Heritage Auction to hold historic Pierre-Auguste Renoir auction, September 19, 2013

Posted on September 9, 2013 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.

On September 19, 2013, Heritage Auctions will hold a sale entitled The Unknown Renoir, which will include fascinating memorabilia and personal artifacts. The 143-lot sale will include letters to and from Renoir, personal items, drawings, documents, and original plasters, to name a few. I suspect that some of the estimates will be blown away by enthusiastic bidders.

Original Renoir plaster, Grande Vénus Victorieuse, Heritage lot #89115

Heritage expects the top lot of the sale to be #89115, an original plaster, which is not copyright protected. Entitled Grande Vénus Victorieuse (Large Victorious Venus), the pre-sale estimate is $900,000 – $1,000,000. Whoever buys this lot will legally be able to cast it in bronze. If it’s done right, it could be quite remunerative, and surely interesting. Several other copyright protected, original plasters will also be in the sale, at significantly lower estimates in the $30,000 – $40,000 price range. They cannot be legally reproduced without permission from the copyright holder.

Lot of 56 original Renoir copper plates, Heritage lot #89109

Another lot that will likely lead to a flood of new Renoir etchings is #89109, 56 original copper plates. New etchings from original plates fall into a gray area. If they’re represented accurately, they’re worth a lot less than with a Renoir signature. The temptation to have a forger sign them will be difficult to resist.

Handwritten letter from Claude Monet to Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Heritage lot #89081

Lot #89081 is a really cool handwritten letter from Claude Monet to Renoir, dated February 16, 1914, thanking Renoir for his condolence note on the death of Monet’s son, Jean Monet, at the age of 46 — pretty amazing letter. My guess is the pre-sale estimate of $7,000 – $9,000 is conservative.

For the complete catalog, click here. You’ll find many of the lots intriguing.

Don’t have any shows for several weeks, so I’m devoting more time to updating my site. I’ve already listed about 10 new Tiffany, Daum, and Gallé vases. Click here to take a look. Then look for my totally redesigned website, with many changes and improvements, coming sooner than later. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, 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. Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Wonderful Tiffany floriform vase, sold after the Baltimore show

First a short follow-up to the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair. Not only was the show a success, but it got even better afterward. I made a sale to a gentleman who was considering purchasing a major Tiffany vase at the show, but didn’t make up his mind until a couple of days afterward. Another gentleman, who had seen a French dueling gun set in my booth, called to buy it. Unfortunately for him (and for me), I had already sold it at the show. Follow-up show sales are few and far between, so it was very gratifying to hear from these two gentlemen.

Beautiful, rare, red Tiffany Favrile vase, just in

I had some good luck buying recently, including several Tiffany Favrile, Daum and Gallé vases. Of the Tiffany vases, a 5¾” red example, with a great shape, was one of the better buys. It’s really red, not orange, like some of the less desirable examples.

Just look at the great color and detail of this Daum Nancy fall scenic tumbler

One of my fine Daum Nancy purchases was a fall scenic tumbler. I love Daum fall scenic vases because of their great color and detail. This 4¾” square tumbler has vivid color.

Galle 9¼” berry blownout vase

A fine blownout vase with blue berries was one of my better Galle purchases. Galle blownout vases are rarer than standard cameo vases and as such are very desirable and easy to sell. Collectors from all over the world enjoy them.

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, just in

The results of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Philip Chasen

There was a pretty good crowd forming 15 minutes before the show opened on Thursday

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair was held this past weekend, August 22-25, 2013, with generally good results. Attendance was moderate to good and relatively consistent over the four days of the show. No earthquakes or hurricanes this year, although that was a great year for sales.

My booth was crowded on Saturday afternoon

It’s been a few years since the Palm Beach Show Group took over ownership and promotion of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair from the previous owner. In that time, the quality of the show has gone up, as well as attendance and sales. Kudos to them for a job well done. They also own and promote the Palm Beach Antiques Show, so we added it to our winter schedule.

Fantastic Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, sold at the show

In asking around, the majority of dealer’s comments were favorable. Here they are, in no special order. A dealer in general antiques commented “OK, disappointing, but I’ll do it again.”; from another dealer in general antiques, “Very strong, with an enthusiastic audience”; a dealer in Art Nouveau ceramics said “We had a good show, the best first two days in a long time.”; and from a California dealer in general antiques, “Very solid. We should have this kind of show everywhere”. Not all California dealers fared as well — one who deals in general antiques commented “Not good.” A Midwest dealer in general antiques told me, “Great. I’m thrilled.”, while another general dealer from the Midwest commented “Excellent”. A Southern art glass dealer told me “Sold over 50 pieces. Best show we ever had.”; from a general dealer “Very mediocre.”; from a dealer in French and Asian antiques, “Excellent, exceeding last year. Many sales to Chinese and Russian clients.”; from a dealer in Austrian glass, ceramics and design, “Very good show. Pleasantly surprised. Strong sales.”, and finally an English dealer specializing in Chinese export porcelain didn’t make a single sale. Ugh! My heart goes out to him.

Super Schneider padded and wheel-carved Medallion vase, sold at the show

Personally our show was very strong, with sales best in, you guessed it if you read my blog, French glass. Other categories that were selling were American art glass, American art pottery, paintings, and Icart etchings. We did business every day, making the show enjoyable and interesting. We sold to buyers from everywhere, including Brazil, Japan, Russia and many US states. That makes two wonderful shows in a row and a great end to the summer. Business usually gets better the colder the weather, so here’s looking forward to a good autumn.

Don’t have any shows for several weeks, so I’ll be able to devote more time to updating my site. I hope to get 10-15 new items listed in the next week or so, including some important Tiffany, Daum, and Gallé vases. Please take a look. Then look for my totally redesigned website, with many changes and improvements, coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, just in

Setting up at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 20, 2013

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Philip Chasen

The booth is messy, but getting there. This is the first time the Tiffany Venetian base in the case is for sale.

Today was the first day of setup for the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair. It went smoothly, but there’s lots more to do before the doors open to the public this Thursday, August 22nd, at noon. It always gets done, usually with excellent results. In the meantime, dealers visit each other looking to buy, with a decent amount of merchandise changing hands. I was able to buy some very nice Daum, Galle and Tiffany vases, and I’m hoping to buy more tomorrow.

Another four Tiffany vases, fresh from a private collection, just in for the show

I can’t rave enough about this show. It’s huge and very high quality, with some dealers who exhibit at very few shows the entire year. It’s also fun, with lots of action. I like to think of it as the Miami Beach show of the summer. It’s worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. The show runs four days, from Thursday to Sunday. And if you read my blog, you can get two free tickets to the show with no strings attached. Click here to get them.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, just in

The results of the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, August 16-18, 2013

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Gorgeous Tiffany Studios 17″ Dragonfly table lamp, sold at the show

The Chicago Summer Antiques Show was held this past weekend, August 16-18, 2013, in conjunction with the ANA Coin Show. Rosemary Krieger, owner of Dolphin Promotions, Inc., has decided that it’s beneficial for the antique show to be tied to the coin show. Many of the dealers and collectors at the coin show buy antiques, so it seems to be a good move. Because of the connection, there will be a substantial change in the schedule next year. The antique show will be held a week earlier, August 7-9, 2014, and will run from Thursday to Saturday. You read it right, NO Sunday. That aligns the show perfectly with the coin show, which runs in another hall of the same Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. That also gives plenty of time for Baltimore show dealers to get to Baltimore. With this year’s schedule, some of the Baltimore dealers decided not to exhibit in Chicago because it didn’t give them enough time to get to Baltimore, which starts setting up this Tuesday. There will be no problem next year for those dealers.

Several of these wonderful Tiffany Favrile vases were sold at the show

I asked a number of dealers how they did at the Chicago show and got some of these responses. “Great” from a dealer in general antiques; “Off a little from last year’s show, but still decent” from a dealer in French general antiques; “Fair” from a dealer in European ceramics. He sold to some of the coin dealers, but not to the general public; and “OK” from a dealer in general antiques. Personally I had one of the best shows of the year, just about equal to Miami. How’s that for a little show in Rosemont, IL? Tiffany glass and lamps, as well as French glass were all doing well.

Saturday afternoon in my booth

Attendance was light all three days of the show, and lightest on Sunday, but that won’t be a problem next year. What was important was that the right people showed up. I encourage dealers to give the show another try next year. If the show starts to get bigger and better, the word will get out and more people will attend. It will be the start of a virtuous circle.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

The really huge and great Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair will be held this week. It opens to the public on Thursday, August 22nd, at noon. It’s a show worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. How about two free tickets to the show with no strings attached? Click here to get them.

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, 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 Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, sold at the show

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

Setting up at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, August 14, 2013

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Philip Chasen

One of four killer Tiffany Favrile vases we’ll have at the show, fresh from a private collection

We started setting up yesterday at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, in the same booth, just to the left of the front door. It’s a nice, big booth, with plenty of room to display everything beautifully.

Another of the four great Tiffany Favrile vases that we’ll have at the show

We’ll have some great new items, including four wonderful Tiffany Favrile vases, all from the same private collection. They’ll all be at the show, which opens to the public this Friday, August 16th, at noon. We’ll be exhibiting in hall D at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, until Sunday at 5 PM. Make the time to visit the show. You’ll like what you see.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

If you can’t attend the Chicago show, make sure you make plans to come to the really great and huge Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013, the following week. It’s a show worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. How about two free tickets to the show with no strings attached? Click here to get them.

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, 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 Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

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

Come to the Chicago Summer Antiques Show to see what’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Philip Chasen

This little Tiffany Favrile beauty makes my heart go pitter pat

I’ve got two important shows coming up this week and next, the Chicago Summer Antiques Show and the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair. I know important clients will be there, so I always try to come up with fresh delicacies (sounds delicious, no?). This week I was lucky enough to get into a private home with a wonderful collection of Tiffany Favrile glass. The owner has decided he’s gotten to the point in life where he’s now interested in selling. Good for me and good for you.

Another of the four fantastic Tiffany Favrile vases from a private collection

Each of the four Tiffany Favrile vases that came from this collection is better than the next. You’ll just have to visit me at my shows to see them all. I suspect they won’t last long.

French glass will be well represented at my shows. I’ll have some of the best Daum and Gallé vases I’ve ever had.

Truly outstanding Tiffany Studios 20″ Poppy table lamp

My selection of Tiffany Studios lamps will be second to none. An outstanding 20″ diameter Poppy leads the pack.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

This coming weekend, August 16-18, we’ll be at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, for the first of our two shows, the Chicago Summer Antiques Show. If you can’t attend the Chicago show, make sure you make plans to come to the really great and huge Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013, the following week. It’s a show worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. How about two free tickets to the show with no strings attached? Click here to get them.

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, 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 Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

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

Martin Brothers double bird sells for $57,000 at Skinner’s European Furniture & Decorative Arts, July 13, 2013

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Martin Brothers double bird, Skinner lot #896

Skinner, Inc. held their European Furniture & Decorative Arts sale on July 12-13, 2013. Included in the huge 1377-lot sale was a Martin Brothers double bird. It was fairly small, 6″ tall, and kind of hidden in this huge sale. I had hopes of sneaking up on it and buying it reasonably, but that was not going to happen. The major players had found out about it, so there was no hope of getting a bargain. The final sale price almost quadrupled the high pre-sale estimate of $15,000, selling for $57,000, including the buyer’s premium. It wasn’t a surprise because the market in the best quality Martin Brothers items has been strong for some time and continues to be so.

Very rare 1914 Louis Wain cat, The Lucky Master Cat

Next weekend, August 16-18, we’ll be at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, to exhibit at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show. We’re bringing some really high-powered new items, all fresh to the market, including four outstanding Tiffany Favrile vases straight out of a collector’s home. Please take the time to visit us at the show to see for yourself.

If you can’t attend the Chicago show, make sure you make plans to come to the really great Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013, the following week. It’s a show worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. How about two free tickets? Click here to get your two free tickets to the show.

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, 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 Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

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

The Chicago Summer Antiques Show & Sale begins on Friday, August 16, 2013

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Philip Chasen

The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, on River Road, in Rosemont, IL

The Chicago Summer Antiques Show & Sale begins next weekend, Friday, August 16, 2013, at noon, and continues until Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 5 PM. It’s a small show, but with good dealers, so it’s worth a trip from anywhere in the greater Chicago region. An interesting aspect of this year’s show, at least from an exhibitor’s viewpoint, is the simultaneous Chicago International Coin Fair. It will run at the same time as the antique show, in the same building, the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. It’s an important opportunity because many coin dealers are good clients of antiques dealers. If you’re a dealer sitting on the fence about exhibiting this year at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, this is important information which may help you make up your mind. Personally I have many clients who are coin dealers, so I’m hopeful that some of my business at the show will come from them.

Very rare 1914 Louis Wain cat, The Lucky Master Cat

I’m bringing some powerful new items, including a very rare Louis Wain ceramic cat from 1914, entitled The Lucky Master Cat. It’s straight out of a private home and fresh to the market.

Rare Tiffany Studios frame in the Medallion pattern

Rare Tiffany Studios frame in the Heraldic pattern

How about a rare and beautiful Tiffany Studios frame in the Heraldic pattern? Again, straight out of a private home and fresh to the market.

I’m also bringing a great assortment of Tiffany Studios lamps and glass and some really great French glass by Daum Nancy and Gallé. Please take the time to visit me at the show, especially because you won’t be able to visit me at the Arlington Park Racetrack in October. It’s unlikely there will be any more antique shows at the track in the foreseeable future. Even if there is one, I won’t be there.

In any event, make sure you make plans to come to the really great Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013, the week after Chicago. It’s a show worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. How about two free tickets? Click here to get your two free tickets to the show.

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, 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 Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

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

Some amazing items will be up for sale at Christie’s South Kensington Out of the Ordinary auction, September 5, 2013

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Philip Chasen

An amazing array of unusual items will be sold at Christie’s South Kensington Out of the Ordinary sale on September 5, 2013. I’ve viewed thousands upon thousands of auction catalogs over the years, but this one stands out for the variety, quality and strangeness of many of the items — and that’s a compliment. The ages of the items range from mid-19th century to 2012, and all are estimated in the “reasonable” price range, by which I mean up to five figures.

Waxflatter Ornithopter from the movie The Young Sherlock Holmes, Christie’s lot #100

For instance, you can bid on the Waxflatter Ornithopter from the Steven Spielberg film The Young Sherlock Holmes, (lot 100, £50,000 – £80,000), or a genuine Tyrannosaurus Rex tooth (lot 103, £5,000 – £8,000).

This giant shoe will be Christie’s lot #64

How about a 66″ tall giant shoe from the Karstadt department store in Dusseldorf, Germany? It’s lot 64 and estimated to sell for £8,000 – £12,000.

Victorian bird cage, Christie’s lot #83

A European bird cage, in the form of a Victorian house, comes in at the lower end of the estimates. It will be sold as lot 83, with an estimate of £1,800 – £2,500.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of the diversity and fun of this sale. I suggest you check out the online catalog by clicking here.

Are you coming to the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013? Maybe two free tickets will convince you. Click here for two free tickets to the show.

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, 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 Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

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