A 98-year-old doll sold at auction over the weekend for a record $300,000.

Annapolis-based Theriault's, which specializes in the appraisals and auctions of antique dolls, held the auction in Naples, Fla. It included nearly 1,000 pieces from the former Puppenmuseum Stein am Rhein, a doll museum in Switzerland.

"The Albert Marque bebe has long been considered the most coveted doll in the world by collectors," Theriault's president Suart Holbrook said in a statement. "It is for good reason in that this renowned art doll blends every essential characteristic of greatness: rarity, artistic provenance, fashion, romance and, most importantly, unparalleled beauty."

The winning bidder was not disclosed.

Theriault says the doll, which was wearing an original signed costume, is one of 100 known to have been made.

Source: www.bizjournals.com 

The Picker Knows, an antique and collectibles consignment shop, has opened at 221 S.W. 63rd St., Suite C in Des Moines next to the Dollar General store.

The Picker Knows antique shop has opened in Des Moines. (Special to the Register)

Zach Brody operates the business and had previously owned a small antique store called A to Z across the street from the new shop. Brody sold antiques at A to Z but closed the shop at the end of last year. The new larger location currently has 23 vendors and is growing, Brody said.

Sellers can rent booths or cases for their merchandise, he said.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Call 255-3238, visit www.thepickerknows.com or find it on Facebook.

Source: www.desmoinesregister.com 

AMHERST – There is a water-stained clock and an adding machine from a bygone era. There are two electric fans that don’t promise to work when plugged in. There are toys and ashtrays, glassware and porcelain knickknacks, Buddha incense holders and .45 records and more salt and pepper shakers than you can shake a stick at. There is what appears to be a Confederate $1,000 bill.

In the preview time before the action starts, would-be bidders sift through the tables full of items at Kimballs Auction and Estate Services. Many of them are dealers hoping to pick up a few things for a song and sell them for a symphony. Others are regulars who simply like sorting through the remains of other people’s lives, perhaps going home with a couple of things. All of them know unerringly where to find Kimballs on a rainy March afternoon.

As Doug Kimball explains it, he works with people who are moving, divorcing, down-sizing and dying to get rid of the stuff they no longer want or need. Sometimes he buys their whole trove and keeps whatever profit he might make. Sometimes he sells items for them one by one and takes a commission. Kimball describes himself as a full-service auctioneer, which is perhaps why he has survived in a dying business. For some of his colleagues, he said, the Internet has made the trade prohibitive.

Last month, George T. Lewis of Williamsburg held his last auction at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, putting an end to his 37 years as an auctioneer. Lewis cited several factors that have changed the landscape for estate auctioneers, notable among them the Internet.

“That’s the dominant factor,” he said during an interview at his 18th century hilltown home. “In the 1980s we had it good and didn’t know it.”

Whereas estate auctions used to be folksy affairs attended by bidders who ranged from the curious to the astute, they are now often online events at which well-informed people can bid electronically or by proxy as well as in person. Some of these bidders are professionals who want as much information as possible, obligating the auctioneer to photograph and post every item on the Internet, along with its measurements and an estimate.

“The cost-versus-return is greater now than before,” Lewis said. “We have to reach further and further. There are fewer people willing to give you four to seven hours to sit and wait for one or two items they’re interested in.”

Lewis differs from Kimball in that he cherry-picks a handful of things from an estate rather than taking on the whole load. Mostly, he is looking for antiques and other items of value that will sell for three figures and higher. Over the years, he has been assisted in this by his daughter and a small but loyal staff. As he turned 69, Lewis decided that effort was no longer worth the return.

Still, he gets choked up at times recalling his adventures in auctioneering. A native of Pennsylvania, Lewis derived his fascination for antiques from his mother.

“I always enjoyed auctions,” he said. “They can be very exciting.”

He found he also liked the rural atmosphere of Western Massachusetts. His house was built around the time of the American Revolution. Lewis has lived in it for 34 years. During that time he has browsed through more estates than he can recall. Although he remembers finds like the South Hadley Village Hotel sign, Lewis has bought and sold too many things to remember. He goes to other peoples’ auctions in his free time, maybe once a week.

Lewis said he had a good turnout for his last auction at Smith.

“I was very gratified,” he said. “People I hadn’t seen in years came just to say goodbye.”

But the demands of the Internet made Lewis reassess his trade.

“I don’t mind (the extra work) for four or five figures,” he said, “but not for a few hundred.”

Lewis is not getting out of the business entirely, however. He plans to work for Cobb Auctioneers, a New Hampshire company, handling certain select pieces, though he has yet to work out the details of his remuneration.

At Kimballs, the weekly actions have remained low-tech. There is no one bidding by Skype or cell phone, just regulars flashing cards. Some are tight-lipped about their business. One dealer, who would give his name only as Rick, said it is getting more and more difficult to make a profit by buying at auction and selling to others.

“It used to be lucrative, but the economy’s in the toilet,” he said. “The kids coming up have no interest in antiques.”

Nancy Hamel of Belchertown, another dealer, has been at it for 40 years.

“You have to know the trends in the market,” she said, adding that mid-20th century stuff is currently hot. Hamel said she didn’t drive all the way to Kimballs in the rain to go home empty-handed.

“When I make the time and effort to get to an auction, I want to buy,” she said. “You’ve got to love it.”

Jeff Lefevere is among those regulars who come, in his words, because of two words: “treasure hunting.” His two-room apartment in Northampton is chock full of auction finds, he said, with more than 300 items on the walls alone. Occasionally, if he is very lucky, Lefevere will make some money from a find. He once discovered a platinum fork among a set of silverware he bought at a flea market for $95. He sold the fork for $1,400. Lefevere, incidentally, was among the crowd at George Lewis’ final auction.

The bidding at Kimballs starts at 6 p.m. sharp and proceeds at a brisk pace. A piano stool goes for $35, a wire rack for $15. A parade of young employees in maroon Kimball shirts hold the items up for view as Kimball auctions them off. The high end item in the early going is an Oriental rug that sells for $220. The pair of electric fans finds a buyer for $30. The water-stained clock goes to the winning bidder for $20.

Source: www.masslive.com

While the world gears up for the latest installment in the Captain American film series, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, today we bring you something rather dope for the collectors of the world. Today the good folks over at Hot Toys premieres its latest collectible figurine made to match the likeness of S.H.I.E.L.D. member Steve Rodgers played by actor Chris Evans.

This impressive collectible toy is all about the details boasting a contemporary version of his patriotic uniform, with the creation donning the vintage-styled “Golden Age” suit and distressed shield. The toy features 30 points of articulations, the 1/6th scale figure includes nine pieces of interchangeable gloved palms, a new hand-painted and helmeted head sculpt, a stand, and more. The Hot Toys Captain America “Golden Age Version” Collectible Figure will be available later this year in select markets.

Source: www.stupiddope.com

By Jordan Friedman The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Police are searching for a man who allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from an antique store in Oakwood earlier this month and walks with an unusual wobbling or swaying, according to the Oakwood Police Department.

A short man entered Aardvark Antiques on Mundy Mill Road on both March 8 and 9, according to investigator Danny Sridej. On the first day, he made conversation with employees and determined the location of the store’s cameras. He returned the following night after the store closed to steal several valuable items, including rings and an antique watch, Sridej said.

Store owner Charles Pharr told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the items are valued at more than $30,000. He described the man as walking “kind of like a penguin.”

After first entering the store on March 8 at around 1 p.m., the man “must have made 10 trips to the jewelry counter” to make it seem as though he was viewing a large piece of art beside it, which he photographed, said Pharr, who has viewed footage of the suspect and discussed the incident with colleagues in the store at the time.

Pharr said the man repeatedly glanced at the security monitor in the store, and then unlocked the latch of a roll-up door in the back area and exited.

The next night at around 8:10 p.m., after closing time, Pharr said, the man allegedly re-entered the store through the roll-up door and cut wires in a power switch box to try to disable the store’s security camera system. But the cameras remained functional, and footage shows the jewelry gradually disappearing as the man ducked down behind the counter and grabbed the items, according to Pharr.

Among the stolen items, Sridej said, were antique rings, gold bracelets with diamonds and an antique watch.

This was the first time such an incident has happened at the store, and “this guy knew what he was doing,” Pharr said.

The roll-up door is usually checked to make sure it is locked but wasn’t the the day of the reported theft, he said.

Pharr added that he has since ordered a new, top-notch, wireless security system for Aardvark Antiques. At first, he didn’t plan on telling anybody about the incident.

“I didn’t want it to make our business seem as if it’s an unsecure place,” Pharr said. “But now it will be as secure as ever.”

Sridej said the man was careful not to leave prints.

“We’re hoping a citizen or bystander might recognize him from the photographs,” Sridej said, or that somebody sees the stolen items if they are sold online or at a pawn shop.

The man is described as white, between 180 and 210 pounds and likely in his early 50s, and between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall. Sridej said he also has a “pudgy belly.”

Those with information are encouraged to call (770) 534-2364. The antique store is offering a $1,000 reward for anybody with information that leads to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.

Source: www.ajc.com

David Gooding is the founder of the Gooding & Co. auction house, an exclusive and successful endeavor that has sold some of the most beautiful (and valuable) collectible cars in the world. His company hosts a trio of auctions annually, often coinciding with esteemed gatherings of classic vehicles like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

One of these top-notch car shows, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, just took place, and Gooding’s sale there was a banner event, grossing over $30 million and setting fifteen new auction sales records. Since he’s one of the most charming and erudite people we know when it comes to the collectible automobile market, we invited David to walk around the Concours show field with us, gawk at the imposing classics assembled there, and talk about some of the standard bearers and up and comers. 

Not surprisingly for anyone who has at all followed the market recently, David’s top sales, nine of which crested the $1 million mark, were nearly all blue chip German and Italian brands — Porsches, Ferraris, Benzes, and Bimmers. “The very high end of the market is as strong as it’s ever been and will likely continue,” Gooding said on the fairway. “I can’t see maintaining 40 to 50 percent growth every year like we’ve been seeing recently, but I also don’t anticipate a cataclysmic correction.”

This means that Mercedes 300SL Gullwing coupes and roadsters, and mid-century Ferrari GTs will continue to fetch seven-figure prices, like the 1964 Benz and 1955 Fezza that Gooding hammered for $2.035 million and $2.530 million, respectively. Gooding attributes some of this market strength to the continuing existence of low interest rates, but also credits a pair of less immediately visible trends. “We’ve finally turned a corner in seeing autos as an asset class like other high end collectibles,” he said. “Plus people are now seeing cars, and particularly classic cars, as a true art form, and treating them as such — like fine art — in the market.”

But what about those of us who don’t have a line of credit good for endless cheap millions? Well, Gooding had a significant field of low to mid five-figure vehicles in this sale — many of which came from a large single marque collection of 18 BMWs that he had been chasing for some time. (“It’s like a romance,” he said of the pursuit. “It takes some time. It’s not a one night stand.”) 



Gooding claimed that BMWs have been underappreciated in the market in recent years, but that brand loyalty, a great performance and design heritage, and the high prices of other German marques have recently caused an uptick in interest and prices. Clean, low mileage, original, and limited production BMWs like the 1971 2002 Cabriolet ($68,200) the 1988 M6 ($57,200) or the 1964 3200 CS ($48,400) Gooding sold at Amelia thus represent a great mid entry-level offering.

Similarly, Porsche 911 prices—particularly for the first generation cars from the mid-60s and the powerful, lightweight RS cars of the early 70s—have recently skyrocketed, putting them out of reach of many enthusiasts. But Gooding says that now might be the time to pull the trigger on buying a nice 914, 944, or 928. “A good, quality Porsche of any era is getting pulled up by the high prices 911s are garnering,” he says. When we asked about the possibility of a six-figure 924, he not only didn’t laugh in our face, he actually nodded and said that it was “not impossible” to imagine in the near-ish future.

And if you missed the boat on Mercedes-Benz Gullwings, and their junior siblings the 190SL, and their stately older brothers the 280SE 3.5 cabriolets, and their descendants the Pagoda top roadsters of the 60s and 70s — the values of which Gooding described as “white hot”— you might still have a crack at an appreciating Benz convertible. “560SLs are coming up,” Gooding said of the last of the long line of lovely, tank-like R107 roadsters from the late 80s. “Especially cars in unusual colors, those are selling very well.”



If you’re really looking for a real entry-level crack at the market, however, you’ll have to look past Germany and Italy. “British cars are a really good value right now,” Gooding told us as we finished our walk. “Big Bentley and Rolls sedans and coupes have great heritage and looks and quality, and are ongoing and aspirational brands that are still thriving. Same with Jaguars, which have a rough but generally undeserved reputation.”


We’re personally stalking an 80s or 90s V-12 XJS coupe or convertible right now, many seemingly decent examples of which currently sell in the high fourto lowest end of the five-figure range. We told Gooding that seemed like an almost criminal undervaluing of these gracious grand tourers. He nodded and smiled. “I would absolutely agree.”

But his best piece of advice was also the most emotional and honest, and gets to the heart of the hobby and our love of cars. “If it looks cheap to you and you believe in it,” he said, “follow your interest. Too many times I’ve sat around with the guys I work with talking about we should buy this car or that, and a year later it’s not affordable.

We immediately went back to our hotel room and redoubled our eBay search for a clean XJS.

Source: http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/the-expert-guide-to-high-dollar-collectible-cars-of-the-future-180354983.html 

The Chatham Historical Society warmed hearts and minds on Saturday, March 15, when it hosted its 19th Annual Antiques Appraisal Day at the East Hampton Public Library.

About 40 people were there within a half hour of the doors opening, at 9 a.m., and more than 200 guests were anticipated. Some people brought in special treasures from home to be appraised; others were interested to know if a recent “find” was a good buy.

Antiques are defined as objects more than 100 years old. A few categories of house wares gain value after 50 years or more, but for the most part, a century is the marker for an antique. Furthermore, an antique should have credentials or bills of sale to document its resale history, if it has not been in a family since purchase. Antiques restored or repainted generally lose value, except as an object of use. Highly-priced antiques can be restored by certified restorationists, and not lose as much value.

Appraiser Tim Verre, of Hiram Griswold Antiques, said the most valuable pieces he saw by mid-morning were an early 1930s Lenox dinnerware set that would be officially antique in about 20 years. Today, the set is worth about $600. “Any produced much later than that are not that valuable,” he said.

Steve Karney had a treasured calligraphy book from the 1860s which his father had received as a boy in Milford several decades ago. When Karney began writing in cursive, his father gave him the book. It has fascinated him ever since. Verre said it was by far the most interesting article he had yet seen that day.

Other people had items including an old porcelain pocket watch, an antique violin, and a woven woolen rug. Few wanted to part with their treasures, but all were keen to know how much they might be worth.

Ray Lasky, an appraiser of Lasky-Griswold Antiques, was looking at a violin for markings to determine its maker.

Pat Demar was there to see if his recent purchase of a photograph of Elvis was worth what he paid. He found it at a recent estate sale and said he would enjoy it whether it was valuable or not.

Demar was excited to report that he is leading a reopening of a business at the former Town Auction site as a Westchester business that will carry an even broader array of antiques as well as the familiar lines of goods that were found there for decades. It will also sell services for cellular and video gaming products.

Sophie Barnes, Debbie Day and Eva Weber of the Chatham Historical Society, among other volunteers, were serving hot coffee, tea and sweets to the hopeful treasure-holders.

Source: www.remindernews.com 

A fifth-generation Italian antique dealer, Jacopo Bellini grew up searching for hidden gems.

“It’s fun,” Bellini said. “It’s treasure hunting. There’s always something that I fall in love with.”

Born and raised in Milan with ancestral heritage in Florence, Bellini shares his culture through the Italian antiques he brings to his store. Located in Solana Beach’s Design District, Bellini’s Antique Italia offers 17th century to mid-20th century modern Italian antiques, as well as contemporary décor pieces.

Hand-picked for their master craftsmanship, every piece has its own story.

“Sometimes you can tell the story because you bought it from a family that has owned the piece for a long time,” Bellini said. “With 20th mid-century pieces, there is a story related to the designer who designed the piece.”

Bellini relocated to the United States in 2000. For two years, he worked as an antique buyer and restorer before opening his own store in Solana Beach.

“Coming from Italy, I’m used to people walking the streets,” he said. “La Jolla, Little Italy and Solana Beach were the only three places where I saw people walking.”

Bellini’s Antique Italia opened in 2002 at the corner of Cedros Avenue and Lomas Santa Fe Drive before it moved to its current, more visible location across the street about a decade later.

The shop owner travels to Italy a few times each year to both visit his family in Milan and visit his sources throughout the country, choosing the best pieces for his store.

“The store is really personal,” Bellini said. “People come here and they want to hear your accent, they want to hear the story.”

Bellini’s father, Roberto, still operates an antique store in Milan. His cousins also run their own store. The first family business was in existence around 1850 in Florence and was run by his great-great-grandfather, Bellini said.

Although he wanted to continue the family business, Bellini wanted to open his store overseas.

“I realized that dream,” he said.

“If you ever watched an Italian movie and liked what you see in the movies, how their houses were warm and charming, you can find the same feeling here,” Bellini added. “My goal is to bring here the best of Italy.”

Bellini’s Antique Italia is located at 117 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. The shop is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 858-509-9399, email belliniimports@gmail.com or visit www.belliniimports.com.

Source: www.delmartimes.net 

HADDAM – Terry Smith, president of the Haddam Historical Society, is thrilled that the society's annual fund-raiser – the Connecticut Spring Antiques Show – is once again returning to the State Armory in Hartford.

The prestigious exhibit of pre-1840s antiques, which takes place March 22 and 23, features 65 exhibitors from around the Northeast. The show returned to the Armory last year after a 10-year hiatus.

But Smith said the operating costs for running the show at the armory are three times higher than the previous venue, Eastern States Exposition Center in Springfield, Mass.

So he's looking to the legislature for help.

State Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, whose district includes Haddam, has introduced a bill seeking funds to cover operational costs for the antiques show while the society explores other ways to meet these costs.

"The Connecticut Spring Antiques Show is a great event," Linares said. "We want to make sure it stays in Hartford and that the Haddam Historical Society has the funds to sustain itself."

The bill calls for $50,000 to be appropriated to the state Department of Economic and Community Development from the general fund for fiscal year 2015 to cover operating expenses. These include rental costs and police and fire marshal expenses for the weekend event.

A hearing was held Thursday on the bill, which Linares hopes will be approved during the current legislative session, which ends in May.

Smith, who is also the antiques show's treasurer, said the money is not a handout. He said an economic impact study showed that the spring antiques show generated between $80,000 to $300,000 for the Hartford area last year. "The funds will give us three years of operational costs while we get on our feet," he said.

The Connecticut Spring Antiques Show, now in its 41st year, was traditionally held in the State Armory until the Sept. 11 attacks of 2001, when the building became off limits to the public. For nearly a decade, the show was held across the border in Massachusetts at the Eastern States Exposition Center. Last year, organizers reached a deal to return to Hartford.

The Saturday and Sunday show features museum-quality early American furniture, ceramics, silver, paintings, prints and textiles. Exhibitors set up in armory's vast drill shed, showing their wares in room-like settings. Some pieces have been known to sell for six figures, but organizers say there are more modestly priced items.

Source: www.courant.com 

VERO BEACH - The 37th annual Antique Automobile Show will be held at Riverside Park on March 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The judged show is sponsored by the Indian River Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). Approximately 300 cars are expected to be on display.

The show, Vero’s oldest and largest, is free to the public. Dash plaques will be given to the first 300 registered vehicles and trophies will be awarded to the winners of each recognized class. Cost for early vehicle registration is $15 or $20 the day of the show.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. on show day

All antique, classic, prestige, foreign, special interest, commercial and modified vehicles are welcome to register for the one day event. There will be something of interest to all ages and plenty of free parking is available.

The show also features a large car-related flea market, a food court, and a car corral for buying or selling collector cars. The local Antique Auto Club is partnering with the U.S. Postal Service to collect food to help "Drive Out Hunger." Please bring a non-perishable food item to the show.

For additional information call Clark Ballard at 772-567-8920.

Source: www.tcpalm.com