UNIVERSAL LIVE TO HOST MAJOR ONLINE ART AUCTION JULY 9th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2010

CONTACT: Martin Shape
(847) 412-1802


Sale to feature two original Renoirs, a Manassier and a Rizzi plus twenty signed Leroy Neimans.

(Northbrook, IL) A signed lithograph of his son by Pierre-August Renoir (French 1841-1919) is one of two Renoirs that will cross the block when Universal Live Auctioneers hosts an online high end fine art auction on Friday July 9 at 3:00PM Central Time. The sale will include 275 lots of original paintings, signed lithographs, sculptures and statues representing some of the best known names in the art world. Also to be offered is an extensive selection of antique and vintage posters.

Martin Shape, President of Universal Live, described the auction as, “Far and away one of Universal’s most prestigious in its fifteen year history of conducting thousands of auctions. Opening bids have been kept competitive and there is the potential for outstanding value in this sale.”

Included in the inventory is a second Renoir signed lithograph, an oil on canvas by Alfred Manessier (French 1911-1993), five Peter Max renderings (one original), signed Warhols, a signed nude and others by Wessleman and works by Rashenburg, Jim Dine, Chagall, Miro and Dali as well as Rockwell sculptures and Pescara statues.

Shape said he believes that less than 50 final full-color renderings of Renoir’s “L'Enfant au Biscuit” Child with Biscuit were produced in 1899. Renoir outdid himself and produced what is unquestionably the artist's finest print. The colors have a pastel tonality and a delightful mat finish. Many trials must have been made before Renoir was satisfied. Some proofs exist of the drawing alone in grey-black; others have a light pink for the face. Unfinished versions were also produced in varying degrees of color. We know of only three final color stone lithographs, and this is one of those few,” Shape said. The other Renoir is “Le petit garcon au porte-plume” Little Boy with Quill Pen. In it Renoir skillfully used background shading in order to centralize the focus and the impact of his son within the composition. This intriguing portrait study of Renoir’s young son, Claude, is shown here, deep in childish thought, as he writes (or draws) with his quill pen. His gaze is that of a child's. The overall portrait is a study in concentration, beautifully rendered with thoughtful lines and form.

Just as important is the Alfred Manessier original rare early oil on canvas Sea. The scene portrays rough waters at sea, with seagulls catching the wind above. The artist also later worked in stained glass, and a hint of that can be seen in the pattern of the waves catching the light. His last work for auction was sold for $54,000 in 2007. Manessier's art today is found in some of the most prestigious private collections and museums.

Representing a “Pop Art” rendering is one of the better known artists, James Rizzi, in It's Time to Buy a New TV. He captures the excitement of shopping for a new television in this fantastic three dimensional artwork. It consists of many individual cut out pieces that were pasted on the background at varying heights, making the vibrant scene really “pop out”. The Artist deviated from his usual small renderings and produced a 26 by 36 inch image size. According to Shape it is rare to find a large Rizzi.

The fully illustrated catalog and registration for absentee or live bidding are available through LiveAuctioneers.com at http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/22029. 

For additional information on any lot in the sale, call Martin Shape at 847-412-1802 or email sales@universallive.com. 

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377
Captions:

Renoir original stone lithograph “Child With Biscuit”

Alfred Manessier original rare early oil paining of the sea

James Rizzi framed large 3-d art print “time to buy a TV”

 
Renoir original lithograph “Little Boy with Quill Pen”

WEST PALM BEACH ANTIQUES FESTIVAL KICKS OFF NEW SUMMER SERIES OF SHOWS JULY 3 and 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2010

CONTACT: Kay Puchstein

(941) 697-7475

June show had largest attendance in months and sales were brisk.

(West Palm Beach, FL) The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival continued its steady growth for the June 4-6 Show with sold out dealer spaces and very active buying. Festival owners Kay and Bill Puchstein reported that interest on the part of visitors was especially high in the areas of antique guns and 1950s vintage items. Antique firearms do not require a Federal Firearms license and a permit is not required to own or carry one.

One dealer had great success with vintage television sets. He sold three sets in working condition that had the usual arrangement of small screens, around 12 inches, but housed in much larger 30 inch cases. Buyers were delighted to find working models. Original Florida Highwayman R. L. Lewis demonstrated his painting technique while his son R. L., III, explained the method and took orders. One bystander was curious about the assortment of very large brushes used by Lewis. He replied, “That’s so I can paint fast.” And paint fast he did to keep up with orders.

The new Summer Series kicks of July 3-4 with the first of the two day shows. Other Summer shows are scheduled for August 7-8, September 4-5 and October 2-3 featuring reduced booth rent. Some dealer space is still available for the Summer.

One booth that will not available is the prominent lobby booth occupied by Americana dealers Nancy and Woody Straub. The Straubs are veteran dealers in American fine art circa 1860-1945 and American furniture ranging from the Arts & Crafts period of the early 20th century to the colonial period. They have been antiques dealers for over forty years and have family ties to the business going back beyond that. Nancy and Woody have been regular exhibitors at the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival since Kay and Bill Puchstein took over the Show in late 2008.

The most popular items shown in the Straub booth are paintings by listed American artists and the younger buyers are attracted to American regional artists of various art colonies. The Straubs recognize the need for dealers to maintain a diversity of inventory and they buy and sell authentic cowboy gear, American Indian material and they display hundreds of small accessory items from many periods in their booth at West Palm Beach.

The popular “Early Buyers Admission” feature will be continued in the summer starting at 8:00AM on Saturday before the regular Show opening time of 10:00AM. The $25 Early Buyer ticket is good for the entire weekend.

Summer Show hours will be 10:00AM – 5:00PM on Saturday and 10:00AM – 4:30PM on Sunday. Adult daily admission $7.00, seniors $6.00 with a 1$ discount coupon for adult admission available on the website. Anyone under 16 is admitted free. There is no charge for parking at the Fairgrounds.

The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is held at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fair located off Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FL, 1.5 miles west of the Florida Turnpike and 1 mile east of 441/SR7. For more information contact the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival at (941) 697-7475, email info@wpbaf.com or visit the website at www.wpbaf.com.

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTION FOR WEST PALM BEACH ANTIQUES FESTIVAL

Veteran Americana dealer Woody Straub and his wife Nancy will be set up in the premier lobby booth at the July 3-4 West Palm Beach Antiques Festival. They are a good place to start your visit.

West Palm Antiques Festival June 4-6 will Feature Original Florida Highwayman R.L. Lewis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


May 7, 2010

CONTACT: Kay Puchstein
                    (941) 697-7475

Dealer space for the April 30-May 2 was sold out and sales were strong.

(West Palm Beach, FL) The next West Palm Beach Antiques Festival show on June 4-6, the last of the regular season three day shows before the Summer schedule of two day shows begins, is already sold out of indoor dealer spaces with a few outside booths still available. One of the original Florida Highwayman painters, R. L. Lewis, will be demonstrating his skills at the show, offering his paintings for sale Saturday and Sunday and one of his works will be given as a door prize to a lucky attendee. The Puchsteins also report the first of the newly scheduled Summer Shows, July 3-4, is almost sold out for dealer spaces.

The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival had another record breaking show over the April 30-May 2 weekend. Owners Kay and Bill Puchstein reported attendance up 20 percent over last year’s show and all inside dealer booths were sold out and fifty dealers were set up outside. The South Florida weather was graciously mild, lower to mid 80s, with no rain and light winds and the Early Buyer participation was heavy.

A number of Florida dealers had an excellent show including Nancy and Woody Straub with brisk sales of Western art, late 18th/early 19th century smalls and historic furniture. Jim Antonne of Jacksonville sold a large number of oil paintings, a heated oil operated fan and an eight foot long grizzly bear rug. Lyn Kraft, a local Florida jewelry dealer, sold a dinner ring with a 4.7 carat center diamond with an asking price of $30,000. Another Florida dealer offered a stainless steel infinity clock on a pedestal for $2,000 and had brisk sales of oriental figurines, statues and many one of kind items from a South Florida estate.

One Florida dealer who almost always has a good show is the “Doll Lady” Jane Greenwalt. She has always had a love of dolls and when she retired the first time she began to rehabilitate old dolls to give to charity. Naturally she eventually came across dolls she didn’t want to part with so she started her own collection which rapidly grew out of control and she became a doll dealer by accident. And a major dealer at that.

At the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival Greenwalt usually has several hundred dolls on display in addition to bins of authentic accessories such as shoes, socks, underwear, shirts and other needful things for dolls. She strives to be like an old fashioned 1930s doll store with everything for the collector and admirer of dolls. Her inventory ranges from early 1800s “china heads” to newer but interesting 20th century items. She also does doll restoration for customers including cleaning, restringing and redressing. She really enjoys the “fixer uppers.”

The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is held at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fair 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 June 4, 9AM – 5PM Saturday June 5 and 10AM –4:30PM Sunday June 6. Early Buyers Admission from 9:00AM – 12:00PM Friday is $25 and is valid for the entire weekend. Adult daily admission $7.00, seniors $6.00 with a 1$ discount coupon for adult admission available on the website. Anyone under 16 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, email info@wpbaf.com or visit the website at http://www.wpbaf.com/.

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

PHOTO CAPTION FOR WEST PALM BEACH ANTIQUES FESTIVAL

Jane Greenwalt, the “Doll Lady,” holds two of her favorite characters while getting ready for the next West Palm Beach Antiques Festival June 4-6.

Familiar Face in New Position to Bolster International Society of Appraisers Education Efforts

                                                                                                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2010

CONTACT: International Society of Appraisers

(312) 981-6778

The ISA has created the new position of Director of Education to consolidate and rework its appraiser courses.

(CHICAGO, IL) – Leon Castner, Ph. D., ISA, CAPP, has been appointed to the newly created post of Director of Education. But Castner is hardly a new face in the ISA. He has been a member of America’s largest appraiser association since its founding thirty years ago. He is now directing his attention to revising and expanding the Association’s professional education curriculum to accommodate the growing needs of the Association’s members.

His primary focus is on the expansion of the Core Course in Appraisal Studies. The Core Course is the “nuts and bolts” approach to personal property appraising in all disciplines and is the starting point for anyone interested in becoming a personal property appraiser. However, Castner emphasized that the Core Course “Is also a great opportunity for anyone in the personal property business such as auctioneers, estate sales management, estate lawyers and accountants to get a ground level look at how the appraisal process operates, whether or not they wish to actually become an appraiser.”

The Core Course started as a rotating three part course that sometimes required up to three years to complete in different locations around the country. The Course has now been condensed into an action packed seven day marathon held in Naperville, IL in conjunction with Northern Illinois University that includes hands on experience outside the classroom. The seven day course includes everything a prospective appraiser needs to begin a new career including practice appraisals and written appraisals. Class activities include inventorying property, using the computer for research on internet sites, finding comparable sales and will include examples of good and bad appraisals.

Becky Nix, ISA, AM, president of the Central Florida chapter of ISA and a veteran of the Core Course, said, “There is a lot of complex information to learn in a very short period. Leon Castner has that rare gift of being able to speak to you in such a way that it seems to absorb into the brain in an orderly fashion. He is a teacher’s teacher.”

The Core Course will be offered twice in 2010, May 24-30 and October 25-31 with Castner as the primary instructor. The Course is also available through the Distance Education program of the ISA administered by Lynn Livingston. Rates for ISA members for both 2010 Core Course presentations are $1,150 with early registration and discounts are available at the host hotel, the Country Inn & Suites of Naperville. Included in the registration fee is a 600 page manual of class material and reference sources.

Another class of interest is Advanced Report Writing, also taught by Castner. This class is for accredited appraisers who seek to take their report writing skills to a higher level and includes the use of technology in the writing effort. Photography, software utilization, charts, graphs and visual aids are emphasized in the presentation of reports. This class will be presented in Naperville on June 3-4 and September 30-October 1. Member rate is $650.

Castner’s newest expansion of the education program is the presentation of monthly one hour webinars. The subject rotates monthly between specialty topics and methodology subjects. Two recent editions included Clocks and Oriental Rugs presented by specialists in the areas. Registration is open to anyone and ISA membership is not required. Registration details are available on the ISA website.

For information about all of the professional education opportunities offered by the ISA visit the website at http://www.isa-appraisers.org, call (312) 981-6778, email isa@isa-appraisers.org or write to ISA, 737 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60611.

Leon Castner, Ph.D., ISA, CAPP

West Palm Beach Antiques Festival Expands Show Line-Up To Include Full Summer Schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2010

CONTACT: Kay Puchstein

                     (941) 697-7475

Additional Shows have been scheduled for July, August, September and October.

(West Palm Beach, FL) “Everyone knows there is not a whole lot of antiquing going on during the summer in Florida. We are going to change that and make West Palm Beach a year round destination for antiques and collectibles” say Kay and Bill Puchstein, owners of the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival. Responding to increased dealer and customer interest and bucking the current trend in the industry the Puchstein’s announced an agreement with the South Florida Fairgrounds to include the scheduling of summer shows for the mid 2010 season in addition to the regular November – June Shows . Bill Puchstein said “Many dealers who used to set up at the old West Palm Beach summer shows years ago have told us that the summer shows were always their best shows of the year.”

The new format for the summer shows will be a two day affair, Saturday and Sunday instead of the normal three day event during the regular season. Summer show dates will be July 3-4, August 7-8, September 4-5 and October 2-3 with a full day of setup for dealers on Friday 8:00AM to 7:00PM. In another striking move the Puchsteins have lowered dealers’ booth rent by 15% over the normal show fee. The popular “Early Buyers Admission” feature will be continued in the summer starting at 8:00AM on Saturday before the regular Show opening time of 10:00AM. The $25 Early Buyer ticket is good for the entire weekend.

Summer Show hours will be 10:00AM – 5:00PM on Saturday and 10:00AM – 4:30PM on Sunday. Adult daily admission $7.00, seniors $6.00 with a 1$ discount coupon for adult admission available on the website. Anyone under 16 is admitted free. There is no charge for parking at the Fairgrounds.

The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival is held at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fair located off Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FL, 1.5 miles west of the Florida Turnpike and 1 mile east of 441/SR7. For more information contact the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival at (941) 697-7475, email info@wpbaf.com or visit the website at www.wpbaf.com.

PHOTO CAPTION

Kay and Bill Puchstein are breaking new ground in the Florida antiques show market with a full summer schedule for the West Palm Beach Antiques festival and lower dealer costs.

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

International Society of Appraisers Taps New Executive Director and Additional Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2010

CONTACT: International Society of Appraisers

                     (312) 981-6778

ISA celebrates its 30th anniversary with a new Executive Director and an increased commitment to member education.

(Chicago, IL) The International Society of Appraisers based in Chicago has announced the appointment of Joe Jackson, CAE as the new Executive Director of the nation’s fastest growing personal property appraisal organization. Jackson comes to ISA with a strong background in association management having served for seven years as the Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects in Colorado and as a regulatory lobbyist in California. His mission is to be the facilitator in guiding the ISA to becoming the strongest appraisal organization in the marketplace and to keep ISA’s name at the forefront of the appraisal arena.

According to Jackson “The heart of the program is to solidify the existing base of what we are good at, expand the support services we offer to members and to be at the forefront of educational opportunities including distance learning and webinars. We have already started implementing this.” He went on to say “ISA is a growing and dynamic organization for personal property appraisers with an excellent and experienced staff, top rated educational programs and the best conference in the profession.” Part of his job will be to let the public know about the caliber of education available to ISA members and to reach everyone, including the interested public, who might have the need for an appraiser.

As part of its commitment to expand educational opportunities ISA also has a new Director of Education in Leon Castner, ISA CAPP. Castner plans to expand the line of educational programs including the development of new courses and the webinar program for delivery of short appraisal related education programs and product knowledge updates. Assisting Jackson is a growing and committed staff of professionals including Jennifer Hopkins, Director of Meetings, Rachel Walsh, Meetings Coordinator, Michelle Stearns, Education and Credentialing Coordinator and Sara Porter, Membership Coordinator.

President of the ISA Board of Directors, Judith Martin, ISA CAPP, said “We are starting to see some real movement. We recognized a little over two years ago that our members needed to be heard and acknowledged for what they do, helping middle America. Many of our members are generalists and they can assist families since they understand residential contents and antiques. They know how to identify items, not just from what they already know but from the ISA network of referrals through other ISA members they can depend on. Our members can fulfill their clients’ needs in times of divorce, casualty or theft loss, property division and other cases when identification and evaluation are needed.”

ISA is now thirty years old and still has some of the original members. With headquarters on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, ISA is now managed by Sentergroup, Inc, a full service association management firm. ISA proudly offers a full schedule of educational opportunities for new and veteran appraisers spread out over all of 2010 including the “Assets 2010” Conference in Toronto April 30-May 3. The complete seminar schedule and additional information is available on the website at http://www.isa-appraisers.org. For more information call (312) 981-6778, email isa@isa-appraisers.org or write to ISA, 737 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60611.

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

NO NEED TO LOOK FURTHER - IT'S ALL THERE AT THE ICA "SPRING CLASSIC" IN CHARLOTTE, NC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2010

CONTACT: ICA Offices

(704) 714-7909

Over 1,500 dealers will set up for the March 31-April 4 events at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo for the International Collectibles & Antiques Shows’ five day Spring Classic.

(CHARLOTTE, NC) – “From Antique to Shabby Chic and Everything in Between” describes the variety of treasures, pleasures and surprises that await show goers this month at the ICA Shows “Spring Classic.” The International Collectibles & Antiques Shows, always held the first full weekend of every month, will present its semi-annual seasonal “Classic” event on March 31-April 4 at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo in Charlotte, where the tradition continues.

Decorators, designers, collectors and anyone seeking a bargain, including just

lookers, will want to make plans to attend the Spring Classic and sample the eclectic mix of antiques, collectibles, curiosities and “others” found in the indoor and outdoor dealer booths. Visitors can also stroll through Piccadilly Lane, Antique Village, and the Open-Air Market (or Marketplace) which are “shops” in the buildings owned by local, permanent dealers who set their items on display in a decorative manner so that shoppers can picture the treasures in their homes. While cruising the exhibitor spaces visitors will enjoy experiencing the smells and tastes of offerings from the food vendors ranging from pizza and funnel cakes to good old fashioned Southern BBQ and perhaps take a short break at the outdoor bar with a TV.

All of the buildings have been upgraded and now support free Wi-Fi connections with state of the art security. Pets are welcome as are strollers and carts and the atmosphere and wide selection of dealer inventory, ranging from rare antiques to $5.00 pleasers, is ideal for shopping in a tough economy with bargains at every turn. The Spring Classic is a great opportunity for an inexpensive family outing, perhaps even starting a child’s first collection with an inexpensive little find.

Antiques are the point of origin of the “green” movement, recycling our history and passing it on and the Classic offers the perfect opportunity to recycle an antique into your modern household at a very affordable price in pleasant surroundings. Pick out your recycling candidate from the vast array of furniture and accessories, jewelry, china, silver, pottery, art, arts and crafts, military/historical artifacts, coins, vintage toys, rugs, lighting, architectural salvage treasures, bolts of vintage hard to find fabrics and even plants offered by the dealers.

The Spring Classic offers a variety of special services for attendees including appraisals by Col Charles Senn, furniture repair by Walter Smith of Augusta, GA custom engraving by T. S. Buchanan of Charlotte and jewelry repair, restoration and repairs of crystal, porcelain, art deco, pottery, cloisonné, alabaster, lacquer boxes, stoneware and silver by Lauro Torres of Wilmington, NC. Purchased items can be packaged and shipped from the show, good for gifting or if you are on the way to other locations so you don’t have to carry your purchases everywhere with you. The Shows make it easy to get your item home without it being a burden.

And even if you are not in a buying mood at the moment, the Classic is a great opportunity to take advantage of the breadth of knowledge of the dealers who come from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. Most are anxious to talk about their particular field and they may be able to help you find that one elusive item you have been chasing for years. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to talk with other shoppers you find in the area of booths of interest to you.

The International Collectibles & Antiques Show Spring Classic will be held March 31-April 4 at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo, 7100 Statesville, Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269 located at Exit 16a on I-77 just six minutes north of downtown Charlotte . Show times are 9:00 – 5:00 Wednesday-Saturday and 10:00 – 4:00 Sunday. A five day pass for this event is $10 with a $1 Senior discount and kids under 12 get in free. Parking is always free.

Regular four day monthly ICA Shows will be held April 29-May2, June 3-6, July 1-4, August 5-8, September 2-5, September 30-October 3 and December 2-6. A four day admission pass to regular Shows is $5.00 with the same discounts. The Fall Classic will be held November 3-7. The ICA Show is owned and managed by Pete Pistone.

For more information visit the website at www.ICASHOWS.com, email info@icashows.com or call (704) 714-7909.

written by:

Fred Taylor

www.furnituredetective.com

800-387-6377

PHOTO CAPTION

Some of the many treasures that can be found at the International Collectibles & Antique Shows BIG SPRING CLASSIC in Charlotte.