Here Be Old Things

moving to Wordpress in 2013

2013-01-22T15:12:15-05:00

Hello visitors: the information on this site was complied and published in 2007–2012. In 2013, as time permits, I will be moving this blog over to Wordpress. The service and tools will be much easier for me to use and I hope it makes this blog to write again. I won't be updating anything until that happens. Much of the info here is still relevant, so please browse, follow the links, and see if anything interests you.

New Hutter Auction Galleries fills niche left in Manhattan auction scene by Tepper closing

2011-02-01T19:24:46-05:00

Last spring I was standing on 27th street with my nose pressed against the glass of the abandoned Tepper Galleries. A reader of this blog had tipped me off to their closing. I could have scooped the New York Times article! But all around, businesses were being hit hard by the recession, and Tepper's disappearance just seemed too sad.

But I'm happy to report that Adam Hutter, former principal auctioneer at Tepper, has started his own enterprise, Hutter Auction Galleries. His auctions are being are held monthly, on Saturdays, at the Cirker Fine Art Storage at 444 West 55th Street .

I was able to stop by for the January sale, the gallery's fourth. Unfortunately I arrived late, just in time to hear the very last of 370 lots being called. But I liked the atmosphere–casual and comfortable. A woman wandered around trying to figure out how to pay. Somebody plinked the keys of a piano they'd won. There was fine art, decorative arts, china, lamps, glass, furniture, and interesting miscellaneous. This is exactly what this town needs–a place where shoppers can can find some relief from Pottery Barn, where collectors can scoop up an estate find, and where dealers can find cool stock.

Hutter says that the business is growing at a steady pace, each auction better than the last. Some of the bigger auction houses are sending him business, and word of mouth is picking up. The January was his busiest auction yet.

The next sale is scheduled for Saturday, February 19th, at 11:00 AM. Previews run Thursday and Friday, but if you can't get over during the week, you can preview on Saturday, too, starting at 9:30. And, of course, you can friend Hutter on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

This week: the 2010 International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show

2010-10-23T18:30:05-04:00

Thursday I previewed Haughton's International Fine Art and Antiques Dealers Show, which runs this weekend through next Thursday, October 28. The promoters appealed to this blogger's vanity by sending me an invite to their press preview, so I slipped out of work and headed uptown for the opportunity to wear a press pass for the first time in my life. It was cool to stroll the aisles without the crowds and to appreciate the beautiful antiques without having to cower in my shabby boots next to the customers who could actually afford to buy these things. But what I really liked was watching the show go up. A sphinx stared at a vacuum, a box of trash bags was tossed at the feet of a leaping rabbit sculpture. Dealers bustled about, or bent down and polished the floor of their booth themselves. Haughton covered the experience in their blog entry "Moving In: The Grease Paint Behind the Glitter."

Like most collectors, I have specific tastes, and what I don't like is dead to me. I have absolutely no interest in mirrors. None. But, as I tried to hurry past, I was beckoned by the publicist for Ronald Philips of London and ended up getting a mini-education in mirrors from Christopher Johnstone. Through his enthusiasm, what was "dead to me" suddenly came to life. This pair of English mirrors, for instance, was made in 1705. Since their size was as large an area as could be blown by an artisan without cracking the glass, owning a pair represented an ostentatious display of wealth. (Since the value was in the glass, they weren't framed, because ... why hide your money?) And now they've survived the trip across the Atlantic. With a $906,750. price tag, they still represent a pretty darn impressive show of wealth.

Christopher Johnstone, of Ronald Phillips, and a pair of (almost) million-dollar mirrors

I kept circling back to the Sladmore exhibit. This company has two galleries in London: Sladmore Gallery, which originated with a collection of nineteenth century bronze animal sculptures, and Sladmore Contemporary. The sculptures on view represented a sleek, beautiful farmyard. After that I was drawn to the Japanese scrolls on display at Erik Thomsen Asian Art. To my disappointment, that afternoon the Japanese screens were folded and tucked away, but it gives me a good reason to visit this NYC gallery in the future.

This year the fair has inaugurated a great blog on which you can follow the events and read dealer spotlights. Better yet, go in person. The organizers promise a range of goods at all price points–start your Christmas shopping early. (Mirrors, anyone?)

Goose by Bugatti at Sladmore

"A Cat in a Melon Patch" by Sano Kosui at Erik Thomsen

New flea market in Brooklyn (wait, wasn't that the title of my last post?)

2009-08-13T15:22:29-04:00

What is it with Brooklyn? Does everyone over there long to be a flea market dealer? Another flea has come to my attention this week: the OLPH $upa Flea Market in Sunset Park. It's been operating for about a year, and you can see how well attended it is by the photo above–sometimes over 100 dealers at a market.

I'm guessing that the "$" in "supa" means value, a place where you'll find a lot of new mixed in with the old. There's probably fewer hipsters selling Danish teak, more middle-aged homeowners hawking their old record collections. The goods run the gamut from collectibles, antiques, jewelry, perfumes, coins, comic books, clothing, shoes, housewares . . . or in the words of the promoter, "NAME IT!"

If that is making you salivate, just wait until you see the Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican and Chinese food on hand. And while the hipsters that run the Williamsburg Flea have offered free drinks to lure shoppers, the $upa Flea is offering . . . a blood drive! Now that's value: a place you can not just buy something, but give something, too.

$upa Fleas run roughly once a month. The next is on Sunday, September 27th, 2009. Since their site isn't up yet, if you want to check the schedule, or book a space (they're looking for food vendors, too) contact John G. Connolly Jr., (917) 312-9855, or email SupaFleaMarket09@aol.com.

The next OLPH (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) $upa FLEA Market! Fundraiser & Blood Drive is Sunday, September 27th, 2009 7:00 am–5:00 pm. Find it at Notre Dame Hall, 545 60th Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues), Sunset Park Brooklyn. See the Flea Markets Guide for more info.

New flea market opens in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

2009-05-22T00:18:00-04:00

This announcement is getting to feel redundant: yet another flea market is opening in Brooklyn . . . yeah! Hard to believe that just a year ago, all the markets were being pushed out. The weekly Williamsburg Flea Market debuts Sunday, June 14th. (NOT the 7th, as originally planned.) If that simple fact alone isn't enough to entice you out, they're offering complimentary drinks. Drinks early on Sunday–now that's a flea market you can really appreciate.

Vendors will offer artwork, antiques, new and vintage home furnishings, clothing and accessories, food, books, records, crafts and more. Hours are Sunday, 10 am–6 pm, rain or shine.

From Manhattan, stroll over the Williamsburg Bridge. The flea is a 10-minute walk from the Bedford stop on the L train, or from the Marcy stop on the JMZ line.

Nice logo, eh? And I thought the Brooklyn Flea upped the ante. Check out more Brooklyn flea markets here.

East Village flea market reopens!

2009-05-21T22:11:50-04:00

In 2007 I wrote about the demise of the East Village flea market in the Mary Help of Christians schoolyard. Well, good news! It has risen from the dead. Today I got this helpful tip:

Mary Help of Christians Market Vendors have relocated. The market vendors have reformed for a great cause, to raise funds for the schools in the area that have lost funding for several programs. The Earth School, Thompson Square Middle School and P.S. 64, have welcomed the market to help raise sorely needed funds.

Running for a few weekends in the fall of 2008, the market resumed for the spring of 2009 and has since opened as of May 9th at 4th St. between Avenues B and C. It will be running until June 14th and possibly longer.

Open Saturdays and Sundays 7am - 7pm. New vendors are welcome to contact Jeanette at 212-979-2186 or Deb 347-216-4691. All are welcome to come and show your support for the schools and the vendors. See you at the Schoolyard!

Artist & Fleas market in Williamsburg goes vintage

2009-04-08T17:24:27-04:00

I remember a full 50% of the items above from my childhood. Those hipsters over in Williamsburg are making them cool again with the premiere of Artists & Fleas Vintage Market. Established in 2003, Artists &Fleas is a weekly market that showcases emerging designers and local artists. Their vintage push is next door to their regular space, Saturdays and Sundays from 12–8 pm (AND they stay busy with a market in McCarren Park). Go check it out, or better yet, dig through your closets, sign up to be a vendor, and go convince some kid how cool Mom's old casserole pan is. Cackle, cackle.

Diane Arbus suit settled: dealers across the nation shudder

2009-03-19T09:46:19-04:00

Bayo Ogunsanya's lawsuit against Robert Langmuir has been settled out of court. The story broke yesterday in the Maine Antique Digest. While he is not allowed to give any particulars, Ogunsanya states that he will be allowed a percentage of Langmuir's gross sales when the Arbus photos are sold.

This affair drew a lot of controversy last spring. Langmuir bought an initial set of photos from Ogunsanya, followed his hunch, did some research, discovered that they were early Diane Arbus photos of Hubert's Dime Museum and Flea Market freak show in Times Square, then went back to Ogunsanya to buy the rest of the collection. In a sort of dealer's fantasy trifecta, he put the photos up for auction at Phillips, where estimates ranged up to 120k each, a book was published about the adventure, AND a producer was trying to get a movie made with Phillip Seymour Hoffman playing Langmuir.

Ogunsanya raised a ruckus, protesting that he had been robbed. The Phillips auction was pulled the night before the sale, (either because because of the lawsuit, or because Phillips hesitated over the price of the guarantee based on other Arubs results that week), and, sadly, Hoffman snubbed the movie proposal.

Ogunsanya said "It was a case that [Langmuir] couldn't win, and he probably hurt himself by delaying the settling of it, because of the market. Hopefully, he will be selling them for as much as he can get and soon too. But the economy is what it is."

Yes, the economy is what it is. Most readers who weighed in felt that Ogunsanya had had the same chances as Langmuir to do his research, and that it would send a big chill through the antiques and collectibles world if every lucky dealer who stumbled on a big find had to share gains. Well, feel the chill. Or, if you're on the other side of the deal, feel like a lottery winner. Opinions?

Arbus Suit is Settled [Maine Antique Digest]
Man who sold Arubs photos to another dealer says he was cheated of their true value [Here Be Old Things]

Top 10 flea markets in Europe?

2009-03-18T08:55:28-04:00

Photograph of the market at Lille from The Guardian, by Philippe Huguen/AFP

Two years ago, The Guardian published their picks for the Top 10 European flea markets. Incredibly, they didn't list Le Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen or its smaller cousin at la Porte de Vanves. There's also a glaring admission of . . . ha, that's a teaser. I can think of two very large, little-known fleas in Europe that I'm going to write about in the coming days. Until I can get my act together, though, read The Guardian's descriptions carefully. Some of these look legit, but a few are junk markets:

Flea market in Waterloo, Belgium
Carmagnola market in Turin, Italy
brocante south of Cardedeu in Cadaques, Spain
market at Cormano near Milan, Italy
Jeu de Balle in Brussels, Belgium
Mercatino di Torino near Alba, Italy
Mercantic in Barcelona, Spain
Borgo D’Ale at Lake Maggiore, Italy
Ciney Antiquities, an annual brocante at the Ciney Expo in Namur, Belguim
Annual May attic sale, or "vide-greniers," in the village of Auriac-sur-Vendinelle, Mirepoix in southern France
La Grande Braderie de Lille, in Lille, Northern France, during September, which attracts over a million visitors

I've been to the Brussels flea and I thought it was small and disappointing. Any opinions?

The death of my career marked by Modern Posters auction at Posters Please

2009-03-18T00:02:00-04:00

I remember when my grandmother used to point out some tchotchke in a store and snort, "that's an antique?" And I'd think, well, of course it is, Grandma.

Last Thursday, a young crowd went crazy over relics of my own recent past. While I and my advertising art-director and copywriter friends scramble for jobs in a dying-industry-meets-dead-economy-end-of-the-world-as-we-know it-Mad-Max (I could go on) scenario, the ads and posters we used to admire in awards annuals brought in prices that pleasantly surprised Posters Please.

The auction was described as offering low-cost but still valuable items. One lot was this Milton Glaser poster . . . that's an antique? Well of course it is, Grandma.

Here Be Old Things inaugurates a page on New York City area auction houses

2009-03-17T09:01:14-04:00

Check it out: a new button the left that links to a list of auction houses in the New York City metro area. I compiled it from a list the New York Times published in 2007 (wow, time flies). I tried to make sure the businesses were still viable, but if I'm wrong, or if you see any that I've left out, please let me know in the comments section below. Happy auctioning!

New York City Auctions: March 23–29, 2009

2009-03-16T00:02:00-04:00

Lot 10: Hand-colored folding plate from "An Affecting Narrative of the Captivity & Sufferings of Mrs. Mary Smith" at Swann Galleries

Christie's | 20 Rockefeller Plaza

March 26: 20th Century Decorative Art & Design
March 28: Fine and Rare Wines

R.A. Siegel Auction Galleries | 60 East 56th Street

March 25: The David L. Jarrett Collection of Propaganda Covers

Sotheby's | 1334 York Avenue

March 27: 20th Century Design

Swann Galleries | 104 East 25th Street

March 26: Printed & Manuscript Americana

Tepper Galleries | 110 East 25th Street

March 28: Estate Auction

Events and Exhibits in New York City during Asia Week 2009

2009-03-14T14:34:15-04:00

Matsuo Basho: Hibiscus with Haiku. At the Japanese Art Dealers

Bad news: Haughtons' International Asian Art Fair was canceled this year. Good news: now you won't have as much ground to cover. There's still a lot to see, and The Magazine Antiques has compiled an Asia Week "to-do list" of alternative events.

March 14: Asian Art Dealers of Upper Eastside NY: Inaugural Open House, noon–8:00 pm
March 14–18: Arts of Pacific Asia Show
March 15–17: Arts of Japan: An Exhibition by the Japanese Art Dealers Association
March 16: public symposium at the Japan Society: Japanese Art in America: Building the Next Generation
March 17: opening at the Met: Art of the Korean Renaissance, 1400-1600
Now at the Asia Society: Asian Journeys: Collecting Art in Post-war America
Now at the Guggenheim: Noguchi: The Bollingen Journey 1949-1956

Local blogger now offering estate and tag sale services in the New York City area

2009-03-10T23:27:26-04:00

One of my favorite blogs is Reclaimed Home, which is about "low impact housing and renovation options for thrifty New Yorkers." The author, who includes witty pieces about her personal life, always seems to be up to a LOT: renovating her own homes (yes, plural) in Bed Stuy and Beacon, selling at the Brooklyn Flea, scouting out cheapo property in the region (I like this post on aesthetically pleasing mobile homes) . . . and now moving into the tag and estate sale business. This weekend she's putting on her second effort this Saturday, March 14, up in Beacon. The sale is a mix of antiques and vintage items left over from other sales, clean-outs, and shop inventory reductions, plus some consignments from local dealers. Get a preview of the weekend's goodies on Reclaimed Homes' Flickr page, and then check it out. The address is 69 Verplanck Avenue, Beacon, New York, and the sale runs 8:30am-4:30pm.I know no one wants to say the "S" word anymore, but this isn't shopping, it's recycling!

New York City Auctions: March 16–22, 2009

2009-03-09T00:02:00-04:00

Lot 122 Green River Sofa Table with Priscacara liops at I.M. Chait Natural History Auction

Bonhams | 580 Madison Avenue

March 19: Property from the Estate of Liza Hyde
March 19: Japanese Works of Art

Christie's | 20 Rockefeller Plaza

March 17: Japanese and Korean Art
March 18: Fine Chinese Art from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections
March 18: Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art Including Jades from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
March 19: South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art
March 19: Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art Including Jades from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
March 20: Highlights from the Star Collection: From India to Indonesia
March 20: Indian and South East Asian Art: Including Highlights from the Star Collection

Doyle | 175 East 87th Street

March 17: Asian Works of Art
March 18 & 19: Jewelry, Watches, Silverware and Coins

IM Chait | 267 5th Avenue 11th Floor

March 20: Important Chinese Ceramics & Asian Works of Art
March 21: Natural History Auction

Sotheby's | 1334 York Avenue

March 14: The Classic Cellar from a Great American Collector
March 17: Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
March 18: Indian & Southeast Asian Art

New York City Auctions: March 9–15, 2009

2009-03-08T21:56:37-04:00

Lot 122 Untitled (Profile of a Woman) by Andy Warhol at Phillips

Cherrystone Philatelic Auctioneers| 119 W 57th Sreet

March 11 & 12: U.S. And Worldwide Stamps Auction

Christie's | 20 Rockefeller Plaza

March 11: First Open Post-War and Contemporary Art

Clarke C&C Auction Gallery | Larchmont

March 9: St. Patrick's Day Estate Auction

Doyle | 175 East 87th Street

March 11: Doyle at Home: Fine Furniture, Decorations and Paintings

Phillips de Pury & Company | 450 West 15th Street

March 9: Under the Influence

Poster Auctions International | 601 West 26th Street

March 12: Modern Posters

Showplace Antique Center | 40 West 25th Street

March 15: Fine Art, Decorative Art, and Modern Design

Sotheby's | 1334 York Avenue

March 10: Contemporary

Stack's | 123 West 57th Street

March 11: Coin Galleries

Swann Galleries | 104 East 25th Street

March 12: 19th & 20th Century Literature; and Art, Press & Illustrated Books

Tepper Galleries | 110 East 25th Street

March 14: Important Estate Auction

NYSales.net: a new resource for tag sales in Connecticut, New Jersey, and on Long Island

2009-03-06T06:58:30-05:00

Up until now, when I've searched for estate or tag sales in the region, I've turned to EstateSales.net, which is trying to be the national player in that niche. Well, now there's a new kid on the block: NYSales.net, which lists estate, tag, moving and yard sales exclusively in the tri-state metro area. It was started by a local who likes to rummage through books and other other items at estate and tag sales, and saw the value in consolidating as many ads as possible all in one spot. This weekend alone, he's listed almost twice the number of sales as his competitor. NYSales.net makes an effort to weed out virtual sales; the site is clean and easy to navigate. Hmmmm... wait. It lists antique shows and auctions. Looks like someone's moving on to my block, too.

New York City Auctions: February 23–March 1, 2009

2009-02-16T00:01:00-05:00

Alexander Alexeieff: "The Flying Scotsman" travel poster at Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury Auctions | 454 East 84th Street

Feb 25: Posters and Bibliophile Sale

Doyle | 175 East 87th Street

Feb 25: Doyle at Home

Swann Galleries | 104 East 25th Street

Feb 26: Printed & Manuscript African American

Tepper Galleries | 110 East 25th Street

Feb 28: Fine Estates Auction

New York City Auctions: February 16–22, 2009

2009-02-09T00:01:00-05:00

Lot 91 at Swann Auction Galleries: Marilyn Monroe by Lawrence Schiller

Morrell Wine Auctions | 729 Seventh Avenue

Feb 21: Fine Wine Auction

Spink Smythe | 2 Rector Street

Feb 18: The Joseph Hackmey Collection of Ceylon Part I
Feb 19: The Joseph Hackmey Collection of New Zealand Part 2

Swann Galleries | 104 East 25th Street

Feb 17: African-American Fine Art
Feb 19: 100 Fine Photographs

Tarisio Fine Instruments & Bows

Feb 18-19: Auction

New York City Auctions: February 9–15, 2009

2009-02-02T00:01:00-05:00

Lot No: 210, Philip Eustace Stretton: Thaddeus, at Bonhams

Bonhams | 580 Madison Avenue

Feb 10: The Dog Sale

Cherrystone Philatelic Auctioneers| 119 W 57th Sreet

Feb 11: Specialized Russia Auction

Christie's | 20 Rockefeller Plaza

Feb 9: Christie's Interiors
Feb 10: Christie's Interiors
Feb 11: Impressionist /Modern Art
Feb 12: Americana: Printed and Manuscript
Feb 12: Abraham Lincoln's 1864 Victory Speech: The Original Handwritten Manuscript
Feb 12: Icons of Glamour and Style: The Constantiner Collection Part II

Clarke C&C Auction Gallery | Larchmont

Feb 9: Valentine's Estate Auction

Doyle | 175 East 87th Street

Feb 11: Belle Epoque 19th and 20th Century Decorative Arts

R.A. Siegel Auction Galleries | 60 East 56th Street

Feb 12-13: The "Whitpain" Collection of United States Possessions

Sotheby's | 1334 York Avenue

Feb 12: Impressionist and Modern Art

Tepper Galleries | 110 East 25th Street

Feb 12: Jewelry and Coin Auction
Feb 14: Exceptional Estates Auction

New York City Auctions: February 2–8, 2009

2009-01-26T00:01:00-05:00

Sotheby's | 1334 York Avenue

Important Jewels

Swann Galleries | 104 East 25th Street

Vintage Posters

New York City Auctions: Jan 26–Feb 1, 2009

2009-01-19T00:01:00-05:00

Lot 4 at Bloomsbury: John James Audubon, Northern Hare… Winter.

Bloomsbury Auctions | 454 East 84th Street

Decorative American Prints, Maps & Atlases

Christie's | 20 Rockefeller Plaza

Doyle | 175 East 87th Street

Important English and Continental Furniture and Decorations including Old Master Paintings and Drawings

R.A. Siegel Auction Galleries | 60 East 56th Street

The Alan B. Whitman Collection of Outstanding United States Stamps

Sotheby's | 1334 York Avenue

Swann Galleries | 104 East 25th Street

Shelf Sale

Tepper Galleries | 110 East 25th Street

Estate Auction

Update on dispute over Diane Arbus photos

2009-01-15T00:01:00-05:00

Many people come to this blog looking for information on Bayo Ogunsanya's case against Robert Langmuir over the Diane Arbus "Hubert's Freaks" photos. As you might remember, Ogunsanya sold the photos to Langmuir, and then claims he was hoodwinked, because Langmuir realized their true value but didn't clue him in. The photos, worth millions, were scheduled for sale at Philip's, but at the last minute, Brooklyn Federal Court blocked the auction.

In October, a motion to dismiss the case was denied. Whille most people who commented felt, basically, "Seller Beware"–that Ogunsanya had no case–the law appears to disagree. If Ogunsanya wins, will it change the way that dealers do business? Read this update from The Art Law Blog.

New York City area tag and estate sales: January 16–18, 2009

2009-01-15T00:00:00-05:00

Here's a partial list of this weekend's surrounding sales, courtesy of EstateSales.net.

Friday January 16th:

Berkeley Heights, NJ: Partial Contents Berkeley Heights Estate Sale

Saturday Jan 17th:

Roslyn, NY: Roslyn January Jamboree
Hackettstown, NJ: Mid Century Partial Contents Estate Sale
Sea Cliff, NY: Estate sale in Sea Cliff

Reception for Razzia and the Art of Advertising at International Poster Center

2009-01-14T00:01:00-05:00

The International Poster Center is holding a reception and party for its new exhibit, Razzia and the Art of Advertising, Thursday night (tomorrow) from 5 to 8. The artist will be there to sign posters. They say he's "synonymous with the retro-deco style of the 1980s." Yeah, I remember advertising in the 80s. First, no Photoshop, so art directors (like me) didn't have to do everything ourselves and could actually commission real artists like Razzia. Second, lots of drinking. Now everyone works too hard. Do I sound bitter? Maybe I'll go check this reception out, see if they have some free wine, and walk down memory lane.

Razzia and the Art of Advertising:

January 15 to February 1
Mon-Fri, 9-5; Sat/Sun, 11-6
Opening Reception January 15, 5-8 pm
601 W. 26th St. (11th–12th), 13th Floor
212-787-4000

Christie's auction house starts staff layoffs

2009-01-13T19:18:52-05:00

photo from Flickr/Daquella manera

Christie's has began "massive layoffs," according to Art Fag City, who sounds like they have the inside scoop. The blog says that on Monday, an email at 10 a.m. warning of staff cuts was followed by several staffers vanishing from the building by noon. Besides personnel, departments are being cut. A Christie's press release states:

Effective January 12, 2009, we have begun a company-wide reorganization review, which includes the possibility of significant staff reductions, not renewing many consultants’ contracts and the continuation of other cost reduction initiatives, that will ensure we remain competitive and profitable in 2009. Any staff reductions that might be necessary will be implemented globally in accordance with local regulations and in as considered and timely a manner as is possible.

My feelings remain very mixed on this. The prices the auction houses reeled in last year were a little sickening. Writing my High/Low reports got depressing–people just had too much money to throw at stuff like James Brown's dental floss (kidding, but it's close to the mark). It's nice to see the excess dampened–but why couldn't anyone look ahead and save some cash for a "rainy day employee salary fund." Any opinions?

Christie's Begins Massive Layoffs [Art Fag City]
Christie’s to Cut Jobs as Crisis Cuts Auction Sales (Update4) [Bloomburg.com]
Christie's Cuts Costs as Art Market Slows [New York Times]

New York City Auctions: January 19–25, 2009

2009-01-12T03:01:00-05:00

Lot No 1030Y at Bonhams: a pair of portrait miniatures on ivory

Bonhams | 580 Madison Avenue

Jan 22: American Furniture and Decorative Arts

Christie's | 20 Rockefeller Plaza

Jan 21: Chinese Export Porcelain
Jan 21: The Hodroff Collection, Part III
Jan 23: Important American Silver
Jan 23: American Furniture and Decorative Arts

Sotheby's | 1334 York Avenue

Jan 23-24: Important Americana
Jan 24: The Property of Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. Landon III

Tepper Galleries | 110 East 25th Street

Jan 24: Important Estate Auction

New York City area tag and estate sales: January 9–11, 2009

2009-01-08T03:01:00-05:00

In the coming months, I'm going to add to the sidebar guide a listing of area tag and estate sale providers. Here's a partial list of this weekend's surrounding sales, courtesy of EstateSales.net. Do you go to estate sales in the area, and if so, how do you find them?

Friday January 9th:

Dover, NJ: Entire Contents of Dover Estate
Nutley, NJ: Nutley Estate Sale - Full Contents
Great Neck, NY: Great Neck Winter Warm Up
Huntington Station, NY: Dix Hills Cleanout Sale

Saturday Jan 10th:

Merrick, NY: Estate Sale, Merrick, NY
Freeport, NY: Freeport Tag Sale
Westfield, NJ: Westfield Partial Moving Contents Sale
Englewood, NJ: Tag sale In Englewood NJ
Rockville Centre, NY: Full of Surprizes Estate & Tag Sales
Roslyn, NY: Full of Surprizes Estate & Tag Sales

Brooklyn Flea roosts for the winter in Dumbo

2009-01-07T03:01:00-05:00

More good news on the New York City flea market scene: the Brooklyn Flea, which lives outdoors at the Bishop Loughlin school yard during the summer (read: windswept by freezing winds during the winter) is sheltering indoors for the next twelve weeks.

Good reason to move indoors: winter in Brooklyn, photo by rsguskind, Gowanus Lounge

They're calling it the Winter Pop-Up Market for antiques in DUMBO. It's a bit smaller–25 vendors–and a bit closer to Manhattan (I can hear the accusations of Manhattan-centrity, but I really hate being shuttled all over Brooklyn when the subways go berserk on the weekends).

It features "25 top vintage/antique vendors of furniture, clothing, objects, jewelry, curiosities, accessories, art, lighting, and more. We're curating the Pop-Up very selectively to provide a mix that appeals to folks looking for quality, hard-to-find, and collectible items."

If the market doesn't attract enough traffic, it may not run the full twelve weeks, so check the Brooklyn Flea website for updates before you go. The outdoors market is back on April first.

Saturday and Sunday, 76 Front Street, corner of Washington in DUMBO.

Brooklyn Flea to land in DUMBO [The Brooklyn Paper]
Brooklyn Flea Finds Shelter for Winter [Gothamist]

The Antiques Garage flea market is holding fast in Chelsea

2009-01-06T03:01:00-05:00

Remember August? Just a few months ago, expensive new apartment buildings had about finished displacing the antiques and flea market scene in Chelsea. The Antiques Garage, the most authentic flea market left in New York City, was losing its home to a developer who bought the land for $42.7 million. Closing day was slated for November 30.

In a report from Crain's on the flea's planned migration to Hell's Kitchen, Alan Boss, "Lord of the Fleas," who founded The Garage in 1993, sounded resigned: "The inevitability of change is guaranteed, but as the door to one opportunity closes, another one opens."

Seems that door slammed shut and then flew open again pretty fast. By September, Chelsea Now was reporting The Garage's new lease on 25th Street life:

But Boss received a call in mid-September from Extell Development Corporation, the owner of the lot he rents for the flea market, “saying they would not require us to leave at the culmination of the lease,” he said. “We’d be able to stay.”

. . . Boss chalked Extell’s decision up to the struggling economy, adding that constructing residential apartments or a hotel “at this time would not be a wise investment.”

“There needs to be some kind of agreement between us, and I am now waiting to hear back from the ownership relative to that,” he said about negotiations with Extell. “I would assume—and that’s a big word, assume—that we would probably be there for some time.”

The article went on to say that Extell may be trying to give Boss a month-to-month lease, but he's holding out for more favorable terms.

Chelsea's flea market scene used to boast up to 6,700 vendors in a single weekend. If the economy gets even worse, maybe we'll see its return. Just give it a couple months.

New York City Auctions: January 12–18, 2009

2009-01-05T03:01:00-05:00

Lot 60 at Christie's Open House sale, Morris Louis, "Bird"

Christie's | 20 Rockefeller Plaza

Clarke C&C Auction Gallery | Larchmont

Jan 12: Antique and Mid-Century Estate Auction

Doyle | 175 East 87th Street

Jan 14: Fine Furniture, Decoration and Paintings

Smythe | 2 Rector Street

Jan 14: Schingoethe Currency - Part 16
Jan 15: The January Collector's Series Sale

Stack's | 123 West 57th Street

New York City Auctions: January 5–11, 2009

2008-12-29T03:01:00-05:00

Lot 123 at Cherrystone: United States 1869 Pictorial Issue

Cherrystone Philatelic Auctioneers | 119 W 57th Sreet

January 7 and 8: U.S. and Worldwide Stamps

Tepper Galleries | 110 East 25th Street

January 10: Premier Estates Auction

Toulouse-Lautrec sale and exhibition at the International Poster Center

2008-12-15T00:01:00-05:00

Who doesn't love Toulouse-Lautrec? Now is your chance to view his rarest work at the International Poster Center in New York City through January 11, 2009. "Toulouse-Lautrec: 100 Prints and Posters" is the largest exhibition and sale of the artist ever assembled.

If you're one of those lucky people with change still rattling around in your pockets, ask them to gift wrap one of Lautrec's famous posters (seemingly ubiquitous, he created only thirty) and bring it home to hang above the tree. Or snag a rare piece of ephemera like this 1896 Christmas card, made for the performer Mary Belfort and one of only five known examples, two of which are in museums. Also on display are working proofs (including one torn in half by the artist and taped back together by his assistants), original drawings, oils, and a ceramic rendering of the star Yvette Guilbert.

The International Poster Center is at 601 W. 26th Street on the 13th Floor. Hours are Monday–Friday 9–5:00; Saturday and Sunday 11–6:00. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The auction houses are taking a break from next week to early January. I've got some leads on some new flea market and auction stories, which I'll break after the holidays. Until then, I'm lapsing into a sugar coma, and I hope you are, too. In the words of Toulouse-Lautrec: "Joyeux Noel!"

Tepper Galleries gets all gussied up

2008-12-12T08:59:06-05:00

Holy shit, they wear suits over at Tepper Galleries?! NO WAY! I've never seen those guys in more than a shirt with the sleeves rolled up, puffing on cigars (maybe I'm exaggerating the cigars, but you get the idea). But it looks like this auction house is trying to go up against the big boys, now. First, there was the new awning. I started getting really nervous when they stapled a color cover on the xeroxed lot list. Now they've taken the Tepper Galleries website upscale, too. Just look at these mugs on the "about us" page. It pains me to see these steadfast auctioneers in ties, and worse, studio-lighting.

I love Tepper because it's the antithesis of the fancy schmancy Manhattan auction experience. It's the only place to go in New York City where you can wander happily through a big room heaped with a whole bunch of estate detritus. Dealers go there for stock, interior designers to buy for their clients, kids to decorate their apartments on the cheap. Don't get me wrong, there's good stuff and prices can go sky high. But most times there's something even the marginally-employed (me) can afford. The only thing Tepper needed to make them perfect is a coffee and donut vendor at the back (go to Clarke Auctions for that).

I will weep if they've replaced the little tooth-marked golf pencils, the ones in the cardboard box by the door, with gold pens. It reminds me of Banana Republic introducing their premium "BR" monogram line at the exact moment the economy tanked.

What do you think. Is this the right time for an auction house like Tepper to upgrade their image?

Will Tarzan the cat still have a job at the "new" Tepper?

New York City Auctions: December 15–21, 2008

2008-12-11T09:48:27-05:00

Contemplating the reductions in auction spending, no doubt (okay, cheap joke). At Christie's, lot 286 in sale 2062, A Portrait of a Seated Woman by Rene Gruau.

Bloomsbury

Dec. 17: 20th Century Arts

Bonhams

Dec. 15: Fine Books & Manuscripts
Dec. 17: 20th Century Decorative Arts

Christie's

Dec 15: Important 20th Century Design from the Collection of George and Frayda Lindemann
Dec 16: Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design
Dec 16: Important Works of Art FromTiffany Studios
Dec 16-17: Icons of Glamour and Style: The Constantiner Collection
Dec 18-19: Christie's Interiors

Kestenbaum & Company

Dec 18: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic and Ceremonial Art

Phillips:

Dec 17: Design

Robert A Siegel:

Dec 16-19: Important and Superb United States Stamps

Sotheby's

Dec 16: Israeli and International Art
Dec 17: Property from the Delmonico Collection
Dec 17: Important Judaica
Dec 18: Important Tiffany
Dec 18: Important 20th Century Design

Stack's

Dec 17: United States, World and Ancient Coins, Medals, Tokens, Orders, Decorations and Paper Money

Swann

Dec 17: Rare & Important Art Nouveau Posters

Tepper Galleries

Dec 20: Pre-Holiday Estate Auction

New York City Auctions: December 8–14, 2008

2008-12-11T09:35:25-05:00

At Bloomsbury. Lot 291: SCUDDER, Samuel Hubbard, The Butterflies of the Eastern United States and Canada with special reference to New England.

Antiquorum

Dec. 10-11: Important Collector's Wristwatches, Pocket Watches & Clocks

Bloomsbury

Dec. 10: Important Books and Manuscripts, Literature

Clarke C&CAuctions (Larchmont)

Antique & Mid-Twentieth Century Estate Auction

Christie's

Dec 11: New York Jewels
Dec 12: Important Watches

Doyle

Dec 9: Doyle at Home, Fine Furniture, Decorations and Paintings including Holiday Gifts
Dec 10: Important Estate Jewelry

Robert A Siegel

Dec 9-11: United States & Confederate States Postal History and Foreign Stamps & Covers

Sotheby's

Dec 11: Fine Books and Manuscripts Including Americana

Swann

Dec 11: Photographic Literature & Photographs

Tepper Gallieries

Dec 11: Jewelry and Coin Auction

Outdoor Flea Market & Art Fair in the East Village

2008-11-02T08:43:50-05:00

How badly do you miss the Avenue A Flea? Next weekend you'll find it resurrected at the Outdoor Flea Market & Art Fair at East Side Community High School. Vintage items, collectibles, clothing, jewelry, shoes, books, art, food, crafts and more will be for sale in the school's basketball courts and garden at 420 East 12th street (between Ave A and 1st Ave). The date is November 8–9th, 2008; hours 9–5. The flea is a benefit for the school's art students, who will be using the proceeds for a trip to Europe, where they will broaden their arts education . . . although I'm hoping there are a few aspiring dealers among them who will haul some goods home for a flea market next year, perhaps.

New York City Auctions: August 11-17, 2008

2008-08-04T21:56:00-04:00

Wednesday August 13

Doyle 10 am: Doyle at Home

Thursday August 14

Doyle 10 am: Contents of Abandoned Safe Deposit Boxes
Tepper 10 am: Fine and Decorative Estates Auction

New York City Auctions: August 4-10, 2008

2008-07-27T00:02:00-04:00

Lot 318 Leonetto Cappiello, Mossant, at Swann Galleries

You'll find a reproduction of the above poster on the living room wall of every wannabe hipster in New York City. One-up your friends with the real deal.

Wednesday August 6

Swann 10:30 am and 2 pm: Vintage Posters

Thursday August 7

Tepper 10 am: Fine and Decorative Estates Auction

Antique Jewelry and Watch Show in New York City this weekend

2008-07-25T09:26:52-04:00

The New York Sun published an article, Summer Antiques Fairs – and Finds, about the summer antiques scene in the city. Condensed version: there's not much of one. Most wealthy collectors are in the Hamptons, and smart dealers follow them. You'll find them in places like the East Hampton Antiques Show (earlier in July) and Antiques & Design in the Hamptons, August 15 – 17.

One of the only major fairs scheduled in the city is The New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, which starts today at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The Sun quotes Neil Marrs, a New York dealer who specializes in collectible jewelry from the '60s and '70s, as saying that this an opportunity for collectors to buy "fantastic stuff" at wholesale — not retail — prices.

"My colleagues and I all sell to the big department stores and boutiques up and down Madison Avenue. If some lady shows up with her husband and she wants a golden-diamond bracelet from the '50s, she can go to Bergdorf Goodman or she can go to this show and save $20,000."