The results of the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, October 12-14, 2012

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.

Sunday afternoon in front of my booth

The Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques show began this past Friday, October 12, 2012, and ended on Sunday, October 14, 2012. The show was small, with fewer than 50 dealers and the attendance was light. Regardless, most of the dealers I spoke to had good shows. Even though there weren’t many attendees, the ones that did come were serious.

It was really pouring at the show on Sunday afternoon

Sunday’s attendance was best, with a captive audience, as the rain was heavy in the middle of the day. There was even a local 45-minute tornado warning from 2:15 PM to 3:00 PM. My guess is that some people were discouraged from coming because of the severe weather.

One of the fine Daum Nancy vases sold at the show

On a personal note, my show was very good. Even though I only made a few sales, some were substantial. Almost all the sales were of French or English glass and very surprisingly, to new clients. I look forward to doing the show again, but I fear for the its continued existence. Each time the show gets smaller and fewer people attend. Unless the trend can be reversed, the show will fail and that will be a shame. I’ve got my fingers crossed that something will be done to keep the show alive.

Just purchased this fabulous Tiffany Studios 20″ Dragonfly table lamp

The Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show starts this Friday, October 19, at 11 AM, and continues until Sunday, October 21, at 5 PM. We’re bringing all of our new purchases, which include some great Galle and Daum glass, as well as a fabulous Tiffany Studios Dragonfly lamp and a Tiffany Favrile red decorated vase. Please visit the show and see them in person.

Click this link to view some of the new objects. I listed about 25 new items in the last two weeks. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this rare, special Tiffany Studios red decorated Favrile 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.

Grogan and Company sells rare Tiffany Studios desk items, September 30, 2012

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.

Grogan and Company held their September sale on September 30, 2012. Included in the sale were some very rare Tiffany Studios desk pieces that sold for well above their estimates.

Very rare Tiffany Studios enameled bookends, Grogan lot #320

Lot #320 included a very rare pair of enameled Tiffany Studios bookends, as well as an enameled Zodiac inkwell and a Ninth Century letter opener. Estimated to sell for $800 – $1,200, it sold for $2,242, including buyer’s premium. I was interested in buying the lot, but thought at the time it was too expensive for a dealer to buy. In retrospect, I wish I had bid more, as the bookends were so rare and beautiful, that I still could have made a profit.

Tiffany Studios green Art Deco desk set, Grogan lot #320A

The next lot, #320A, was a partial Tiffany Studios desk set in the green Art Deco pattern. (The Art Deco pattern also comes in red, blue, and cream color). This green set was desirable, especially because it included rare pieces, like a scale. It sold for $11,800 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $8,000. I was the underbidder, who in retrospect, should have bid more. But an auction doesn’t give you unlimited time to make up your mind.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Grogan sale results.

Just purchased this fabulous Tiffany Studios 20″ Dragonfly table lamp

The Arlington Park Racetrack Show starts tomorrow, Friday, October 12 at 11 AM and continues until Sunday at 5 PM. We brought all of our new purchases, which include some great Galle and Daum glass, as well as a fabulous Tiffany Studios Dragonfly lamp. So please visit and consider making a purchase. The survival of the show depends on you!

Click this link to view some of the new objects. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this fabulous Daum winter scenic rose bowl

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.

The results of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair, August 23-26, 2012

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.

It was pretty busy in my booth on Saturday afternoon

It’s 4:40 PM on Sunday afternoon as I write this, with about an hour to go until the 2012 edition of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair is over. We had a very fine and interesting show. We made many sales, almost all of them from the showcases. No art sold at all. Most of the sales were American and French art glass, as well as Tiffany Pine Needle and Grapevine items. We sold more items than last year, but the gross was down because no individual item was extremely valuable.

A beautiful Gallé dragonfly box, sold at the show

Attendance was solid throughout the show. You might think that the Friday of any four-day show would be slow, but it wasn’t. There were quite a few people in attendance. For us, business was almost the same each day, except for Sunday, when it was a bit slower. We were rarely bored, as there were many questions and fairly frequent sales, especially to new clients. It was very satisfying to get what we had hoped for.

The center aisle of the show had a moderate number of people on Saturday afternoon

In asking around, the results were mixed. I heard more than a few dealers complain that they had done poorly, while some said their shows were good and a few said they were satisfied. One dealer told me he had his best Baltimore show ever. I’m sure the majority of dealers were satisfied enough to renew their contracts for next year.

No shows in September, but we’ll be back for the Arlington Park Racetrack Show in October. In the meantime, we’ll travel and find great new items. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this fabulous A. Walter Art Deco pate-de-verre working clock

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 Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Setting up at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, August 15, 2012

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.

Setup is just beginning in our booth. The transformation will be impressive.

Wednesday was the first day of setup at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show. It’s one of the easier shows for setting up and breaking down, as vehicles can be driven into the building, right to one’s booth. It really makes life easier. There are two full days for setting up, which takes the pressure off. By the time the show opens on Friday at noon, the booth and the show will be gorgeous.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile millifiori vase to be exhibited in our booth for the first time

The show is small, but with good dealers, so there’s a very nice selection of items for sale. It’s worth a trip from anywhere in the greater Chicago area. Personally, I’ve brought a lot of fresh merchandise that I’m sure you’ll like, so please visit the show and take a look. Hopefully you’ll like what you see and go home with a treasure.

A view of a small part of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show

The important Baltimore Summer Antiques Show will start a few days after the Chicago show on Thursday, August 23rd, at noon, and continue for four days, until Sunday, August 26th, at 6 PM. This show is one of the best of the year, second only to the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center in January. It’s big, with some of the world’s best exhibitors, and worth a trip from anywhere. Buyers fly in from Europe, Japan, South America, Canada, and all over the United States. The selection of hotels and restaurants is diverse and first-class. If you’ve never visited the Baltimore show, I strongly recommend it. You’ll thank me.

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 Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Summer Antiques Show begins this Friday, August 17, 2012

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.

A view of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center looking northeast, also showing Gibson’s Steakhouse

The summer antique show schedule is half over, with the stronger half about to come. The Chicago Summer Antiques Show will begin this Friday, August 17th, at noon, and continue until Sunday, August 19th, at 5 PM. It’s a show I look forward to for a few reasons. First is to see all of my many clients and friends in the greater Chicago area. Next is the convenience of a show in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, very close to the airport. The convention center allows vehicles to drive into their booths, making setup and breakdown easier than many shows. The hotel is across the street and comfortable, with very good restaurants in walking distance. And last, but not least, is that business is usually very good in Chicago.

I will have a very fine selection of Martin Brothers stoneware at the shows

The show has gotten smaller over the years, but has managed to maintain a nice level of quality, with good exhibitors. Many of these same exhibitors will continue on to the big Baltimore show the following weekend, so this is a very good opportunity to get first crack at their offerings. Many antique shows are struggling, so it’s important to attend your favorite ones and consider making a purchase. The success and survival of your local antique show depends on your participation. That doesn’t mean your friend or neighbor, it means you! (AND your friend or neighbor) :>)

A fabulous, rare Schneider Art Deco vase with padded and wheel-carved poppies — one of several very fine examples

Personally, I will be bringing a very strong assortment of American and French glass and lamps. I’ve been very successful in making great purchases in the off-season of May to mid-July. Rarities in Daum, Gallé, Le Verre Francais, Schneider and Tiffany will be part of my display, as well as a strong selection of original Louis Icart etchings. I guarantee you’ll like what you see.

A view of a small part of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show

Immediately following the Chicago show will be the important Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. It will start on Thursday, August 23rd, at noon and continue for four days until Sunday, August 26th, at 6 PM. This show is one of the best of the year, second only to the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center in January. It’s big, with some of the world’s best exhibitors, and worth a trip from anywhere. Buyers fly in from Europe, Japan, South America, Canada, and all over the United States. The selection of hotels and restaurants is diverse and first-class. If you’ve never visited this show, I strongly recommend it. You’ll thank me.

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 Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The results of the Redondo Beach Antiques Show, July 27-29, 2012

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 had a big mess during setup, but the booth looked great when it was finished

I’m sitting in my booth on Saturday at 2:30 in the afternoon. My rear end is flatter than usual and I’m about to crawl out of my skin. Sometimes that’s the life of an antiques show dealer. I had hopes that this might be a decent show, but as of this minute, it doesn’t look likely. If the show ends poorly, we will not return to Los Angeles for our usual two summer shows (that includes the Pasadena Show next weekend). We’ve exhibited at the Los Angeles Antiques Show a couple of times at the Barker Hangar. That was a busier show, so we might return for that one. The problem is that it’s very expensive for an East Coast dealer to exhibit on the West Coast. We have to sell enough to make it worth our while. If it turns out to be a losing proposition, we have no choice but to give up the show. Each year, the results have gotten weaker in Los Angeles, so we’re probably better off doing shows closer to home. I hope to write a different ending to this story, but that’s the situation this minute.

Some of the fine objects on display at the show

Sunday, 7:05 PM PDT. The show is over and I’m reflecting on the results. There were more people today and one good sale. Two total sales for the entire show. That’s pretty awful, but both were good, so it wasn’t a disaster. Also, two separate people came into the show today and sold me some very nice items. Eventually I’ll sell them and earn a profit, so all in all, the show wasn’t terrible, but certainly not good either. I’ll postpone my decision to exhibit at my usual two summer shows in the greater LA area until after this week’s show in Pasadena. If it goes well, we’ll try Southern California one more time. If it doesn’t go well, we’ll stop exhibiting at these two shows. Tune in next Monday for the verdict. I’ll also post a blog this Thursday.

A wonderful Tiffany Studios counterbalance floor lamp with 10″ green Favrile shade, carved with two dragonflies — sold at the show

We’ll be exhibiting at the Pasadena Antiques Show this coming weekend, August 3-5. If you missed the Redondo Beach Antiques Show, please try and visit us there.

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 Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Tiffany Studios Favrile red vase soars at Pook & Pook auction, June 28, 2012

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.

Wonderful Tiffany Studios Favrile vase, Pook & Pook lot #696

Pook & Pook held their Decorative Arts Sale on June 28, 2012. Most of the glass in the sale was from the collection of Charlene Sussel of Garrett Park, Maryland. Included in her collection was a fabulous red and yellow decorated Tiffany Favrile vase. Though diminutive in size at 4″, it was not in rarity or quality. The very low estimate of $400 – $600 showed that it was there to be sold. There is nothing better than fresh-to-the-market, top quality merchandise at bargain basement estimates — it’s like mice to cheese. As a result, the price soared to $28,440 — not bad for a 4″ vase. I thought it was a $15,000 vase, so even I was surprised, but not shocked.

Opalescent R. Lalique Ceylan vase, Pook & Pook lot #513

Good R. Lalique vases continue to show strength, no matter the auction. Pook & Pook sold a nice opalescent Ceylan vase for close to retail value. It realized $4,740, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Pook & Pook Decorative Arts results.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Superb Galle water lily blownout vase, just in

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 Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 10 new items. I’ve listed those and more will be coming this week. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

James D. Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass sale grosses $1.1 million, June 20-21, 2012

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.

James D. Julia, Inc. held their Important Lamp & Glass sale on June 20-21, 2012. The results weren’t stellar, but not terrible either. A fair number of items did not reach reserve, but those items that did sell added up to the respectable figure of approximately $1.1 million.

Rare Tiffany Favrile black decorated vase, Julia's lot #2366

The top Tiffany Favrile glass lot of the sale was #2366, a 12″ black vase with busy blue decoration around the shoulder. Estimated to sell for $10,000 – $15,000, it more than doubled its low estimate to sell for $25,300, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Daum Nancy Prairie vase, Julia's lot #2141

French glass did OK at the sale, with a rare Daum Nancy Prairie vase, pictured on the cover of the catalog, leading the way. Sold as lot #2141, it sold within the estimate of $10,000 – $15,000 to reach $14,950. Prairie vases are rare, beautiful and desirable. This example was fresh from a private home.

Fancy 29½" Moser vase, Julia's lot #1458

Moser glass has been selling well at auction for about a year. This sale was no exception, with strong prices, mostly above the high estimates. Lot #1458 brought the most money, though within the estimate of $20,000 – $30,000. Even with a professional restoration to the foot, it realized a price of $26,450.

For the complete results of the sale, you’ll have to sign in to the site. Click on the following link. Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass results.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Very fine, internally decorated Burgun & Schverer vase, just in

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 Louis Icart etchings. Just this past week, I added about 10 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

A few good results at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 12, 2012

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.

Bonham’s New York held their 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on June 12, 2012, with fair results. There were a few good sales, but more than a few items went unsold. Sotheby’s and Christie’s held their 20th Century sales in the two days following Bonham’s, with considerably better results.

Tiffany Studios Lotus table lamp, Bonham's lot #4061

Top lot of the Bonham’s sale was #4061, a Tiffany Studios Lotus table lamp. Estimated to sell for $80,000 – $100,000, it squeaked by to sell near the low estimate, reaching $92,500, including buyer’s premium.

Art Deco bronze and ivory figure, Dourga, by Chiparus, Bonham's lot #4205

Second best lot of the sale was an Art Deco 24½” bronze and ivory statue by Demetre Chiparus, entitled Dourga. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000 to sell for $88,900. That continued the decade-long strength by important Art Deco bronze and ivory artists like Chiparus and Preiss.

Rare R. Lalique vase, Deux Anneaux Lizards, Bonham's lot #4195

René Lalique glass sold well, also showing continued strength. Top Lalique lot was #4195, a rare frosted glass two-handled vase, Deux Anneaux Lizards. It was sold privately after the auction for $20,000, against an aggressive estimate of $20,000 – $30,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Bonham’s 20th Century results.

Thursday I’ll cover James D. Julia’s Important Lamp and Glass auction that took place on June 21.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Very fine, internally decorated Burgun & Schverer vase, just in

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 Louis Icart etchings. Just this past week, I added about 10 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Noguchi table leads the way at Christie’s New York Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 14, 2012

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.

Important and unique marble table by Isamu Noguchi, Christie's lot #175

Christie’s New York held their Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale on June 14, 2012. A unique marble table by Isamu Noguchi, lot #175, commissioned for the Chappaqua, NY home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Dretzin, 1948-49, led the sale with an impressive result. Estimated to sell for $800,000 – $1,200,000, it more than doubled its high estimate to sell for $2,882,500, including buyer’s premium.

Important R. Lalique cire perdue vase, Rondes D'Enfants, Christie's lot #153

Top lot of the glass section of the sale was #153, an R. Lalique cire perdue vase from 1930, entitled Ronde D’Enfants, #5/5 from a small edition of five. It sold within its estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, realizing $290,500. The Lalique market, in general, appears solid, with good results worldwide for better vases.

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly lamp on blownout crab base, Christie's lot #111

A wonderful Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, lot #111, with a rare blownout crab base, was the lamp leader, selling for $266,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $100,000 – $150,000.

Total sales were $8,821,337, roughly twice as much as Sotheby’s the day before, helped in no small part by the sale of the Noguchi table. For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Christie’s 20th Century sale results.

Just prior to the Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, Christie’s conducted a one-owner sale of seven Tiffany Studios lamps. Results were less than stellar, with four of the seven lamps selling, including a very fine Wisteria lamp for $602,500. For the results of this sale, click on the following link. Christie’s Henry Africa’s lamps results.

James D. Julia’s Important Lamp and Glass auction is happening today, Thursday, June 21, while Skinner’s 20th Century Design sale will happen this Saturday. After that we can expect a calmer July.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A killer Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, just in

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 Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com