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

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 booth is messy, but getting there.  This is the first time the Tiffany Venetian base in the case is for sale.

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

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

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

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

Setting up at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, August 14, 2013

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.

One of four killer Tiffany Favrile vases we'll have at the show, fresh from a private collection

One of four killer Tiffany Favrile vases we’ll have at the show, fresh from a private collection

We started setting up yesterday at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, in the same booth, just to the left of the front door. It’s a nice, big booth, with plenty of room to display everything beautifully.

Another of the four great Tiffany Favrile vases that we'll have at the show

Another of the four great Tiffany Favrile vases that we’ll have at the show

We’ll have some great new items, including four wonderful Tiffany Favrile vases, all from the same private collection. They’ll all be at the show, which opens to the public this Friday, August 16th, at noon. We’ll be exhibiting in hall D at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, until Sunday at 5 PM. Make the time to visit the show. You’ll like what you see.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

If you can’t attend the Chicago show, make sure you make plans to come to the really great and huge Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013, the following week. 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

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, just in

Gorgeous Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

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

Come to the Chicago Summer Antiques Show to see what’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques

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.

This little Tiffany Favrile beauty makes my heart go pitter pat

This little Tiffany Favrile beauty makes my heart go pitter pat

I’ve got two important shows coming up this week and next, the Chicago Summer Antiques Show and the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair. I know important clients will be there, so I always try to come up with fresh delicacies (sounds delicious, no?). This week I was lucky enough to get into a private home with a wonderful collection of Tiffany Favrile glass. The owner has decided he’s gotten to the point in life where he’s now interested in selling. Good for me and good for you.

Another of the four fantastic Tiffany Favrile vases from a private collection

Another of the four fantastic Tiffany Favrile vases from a private collection

Each of the four Tiffany Favrile vases that came from this collection is better than the next. You’ll just have to visit me at my shows to see them all. I suspect they won’t last long.

daum-blackbird-3

French glass will be well represented at my shows. I’ll have some of the best Daum and Gallé vases I’ve ever had.

Truly outstanding Tiffany Studios 20" Poppy table lamp

Truly outstanding Tiffany Studios 20″ Poppy table lamp

My selection of Tiffany Studios lamps will be second to none. An outstanding 20″ diameter Poppy leads the pack.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

This coming weekend, August 16-18, we’ll be at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, for the first of our two shows, the Chicago Summer Antiques Show. If you can’t attend the Chicago show, make sure you make plans to come to the really great and huge Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 22-25, 2013, the following week. 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

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, just in

Gorgeous Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

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

Some good results for Tiffany Studios items at Christie’s New York Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 13, 2013

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.

Christie’s New York held three 20th Century sales on the same day, June 13, 2013. Last Thursday’s post covered the Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection sale. Today’s post will cover the Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, which grossed an impressive $6,865,187.

Francois-Xavier Lalanne Moutons de Laine, Christie's lot #203

Francois-Xavier Lalanne Moutons de Laine, Christie’s lot #203

The top two lots of the sale were #s 202 and 203, both Moutons de Laine by Francois-Xavier Lalanne. They both realized well over estimate, reaching $783,750 and $987,750, respectively. Don’t ask me why. I need a primer.

Tiffany Studios landscape window, Christie's lot #116

Tiffany Studios landscape window, Christie’s lot #116

A beautiful, large, landscape window from the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn was the top Tiffany Studios lot of the sale. Selling as lot #116, it sold near its high estimate of $200,000, realizing $219,750, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Christie's lot #121

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Christie’s lot #121

The best selling Tiffany Studios lamp of the sale went to lot #121, a Wisteria. It wasn’t the best example ever, but still nice. With a conservative estimate of only $120,000 – $180,000, it sold for $207,750 — a bargain by recent standards. A sharp buyer snapped it up.

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Christie's lot #101

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Christie’s lot #101

A fine Tiffany paperweight Morning Glory vase was the best Tiffany Favrile example of a small offering. It sold as lot #101 for $50,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $60,000.

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)

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

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.

Decent results at Christie’s Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection sale, June 13, 2013

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.

Christie’s New York was the second major auction house to hold a 20th Century sale in June. They held three 20th Century sales on the same day, June 13, 2013. Today’s blog will cover only the Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection auction. Sales totaled $2,068,375 for the small 57-lot auction, with 40 lots selling and 17 not selling. Had the reserves been more conservative, a higher percentage would have sold.

Tiffany Studios Snowball table lamp, Christie's lot #20

Tiffany Studios Snowball table lamp, Christie’s lot #20

Top lot of the sale was #20, a rare Tiffany Studios Hydrangea Snowball table lamp on an important base. It sold near the low estimate of $400,000, realizing $459,750, including buyer’s premium. Had the estimate been a more conservative $300,000 – $400,000, the same result would have looked a lot better.

Tiffany Studios Maple Leaf table lamp, Christie's lot #6

Tiffany Studios Maple Leaf table lamp, Christie’s lot #6

My personal favorite Tiffany Studios lamp of the auction was lot #6, a rare Maple Leaf table lamp. Against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, it realized $219,750.

Tiffany blue Favrile counterbalance table lamp, Christie's lot #21

Tiffany blue Favrile counterbalance table lamp, Christie’s lot #21

The result for lot #21 was a surprise to me. It sold for $25,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000. Blue Favrile shades are rare and desirable, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was. That’s because the shade photographed beautifully in reflected light, but turned green in transmitted light. When you turned on the lamp, you got a green lamp. They’re not worth nearly as much. My guess is the buyer never saw the lamp in person. Oops!

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)

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

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

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 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

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

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

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)

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

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.

A look at a few special Tiffany Studios items

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. We’ll be on vacation for most of May, so I may not be able to post anything until early June, but I’ll try.

Tiffany Studios was in business for many years and manufactured thousands upon thousands of items, ranging from common to unique. As a dealer, I get to see many of the same items over and over again, so it’s a kick when I come across something new and exciting. Here are a few that come to mind.

Very rare Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell

Very rare Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell

A very rare Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell was sold at Nadeau’s Auction in Windsor, Connecticut on October 30, 2010 for $37,500, including buyer’s premium. I bid strongly for it, but was outbid by another dealer. I found out later which dealer, when I saw the inkwell for sale in another booth at the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show. My understanding was that it sold quickly at the show for approximately $75,000. That doesn’t surprise me, because it was AMAZING, with different colored turtleback tile lids on each of the three inkwells, and a fabulous patina. I hope the present owner is enjoying it.

Fabulous 10" blue Tiffany Favrile intaglio-carved shade

Fabulous 10″ blue Tiffany Favrile intaglio-carved shade

Blue Tiffany Favrile shades are much rarer than green or gold ones. The example pictured above was the single best example I have ever owned. It had really great blue color and was covered with a plethora of beautifully carved insects — killer!

Superb Tiffany Studios scarab stamp box

Superb Tiffany Studios scarab stamp box

I would loved to have owned the stamp box pictured above, but unfortunately I never did. It’s a real rarity, with Favrile glass scarabs on the lid and mosaic tiles all around. What a beauty!

Tiffany Pond Lily desk set, the rarest of them all

Tiffany Pond Lily desk set, the rarest of them all

The Pond Lily pattern, with dragonflies, is the rarest of all Tiffany Studios desk sets. It almost never comes up for sale, so when it does, fireworks go off. The set pictured above was sold at Brunk Auctions on November 4, 2006, for over $200K, including the buyer’s premium. Wow!

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Rare Argy-Rousseau elephant paperweight, just in

Rare Argy-Rousseau elephant paperweight, 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.

A rare blue Tiffany Favrile salt, just in

A rare blue Tiffany Favrile salt, just in

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

Art Deco bronze and ivory figures lead the way at Hindman’s 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, May 1, 2013

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.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, of Chicago, held a 20th Century Decorative Arts sale yesterday, May 1, 2013, with some excellent results. 507 lots crossed the block, with the pottery section of the sale scheduled for today, May 2, 2013.

F. Preiss Art Deco bronze & ivory grouping, The Bathers, Hindman lot #333

F. Preiss Art Deco bronze & ivory grouping, The Bathers, Hindman lot #333

Leading the way were Art Deco bronze & ivory figures by the likes of Preiss, Chiparus and Colinet. Two lots tied for top honors — #333, a Preiss group entitled The Bathers and #337, a Colinet figure entitled Ankara Dancer, both selling for $50,000, including buyer’s premium. Even though the prices were the same, the Preiss had a much better result, selling for almost 10 times its high estimate, while the Colinet sold below its low estimate. The market in Art Deco bronze & ivory figures has been strong for decades and has legs (no pun intended).

A fine intaglio-carved, blue Tiffany Favrile vase, Hindman lot #130

A fine intaglio-carved, blue Tiffany Favrile vase, Hindman lot #130

Top lot of the Tiffany Studios glass section of the sale went to #130, a fine-quality blue Favrile wheel-carved vase. It easily exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $2,000-4,000, to realize $11,875, including buyer’s premium — a handsome price for a 9″ vase.

Rare R. Lalique green cased Perruches vase, Hindman lot #301

Rare R. Lalique green cased Perruches vase, Hindman lot #301

There weren’t many R. Lalique lots in the sale, but a couple were special. Lot #301 was a rare, green cased Perruches vase. Estimated to sell for $10,000-15,000, it realized $27,500, including buyer’s premium. An even more rare object, an opalescent Tresor de la Mer perfume, sold for more money, $57,500, but below its low estimate.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

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 Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

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.

The almost complete results for The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, April 26-29, 2013

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.

We received many compliments

We received many compliments

It’s Sunday afternoon as I write this blog. The show continues today until 6 PM, and then finishes tomorrow, Monday, at 3 PM. Monday is usually a complete washout, so I don’t see any reason to delay my post until Tuesday. If anything significant happens on Monday, you’ll hear about it on Thursday.

The show started last Thursday with a very well attended preview party. Amazingly, business was good at the party, but only to my existing clients. If there were no party, they would have made the same purchases the next day. Attendance was fairly light on Friday, as the party stole much of the thunder of opening day. It continued only at a moderate pace for the entire show.

Important Daum farm scenic vase, sold at the show

Important Daum farm scenic vase, sold at the show

Personally, my show went well, but not as I would have guessed. My best client, who I had hoped would be a substantial buyer, bought nothing. Luckily, other clients stepped up to the plate, so we’re pleased with our results. As expected, most of the action was in French glass and Tiffany lamps and glass.

In asking around to a handful of dealers, I heard the following comments. An Art Nouveau dealer, new to the show, was very pleased with his results and is looking forward to next year’s show, while a Tiffany dealer, not new to the show, reported disappointing results. A majolica dealer said she had a good show. Among general dealers, one was very happy and another unhappy. A dealer in general merchandise and jewelry said he brought less this year, but sold more jewelry. An art dealer told he made only two sales and broke even. A silver dealer was pleased that his results were much better than last year, and finally a furniture/Americana dealer was very unhappy with his results. Overall I heard more good reports than bad.

Gorgeous Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, sold at the show

Gorgeous Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, sold at the show

Many of the dealers at the show are up in arms about the proposed Navy Pier show by the Palm Beach Show Group. PBSG intends to hold a show the same weekend as the April, 2014, Merchandise Mart show. Not sure why PBSG wants to do that, as there isn’t enough buying power in Chicago to support two major antique shows at the same time. We’ll see what shakes out.

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

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 Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

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.

The results of the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair, April 18-21, 2013

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.

In front of our booth at the Thursday night preview party

In front of our booth at the Thursday night preview party

You know I’m not a fan of preview parties, but the party at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair was one of the better ones. Some show promoters treat dealers as second-class citizens at preview parties, offering one little box of airline food for the evening. At the Botanic Gardens, the dealers were treated equally, with plenty of delicious food and drink for everyone. I even made a nice sale at the preview party — can you believe it?

Friday, 11:30 AM. Strange weather in Chicago. Lightning, thunderstorms, torrential rain, and cold on Wednesday — worked with a coat and gloves in a cold tent. Warm and rainy on Thursday — worked in a tent that was hot and humid, with all the showcases fogging up. Today, Friday — hailing, windy and cold — wearing a coat and freezing in the tent. The fire department shut the propane because of a leak. The wind is swirling and the tent is shaking violently at times. What fun! :>(

There was a big crowd early on Friday

There was a big crowd early on Friday

OK, so much for the weather report. There’s a big crowd already, about 90% women, most of whom seem unknowledgeable. No sales yet, but that’s understandable, as unknowledgeable people rarely buy. Haven’t seen most of my Chicago clients yet, but I’m hopeful they’ll attend.

Friday, 3:00 PM. Thought it would get more crowded in the afternoon, but the opposite happened. It’s much quieter now. The heat was fixed and then it broke again. One small sale so far. Still have my coat on.

Friday, 5:00 PM. It’s been a trying day — one of the toughest we’ve had to endure at any show. It was very cold most of the day, where the chill gets into your bones. We made one additional medium sale, so we’re slowly chipping away at the results.

Saturday, 1 PM. It’s the first sunny day since we arrived and very pleasant in the tent. Lots of people here all day so far. Nice sale to one of my established clients. Sure would like to make a sale to a stranger.

Incredible Tiffany Favrile Cypriote vase, sold at the show

Incredible Tiffany Favrile Cypriote vase, sold at the show

Saturday, 5 PM. Much thanks to my clients for showing up and making purchases. Even made a moderate sale to a new client. The show is now going well and hopefully will get better. Another important client is considering making a major purchase.

Sunday, 11:30 AM. The day is off to a slow start, but that’s to be expected on a Sunday. The show should have opened at 11 AM, not 10 AM. Jeanne Stella, you listening? Several naive inquiries will likely lead nowhere, but on the other hand, the weather is lovely and the tent is very comfortable.

Sunday, 2:20 PM. After a slow start today, it got really busy. Made a couple of sales to strangers, which was very gratifying. I’ll be surprised if anything happens between now and the end of the show, but hope springs eternal.

Sunday, 5:00 PM. The show is over and as I predicted, nothing happened from mid-afternoon to closing. It was a busy day, but not as remunerative as it should have been, based on the activity. Overall, the show went well. More sales to new clients would have made it better, but I’m not complaining.

In other news. The Palm Beach Show Group (who run the Palm Beach and Baltimore shows) has announced that it will be starting a new show in Chicago at the Navy Pier. Ordinarily I would be excited to hear such news, but not this time. They hope to run the show exactly the same week as the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show in April, 2014. Why choose that week, when there are 51 other weeks? There are rumors that this will be the last year for the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show, in which case it would make sense to run an important show in Chicago the same weekend. Other than that, it seems folly. I’ll try to get to the bottom of it.

merchandise-mart-4-2013(2)

Speaking of the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show, it’s this week! The show opens with a preview party on Thursday night, April 25th. It opens to the public on Friday, April 26th at 11 AM and continues until Monday, April 29th at 3 PM. It’s a great show and my favorite of the year. Make sure you attend. You won’t be disappointed!

Important Gallé vase with spider webs and wheel-carved leaves

Important Gallé vase with spider webs and wheel-carved leaves

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.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre geometric vase

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre geometric vase

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.