SoMa Estate Auction – Interior Resolutions

Sunday January 24, 2010 

San Francisco

Sunday January 31, 2010

San Francisco

Feb. 12 Historical Manuscripts Auction presents handwritten letter from Civil War Colonel disbanding his legendary Rangers

LOS ANGELES – An emotional and pointed farewell given by controversial Civil War Colonel John S. Mosby, believed to be one of only two contemporary copies known to be written by him, will be auctioned off as part of Heritage Auctions Los Angeles Signature® Historical Manuscripts & Autographs Auction, Feb. 12. It is estimated at $70,000-$90,000.

The Virginia-born and bred Mosby, known as “The Grey Ghost” for his lightning quick partisan-style tactics against Union forces,  addresses his Partisan Rangers at the close of the Civil War after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Rather than subject his troops to the undue hardships they would face if they continued to fight, Mosby disbands the 43^rd Virginia Cavalry, also known as “Mosby’s Rangers”: (more…)

Jackson Rooms Auction – January 20 & 21, 2010 9:30am  Preview January 19th 9:00am

Featuring American, Continental, English, and Asian furniture

Edged Weapons & Militaria Auction – January 22, 2010 9:30am Preview January 19th, 20th, 21st 9:00am

Featuring an amazing collection of short swords and other worlwide blades from the 17th to the 20th century

Edward Wormley; a household name in the Mid Century Modern crowd.  He was a major influence on American design.

Wormley was born in 1907.  As a young child, he developed polio, which hindered his ability to walk until the age of 5.  This would be a mere speed-bump in Wormley’s life.  In 1926 he attended college at the Art Institute of Chicago.  By 1928 he was working at Marshall Field & Co, then later for Berkey & Gay in Michigan.

Wormley’s first taste of furniture design was in 1930 when he traveled to Paris and met designer Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann.  Upon his return to the United States, he went to work at the Dunbar Furniture Company. (more…)

Should I keep my box?

I get asked this question over and over again.

“Tammy, I have a huge collection of figurines and the boxes are taking over my house…. Do I REALLY need them?”

The answer is, it depends.

A deal with a lot of Hummel Figurines and I have to be honest, the box matters little. If it adds 5% to the final sale price I think that’s being generous, and often it’s a recipe for disaster as people keep them in their boxes when transporting them, and inevitably they break. Plus, these figurines are meant to be enjoyed!  You don’t want them to be in your curio cabinet, for all to see and admire! More important than the box is proper care. Make sure you don’t store your figurines in direct sunlight, keep them climate controlled, keep them clean and out of reach of small children. This is what really matters to collectors- How the piece looks.  The box is really more of an afterthought and in the secondary market it’s really expected to not have all the original boxes (especially in older pieces). (more…)

Presented by Daniel Cooney Fine Art & iGavel

Includes emerging artists Lyndsy Welgos, Keiko Narahashi, Eric McNatt, Bob O’Conner, Brea Souders, and Michelle Blade

Photography, Painting, and Sculpture

There is a huge vocabulary that goes along with antiques and collecting. Reyne and Jonathan explain a few of these terms while strolling around an antique store. A lesson in cameo, transferware, a little on sculpture, and Japaness.