The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent Black on Magenta stamp set a world record at Sotheby’s New York, June 17, 2014

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta stamp

Sotheby’s New York held a single-item sale of the the British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta stamp. Estimated to sell for $10,000,000 – $20,000,000, it went out the door at $9,013,000, including buyer’s premium, to an anonymous phone bidder. It set a new world record for any stamp, but had to be disappointing to Sotheby’s, selling below the low estimate.

The stamp was sold by the estate of the late John du Pont, a convicted murderer and heir to the du Pont chemical fortune. Mr. du Pont died in prison in 2010 at the age of 72 while serving a sentence for the shooting of David Schultz, a champion U.S. wrestler, in 1996. An avid philatelist, du Pont purchased the British Guiana 1856 One-Cent stamp at auction for $935,000 — a world record in 1980. Prior to that, the stamp sold for $280,000 at auction in 1970 (a world record) and prior to that, $40,000 in a private sale in 1940 (also a world record).

To access Sotheby’s directly for the results of the sale, click here.

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

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.

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Philip Chasen

June is Decorative Arts Month, so the next several blog posts will cover the action at all the major and some of the lesser auction houses. Sotheby’s will be first. Thursday’s post will cover the result of the single-item sale of the world’s rarest stamp, the 1856 British Guiana 1-cent. Christie’s 20th Century results will be posted next Monday, with Bonham’s, Julia’s, Rago’s and others following.

Sotheby’s New York held their Important 20th Century Design sale on June 11, 2014. Included in the sale was an important collection of American art glass, including Tiffany Favrile, from the Estate of Dr. Edward and Helen McConnell. Of the 127 lots offered, 29 were from the McConnell Estate. 100% of the collection sold, with most of the vases easily exceeding their high estimates. Of the remaining 98 lots, only 55 sold, for a sell-through rate of 56% for the non-McConnell items. The sale totaled $4,476,376, for an average of $53,290 for each lot sold.

Important Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Sotheby’s lot #12

The top selling lot of the McConnell Estate was no surprise. Lot #12 was a superb example of Tiffany Favrile Lava glass. It soared past its estimate of $75,000 — $100,000, to sell for $197,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #44

Neither was the top selling Tiffany lamp of the sale a surprise. Lot #44 was a nice example of the Wisteria pattern. It sold within the estimate of $300,000 — $500,000, realizing $575,000.

Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service, Sotheby’s lot #77

The second highest price of the sale went to an important Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service. It realized $377,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 — $300,000. Considering the set wasn’t even sterling silver, the price was impressive, but again not a surprise.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

The rarest stamp in the world will be sold at Sotheby’s New York on June 17, 2014

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta stamp

The stamp is on display in the middle of the illuminated plastic rectangle

Have a spare $10,000,000 – $20,000,000? On June 17, 2014, Sotheby’s New York will give you the opportunity to buy the rarest and most famous of all stamps — the British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta. I won’t bore you here with the details of its history, but you can click here if you’d like to read more. What I will tell you about is what you won’t read elsewhere — the exhibition itself.

The stamp in its plastic display

The stamp is small, as most stamps are, approximately 1¼” x 1″, and will be sold all by itself, in a single-lot sale. So how do you sell one tiny piece of paper, that doesn’t look like anything to a novice, all by itself? You have to surround it with a big and impressive display. So the first thing you encounter at the exhibit is a huge sign, as tall as a person — THE BRITISH GUIANA, THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS STAMP . Behind that, in a darkened room, sits the tiny stamp, illuminated in a giant display. It’s all very amusing, trying to make the stamp look important. But how else could it have been done? I give them an A for effort, but a B- for execution. I’m not sure what I would have done differently, but it wouldn’t have been the same. Unfortunately, they didn’t consult me. What’s wrong with them?

I’ll post the results in a blog after the sale. It will surely set a world record, as it has the very few times it’s been sold previously at auction. Each time was a world record.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

The results of Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque 19th & 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 4, 2014

Posted on June 5, 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. Doyle New York held its Belle Epoque 19th & 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on June 4, 2014 with unremarkable results. Every auction house is dependent on what it gets offered to sell. This time around, Doyle was unable to obtain any exceptional merchandise, which showed in the results.

Allan Clark The Temptress of the King, Doyle lot #85

Only one item exceeded $15,000 — lot #85, a polychromed and gilded wood sculpture entitled The Temptress of the King, which sold for $21,250, against a pre-sale estimate of $3,000 – $5,000. Personally I wouldn’t have bought it for any price, but luckily for the consignor, my opinion does not count.

Gorgeous Handel Bird lamp, Doyle lot #350

Only a handful of items exceeded $10,000, with many selling for under $2,000. I was able to scoop up one of the bargains of the sale, a gorgeous Handel reverse-painted Bird lamp on a black background. It sold for $8,125, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $7,000.

Fine Amphora portrait vase, Doyle lot #430

The inside cover lot, #430, was a beautiful 14½” Amphora portrait vase, decorated by Reissner, Stellmacher & Kessel. It sold for the low estimate of $6,000 ($7,500 with buyer’s premium). I suspect the big chip on the foot rim was responsible for the relatively low price. For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fantastic Gallé plum blownout vase is due to arrive in the next day or two

The results of the Sotheby’s Paris Arts Décoratifs du XXe Siècle & Design (20th Century Decorative Arts & Design) sale of May 22, 2014

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s Paris conducted its Arts Décoratifs du XXe Siècle & Design (20th Century Decorative Arts & Design) sale on May 22, 2014, with total sales of $3,969,663. Included in the sale was an Italian, one-owner, collection of Gallé glass and other objects, collected from 1960-1980. Unfortunately, the collection was estimated too aggressively, so 18 of the 42 Gallé items did not sell. Several lots by Diego Giacometti topped the sale, with another by Jean Royère also doing very well.

A fine Gallé Dragonfly table, Sotheby’s lot #41

Top lot of the Gallé collection was a rare and desirable piece of furniture — a hand-carved and marquetry Dragonfly table. Estimated to sell for €25,000 — €35,000, it exceeded its high estimate, realizing €49,500 ($67,489), including buyer’s premium.

1933-34 Giacometti floor lamp base Grande Feuille, Sotheby’s lot #69

The top lot of the sale was a floor lamp base by Diego Giacometti, entitled Grande Feuille, from 1933-34. Selling without a shade, it still doubled its estimate of €100,000 — €150,000, to realize €361,500 ($497,037).

A pair of Giacometti wall sconces from 1968, Sotheby’s lot #123

The second highest selling lot of the sale was also by Diego Giacometti, a 1968 pair of wall sconces. They sold within the estimate of €140,000 — €180,000, realizing €205,500 ($280,180), including buyer’s premium — a nice chunk of change for a pair of sconces. Giacometti items are very much in demand and consistently realize strong prices at auction.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This wonderful Zsolnay centerpiece is just in

Loetz vase quintuples its estimate at Quinn’s Auction Galleries, May 17, 2014

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Beautiful Loetz decorated vase, Quinn lot #156

Quinn’s Auction Galleries held a Fine & Decorative Arts auction on May 17, 2014. Included in the sale was a lovely unsigned, decorated, Loetz vase with silver overlay decoration. It was sold as lot #156 of 575. Interest was high, allowing it to fly past its estimate of $800 – $1,200 to sell for $10,030, including buyer’s premium. The pretty, Art Nouveau, silver overlay only added to its appeal.

A closeup of the initials EHW

Loetz was one of the companies that wasn’t careful about signing its pieces. Tiffany Studios signed most everything (but not all), while I approximate that Loetz signed about 50% of its wares. There’s no mistaking a high quality unsigned Loetz vase, so lack of a signature usually has little effect on its value. This was evident with the sale of this vase.

For the complete catalog, click here. As of the writing of this blog, the results haven’t yet been uploaded.

This wonderful Zsolnay centerpiece is just in

The results of Heritage’s American Art Auction, May 10, 2014

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Heritage Auction held their American Art Auction on May 10, 2014, with some good results. Included in the sale were Western, California, & Golden Age Illustration paintings. Milton Avery led the pack, with Leroy Neiman second and Frank Xavier Leyendecker (brother of the more famous Joseph Christian Leyendecker) third. Sold lots totaled $3,975,744, for an average of $15,714.

Milton Avery From the Studio, Heritage lot #70159

Top lot of the sale was #70159, a large, 1954, Milton Avery painting entitled From the Studio. It sold near its low estimate of $800,000, realizing $875,000, including buyer’s premium.

Leroy Neiman Roulette II, Heritage lot #70176

There were several offerings of Leroy Neiman’s works, and all did well. Top lot of the group was #70176, a large, 1970, oil on masonite painting, entitled Roulette II. It sold near its high estimate of $150,000, realizing $161,000. The other smaller works by Neiman, for Playboy magazine, also did well and exceeded their high estimates.

Francis Xavier Leyendecker cover painting for Vanity Fair Magazine, Heritage lot #70287

Francis Xavier Leyendecker’s cover illustration for Vanity Fair magazine, lot #70287, brought the third highest price of the auction, $118,750 — many times the pre-sale estimate of $20,000 – $30,000. The June, 1915, oil on board, measuring 23½” x 16½”, depicted Pierrot and Columbine, from the 17th century Comédie-Italienne.

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

This wonderful Daum Nancy fall scenic vase is just in

Lamps sell well at Bonham’s Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, April 16, 2014

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Bonham’s Los Angeles held a diverse 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on April 16, 2014. Included in the sale were a number of lots by Tiffany Studios and The Pairpoint Co. that performed very well.

A Tiffany Studios Moorish chandelier, Bonham’s lot #2237

One of the top lots of the sale was #2237, a Tiffany Studios Moorish chandelier. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $12,000 – $18,000 to sell for $46,250, including buyer’s premium.

A set of Tiffany Favrile tulip shades, Bonham’s lot #2246

A matching set of Tiffany Favrile gold tulip shades doubled its high estimate of $4,000 to realize $10,000, including buyer’s premium. What was even more surprising was that only six of the nine shades were in perfect condition. I’m guessing that the buyer of the Moorish chandelier might have been the buyer of these shades, as they’re the same as the chandelier’s.

Rare Pairpoint Geranium puffy table lamp, Bonham’s lot #2238

A rare Pairpoint puffy Geranium table lamp in an equally rare potted base sold well above its high estimate of $5,000, to sell for $11,250.

I tried to buy some of the sale’s better items, but prices were too strong, so I bought nothing. For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This rare R. Lalique blue Piriac vase is a recent purchase

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

Prices were nuts at Woody Auction’s The late Dr. Ernest Rieger Collection sale, March 20, 2014

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Woody Auction held a sale, The late Dr. Ernest Rieger Collection, on March 20, 2014, with superb results. Bidding throughout the sale was fiercely competitive, with multiple bidders vying for the “fresh meat”. Dr. Rieger had put together a varied and high quality collection and it was put up at auction with no reserves, or estimates, on any item. They were going to sell for whatever the market would bear, and the great results bore out that modus operandi. I tried to buy many items, but was outbid on most everything. But I’m not complaining, as it means the market is healthy.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile vase, Woody’s lot #383

The best prices were achieved by the high quality offerings of Tiffany Favrile glass, French cameo glass and English cameo glass. Top lot of the sale went to Tiffany, with lot #383, a magnificent, very rare, paperweight vase with several wheel-carved insects. It sold for $60,000.

Rare Daum Nancy Rain table lamp, Woody’s lot #161

The top French cameo glass lot of the sale was a rare Daum Nancy Rain scenic table lamp, 13½” tall. It soared to $38,000.

Superb Webb cameo vase, Woody’s lot #150

A beautifully carved English cameo vase by Webb was the top lot of the English glass offerings. It went out the door at $35,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This internally decorated Burgun & Schverer mini vase is a recent purchase

Remember, the NYC Pier Antique Show will be held this coming weekend, March 29-30, 2014. It’s always fun and exciting, so make your plans to come to the Big Apple. We’ll have our new purchases from our European buying trip for sale at the show.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

How sad! The Louvre des Antiquaires in Paris is closing soon.

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The front entrance to the Louvre des Antiquaires

An era is passing. The Louvre des Antiquaires in Paris will close sometime this May or June. The handwriting has been on the wall for some time now. Each time we visited, more and more shops were closed. I asked what was going to happen. There was still some hope the center could be saved. One room was filled with a model of the future Louvre des Antiquaires, which was to fill a smaller section of the front of the building. As time passed, the potential faded and now the sad result is confirmed.

Shop after shop is closed

For those of you who remember, the Louvre des Antiquaires was so successful at one point in its history, new prospective tenants had to pay significant key money ($100,000 – $250,000) to secure a shop. Key money is essentially a bribe (or more diplomatically an incentive) to the present tenant to relinquish the balance of his or her lease to the new tenant. This had nothing to do with the rent, which still had to be paid to the landlord.

One of the few dealers still open

The concept was so successful that a similar center was opened in New York City on 57th St. It was called Place des Antiquaires, in homage to its French cousin. Unfortunately it wasn’t as successful and closed in 1992, after being open for only a few years. It was replaced by the discount store Daffy’s.

The few remaining dealers in the Louvre des Antiquaires will have to secure independent shops around Paris if they wish to continue in business. I wish them good luck.

This internally decorated Burgun & Schverer mini vase is a recent purchase

The NYC Pier Antique Show is coming very soon, March 29-30, 2014. It’s always fun and exciting, so make your plans to come to the Big Apple. In the meantime, we’re on a European buying trip and have found a few treasures to offer for sale. You’ll be able to see them at the Pier show.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Auctions

The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent Black on Magenta stamp set a world record at Sotheby’s New York, June 17, 2014

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

The rarest stamp in the world will be sold at Sotheby’s New York on June 17, 2014

The results of Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque 19th & 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 4, 2014

The results of the Sotheby’s Paris Arts Décoratifs du XXe Siècle & Design (20th Century Decorative Arts & Design) sale of May 22, 2014

Loetz vase quintuples its estimate at Quinn’s Auction Galleries, May 17, 2014

The results of Heritage’s American Art Auction, May 10, 2014

Lamps sell well at Bonham’s Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, April 16, 2014

Prices were nuts at Woody Auction’s The late Dr. Ernest Rieger Collection sale, March 20, 2014

How sad! The Louvre des Antiquaires in Paris is closing soon.