FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2009

CONTACT: International Society of Appraisers
(312) 981-6778

ISA
Appraisal of Antiques and Residential Contents
October 1-6, 2009
Chicago, IL 60611

The International Society of Appraisers has the answer in its six day course “Appraisal of Antiques and Residential Contents.”

(Chicago, IL) The International Society of Appraisers will offer a course to help handle one of the knotty issues many families and estates face – the valuation of a household with the personal accumulation of a lifetime. “Appraisal of Antiques and Residential Content” will be offered only once this year from October 1 through October 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Chicago. The course will be taught by Karen Rabe, ISA, CAPP and David Mapes, ISA, CAPP, both of whom hold the highest rating awarded by the ISA.

This survey course will provide a broad overview of information and techniques necessary to properly identify and value items falling into the broad category of antiques and residential contents. Focus is on analysis of construction and manufacturing, discerning the difference between “good”, “better”, and “best” quality, design characteristics pertinent to general periods and styles; and research resources for the appraiser. Course sections include furniture, ceramics, glass, silver, toys and dolls, orientalia and vintage fashions as well as general household contents.

The course, which requires some pre-course reading and a written examination, includes an off-site field trip to Susanin’s Auctions for a hands on survey of selected furniture and will provide access to the International Antiques Fair of the Merchandise Mart for an overview.

The course will be conducted 8:00AM – 5:00PM beginning Thursday October 1 and will conclude at 12:00PM on Tuesday October 6. This challenging and hugely informative course will conclude with a written examination on the morning of the last class day.

Enrollment is available to all appraisers and other interested parties. The course provides 45 ISA Professional Development Credits that may transferable to other appraisal organizations. Appraisal of Antiques and Residential Contents is being offered only once this year and class size is limited. Early registration is encouraged. Cost of the course is $1,200 for ISA members and $1,470 for non-members. Registration deadline is September 28. Registration is available online at http://www.isa-appraisers.org/ISA%202009%20Course%20Registration%20Form.pdf or through the ISA office main office at (312) 891-6778.

Site of the course is the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown, 10 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, phone (312) 595-0000. A group discount rate is available through ISA for accommodations at the Hilton. For more information contact the International Society of Appraisers, 737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2100, Chicago IL 60611, phone (312) 981-6778, fax (312) 981-6787, email isa@isa-appraisers.org, website www.isa-appraisers.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2009

CONTACT: International Society of Appraisers

                     (312) 981-6778

ISA

Appraisal of Fine Art

September 10, 2009

Chicago, IL 60611

The course will provide 45 International Society of Appraisers Professional Development Credits.

(Chicago, IL) – The International Society of Appraisers, based in Chicago, will offer a six day course entitled “Appraisal of Fine Art” in Chicago September 10-15. Geared for the professional appraiser and the advanced soon to be appraiser, the course, a credited course for ISA members, will be taught by Cathy Peters, ISA who is a professional appraiser and is certified in Fine Arts Appraisal with a background in History and Art History. This is an excellent opportunity for appraisers to increase their knowledge of Fine Art appraising and expand their reach in the appraisal marketplace. 

This wide ranging and in-depth course will emphasize the primary categories of fine art frequently encountered by appraisers and dealers such as paintings, sculpture, works on paper, frames, photography, animation art, Russian icons and Spanish Colonial art. The major areas of focus will be art history, looking at artworks properly, identifying and researching fine art works, properly  describing art works, correctly employing specific vocabulary, and art conservation.

The course will encompass  required pre-course reading and in addition to the class room instruction will include a written assignment and a field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago to provide students with close exposure to the property categories being studied. This challenging and hugely informative course will conclude with a written examination on the afternoon of the last class day.

The course will be conducted 8:00AM – 5:00PM beginning Thursday September 10 and will conclude at 4:30PM on Tuesday September 15. Enrollment is available to all appraisers and those interested in becoming appraisers. The course provides 45 ISA Professional Development Credits that may transferable to other appraisal organizations. Appraisal of Fine Art is being offered only once this year and class size is limited. Early registration is encouraged. Cost of the course is $1,200 for ISA members and $1,470 for non-members. Registration deadline is September 7. Registration is available online at http://www.isa-appraisers.org/ISA%202009%20Course%20Registration%20Form.pdf or through the ISA office main office at (312) 891-6778.

Site of the course is the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown, 10 E. Grand Ave., Chicago (312) 595-0000. A group discount rate is available through ISA for accommodations at the Hilton. For more information contact the International Society of Appraisers, 737 N. Michigan Ave.,  Suite 2100, Chicago IL 60611, phone (312) 981-6778, fax (312) 981-6787, email isa@isa-appraisers.org, website www.isa.appraisers.org.

ISA will offer a six day course entitled “Appraisal of Antiques and Residential Content” October 1 – October 6, also in Chicago at the Hilton. Contact the ISA office at (312) 981-6778 or visit the registration website at http://www.isa-appraisers.org/ISA%202009%20Course%20Registration%20Form.pdf for more information.

written by:

Fred Taylor

http://furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 21, 2009

CONTACT: Greg Farner

                     (727) 548-9303

BAY AREA AUCTION SERVICES

Sale September 15, 2009

Pinellas Park, FL

This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire vintage fire trucks and memorabilia at live public auction with no reserve.

(Pinellas Park, FL) – Bay Area Auction Services of Pinellas Park, FL will hold a no reserve sale of 132 lots from the Kids Firehouse Museum in Largo, FL on September 15, 2009.

The 9,000 square foot Museum was established in 1994 with the goal of teaching young children the basics of fire safety and prevention in an age-appropriate and fun setting with donations benefiting the “Missing Children’s Awareness Foundation.”  Over the years the Museum has acquired an impressive array of firefighting equipment and accessories. The main pieces of firefighting equipment range from the oldest piece in the inventory, an 1875 hand drawn water cannon with hose reel and nozzle from the Boston Fire Department, to a 1965 Ford 1000 Gallon Pumper. The oldest truck in the Museum is a 1924 American La France Pumper with original ladders and toolbox. This chain driven venerable old fire horse last saw service in the Palmetto, FL Fire Department.

Other major pieces of equipment include a 1941 Pirsch Pumper made by Chevrolet donated by the Crestview, FL Fire Department in 1993. This was one of the few fire engines made at the beginning of World War II. It has the original wooden ladders and 113,000 brave miles. A 1950 American International L-185 was donated to the Museum in 1994 by Metal Industries of Clearwater, FL. It had been discovered sitting in a field in northern Florida. A 1951 Seagrave 400B-750 Pumper from Concord, NC comes with a 150 foot brush fire hose and foam firefighting unit along with it dual ignition, twelve cylinder power plant.

A 1954 American La France Hook and Ladder truck, last used by the Indian Rocks, FL Fire Department, has been modified by the Museum for use as workhorse capable of towing any of the other trucks in the Museum. A 1956 Ford Big Job F-750 Pumper from Live Oak, FL served double duty as both a pumper and a hook and ladder. It is fitted with four types of hoses, suction with strainer, 100 ft reel hose, 100 foot fire hose and 50 foot hydrant hose and a Hale pump. A 1956 Pirsch Pumper from Lakeland, FL can pump 1,000 gallons a minute and its 33,000 miles have been powered by a twelve cylinder motor. A 1958 American La France Pumper from Clearwater was one of the first to have an enclosed cab  for the firemen’s safety while en route. A 1958 Seagrave Bullet Nose Hook & Ladder, also from Clearwater, is the biggest truck in the Museum and requires two drivers to maneuver in city streets. The sale also includes a 1966 Ford 750 BIS Tub Pumper. All trucks were in running condition when staged for Museum exhibition in 1995 with fluids drained and batteries removed per insurance requirements. 

Other items in the sale inventory (many vintage) include an Atlas Life saving Jump net, a large variety of metal and cast fire truck toys, vintage fire hats, fire suits, hydrants and a large selection of vintage equipment including nozzles, alarm pulls, bells, telegraph station, patches, pins and belt buckles.

The sale will be held beginning at 10:00AM Tuesday September 15. Preview is available Monday September 14 1:00-4:00PM and sale day beginning at 8:00AM at the Museum location at 1094 95th St N., Largo, FL 34643. The trucks and select items of the memorabilia will be available for live online bidding at www.baaslive.com. For more information visit the Bay Area Auction services website at http://bayareaauctionservices.com/09-15-09.htm, email bayareaauction@verizon.net or call Bay Area at (727) 548-9303 or (800) 452-3905.    

written by:

Fred Taylor

http://www.furnituredetective.com/

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS

The oldest engine in the sale is this 1924 American la France Pumper.

This hand drawn water cannon, circa 1875, came from the Boston fire Department.

This 1956 Ford F750 Pumper 302, V-8 with 4 speed transmission came from Live Oak, FL

This is a 1941 Pirsch Pumper made by Chevrolet.

 The biggest truck in the sale is this 1958 Seagrave Hook & Ladder from Clearwater, FL

I am amazed that the auction houses never thought that the public would wake up. I believe that they, the Auction Houses, thought they could become partners with their sellers and receive in some cases more of the money than the sellers from items sold, that they had no investment in. I thought that all they were supposed to be doing was providing a service, didn’t you?

All this seems to be coming to an end and maybe I will be able again to recommend to my readers that they should gently test the waters to see if the auction houses want their items for sale. Some of the largest houses were startled because they weren’t receiving enough items for their sales to make it worth while to conduct them. The offerings also seem to be lacking in quality so I am sure that some houses are taking a beating as far as profitability of their sales go.

What allows me to make these statements, you ask? Well, I am receiving phone calls, emails and flyers from the auction houses, offering to sell items for me at commissions that one year ago would have been unthinkable. Just today I received an invitation to consign items at no commission if their value was $15,000, 5% if the price was over $5000 and 10% over $1000. This tells me that they are desperate for consignments. Finally the public realized that they were the ones who owned the merchandise they were selling, not the auction houses, and if they were only going to receive 50% of the selling price of their treasures, they would just keep them. You watch. This trend is just beginning. It will never get back to the 5% where it was when I began in this business but it will be a lot closer to that than 50%.

One of the first things that I try to teach new readers is that the market will always correct anything that go too far afield and the commissions of the auction houses had done just that. I am not anti auctions, quite the opposite, but they need to realize the public is paying for a service. In fact I have often stated that the auctions and the internet will be the only ways of selling merchandise in the future other than taking items directly to the collector, but auctions with no consignments aren’t auctions.

If you consider selling any treasures at auction today, be sure that you receive a commission rate that is fair to you and is a service fee, not a shared profit. Another fact that most forget is that the auction houses don’t share in the cost of the treasures they sell. If you paid $250 for an item that sells for $1000, with the buyers and sellers commissions, the auction house makes $500 while you have just doubled your $250 investment, making only $250. The auction house makes twice what you do while you’re the one spending the long hours in the search so even the cost of an item doesn’t entirely cover your expenses. Yes the auction house does have expenses but nothing like those of the seller.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com.

We buy quality paintings, glass, pottery & porcelain-singles or collections. Contact us at 847.784.8544 or email us here.

AFFORDABLE AUCTION OF RARE VINTAGE POSTERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEW YORK CITY – On Thursday, September 10, Posters Please will offer more than 300 lots of rare, vintage posters in its recession-friendly sale, Posters 101. Aimed at attracting first-time buyers and novice poster-enthusiasts, as well as their already-established loyal poster following, this sale showcases graphically-dynamic vintage posters spanning all eras and styles.

From the Art Nouveau masterpieces of Alphonse Mucha and Jules Cheret to the strong Art Deco designs of A.M. Cassandre and Paul Colin; from ‘Mad Men’ era retro kitsch to contemporary rock and roll, this sale has something for everyone. Exotic travel destinations, cabaret singers, long-forgotten consumer products, jazz legends, circus performers, political causes, bicycles, aviation, magic acts, and high fashion are but some of the categories featured in this sale.

Special sections are also dedicated to key artists, including the modern masters Michael Mathias Prechtl, Gunther Kieser, and Celestinon Piatti. Also highlighted are rare Silent Film posters and the ever-vibrant 1960s & 70s posters for the Polish Circus.

As its title indicates, this sale is the ideal primer for the new collector, offering high-quality, historically valuable posters at exceptionally affordable prices. Unlike other auctions, there is no buyer’s premium in this sale—what you bid is what you pay, and with exceptionally low starting bids and next-to-nothing reserves, we hope everyone will look upon this sale as the premier entryway into the exciting world of vintage poster collecting.

The posters will be on view in the gallery daily, from August 27 through September 9. It is FREE and open to the public. The catalogue is also available online at www.postersplease.com. All items will go up for auction at 5:30 pm on Thursday, September 10.

For over 30 years, Posters Please has been the world’s preeminent retailer for rare, vintage posters. The offices and showroom are located at 601 W. 26th Street in New York City. For information: www.postersplease.com or contact Angelina Lippert at 212-787-4000

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2009CONTACT: BRIAN KOGAN
(561) 805-7115

AUCTION GALLERY OF THE PALM BEACHES
Sale August 24, 2009
West Palm Beach, FL

LOCAL PALM BEACH ESTATE TO CROSS THE BLOCK AT AUCTION GALLERY OF THE PALM BEACHES

The estate of local philanthropist Robert Cummings will be offered by Auction Gallery of the Palm beaches on August 24.

(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches upcoming August 24th auction features three estates from Palm Beach and the Palm Beaches including the Estate of Robert Cummings, collector and local philanthropist. His estate is primarily English Furniture, Georgian Silver, and additional Asian Porcelain and Antiques. Specifically the Pair of Late18th/Early19th Century English Green Chinoiserie Bookcases on Stands, most desirable for there being a pair and smashing to look at. Also, there is a well documented Ancient Palmyran Carved Limestone Relief dated 96 A.D. with a certificate and receipt from Antiquarium in New York

Additionally, there is a significant collection of 18th Century Georgian Silver pieces, Chinese 18th/19th Century porcelains, a nice set of 4 Italian armchairs, an English Regency double music stand, Two fine English 19th Century Pembroke tables, and a pair of 19th Century Adams Candleholders. Additional lots are from a home in Boca West that includes Fine Art, Fine Silver, and several sets of China and Service Plates and a drawing by American Artist Marsden Hartley dated 1927 and inspired by the work of Claude Pissarro with the Hirsch and Adler Provenance. The Estate of Ruth Leigh, Devonshire, Palm Beach Gardens, includes 18th Century French Provincial Furniture.

The sale will be carried live online for viewing and bidding on ArtFact.com. The preview for the auction will begin on-line August 15th and will also be on view in the gallery from August 21st to the 24th. For more information about this sale and other upcoming sales call (561) 805-7115, email info@agopb.com or visit the website at www.agopb.com. The Gallery is located at 1609 South Dixie Hwy, Suite 5, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401.

“The Hated Man” – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectible Blog – George Bush.

George Bush – Thanks to UNC.EDU

History’s view of George Bush may be changing for the better. I have been interested in politics since I was a very young person. My first real interest was when I thought that Adlai Stevenson should have been President in 1952. My biggest disappointment in politics was Barry Goldwater’s defeat in 1964. Nixon’s mistake was defending his friends before the evidence was in so he paid the penalty for his errors. Then came, the man whom I believe saved this country from itself, the great communicator, Ronald Reagan. I have remained a Republican most of my adult life and a true blue conservative, of which I am proud. I believe in capitalism and that charity is a gift, not a way of life. You should work your way off welfare and not let it be your sole means of support for a life time. These pretty well describe Daryle Lambert and I believe it might be too late to teach this old dog new tricks.

Now we can discuss, “The most hated man of this century, George Bush.” I happen to believe he was a fair President, not great, but he did keep us safe for his two terms in office even though he let Congress get spending out of control. (You do realize that Congress does the spending, don’t you?) The country, however, was looking for change at any cost and Obama was elected because of this dislike for Bush, even though Bush wasn’t running for office. Well, we got the change and now I sense that a lot of people don’t agree with or like that change. Obama’s popularity is sinking faster than the Titanic. I believe that George Bush is beginning to sound better to many people and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues.

If this is a trend then it is time to take notice of any George Bush memorabilia that you run across. I have noticed that items with his signature on them, that a few months ago you could have purchased for just a few bucks, are now bringing over $200 on eBay. Also special items might command a few thousand if you are fortunate enough to find them . It is early in this trend but keep your eyes open as the rebellion to Obama’s plans increase. If he continues to attack the American public because they are exercising their free speech, this will come back to bite him. Another mistake that he is making now is calling out the unions and Acorn to police the town hall meetings for him. Shutting down free speech won’t be tolerated long in this great country and the ballot box will show it if this continues. Obama is my president and I feel that he has the right to suggest polices but if the public rejects them it is time to move on.

All said and done these controversies will only help in the recovery of George Bush’s reputation and any thing connected to him will increase in value.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com.For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com.

We buy quality paintings, glass, pottery & porcelain-singles or collections. Contact us at 847.784.8544 or email us here

Lalique Glass has been one of my favorites for many years but that interest has primarily been the older pieces and ones by Rene Lalique. However, that isn’t what I would like to write about today. You see, we as dealers, should always be on the lookout for trend changes and I think that there is a trend change in Lalique.

It may be taking place right under our noses without us even realizing it. Your question should be, “Why do you say that?” The reason is that I received a call from a wonderful lady who had many items to sell, one of which was a beautiful Lalique Mossi vase. What really caught my attention was a Harvey Joiner painting, but there were several other items that should be researched as well. I started with the Lalique

Checking my regular sources, I found that the retail was about $2850. This piece was being discounted to $1500 so I figured that a fair offer would be about $700 for a buyer. This is when I decided to check eBay and found one that had 3 bids with 4 days to go selling at $700. This surprised me because for the last year I have been able to purchase items in the price range of $2500 to $3500 for as little as $200 and at most $400. The Direct Auction sale has sold many large Lalique pieces for under $500. So what does this tell us? The percentage of retail that the individual buyers are paying today is going up. This is the positive trend that we should be observing and we should adjust our prices accordingly.

It looks as if our 25% rule is beginning to fit the market place and this is very good news. I believe that you will see this same trend begin to surface in other markets as well and the buyers will be searching for the items that we have been able to buy at the lower prices when we were the only bidders. I have been asking the members of the Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectible Club to invest in inventory now without hesitation. Strike while the market is heating up and you will find that most dealers will still be waiting for the other shoe to fall. By the time they decide the trend has changed, you will have pocketed all the goodies.

Remember in the Bible when the three men were given money to invest? What happened to the them? The first invested wisely, as did the second, but the third buried his so that it wouldn’t be lost. When the master returned he rewarded the first two but took the money from the third and divided it between the others. I believe you understand the moral of this story. In my opinion, it is time to invest.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com.For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com.

We buy quality paintings, glass, pottery & porcelain-singles or collections. Contact us at 847.784.8544 or email us here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2009

 Contact:  Brian Kogan (561) 805-7115

AUCTION GALLERY OF THE PALM BEACHES

Sales of April 20, June 1 and July 13, 209

West Palm Beach, FL

Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches put three Spring art and antiques sales back to back to back with outstanding results.

(West Palm Beach, FL) A large ivory collection from a Miami doctor, the result of a thirty year collecting effort, provided the backbone of the June 1 and July 13 sales at Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, FL. Auction owner Brian Kogan reported brisk sales to numerous Asian collectors with significant online results through Artfact.com.

The June 1 Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches Sixth Anniversary sale saw a 5 ? in tall Chinese ivory pot brush carved in high relief with elders and attendants climbing rockery with plants and a giant tree, estimated at $800-$1000, close at $1,400. That was followed by a well carved large ivory Rat Zodiac, Chinese, 20th century, signed. The central seated large rat was surrounded by the rest of the figures of the zodiac in high relief. The 4?in tall figure, estimated at $600-$700 brought a pleasant closing bid of $1,600 and a group of four carved ivory figures, Chinese, depicting three boys and an elder, all wearing tunics and pants, mounted on wood bases, estimated at $400-$500, sold for $1,500.
From the same collection in the July 13 sale, a fine pair of carved ivory birds, Chinese, late 19th century, with well detailed birds perched on a pine tree branch, 7?in H, with carved wood stands brought $2,880, a well carved ivory figure of Shan Lao, Chinese, 19th Century, the immortal with elongated head and flowing beard, wearing a long robe, holding a gnarled staff and a peach, flanked by a crane, made $2,150 and a fine ivory concentric ball and stand, Chinese circa 1850, containing approximately twelve inner loose balls with pierced trellis design, supported by the stand with a standing boy holding a peach below also sold for $2,150.

In the art category the big lot of the April sale was a pair of works by Joseph Groupy (French. 1689-1769), the “Sacrifice of Lystra” and “The Charge to Saint Peter”, after Raphael’s Tapestry Cartoons, gouache on vellum laid down, each measuring 8¼ by 12¾in, framed. Estimated at $1,000-$1,500 the pair sold for $4,750. In the June sale the top art lot was a Royal Berlin (KPM) porcelain plaque, German, late 19th Century, impressed KPM, scepter mark and “H,” of a young beauty in an interior wearing a red dress feeding birds perched on a rod. The 19 by 11½in plaque in a gilt frame sold for $12,000 to a dealer from Dade County, FL. It was followed by a pair of oil on board works called “Venetian Views” by Edward Pritchett (English. 1828-1864), each measuring 7 by 8½in. The pair brought $8,500. The July 13 event boasted an abstarct work by Earl Reiback (American 1948-2006) called “Looking Glass,” a 33¾in circular infinity mirror originally acquired directly from the artist. Estimated at $600-$800, it sold for a surprising bid of $3,600.

But the big hitter of all three sales resulted from a cold call to the Gallery prior to the April sale. A lady wanted to be sure she had the right opinion on her diamond ring. Auction owner Kogan invited the caller to visit the gallery and meet with a gemologist who identified it as a pear shaped diamond in a platinum ring weighing approximately 12.40 carats, J-K color, SI 1 clarity, flanked by two baquettes weighing approximately 1.30 carats of G-H color and VS clarity. Satisfied the lady consigned the ring for sale in the April auction. On sale day a local phone bidder outlasted three other phone bidders and two gallery bidders with the winning bid of $75,000, within the original estimate.
Kogan said “Big stone with a big price in hard times. Go figure.”

For more information about these sales and upcoming sales call (561) 805-7115, email info@agopb.com or visit the website at www.agopb.com. The Gallery is located at 1609 South Dixie Hwy, Suite 5, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401.