Did not get a chance to watch Last Week at the Auction Season 2 Episode 2 yet? This post is a total spoiler or just for you readers. Because let’s admit it, you are in an elite group of literates….or you did not watch because you didn’t want to see my face or hear my “nails on a chalk board,” but you still gotta know….WHAT HAPPENED ? So here it is. America's Favorite Top 10 List of Auction Results from around the globe as hand selected by me Josh Levine, your guide to the world of auctions.
It is like you took Joachim Phoenix, the Antiques Roadshow, and Dash of Pickers and Pawn Stars and stuffed it in to 10 minutes of Emmy Award Winning Madness!
We have got the goods...Amazing Auction Results, Fun Facts and so much more...I am telling you...Nothing is more interesting than The Auction World...even during a Pandemic! And yes….all of these results are Online Only Auctions during Quarantine with Social Distancing, so you know, this is an accurate assessment of the fair market….and the people out there, although inconvenienced… still love antiques, collectibles and so much more…
And just to be quick and so you know, before you go, SUBSCRIBE BELOW…I am down with the rhymes! Let us get started...it is Last Week at the Auction….
Coming in at #10 is Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock which brought $275 at Cowan’s in Cincinnati Ohio…. why did I feature this piece some may ask, that are in the know…? but for those that do not. These were super popular clocks in the 60s and 70s and turn up often at estate and yard sales.
Several were in fact retirement gifts. These are common finds at estate and yard sales and a great find to make a quick buck for the antique dealer or picker and a terrible give away for the family selling them that think….who wants grand mas old dumb clock….Answer. A lot of people. $200-400 all day long if not more! Happy Hunting….
Okay next...#9 is a Webb Burmese Epergne Fairy Lamp and it sold for…. $1300 @ Jeffrey Evans & Assoc in Mt Crawford VA. Part of a great 3 day…that had ton of great antique glass. It was nice to see good prices too. Across the board.
This one was approx. 8 x 5 x 13 and in beautiful condition. I love to see people appreciate pieces like this. They are not making more of them…
So, what is #8... One of my favorites. A Vienna Bronze Figural Cat Smoking Stand and the bidders love it too…$1600, not bad for a 9-3/4” tall unattributed Austrian Bronze. What a patina. Also, at Jeffrey Evans & Assoc in Mt Crawford VA…. I would have loved to have been at that sale.
Quite the education into the current Fair Market of so many genres of antiques and collectibles… I always say, the only way you can learn, besides putting in a few years of manual labor at an auction house….is to watch and learn. Watching Live and Online Auction Results is like a FREE COLLEGE Course and they are going on every day somewhere and streaming.
So, here's #7.... A super impressive Meissen Porcelain Platter, depicting the Royal Procession of Louis 14th….it was 19-3/4” by 14 and had the classic Meissen blue crossed sword mark…..Okay, okay….it sold for $2750 at Turner Auctions in South San Francisco.
Meissen was founded in 1710 & the first porcelain manufactured in Europe. It was closely guarded secret as all other hard paste porcelains of the period had to be imported from China and Japan, making it very expensive and quite valuable. Meissen is still around today, owned by the State of Saxony, after the unification of Germany, their storied 300-year history would make a great video. Do not give me any ideas….
Alright, lets head west...for #6.... A Gustav Stickley oak buffet, No. 955 brought $3,500 @ John Moran Monrovia Ca, it was 45” tall 60” wide and had a depth of 24” Classic Mission Oak Stickley pieces like this, still command a great prices even with a soft antique furniture market.
Knowing the shop marks when it comes to Stickley can really help you when determining value. Their Museum Website has them all and I have the link below for you to check out. I believe this piece had the 1905-1912 Mark.
Okay, so here where are at #5 and a Chinese Qing Style Bronze Vase, that hammered for? $5500 and again, this was a result at that Jeffrey Evans 3-day Sale in Mt Crawford VA last week. It was 17.5” tall for perspective and they used the term “style.” Often used in auction catalog and descriptions, it is a caveat. And in this case, it most likely means the auction house sees it bears the mark of Qing Period, but they cannot verify it is truly period….also from their super conservative pre-auction estimate which was $100-200, it tells me they believe in the fair market and letting the bidders determine the value.
In my opinion, this is the sign of a good auction house…. or I am applying for a job there.
Here we are at #4 with a Pow and a Biff…its an awesome New Old Stock Battery Operated Batman Robot Toy with its original box…. Hold on to your Bat Phones, this baby brought $6705
It was a super "RARE" TN Japan battery operated Walking Batman Robot Toy….it had never been played with. Original and complete. The Caped Crusaders at Milestone Auctions in Willoughby Ohio had to be pleased….
So, Riddle me this? Why did it bring so much? Because the finest examples of the Rarest of Toys will always command a premium. A loose version (just meaning no original box) sold at the same auction house for $3000 in 2018, it was in good shape but here really can you see what kind of difference an original box and mint condition can do.
I love examples….
Alright, trapped indoors with no sports, I thought I’d have one for you guys….SORT OF…at #3 today is Pre-1933 FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT Signed Baseball….This Presidential Signed Ball brought Babe Ruth money when it hammered for $7,000…
The specific game remains unknown but the baseball featured a rare and long discontinued red and blue stitching, a style discontinued by the American League after the 1933 season…it is believed this autograph could have been acquired at an Opening Day ceremony, or perhaps even at the 1933 World Series, which featured the hometown Washington Senators.
EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY AUCTIONS in Rancho Santa Fe CA had to be proud to offer that beauty up for auction.
Okay…. we have #2 and it is an amazing 1901 $10 Bison Legal Tender Note….it sold for $9000 @ 1 Great Deal in Meridian ID and I am just amazed almost every week by this auction house. Where do they get such amazing finds, every week? It is so impressive. I got to check them out some day. As you may or may not know…in currency as in coins, its RDC! Rarity, Demand and Condition.
Rarity involves the number (or "mintage") of coins or bills that were originally produced. It also involves the number that are still around today…. remember, bills would be destroyed when they were taken out of circulation by a bank, etc.
Demand simply varies according to the popularity and availability of a coin or bill:
Condition or grade…the range from "mint" or "uncirculated" (no signs of wear) to "poor"…the better the grade, better the price. But here we go...and just so you know…. the 80s are back. I knew it was going to happen! @ #1 it is Patrick Nagel’s Untitled, 19. This 1982 Acrylic on canvas measured 40 x 30 and brought 90,000 @ Heritage in Dallas TX…. this sale had an amazing assortment of Pinups and other pop-art.
Patrick Nagel has the definitive bio of an artist that I believe will stand the test of time. Born in Dayton OH, he died super young…he was only 38. He was known to always have either a cigarette, a martini or a bag of M&M's on him. His autopsy revealed a congenital heart defect and there for his lifestyle, most likely expedited his departure from earth. But while he was here, He created several iconic and popular illustrations. A distinctive style descended from Art Deco. He is really best known for his Playboy Magazine illustrations and Duran Durans RIO Album Cover….
Here name is Rio and she's dancing….
So now you know what happened, Last Week at the auction!
And for those of you with short attention spans...its last week at the auction’s rapid recap...
Let us do it... #10 The Atmos Clock $275 #9 Webb Epergne $1300 #8 Vienna Bronze Cat $1600 #7 Meissen Porcelain Platter $2750 #6 Stickley Buffet $3,500 #5 Chinese Qing Bronze Vase - $5500 #4 Battery Operated Batman $6,705 #3 FDR Baseball $7,000 #2 $10 Bison Note $9000 #1 Patrick Nagel Acrylic $90,000 There you go and I cannot forget this weeks "viewer email"...
This week's question comes from Kevin S of St Paul MN
Kevin asks, “What’s your bag?" And I think he means into or collect? I hope...
So, my...my answer is.... not much. I am not a collector. Kind of freaky huh. I just find the stuff and the stories interesting, but I do not need to possess them. If I did have the means, space and did collect…. I would love to have a fine guitar collection, but I can afford that and honestly, the hunt would be the fun part.
I hope that answers you Kevin. And it was the bag you were asking about….
And thanks again everyone for watching and do not forget to email me at josh@joshlevinespeaks.com - where you too can feel free to send me all questions.
I do try to get to them all ASAP and remember if you enjoy the show, Subscribe Below! Please Leave Comment...they are analytical gold...that way I know what you like and want more of. I truly hope you enjoyed today's post. Do not forget to check out all the auction houses I talked about....they are down below....
Until next post...or Last Week at the Auction!
---------------------------------------------------------- LINKS TO STALK / FOLLOW JOSH SUBSCRIBE to My YOUTUBE Channel: https://bit.ly/2PgAEPJ Check out my latest book: https://amzn.to/3bkKMiO Follow me on INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/joshlevinespeaks Like me FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/joshlevinespeaks Follow Me on PINTEREST - https://www.pinterest.com/jlevines1/ Follow Me on TUMBLR - https://joshlevinespeaks.tumblr.com/ My YouTube Secret Sauce: https://vidiq.com/#_l_2zu --------------------------------------------------------- LINKS TO INFORMATION I SPOKE ABOUT - Patrick Nagel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Nagel Stickley Museum - http://mail.stickleyaudi.com/index.cfm -------------------------------------------------------- THE AUCTION HOUSES https://www.cowanauctions.com/ https://www.jeffreysevans.com/ http://www.turnerauctionsonline.com/ https://www.johnmoran.com/ https://www.milestoneauctions.com/ https://www.earlyamerican.com/Auctions/ClientPages/home.php http://www.1greatdealauctions.com/ https://www.ha.com/
Anyway....that my update. If you ever need help an estate, just a free consult or a real estate agent. I would be thrilled to help you.
All my best!
Josh