A visit to the Parma Merchant’s Fair, October 3-5, 2013

Posted on October 7, 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.

Loading in at the Parma show at the Thursday opening

To say the least, this has been a memorable trip, with some nice highs and some unpleasant lows. If you follow my blog, you know that I was invited to attend the Mercanteinfiera Parma (Parma Merchant’s Fair), which included airfare and hotel. It opened to dealers only on Thursday, October 3rd. Basically it’s a unique combination of the Brimfield and Miami Beach shows. As in Brimfield, the exhibitors unload and set up at the same time outside dealers wander about. As in Miami, the show is indoors and opens to the public after the first two days of setup.

Lia is in front of a fabulous garden display at the show

The show is very large, with about 1,000 exhibitors, spread out over three huge buildings. That may sound gigantic, but it’s my understanding the show used to be even larger a few years ago, filling six buildings. I suppose that’s why the fair is sponsoring outside dealers to attend the show. That would be great if an American city were to do the same thing for its big shows, like Miami Beach, but the odds of that happening are just about nil.

An amazing 8′ tall building model, sold at the show

Unfortunately, we had a couple of nasty problems, the worst of which was losing our passports. What grief! We had to spend all day Friday driving to and from the American Consulate in Milan to get emergency passports. That made it impossible to visit the show on Friday. Then amazingly on Saturday, we received a call from the police department in Milan, notifying us that our passports were found. What great news! What terrible timing! If only they had called the day before. Regardless, we were thrilled to get back our portfolio and made whole again. The portfolio contained our passports, some documents and a SIM card for my phone. Phew!

Need a litter for an aristocrat in your family?

Shopping the show was interesting. Our main focus was to buy good quality French glass by Daum or Gallé, but that proved impossible. We did find some Gallé and Daum, but none were the quality or the price we were looking for. Everything I already have in inventory is better quality and priced better than what we found. So what did we buy? A 1960s Pan Am model airplane; a beautifully painted enamel on copper plaque of Leda and the Swan; a wonderful Sandoz ceramic fish; a period glass Coca-Cola tray; and five 1920s German bisque naughty dolls — not what you expect to find in our booth at a show, but different and interesting.

A similar German bisque bathing beauty to the five we purchased

Now for the story of the German naughties. We were running out of time on Saturday, our last day at the show. We found a booth with five 1920s German bisque naughty dolls, with original wigs and clothing. They were all in amazingly good condition, except for minor damage to one. Lia paid $2,000 for a similar one a few months back, so we asked the price. We were prepared to pay $1,200 for one. The dealer said he wanted to sell them as a group. How much, you ask? $550!!! I couldn’t believe it was for the whole group, but it was. Dealers clearly remember every single time they make a score and this was one of them. Lia was on a high for hours. Fortunately for her and unfortunately for me, Lia collects them, so the profit will not be realized for a long time.

Wonderful 12″ Daum rain scenic vase, just in

Click here to view my 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.

Chasen Antiques has a new website!

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Philip Chasen

I’m writing this blog on the balcony of my lovely hotel on the island of Capri, Italy. My beautiful wife is with me, the waiter brought a tray with a bottle of local white wine, pistachio nuts, cashews, olives and crackers. The weather is perfect; the view is amazing; and the day is perfect. So what am I doing? I’m writing my blog. Is that dedication or am I nuts? You decide.

Back to business. As most of you know, I’ve been working on redesigning my entire website. I’ve asked you to check it out while it was in beta mode, but now it’s a done deal. Please take a look and let me know if you think it’s an improvement or if it needs some work. There also may still be some bugs, which I hope you’ll tell me about. http://chasenantiques.com I’ve added many new items for sale and will be adding many more. Just give me a little time until we get back from Italy. We’ll be attending the fair in a few days, so I’m hopeful we’ll be successful in buying a few nice items.

Plaster casts of some of the bodies recovered from the ruins of Pompeii

In the meantime, we have to investigate the Amalfi coast, which includes Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. The ruins of Pompeii were special.

Wonderful 12″ Daum rain scenic vase, 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.

Three Norman Rockwell masterpieces coming to auction at Sotheby’s New York on December 4, 2013

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Norman Rockwell painting, Saying Grace

Sotheby’s New York will hold their American Art auction on December 4, 2013, including seven works by famed American illustrator, Norman Rockwell. Saying Grace, his cover for the November 24, 1951 issue of Saturday Evening Post, is expected to be the star of the group, with a pre-sale estimate of $15 million – $20 million. It depicts a Mennonite family saying prayers in a restaurant. It was voted a fan favorite in a poll of Saturday Evening Post readers.

Norman Rockwell painting, Breaking Home Ties

All of the works were the property of Kenneth J. Stuart Sr., who was the longtime art director of the Saturday Evening Post. Mr. Rockwell gifted him many paintings. For the last 20 years, they’ve been on loan to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Unfortunately for the museum, the new owner’s gains will be the museum’s losses. Some famous and fabulously wealthy clients collect Norman Rockwell’s works, including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ross Perot and Alice Walton (of Walmart fame). They (and others) could easily break the Rockwell world record of $15.4 million, set at Sotheby’s in 2006, with the sale of Breaking Home Ties.

Norman Rockwell painting, The Gossips

The Gossips is expected to realize the second best price of the group. It depicts 15 pairs of people animatedly talking to each other. The inspiration for the painting came from a rumor that was circulating in his hometown of Arlington, Vermont, about the artist himself. Notice the first lady (upper left) is the same as the last lady (lower right). That’s Rockwell himself (bottom row, in the grey hat) chewing her out. Each person appears twice — first hearing the rumor and then turning around and spreading it. The moral of the story is “Don’t piss off a famous artist”.

Norman Rockwell painting, Walking to Church

The third Rockwell masterpiece is Walking to Church. It will carry a pre-sale estimate of $3 million – $5 million.

If you follow my blog, you know that Lia and I will be leaving shortly for Italy to attend the antiques fair in Parma, courtesy of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast and the Fiere di Parma. As a result, there won’t be a Thursday post this week. I’ll do my best to post from Italy next Monday, with a few local photos.

My new, totally redesigned website is almost ready for prime time. Click here to view it. Then look around, try the links and use the site as you normally would. I need your reactions, so don’t be bashful. Please write to me and let me know what you think! philchasen@gmail.com or use the CONTACT form on the site. I expect there are bugs, which I hope you’ll let me know about. We’ll fix all the problems and then roll out the new site. Thanks!!!

Wonderful 12″ Daum rain scenic vase, just in

Sotheby’s may sell its Manhattan headquarters

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s York Ave. headquarters in NYC

Sotheby’s has hired two real estate firms to explore the possibility of a sale of their Manhattan headquarters. The first firm, Eastdil Secured, will look for potential buyers. The second firm, Jones Lang LaSalle, will search for a site to relocate.

Selling their Manhattan headquarters will not be new. After first purchasing the building in 1979, they were forced to sell it in 2002, after the collusion debacle with Christie’s. Sotheby’s continued to occupy the York Ave. building by leasing it back from the purchaser, RFR Holding LLC. Then in 2009 they bought the building back from RFR, after a substantial improvement in business. The pressure to sell now may be coming from Marcato Capital Management LLC, Third Point LLC, and Trian Fund Management LP, who collectively purchased 15% of Sotheby’s shares. They expect a sale would allow Sotheby’s to increase dividends and buy back shares.

Chelsea, New York City

So where would Sotheby’s move? Chelsea is one possibility because of the concentration of art dealers. Personally I’ll be sad wherever they move. York Ave. is far from midtown and very convenient. Christie’s move to Rockefeller Center made every move by car very difficult.

My new, totally redesigned website is almost ready for prime time. Click here to view it. Then look around, try the links and use the site as you normally would. I need your reactions, so don’t be bashful. Please write to me and let me know what you think! philchasen@gmail.com or use the CONTACT form on the site. I expect there are more than a few bugs, which I hope you’ll let me know about. We’ll fix all the problems and then roll out the new site. Thanks!!!

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

You might be eligible for a free round trip flight and hotel in Parma, Italy

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Parma is in the north of Italy

Parma, Italy is host to a huge, biannual antiques fair, every October and March. Known as Mercanteinfiera Parma (Parma Merchant’s Fair), the fair accommodates over 1000 dealers, in several buildings on the site. To put that into perspective, that’s more than twice the size of The Original Miami Beach Antiques Show. Many dealers travel long distances to exhibit there, from all over Europe. Over 50,000 people attend each fair, with the first two days for dealers only.

A partial view of one of the fair buildings

In order to introduce American dealers to the Parma Fair, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACC), together with the Fiere di Parma organize a U.S. buyer’s delegation. Their Hospitality Program includes free round trip airfare, 4-star hotel accommodations for four nights, transfers, admission to the fair, interpreting services, and a tour of Parma. To the best of my knowledge, you just have to be an active, bona fide antiques or modern dealer. They’re interested in bringing over dealers who will shop the show and likely make purchases. That’s all there is to it. You can add a partner or additional days to your trip (at your expense). You just have to arrive and leave from any cities in Italy. It’s too late for this October, but not for next March. Apply to Francesca Tanti by emailing her at tanti@iacc-miami.com.

An aerial view of Piazza Garibaldi in Parma

So did you guess? Lia and I are going to the Parma show this October, courtesy of IACC. We’ve added a few days to our trip for R&R, so it should be fun. I’ll write a blog after we return to let you know about our trip and the show.

My new, totally redesigned website isn’t quite ready for prime time, but it’s ready for testing. Click here to view my new site. Then look around, try the links and use the site as you normally would. I need your reactions, so don’t be bashful. Please write to me and let me know what you think! philchasen@gmail.com or use the CONTACT form on the site. I expect there are more than a few bugs, which I hope you’ll let me know about. We’ll fix all the problems and then roll out the new site. Thanks!!!

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

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

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Philip Chasen

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

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.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: Philip Chasen

A visit to the Parma Merchant’s Fair, October 3-5, 2013

Chasen Antiques has a new website!

Three Norman Rockwell masterpieces coming to auction at Sotheby’s New York on December 4, 2013

Sotheby’s may sell its Manhattan headquarters

You might be eligible for a free round trip flight and hotel in Parma, Italy

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

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

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

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

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