Archive for October, 2007
Dealer Organizations, Leading the Retreat
Thursday, October 25th, 2007The Art and Antique Dealers League of America, Inc., is the oldest and principal antiques and fine arts organization in America, and its web site mission statement says its purpose is “to devote itself to the best interest of dealers and collectors of antiques and works of art”. CINOA (La Confederation International des Negociants en [...]
Auction Law: Doing the Seller’s Bidding
Thursday, October 18th, 2007Why can’t a seller bid up his items at auction? If he tries, the auctioneer isn’t allowed to accept his bid. Why should he anyway? With a secret reserve, the auctioneer is doing what he legally can’t do. If logic follows, an auctioneer can’t accept the seller’s bid with or without a reserve, so why [...]
High End Antique Furniture Dealers: Bleak Prospects?
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007The high end of the decorative arts market has been experiencing its first major contraction in modern times. If you don’t think so then your head must be stuck in sand; check out the impressive catalogues of dealers Dandois (mostly Sotheby’s) and Steinitz (Christie’s) that are going under the duopoly’s hammer. Those are just two [...]
Real Estate/Antiques- Which Transaction Format
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007What’s an antique or piece of real estate worth? It’s not a simple answer but requires thought, knowledge, and evaluating the timing of the opportunity to attain a valuation, for both buyer and seller. Whether it is giving one more bid at an auction or asking for concessions from the owner of the property, the [...]