Antique Auction Forum » Blog

Interview with Richard Wright and David Rago about their Rago/Wright merger, how it is expanding business and their perspectives on material they handle, such as buying, selling and collecting in...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-rago-wright-merger/

An auctioneer’s story, by Martin Willis Back in early 2001, on a bright sunny day I met an auction goer and former consignor at a bank in Durham, New Hampshire. She said she had something imp...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/a-connection-to-abraham-lincolns-last-hours/

A phrase that I hear on a weekly basis, when appraising antiques, is troubling: “My children (or grandchildren),” I am told, “want nothing to do with my antiques.” When I was growing up, ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/my-children-do-not-want-it-why-the-young-dont-want-antiques/

Sold by Heritage Auctions, Jan. 7, 2016, at Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Convention in Tampa; famous coin makes only its fourth appearance at auction in history DALLAS – An 1894-S Barbe...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/blog-blog/dime-sells-for-nearly-2-million/

by Martin Willis If you happen to be one of the 5,000 people to live in a beautiful country town to the west of Boston, Lincoln, Massachusetts then you had the chance recently of owning a local...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/modernistic-silver-in-lincoln-massachusetts/

by Martin Willis Coming up next month, Christies takes a daring leap and has the distinction of assigning the highest art at auction estimate ever. Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Alger, created in ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/record-auction-estimate/

by Martin Willis 60 YEARS OF WAITING PROVES WORTHWHILE A painting purchased in the 1950s by Finland’s Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation was never proven to be by the artist as it appear...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/tech-proves-monet-authentic/

by Martin Willis Not often can so many magnificent pieces travel through time unattributed, but such was the case of many Nathaniel Gould’s masterpieces. It all started several years ago when...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-almost-lost-attributions-of-a-master-craftsman/

A Collector’s Perspective by Martin Willis I have to look back in my memory to try and understand why I loved antiques at such an early age. I attribute this to walking around the border of...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-collecting-bug-caught-early/

If it exists, it is collected by someone. In my long career in the antiques and auction business, I have seen the vast variety of items that people collect. The reason people usually start coll...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/what-people-collect/

by Martin Willis Listen to the associated podcast here. When visiting Prout’s Neck , right away you know you are somewhere special, a peninsula surrounded by water, a harbor on one side an...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/winslow-homer-studio-painter/

by Martin Willis THE MORE YOU PAY THE MORE YOU LIKE IT Values of rarities are only perceived ones and are subjective to the beholder. Only two people have to have this perception, the winning...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/905000-at-auction-for-apple-1-computer/

by Martin Willis Around two dozen years ago, I attended an auction that was being conducted by a legendary auctioneer, Dick Withington, of New Hampshire. Dick was a real character, and he had a...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-value-of-condition/

HOARD INTERVIEW Q.  YOU CALL THIS THE SADDLE RIDGE HOARD; IS THAT WHERE YOU FOUND THESE COINS? MARY:  YES – WE FOUND THE COINS BURIED ON A LITTLE AREA OF OUR PROPERTY THAT WE CALL THE SA...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/saddle-ridge-10-million-hoard-interview-images/

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE  …

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/impressionists-on-the-water-images/

Seldom do I blog about any of the podcasts, but as I am sitting at O’Hare Airport, I decided to write about my experience at the Randolph Street Market in Chicago. I had more than an excellen...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/a-show-worth-your-visit/

by Martin Willis A look at how antiques connect us to forgotten lives of the past I was walking my dog this morning on the property of the 1790 House, which is a fine colonial structure in Wo...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/antiques-time-travel-for-dummies/

by Lee Kalfon One of the most pressing issues in our industry today, and one near to my heart, is how to engage the next generation of auction goers and antique collectors. I have read a good ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-next-generation/

Dear Mr.Willis, I have attached a photo of a painting signed Walt Kuhn in upper right, which belonged to my father. We have reason to believe it was passed down from his paternal side of the fa...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/what-is-it-what-is-it-worth/

A HISTORIC AUCTION, MEDIA FRENZY AND A NIGHT OWL’S DELIGHT by Martin Willis Check out our interview with Dan Meader prior to this auction here. When you have so many objects of a great fa...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/presidential-auction-results-emotions-prices-run-high/

by Ken Torrino Here are a few things you’d think you would never see in a New York City real estate office: Yet, we’d be wrong.  Right now, these and other historical documents can be f...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/pieces-of-history-on-display-in-new-york-city-real-estate-office/

‘One Man’s Trash’ you have heard the expression enough; here is another example how that it rings true. Back in 1982, my father, (Morgan Willis) and I were at a storage place meeting a w...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/tossed-but-not-lost/

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE. MARTIN: Hi everyone, welcome to the Antique Auction Forum. This is Martin Willis. Today is Podcast 122 with Gregg Elliott. His website is dogsanddoubles.com . We’...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-gregg-ell/

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE. MARTIN:  Hi everyone, this is Martin Willis with the Antique Auction Forum. Welcome to Episode 121 with Mary Miley Theobald . Today’s topic is going to be on his...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-mary-miley-theobald-121/

by Michael Lauck             Over the last few years it seems like there has been an increased interest in collecting the bizarre and odd, particularly the oddities of yesterday. As col...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/collecting-magic/

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE. MARTIN: Hi everyone, this is Martin Willis of Antiques Auction Forum episode 120. I’m excited about today’s guest; it’s the award-winning legendary actress, a...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes-polly-bergen-120/

by Eve Sparrow A decidedly interesting part of antiques and collectables is art. In years past there have been stories of paintings or other ephemera relating to artists that have sold for reco...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/6713/

BY MICHAEL BERNZWEIG Growing up, my mother had a houseful of antiques—which I not-so-affectionately referred to as junk. I felt embarrassed when my friends referred to our house as a museum. ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/pinpoint-the-unearthed-antique-with-a-metal-detector/

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE. MARTIN:  Hi everyone, this is Martin Willis with the Antique Auction Forum. Today’s episode is number 119 with Dale Blackwelder. He is a picker who specializes i...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes-dale-blackwelder-119/

by Eve Sparrow Pocket watches are something that have had a long and very varied history. As the saying goes “Tempus Fugit”, time flees. These items can be simply designed and functional, m...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/tempus-fugit-pocketwatch-auctions/

 by Eve Sparrow People will always be fascinated with auctions of any kind. The passion for collecting and restoring antiques and other valuable goods is gaining in popularity as people’s in...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/criminal-scene-collectables-buying-into-the-dark-side/

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE .   MARTIN WILLIS:  I’m on the phone with Terry Kovel  How are you Terry?   TERRY KOVEL:  I’m fine, thanks. Good to hear from you.   MARTIN:  Ye...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-terry-kovel-118/

MARTIN: OK I have jack Wilson on Skype, how’re you doing Jack?   JACK: I’m doing well Marty, yourself?   MARTIN: Good, thank you, and where are you?  You’re in Arizona?   JA...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-episode-117-jack-wilson/

MARTIN WILLIS: I’m in New Haven, Connecticut with Fred Giampietro. How you doing, Fred?   FRED GIAMPIETRO: Fine, fine. How are you?   MARTIN: And I apologize it took me a little while...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-episode-116-fred-giampietro/

by Kate Manko   I am an east coast gal. I was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and raised in Wells, Maine. I visit York, Maine often, it has always been one of my favorite places because it ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/kate-manko-at-the-george-marshall-store-gallery/

MARTIN WILLIS: Hi, everyone. I’m with Richard Wright on Skype in Chicago. How you doing, Richard?   RICHARD WRIGHT: I’m doing fine. Good morning to you.   MARTIN: Good morning and t...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-episode-115-richard-wright/

by Martin Willis Auction disasters and major challenges are rather rare, but when they happen they certainly leave an impression and they can be very interesting (as an afterthought). I have b...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/auction-disasters-challenges/

by Martin Willis Back in the 1990s I went on a house call to see a past clerk of my father’s auctions. Louis Sochia was a pleasant man with a great sense of humor. He, his partners Charlie & ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/artist-walt-kuhn-was-no-clown/

The following is a podcast  transcription. Hi, everyone, this is Martin Wills and welcome to the Antique Auction Forum for episode number 111 with John Rinaldi on whaling scrimshaw. Couple o...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-episode-111-john-rinaldi-on-scrimshaw/

MARTIN WILLIS:  Hello everyone, this is Martin Willis with the Antique Auction Forum and welcome to episode number 110 with Leslie Hindman.  I hope you enjoy today’s show.  This podcast is s...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/111-hindman-show-notes/

I was recently inspired to write this because of podcast number 107. WITH GUEST LEIGH KENO . Leigh made a remark that the younger crowd is influenced by the simple functionality of the iPhone ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-iphone-period/

photos by Kate Manko The year is 2012, the Large Hadron Collider is trying to separate the tiniest of particles, the Kepler Mission is finding all kinds of planets in other solar systems, and ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/brimfield-social-media-antiques-collide

by Bram Hepburn Many advanced collectors of early American glass bottles will tell you the category they first started collecting was ink bottles. Their diminutive size and alluring colors and...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/blog-blog/really-digging-bottles/

AN APPRAISER’S PERSPECTIVE OF AN ICON’S WRITTEN WORDS by Martin Willis I was recently involved in a very large appraisal and worked with a team of appraisers having varied specialties. I...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/marilyn-monroe-an-icon

  MARTIN: I have Bob on the line now how you doing?   BOB: I am doing well; it’s great to be here Martin thank you.   MARTIN: I was pretty excited when Eric Bradley of Antique Tra...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-episode-102-fbi-agent-robert-whitman/

MARTIN: I’m on Skype with Rebekah competent, Steiffgal Cambridge, Massachusetts are you doing Rebekah? REBEKAH: it is a pleasure to be speaking with you this evening. MARTIN: thank you, and...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/show-notes-101-steiff-rebekah-kaufman

I recently had the pleasure of vetting The Original Miami Beach Antique Show , and saw an amazing bronze by Emile Louis Picault (France, b. 1833-1913). There was a constant buzz at the show about...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/sweet-chariot/

I always seem to talk about fakes and reproductions in every podcast that I do. And lately I have been apologizing for doing so. Fakes have always been around and it probably always will be aroun...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/fakes-and-reproductions/

With worthpoint.com at the Original Miami antique show, Martin introduces Audra Blevins, Maggie Turnipseed, Jason Robbins, and Will Seippel. MARTIN: Will would you consider this show a success?...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/show-notes-for-podcast-100/

Hope you enjoyed Podcast #94. Martin visits longtime friend and very knowledgeable militaria collector/dealer Ron Burkey of Flying Tiger Antiques in Portsmouth, NH. They talk about what is hot, ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/94-ron-burkey-notes/

I hope you enjoyed podcast #93. Martin visits the Penningtons at Maine Antique Digest in Waldoboro, Maine. He speaks with Sally, Kate & Clayton Pennington about the beginnings of the paper, the ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/93-maine-antique-digest-show-notes/

                    I guess you could say that our family got in the antiques auction business because of drunkenness. Most people would be embarrassed to admit some...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/a-drunken-auctioneer-set-my-path/

I hope you enjoyed podcast #92. Martin talks to Mike Overby of Coeur d’Alene Art Auction about their recent $16.8 million auction, and some of their strategies for success. They further discus...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/show-notes/92-mike-overby-of-coeur-dalene-art-auction-show-notes/

It has been way too long since I posted my last blog. I love to write and hope to do more soon. On my way to the Randolph Street Market in Chicago, I had left California with a day or two to sp...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog-the-way-it-is

by Martin Willis FOR A MORE RECENT BLOG AFTER READING MARILYN’S UNKNOWN PERSONAL LETTERS, CLICK HERE. I recently had a talk with Joe Maddalena on podcast number 80 and he made a very log...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/marilyn-monroe-subway-dress-liz-taylor

DUE TO A HIGH DAILY ACTIVITY OF SPAMMERS WITH NO WAY TO REGULATE OR FILTER THEM OUT IN THE SIGN UP PROCESS, WE HAD TO CLOSE THE MESSAGE BOARD. WE WILL TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THIS PAGE AN ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/message-board-community

by Ron Lawson It seems almost everywhere you turn these days you do not have to go very far to notice a molded, pressed particle or stapled flat pack piece of furniture, perhaps even in your o...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-ikea-generation-lack-of-sophisticated-collectors/

by Martin Willis One of the genesis of starting the podcast is I thought there were so many stories to tell in the business. There are so many things that happen behind the scenes that no one c...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/auction-diaries

by Martin Willis After my delightful podcast recording this week with the blog authors of Vintage with Vengeance , I decided to look into the world & the word of VINTAGE. Looking vintage up ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/a-word-about-vintage/

By Martin Willis I enjoy the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany and after Reyne Haines and I did Podcast #72. about his  glass, I decided to write a little about him. There is so much to write wh...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/louis_comfort_tiffany_art_glass_blog

By Martin Willis There has always been controversy on when someone should refinish on old piece of furniture and when they should leave it be. I did antique restoration and the refinishing of...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/to-refinish-or-not-to-refinish/

by Martin Willis This editorial is about American furniture, I may write at a later time explaining how to tell the difference between Period American and English Georgian furniture of the same...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/how-to-discern-period-furniture-vs-centennial-or-later/

by Median1 There has always been a illicit market for looted and stolen antiques and history. New York-based Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and the United States Holoca...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/trafficking_culteral_antiques_antiquities

by Martin Willis Back around 1983, I was working with my father at his auction gallery in Eliot, Maine. It was a small, regional auction house called Seaboard Auction Gallery. We had auctions ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/country-auctioneer-in-the-city/

by Ron Lawson Recently, I was given Mark Twain’s autobiography which was followed that same week by the news that a newly-released version of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” will ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/denying-history-taboo-antiques-collectibles-in-a-steadily-growing-pc-world/

A STORY ABOUT A PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE ARTIST,  JOHN S. BLUNT (1798-1835) by Martin Willis I came from a town right outside of a small New Hampshire historical harbor city, Portsmouth. It ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/john_s_Blunt_fire_bucket_portsmouth_artist

As Stated in a Speech given by JEFF WICHMANN of AMERICAN BOTTLE AUCTIONS , August 7, 2010. Click here for our podcast with Jeff. At the FOHBC conference in Wilmington, Ohio. Did you know...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/guest-blogs/the-current-state-of-the-bottle-hobby/

by Martin Willis I will be the first to admit that I am not well versed in this era of furniture but have been trying to educate myself a little on it. Some pieces I do not find appealing, but ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/mid_century_design_furniture

by Martin Willis This week’s podcast is an interview with Harold Holzer, one of the leading scholars on Abraham Lincoln. I am very thrilled to write this article about Abraham Lincoln’s wr...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/writings_of_abraham_lincoln_blog

by Martin Willis All of us in the business like to hear about best finds that someone scoops at an estate sale, flea market, auction or by other means. I decided not to go into my own person...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/incredible_antique_art_finds

By Martin Willis For a related podcast, click here. For several years I assisted Chuck DeLuca from Maine with his maritime auctions. He would have such interesting pieces pass through his s...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/antique_whale_ivory_scrimshaw

by Dr. J. Darragh M. Elliott, M.Sc., Ph.D. “AN INSATIABLE COLLECTOR – PART THREE” There are all types of auctions. The most famous being those of Sothebys and Christies. Other auctions ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog_buying_art_at_auction

Feel Free To Link to us! HERE IS THE CODE TO COPY FOR THIS LINKED LOGO ABOVE:

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/links

 …

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/reference_books

  ANTIQUES NEAR ME            …

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/upcoming_auctions

This is Part II of a blog by Reyne Haines So, last week I left you hanging when I asked Martin the question: WHAT STRATEGIES TO BUY AT AUCTION WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE NOVICE? Here is Part II...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/auction_strategies_part2

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM A BLOG: PICKING WITH REYNE. PART II WILL BE UP NEXT WEEK. Who says you can only pick door to door? There are plenty of picking opportunities that arise at auction. I kno...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog_auction_strategies

We decided that our weekly blogs are going to be informational. You will be seeing a lot of “How To” in regards to antiques, art and auctions. Your input for ideas is always welcome, just sen...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog_cleaning_cloudy_glass_reyne_haines

Since we started our podcast, we have been looking for ways to spread the word about what we are doing. Our first priority has always been to make our podcasts fun and informational. We hope to s...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/antique_trader_eric_bradley

In Episode 53. Professor Burstein talks about the timeless way of writing that Jefferson had as one of his many gifts. After all, he did write the Declaration of Independence. While Jefferson w...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog_thomas_jefferson_burstein

We decided to post Auction Kings Paul Brown interview podcast. We will still air astronaut Alan Bean’s podcast the Friday, the 26th. We hope you enjoy two extra podcasts this week.…

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/this-week/

A visit to the Houston Antique Dealers Association offers an insight into investing in the Chinese, Russian, Furniture markets for the Fall 2010.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2v60Qniwl8…

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/reyne-gauge-episode-1/

Reyne interviews Suzy Smith, a professional Stylist, about “re-purposing” antiques and discusses how to determine the value of those items.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9OpsdplNXM…

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-art-of-picking-7-with-reyne-haines/

Reyne explores beautiful antique floor tiles and learns about “the one” that got away.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeEryftKcL0…

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-art-of-picking-episode-8-in-hd/

Reyne interviews Janine Godwin, a professional Organizer, on the best ways to store and shop Antiques.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfTgJIGTahA…

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/art-of-picking-6/

One dealer shows Reyne two rare plates from the 1930’s he picked for one tenth their true value and another dealer tells the story of how she picked (right out of a bird cage) a rare sewing acc...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-art-of-picking-episode-5-hd/

An Informative Narrative by Phelps Fullerton Our Podcast with Phelps on the subject: Click Here I think to get a better understanding of the antique advertising market you need to get some bac...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/antique_advertising__phelps_fullerton

Reyne finds Maynard and usable antiques guys love to collect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMkrLF9RgE8…

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/art-of-picking-with-reyne-haines-for-antiques-com-episode-4/

Reyne goes to Round Top for the summer Antique Market exploring provenance on a rare piece of furniture and meets the “unluckiest guy” to have survived the Civil War.http://www.youtube.com/wa...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/art-of-picking-with-reyne-haines-for-antiques-com-episode-3/

Second in the series of videos presented by Antiques.com to provide collectors with tips on picking antiques. In this episode Reyne visits the Urban Market outside Houston, TX and discusses more ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-art-of-picking-with-reyne-haines-2/

First in the series of videos presented by Antiques.com to provide collectors with tips on picking antiques. In this episode Reyne visits the Urban Market outside Houston, TX and discusses basic ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/the-art-of-picking-with-reyne-haines-1/

BASIC GLOSSARY OF AUCTION TERMINOLOGY ABSENTEE BID: A procedure, which allows a bidder to participate in the bidding process without being physically present. Generally, a bidder submits an ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/links/auction-glossary/auction-glossary/

ANTIQUE: usually any object over 100 years old ARMOIRE: a very large and highly decorated cupboard or wardrobe ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT: a movement which began in England, influenced by Willi...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/blog/links/antiques-glossary/antiques-glossary/

Fine Art Registry Provided us with this Glossary. Click image to visit. Abstract Art An abstract work of art; artistic content depends on internal form rather than pictorial representation. In ...

http://antiqueauctionforum.com/art-glossary