Stories for August '17

(Computer Article)

Bits and Bytes
by John P. Reid

Computer Column #344 John P. Reid, <[email protected]> This column has dealt recently with heavy topics such as Internet fraud and chain store retail analytics. We will be lighter this month. Antiquers are multifaceted. Their interests go far beyond old stuff. We will list 12 small jobs a computer can do, often at ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

More Legal Trouble for Antiquorum
by M.A.D. staff

On June 2 California collector Behrooz Sarafraz filed suit against Antiquorum, the high-end watch auction house, claiming that he hadn’t been paid for his consignment. According to the suit, Sarafraz consigned a Rolex watch and seven vide poche porcelain plates for a February 23 sale in New York City. He had ... (Read More)

(Book Review)

The Soul of a House
by Lita Solis-Cohen

A Book Review The Soul of a House: Adventures in Building an Antique Retirement Account by Arthur T. Vanderbilt II Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd., 2017, 174 pages, softbound, $13.95. If you love living with antiques and enjoy the hunt as much as finding the right place for each acquisition, what do you ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Historian Charged with Stealing Dog Tags
by M.A.D. staff

Historian Antonin DeHays, 32, of College Park, Maryland, was charged by federal criminal complaint with theft of government records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). According to the affidavit filed in court, in October 2015 and June 2017, DeHays visited NARA at College Park, Maryland, and allegedly stole dog ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Weschler's Announces Relocation
by Walter C. Newman

Weschler’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, LLC has been a Washington, D.C., landmark for as long as anyone can remember. Founded by Adam Weschler in 1890, it is more than a quarter-century older than the Lincoln Memorial and only two years younger than the Washington Monument. Long located at 905 East Street ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Lapointe Joins Guyette & Deeter
by M.A.D. staff

On June 1 Bill Lapointe joined the decoy auctioneers Guyette & Deeter, based in Saint Michaels, Maryland. According to Guyette & Deeter, he will be focusing his efforts in the New York and New England areas. He will also represent the company at decoy shows and four live auctions each ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Niven Becomes Chairman of Athena Art Finance Board of Directors
by M.A.D. staff

Jamie Niven has been elected as chairman of the board of Athena Art Finance Corp., after serving as its first independent director for the past year. Athena offers collectors and galleries the ability to borrow funds using their works of fine art as collateral and seeks to professionalize and provide ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Maryland Man Sentenced to 12 Months for Stealing Art and Selling It
by M.A.D. staff

A Rock Hall, Maryland, man was sentenced on June 26 to 12 months in prison for stealing at least 40 pieces of art and taking them to New Jersey to sell them. William C. Reed III, 42, previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of interstate ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Alice and Ron Lindholm of Right to the Moon Alice Vintage Clothing
by Frank Donegan

In the Trade You say you’re having trouble selling your inventory in today’s market? Alice Lindholm has an answer that sure seems to be working for her. She doesn’t sell her stuff at all—she rents it. Lindholm, along with her husband, Ron, runs Right to the Moon Alice in the hamlet of ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Seven Days in August
by Clayton Pennington

Editorial With apologies to Virginia, but New Hampshire is for lovers…of antiques. In this issue of Maine Antique Digest, you’ll find a special advertising section for Antiques Week in New Hampshire, the annual August pilgrimage to the Granite State. Thumbing through it, we were struck with what a remarkable event it has ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Letter from London, August 2017
by Ian McKay

Ian McKay, <[email protected]> Just a Spoonful of Sherbet… One of the more unusual and intriguing lots I have encountered in recent times was to be found in a May 24th “Interiors” sale held by Christie’s South Kensington—though the lot in question turned out, on closer investigation, to be not quite the rarity ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Cape Cod Antique Dealers Association Scholarship Awarded
by M.A.D. staff

The Cape Cod Antique Dealers Association (CCADA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the public’s knowledge and appreciation of antiques, has awarded its annual scholarship to Stephen McCarty. Each year, the CCADA provides funds to the Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation to provide a scholarship to one or more Cape ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Three Indicted in Fake Art Scheme
by M.A.D. staff

Vincent Lopreto, 52, Marco Saverino, 34, and Paul Motta, 50, have been indicted for stealing approximately $400,000 from dozens of art buyers through an international scheme involving the sale of counterfeit art. The defendants are charged with grand larceny in the third and fourth degrees and scheme to defraud in ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Christie's Wants to Cancel Sale, but Buyer Fights Back
by M.A.D. staff

A Luxembourg attorney who is also an art collector claims that Christie’s is canceling a purchase that he has already paid for because of an unspecified error. In April Philippe Dupont filed papers in federal court in New York to try to force Christie’s into arbitration over the cancellation. Dupont ... (Read More)

(Young Collectors)

What I Did on My Summer Vacation: A Tale of Engine Lathes and Tadpoles
by Hollie Davis and Andrew Richmond

The Young Collector What would summer camp for adults be like? Probably a lot like the annual Historical Ceramics Symposium, informally known as “Dish Camp,” at Eastfield Village in Nassau, New York—meaning people who share similar interests, time spent in nature, good food, and plenty of beer. After a scheduling conflict prevented ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Doyle Goes After Bidder and the Bank That Vouched for Him
by M.A.D. staff

William Doyle Galleries in New York City has filed suit against Brett Stettner, who was convicted of making false bids at several auction houses, and HSBC Bank USA, which Doyle claims vouched for Stettner. The case goes back to April 16, 2012, when Doyle held an antique watch and jewelry sale. ... (Read More)

(Book Review)

Books Received and a Film Reviewed
by M.A.D. Staff

These are brief reviews of books recently sent to us (and a review of a film about a folk artist). We have included ordering information for publishers that accept mail, phone, or online orders. For other publishers, your local bookstore or a mail-order house is the place to look. Howard Pyle, ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Gurleys to Launch New Show
by M.A.D. staff

Joshua and Rachel Gurley have announced plans to produce a new show, and there’s a built-in audience. The first Cornish Antique Show and Vintage Fair will take place on September 30 in Cornish, Maine—the same day as the 28th annual Cornish Apple Festival. “The Apple Festival is a well-established Maine tradition ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Exhibitions, August 2017
by M.A.D. staff

Maine Antique Digest includes, as space permits, brief announcements of exhibitions planned by galleries, museums, or other venues. We need all press materials at least six weeks in advance of opening. We need to know the hours and dates of the exhibit, admission charges, and phone number and website for ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Frick, Morgan, and Neue Galerie Offer Summer Connoisseur Pass
by M.A.D. staff

The Frick Collection, The Morgan Library & Museum, and Neue Galerie New York are offering a summer bargain—a connoisseur pass, a special $40 ticket that provides admission to all three New York City institutions until August 31. Tickets became available for purchase on site at each museum on July 1.  This ... (Read More)

(Fragment)

Overbeck Vase Brings $8750
by Don Johnson

A 12" high Overbeck art pottery vase sold for $8750 (no buyer’s premium charged) during a consignment auction of art and ceramics held by Walther & Hawkins Auctioneers at Richmond, Indiana, on June 15. The vase, which was the top lot of the day, featured carved panels of stylized birds ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Wally Bill Hedrick Paintings Lead at Potomack
by Walter C. Newman

The Potomack Company, Alexandria, Virginia Photos courtesy The Potomack Company The Potomack Company held its final sales of the spring season on June 10 and 13. The live sale of approximately 350 lots, offered at the firm’s gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, included an excellent mix across all traditional categories. An online-only sale ... (Read More)

(Auction)

The Marcy Carsey Collection Is Sold Online
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Lark Mason Associates, New Braunfels, Texas Photos courtesy iGavel Marcy Carsey is a television producer who with business partner Tom Werner produced The Cosby Show, A Different World, and Roseanne, among other big successes. She has been reaping huge profits on reruns ever since. Carsey discovered country furniture and folk art in ... (Read More)

(Auction)

American Art, Pennsylvania Impressionists
by Lita Solis-Cohen

Freeman’s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Photos courtesy Freeman’s More than 100 collectors came to Freeman’s sale of American paintings on June 4 in Philadelphia to bid on a good selection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and works by American artists active from 1850 to about 1950. With the exception of the failure of a large ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Chamberlain Collage Brings $72,000
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Tremont Auctions, Newton, Massachusetts Not quite two years old, Tremont Auctions, Newton, Massachusetts, knows how to put together a winning sale with few if any passes and a large percentage of lots selling above estimates, some well above estimates. The June 4 sale in the gallery drew a good crowd willing ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Audubon Birds Capture Top Billing at Thomaston
by Mark Sisco

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Thomaston, Maine At Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ auction June 2-4 in Thomaston, Maine, there were no hundred-grand rock stars, but there were plenty of lesser luminaries in the $10,000 to $40,000 range sprinkled throughout the three-day event. Listed as the “Moses-Torrey-Spear” bust portrait of George Washington, so named ... (Read More)

(Show)

A "Cool Show-- Rhinebeck Rocks"
by Fran Kramer

Antiques at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, New York The quoted praise in the title above is about as good as it gets, especially coming from a young exhibitor. An older member of the club said, “The best in every category of collecting is here.” Exhibitor Michael Friedman stated, “Terrific show, like the old ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Hartley Tops Art Auction
by Julie Schlenger Adell

Bonhams, New York City Photos courtesy Bonhams Marsden Hartley was hot at Bonhams’ American art auction on May 24. His 1930 oil Landscape No. 39 (Little River, New Hampshire), estimated at $400,000/600,000, attracted bids from two phone bidders who battled for it from the opening bid of $300,000 to the hammer price ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Rockwell
by Julie Schlenger Adell

Sotheby’s, New York City Photos courtesy Sotheby’s Sotheby’s spring sale of American art “was all about a Rockwell,” said a group of dealers and art advisors who sat through the afternoon sale on May 23. With a sale total of $33,109,125, almost half (or $14,975,000, including buyer’s premium) was generated by Norman ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Choice Connecticut Chest at Carlsen Gallery
by Jackie Sideli

Carlsen Gallery, Freehold, New York Photos courtesy Carlsen Gallery There was a big crowd for Carlsen Gallery’s spring auction on May 21 in Freehold, New York. “I thought it was pretty good,” said a pleased Russ Carlsen just after the auction. “There was very good interest throughout all areas—rugs, paintings, cut glass, ... (Read More)

(Show)

Fishersville Celebrates Its 60th Show
by Walter C. Newman

Shenandoah Antiques Expo, Fishersville, Virginia The weekend of May 19-21 marked the 60th edition of the Shenandoah Antiques Expo, held in Fishersville, Virginia. The biannual event has become an antiques mainstay in the mid-Atlantic region. Antiques dealers, collectors, decorators, and browsers all flock to the event. Patrons are assured of a ... (Read More)

(Show)

The Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show
by Danielle Arnet

Chicago, Illinois Within the past several years, Chicago collectors have suffered a double whammy of losing two major antiques shows. In 2014 the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show, a solid annual antiques and art fair (we had covered it since 2007), closed, and in early September 2016 the Chicago Botanic Garden ... (Read More)

(Auction)

An Artistic Spring in the Sales
by Karla Klein Albertson

New Orleans Auction Galleries, New Orleans, Louisiana Photos courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries Only a month after its fine art sale (see p. 32-C), New Orleans Auction Galleries (NOAG) presented its two-day May estates auction in a weighty catalog featuring over 1000 lots. All the firm’s estates auctions—March, May, July, October, and ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Inaugural Sale of Auction New England
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Auction New England, Manchester, New Hampshire All eyes were on Manchester, New Hampshire, for the May 20 inaugural sale of Auction New England, Jack O’Brien’s new auction gallery, where some 152 lots crossed the block. With one exception, a lion stoneware presentation jug, everything was fresh to market from long-term collections ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Skinner Fine Art
by Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo

Skinner, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts Photos courtesy Skinner A standing mobile by Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was untitled but garnered much interest and $267,000 (includes buyer’s premium) at Skinner’s May 19 American and European works of art sale in the Boston gallery. Bidding on the 3" tall mobile opened at $120,000 (est. $100,000/150,000) and ... (Read More)

(Issue Story)

Four Spring Jewelry Auctions
by Mary Ann Brown

Antique Jewelry & Gemology Photos courtesy Freeman’s, John Moran Auctioneers, Rago Arts, and Dupuis Fine Jewellery Vacation time while writing this column required e-mail correspondence and telephone interviews for the several sales in this month’s column, so thanks go to coauthors Virginia Salem of Freeman’s, Philadelphia; Mollie Burns Keith of John Moran ... (Read More)

(Auction)

World-Record Banner Sets the Tone at Americana and Political Sale
by Susan Emerson Nutter

Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas Photos courtesy Heritage Auctions The interest in politics and the political process is at an all-time high, undoubtedly fueled by the most recent United States presidential election and subsequent discourse concerning the new leaders. But then again, Monday-morning armchair quarterbacking has been going on for decades, even centuries, where ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Hunting Decoys from the Brown Collection
by Danielle Arnet

Guyette & Deeter, Inc., St. Charles, Illinois Midwestern and Canadian decoy enthusiasts had an extra treat when Guyette & Deeter, Inc. brought its 32nd annual spring auction to the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois, April 27 and 28. An annual get-together for collectors and sellers, held in conjunction with ... (Read More)

(Auction)

Two-Part Online Bottle Auction
by Don Johnson

American Bottle Auctions, Sacramento, California Photos courtesy American Bottle Auctions It was one of those quotes that a person might dismiss as mere platitude. “The future of the Western bottle world looks really bright and rosy,” said Jeff Wichmann, owner of American Bottle Auctions, Sacramento, California, following a two-part absentee sale ... (Read More)
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