Excellent results at Sotheby’s New York Tiffany: Dreaming in Glass auction, December 17, 2014

Posted on December 18, 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.

Sotheby’s New York held its Tiffany: Dreaming in Glass auction yesterday, December 17, 2014 with total sales of $6,585,875. 36 of the 41 lots offered sold, for an average of $182,941. Most of the Tiffany lamps sold near or above their high estimates.

Tiffany Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #216

Leading the sale were two nearly identical Tiffany Wisteria table lamps, selling for $1,145,000 and $1,205,000, respectively. Both were outstanding examples.

Tiffany table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #218

The third best-selling lot of the sale was a Tiffany 22″ diameter Drop-Head Dragonfly table lamp with a vividly colored shade and an important mosaic and turtleback glass base. The lamp sold for $965,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $600,000 — $900,000.

Tiffany Poppy paperweight vase, Sotheby’s lot #207

The top lot of the glass section of the sale was #207, a paperweight vase with Poppy decoration. It sold for $87,500, easily exceeding its high estimate of $50,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I won’t cover Christie’s Tiffany Studios auction of December 9, 2014. It was too depressing. I can’t begin to explain why Sotheby’s did so much better than Christie’s, but they did. You’re on your own for Christie’s results.

I’ll be spending the next five weeks looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. So far the buying has been great, so look for lots of new goodies to be listed on my website soon. 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.

Unfortunately, there won’t be an important antiques show in downtown Chicago this spring

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The Chicago Merchandise Mart

You probably remember there was no antique show at the Merchandise Mart this past April. It all started when the Palm Beach Show Group couldn’t reach agreement with the Merchandise Mart and went off on their own to create a show at the Navy Pier. As a result, the Merchandise Mart couldn’t get enough exhibitors for their show and shut it down. With higher expenses for the dealers and lower sales at the Navy Pier, many of the show exhibitors balked and did not resign for another Navy Pier show. So the Merchandise Mart is reluctant to start another antique show and the Palm Beach Show Group doesn’t feel like gambling on a second Navy Pier show.

An aerial view of Chicago’s Navy Pier

Where does that leave the dealers and the public? Between a rock and a hard place. It feels like a bad case of Humpty Dumpty — all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again. Now everybody suffers. I know I feel it. Chicago is my best city. The fewer times I exhibit there, the lower my income — plain and simple. I’ve built up a great clientele there over many years and now there are very few opportunities to exhibit. There’s no more Arlington Racetrack, no more Rosemont summer show, and now no downtown show. UGH!!

I spoke to one promoter who is looking for a downtown facility to host a smaller show, but who knows if that will become a reality. In the meantime, I’ve got to rely on only two shows in the greater Chicago area — the fall show in Winnetka and the Chicago Botanic Gardens in the spring. It’s frustrating when I have no control.

I’ll be spending the next month and a half looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. So far the buying has been great, so look for lots of new goodies. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

Newcomb College pottery sells well at Waddington’s Decorative Arts auction, December 9, 2014

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Waddington’s of Toronto, Canada, held a Decorative Arts auction on December 9, 2014. Included in the sale were two very nice Newcomb College scenic vases, estimated very reasonably. I had hoped to sneak up on them, since Newcomb College pottery seemed out of place in Toronto, but I was wrong. The vases sold very well so I was unable to buy them.

Newcomb College scenic vase, Waddington lot #126

First up was lot #126, a tall (11″), inverted trumpet, Newcomb College scenic vase, decorated by Anna Frances Simpson in 1912. It exceeded its high estimate of $3,500, realizing CAD 5,060, (USD 4,419).

Newcomb College scenic vase, Waddington lot #127

Lot #127 was an unusual scenic with tall pine trees, also by Anna Frances Simpson, 8½” tall. This was an earlier transitional example from 1909. (Early Newcomb vases were high glaze and later vases were matte glaze.) It was estimated to sell for $2,000—3,000, but more than doubled it’s high estimate to realize CAD 9,000, (USD 7,858) including buyer’s premium.

For the complete catalog, click here. As of the writing of this blog post, the results have not yet been posted to their website.

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.

A Tiffany Studios Border Peony floor lamp led the way at Heritage’s Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction, November 21, 2014

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Studios Border Peony floor lamp, Heritage lot #60031

Heritage Auction held its Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction on November 21, 2014, with gross sales of $1,441,233. Leading the way was a Tiffany Studios Border Peony floor lamp, Heritage lot #60031. It sold for $143,000, including buyer’s premium — about the mid-point of the pre-sale estimate of $100,000 – $150,000. The lamp was part of the Weider Health and Fitness Collection from Los Angeles, purchased in the 1970s.

R. Lalique Le Jour et la Nuit clock, Heritage lot #60229

R. Lalique sold well, with lot #60229 being the top selling lot of the group, and the second highest selling lot of the sale. However, it’s final price of $47,000 was below its low estimate of $60,000. Other lots did better, such as #60217, a purple Borromée vase selling for $46,875, near its high estimate of $50,000.

Daum Nancy Rain scenic table lamp, Heritage lot #60138

The top lot of the French cameo glass section of the sale was a pretty Daum Nancy Rain scenic table lamp. Selling as lot #60138, it too sold near the mid-point of its pre-sale estimate of $35,000 – $45,000, realizing $43,750.

For the complete catalog, click here. You will have to sign in (free) for 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.

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.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

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