The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent Black on Magenta stamp set a world record at Sotheby’s New York, June 17, 2014

Posted on June 19, 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.

The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta stamp

Sotheby’s New York held a single-item sale of the the British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta stamp. Estimated to sell for $10,000,000 – $20,000,000, it went out the door at $9,013,000, including buyer’s premium, to an anonymous phone bidder. It set a new world record for any stamp, but had to be disappointing to Sotheby’s, selling below the low estimate.

The stamp was sold by the estate of the late John du Pont, a convicted murderer and heir to the du Pont chemical fortune. Mr. du Pont died in prison in 2010 at the age of 72 while serving a sentence for the shooting of David Schultz, a champion U.S. wrestler, in 1996. An avid philatelist, du Pont purchased the British Guiana 1856 One-Cent stamp at auction for $935,000 — a world record in 1980. Prior to that, the stamp sold for $280,000 at auction in 1970 (a world record) and prior to that, $40,000 in a private sale in 1940 (also a world record).

To access Sotheby’s directly for the results of the sale, click here.

This A. Walter pâte-de-verre sculpture is coming shortly.

It’s spring, so there are no shows, but we’re still very much in business. 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.

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Philip Chasen

June is Decorative Arts Month, so the next several blog posts will cover the action at all the major and some of the lesser auction houses. Sotheby’s will be first. Thursday’s post will cover the result of the single-item sale of the world’s rarest stamp, the 1856 British Guiana 1-cent. Christie’s 20th Century results will be posted next Monday, with Bonham’s, Julia’s, Rago’s and others following.

Sotheby’s New York held their Important 20th Century Design sale on June 11, 2014. Included in the sale was an important collection of American art glass, including Tiffany Favrile, from the Estate of Dr. Edward and Helen McConnell. Of the 127 lots offered, 29 were from the McConnell Estate. 100% of the collection sold, with most of the vases easily exceeding their high estimates. Of the remaining 98 lots, only 55 sold, for a sell-through rate of 56% for the non-McConnell items. The sale totaled $4,476,376, for an average of $53,290 for each lot sold.

Important Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Sotheby’s lot #12

The top selling lot of the McConnell Estate was no surprise. Lot #12 was a superb example of Tiffany Favrile Lava glass. It soared past its estimate of $75,000 — $100,000, to sell for $197,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #44

Neither was the top selling Tiffany lamp of the sale a surprise. Lot #44 was a nice example of the Wisteria pattern. It sold within the estimate of $300,000 — $500,000, realizing $575,000.

Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service, Sotheby’s lot #77

The second highest price of the sale went to an important Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service. It realized $377,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 — $300,000. Considering the set wasn’t even sterling silver, the price was impressive, but again not a surprise.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

The rarest stamp in the world will be sold at Sotheby’s New York on June 17, 2014

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Philip Chasen

The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta stamp

The stamp is on display in the middle of the illuminated plastic rectangle

Have a spare $10,000,000 – $20,000,000? On June 17, 2014, Sotheby’s New York will give you the opportunity to buy the rarest and most famous of all stamps — the British Guiana 1856 One-Cent, Black on Magenta. I won’t bore you here with the details of its history, but you can click here if you’d like to read more. What I will tell you about is what you won’t read elsewhere — the exhibition itself.

The stamp in its plastic display

The stamp is small, as most stamps are, approximately 1¼” x 1″, and will be sold all by itself, in a single-lot sale. So how do you sell one tiny piece of paper, that doesn’t look like anything to a novice, all by itself? You have to surround it with a big and impressive display. So the first thing you encounter at the exhibit is a huge sign, as tall as a person — THE BRITISH GUIANA, THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS STAMP . Behind that, in a darkened room, sits the tiny stamp, illuminated in a giant display. It’s all very amusing, trying to make the stamp look important. But how else could it have been done? I give them an A for effort, but a B- for execution. I’m not sure what I would have done differently, but it wouldn’t have been the same. Unfortunately, they didn’t consult me. What’s wrong with them?

I’ll post the results in a blog after the sale. It will surely set a world record, as it has the very few times it’s been sold previously at auction. Each time was a world record.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

The results of the Sotheby’s Paris Arts Décoratifs du XXe Siècle & Design (20th Century Decorative Arts & Design) sale of May 22, 2014

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s Paris conducted its Arts Décoratifs du XXe Siècle & Design (20th Century Decorative Arts & Design) sale on May 22, 2014, with total sales of $3,969,663. Included in the sale was an Italian, one-owner, collection of Gallé glass and other objects, collected from 1960-1980. Unfortunately, the collection was estimated too aggressively, so 18 of the 42 Gallé items did not sell. Several lots by Diego Giacometti topped the sale, with another by Jean Royère also doing very well.

A fine Gallé Dragonfly table, Sotheby’s lot #41

Top lot of the Gallé collection was a rare and desirable piece of furniture — a hand-carved and marquetry Dragonfly table. Estimated to sell for €25,000 — €35,000, it exceeded its high estimate, realizing €49,500 ($67,489), including buyer’s premium.

1933-34 Giacometti floor lamp base Grande Feuille, Sotheby’s lot #69

The top lot of the sale was a floor lamp base by Diego Giacometti, entitled Grande Feuille, from 1933-34. Selling without a shade, it still doubled its estimate of €100,000 — €150,000, to realize €361,500 ($497,037).

A pair of Giacometti wall sconces from 1968, Sotheby’s lot #123

The second highest selling lot of the sale was also by Diego Giacometti, a 1968 pair of wall sconces. They sold within the estimate of €140,000 — €180,000, realizing €205,500 ($280,180), including buyer’s premium — a nice chunk of change for a pair of sconces. Giacometti items are very much in demand and consistently realize strong prices at auction.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This wonderful Zsolnay centerpiece is just in

Sotheby’s amazing $1 billion November

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s worldwide auctions of art and jewelry totaled $1.02 billion in 10 days in November, 2013. Records were broken repeatedly, including for individual items and total sales. Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale realized $200 million, the highest total for any jewelry auction ever.

Giacometti bronze Grande Tête Mince (Grand Tête de Diego), Sotheby’s lot #15

Top lot of the Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sales on November 6th was #15, a bronze sculpture by Alberto Giacometti entitled Grande Tête Mince (Grand Tête de Diego). Estimated to sell for $30,000,000 – $50,000,000, it realized $50,005,000 — near the high estimate.

Andy Warhol Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster), Sotheby’s lot #16

Andy Warhol won the bidding wars at the Contemporary Art Evening Auction on November 13th. His Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster), lot #16, sold for $105,445,000, a world record for a Warhol. The estimate was secret, listed as “Estimate Upon Request”. Not sure why they do that, but basically it means “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”

Robert Mapplethorpe portrait of Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was a regular at the Triple Pier Show in NYC before his death in 1987 at age 58. I saw him many times, but never talking to anyone. He never came into my booth. I wish I had taken a photograph of him, but it didn’t even cross my mind at the time. I didn’t know he would become such a big deal.

We’ve been buying for the last several weeks, with great success. You won’t believe all the wonderful Tiffany Studios glass, lamps and candlesticks we’ve purchased from fantastic private collections. We’ll have it all on display at our four shows down south, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014, less than two weeks away. We’ll end with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, 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

Sotheby’s New York sells a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp for $1,565,000, December 18, 2013

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Philip Chasen

December is 20th Century month, with every major and many minor auction houses holding a sale. Sotheby’s held two sales yesterday, December 18, 2013, with some truly impressive individual results. The Important Tiffany auction realized total sales of $3,675,625, while the Important 20th Century Design sale realized $5,145,500.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #330

First among the results was a world-record price for a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp at auction. Sold as lot #330, with a pre-sale estimate of $600,000 — 800,000, it soared to $1,565,000, with two phone bidders who wouldn’t give up. The color was strong and the provenance royal, from Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza of Spain.

Tiffany Studios Double Poinsettia table lamp. Sotheby’s lot #317

Another Tiffany lamp with a super result was lot #317, a 22″ Double Poinsettia. It was a particularly nice example, with strong red and blue colors — just what collectors like. It sold for $221,000, against an estimate of $120,000 — $180,000.

Wonderful, rare Tiffany Favrile red carved vase, Sotheby’s lot #304

The selection of Tiffany Favrile vases in the sale was limited, but choice. I lusted for lot #304, a fantastic cherry red Tiffany Favrile vase, completely wheel-carved with flowers and leaves. It sold for $21,250, against an estimate of $8,000 — $12,000. Unfortunately, I was the underbidder. There’s only so much a dealer can pay. Retail buyers will win every time.

There were some disappointments too. The cover lot, a rare Tiffany Bat lamp failed to reach its reserve of $500,000, against an estimate of $550,000 – $750,000. Another important lot, a piano from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s studio in the Charles Tiffany mansion in NYC, also failed to sell, against a reserve of $200,000 – $300,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. Tune in Monday for the results of Christie’s 20th Century sales being held today, Thursday, December 19, 2013.

We’ll be busy buying for the next several weeks in anticipation of the important Florida shows, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014. We’ll end our winter schedule with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, just in

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

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.

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

Solid results at Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design auction, June 12, 2013

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s was the first of the major auction houses to hold their 20th Century sale in June (20th Century month). Their Important 20th Century Design auction was held on June 12, 2013, with total sales of $4,738,940 — a strong result for a relatively small 165-lot sale. The top two lots of the sale were beyond my comprehension — a Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service (lot #89, $449,000) and a François-Xavier Lalanne realistic sheep, Mouton, (lot #148, $341,000).

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly and Waterflowers table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #27

Top lot of the Tiffany section of the sale (and third overall) went to #27, a rare Dragonfly variation called Dragonfly and Waterflowers, on a rare and desirable mosaic glass Arrowhead base. It sold at the high estimate of $200,000, for a total of $257,000, including the buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 20″ Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #22

My personal favorite Tiffany Studios lamp of the sale was lot #22, a 20″ diameter Dragonfly on a killer Bird Skeleton base, with a fabulous patina. The lamp sold for $161,000, near its high estimate of $150,000. It would have sold for more if the shade had been more exciting. This was one of those rare times when the base was worth more than the shade.

Rare Argy-Rousseau Monkey vase, Sotheby’s lot #76

There was a small, but excellent quality, selection of French glass in the sale, led by lot #76, a very rare Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre Monkey vase. It more than doubled its high estimate of $35,000, to sell for $87,500.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

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.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

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

Solid results for Tiffany Studios items at Sotheby’s 20th Century Design sale, March 6, 2013

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s held a 20th Century Design sale on March 6, 2013, with very good results for Tiffany Studios lamps, glass and desk sets. The sale totaled over $3.6 million, led by a strange Ron Arad experimental “Rietveld Chair” from 1996, which sold for $194,500. Since I don’t know understand why, I’ll stick to a subject I do know about, namely Tiffany Studios.

Fine Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #28

Top lot of the Tiffany Studios section of the sale went to #28, a fine 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, with red jeweled eyes and beautiful wings, in excellent condition. Estimated to sell for $50,000 – $70,000, it realized $98,500, including buyer’s premium. I had a lovely spot in my home for the lamp, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Original set of four Tiffany Studios door knobs, Sotheby’s lot #1

It’s not every day one gets to bid on a rare and unusual item, like a set of four original Tiffany Studios door knobs. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve ever seen them for sale. The bidders agreed, sending the final price to $8,125, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – $1,500. That’s over $2,000 per knob. Not bad.

Daum Nancy Dragon vase, Sotheby’s lot #101

There were very few French cameo glass lots in the sale, and they all did very well. Lot #101 was a rare, large (12″) vase with a stylized dragon, in the German manner. Crossing the block with an estimate of $6,000 – $8,000, it soared to $28,125. It wasn’t for me, as it appeared that the dragon had been repainted at a later date.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Fine Galle Plum blownout 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.

This superb Galle fuchsia blownout vase has great color and just arrived yesterday

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: Sotheby’s

The British Guiana 1856 One-Cent Black on Magenta stamp set a world record at Sotheby’s New York, June 17, 2014

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

The rarest stamp in the world will be sold at Sotheby’s New York on June 17, 2014

The results of the Sotheby’s Paris Arts Décoratifs du XXe Siècle & Design (20th Century Decorative Arts & Design) sale of May 22, 2014

Sotheby’s amazing $1 billion November

Sotheby’s New York sells a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp for $1,565,000, December 18, 2013

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

Sotheby’s may sell its Manhattan headquarters

Solid results at Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design auction, June 12, 2013

Solid results for Tiffany Studios items at Sotheby’s 20th Century Design sale, March 6, 2013