Ms Dow Antiques Blog - Tique Talk

Findlay Antique Bottle Club - A Good Read

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:25:00 +0000

I've been very busy with the Findlay Antique Bottle Club's website of late -- here are a few of the blog posts I've written over there, starting with the report on our recent bottle show: Read the report and see all the show pix.

------------------------------ My other recent articles:

Antique Week Article NOT Poison for
Bottle Collecting Hobby
Good news -- bottles and bottle collecting are the focus of this week's Antique Week paper's cover story. It is so great to see our wonderful hobby... More ->

Glass Discoveries Auction Post Udated -- New Pix
Check out this earlier FinBotClub blog post -- Rare Antique Bottles - Glass Discoveries Auction ends Nov. 10th I wanted to give you a better idea of... More ->

Sample 1-Way WWII Dates Beer Bottle --Rare?
[Editor's note: Originally posted July 2009 -- latest info update added 11/6/09]I rec'd this email today, and thought I'd share it, and my response,... More ->

Rare Antique Bottles - Glass Discoveries Auction ends Nov. 10th
Glass Discoveries is currently running their latest online antique bottles and insulators auction (#61). The auction ends next week, on November 10th... More ->

Congrats to Joe Coulson and MABFJ Club!
We here at FinBotClub want to give a shout out to Joe Coulson, the editor of the Midwest Antique Bottle and Fruit Jar Club's wonderful newsletter.... More ->

Pittsburgh Antique Bottle Show Sunday Nov 8th
The Pittsburgh Antique Bottle Club will host their Antique Bottle Club Annual Show on November 8, 2009.The event will be held at The Ice Garden,... More ->

Happy Halloween
Enjoy this awesome vintage Dr. Pepper soda pop advertising die cut DEVIL! More ->

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Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

All About Depression Glass - Webinar

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:42:00 +0000

Have you got some Depression Glass items that you inherited? Or just want to know more about Depression Glass?

Antique Trader is putting on a webinar (online seminar) this Thursday -- all about collecting and identifying Depression Glass.

" Once a popular prize found in oatmeal boxes, and used by movie houses and gas stations as a free gift with purchase, the history of Depression glass is as diverse as the pieces themselves. Learn the history behind the companies, commonly reproduced patterns and why the hobby of Depression Glass collecting is getting bigger every year. "

Here's more info from their ads:

Join noted appraiser and glass expert Ellen Schroy for a live, online seminar devoted to Depression glass. The seminar will include discussion, reference materials, and a question-and-answer session.

Date: Thursday, November 5th 2009
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Length: 1 Hour Session
Cost: $15.99

Topics To Be Covered:
Depression glass history and manufacturers
Identify patterns by design and markings
Detect fakes and reproductions
Assess the value of Depression glass

Sign Up Now - www.antiquetrader.com/webinars

If you can't join the seminar/webinar, or want even more info -- be sure to go to COLLECTORS WEEKLY's Depression Glass page, and read about Depression Glass, and see lots of pix, and ebay listings.

Also, you will want to check out the National Depression Glass Association (The CollectorsWeekly page has a link).

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Happy Halloween

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Art Nouveau Really Nouveau - 20th Century Design Auction

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Isn't this the most beautiful Art Nouveau Chair?!!!! I am madly in love with it -- and believe it or not, it is not an antique -- it was made in 2000 by CLAUDE LALANNE. I just had to share it with you.

It is going to be in Heritage Auctions (ha.com) 2009 December Signature 20th Century Design Auction #5032

Can't wait to see what this antique-to-be sells for. Check back!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

All Aboard! Railroad History Books - Lots of Old Pix

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:13:00 +0000

Arcadia Publishing is one of my faves, as you know. Here's just one more reason why -- look at these great books about railroad, trolley, streetcar and subways -- and they are all illustrated with such wonderful vintage photos and postcards.

They have a book about Los Angeles's Yellow Cars -- San Francisco's Cable cars -- Florida's Railroads in the 1920's - just to point out a few that caught my interest.

Here's a few pix - but be sure to go to their website, where you can search inside the book on many of their titles. It's a great website, and a they have such a varied selection of illustrated history books.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Marmotinto - Folk Art Art in a Bottle

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:12:00 +0000

The artist who created these beautiful bottles in the late 1800's was Andrew Clemens (1857-1894) of McGregor, Iowa, who was a deaf-mute.

The Victorian-era craft is called MARMOTINTO, and Clemens was the undisputed master. The sand is tightly packed, but not glued. It could take the artist 3 weeks, or 3 months, or sometimes up to a year to complete one bottle.

These antique glass bottles are filled with tiny grains of colored sand, all placed by hand, with what was basically a long-handled hook (see pic of tools at left). Absolutely amazing, right?!

The really rare matched pair of sweetheart sand bottles Clemens made for Henry Reinken and his future wife Helen Wimmler, have an estimated value $25,000-35,000, according to Cowan's Auctions.

Find out more about Andrew Clemens, and see many more pix of his beautiful bottles in these informative sites:

A. Clemens Bio -- Read his story, and about how he made his art.

Photo Gallery of Clemens Sand Bottles -- Super page with pix of Clemens, and about 20 of his amazing sand art bottles.

Wes Cowan's Article -- Referenced above. Well worth reading.

And be sure to read this informative article about THE SAND MAN & HIS SPECTACULAR BOTTLES from Antique Trader's article archive.

See some of Clemens' Sand Bottles on exhibit at the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum.

There is one of Clemen's sand art bottles up for auction next month at Skinners - only estimated at $8000 - $10,000 -- yikes!

Lot 206 -- Signed Sand Picture in a Glass Bottle Showing a Paddlewheeler, Andrew Clemens, McGregor, Iowa, c. 1888

There was one of these beautiful pieces on the Roadshow back in 2002 -- here's the link to the PBS archive of that rare Clemens Sand Art Bottle -- it has a mortar and pestle/pharmacy theme - fabulous!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Collectors Weekly - October's New Categories

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:47:00 +0000

Cool collector's resource site COLLECTORS WEEKLY has added a slew of new categories, interviews, articles, and ebay-watch features. The site just keeps growing, and getting better.

Their latest update info:

Click for CATEGORIES LIST

[My note: Here's a hot tip -- when you are on a category page, click on the ALL AUCTIONS tab, and it becomes a SUPER BROWSE page - you can see tons more eBay auctions, and it's so much easier than going to ebay - and the pages load so fast. If you normally surf eBay, and Collectors Weekly has your category, I promise you will dig it! --M.]

Click for ROADSHOW REPORT

Click for INTERVIEWS LIST

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Do You Hear the Call of the Old - or Are You A Memorist?

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:37:00 +0000

For those of you who may have read my recent post, Antiques Collectors Buy More Than Memories, here is a postscript/addendum.

While you may not think about coming back to a post to see if there are any comments or replies added, I have found that sometimes the most interesting part of the post is in the conversation that follows.

My original post discussed Harry Rinker's comment "There is no collectability without memory." I want to share with you the comment that artist Dave Dubet (of the Old Paper Art site) wrote, along with my response.

2 comments:

MrCachet said...

Okay. I have to toss my two cents into this thing, simply because - I do.

I have no idea who Mr. Rinker is and had never read his column until this AM. I would have to agree with you Marianne, and strongly disagree with him.

I too am now hooked on old paper. It has gone beyond my desire to make art. When I first began seriously looking for old paper in February, I had one thing and one thing only in mind - putting my art work on it. There were products and advertising from my early youth that carried strong impressions and real memories - but they were images. I had no idea why I was attracted to them. Those, I think are the memories of Mr. Rinker.

I'm now going back even further looking for old paper which talks to me - products I know nothing about, but their names are intriguing. I realize that some of the images I'm now chasing (like packaging) will be rare finds. That has not stopped me from buying some of the paper I'm buying! I have more than enough to keep me busy for thirty years, but find myself returning again and again to eBay or local dealers who may have a piece of paper that I simply must have.

I too am hung on early litho because I know (and knew) the process involved in getting the image onto the paper. Those colorful images were originally attractive to me from the artist's perspective in me, but they had already passed into history by the time I came on the scene. By the late 40's, advertising was no longer illustration but had lost out to the quicker process of photography. I won't say that there wasn't still illustration being used (Coca-Cola for instance, or Post Magazine covers), but for the most part - illustration was dead. I have no memory of Zu-Zu the Clown or the Uneeda Biscuit Boy. Those are images I discovered only recently, and came to understand why they were attractive and why they sold their products.

So - on this one I think Mr. Rinker is dead wrong.

--------------------------------------------------

October 21, 2009 5:23 AM

Marianne Dow said...

Dave - thanks for taking the time to write such a great comment. While I certainly understand the attraction of old paper, I hope it doesn't distract you from your wonderful art! The search for buried treasure is addicting.

You mentioned the way the old lithos were made. When I started collecting cigar box labels, I learned about the stone litho process, which is incredibly detailed - I am in awe when I think of how they drew those images, the artistic talent that went unsigned. I have seen several cigar label stones, but never one for sale. Yet!

I popped an email out to Mr. Rinker, and he wrote back a nice note. Here's a bit of it:

"...[My]writing has always been designed to get people in the trade to think -- something my most recent Ruby Lane blog has done since I received several e-mail from readers. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. --Harry L. Rinker

PS: One final thought -- beware of considering yourself typical when you may be atypical. ..."

Well, I don't think I am atypical, based on several comments and conversations I have had. But there certainly are many people who collect just to buy back their childhood memories, or to create their idealised childhood.

I guess I just objected to Rinker's saying there was the one definitive collector, when there are plenty of both types of collectors - "Memorists" and those of us who choose to hear the "Call of the Old".

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Barbra Streisand - Auction Results

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

According to this LA Times article, Barbra Streisand's recent auction of costumes, art, furniture, and home decor raised more than $600,000 for her nonprofit foundation.

Not quite the $477 Million that the Yves Saint Laurent auction brought recently -- but she's still got the good stuff! And it still a nice amount for her charity. Way to go, Babs!

Here are the top lots:

85 A DIRK VAN ERP TABLE LAMP $30,000.00 (pictured above)

42 AN L & JG STICKLEY CHINA CABINET $15,000.00

375 BARBRA STREISAND CONCERT GOWN $13,750.00

349 WILLIAM LOUIS OTTE (AMERICAN, 1871–1957) $13,125.00

232 A YAMAHA BABY GRAND PIANO $11,250.00

265 FRANS VERHAS (BELGIAN, 1827–1897) $10,000.00

508 A VINTAGE DENTAL CABINET $8,750.00

You can see all the comleted prices on the Julien's Auctions website.

Many auction sites don't show the completed, and I want to compliment Julien's for doing it. It helps take some of the mystery out of auctions, and give some transparency to the auction business that can be intimidating to a newcomer. It let's us know what we might expect. I will bet they will get more consignors from it since we could see the good high prices. And they'll get more bidders since we are also able to see that even though this was a super-star's auction, there were still some reasonable prices, and some deals to be had.

If you are a real Streisand fan, and are interested in her thoughts about antiques, be sure to check out this great LA Times Q&A interview with Barbra, where she discusses her history of collecting and decorating her many homes.

Then view the accompanying LA Times photo gallery of Streisand's auction items, with updated notes about auction results. For example they report the important Stickley Rocker, pictured below, did not meet reserve.

I remember one of Barbra's earlier auction, and I look forward to her future auctions. I've seen many articles about her homes in Architectural Digest, and know she has tons of great stuff in her homes and warehouses.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Antiques Collectors Buy More Than Memories

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:30:00 +0000

My Thoughts on Rinker's Words of Wisdom

Harry Rinker's written another thought provoking column for the Ruby Lane blog, titled Why Collectibles Fall Out of Favor.

He points out that a collectible category will not necessarily last forever, and discusses the effects of changing demographics on the antiques biz.

Here's one quote:

"... Thanks to the Internet, supply now exceeds demand for many objects. “What happens to the value of an object when everyone who wants one has one” became a relevant question five years ago. The answer is value disappears, again something few in the trade will admit. The question remains valid as the trade enters the second decade of the 21st Century. ..."

I agree with most of his points about the changes and the future of the antiques biz. His columns are always worth reading and make me think. This time he says one thing that I have to disagree with.

Rinker says, "There is no collectability without memory."

I don't see it that way. I think it may be true for some items, especially toys. But the collectors who are now collecting antique penny toys, mechanical banks, and dolls from the 1800s aren't buying back their own childhoods.

I collect so many different categories, the vast majority of which are not things I have any childhood memory of. They are not things I, or even my parents had. My grandparents likely had them, but I sadly lost all of my Grandparents when I was a toddler, and never spent any time in their homes. So I didn't even hear their reminiscences, and certainly never heard anything about antiques, especially things like postcards, or fruit jars, when I was growing up.

For some reason these lovely old things called out to me when I did discover antiquing, and enticed me to collect them. Why? I honestly don't know. I made a swift progression back in time, starting with 1950s-era California pottery and cookie jars, on to vintage 1930s-40s purses and costume jewelry, then on to "old paper" -- anything pre-1930, especially colorful lithographs just rings my bell. I don't have any memories of these things from my childhood. My Mother doesn't have her Mother's dishes, or her Grandmother's scrapbook albums. My parents collected books and records - and not antiques. Ours was not a sentimental family, as far as things were concerned. After I started collecting the old paper items, my mother joined me at paper shows, and much of her collection of theatre memorabilia pre-dates her memories as well.

Just offering some food for thought here. I think that the fact that collectors don't only collect items they have memories of is another reason why the antiques business will not die out.

Will it change and evolve? Yes. Will prices fluctuate? Yes. Will memories affect collecting trends? Yes. Will there be some categories of items that, even though they are antique and lovely, will just fall so far out of favor as to be dead? Yes.

As always, dealers need to keep up on market changes to stay successful in their businesses. It may be a struggle to find buyers for some of your items, but there will always be collectors out there.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Replica of 1880s Tombstone AZ Sells for $345,000

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Showtime Auction Services had an amazing collection on their auction block earlier this month. They sold the entire Ron Wallace Collection, former President of UPS.

Categories included: Saloon, Brothel, Gambling, Coin-op, Arcade, Advertising, Country Store, Toys, Western Memorabilia, Guns, Knives, Automotive, Petroliana, Soda Fountain, Trade Signs, Paintings, 2 Back Bars -- but wait-- there's more!

Mr. Wallace also had a full-size replica of Tombstone, Arizona Territory as it was in the early 1880’s. He had it built on his property, with over 200 running feet of façade, 27' tall!

This replica town sold for $345,000.00!

From the auction catalog description:

Tombstone, Arizona Western Town, Approx. 200 running feet of Store Front, tallest facade is 27 feet tall. Includes an Oriental Saloon, Epitaph News, Arizona Stage Depot, Arizona Territory Assay Office, Birdcage Theatre, Cochise County General Store, Amelia's Gentlemen's Club, OK Corral, C. S. Flys Photography Studio, Wells Fargo & Co. Express Office, Grand Hotel, Tombstone Sheriff's Office, J. L. Halbert Undertaker and J. Behan U. S. Marshal. This town comes with all of the props that make it look like an authentic Tombstone, Arizona in the late 1800's. Includes Wood Sidewalk, Reverse Glass painted Windows, Signs, Wood Barrels, Hay Bales, Bottles, Rope, Etc. The town will be sold with photos at the auction on Saturday. The winning bidder must pick it up in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Wallace has offered to help the buyer arrange to have the town dismantled and shipped to their location.

Here's just a handful of pix from this huge collection. Be sure to go check the COMPLETED PRICES while you can - if you have any of these treasures, your stock just went UP!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Antique Trader - Great Info Resource

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:00:00 +0000

The invaluable info-resource antiques-biz trade-paper, ANTIQUE TRADER is offering a great bargain on subscriptions. $25 for 40 issues - pretty darned economical.

I hope that all my readers have gone to the Antique Trader's home page, and signed up for their FREE e-newlsetters (look for the grey box on the left side of the screen/page). You will get many of the articles from the paper, and auction and show alerts and reports - and clickable links, which you don't get in a paper format. There's some more stuff in the paper version, so there's a reason to read both. I do.

You can subscribe to follow the AT's blog, too, for more timely info about what's going on in the antiques biz.

No, I don't get anything from AT for telling you about this - I just think it's a great deal, and wanted to share it with you.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Antique Shows Make Strong Comeback - Findlay Bottle Show Sunday Oct. 18

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:50:00 +0000

Here's an update to my blog post about September's Springfield Extravaganza.

I wrote about what a great show it was, and that by my experience, observations, and conversations with many dealers, that it was the best show in years, for sellers and buyers.

Antique Trader just posted their article about the Extravaganza confirming my thoughts with the good news that there was a crowd of 20,000 shoppers for the weekend event, and that attendance was the highest ever in all the years the Jenkins have been running the affair.

I am so glad that shows are making such a strong comeback. It's a good sign for my bottle club's big annual show this weekend. I'd better pack up some more goodies to sell!

Findlay Antique bottle Club Show -- Oct. 18 - info here: http://finbotclub.blogspot.com/

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Antiques in the 21st Century: Much More To Learn

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:25:00 +0000

Reading: Harry Rinker's column on Rubylane's blog. They asked him his Fall antiquing plans. I love that he is so devoted to the antiques field, and enjoys it so much.

Having read elsewhere that he has sold the old school that housed many of his collections, it might be expected that he would be planning to slow down. Turns out that is not the case. He is actually quite busy, and planning to be more so.

Harry's in the process of writing his thesis, titled Antiques and Collectibles in the 21st Century: The First Decade, while finishing up getting his Masters of Fine Arts in Professional Writing. That alone is inspiring, I must say. And then his plan is to get out "in the field" to any and all antique events, all over the world.

As he says:

"... I plan to spend another two decades minimum, providing my health holds out, chronicling and analyzing the antiques and collectibles trade. I look forward to spending more time in the field. There is much I still need to learn. ..."

I think Harry sets a great example. I, too, have much more to learn.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Vampire Count Dracula Bakelite Pin - Love This!

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Speaking of Bella Lugosi, just look at this COUNT DRACULA BAKELITE PIN by contemporary jewelry artist Brad Elfrink. It is too much fun, as it is mechanical, too. The Vampire's lady victim tilts up in his arms so that he can bite her neck!

See more pix of this incredible pin here: http://tinyurl.com/drac-pin

Brad is so creative, with some really detailed designs in his pieces. He carves chunks of vintage bakelite into one-of-a-kind investment art. His ebay name is bael31, and you can see some of his work on his ebay me page.

I don't know him, and he has plenty of customers, but I just enjoy his pieces so much, I wanted to share them here.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Rarest Horror Film Poster - The Black Cat

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:39:00 +0000

I fell in love with this awesome scary-movie poster when I was surfing Heritage Auctions. The graphics are amazing -- and the subject is "to die for"!

I mean, you've got two horror film legends together -- Boris Karloff and Bela Lugossi -- in a 1934 movie by literature-icon Edgar Allan Poe -- all tied up with a Black Cat -- what more could you want? How about that it is a only-one-known example? Oh yeah!

Read all about it over on Heritage's excellent blog, penned by Noah Fleisher who has one of the best jobs ever!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Lima Library Fund Raiser - Chicken Dinner Oct. 7 - Buy Tix Now

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:15:00 +0000

The Lima Ohio Public Library has had some budget cutbacks, which is just so wrong. How can the powers that be, be so short sighted?

So, the 'Friends of the Library' group is holding a fund-raising CHICKEN DINNER next week, on Wednesday October 7, 2009 -- 11:00 am until 6:00 pm.

Tickets are only $7.00. And they are for a such a good cause!

Call for Tickets: 419-228-5113, ex 126 (M-F 9am-4pm)

Please buy your tickets ASAP, so they know how many meals to put together. They'll have a few tickets available the day of the dinner, but you'll be guaranteed if you buy in advance. They are asking for cash or checks, but can also take credit cards -- so all you local businesses can place large orders.

What will you get? A delicious BBQ'd 1/2 chicken, yummy potato salad, applesauce, and a roll.

TOMMY T'S BBQ will be grilling up the chicken in the library's back parking lot. The meals are just carry-out or drive through - no dining there - unless you want to tailgate in the parking lot - hey, that sounds like fun! See you there!

Support your local public library -- check out this site: Geek the Library - http://geekthelibrary.org/ - a Bill Gates Foundation-supported site.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

James Bond Highlights New Rare Book Auction at Heritage

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:01:00 +0000

I could write dozens of posts each week about the fabulous items that Heritage Auctions lists. And I could go on about their excellent website, e-newsletters, and blog. I have seen beautiful illustration art, and learned about rare historical and patriotic items.

And now they have a truly outstanding magazine -- to which they are giving FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS -- to the printed version! You can read it online of course, but they are giving subscriptions to the hard copy. I signed up immediately when the subscription card fell out of last week's Antique Week paper. If you didin't save that card, or don't get the AW, then just go to Heritage Magazine to sign up.

Here's just a small example of the goodies that Heritage Auctions get - this week they are selling several Ian Fleming-signed first edition James Bond books. Yes -- WOW!

Here's what they say about these rare books:

A first edition signed and inscribed copy of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale, the book that introduced the world to its favorite secret agent, the one and only James Bond, headlines Heritage Auctions' Rare Books auction, Oct. 16-17. The fact that the copy is signed by the renowned writer is reason enough to make it a desirable edition, but how Fleming tantalizingly inscribed the book may well make it the ultimate Bond collectible of them all:

"To M," Fleming wrote, alluding to the enigmatic head of the British Secret Service. "These pages from my memoirs! Ian."

It's speculated by Bond experts that there are two possible sources behind Fleming's inspiration for M, his soft-spoken spymaster. The first likely candidate is Maxwell Knight, a popular 1950s radio and television naturalist who led a secret existence as an MI5 spy runner. The second is thought to be Admiral John Godfrey, under whom Fleming served during World War II. Heritage Auctions has estimated the book at $40,000+.

"We would normally be thrilled to have even one signed Ian Fleming first edition Bond book in any auction," said James Gannon, Director of Rare Books at Heritage Auctions, "but here we have not only the first Bond book signed and inscribed, but also the second, Live and Let Die (estimate: $25,000+), the fifth, From Russia With Love (estimate: $22,000+), the seventh and ninth, Goldfinger (estimate: $14,000+) and Thunderball ($12,000+), and the eleventh, On Her Majesty's Secret Service ($10,000+)- every one of them first editions and every one of them signed by Fleming."

So do yourself a favor, go over to Heritage Auctions website -- sign up for their newletters - and the magazine - and look at their listings. I know you will be fascinated and educated by their treasures.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

A Few of My Favorite Things

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:03:00 +0000

Just playing with some of my little treasures today, and thought I'd share some pix. Be sure to click on the pic if you want to see it a little bigger.

Here's a shelf in my office, with my author figures, tucked in with my other figurines, all standing in front of vintage books. You'll see Mark Twain, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and George Bernard Shaw. The pigs belong, too, as one is called HAM-let, and the other Pig-PEN. I don't know how the mini chamber pot thing happened, but there they are...

At the Lions Show I picked up this pretty "Bathing Beauty on Shells". I love Victorian shell-covered boxes and miniature

dressers, and I have them surrounded by beach-themed items: Mermaids, Bathing Beauties and Naughties, and some tins, sand pails and other items. This is just part of my collection...

Here's the link to an online auction catalog from a BIG auction that had a great many lovely Victorian Shell Art boxes and other items. And you can see (and buy) some gorgeous NEW shell art boxes that look like antiques. And you can read a little bit about Mermaids, Bathing Beauties and Naughties.

Another thing I collect is vintage LIMA OHIO memorabilia, with the emphasis on bottles. Here's a couple of my paper label Lima whiskey bottles -- BROOK CLUB and NATIONAL WINE

Well, I'd better put my toys away, and get back to work.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Auctionbytes.com Article on Cafepress Mentions Me -- Thanks!

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Just want to say "Thanks!" to Auctionbytes.com for mentioning me in this weekend's newsletter.

Auctionbytes columnist and book author Greg Holden (www.gregholden.com) has written many books about online selling and marketing, and in his article titled "Crafting A New Business with Specialized Sites", he discussed how sellers can use Zazzle.com and Cafepress.com to create new merchandise from their own designs.

My readers know that I have had a Cafepress shop for a couple of years, and that the recent changes that Cafepress made to pricing have left me very frustrated. I am still unhappy with the cafepress situation, although I have had a few sales this week -- so here's an extra big "Thanks, Greg!" for linking to my shop.

At some point I intend to go forward with many more items on Zazzle, which I highly recommend to anyone starting out with POD selling (Print On Demand). For now, though, I am going to focus on selling my antiques on eBay this winter. Yes, I still have my Cafepress shop, and yes, I am still selling on eBay -- so I guess they win this battle, but the war's not over.

[Read my posts on the subject: Cafepress's BAD Decision
and Zazzle Welcomes Ex-Cafepress Sellers]

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Springfield Extravaganza Show - More Like the Old Days

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:43:00 +0000

I chose to go to Springfield last Friday -- I have always loved the "Extravaganza" shows, and I must say it was more fun than it's been in ages -- the perfect weather helped, I'm sure. I really got the sense that shows are back.

There was a large lively crowd of shoppers, and plenty of sellers. I even encountered many sellers willing to actually make some very reasonable deals. And the best part -- they seemed happy to do it.

More than one seller give me what they called "a friendly price". Love that phrasing!

I didn't buy anything for resale, but did get several treasures for myself. I even bought a fabulous vintage watchmaker's bench, with tons of little drawers, that I will be using as a stand-up desk for my computer.

There was a really good vibe from the whole show - everyone seemed happy and busy. It was so encouraging. Maybe all the grief ebay has given us lately will turn out to be for the best. I think it may turn out to be a course correction for the best, incorporating a more diverse marketplace.

I'm thinking that the more we (buyers and sellers) drift away from being so dependent on eBay, the more we can get our brains back to the old way of pricing and selling -- based on what you have in it, knowledge of your market and venue, and how quickly you want/need to turn your merchandise. We can be independent again, and make our own decisions, instead of always having to refer to ebay before letting anything go.

Personally, I was pretty focused on the vintage shabby-cottage look & painted furniture/repurposed merchandise this trip, and I saw tons of pretty things, and creative ideas. I think that category is alive and thriving, with no signs of slowing down. I can't wait until spring to dig out my stash of things to paint.

But first, I'm really looking forward to the day after Thanksgiving, which is the season opener of the Scott Show in Columbus. It's an indoor show, so I am so curious to see where the activity will be and what kind of vibe I get there. I am betting on positive with lots of activity, but in what categories? We'll see...

[Update -- just received an email from a dealer-friend who has been selling at Springfield for years. She wrote:

"... We had a great show... Best in probably 10 years... Lotsa buyers..."

Also heard from 2 other dealers who reported their best shows ever. So glad to have my shopper's experienced confirmed by happy sellers.

Please read the interesting comments about this blog post, posted by a very smart reader.]

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

1st Dibs Antiques SOLD List for August

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:48:00 +0000

1st Dibs is just such a well done website - sleek and stylish. new articles with tons of pix, like reading a fashion, design, and style magazine each week. Gorgeous new items listed each week. Sign up for their mailing list - and save it for when you have a half hour to savor it. If you are new to the site, you will find dozens of articles to catch up on -- I almost envy you. And now they are showing the SOLD items from the previous month. Here's the "SOLD in August" list -- love it!

Below is a smaller view of their home page -- just look at all the articles. Then there's the actual items listings. Have fun!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Barbra Streisand - Upcoming Auction of Antiques

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:07:00 +0000

Be sure to check out Julien's Auctions catalog of their upcoming auction of Barbra Streisand's Arts and Crafts Furniture and other decorative items -- beautifully presented.

"... Highlights from Streisand's decorative and fine arts collection include a Dirk Van Erp table lamp and a Arts and Crafts L&JG Stickley china cabinet, as well as some of her first antique purchases made as a young woman in New York City. Additional fine art selections include a painting by Kees van Dongen, a group of Edward Curtis photographs and a number of American school floral and genre scenes. Among the other offerings is a selection of Americana furnishings, Art Deco fixtures, Oriental rugs and Native American baskets. ..."

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Country Living Fair & Springfield Extravaganza - Both THIS Weekend!

msdowantiques@gmail.com (Marianne Dow) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Country Living Fair 2009 is THIS WEEKEND - Country Living Magazine Fair

Well - it's here! This weekend -- Friday 9-18-09 through Sunday 9-20-09 -- is the much anticipated Country Living Magazine's annual BIG event -- their Country Living Fair. Check their website for all the details and schedule of events and guest artists.

It is held at the Ohio Historical Center right across the street from the Ohio State Fairgrounds -- take I-71 to Exit 111 - go west a tad - you can't miss it! And you don't want to miss it!

* Meet artist DEBBEE THIBAULT in the Country Living Classroom on Friday at 1:00 when she gives a talk on Paper Mache Folk Art. See her work all weekend in th EARTH ANGELS Artisan Showcase - Tent 2
* The Earth Angels will be "LIVE!" all weekend with demonstrations of pottery, painting, soft sculpture and more.
* Meet artist Will Moses in the booth of Pine Tree Barn at the Country Living Fair.
Will Moses is a well known folk artist and the great-grandson of Grandma Moses.
* GREAT SHOPPING - Home - Harvest - Antiques - Artisans. Over 150 booths of antiques and hand-crafted goods -- PLUS a Gourmet Harvest Market AND the Country Living General Store.
* Featured vendors include the Earth Angels, GoodBook Folk Art, Jeni’s Ice Creams, The Workshops of David T. Smith, and The Great Pumpkin Patch.
* Appraisals On-site appraisals on Sunday by Country Living’s “What is it? What is it Worth?” columnist Helaine Fendelman and Antiques Roadshow experts.
* Longaberger On-site demonstrations, giveaways, new fall products, Longaberger seminars and more.
* Rebecca Ray Designs newest member to join the Country Living Artisans Collection and host of the PBS series Lifestyles with Rebecca premiering this fall. Rebecca will be introducing her new collection to the public for the first time at the Fair. In addition she will be presenting a seminar Sunday on Reinvention and doing some filming for the TV show. Rebecca Ray Designs is not the only member of the artisans collection that will be at the fair. Also exhibiting are Caramel Colours, Country Threads and Stampin' Up!
* Live Music by the Blue Water Ramblers and Cooper Boone. Coop will also be presenting a Cowboy Kitchen segment live.
* Cooking The Country Living Kitchen — designed by The Workshops of David T. Smith — will host cooking demos by Country Living guests the Lee Brothers, Matt & Ted, authors of The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook.
* Crafting Demonstrations & how-to’s throughout the fair - basket weaving, soap making, broom making, willow furniture, pewter, rug hooking. & Much More.

Here's some pix I took at last year's CL Fair, and it was rainy -- this weekend looks to be wonderful weather-wise!

Here's some of Debbee Thibault's treasures -- she's going to be there this weekend.

Here's the link to the post I wrote after I attended last year's Country Living Fair 2008.

Springfield Antiques Show Fall EXTRAVAGANZA is this weekend, too!

This year the Country Living Fair is on the same weekend as the big Springfield 'Extravaganza' Antiques Show -- and I have attended that faithfully for 15+ years -- so I am torn as to which one to go to on Friday... antiques or arts and crafts -- either way it'll be fun and creatively inspiring.

Here's the info on the Springfield Show. It's held at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Springfield.

Picture these grounds, filled with 2000+ antiques dealers - oh my, I'm drooling, just thinking about it... You just never know what sort of rare treasure you'll find -- I have seen some awesome stuff turn up there, as the Extravaganza shows are the one's that bring in dealers from all over the country. Just looking around my home, I can see treasures that I found at Springfield. I think I will have to opt for Springfield on Friday -- dealer set up day is the most exciting day. While I know there will be some one-of-a-kind artsy/craftsy items at the Country Living Fair, I think my heart belongs to antiques.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

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