Mixed results at Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass auction, November 12-13, 2014

Posted on December 1, 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.

James D. Julia, Inc. held their Important Lamp & Glass auction on November 12-13, 2014, with total sales exceeding $1.5 million. Some categories showed significant strength, including Loetz glass, art glass shades and French glass.

Fine silver overlay Loetz vase, Julia’s lot #2005

The sale started strongly with Loetz glass. This section of the sale was led by lot #2005, a beautifully decorated, silver overlay, vase. It sold near its high estimate of $12,000, realizing $13,035, including buyer’s premium. More than a few vases sold over $5,000 and over or near their high estimates.

Rare Quezal decorated shade, Julia’s lot #2334

From a very hot market in art glass shades 7-10 years ago, the market went into its Rip Van Winkle period, asleep for many years. Now it appears that Mr. Winkle may have awoken. Lot #2334 was a beautiful, rare, Quezal shade with green and gold pulled decoration. Estimated to sell for $600 – $900, it soared to $5,628.75, including buyer’s premium — almost 10 times it’s low estimate. This shade may have been the highlight of the art glass shade section of the sale, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. Many shades sold well above their high estimates.

Daum Nancy Rain lamp, Julia’s lot #3269

French glass sold well, led by lot #3269, a Daum Nancy Rain scenic lamp. It sold near its high estimate of $30,000, realizing $36,735. More than a few items sold near or above their high estimates.

The Tiffany glass and lamps section of the sale was not ebullient, but I think it was mainly due to aggressive estimates and reserves, many of which ventured into the retail price area. Everyone wants to feel like they’re in the game, so low estimates and reserves always generate the most activity, excitement, and high prices. But that requires a gamble on the part of the consignor and unfortunately, not many consignors are gamblers. It’s the bane of the auction business — trying to get fresh, high-quality items, at reasonable estimates and reserves.

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

I’ll be spending the next month and a half looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. 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 results of the NYC Pier Antique Show, November 22-23, 2014

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Part of the very large crowd at the Saturday morning opening

The NYC Pier Antique Show ended its two-day run yesterday, November 23, 2014. Attendance was strong on Saturday, with a very big opening crowd that went all the way out the door. Sales started off nicely, but then fizzled out as the day went on. Several clients promised to come back on Sunday. Business must have been good as I personally saw many visitors walking out with purchases.

We sold this wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase at the show

There was no comparing the Sunday start to the Saturday start. Only a handful of people came. There’s no reason any show should open at 10 AM on Sunday. It took until 1 or 2 PM until a decent crowd showed up. An 11 AM start would benefit everyone, especially the dealers who can use an additional hour of rest. We made a few sales on Sunday, but not equal to the level of interest and questions. Not one single client from Saturday (and I thought some of them were really serious) came back on Sunday. Very disappointing. 🙁

My lovely daughter, Lauren, helped me at the show

Overall my show was successful, but far from exemplary. I’m grateful for the business we did, but disappointed it wasn’t a barn-burner (which it easily could have been). In asking around, I received the following comments. From Alan & Adele Grodsky, Cooper City, FL, dealers in lamps and glass, “We did OK, better than the last few shows.” George Sorensen, Minneapolis, MN, dealing in art glass, said “My show was average.” Mark & Marie Kaplan of M&M Antiques, Long Beach, NY, general-line dealers, were quite pleased. “Our show was excellent. Most of our business was on Saturday.” Not as pleased was Virgil Rogers, New York, NY, of Only Authentics, dealing in vintage handbags, “It was a mediocre Pier show. I sold an amount equal to the average Pier show. Expensive items were not selling.” Lastly, Robin Greenwald, Cleveland, OH, of Greenwald Antiques, general-line dealers, told me “We were only able to convert 10% of our serious interest into sales, but jewelry sold well. Overall our show was pretty good.”

I’ll be spending the next two months looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. I’m flying out today to buy a French glass collection, which I’ll have home tomorrow night, if all goes well. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

The NYC Pier Antique Show opens this Saturday, November 22, 2014

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The NYC Pier Antique Show will open to the public this coming Saturday, November 22, at 10 AM, and close the next day, Sunday, November 23, at 6 PM. This is the second year that U.S. Antique Shows will manage it, having bought the show from Stella Show Management. It promises to be a good one, with 25 additional dealers.

We’ll have this beautiful Tiffany 18″ Tyler Scroll table lamp at the show

This will be our last show of the year, so we hope to make it a good one by bringing some fantastic new items. One is a Tiffany Studios 18″ Tyler Scroll table lamp. It’s one of 25, mostly Tiffany Studios, lamps we’ll have on display at the show.

Museum-quality Daum Nancy vase with applied cabochon-center daisies

Our French glass selection will be large, with some outstanding examples of Daum and Gallé glass.

After the Pier show, we’ll be buying treasures for our important Florida shows in January and February. I’m already flying out of town today to buy an outstanding French glass collection.

Tune in Monday for the results of the NYC Pier Antique Show!

The results of the Kansas City Antiques Expo, November 14-15, 2014

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Our booth

The Kansas City Antiques Expo finished its two-day run this past Saturday, November 15, 2014. Attendance was light on Friday, but included some knowledgeable clients. Unfortunately, sales to the public were zero, but the day wasn’t a total loss as I did make one sale to another show dealer.

We sold this important Quezal shade at the show

Saturday was almost as slow as Friday. Attendance was very light, again with no sales to the general public. I did make a nice sale to my own clients, who drove all the way from Dallas to see me. Thank you for your business and your loyalty!

We won’t be exhibiting in Kansas City for the forseeable future. The poor response from the public did not warrant the time and expense to show there. It’s too bad, because we like to exhibit for the promoter, Chris Miller, and we like Kansas City. But business is business, so our hand has been forced. We’ll probably try Indianapolis one more time, at another of Chris’ shows.

This week we’ll be in New York City for our final show of 2014, at Pier 94, for the usual November show. The show is worth traveling to from anywhere in the world, as evidenced by the buyers who fly in from as far away as Japan. Why don’t you use the show as your excuse to come to New York City this weekend? You know you want to! You’ll have a great time and see a wonderful antique show at the same time. Make sure you stop by our booth to say hello.

Setting up at the Kansas City Antiques Expo, November 12, 2014

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Philip Chasen

We’re just getting started

Yesterday was the first day of setup for the Kansas City Antiques Expo. We’ve got an enormous 40′ booth, so setup was easy. We didn’t have to step over each other or the merchandise.

The show is small, but with good dealers. The problem is that attendees won’t be pleased by the size of the show, which could precipitate a vicious cycle. I hope not, but tune in Monday for the results.

We’ll have this fantastic Daum vase at the show

We’ve got some fine new items, just since last week’s show in Winnetka, including a wonderful early Moorcroft MacIntyre pitcher, a great Daum Nancy vase with applied flowers, a 1904 Van Briggle vase, an Amphora portrait vase and a rare pair of Quezal dark green decorated shades. (By the way, did you hear about the art glass shades that sold at Julia’s yesterday? Wow! Some amazing prices were realized. It looks like the art glass shade market may be experiencing a revival after a few years in the doldrums. I’ll be reviewing Julia’s auction at a later date.) So if you’re in the greater Kansas City area, please come and see us at the show. Remember it’s open this Friday and Saturday only. NO SUNDAY!

Next week we’ll be in New York City for our final show of 2014, at Pier 94, for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog.

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.

The results of the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, November 7-9, 2014

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show finished yesterday, after a 3-day run from November 7-9. It was a strange show, that ultimately worked out. We’re very satisfied with our sales, most of which came from our three best clients. If we had to rely on sales to new clients, the show would have been a catastrophe. Each of you knows who you are. Thank you for your business and your loyalty.

The show started with a preview party on Thursday night. Of course we didn’t sell a thing. The good part was the plentiful, delicious food and the unlimited drinks. If we weren’t going to sell anything, at least we were well treated.

We sold this lovely Tiffany/Grueby lamp at the show

Friday was fairly tortuous, sitting for 8 hours, with very few people attending and very little interest. Nothing good happened until one of our best clients showed up at the end of the day.

Attendance improved a little on Saturday, but still not much doing until the other two best clients showed up. By the end of the day, we were having a good show.

Sunday afternoon in front of our booth

Sunday was the busiest day, with good attendance, lots of questions and a few small sales to new people. It wasn’t our most remunerative day, but it was satisfying, nonetheless.

Overall, our results were light-years ahead of last year. Sales of French glass and Tiffany glass were best. We’ll be back next year, hopefully in a larger booth, as we were really cramped in this one.

This week we’ll be in Kansas City, MO, for the Kansas City Antiques Expo, at the Holiday Inn Exhibition Center, right near the airport. It’s a really quick show that opens this Friday at 10 AM and ends on Saturday at 6 PM. It’s our only show that isn’t open on Sunday (which I don’t understand and think is a mistake). The following week we’ll be in New York City for our final show of 2014, at Pier 94, for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog.

Setting up at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, November 5, 2014

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Philip Chasen

We’re about halfway finished setting up

Yesterday was the first day of setup for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show. We’ll finish today and open to the public this evening with a preview party. Whoop dee doo! Can you hear the excitement in my voice? I just love preview parties. I might even have sold something, at some time, at some preview party. I just can’t recall exactly when. :>(

One of the fine displays at the show

We have a lovely end-cap booth that unfortunately is a little too small for us, so we’ve had to jam everything in and not display a number of items. I hope the show goes well so we can move to a larger booth next year. Not sure what to expect, as some years have been good and others not. Tune in Monday for the results.

The show is very diverse, with high quality dealers from all walks. There are no junk dealers at all in the show, so it’s really worth a trip from anywhere in the greater Chicago area. Personally, I’ve brought an outstanding selection, which I hope you’ll come to see. You will not be disappointed!

Next week we’ll be in Kansas City, MO, for the Kansas City Antiques Expo, and then the following week in New York City for our final show of 2014, at Pier 94, for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog.

The results of the Morristown Armory Antiques Show, November 1-2, 2014

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Sunday afternoon in front of my booth

The Morristown Armory Antiques Show finished yesterday, November 2nd, after a brief two-day run. I had vowed after the last Morristown show not to return, but Allison Kohler, the show promoter, convinced me otherwise. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to convince me the next time.

This Quezal shade was sold at the show

Attendance was moderate for a small show, but there weren’t enough strong buyers. My inventory was light-years beyond the other dealers, so we needed the well-heeled attendees to step up to the plate to make it worthwhile. I made a few small sales, so it’s possible we broke even, but I have better things to do than break even after all the time, energy and money invested. It’s a shame. Allison Kohler is a good promoter and I like to do her shows, but business is business. If I can’t do enough business to earn a buck, I can’t come back. So as of now, I’ve sworn off the whole state of New Jersey and would only return for some extraordinary circumstance.

We’ll be in Winnetka this week, a suburb of Chicago, for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show. That will be followed by the Kansas City Antiques Expo, and then our final show of 2014, back at the Pier in NYC for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog.

The Morristown Armory Antiques Show will open this Saturday, November 1, 2014

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The Morristown Armory Antiques Show will open this Saturday, November 1st, at 10 AM and close on Sunday, November 2nd, at 5 PM. The Morristown Armory is a nice facility, just outside of town, with plenty of parking. Setup is easy with vehicles allowed to drive right up to their booths. It’s a quick show, with immediate results — either you did well or not. The quality of the show is usually quite good, so it’s worth a trip from anywhere in the greater NY, NJ, CT, or PA area.

We’ll have this fabulous Martin Brothers bird at the show

We’ll be bringing some outstanding new objects that we’ve just recently acquired, including a fabulous Martin Brothers bird — the first one in a long time. Additionally, we’ll have new Tiffany Studios lamps, including two fine Linenfold examples, a wonderful 18″ Handel scenic lamp, a Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, an Amphora portrait vase, English cameo vases, and numerous other items. It will be one of the best displays we’ve ever done.

We’ll also have this gorgeous Handel 18″ scenic lamp at the show

Our next show, of four in a row, will be the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, in a suburb of Chicago. That will be followed by the Kansas City Antiques Expo, and then our final show of 2014, back at the Pier in NYC for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog. Tune in Monday for the results of the Morristown Armory Antiques Show.

Good results at Rago Auction’s Early 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction, October 18, 2014

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Rago Auctions held their Early 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction on October 18, 2014, with some good results, led by items from Newcomb College and Emile Gallé.

Newcomb College five-tile frieze, Rago lot #99

Top lot of the sale was a tie between lot 99, a five-tile Newcomb College frieze and lot 286, a Gallé lamp. Each went out the door at $81,250. That price was below the low estimate of $75,000 for the Newcomb tiles, but above the high estimate of $60,000 for the Gallé lamp.

Rare Gallé lamp, Rago lot #286

Tiffany Studios 22″ Drop-Head Dragonfly floor lamp, Rago lot #312

Several Tiffany Studios lamps were sold, mostly low-end. The exception was a Tiffany Studios 22″ Drop-Head Dragonfly floor lamp, consigned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The color was only fair and there were a few minor condition issues, but the lamp still sold near the low estimate of $60,000, realizing $68,750, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Our first show of four in a row will be held next weekend in New Jersey at the Morristown Armory, November 1-2. Then we travel to Chicago for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, followed by the Kansas City Antiques Expo, ending up back at the Pier in NYC for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog. We’ll spend a lot of time finding some great new items for our November circuit.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com