A construction update for the renovated Miami Beach Convention Center

Please note that I am permanently changing Thursday’s post day to Friday.

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


A view of the west side of the convention center, looking north

Last month I visited the Miami Beach Convention Center to check on the progress of the construction. I wanted to get a first-hand impression to form my own opinion. I’m feeling better now. It looks to me it will be completed in time for next year’s Original Miami Beach Antique Show in January, 2019.

The construction on the Washington Ave. (east) side of the building is ahead of the west side.

Construction on the west side of the building was taking longer because it was completely razed and rebuilt. Construction on the east side (Washington Ave.) was closer to completion because it was only renovated.

The northwest corner of the building. I don’t know what that circular structure is.

I spoke to a construction worker onsite who told me plans were to complete all the construction by August. That would seem to leave a cushion of time for unexpected delays until the show in January, 2019. I’d like to believe it to be true. I don’t think the temporary relocation of the show to the Miami Dade Exposition Fairgrounds was a good thing. It seemed to take all of the excitement and pizzazz out of the show.

Looking east at the west side of the building. The old parking lot is on the left.

It will be nice to be back at the Convention Center for next year’s show. Got my fingers crossed.


Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

The market in Tiffany Studios’ lamps and glass is strengthening

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.


December is one of two months (June is the other) where all of the major and not-so-major auction houses hold their Design sales. Tiffany Studios’ lamps, glass and other objects are included in this wide category, which dates from the late 19th Century to the early 21st Century. The recent results are all in and the conclusion is that Tiffany Studios’ items are having a banner year, especially lamps and enamel on copper items.

Tiffany Geranium table lamp, Julia lot #1516

Julia’s started the season with a December 1, 2017 Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry sale. 16 of the 17 highest priced lots were lamps by Tiffany Studios. Three lamps, including a Geranium, sold for the same $84,700 price.

Sotheby’s sold this Tiffany Wisteria lamp, lot #218, for $975,000

Sotheby’s followed on December 13, 2017, with not one, but two Tiffany sales on the same day. You might think all this Tiffany might flood the market, but it didn’t. Very few objects failed to sell. Five lamps sold over $500,000, while two lamps sold for approximately $1,000,000.

Christie’s sold this Tiffany Drophead Dragonfly sold for $492,500

Christie’s followed the next day with a Design sale that included a wonderful collection of Tiffany enamel on copper items, which all sold well over their high estimates. The lamps also did well, with three selling for nearly $500,000 and one for nearly $1,000,000.

Tiffany Pond Lily table lamp, Bonham’s lot #20

Bonham’s New York held their Modern Decorative Art + Design sale on the same day as Christie’s (not a good move). They didn’t have a strong selection of Tiffany items except for lot #20, a Pond Lily table lamp that sold for $143,750.

Rago held an Early 20th Century Design sale this past Saturday, January 20, 2018. His selection of Tiffany Studios’ items didn’t include many rarities, but one enamel on copper tray sold for double its high estimate of $15,000.

So what’s going on? The simple answer is new (wealthy) blood. There is nothing better for a market than new players. Personally I have no idea who these people are, American or foreign, but I welcome their presence. I hope this recent enthusiasm translates to sales at the upcoming shows in Miami. Tune in for my posts. The first Miami show opens 11 days from now.


The Miami Airport Show opens to the public on February 2, 2018. I will have a very strong display, as I’ve been buying up a storm since my last show in the Chicago suburbs.

I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. 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.

In a stunner Morphy Auctions buys James D. Julia Auctions

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.

Tesla is taking pre-orders for solar tile roofs

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.


A Tesla solar roof

I know this subject has nothing to do with antiques, but it’s so cool, I decided to write about it. Tesla is taking pre-orders for solar tile roofs. Click here to find out all about it. You have to scroll down. It includes a calculator for the approximate cost and savings. All you have to do is put in your address and answer two simple questions about your home. It’s not cheap, but it’s the future.

Now why don’t they put them on the roofs of their cars? Then the cars would recharge just by sitting in the parking lot on a sunny day.


The revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart opens to the public next Friday, May 19th. I was quite sad when the original show folded a few years ago, as it was always one of my favorite shows. The new edition will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. There hasn’t been an antique show in downtown Chicago for several years, so I’m hoping this one will be met with a lot of enthusiasm. The show runs from May 19-21, 2017, with a preview party the night of the 18th.

I recently listed over 15 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.

2016 Year in Review

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.


2016 was a good year, with French cameo glass leading the action. That wasn’t an easy task as the antiques business has changed significantly over the last few years, with many antique shows failing and relocating. What was good were loyal clients. Thank you.

Burgun & Schverer made exceptionally beautiful, internally decorated French cameo vases. The market has been solid for their work. This vase was one of the very fine examples sold during the year.

This gorgeous B&S vase was sold in 2016

The market in Daum Nancy has been consistently strong for quite some time. 2016 was no different.

This killer Daum Nancy French Alpine scenic vase was sold in 2016

This special red Tel el Amarna vase was one of the fine Tiffany Favrile vases sold during the year.

Gorgeous red Tiffany Favrile Tel el Amarna vase

Here’s hoping that 2017 will be a good year. The stock market is experiencing a Trump rally, so hopefully that will put everyone in a buying mood.

The Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center

Next week we’ll be exhibiting at our first show of the new year, the NYC Big Flea Antiques Market at the Manhattan Center, Historic Hammerstein Ballroom, 34th St. and 8th Ave. in New York City. We’ll be there Thursday – Saturday, January 19-21, 2017, with all of our new and exciting purchases. Then on to the all-important Miami shows at the beginning of February. If you can’t see us in New York City, don’t miss us in Miami.


I just listed this killer Daum Prairie pitcher for sale on my website

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased 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 $26 painting may be a $26 million masterpiece by Raphael

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.


raphael-madonnaDuring the filming of a BBC series entitled Britain’s Lost Masterpieces, a painting attributed to a minor Renaissance painter was determined to be a genuine masterpiece by the master Raphael. It’s an interesting story. Click here for the original article from artnet news.


winnetka-2016Our next show in Winnetka, Illinois, is just around the corner, November 4-6, 2016. This is our only fall show in the greater Chicago area (and probably our last show of the year). We always look forward to exhibiting there, especially to see all our friends and clients. Put it in your calendar. It’s a lovely show!

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 London mansion was restored after being unhabited since 1895

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.


Malplaquet House

Malplaquet House

By the time you read this, we’ll be in Europe on a buying trip. We’ll have everything back in New York by the beginning of August, in time to add to our important exhibit in Baltimore at the end of August. Everything will be for sale prior to Baltimore, so please inquire if you have any interest.

A view from the side

A view from the side

A huge 18th century mansion in London hasn’t been lived in since 1895. It was restored and is now for sale for £2.95 million ($3,867,274). Click here for the full story and photos of the interior.


baltimore-8-2016Our next show will be the eagerly anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 25-28, 2016. It’s the best show of the summer and maybe now the best of the year (with all the changes coming this winter in Miami). People fly in from all over the world to attend, including from as far away as 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!

In the meantime, we’re very much in business, as witnessed by the 10 or more new vases I just listed (and more coming every day). Call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The FBI needs help recovering a stolen Norman Rockwell painting

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.


Stolen Norman Rockwell painting Taking a Break

Stolen Norman Rockwell painting Taking a Break

On the 40th anniversary of the theft of a Norman Rockwell painting from a New Jersey home, the FBI has asked the public for help in locating it. Click here for the ABC Philadelphia story. Click here for the CBS Philadelphia story.


Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

The Denver World Wide Antique Show is close at hand, July 15-17, 2016. If you’re in the area, please make the time to come and visit. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Workers restoring former Russian mansion find a hidden treasure trove wrapped in newspaper from 1917

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.


Some of the 1000 pieces of discovered jewelry (photo courtesy of AP)

Some of the 1000 pieces of discovered jewelry (photo courtesy of AP)

You remember my story of May 12, 2016, about the Caravaggio painting found in the attic of a private house near the French city of Toulouse? Well something similar happened in Russia in 2012. During the restoration of a mansion in St. Petersburg, workers discovered more than 1,000 pieces of jewelry, silver and other treasures in the space between two floors. Click here for the story at the dailymail.com. It’s dated June 15, 2016 (which is why it just caught my attention), but the discovery actually took place in 2012. Here’s the link to the cbsnews.com article, with more information.


Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

No shows until next month, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2016. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Oops! Appraiser makes a big mistake on Antiques Roadshow

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.


vase-antiques-roadshowDuring the taping of an episode of Antiques Roadshow, expert Stephen Fletcher of Skinner Auction, Boston, MA, gave the good news to a guest of the show. He told the guest his vase dated from approximately 1900 and was worth $30,000 – $50,000. The only problem was that he was wrong. A high school student had made it in 1973 as an art project. Ouch!! For the AOL video of the story, click here. Then click here for more of the story from the Washington Post.


Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2016. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.