Innehållsförteckning för January 29 2020 från Kovels Antique Trader

I SUGGESTED A seatbelt. But nobody listens to me except my dog, Henry. And even that’s a sometimes deal usually involving a treat. Nonetheless, I’m happy to report that Eric Bradley was not hurt when he fell off his chair. When you’re involved with all the neat stuff that comes through the door at Heritage Auctions, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get knocked off your seat every once in a while. It’s a professional hazard that goes with being the public relations director at the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Bradley was sent for a loop when he heard Heritage had secured an exclusive agreement with Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, to auction the artist’s entire archive of roughly 11,000 daily and Sunday original comic strip art. Like hundreds…

An important Tiffany dragonfly lamp, a bronze figural, a Baccarat perfume bottle designed by Salvador Dali and more were among the top lots at various recent auctions:…

NEW YORK — These days, much of the art world revolves around the art fair scene … it’s estimated there were more than 300 art fairs that took place in 2019, with thousands of international galleries participating. Think about that: There are only 52 weekends in a year, so that’s an average of around six fairs a week globally. Further, the hype machine is usually out in full force helping to generate absurd headlines in the likes of “Banana Sells for $120K,” which only fuels the hysteria. But it wasn't always like this. It's estimated that in 2000, there were less than 60 art fairs, one of those being the Los Angeles Art Show. The inaugural year of the LA Art Show in 1994 was hosted by just 14 fine…

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – An apparent joy ride caused damage to an antiques shop after the car crashed through the storefront recently. Bob Kolatac, the owner of Antiques and Things in St. Augustine, Fla., told News4Jax that he learned of the crash about 3:30 a.m. and when he arrived at his store about 10 minutes later, police were still at the scene, but the vehicle was already gone. “They said it was a kid’s joy ride and they couldn’t negotiate the turn down this street here and went into this building,” Kolatac said. “They were coming down here and the police were following them and they saw the police and they stepped on the gas. It was a 14- or 15-year-old kid. Nobody got hurt, and they caught the kids…

Even if you don’t know his name, chances are you will recognize the unmistakable style of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha: beautiful women with long, thick tendrils of hair dressed in flowing gowns and surrounded by flowers (most often also adorning their hair) and other decorative botanical motifs done in soft, delicate shades of gold, green, ochre and peach. Mucha first found fame with his revolutionary poster designs and was instrumental in popularizing the Art Nouveau aesthetic, called “Le Style Mucha” by many. His influence in the art world is still felt today and his posters and other artwork sell at auction from four to six figures. After moving to Paris in 1887 and toiling in obscurity for the next eight years, Mucha’s big break came via a favor and a…

Send your questions and photos via e-mail to AskAT@aimmedia.com, or mail to Antique Trader Q&A, 5225 Joerns Drive, Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Photos sent by e-mail should be 200 dpi or larger. Appraisals are personal opinions of value and are to be considered for entertainment purposes only. The values are estimated and are not to be used for any other purpose, either legal or personal. Personal replies are not possible. A.I.A. “Certified” Appraiser Susan Mullikin, owner of Mother and Daughter Vintage Clothing and Antiques is an honors graduate of the Asheford Institute of Antiques. For the last 25 years she has specialized in assisting clients across the U.S. in regards to fine antique garments, textiles, and ladies accessories. She provides conservation, restoration and appraisal services.…

A perilous mindset has trickled into the antiques business in the past few years: it’s that the business has fallen on tough times and prices are tanking. A recent article in the Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun illustrates this mindset. The headline reads: “Where is the antiques market going? Expect lower prices, Palm Springs dealer says.” The article continues: “It’s hardly a secret that the antique and collectibles market is mired in a down cycle. Antique shows are smaller, dealers are fewer and prices are lower. It’s a good time for buyers, if not necessarily for sellers.” That would be scary if it were true. But it’s not. Here are the facts: In the U.S., consumer spending is up, and spending on antiques and collectibles is up. In June 2019,…

To list your antiques-related event (show, auction, convention, etc.) for free in Antique Trader, send event information (date, location, contact information, times) at least six weeks in advance to: AT Calendars, C/O Antique Trader Editors, 5225 Joerns Dr., Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481 or email to ATNews@aimmedia.com. Listings will be included on a space available basis. Antique Trader assumes no responsibility for any show not listed. ARKANSAS Ongoing, Rogers. Outside the Box NWA, 1225 W Hudson Rd., Rogers, AR 72756; 479-631-8974; www.outsidetheboxnwa.com. Indoor flea market, 30,000 sq. ft., 100+ vendors, antiques, collectibles, general merchandise. SH: M-Th 10am-5pm; Fri-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 12-6pm CALIFORNIA Ongoing: every first Sunday of the month, Alameda. Alameda Point Antiques Faire. Mar 13-14, 2020 Alameda. Alameda Vintage Fashion Faire. Mar 14-15, 2020 Bakersfield. 49th annual Antiques…

Most well-known today for his series of serene water lilies paintings, 19th century Impressionist Claude Monet was a groundbreaking tour de force in the development of expressive art. Throughout his long life (1840-1926) Monet would progress from drawing amusing caricatures of friends to capturing the elusive nuances of natural scenes in various attitudes of light and color. Monet is regarded as the founder of Impressionism and was an active proponent of the movement’s philosophy of plein-air painting – the act of painting outdoors. Throughout his career, he completed several pivotal paintings series – including Haystacks, Rouen Cathedral and Water Lilies – in which he captured the same scene throughout the changing of light of days and seasons. Born Oscar-Claude Monet in Paris in 1840, Monet’s family moved to Le Havre…

Superior quality and exceptional rarity dominated the U.S. coin auction market in 2019, with hundreds of record prices realized, according to a year-end review by the Professional Numismatics Guild (PNG). More than $325 million was realized during major auctions of rare U.S. coins last year, down from $345 million in 2018 but higher than $316 million in 2017, according to PNG. Six U.S. coins sold for $1 million or more during the year, five at auction and one by private transaction. Although sales of paper money were not included in the aggregate auction total, three rare U.S. bank notes sold for $1 million or more at public auction in 2019. “The coin market overall seems very healthy,” PNG President Richard Weaver said. “As in past years, fresh ‘quality’ coins coming…

SACRAMENTO, CA – A 150-year-old blue Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters bottle, so rare that for years many doubted its existence, has sold for a staggering $155,000 — tens of thousands more than its estimate of $75,000-$100,000. The sale was part of the first auction of the Ken Fee collection of mostly Western bitters bottles, held recently by American Bottle Auctions. Part 2 will be online February 14 through February 23. What made the Cassin’s Grape Brandy Bitters so desirable to bidders was its bluish-teal color, which many bottle collectors, even seasoned pros, had never seen and were skeptical even existed. “No one had seen Ken Fee’s collection of over 300 bottles in four decades,” said Jeff Wichmann of American Bottle Auctions. “It only came to light following his death in…

Millions of people were inflicted with Rubik-mania in 1980 after the Rubik’s Cube hit toy shelves. Invented by famed Hungarian professor Ernõ Rubik in 1974, it was mass-produced by Ideal Toys. The 3- x 3- x 3-inch cube is the top-selling puzzle game of all time, shipping over 350 million units worldwide since its inception in 1980. What once was a mere fad has become an indelible part of pop culture, with modern-day speed cubing tournaments achieving worldwide recognition. People all over boasted about their skills in solving the puzzle and correctly lining up the blue, green, orange, red, white, and yellow stickers, while the brainteaser was a pain for others who couldn’t quite get it. But there was, of course, the option of simply cheating and peeling the stickers…