Tag Archives: Philip Chasen

The results of the NYC Pier Antiques Show, November 13-14, 2010

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The lines outside of the show at 9:45 AM on Saturday morning

Stella Show Management held their semi-annual NYC Pier Antiques Show this past weekend, November 13-14, 2010. Attendance was excellent on Saturday and very good on Sunday. The weather was probably a factor, as it was uncharacteristically mild for a mid-November weekend. The two-pronged line extended far out of the door 15 minutes before opening at 10 AM on Saturday.

My booth on Saturday afternoon

Personally, my show was good, with interest and sales in many categories, including Tiffany glass and desk pieces, French cameo glass, Vienna bronzes and Icart etchings. In asking around, I heard results from good to fair. No one was effusive and no one was glum. Most dealers were satisfied.

Sold Daum Nancy solifleur vase with wild orchids and spider webs

In my last blog, I tried to convey some of the atmosphere of the show. In talking to another show promoter during the show, she referred to the Pier Show as “raw”. It made me look at the show through a stranger’s eyes. What I saw is a show that is not polished, with more functional displays than elaborate ones. That’s part of what makes the show interesting — it’s a very “New York” happening. Can I say “funky” anymore or is that passé?

The hours are long, from 10 AM – 6 PM, both Saturday and Sunday. It makes a lot of sense on Saturday, when there are lots of people all day, but it makes NO sense on Sunday. The hours should be 12 – 5 PM, but I can understand longer hours. At the very least, the hours should be shortened one hour on Sunday, from 11 AM – 6 PM. I spoke personally to Irene Stella about the change, but she indicated to me that the dealers needed the extra hour to park in the street and pay their bills. Excuse me??? I need an extra hour’s sleep and rest and not help with parking or paying my bills. To those other dealers who read my blog, please let Irene know you agree with me. From 10 – 11 AM, I did not answer a single question from even one person, nor did I open a single cabinet. The show didn’t even start to fill up until about 11:30 AM. Irene, please change the hours. OK, enough of my bitching.

Stella Show Management continues to put together high quality full shows in a world where many shows are shrinking dramatically. Their publicity is good, so they maintain consistently strong attendance. I wish them continued success.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I’ve listed another twenty items in the last few days, including Tiffany, Quezal, Steuben, Van Briggle, Fulper, George Ohr, Daum and Gallé. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com

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The NYC Pier Antiques Show is coming this weekend, November 13-14, 2010

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Fashion is part of the New York City Pier Antiques Show

Twice a year, Stella Show Management holds the NYC Pier Antiques Show at Pier 94 on New York City’s Hudson River and 56th St. Everyone I know looks forward to this show because New York City doesn’t have another one like it. Of course, there are plenty of shows in NYC, especially fancy ones at the Armory on Park Ave. and 67th St., but the Pier Antiques Show is one-of-a-kind. The only show that was similar is no longer in existence. It was a show in the Exposition Rotunda of Madison Square Garden on 8th Avenue and 31st St. The attendance and enthusiasm for that show were tremendous.

Rare Daum Nancy 'Rain' veilleuse

What makes this show different is the huge diversity, from vintage clothing and costume jewelry to unique decorator objects to autographs (think George Washington!) to high-end items (think me, among many others). Anticipation and enthusiasm run high for the show. Some of the first people through the door are a bevy of decorators. I can’t think of another show with as many decorators. They rush in and snap up the unusual items that decorators know how to place. Also in the initial rush are many dealers and collectors (including some from Europe and Japan), all looking to find that special object or objects. And they are usually successful. You can tell by the line of people waiting for taxis. More than half of them will be carrying packages. That’s an unusually high percentage of buyers. You can always tell how a show is going by the number of people carrying packages. If attendance is good, but there are few packages, the show is not going well for the dealers.

Rare Muller chandelier with roses

I’m bringing some really special items to this show. One of them is a great French cameo chandelier by Muller. One of Muller’s best subject matter is roses and this beauty is covered with them. What else? Well, I was in a house in Chicago and got some wonderful items you wouldn’t normally expect to see in my booth, including a large Satsuma decorated bowl in the shape of a nautilus shell with underwater decoration on one side, a beautiful English tea caddy, a Vienna bronze basket with a bird, etc. From another collection, I’m bringing some very fine Daum Nancy acid-etched and enameled vases that haven’t been seen before. Then there’s two KPM plaques of pretty girls, a couple of Quezal vases, and lots of new items that haven’t seen the light of day in many years.

The show runs only two days, so the action happens fast. It opens at 10 AM on Saturday and closes at 6 PM, with the same hours on Sunday. Most show promoters feel they need at least three days for exhibitors, but I beg to differ. A compact show creates excitement. There are more people walking around when items start to sell. That forces people to make up their minds faster and that generates electricity. Shows need electricity, not dripping water torture. Maybe it’s the wrong approach for the Midwest, but it certainly works in NYC.

If you haven’t yet made your plans to come, do it now. There are plenty of parking lots in the area plus taxis and public transportation. As long as you’re in the city, go to one of the great restaurants or museums. There’s lots to do and enjoy over a weekend in New York City.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I’ve listed another twenty items in the last few days, including Tiffany, Quezal, Steuben, Van Briggle, Fulper, George Ohr, Daum and Gallé. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com

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Demi Moore’s payday at Sotheby’s 19th Century European Art sale is good, but not quite what she had hoped

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Today, November 4, 2010, Sotheby’s held their 19th Century European Art sale with decent results that included one sensational one. Two of the lots belonged to the actress Demi Moore. She had purchased them at a Christie’s auction in 1995 and consigned them for sale at this Sotheby’s auction.

Frère et Soeur by William Bougeureau, Sotheby's lot #23

The first was a lovely painting of a sister and brother by William Bouguereau, for which Moore had paid $178,500. It sold below the estimate of $1,000,000-1,500,000, but totaled $1,082,500, after including the buyer’s premium. The buyer’s premium belongs to the auction house, so Moore will likely receive a figure in the $850,000-$900,000 range, after seller’s fees are deducted. Not a bad payday after 15 years, but below the hoped for price within or above the estimate.

Mère et Ses Enfants by Alfred Stevens, Sotheby's lot #24

Her second painting, by Alfred Stevens, did not fare as well. Moore paid $200,500 in 1995. The painting sold for $182,500, including buyer’s premium, so Moore is likely to receive a figure in the $135,000-$150,000 price range, after seller’s fees are deducted. Taken together, her investment of $379,000 in 1995 will return approximately $1,017,500. Most people would be very satisfied with that kind of return.

The Finding of Moses by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Sotheby's lot #56

Anything can happen at auction, good or bad, but the good results generally make the news. A huge, 53¾” by 84″ painting by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, estimated to sell for $3-5,000,000, brought the astounding price of $35,922,500, including buyer’s premium. A result like that is the same as winning the lottery — it doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it makes for one happy winner.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link, Sotheby’s 19th Century European Art sale.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I’ve listed another ten items in the last few days, including art pottery. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com

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Tiffany Studios auction action in Connecticut, Saturday, October 30, 2010

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Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell, Nadeau's lot #150

Nadeau’s Auction Gallery of Windsor, Connecticut, sold a killer Tiffany Studios inkwell on Saturday, October, 30, 2010. Their auction description was as follows:

Description: Tiffany Studios RARE ‘TURTLEBACK TILE’ AND BRONZE TRIPLE INKWELL, with two gold iridescent liners, three metal inserts, stamped TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK, 1071

Dimensions: ht. 4 1/4in., dia. 6 1/4in.

Estimate: $15,000 – $25,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

In their written description, they left out the fact that the inkwell rotates — a rare feature, however they did mention it just before selling the object. The bidding started at $15,000 and continued in $1,000 increments until the final price of $30,000 ($37,500 with the buyer’s premium). In my opinion, the price was a bargain if the buyer was a collector and a bit high if the buyer was a dealer. I had guessed the final price would be closer to $50,000, considering the beauty, rarity, and desirability of this very fine inkwell.

Tiffany Studios Tyler Scroll table lamp, Gaudreau's Auction Company

On the same day, Gaudreau’s Auction Company of Killingly, Connecticut, sold a Tiffany Studios Tyler Scroll table lamp, in as-found condition. The lamp had an original kerosene burner and a very dirty shade. It had never been electrified. The unreserved lamp was sold at the high end of the $10,000 – $20,000 pre-sale “guesstimate” for $20,000 ($22,000 with the buyer’s premium) — a very fair price for the lucky buyer, followed by loud applause from the audience. The lamp was not pictured in any advertisement, only described. One had to visit the auction site to see photos of it.

I don’t think any sweeping conclusions can be drawn from these two results, except to say that if you had enough spare change and the knowledge of when and where they were selling, you could have bought two winners.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I’ve listed another ten items in the last couple of days, including art pottery. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com

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Mixed, but improved results at Heritage Illustration Art Auction, Oct 14, 2010

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Gil Elvgren painting, Riding High, from 1958, Heritage lot #78043

Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas, held their first auction in New York City on Oct 14, 2010. The Illustration Art sale did well with art from the top artists, decently with art from the second-tier artists, and poorly with art from the third-tier artists. The auction was the second highest-grossing sale ever for the Illustration Art category, totaling over $3.75 million.

Top lot of the sale was #78043, a Gil Elvgren painting of a witch on a broom. Estimated to sell for $30,000 – $40,000, it soared to $167,300, including buyer’s premium. Prices for Elvgren’s seven offerings in this sale were all over the map, from $4,481.25 for a pencil on paper sketch of Miss Sylvania to $38,837.50 for a painting of Miss Sylvania to $167,300 for the top lot of the sale, above.

Garth Montgomery Williams, Charlotte's Web book cover from 1952. Heritage lot #78301

Original art from the 1952 children’s book, Charlotte’s Web, did extraordinarily well. The cover illustration, done in graphite and ink on paper, was the second highest lot of the sale, selling for $155,350, against a pre-sale estimate of $20,000 – $30,000. Individual illustrations from the book also did well, with prices from as low as $717, all the way up to $95,600, with an average price of about $10,000.

Several other artists commanded more than $60,000, including J.C. Leyendecker, Thornton Utz, Jesse Wilcox Smith, Howard Pyle and Norman Rockwell.

Packard Motor Car Company advertisement, Heritage lot #78422

As in the past, there were plenty of bargains to be had. Including the next day’s Internet only session in Dallas, over 180 lots sold for less than $1,000. A beautiful large 30″ x 46″ oil on canvas painting of a Packard automobile sold for only $896.25. If that’s not a bargain, I don’t know what is.

For the complete results, you will have to register (free) with Heritage. You can view all of the paintings without results if you don’t register. Here is the link. Heritage Illustration Art auction, August 17-18, 2010.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I’ve listed another ten items in the last couple of days, including art pottery. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com

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Results of the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show, October 22-24, 2010

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Saturday afternoon in my booth


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I’d like to explain how we arrived at the results for this show, starting with the preview party. Don’t get me started on preview parties, or I’m likely to tell you how they are a waste of a dealer’s time; how I feel used because preview parties are not for selling but for the promoters to have a social occasion; how hot the room was, and what a bad mood I was in during and after the party. But since you didn’t get me started, I won’t mention it.

Friday was the first day of the show. Luckily the room had cooled down, so the temperature was comfortable for most of the day. Our room was in a corner of the building, so I think many of the attendees never even made it to our room. Attendance was light, mostly single older women, who did not seem to be interested in purchasing anything. And guess what? They didn’t. Friday was a long day from noon to 8 PM, with nothing of significance happening the entire day. It’s tough sitting there all day, waiting for something to happen, and trying to relieve the boredom. Someone remarked that this is a weekend show, meaning that attendance and action should get better on Saturday.

The weather was cooperative on Saturday — chilly and raining a little — perfect weather for an indoor activity, like visiting an antique show. Attendance did pick up significantly, with mostly couples. By the middle of Saturday afternoon, I hadn’t sold a single item. I broke the ice with the sale of a book. OK, at least the ice was broken. Next a decent sale, but to a client of mine, not a new one from the Winnetka area. Finally, later in the day, more of our clients showed up and purchased several items. Sooo, a decent day as far as sales, but not a good one for the show, because these were already my clients. As of Saturday afternoon, we weren’t coming back to the show. Not to mention the unnecessarily long day from 10 AM – 6 PM. Six hours would have been plenty for the public and kind to the dealers.

I expected equal attendance on Sunday, but I suspect it was a little lighter than Saturday. Didn’t know what to expect. I thought we could sell from zero to a more substantial number. What did happen was a couple of decent sales to new people — just what the doctor ordered. So now we’ll probably come back to try the show one more time, if they change our booth location to a more central one.

Argy-Rousseau moth paperweight

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Interest and sales were mostly items from the cabinets — no lamps or artwork. The only exception was the fabulous Ernst Wahliss sculpture of three witches on a broom, that I was showing for the first time. My clients were thrilled to get it and I was thrilled to sell it — it’s fragile and very difficult to transport and set up.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I’ve listed another ten items in the last couple of days, including art pottery. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com

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Setting up at the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show, October 20, 2010

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Truly fantastic Ernst Wahliss Amphora ceramic with three witches on a broom

Previously the Winnetka Antiques Show and the Winnetka Modernism Show were each held once a year. The two shows have now been combined and the new combined show will be held once a year in October. This is my first time at the show. The building is not your typical exhibition space, as found at most convention centers. It has many rooms, so attendees have to search in each of the rooms, lobby and upstairs to find all the exhibitors. Our space is different from any other show as the room was divided in an unusual way to accommodate three exhibitors. It was tricky, but we made it work.

My booth on the first day of setup

I’m bringing some items to this show that have never been exhibited before, including an unbelievable Ernst Wahliss sculpture of three witches on a broom. I’ve owned lots of Austrian ceramics before but have never seen anything as great as this. Also for the first time, I’ll have a super Tiffany Favrile blue miniature vase with millifiori decoration and a fine Van Briggle 1907 blue vase. I also brought another 25-30 items that I recently purchased, including a Satsuma bowl with underwater seashells and flora on the underside and a really great cloisonné vase with a dragon.

One of the high-quality booths at the show

The show is very diverse with top-notch exhibitors. There’s furniture, art, jewelry, glass, ceramics and most anything you can think of. The overall quality is higher than most shows, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

I’ll do my best to post the results on Monday morning, but no guarantees.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com.

Results of the Arlington Park Antiques Show, October 15-17, 2010

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Arlington Park Racetrack

Some days you can do no wrong and others you can do no right. Unfortunately the latter was closer to the truth for this show. According to the promoter, Shawn Hastings, attendance was better at this show than the previous two. The problem for me was that the wrong people came. Many of my clients showed up at the show, but just to say hello and admire my items. It was frustrating getting the same response from so many of them.

R. Lalique frosted vase 'Monnaie du Pape'

The show was not a total disaster. Friday was a bust with absolutely no sales. For half of Saturday, there were no sales. I started to write my Monday blog in my head, beginning with the fact that this was the only show in the last ten years where I’d sold absolutely nothing. Luckily business picked up a little on Saturday and late Sunday, so I didn’t actually write it. I probably made my expenses and a ham sandwich. Not exactly a good show’s pay, but not terrible. There was interest in Rookwood and Marblehead pottery and Lalique glass.

This is the third show I’ve done in the greater Chicago area in the last seven weeks and that may be part of the problem. Possibly compounding the problem, I’m exhibiting at a fourth show in the greater Chicago area this coming week, in Winnetka, IL. Winnetka is a wealthy northern suburb of Chicago. I’ve got my fingers crossed that different people will attend the show, but whether they’re interested in what I’m selling is a question I can’t yet answer. I’ll let you know in a week if my experiment was a success or a failure.

Fantastic Japanese cloisonné vase with dragon decoration

I’ll be bringing at least 25-30 new items that I’ve just purchased, including a few you wouldn’t think of finding in my booth. How about a Satsuma bowl with underwater seashells and flora on the underside, or a really great cloisonné vase with a dragon?

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com.

Setting up at the Arlington Park Antiques Show, October 13, 2010

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Setting up at the Arlington Park Antiques Show, October 13, 2010

The Arlington Park Antiques Show started setting up today. It’s held twice yearly in the fall and spring. Although it’s not a large show, there are enough quality dealers to make it worthwhile visiting.

Unfortunately, there aren’t as many show dealers as there used to be. Many have become eBay dealers, retired, or died. The industry has suffered as not enough young people have entered the business. Young people don’t seem to be very interested in antiques. It’s a shame, but I imagine they will “discover” antiques as they age, their incomes increase and fashions change once again. But I digress.

Incredible cloisonné vase with a dragon

Besides my usual offerings of Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and glass, French glass by Daum Nancy, Gallé, Muller, Argy-Rousseau, Le Verre Francais and Lalique, and Icart etchings and paintings, I will be bringing some items you don’t ordinarily expect to see in my booth. I purchased some very fine and unusual items in a private home. Included is a really fabulous cloisonné vase with a dragon; a great, large Satsuma bowl with underwater sculpture; two Vienna bronze items with birds; a fine English tea caddy and several other high quality, interesting objects. This is the first time I will exhibit them.

Vienna bronze and enameled wine glasses

Please make the time to visit the show. Introduce yourself and let me know if you are interested in buying, selling or trading.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com.

Heritage Auction Galleries opens New York City gallery

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Heritage Auction Galleries new NYC location

Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas, opened a new gallery in NYC on September 1, 2010. It is located at 445 Park Ave. and 57th St. — a prestigious location. The location will feature a rotating window featuring selections from upcoming auctions.

Heritage is now the third largest auction house in the world with total sales of more than $600 million, behind only Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Heritage started their auction business solely with coins, but has gradually expanded into many other categories. Rather than compete toe to toe with their larger rivals, they have cultivated specialty auctions such as illustration art, comic books and sports collectibles. This strategy allows them to compete in areas where the major auction houses are deficient.

Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auction Galleries

I requested comment from Heritage regarding the opening of their new gallery and received this response from Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auction Galleries.

We certainly don’t expect to be compared with Christie’s or Sotheby’s; that’s not our business model. We have a large headquarters building in Dallas, but our New York showroom is small, and was carefully designed to be a convenience for our consignors and clients. It’s centrally located on Park Avenue, near the corner of 57th Street, one of the top demographic foot traffic locations anywhere in the world. Visitors who come to our Manhattan “jewel box” with an advance appointment will be able to show their items to, and converse with, any of our experts in Dallas or Beverly Hills via video satellite. We also plan to introduce “simulcast“ auctions in New York, Dallas and Beverly Hills. We are first and foremost an auction house utilizing cutting edge technology, as we always have. Our web site, HA.com, has over 500,000 registered bidder members, and gets significantly more traffic than Christies.com and Sothebys.com combined. That’s why over 70% of the lots we sell at auction sell to non-dealers – the highest percentage of any auction house.

We expect our New York location to operate more like a boutique, even though we are by far the largest auctioneer of vintage collectibles in the world. In many categories, such as Illustration Art, Coins, Comics, Currency, and Movie Posters, we outsell all other auction houses combined. Of course one of the most talked-about features of Heritage’s new Manhattan venue isn’t high tech at all: It’s the Heritage Window on Park Avenue, which will feature a continually rotating million-dollar exhibition of highlights from upcoming Heritage auctions, across all of our categories. The items are on display 24/7.

Norman Rockwell graphite and pencil on paper. Two Men Conversing, c. 1950s.

Heritage’s first NYC auction will be an illustration art auction. It will take place in a rented location at The Ukrainian Institute, 2 E. 79th St. and Fifth Ave., NYC on October 15, 2010. The auction will include a fine assortment of art from the best known illustrators including Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, J.C. Leyendecker and Gil Elvgren.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com.