The Hunt for Sonny Randle

On my list of favorite football athletes are several players from St. Louis and San Diego, cities in which I have lived for many years. Of course there is Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk, Sonny Randle, and a few others on that list. That’s right, Sonny Randle.

After browsing through some recent clippings about Randle, I attempted to get some old cards of his. Well, after contacting a half dozen or so dealers, I finally ran across Touchdown Treasures, owned and operated by Michael Hattley. My Sonny Randle card hunt was over, at least temporarily. Hattley sent me an inventory list of the St. Louis Cardinals (football) items he has. It looked like a small town telephone directory. And that was only of one team.
Talk about someone with passion about what he does. Hattley, a former financial guy, was an avid collector himself, and decided to make his avocation a vocation, by starting Touchdown Treasures some twenty-four years ago. The company specializes only in football memorabilia. Through the years, merchandise of the Packers, Giants, and Steelers have been requested the most. Although Touchdown Treasures is based in Greenwich, Connecticut, Hattley’s favorite team is the Miami Dolphins. Why?

Mike said that the most unusual piece he has ever sold was a 1977 Topps NFL Mexican set. There were only twenty sets sold. Wow! Makes you wonder if Chad Ochocinco has a set. The cards were all in Spanish. I would have a tough time with that one.

Michael Hattley is an optimist, even in this economy. Yes, the market is down, but vintage or unique items will hold their own.

If you have a football item “wish list”, you might want to contact Hattley. After all, he has an inventory of 39,531 football related items. That was the total a few days ago, maybe it is more by now. I bet he even has some Sonny Randle items. On second thought, I hope not. He is supposed to be selling all those to me.

Hattley can be reached at (203) 532-9214, or at www.touchdown-treasures.com. Touchdown Treasures conducts both auctions and sales.

In Collectibles Market, Manning is no Brady

Recently on one of my radio broadcasts, I got into a lively discussion about which one NFL player I would start a team with. It is my humble opinion that I would start with a quarterback, while others in the discussion chose other positions. Names of players were thrown out, including Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, and even Ed Reed. Yes, that’s right, Ed Reed. He is a terrific player, but I don’t think you can pick a defensive player to be your cornerstone man. I can see picking a running back, but I still think a quarterback comes first.

So who would I pick? If I was doing the honors today, it would be Peyton Manning. If you ask me next year I might say Peterson or even Philip Rivers, the incredible quarterback of the Chargers. You watch, Rivers has what it takes, and if he can win a Super Bowl or two, and San Diego is capable of doing so, Rivers will be at the head of the quarterback class.

But for now, give me Peyton Manning. This 2009 season may very well be his best, especially if you consider the fact that he is without his main man, Marvin Harrison. Joseph Addai should not be mistaken for Edgerin James either. The Colts simply replace parts as necessary. Do I think that Manning will lead the Colts to another Super Bowl victory this season? Hardly. I don’t think the Colts will even make it out of the AFC Championship game. That’s right. And now I’ll probably be flooded with emails about how my thinking is distorted.

Funny thing about Manning and the 1998 draft. The two top college quarterbacks in that draft were Manning of Tennessee, and Ryan Leaf of Washington State. Both the Colts and Chargers desperately needed quarterbacks, and Indianapolis had the first selection, and the Chargers the third. San Diego gave up the kitchen sink to Arizona to move up one spot. The rest is history. The course of the NFL was changed. Manning became, well, Manning, and Ryan Leaf became, uh, let’ just say, one of the biggest busts in NFL history.

However, let it be remembered that in Manning’s first season the Indianapolis Colts were a dismal 3-13.

Despite Peyton Manning’s achievements on and off the gridiron, his collectibles have not gone spectacular. Why he hasn’t been as big of a box office star with collectibles as, for example, a Tom Brady, or a Joe Montana, is likely due to the fact that for a long time he did not have any Super Bowl rings. Now he has one, as the Manning-led Colts defeated the Chicago Bears a few years ago. The fact, too, that he plays in a relatively small Midwestern market does not help. Put him in a New York or a Chicago and the scenario would undoubtedly be different.

For the record, in a 2008 auction, his 2000 game-used helmet went for just shy of $5000. His 2004 game-worn signed shoes fetched slightly over $4000 in a 2007 auction. His jerseys usually bring in upwards of a few thousand dollars, depending, of course, if they are signed.

The Colts have flourished with Peyton Manning at the helm. At age 33, opposing defenses are going to have to put up with him and his gyrations at the line of scrimmage for at least a handful of more years.

I never get tired of telling a good story, and this one certainly makes that list.

Two of my favorite pickers – let’s just call them Frick and Frack, tend to find some amazing stuff.  I have bought things from them purely for aesthetic reasons over the years, and have never been disappointed.

They have a great eye.  It’s so important when being a picker because you may not know what you are buying, but if you can tell it’s “Something” you’re a step ahead of most of the pack.  And these guys have had some pretty amazing scores just buying on a hunch.

This week’s story is just one of the many….

Apparently several years ago they were at an estate sale buying a few things when a pair of what looked like cameo’s caught their eye.

They noticed the items had a Sotheby’s auction tag on the back.  This would generally indicate they are somewhat special. The tags dated all the way back to 1903!

Once they got them home, they contacted Sotheby’s.   Unfortunately they were not much help. They told them they were 18^th century and that was all they knew.  Hrmph!

The guys thought they were made of marble, but after asking around were told they were porcelain and numismatic related (huh?)

They placed them on eBay with the little information they had, and needless to say, not much happened. (Imagine that, a low period on eBay)

Come to find out, these pieces were from the very well documented John Gormley Murdoch coin and medal collection.  The auction was 8 sessions – running from March 31, 1903 to December 13, 1904 at Sotheby’s & Co., London.

The back of each framed piece is notated with the identity of the subject, which happens to be Edward II and Edward III; along with their date of birth, coronation and death.

Now comes the fun part of the story.  It just happens that while these didn’t sell, the guys hung them in the restroom for decoration.  Recently a friend came by, asked to use the restroom, and noticed the items hanging on the wall.  The friend just happened to recognize the work as that of James Tassie (1735-1799).  They are made from enamel/glass and not porcelain.  You can read more about Tassie by visiting this website:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tassie

But you may already be somewhat familiar with his work if you have visited the V&A Museum.

So how does the story end?  Will Frick and Frack keep them or will they head off to a big auction and sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars?  You’ll just have to tune in here to see….

Happy Hunting!
Reyne

Hi,

I wanted to pass along some information about a new Discovery series, Auction Kings. Auction Kings showcases one of the country’s most storied auction houses, Gallery 63, in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Its owner, Paul Brown, worked for 20 years at Red Baron’s Antiques, his dad’s auction house, learning the art of selling and how to tell trash from treasure.

Today, Gallery 63 is renowned for bizarre, high-end items — such as a snooker table custom-made for the Rolling Stones.  Paul has made a name for himself as the go-to guy for bidders looking for those one-of-a-kind pieces that can only be found inside his doors. Discovery Channel’s series Auction Kings delves into the world of unique items — from vampire-hunting kits to meteorites to jewel encrusted pencils and the emotional process of their acquisition and loss.

I’ve included an embeddable clip from Tuesdays, “Vampire Hunting Kit/Meteorite” episode below that features a vampire killing kit , and I can provide a preview of the entire episode online upon request.

Auction Kings – Vampire Killing Kit | Vampire Hunting Kit/Meteorite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk_1t3jJmsE

Auction Kings premieres on Discovery on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 10 PM/ET (with “Vampire Hunting Kit/Meteorite“). If you have any questions or need additional information, please let me know.

Here is a link to our press web if you want some other information:
http://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/programs/auction-kings/

Thank you,
Jessie

Jessie Lane/ Digital Publicist / Discovery Communications / Jessica_Lane-cw@discovery.com / Office: 240-662-2661 / Mobile: 240-381-0562

Preview November 6th – November 12th

Auctions November 13th

19th/20th Century American & European Art  11am

Post War/Contemporary Art  2pm

So, last week I left you hanging when I asked Martin the question:

What strategies to buy at auction would you give to the novice?

Here is Part II of my interview….

Martin: It is a tough question, but I will try and answer the best I can.
First of all, the novice should know most of us, if not all in the business have learned from our mistakes. I have a few mistakes kicking around in my house as a matter of fact. The best advice is not to look at buying at auction in an adversarial mode. I always hear this gem told to the novice: “find out who the antique dealers are and bid one bid higher than them.” That has to do with retail mark-up and what you can buy it for. However, this is not fool proof. There are many ways to make mistakes here. First of all, there is no way of telling if the dealer has a desperate client willing to pay too much for something, or if the dealer is buying for their own collection. I have seen dealers pay extraordinary prices for something they collect.

The best strategy I can think of for a novice is again, use patience coupled with perseverance. Go to auctions, watch what happens, and get yourself familiar with what things sell for. Watch how people bid, and what they bid on. Make notes if you have to. If you only spend $100, then the most you can lose is $100.

My suggestions for the “Do’s & Don’ts” for the novice at auction are:

1.     Again, do not bid on something you have not inspected. Auctioneers do not want to take items back and often will not take them back (unless accidently misrepresented)

2.     Try not to be the first bidder on an item.

3.     Do not keep your card up while bidding (known as the Statue of Liberty Bid). Along those lines, when bidding, don’t look too excited about bidding and use your best poker face.

4.     Do not buy something just because it is a deal. You may be buying something no one else is too excited about. If you may have to live with it, make sure you like it.

5.     If you see a particular piece at an auction that you think you would like to own and time permitting, research it. Take the catalog description home with you and explore the piece on the Internet. Or, ask advice from a dealer, often times, they will help you.

6.     Do not ask other people not to bid on something you want, people often take offense to you asking them. Also, it could be considered collusive. Along those lines, do not tell other people at the auction what you are interested in.

7.     Don’t be afraid of the auctioneer. Ask questions at the preview on what he or she and or the staff may know about a particular piece you may be interested in.

All great tips Martin!
Reyne:  So would these tips apply to online bidders? Or would you have any strategies for the online bidder?

Martin: Another tough question. It is always best to be there in person for
a dozen reasons. However, online bidding has come a long way.

Here is what I suggest:

1.     Buy at an auction house with a good reputation.

2.     Make sure the condition report is thorough and it is cataloged correctly.

3.     Make sure you understand the conditions of sale, buyer’s premium and shipping, etc.

4.     Know that bidding online is not infallible. It has come a long way, but it is always possible your bid will not go through or the auctioneer will move too fast to catch your bid. When I bid online, I just leave an absentee bid of my maximum amount. It is safe way to go and no one knows the amount you leave or who you are. You can just leave your bid and go play golf or something.

Reyne: I can’t help but ask… any big hush hush trade secrets we should know?

Martin:   Because I am an auctioneer, I am reluctant to share this, but will anyway. As auctioneers we want to see everything sell at an auction. However, that is fantasy and sometimes 15% of an auction or more may pass for some reason or another. There are a number of people out there that contact an auction house after a sale and ask about the unsold lots. Often, there is a lot of negotiation, as consignors have generally wanted the pieces out of their life. I have heard of many stories of wonderful buys as “after sales”.

So you mean to tell me that my first auction in November is not going to have 100% sales ratio?
Thanks so much Martin for sharing your knowledge of auctions, bidding, and the strategies to go along with them.   You rock!

Invitation to Consign:

Modern & Asian, Antiquities & European Antiques

Auction: Oct 18th – 22nd 2010  9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Auction:

Oct 27th 2010  2:30 pm

Oct 28th 2010  10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Catalogue available online

OKLAHOMA CITY ESTATE SALE
2905 Dittmer Road
(West on 29th off Ann Arbor,
then south on Dittmer Road.)
Sat., 23 Oct. — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sun., 24 Oct. — 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
To see preview pics, click here and then scroll down.
*******
The estate of the late Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Wagner.
Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were part-time “pickers”
in Pennsylvania and New York
from the Forties through the Sixties,
and together amassed a huge collection worthy of admiration.
The sale will include
a large, cameo-cut  art glass vase
by Schneider/La Verre Français (Charder),
in the Art Moderne style;
a fine Wheeling Peachblow vase (very scarce);
Austro-Bohemian art glass ca. 1900-20,
including a signed piece of Loetz with an overshot finish;
dolls by Effanbee, Ideal, Marx, Ohio Art and other manufacturers;
sterling flatware, including pieces by Tiffany, Whiting,
Gorham, Shreve and other manufacturers;
an intricately wrought Kirk sterling tea caddy
in the “Repoussé” pattern (older mark);
many small pieces of primitive American furniture;
a massive, blind-front American secretary ca. 1850;
a rare, partial service
in the extremely Art Deco “Our America” pattern
(designed by Rockwell Kent for Vernon Kilns);
vintage toys and dolls galore,
including pieces by Marx, Steiff, Madam Alexander,
Ohio Art and many other manufacturers;
a fine, painted Pennsylvania Dutch blanket chest ca. 1810-30;
a fine array of daguerrotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes
and other early photographs, most in their original cases;
a stereopticon with a large number of accompanying cards;
a wide array of paper goods and ephemera,
including postcards, maps, World’s Fair memorabilia,
vintage Valentines and much more;
an exceptional Pennsylvania corner cabinet ca. 1830-40;
an attractive Sheraton server with a (later added) secretary top;
a huge assortment of late Victorian tin tobacco tags;
several vintage cast iron banks,
including three mechanical banks;
a service of Wedgwood china in the “Pimpernel” pattern;
a great deal of early English transferware;
a child’s dresser ca. 1880-90, with hand-painted folk motifs;
vintage sewing items; sewing notions;
yelloware, redware, ironstone (transferred and otherwise),
majolica and other ceramic wares of the 19th century;
a small Sheraton game table (likely of the period);
a Shreve hammered sterling tea caddy;
commercial and non-commercial perfume bottles;
vintage marbles; Victorian milk glass (white and colored);
Bennington ware; Rockingham ware;
quadruple plate (several pieces);
an Old Sheffield Plate gallery tray ca. 1820-30;
Roycroft; fountain pens and mechanical pencils;
Victorian pattern glass;
opalescent glass, including pieces by Northwood,
Dugan and other manufacturers;
vintage advertising tins;
many Victorian scrapbooks and photo albums;
a splendid sampler dated 1828; copper lusterware;
children’s dishes; a snuff box dated 1828;
a gilded brass “Standing Indian” girandole ca. 1840;
spatter glass; a Steuben crystal paperweight; Frankoma;
two Staffordshire figures ca. 1830-50;
a Dick Tracy tin litho squad car ca. 1935-40;
several silverplated Victorian napkin rings;
a heavy Durgin sterling comport ca. 1930;
several large and scarce flatware pieces
in Gorham’s “Strasbourg” pattern sterling;
a small assemblage of sterling flatware
in Gorham’s “Chantilly” pattern;
a pair of beaded Indian moccasins
(possibly Kiowa or Comanche);
an important, leather-bound, Lancaster County Bible dated 1819,
printed by noted Pennsylvania printer Jakob Bär (a.k.a. “Bear”);
a wonderful folk art cane ca. 1820-30;
several oil paintings (European, 19th century);
antique Currier & Ives prints;
a Colonial Revival server ca. 1890-1910;
an 1889 souvenir program
from the inaugural ball of President Benjamin Harrison;
“Candlewick” pattern crystal by Imperial;
Bakelite jewelry; Art Deco shoe clips;
Franklin Mint items; Mexican and other sterling jewelry;
vintage Christmas ornaments; Kutani and Imari wares; salt spoons;
a large selection of early American stoneware,
including many salt-glazed crocks and jugs
from Pennsylvania and New York potters;
a wonderful assortment of books,
including 18th and 19th century leather-bound works,
works with illustrations by Gustave Doré, Kate Greenaway,
Charles Russell, Rockwell Kent and other noted illustrators,
vintage children’s books, many collectors’ books, etc.;
a handsome, Empire-style tea service by Christofle of Paris
(w/Orfèvrerie Gallia marks);
an embarrassingly full garage; a very full kitchen; much, much, MUCH more.
This is a sale you don’t want to miss —
it’s an absolute paradise for dealers and collectors alike.
*****
On-site security at all times until sale day.
Uniformed Oklahoma City police officer
on site at all times during sale hours.
Numbers given out starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Customers will be ushered in in groups of fifty.
Ladies, please lock your purses in your trunks
and bring only your pocketbooks into the sale.
(The volume in this sale borders on the insane,
hence the “no purses” rule.)
No children, please.  No public restrooms.
Each dealer must submit a photocopy of his or her tax exemption slip
for every purchase made — there will be no exceptions.
Please park both courteously and legally,
as violators may be towed.
Sealed bids will be collected throughout the day Saturday
on those items priced $100.00 and above;
bids will be “called” at the close of the sale on Saturday.

Auction: Nov 21st 2010  12:00 pm

Preview: Nov 17th – Nov 20th 2010

Catalogue available online

Date of Release:  Oct. 21, 2010

Works by Tiffany Studios, other iconic 20th century design in Michaan’s Nov. 8 sale

ALAMEDA, Calif. – Devotees of 20th century art glass, lighting, pottery, jewelry, fine art and architectural elements won’t want to miss the inaugural 20th Century Decorative Arts sale to be held Nov. 8 at Michaan’s Auction in Alameda, California. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.  The sale will be headed up by 20^th Century Design expert, Reyne Haines.

“All of us here at Michaan’s Auctions are thrilled to be collaborating with Reyne Haines in the creation of the first of a series of 20^th Century Decorative Arts sales that we believe will eventually become the most important auctions in this field on the West Coast.” said Allen Michaan, owner of Michaan’s Auctions.

In the heart of the Bay Area, Michaan’s Auction is centrally located between San Francisco – with its many Art Deco architectural masterpieces – the Arts & Crafts mecca of Berkeley, and the moneyed Silicon Valley, a region known for its Mid-Century modern homes. This geographical position puts Michaan’s within striking distance of the best of northern California’s estates and collections.

Fine art highlights of the Nov. 8 sale include a Leroy Neiman Charlie “Bird” Parker silkscreen created expressly for Hugh Hefner, a rare Salvador Dali print from the Marquis de Sade portfolio, photographs by Ezra Stoller and Margaret Bourke-White; and watercolor studies by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Tiffany Studios will be well represented by several windows, leaded lamps, desk accessories, glass, and a few particularly rare designs: a four-panel tea screen and an enamel-over-copper vase.

Other studios whose coveted artworks are to be auctioned in Michaan’s sale include Rene Lalique, Emile Galle, Muller Freres, Daum, Quezal, Venini, Steuben, and Duffner & Kimberly.

The jewelry category is led by one of the finest collections of Bakelite seen in some time, with such inclusions as a Philadelphia bracelet, a Greco-Roman head, and green and red Josephine Baker profile bracelets.

Other jewelry highlights include an array of Mexican silver by such premier artists as Hector Aguilar, Los Castillos, Damasco Gallegos and Erica Hult de Corral; and  Modernism pieces by Ed Weiner, Bill Tendler & Anton Mikkelson. Additional jewelry categories include early French paste and a beautiful assortment of KJL, Hattie Carnegie and Miriam Haskell designs.

Rounding out the sale is a collection of Modernism furniture and design. Among the highlights are Marcel Breuer lounge chairs, a Mobier rocker, an Edward Wormley desk and cocktail table; a Vistosi table lamp, and a Paavo Tynell table lamp.

“It has been exciting watching the sale come together.” said Haines.  “I think this is going to be the start of a wonderful thing!”

All forms of bidding will be available for the Nov. 8 auction including live gallery bidding, phone, absentee and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. For additional information on any lot in the sale, call 510-740-0220 ext 122 or email reyne@michaans.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Visit Michaan’s online at www.michaans.com.