Antique Trader Blog

Free admission to antique show

Karen — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:23:46 GMT

I received this e-mail this morning for free admission to the Historic Alexandria Antiques Show.

It says pass along to a friend ... I'm going to pass it on to many — all of you! (Hey, it's worth a try, right?)

Click Here for Free Admission to the Historic Alexandria Antiques Show

This year's Historic Alexandria Antiques Show brings together 30 top-ranking antiques, fine art and jewelry dealers from around the US and abroad. You'll discover thousands of pieces of period furniture, paintings, prints, folk art, tapestries, textiles, carpets, lamps, ceramics, glass, jewelry and unusual decorative accessories, every one backed by a guarantee of authenticity.

The show takes place November 13-15 at the Holiday Inn Historic District. Hours of the show are Friday, November 13, 11 am-8 pm; Saturday, November 14, 11 am-6 pm; and Sunday, November 15, 12 noon-5 pm.

You and a companion can enter the show free of charge. Simply click here to print out your free pass. And be sure to forward this message to a friend!

Visitors to this year's Historic Alexandria Antiques Show can also receive free verbal appraisals of their treasures by antiques expert and professional appraiser Todd Peenstra.  Verbal appraisals will be limited to two items per visitor. It's a great chance to learn if you have hidden wealth.

The Holiday Inn Historic District is located at 625 First Street. Free parking is available. For more information and directions, click here.

Proceeds from the show benefit the Historic Alexandria Foundation.  Separate tickets are required for the preview party, November 12, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm, and for all other special events. More information is available at 703.549.5811.

— Posted by Karen

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Nov. 7 LA gallery event to benefit Linda Blair's animal rescue charity

Karen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:14:52 GMT

LOS ANGELES - On Saturday, Nov. 7, Gallery Brown and internationally acclaimed pop artist Steve Kaufman will present "Art Goes To The Dogs," a benefit for film star Linda Blair's animal rescue charity, the World Heart Foundation. Blair will be present at the event, which will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the gallery, located at 140 South Orlando Ave., Los Angeles.

Steve Kaufman, "the former assistant to Andy Warhol," will feature all his colorful images including Marilyn, The Rat Pack and Michael Jackson, plus homages to Lichtenstein, Picasso, Dali and van Gogh. See these famous icons come alive on canvas.

The Linda Blair World Heart Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused animals from the harsh streets of the Los Angeles area and the overcrowded and overwhelmed city and county animal shelters.

The fundraiser is open to all, and there is no charge to attend. The evening starts with complimentary valet parking, followed by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction that will feature Steve Kaufman's 36-inch-tall RCA Dog, one of a limited edition of 20. Additionally, 10% of all show sales will go directly to the Linda Blair World Heart Foundation.

LA art fans won't want to miss this exciting opportunity to meet both Steve Kaufman and Linda Blair on Saturday, Nov. 7. For further information, call 323-651-1956 or visit the gallery's Web site: http://gallerybrown.com.

Visit Linda Blair's World Heart Foundation online at www.lindablairworldheart.org.

Haunted antiques anyone?

Karen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:21:02 GMT

Billy Bob Thornton avoids antiques because he believes they're haunted. How about you?

Do you own a haunted antique?

Do you have a piece of antique furniture in your house that isn’t...quite right?

Something you believe might be haunted?

If so, we want to hear your story.

Tell us what’s happening: Why do you think your furniture is haunted?

What started happening when you brought the item your home?

Does the piece have a history that leads you to believe it might be possessed?

Send your story to hauntedfurniture@gmail.com. Please include your name, state, email address and phone number.

(Photo courtesy Rare Victorian)

— Posted by Karen

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Question of the Week: Is it time to REALLY celebrate antiques?

Karen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:52:08 GMT

What do you think?

Do you think it’s time America develops a National Antique Week such as it is in England, Nov. 23-30?

Send your replies to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or to Letters to the Editor, c/o Antique Trader, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54945. Or post a message here on the Antique Trader blog or HERE on the Antique Trader message boards.

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History's Jackpot: A great place to start

Karen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:27:10 GMT

I had the chance to read Craig Gottlieb's History’s Jackpot, Investing in Antique Collectibles over the weekend.

It's a brand new book that just came out in October, and Mr. Gottlieb has chosen to use Antique Trader to help get the word out, making him a valuable supporter for Antique Trader and AntiqueTrader.com.

I'm glad I read it. It has a lot of valuable information and advice about buying antique collectibles that will not only hold their value, but will increase with value over time.

[Read the full book review here.]

Just as important as being able to pick those items that will increase in value over time is knowing which items to stay away from. Mr. Gottlieb – and others – recommend you stay away from manufactured collectibles if you would like to recoup your investment. If you're buying that Franklin Mint plate because it speaks to you and you plan to treasure it for years, that's fine. Buy it and enjoy it. But even years down the line, you or your heirs probably won't be able to sell it for what you paid for it.

I found it to be valuable reading.

— Posted by Karen

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Halloween features: oldies but still goodies

Karen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:16:12 GMT

Here are some classic Antique Trader Halloween features to help get you in the Halloween "spirit."

* Bite into Halloween postcards

* Frankenstein in the Modern Era

* Vintage Halloween postcards

* The treats of trick-or-treat time

* Postcards that go bump in the night

* Spooky delights: Halloween collectibles

* Economy may boost vintage Halloween collectibles

* Black postcards provide another, more rare, Halloween topic

My favorite is the "Postcards that go bump in the night" feature ... the real photo postcard of the mummy is so fascinatingly creepy.

Do you have a favorite?

— Posted by Karen

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What's your favorite holiday?

Karen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:26:55 GMT

"What's your favorite holiday?"

My daughter asks me this as each and every holiday approaches. I'll bet I've heard it at least nine times in the past two weeks.

Of course, right now, Halloween is her favorite holiday. I have to admit, it ranks right up there with me, too. I remember donning a costume with a mask I couldn't see out of and trick-or-treating with my brothers while my mother followed behind us with the family car.

It was just as difficult for us — as it is for children today — to wait until we got home to delve into our bags of treats. I enjoy Halloween now for the decorations and the fun-spirited novelty rather than for the edible treats.

It's always fun to see those houses with lights and decorations in every window, cobwebs and skeletons dangling in trees, tombstones and caskets propped in yards.

I can only imagine what decor lies behind those closed doors.

It would only make sense that some of them are vintage, as we usually don't purge our holiday decor very often.

C. Dianne Zweig, the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes and editor of Iantiqueonline.com, has a great blog entry on Halloween and Halloween collectibles.

Read her blog entry HERE.

Have a spooktacular time!

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Question of the Week: What holds you back?

Karen — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:38:12 GMT

Many auction houses have an online bidding component that allows you to participate no matter where you live, opening the possibility of purchasing antiques and collectibles that otherwise might not be available in your region.

Have you ever taken advantage of an auction house's online bidding opportunity? If not, what reservations do you have that are holding you back?

E-mail your replies to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or send your replies to Antique Trader Letters to the Editor, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54945.

Or you can post your replies right here on the Antique Trader blog, or HERE on the Antique Trader message boards.

The end is near ...

Karen — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:06:41 GMT

.. the end of the Antique Trader October Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes, that is.

You have until Midnight Oct. 31 to enter for your chance to win Woodstock: Peace, Music & Memories.

Make the most of the time that's left: come back and enter once each day! Visit http://sweepstakes.antiquetrader.com (or click on the banner above) and fill out the entry form for your chance to win the October Antique Trader sweepstakes.

Then, in November, come back and enter the Antique Trader sweepstakes for your chance to win Todd L. Shulman's Napa County from the Postcard History Series, as well as the companion Napa County postcards from Arcadia Publishing.(www.arcadiapublishing.com).

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Dec. 12 sale features the lifetime metal mesh, vintage celebrity couture collection of Dennis & Terri LaMothe

Karen — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:41:00 GMT

IOLA, Wis. – Collect.com Auctions will present more than 400 lots of the Dennis & Terri LaMothe metal mesh collection in an Internet, absentee and phone auction closing Dec. 12. The LaMothe Collection is the largest assortment of metal mesh – mostly produced by Massachusetts’ famous Whiting & Davis Co. – ever to come to auction. It includes classic mesh handbags and iconic celebrity memorabilia from Cher and Lisa Hartman Black.

Lifetime collectors, the LaMothes spared no expense in building their comprehensive collection of metal mesh. “We did all kinds of crazy things,” said Dennis. “We started buying collections here and there — amassing them. We like to joke that our kids grew up at the auctions because we were there three, four, five times a week.” Added Terri: “Our one rule: They had to be in the best condition we could afford. We didn’t buy just to buy. We bought the very best and traded up.”

Throughout the better part of their married lives the two were well known as powerful, committed buyers. At one time the two employed between 20 and 30 pickers to scour the nation’s auctions, antiques shows and private collections for the best examples of Whiting & Davis, Mandalian Co. and other dazzling antique and vintage mesh handbags.

“This collection is just stunning in so many ways,” said Steve Bloedow, director of Collect.com Auctions. “The quality, the quantity, the variety — you just don’t find collections like this. With so many lots available during the online bidding, there is something for every collector — from jewelry to fashion, even gloves owned by Cher. The entire collection will impress anyone who views the lots.”

It was the LaMothes who the Whiting & Davis Co. contacted to create a 110-year retrospective on the firm’s best examples for its anniversary celebration. The company gave the couple exclusive and unfettered access to archives. As such, the sale contains more than 250 lots of stunning mesh handbags. The LaMothes took special pride in collecting unique pieces such the Whiting & Davis handbag decorated with enameled metal mesh in a shimmering likeness of Clark Gable (estimate $2,500-$3,000). Other specialty handbags include Mickey Mouse ($500-$1,000), Charlie Chaplin ($2,500-$3,000) and a special commemorative produced for the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair ($1,000-$1,200).

The auction will feature a comprehensive selection of Whiting & Davis’ highly desirable “El Sah” mesh handbags, including a circa 1920s example still retaining its delicate compact built into its gold tone metal handle (estimate $250-$350). The auction also features classic plain, enameled and colored Whiting & Davis lines such as Poiret, Gloria and Baby Peggy handbags. In addition to being the most complete collection of Whiting & Davis handbags, the collection is a shimmering cross-section of American vintage couture, including celebrity memorabilia including a pair of mesh gloves worn by Cher during the height of her late 1980s comeback tour.

The auction contains more than 100 selections of vintage fashion and couture. For example, a pair of silver-mesh gloves by designer Michael Schmidt from the personal collection of Cher is expected to make $750 to $1,500. The gloves hail from Cher’s late 1980s revival as she produced hits such as “If I Could Turn Back Time” and used mesh in many of her outrageous costumes. The lot includes a certificate of authenticity by the Walt Disney World Co. A dazzling red mesh top once owned by Lisa Hartman Black, actress and wife of country music star Clint Black, is expected to bring $500 to $800.

Besides producing its iconic mesh handbags, Whiting & Davis was one of the first companies to produce a prolific line of costume jewelry. As one of the oldest costume jewelers in the United States, its lines are of the kind currently enjoying a rise in popularity. The auction features a large selection of mesh necklaces and neckties, belts, bracelets, earrings and rings. Pieces are heavily influenced by Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Victorian revivals with huge, raised relief bangles and high quality intaglio cameos. Many retain the original Whiting & Davis cards and tags.

A fully illustrated catalog for Collect.com Auction’s Dec. 12 sale of the Dennis & Terri LaMothe Collection, plus additions, will be printed in the Nov. 25 issue of Antique Trader magazine or available by calling 888-463-3063 after Nov. 11. An online catalog will be viewable through the Web site www.Collect.com/Auctions.

All absentee forms of bidding are available through www.Collect.com/Auctions or by calling 888-463-3063, fax 715-445-4087 or e-mail at auctions@collect.com. The Dec. 12 auction features a 17 percent buyer’s premium. Visit Collect.com Auctions online at www.Collect.com/Auctions.

Photos courtesy Collect.com Auctions.

— Posted by Eric Bradley

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From the Editor: The collector’s quandary

Karen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:21:56 GMT

There are several methods to liquidate a collection, ranging from an auction to an estate sale to selling to another collector. One method that’s come up recently in two high-profile cases involves the role of museums.

K*B Toys co-founder Donald Kaufman and his wife, Sally, who assembled what will forever be known as the largest collection of automotive toys, considered a museum but decided collectors would take care of the items as their cherished objects.

So, too, did Dennis and Terri LaMothe consider a few museums to house their landmark mesh handbag and vintage couture collection.

When the Orlando couple interviewed a few museums, nonewould guarantee the collection would not be sold in the future if the museum ran out of space.

Both instances are examples of the quandary collectors may find themselves as they try to liquidate their collections. For both the Kaufmans and the LaMothes, the natural obligation they felt to preserve the history and years of research they invested in their collection made a museum a logical choice.

Museums are indeed the backbone of a country’s heritage and play an active role in the current hobby and research. Imagine how shallow and poor America would be without the Smithsonian Institution. What would the scholarship of American folk art be without the work of Winterthur or New York’s American Folk Art Museum? But museums can also be subject to politically charged boards, poor collection-care standards and vulnerable to economic downturns that decimate endowments.

Personally, I have always viewed collectors as a type of historical militia, a force comprised of ordinary people who share knowledge and preserve precious objects. Collectors are constantly engaging in new research and sharing this information in new ways.

As collectors from all levels now take stock to downsize, they face a world of decisions. These decisions are deeply personal — there is not a single solution that fits everyone.

What do you think? What role should America’s museums play as a growing number of collectors dispense with their collections?

Post a reply here on the blog, HERE on the Antique Trader message boards, or send a reply to eric.bradley@fwmedia.com.

Eric Bradley
Editor

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Another antique show in the Melrose & Duddy lineup

Karen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:41:42 GMT

Good to see new antique shows in development:

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—Professional Antique Show Promoters Melrose & Duddy announced plans recently for a new show in Charlottesville, Va. Antiques in Charlottesville will be held Jan. 22-24, 2010, at the University Center Holiday Inn in historic Charlottesville.

“We are confident our brand of show is a great fit for the Charlottesville market,” says partner Jay Melrose. “We’ve already experience a lot of warm support and encouragement from the community and commitments from antique and art dealers from throughout the Easter Seaboard.”

Antiques in Charlottesville will join the All Saints' Antiques Show and Antiques and Gardening at Bryn Du (Columbus, Ohio) in the Melrose & Duddy repertoire. All dealers at Melrose & Duddy shows display fine art and antiques in walled room-like settings.

Melrose says Antiques in Charlottesville will feature the popular Designer’s Choice merchandise award program, ten-minute lectures and other attractions still being finalized.

More information about Antiques in Charlottesville is available on the Web at www.antiquesincharlottesville.com. More information on Melrose & Duddy is available at www.melroseduddy.com. Anyone interested in exhibiting at the show can call Jay Melrose at 330-519-5132.

Melrose & Duddy are advertisers with Antique Trader.

Antiques will be going on in Greeneville

Karen — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:48:32 GMT

Ya gotta love a free antique show! Mark this Tennessee show on your calendars:

The Tourism Department of the Greene County (Tennessee) Partnership has announced the date for the 5th annual Antique Appraisal Fair and Antique Show. It will be held Feb. 20, 2010, at Greeneville High School on Tusculum Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is FREE.

Local and regional antique shops will bring inventory to show and sell at the event. According to the press release, local museums and historical attractions will also be represented.

The event will feature certified appraisers that will assess the value of antiques brought in by the public for a fee of $5 per piece.

“This event was very successful in 2009 with more than 850 items being appraised and 4,500 in attendance. It is a great way to get the word out about the Antique Trail brochure that tourism has created and the proceeds from the event will go toward the printing and promotion of the piece,” stated Tammy Kinser, Tourism Director for the Partnership. “Antiquing is growing in popularity throughout the country and Greene County has a wealth of wonderful, quaint antique shops. We have also incorporated our great museums and historical attractions into the event to make tourists and local residents aware of the treasures that we have in our community.”

The Antique Appraisal Fair and Show won two prestigious awards in 2007 beginning with the Pinnacle Award for Peak Performance in Tourism by the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association and the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top Twenty Event for February.

For more information contact Tammy Kinser at the Partnership, 423-638-4111 or tkinser@greenecop.com.

Posted by Karen

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