5 million at its Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 12, 2014