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.

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A.H. Wilkins Auctions, Toronto, Canada, held a Fine & Decorative Art auction on November 30, 2016. Included in the sale was a very large Martin Brothers bird tobacco jar. As many of you know already, the Martinware market has been strong for decades and the sale of this bird is proof that it’s still going gangbusters.

Lot #2109 was a huge, 20½” tall, Martin Brother bird tobacco jar. It had been part of the famous Harriman Judd collection before being sold at Sotheby’s on January 22, 2001 for $19,200, including buyer’s premium. What a difference a decade and a half makes.

Interestingly it wasn’t a very special bird, as it didn’t have a lot of character and it also had some restoration. That made no difference to the enthusiastic bidders. They pushed it to over double its high estimate of $60,000 CDN, to realize $163,800 CDN (US $123,229), including buyer’s premium. That’s a nice chunk of change and a heck of a return on investment. Personally I had interest in the bird, but for less than the low estimate of $40,000 CDN. Congratulations to both the buyer and the consignor.

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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, including a couple of fabulous Martin Brothers birds and a great face jug. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

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.