WEST PALM BEACH ANTIQUES FESTIVAL A REAL SUCCESS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March, 2009

CONTACT: Yvonne Tucker

(941) 697-7475

 

The February “Spectacular” set new records for both attendance and number of dealers.

(West Palm Beach, FL) The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival continues to break new ground under the new ownership of veteran show promoters Kay and Bill Puchstein and Yvonne and Jim Tucker who acquired the Show from dmg world media in December 2008. Yvonne Tucker reported a record attendance for the three day annual “Spectacular” sale February 6-8 and said that all dealer spaces inside and outside were full.

The new owners continue to adjust the details of the Festival to enhance the experience for both visitors and dealers. The entry courtyard is being renovated to promote a new “garden” atmosphere that will feature dealers with specialties in live plants and architectural garden artifacts such as iron accessories, gates, statuary and seating. A new “Early Admission” category will be in place for the next festival of April 3-5. The Early Admission entry fee of $25 will allow entry to the show from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on Friday prior to regular opening time to allow the best choices on fresh merchandise. The Early Admission entry fee is good for all weekend.

One of the advantages of the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is the variety of merchandise offered by the diverse dealer population. One of the dealers offering items on the decidedly upscale end of the spectrum is Rosemary Dawson’s Cathedral Place Gallery of St. Augustine. Dawson specializes in hard to find porcelain sculptures from Giuseppe Armani, Lladro, Boehm, Old Saffordshire and other antique selections. She makes a market in sold out editions of new issues and retired issues that are hard to find. She prefers the more intricate works from both houses and has a nice selection of sculptures in Lladro gres, a material whose earthy tonality and matte finish adds warmth to the pieces and allows for a wide spectrum of colors.

Dawson and her husband Gary also carry a fine selection of American antiques including pewter and feature art works by such artists as Pierre H. Matisse, the grandson of Henri Matisse and the California based floral artist named Brian Davis who uses a French painting technique called “pouchoir” and a color technique he calls “value painting.”

The Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fair is located off Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FL, 1.5 miles west of the Florida Turnpike and 1 mile east of 441/SR7. Show hours are 12PM – 5PM Friday, 9AM – 5PM Saturday and 10AM –4:30PM Sunday with Early Admission 9:00 – 12:00 Friday. Daily admission for the Spectacular is $7.00 for regular adult admission. 1$ discount coupons are available on the website. Anyone under 18 is admitted free. There is no charge for parking at the Fairgrounds. For more information contact the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival at (941) 697-7475 or visit the website at http://www.wpbaf.com/.

written by:

Fred Taylor

http://www.furnituredetective.com/

800-387-6377

Photo Caption

Some of the sculpture seen in the Cathedral Place Gallery.

WEST PALM BEACH ANTIQUES FESTIVAL TO CONDUCT FEBRUARY “SPECTACULAR” UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February, 2009

CONTACT: Yvonne Tucker
(941) 408-3576

New owners to promote upgrades to the Festival

(West Palm Beach, FL) The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will conduct its annual “Spectacular” sale and event on February 6-8 at Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach. The show, formerly known as the West Palm Beach Antiques and Collectibles Show, will be the first Spectacular event under the new ownership of veteran show promoters Kay and Bill Puchstein and Yvonne and Jim Tucker who acquired the Show from dmg world media in December 2008.

Yvonne Tucker and Kay Puchstein, while pleased that the Festival ran so smoothly in the transitional event in January and received very positive feedback, have collaborated on plans to improve both attendance and dealer participation. Both have extensive experience both inside and outside Florida in promoting well run, successful antiques shows. One major step will be partnering with local charities beginning with the local chapter of the Red Cross to increase visibility for both parties.

In addition the Festival will begin to target market its advertising to local audiences for increased attendance through the use of signs, newspaper advertisements and articles and a local radio presence. The new owners feel that increased attendance and higher sales by dealers will attract new dealers to help the festival grow in the long term.

One immediate upgrade will be the appearance of the main entrance area. For the February Spectacular event the entry foyer will be decorated with tasteful art and artifacts to create a more upscale theme for the entire Festival. Overall the aim is to improve the general appearance of the Festival while keeping the atmosphere cordial and comfortable for both dealers and visitors. To help make the Festival more dealer friendly Tucker and Puchstein will streamline the registration process and make “load in” and “load out” a little easier.

Tucker and Puchstein reported that the January Festival had around 400 dealers on hand and the February Spectacular will have more than 500 with plenty of inside and outside space still available.

The Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fair is located off Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FL, 1.5 miles west of the Florida Turnpike and 1 mile east of 441/SR7. Show hours are 12PM – 5PM Friday, 9AM – 5PM Saturday and 10AM –4:30PM Sunday. Daily admission for the Spectacular is $8.00 for adults with a Senior rate of $6.00 for 62 and over and multi-day tickets are available for $15.00. Children under 12 are free. There is no charge for parking at the Fairgrounds. For more information contact the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival at (941) 697-7475.

written by:
Fred Taylor
www.furnituredetective.com
800-387-6377


PHOTO CAPTION

Yvonne Tucker (L) and Kay Puchstein (R) have teamed up at the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival with the attitude “When we put our heads together we can do anything.”

WOODEN NICKEL ANTIQUES TO OFFER RECENTLY DISCOVERED ART COLLECTION IN CINCINNATI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 24, 2009

CONTACT: DOUG EISELE

(513) 791-7717

EISELE GALLERY OF FINE ART

Sale March 7 – April 18, 2009

Cincinnati, OH

A large cache of original works by Cincinnati artist T. C. Lindsay recently discovered in family attic.
 

(Cincinnati, OH) The estate of a descendant of Cincinnati artist Thomas Corwin Lindsay (1839-1907) recently discovered close to eighty original works by Lindsay that had been stored in the attic of a family residence for over 70 years. The renowned Cincinnati landscape, portrait and animal painter was active throughout the region from 1858 to 1905. The bulk of the collection has been acquired by Cincinnati antiques and art dealer Wooden Nickel Antiques owned locally by Mike and Patty Williams and Tim Miller. Wooden Nickel has an established, long standing reputation nationwide as a reliable dealer of true antiques and art. The owners of Wooden Nickel Antiques said they are pleased to have this unique opportunity to offer the works of an artist so important to the Cincinnati community in the setting of a local gallery, Eisele Gallery of Fine Art.

Eisele Gallery owner and restoration specialist Douglas Eisele noted that it is unusual to find such a large collection of previously unknown works by a noted artist like Lindsay, especially one so prominent in a local area like Cincinnati. Eisele is very familiar with Lindsay’s work, having sold a number of pieces in his Gallery in recent years.

The recently discovered 100 % fresh to the market works include country scenes from surrounding Ohio and Kentucky with depictions of farmers, their families and their animals as well as historic sites. Margaret Klein, the Gallery Director at Eisele Gallery, is researching the paintings to identify locales, artifacts and people featured in the works.

Eisele described the condition of the collection as “attic found.” Under Eisele’s direction Old World Restorations has begun cleaning and stabilizing works as required. Some will have minor retouching and a few were unstretched and have been put in stretchers. The collection also includes a few works that are unfinished. Eisele described them as a great study in the construction of Lindsay’s works. Many of the paintings are unsigned but will be accompanied by a letter of authenticity and stamp from the estate verifying the provenance.

Around 90 Lindsay works will be displayed in the Eisele Gallery for show and sale beginning March 7 through April 18, 10:00Am – 5:00PM. The opening will be preceded by an invitation only presale preview at the Gallery at 5729 Dragon Way, Cincinnati, OH 45227. Eisele has indicated the collection will be attractively priced.

For more information contact Wooden Nickel Antiques at (513) 241-2985, www.woodennickelantiques.net and Eisele Gallery of Fine Arts, (513) 791-7717,www.eiselefineart.com.

written by:
Fred Taylor
www.furnituredetective.com
800-387-6377


PHOTO CAPTIONS


Cow in front of Farmhouse and Barn, Oil on Canvas, 19 x 33in

Cows in Pasture, Oil on Canvas, 24 x 30in

Seated Figure, Oil on Canvas, 14 x 23

Farmer with Walking Stick, Oil on Canvas, 23 x 12½in

Woman leaning on Stone Wall, Oil on Canvas, 24 x 28in

 Landscape with Horses in background, Oil on Canvas, 17 x 23

“SELL IT TO THE WORLD”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2009

Contact: Kathleen Pica
(239) 262-7333

Auctions Neapolitan
1001 1st Ave. South
Naples, Fl 34102

As the only full service antiques and art resource in Naples, Auctions Neapolitan owner Kathleen Pica is very attuned to local market conditions and needs with an emphasis on total customer service. Auctions Neapolitan specializes in the appraisal, purchase or consignment of everything from individual pieces to entire estates. She offers professionally conducted estate sale services along with her retail gallery, appraisal and auction services. Her retail sales room features high quality name brand merchandise and designer pre-owned furnishings priced well below original retail.

But beyond the local market Auctions Neapolitan, has been a leader in the groundbreaking international marketing field for several years. Pica has acquired a reputation for offering international buyers the opportunity to purchase high end, unusual or sought after antiques, collectibles and art in the convenient auction environment offered on the Internet by LiveAuctioneers.com. and eBay, affording her consignors a worldwide audience. Her motto is “Sell it to the world” and with her expertise and connections she says “Our range and reach makes us unique. We can have people bidding from all over the world right along with our Naples clientele during live auctions.”

Auctions in recent years demonstrate the importance of a world wide presence to both buyers and sellers of art and antiques. One recent Auctions Neapolitan event saw major works of art selling to bidders from the U.S., China, Japan and Europe.

Auctions Neapolitan is located in the heart of Naples’ downtown district at 1100 First Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102. The showroom is open Monday thru Friday 10:00AM-5:00PM and Saturday 11:00AM-4:00PM. Call (239) 262-7333 or visit the website at www.auctionsneapolitan.com for more information.

REAL ENOUGH TO FLY AWAY – CARVED BIRDS TAKE FLIGHT IN NORTH CAROLINA ON MAY 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 11, 2008

JACK EUBANKS AUCTIONS

BREVARD, NC

Sale May 3, 2008

CONTACT:

JACK EUBANKS

(828) 884-7889

www.jackeubanks.com

Masterful bird carvings by Texas artist/sculptor/carver James Eddleman to cross the block at Jack Eubanks Auctions in Brevard.

In 1971 a South Florida real estate developer was visiting in Texas when he saw the most remarkable carving of a bird he had ever seen in Texas Highway Magazine. The magazine contained an article about the carver, James Eddleman of Lubbock, TX. The developer immediately ordered an example of Eddleman’s life size Mockingbird for delivery to his mountain retreat in Transylvania County, NC near Brevard at a cost of $1,250. When it arrived he ordered several more birds to be delivered over the next year. At the completion of the order he was so pleased he ordered one of every bird Eddleman had carved.

Eddleman informed him that he had an 800-bird carving backlog and it would take him at least eight years to fill it. However, since the developer by then was the single largest owner of Eddleman birds, he consented to work in the new order at the rate of one or two a year. In 1975 Eddleman presented him a Master Carving of a family of Blue Jays along with the $5,000 bill. Over the years the developer accumulated a sizeable number of Eddleman’s works and when he died in the mid 1990s his estate donated eleven birds from the collection a local non-profit organization which has now consigned them to Jack Eubanks Auctions.

This is the largest accumulation of Eddleman’s work outside of Southwest Gallery in Dallas. Each bird in a series is numbered and carved completely of basswood. Even the leaves and realistic foliage is carved from wood. Legs and claws are fashioned of wire and taxidermist eyes are used for realism and each bird is painted by hand. “Real enough to fly away. The only thing missing is the warble” is a frequent comment when Eddleman’s birds are first encountered. All of the birds are life size and the carving work is so detailed that individual ribs in each feather are visible.

But there will be lots more than birds flying across the Eubanks block on May 3. Included in the other 500+ lots will be the popular version of the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 from 1974, a large Griswold collection, historically important silver from a local prominent family and significant works of art.

Included in the artwork will be an oil on board Florida landscape, 24 by 30in, by one of the famous Florida Highwaymen, James Gibson. The work is typical of Gibson’s art showing the scenery in exquisite detail. Other art will include a signed and numbered lithograph by Alexander Calder (American 1898–1976), a woodcut, “Maiko,” by Kiyoshi Saito (Japanese 1907-1997), an etching, “Polperro 1923” signed by Kerr Eby (American 1889-1946) as well as works by John Taylor Arms (American, 1887-1953), a watercolor by W. N. Bartholomew (American 182201898), a landscape by S. Seymour Thomas (American 1868-1956) and two signed Salvador Dali prints acquired by the consignor in 1978 and appraised in 1981 and 1990.

Preview for the sale is scheduled at the Auction house for Friday May 2 11:00AM – 6:00PM and on sale day beginning at 8:00AM. The sale, to be held with no reserves, is Saturday May 3 at 9:00AM in the Eubanks Auction facility at 220 S. Broad St, Brevard, NC, 28712. Reserved seating for 160 is available by phone or email. For more information contact Jack Eubanks at (828) 884-7889, email info@jackeubanks.com, visit the website at http://www.jackeubanks.com or www.auctionzip.com.

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Eddleman recently offered to duplicate this Master Carving of the Blue Jay family for $9,000. The leaves and acorns in this carving were based on actual items from the developer’s estate in North Carolina, sent to Eddleman for the sake of authenticity.

This Master Carving of Bluebirds was acquired in 1978 for $3,000.

The Bob White male stands his ground with his mouth open.

This is the Mockingbird that started the collection in 1971.

This lithograph by Calder is signed and numbered.

Florida Highwayman James Gibson painted this landscape.

WHITE JADE VASE ESTABLISHES NEW RECORD FOR ELDER’S FINE ART & ANTIQUES AND iGAVEL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 18, 2008

ELDER’S FINE ART & ANTIQUES AUCTIONS

NOKOMIS, FL

SALE OF FEBRUARY 18 - MARCH 3, 2008

CONTACT: DON ELDER

(941) 488-1005

Extraordinary Chinese white jade vase with cover and interior chain, bearing Qianlong mark, sells for $291,600.

NOKOMIS, FL – The nine inch tall, exquisitely carved vase was acquired in 1926 from S. & G. Gump Co. of San Francisco by self made American millionaire and collector William Boyce Thompson. The vase, featured in the two week online sale ending March 3 hosted by iGavel, came with the original receipt. According to the receipt, “This vase is made of the finest quality of clear perfect white water jade, possessing remarkable luminosity.” The vase was also distinctive for its 35 link, 13½in interior chain linking the cover to the vase.

This lot established a new single lot record for both Elder’s and iGavel. Auction owner Don Elder said, “I knew this piece was going to go through the roof. It was that good.” From the opening bid of $7,000 the lot moved smartly up the chart garnering 41 bids before reaching the hammer price. A private Chinese collector was the winner. Elder’s Fine Art & Antiques was a charter member when Sotheby’s began online sales in 2000 and was also a charter member when iGavel was formed in 2003.

Most of the Oriental ceramics and porcelain in the 400 lot sale belonged to a collector in North Florida and had been acquired in the 1960s and 1970s while living in Thailand, Burma, Japan and China. The collection was well received with 78 percent of the lots selling, many for far more than the pre sale estimate. A three section 19th century Thai gilt bronze with Buddha seated on a lotus throne, closed at $9,300 against the estimate of $1,000/$1,500. A 4in wide gourd form celadon water scoop, Chinese 18th century, with three gourd form feet and a fitted rosewood stand closed at $7,800 (est. $2,000/$3,000) and a pair of Qing Dynasty cinnebar table screens depicting courtyard life on the fronts and birds and blossoming flowers on the reverse with rosewood stands sold for $7,446 (est $600/$800). A woodblock print, “Village at Night,” by Kawasae Hasui (Japanese 1883-1957) eclipsed the $200/$300 estimate to close at $2,040 and six Han Dynasty gray pottery tomb attendants ranged from $1,000 to $1,624. Elder noted that while many of the oriental lots sold offshore a few were staying stateside.

But Elder’s Fine Arts had more to offer than oriental art in this sale. A Cartier jadeite, platinum, diamond and enameled 18K gold necklace sold for $13,440. Another Cartier piece, a gold folding travel clock with ribbed decoration on the body and a 15 jewel Swiss movement more than doubled the estimate at $4,440. On a more whimsical note an American Folk Art whirly-gig with four action figures sold for $1,500.

The sale also included 18 works by American painter Ben Wilson (1913-2001). Wilson was among the little recognized painters of the Abstract Expressionist school of the 1930s through the 1960s and was a veteran of the WPA. His best work in the sale, an oil on masonite entitled “Memories of Present” gathered 18 bids to close within estimate at $4,560.

Elder’s Antiques offers Asian, American and European antiques including fine art, furniture and objects d’art in a series of auctions held throughout the year. For more information contact Don Elder at (941) 488-1005 or visit the website at www.eldersantiques.com. Elder’s is located at 901 Tamiami Trail (US 41) South, Nokomis, Florida 34275.

Written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS

This white jade vase with 34 link interior chain set anew record for both iGavel and Elder’s Antiques , closing at $291,600.

19th century gilt bronze Thai Buddha sold for $9,300.

A multi gem and gold necklace from Cartier in the 1950s closed at $13,440.

Another Cartier piece, a diaper pin with a coral head and three platinum inset diamonds brought $3,720.

This woodblock print by Kawasae Hasui went for $2,040.

The painted wood whirly-gig with painted blades that make a man chop wood and a lady wash clothes on a washing board. Two men on horses to either side. This atop a pole seated in a painted boxwork frame on a small green painted stool. It sold for $1,500.

RUSSIAN ART AND AMERICAN MONEY COMBINED TO PROVIDE KEY INGREDIENT FOR FINE ART AUCTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 30, 2008

ELDER’S FINE ART & ANTIQUES AUCTIONS

NOKOMIS, FL

FEBRUARY 18 - MARCH 3, 2008

An 18th century gilt bronze egg given to Paul I will be among the antiques and art to cross the block online at Elder’s Fine Art & Antiques Auction February 18–March 3.

NOKOMIS, FL - Self made American millionaire William Boyce Thompson (1869-1930), an industrialist and mining mogul, was part of the American Red Cross Mission sent to turbulent Russia in 1917 after the February Revolution and the overthrow of the Czar. The purpose of the Mission was to find ways to feed the hungry populace while the provisional government of Alexander Kerensky tried to stabilize the country. Thompson donated $1 million of his own money to the cause, in vain it turned out, because the Bolsheviks came to power after the second Revolution in October and discarded all outside aid efforts.

But Thompson’s trip was not entirely without results. While in Russia he used his considerable wealth to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire a number of major Russian art treasures under favorable circumstances. One of those treasures was a relatively large 6 inch, elaborately decorated gilt bronze Easter egg reported in the book by Robert C. Williams "Russian Art and American Money 1900-1940" to have been presented to Paul I by a prime minister. The egg will soon be presented again, this time for sale at Don Elder’s Fine Art & Antiques Auction during the two week online sale hosted by iGavel February 18 – March 3. Elder expects the egg to sell for between $10,000 and $15,000.

Another treasure, this one from the East, bears the Qianlong reign mark of 18th century China. A large vase and cover, 9 inches tall, carved entirely from white jade having an unusual color called “white water,” features a highly stylized taotie mask on the body with an interior chair carved attaching the lid to the body. The taotie mask represents the face of a mythological man-eating beast from ancient Chinese legend. The vase was originally purchased from Gump’s in San Francisco in 1926. Gump’s, founded in 1861, has long been a marketplace for Asian, American and European art objects. The magnificent vase has a pre sale estimate of $10,000/$15,000. Also in the inventory is a large statue of a court lady of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, 618-907 A.D.

What is expected to be the top lot of the sale has a much younger provenance. It is a necklace made by French jewelry firm Cartier in the 1950s containing a breathtaking assemblage of jadeite, onyx, platinum and diamonds. This elegant ornament has a pre sale estimate of $20,000/$30,000.

American art will be represented by eighteen examples of works by Ben Wilson (1913-2001). Wilson was among the little recognized painters of the Abstract Expressionist school of the 1930s through the 1960s but whose work is now beginning to gain popularity. He was nurtured in the “Project”, the WPA of the Depression era, attending the National Academy of Design, 1930-33, graduating from City College of New York in 1935 and from Academie Julien in Paris 1953-54. His work was influenced by cubism in the 1950s and he evolved a vocabulary of interlocking shapes and bold sweeping gestures that served as a transition from his early figurative expressionism to his later more abstract constructivist works. Wilson kept a large portion of his body of work for himself and this sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire a variety of pieces by this important American artist. The sale will also include two works by Wilson’s wife, sculptor Evelyn Wilson.

For more information on this sale call auction owner Don Elder at Elder’s Antiques, (941) 488-1005, visit the website at www.eldersantiques.com for a preview or email info@eldersantiques.com. Elder’s Antiques is located at 901 Tamiami Trail (US 41) South, Nokomis, Florida 34275.

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Chinese White Carved Jade Vase & Cover

Cartier Jadeite, Onyx, Enameled Gold, Platinum & Diamond Necklace

Russian 18th Century Gilt Bronze Easter Egg

Ben Wilson (American 1913-2001) Oil on Masonite, Sahara 1986

Chinese Tang Dynasty Court Lady