Category Archives: Auctions

A few good results at Bonham’s 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 14, 2013

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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.

Bonham’s was the third of the major auction houses to hold its June 20th Century sale, with fair results. Some categories did well, while others faltered.

30" diam. Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier, Bonham's lot #1037

30″ diam. Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier, Bonham’s lot #1037

Lot #1037 was a large, 30″ diameter, Favrile glass and bronze Turtleback tile chandelier, perfect for an Arts & Crafts home. It sold within the estimate of $50,000 – $70,000, realizing $68,500, including buyer’s premium. A number of the Tiffany Studios items, of the relatively small selection, did not sell, mostly because the estimates were too aggressive.

Mucha lithograph Winter, of the Four Seasons, Bonham's lot #1056

Mucha lithograph Winter, of the Four Seasons, Bonham’s lot #1056

Mucha lithographs had a good day, with many selling within or above their pre-sale estimates. The highest price of the Mucha selection was realized by an 1896 set of the Four Seasons. Selling as lot #1056, they reached the low estimate, $62,500.

Daum Nancy lake and flower vase, Bonham's lot #1069

Daum Nancy lake and flower vase, Bonham’s lot #1069

Most of the small selection of French cameo glass items sold within their pre-sale estimates. Lot #1069 was a huge, 21″ tall, acid-etched and enameled Daum Nancy lake and flower vase. It sold just below it’s low estimate, realizing $8,125.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Fabulous B&S mini vase with internally decorated flowers -- just in

Fabulous B&S mini vase with internally decorated flowers — just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Some good results for Tiffany Studios items at Christie’s New York Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 13, 2013

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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.

Christie’s New York held three 20th Century sales on the same day, June 13, 2013. Last Thursday’s post covered the Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection sale. Today’s post will cover the Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, which grossed an impressive $6,865,187.

Francois-Xavier Lalanne Moutons de Laine, Christie's lot #203

Francois-Xavier Lalanne Moutons de Laine, Christie’s lot #203

The top two lots of the sale were #s 202 and 203, both Moutons de Laine by Francois-Xavier Lalanne. They both realized well over estimate, reaching $783,750 and $987,750, respectively. Don’t ask me why. I need a primer.

Tiffany Studios landscape window, Christie's lot #116

Tiffany Studios landscape window, Christie’s lot #116

A beautiful, large, landscape window from the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn was the top Tiffany Studios lot of the sale. Selling as lot #116, it sold near its high estimate of $200,000, realizing $219,750, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Christie's lot #121

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Christie’s lot #121

The best selling Tiffany Studios lamp of the sale went to lot #121, a Wisteria. It wasn’t the best example ever, but still nice. With a conservative estimate of only $120,000 – $180,000, it sold for $207,750 — a bargain by recent standards. A sharp buyer snapped it up.

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Christie's lot #101

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Christie’s lot #101

A fine Tiffany paperweight Morning Glory vase was the best Tiffany Favrile example of a small offering. It sold as lot #101 for $50,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $60,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½" Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Decent results at Christie’s Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection sale, June 13, 2013

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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.

Christie’s New York was the second major auction house to hold a 20th Century sale in June. They held three 20th Century sales on the same day, June 13, 2013. Today’s blog will cover only the Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection auction. Sales totaled $2,068,375 for the small 57-lot auction, with 40 lots selling and 17 not selling. Had the reserves been more conservative, a higher percentage would have sold.

Tiffany Studios Snowball table lamp, Christie's lot #20

Tiffany Studios Snowball table lamp, Christie’s lot #20

Top lot of the sale was #20, a rare Tiffany Studios Hydrangea Snowball table lamp on an important base. It sold near the low estimate of $400,000, realizing $459,750, including buyer’s premium. Had the estimate been a more conservative $300,000 – $400,000, the same result would have looked a lot better.

Tiffany Studios Maple Leaf table lamp, Christie's lot #6

Tiffany Studios Maple Leaf table lamp, Christie’s lot #6

My personal favorite Tiffany Studios lamp of the auction was lot #6, a rare Maple Leaf table lamp. Against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, it realized $219,750.

Tiffany blue Favrile counterbalance table lamp, Christie's lot #21

Tiffany blue Favrile counterbalance table lamp, Christie’s lot #21

The result for lot #21 was a surprise to me. It sold for $25,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000. Blue Favrile shades are rare and desirable, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was. That’s because the shade photographed beautifully in reflected light, but turned green in transmitted light. When you turned on the lamp, you got a green lamp. They’re not worth nearly as much. My guess is the buyer never saw the lamp in person. Oops!

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½" Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Solid results at Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design auction, June 12, 2013

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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.

Sotheby’s was the first of the major auction houses to hold their 20th Century sale in June (20th Century month). Their Important 20th Century Design auction was held on June 12, 2013, with total sales of $4,738,940 — a strong result for a relatively small 165-lot sale. The top two lots of the sale were beyond my comprehension — a Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service (lot #89, $449,000) and a François-Xavier Lalanne realistic sheep, Mouton, (lot #148, $341,000).

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly and Waterflowers table lamp, Sotheby's lot #27

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly and Waterflowers table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #27

Top lot of the Tiffany section of the sale (and third overall) went to #27, a rare Dragonfly variation called Dragonfly and Waterflowers, on a rare and desirable mosaic glass Arrowhead base. It sold at the high estimate of $200,000, for a total of $257,000, including the buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 20" Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby's lot #22

Tiffany Studios 20″ Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #22

My personal favorite Tiffany Studios lamp of the sale was lot #22, a 20″ diameter Dragonfly on a killer Bird Skeleton base, with a fabulous patina. The lamp sold for $161,000, near its high estimate of $150,000. It would have sold for more if the shade had been more exciting. This was one of those rare times when the base was worth more than the shade.

Rare Argy-Rousseau Monkey vase, Sotheby's lot #76

Rare Argy-Rousseau Monkey vase, Sotheby’s lot #76

There was a small, but excellent quality, selection of French glass in the sale, led by lot #76, a very rare Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre Monkey vase. It more than doubled its high estimate of $35,000, to sell for $87,500.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½" Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Solid results at Rago’s 20th Century Design Auction, June 8, 2013

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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.

June is 20th Century month, with every major and some minor auction houses holding a sale. David Rago was first with a 20th Century Design Auction on June 8, 2013.

Martin Bros. bird tobacco jar, Rago lot #156

Martin Bros. bird tobacco jar, Rago lot #156

Lot #156 was not one of the surprises. It was one of several lots of Martinware, that included two tobacco jars. It sold slightly below its pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $50,000, realizing $43,750, including buyer’s premium. Personally I didn’t find the bird attractive, so the result didn’t surprise me. A rarer dog tobacco jar, lot #155, that was estimated to sell for $15,000 – $20,000, sold for $18,750, right at the low estimate.

Frederick Rhead decorated bowl, Rago lot #105

Frederick Rhead decorated bowl, Rago lot #105

Lot #105, a Frederick Rhead 7¾” diam. bowl, was a pleasant surprise, in keeping with the recent stellar prices for Rhead’s works. It was the top lot of the sale, selling for $55,000, approximately triple its low estimate of $15,000.

Handel 15" diam. Arts & Crafts table lamp, Rago lot #69

Handel 15″ diam. Arts & Crafts table lamp, Rago lot #69

One of the biggest surprises for me was lot #69, a 15″ diameter Handel lamp, with a very simple repeating geometric pattern. Earlier in my career, when I was selling many Handel lamps, I would not have even purchased this lamp, at any price, because it would have been impossible to sell. How things have changed! Now it’s a very desirable Arts & Crafts model that sold for $12,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $7,500 – $9,500. Go figure!

I asked David for some comments about his sale. Here is his reply.

The Saturday session was 89% sold through the day. the first part consisted of 300 lots with an aggregate low of $800,000 and the hammer was $900,000 (plus the bp). The second part had an aggregate low estimate of $150k and it hammered at $245k. total for the day was a hammer of $1,145,000, about $200k over the combined low estimates. The sale felt more than 89% sold because most of the buy ins were insignificant lots, many with reserves under $1k. there was considerable action across the board with 100 phone bidders, 200 internet bidders, a substantial amount of absentee bids, and a full room.

What I found interesting about the sale was that there were few things that really took off (more about that in a minute). Mostly, it was good to very good material performing at or above where we expected it to be, consistently across the board. Furniture, which was the soft spot in our last sale, saw competitive bidding and was almost all sold.

A few pottery lots did exceptionally well. a Redlands cabinet vase with frogs hammered at 12k. a Rhead bowl for University City with a landscape hammered at $44k against a low estimate of 15k. an Ohr vase from a southern estate with a $20 – $30k estimate hammered at $38,000. And the Tiffany lantern attracted wide interest before settling at $22,000.

But again, while the sale lacked some of the six-figure drama of sales past it was something of an auctioneer’s dream in how a great deal of competitive bidding created a fast pace and strong results. The sale sold at nearly 100 lots per hour, above the 80-85 lots we normally see. When this has happened in the past it was usually the result of numerous passed lots (which take very little time). this was the first auction in recent memory to move briskly AND have so much bidding.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum swan vase

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Some exceptional results at Christie’s South Kensington Lalique auction, May 22, 2013

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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.

Christie’s South Kensington held a Lalique auction on May 22, 2013, with some rare items selling for very strong prices. Total sales for the 185-lot auction were a very respectable £799,812 ($1,244,307).

Rare R. Lalique car mascot, Comète, Christie's lot #99

Rare R. Lalique car mascot, Comète, Christie’s lot #99

Top lot of the sale was #99, a very rare car mascot entitled Comète (Comet), No. 1123. It sold for approximately double its low estimate of £35,000, realizing £79,875 ($120,851), including buyer’s premium.

Rare red R. Lalique vase, Hirondelles, Christie's lot #185

Rare red R. Lalique vase, Hirondelles, Christie’s lot #185

Christie’s expected the final lot of the sale to take top honors, but it took second place. Lot #185 was a very rare red Hirondelles (Swallows) vase. It exceeded its high estimate of £50,000 to sell for £73,875 ($111,773).

Rare green cased R. Lalique vase, Gros Scarabées, Christie's lot #181

Rare green cased R. Lalique vase, Gros Scarabées, Christie’s lot #181

Third place went to lot #181, a rare green cased vase entitled Gros Scarabées (Large Scarabs). It easily exceeded its pre-sale estimate of £25,000 – £35,000, to sell for £49,875($75,461). The same model, in a rarer red color, selling as lot #180, sold for less money, £33,750($51,064), because of a condition problem (grinding of the rim exterior).

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum swan vase

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Some results from Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque auction, June 5, 2013

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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 auction yesterday, June 5, 2013. There weren’t many exciting lots, so the results were unremarkable.

Tiffany Studios 12-light lily table lamp, Doyle lot #512

Tiffany Studios 12-light lily table lamp, Doyle lot #512

Top lot in the art glass and lamps section of the sale went to #512, a Tiffany Studios 12-light lily lamp, which sold for $25,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $12,000-18,000. The price was strong, considering that four of the shades were reproduction and one of the shades was broken and glued. In addition, the switch was replaced, several of the sockets were replaced, several arms were loose and the lamp needed rewiring. It was not in “ready for primetime” shape. My guess is it sold to a dealer who has the wherewithal to put it back into tiptop shape. The patina was excellent, so it will be a primo lamp when it’s ready.

Monumental Galle dragonfly vase, Doyle lot #539.

Monumental Galle dragonfly vase, Doyle lot #539.

Top lot of the French cameo glass section of the sale went to #539, a huge, 23¼”, Galle dragonfly vase. It sold within the estimate to reach $10,000, including buyer’s premium. Personally I didn’t bid aggressively because the size was too large for me, even though the subject matter was very good. I find it difficult to sell very large vases, as there are fewer collectors who have the room to display them.

Daum Nancy winter scenic table lamp, Doyle lot #544

Daum Nancy winter scenic table lamp, Doyle lot #544

Lot #544 was interesting. It was a very desirable Daum Nancy winter scenic table lamp. Ordinarily I would have been all over it, but there was significant damage to the lower rim of the shade (which you can see in the photo, on the right). I didn’t bid at all because of the problems. That didn’t stop other buyers who bid the lamp to $8,125, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $7,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here and then click the gray “view” below.

No shows until late July, when we will be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the new promoters are good and filled the hall with buyers the last time, so we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Killer Daum Fall scenic vase, just in

Killer Daum Fall scenic vase, just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Gorgeous Galle fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Gorgeous Galle fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

There’s some great Loetz glass at the Glasmuseum in Passau, Germany

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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. We’ll be on vacation for most of May, so I may not be able to post anything until early June, but I’ll try.

A view of Passau, Germany, from our boat on the Danube

A view of Passau, Germany, from our boat on the Danube

Guess what? I was able to write today’s blog from a riverboat on the Danube River in Austria. It’s a little late, but better late than never. We spent a lovely morning in Passau, Germany, where we visited a very nice glass museum, called simply Glasmuseum Passau. Georg Höltl assembled the collection, starting in 1959, when he bought his first piece. The collection contains a tremendous number of items, mainly from Bohemia and Silesia, from 1650 to 1950.

The entrance to the Glasmuseum Passau

The entrance to the Glasmuseum Passau

The tour started on the fourth floor, and then proceeded floor by floor to the first floor. We didn’t know it, but the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) glass was at the end of the tour, on the first floor. The best Jugendstil glass is by Loetz, of which there were many outstanding examples on display.

A selection of rare Loetz black bottom vases

A selection of rare Loetz black bottom vases

Loetz black bottom vases are rare and very desirable. There were quite a few examples in different shapes on display. The examples pictured above are a small part.

Some very rare decorated Loetz vases

Some very rare decorated Loetz vases

The vases pictured above are wonderful, especially the front ones on the left and right. People would pay a lot of money at auction if vases of this quality were to come to the auction block.

All of the vases in this cabinet are examples of Titania glass

All of the vases in this cabinet are examples of Titania glass

Loetz Titania vases have metallic designs under a layer of clear glass, which makes them paperweight vases. They’re very attractive, desirable and collectible. The cabinet pictured above was full of Titania vases and only part of the full selection of them.

More great decorated Loetz, especially the vase in the front, on the left

More great decorated Loetz, especially the vase in the front, on the left

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Rare Argy-Rousseau elephant paperweight, just in

Rare Argy-Rousseau elephant paperweight, just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

A rare blue Tiffany Favrile salt, just in

A rare blue Tiffany Favrile salt, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Art Deco bronze and ivory figures lead the way at Hindman’s 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, May 1, 2013

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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.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, of Chicago, held a 20th Century Decorative Arts sale yesterday, May 1, 2013, with some excellent results. 507 lots crossed the block, with the pottery section of the sale scheduled for today, May 2, 2013.

F. Preiss Art Deco bronze & ivory grouping, The Bathers, Hindman lot #333

F. Preiss Art Deco bronze & ivory grouping, The Bathers, Hindman lot #333

Leading the way were Art Deco bronze & ivory figures by the likes of Preiss, Chiparus and Colinet. Two lots tied for top honors — #333, a Preiss group entitled The Bathers and #337, a Colinet figure entitled Ankara Dancer, both selling for $50,000, including buyer’s premium. Even though the prices were the same, the Preiss had a much better result, selling for almost 10 times its high estimate, while the Colinet sold below its low estimate. The market in Art Deco bronze & ivory figures has been strong for decades and has legs (no pun intended).

A fine intaglio-carved, blue Tiffany Favrile vase, Hindman lot #130

A fine intaglio-carved, blue Tiffany Favrile vase, Hindman lot #130

Top lot of the Tiffany Studios glass section of the sale went to #130, a fine-quality blue Favrile wheel-carved vase. It easily exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $2,000-4,000, to realize $11,875, including buyer’s premium — a handsome price for a 9″ vase.

Rare R. Lalique green cased Perruches vase, Hindman lot #301

Rare R. Lalique green cased Perruches vase, Hindman lot #301

There weren’t many R. Lalique lots in the sale, but a couple were special. Lot #301 was a rare, green cased Perruches vase. Estimated to sell for $10,000-15,000, it realized $27,500, including buyer’s premium. An even more rare object, an opalescent Tresor de la Mer perfume, sold for more money, $57,500, but below its low estimate.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

The Intrepid Antique Dealers are at it again

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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.

Lia is busy setting up our booth

Lia is busy setting up our booth

The antiques business is not supposed to be exciting (though sometimes it is). If I wanted excitement, I would have become a sky-diving instructor. Do you remember the time we drove into a fierce snowstorm on our way to a show in Palm Beach? Click here to refresh your memory. Or the time we went through an earthquake and a hurricane at the same show? Click here to read about that one. So what happened this time? Just a bomb scare at LaGuardia airport, a country-wide outage of the entire American Airlines fleet and evacuation of our tent at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair.

One of the many beautiful floral displays at the show

One of the many beautiful floral displays at the show

Tuesday was supposed to be a low-stress day. We were to fly out of New York at 4:10 PM, arrive in Chicago at 6 PM, and then spend a leisurely evening, before starting to set up our show at the Chicago Botanic Garden the next day. After hearing about the bomb scare at LaGuardia Airport, I checked the American Airlines website to make sure our flight was still on time. The website said “on time”, so we took a taxi to the airport and got on line. When we reached the representative, she told us that no flights were leaving LaGuardia and our flight had been cancelled. So much for checking with American. Flights were to resume at 5 PM, so we got on a very long line to get on another flight. While on line, we heard our names being called for our original flight (on which we were upgraded to first class). By the time we reached a representative, we had to take a 6:50 PM flight, which was delayed to 7:30 PM. We had to sit near the back of the plane, in cramped seats. By the time we got to our hotel room in Chicago, four hours late, we were frazzled and exhausted.

Gorgeous, no?

Gorgeous, no?

Wednesday should have been a normal show setup day. It was anything but. We had to set up our booth, in a tent, in a raging storm. At one point, lightning was in the area, so we evacuated the tent until the threat passed. Other times, the rain was so torrential, it pounded on the tent. Water dripped into some booths from leaks. Luckily, our booth stayed dry.

If history is any indication, this show will be a success, as both of our previous stressful shows ended well. The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair is beautiful and high class. Do yourself a favor and visit this outstanding show and see our booth in the Rose Garden tent. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

chicago-botanic-garden-3-2013

The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair opens to the public on Friday, at 10 AM. It continues until Sunday, April 21st, at 5 PM. It’s located at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, in the beautiful village of Glencoe.

Important Gallé vase with spider webs and wheel-carved leaves

Important Gallé vase with spider webs and wheel-carved leaves

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre geometric vase

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre geometric vase

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.