Auction News You Can Use....

Here we go again….it’s Last Week at the Auction...America's Favorite Top 10 List of Auction Results from around the globe as hand selected by me Josh Levine, your blog host and guide to the world of auctions. This is Episode 8 of Season 2....and The Hottest You Tube Series and Social Media Sensation in the world, okay, the auction world. So if all this reading hurts your eyes....have a watch today.

It's like you took a 49 year old unemployed auctioneer, nailed a green sheet to a wall…gave him a cell phone, some internet access and called it good...sounds like the stuff of legend and Emmy Award winning television ---- right?

And Yes and its all true and I got a great stuff for you!

So. welcome back subscribers and hello to newbies...We've got the goods...Amazing Auction Results, Fun Facts and so much more...and what do I always tell you...Nothing is more interesting than The Auction World...not even Hateful Tweets, Posts or Nasty Politics.

So stay right here, and remember, before you go Subscribe Below, Leave a Comment or 2, and please share. Because sharing is caring and so daring!

And please have a look below when you are done….I have all the links below to everything I discuss, all my social media channels and most importantly, where you can find out more about all of these great auction houses….they have such cool stuff !

Okay I hear you….lets get on with it….it’s LAST WEEK AT THE AUCTION.

Continuing Your Audiophile Education

#10 The Sansui G-8000 Stereo Receiver that hammered for $1400 @ Leland Little in beautiful North Carolina. If you are a fan of the show…you might be getting sick of the Audiophile Education, but when you make your first score at your next Yard Sale or Estate Sale, you’ll love me again.

Learn Vintage Electronics. It’s a sleeper sub culture, with lots of demand and not a lot of people in the know. And this week, I got an idea. Planting Ear Worms. I always remember jingles and rhymes so maybe this one will help you….

”When talking to boomers, ask in they have tube amps and tuners.” I want you to make some money people. Okay….here’s another of my money making lessons.

Silver Margins !

#9 A suite of Margot de Taxco "AM-PM" silver jewelry just brought $1700 @ John Moran in California….weighing in at 137.5 grams ---- that’s just under 5 oz. So about $70 in scrap silver, if you were doing the math….and what did that $70 in silver bring….$1700. Is this a fluke….no. It’s a name….Learn your Mexican Silver Makers. I told you about William Spratling a few weeks back, and here’s another one now to look for…. but there are several.

Here’s my Tip, if it’s signed or marked Taxco or Mexican Silver and it’s being sold…. by or near its weight in silver. BUY IT. Just buy it. I can’t tell you how many people, and very smart antique dealers, just turn their noses up at silver and sell for scrap. I’d rather be in these kind of profit margins…. wouldn’t you.

Here’s a Bonus

This Coral, 18k Gold Bracelet just sold for $1800 @ Clars in Oakland….Red Coral is another one. I’ve seen wraps recently, and chokers with base metal clasps, not gold or silver, from the 50s and 60s bringing $200-300 on the regular.

These are at yard sales for $20-30 bucks or even at auctions in box lots because they don’t know.

As often say….you can’t know everything. I sure don’t….but we can all learn something new, every day.

So Gustavian

Alright #8 is fun…an 18th Century Gustavian Period Swedish Trestle Table just hammered for$2750 @ A Kleins in Castle Hayne NC…this c.1750 beauty is lovely example and as I’ve been saying or hoping….that I am seeing a trend with good period furniture like this. The money’s coming back. People are starting to appreciate the real deal again. It’s all a cycle and the cycle is headed in the right direction….

Right in time for a market crash too, so there’s going to be some great buys out there. Keep your eyes peeled and your dollars freed up.

Grasshopper ?

Okay….lets get funky now….#7 is the Wendell Castle Grasshopper Mirror that brought $4,500 @ Alderfer in Hatfield...circa 2000…these are thought more of….as art sculpture, for obvious reasons, but it’s a decorators dream piece and a name and designer you need to know.

Wendell Castle was not just an American furniture artist, but often called the father of the art furniture movement. For over four decades he created some of the most unique handmade sculptures and art furniture found in the world. If you are not familiar with his work, be sure to learn more. Truly fascinating.

Jesus Alou

Okay #6 is a Carved Lapis Plaque of Christ that brought $7500 @ Artemis in Colorado.

And I must put this piece in perspective for you. It was only about 1.5” by 2” so you understand the scale. However, being an early 12th Century Byzantine Lapis Plaque & Early depiction of Christ, bidders knew the value in this 800-year-old treasure. Quite a rare find to have survived. Love it.

So what’s next…..Next is more beer….well Beer Cans.

The Can, Can...

#5 is the White Horse Beer 32 oz Quart Cone that sold for $11,500 @ Morean in Brimfield Mass….

I know about the secret sub culture and values of Vintage Cone Top and Steel Beer Cans but I am still amazed every time I see them perform like this.

I just must keep telling you, so you keep your eyes peeled. I want you to find a Beer Can Collection so you can retire early.

Dynamic Ceramic

Lets move on to #4 and The Picasso Bull Fighter Bowl brought $21,500 at Copake Auction Inc in NY…..It was Signed and dated, April 15th, 1953….the bowl was approx. 7 1/4" in Diameter and stood approx. 2 5/8" high. And I want you to know….

Picasso Ceramics are out there, and many families may have some of these works in their relative’s estate collections, unbeknownst to them. Many were produced by Picasso and in limited edition runs. I once pointed out small pitcher to a family above their mothers refrigerator. I believe the sold it for $12,000 a few months later. It always pays to look or have an expert appraiser stop by.