A field guide to live auctions

A field guide to live auctions

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You never know what will come in the door.....

An original Schulz signed Peanuts comic strip

200 pounds of vintage jewelry

Antique fire hose nozzles

Metal toy trucks

Modern carved wood sculpture

Arts & Crafts peacock tile

All That Glitters....The Diamond Market Today

If you've got jewelry you want to learn more about you'll like this - David Wolf, ASA, Master Gemologist writes for Chubb Insurance Newsletter All That Glitters...The Diamond Market Today.

NYC Americana Week

To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did

I have a love hate relationship with Americana Week in NYC. I love it because one can see the most interesting and magnificent art and antiques up close and personal in a week. I hate it because January is such an incredibly busy month at work and I usually can't take the time to go. I've been working 7 days a week as it is to make sure all our clients are attended to and the bills get paid.

So close and yet, so far.....

Don't get me wrong. I ALWAYS plan to go. I even read all the auction catalogs and TAAS schedule of events, and map out an agenda. I put a day or two on the calendar in December. I note all the really cool things I want to see in person and outside of a museum. I know where to park and how to get around.

Prioritize and Procrastinate

So, Tuesday's the big day I've got on the calendar this year. After I go to the gym and after completing a couple of appraisals, returning 12 client phone messages from the weekend, writing a newsletter, visiting my mom and dad, calling my daughter at college, grocery shopping, getting airline tickets for either JazzFest or JukeJoint Fest, drain-o-ing the kitchen sink, fixing the shed leak, bill-paying and banking, and starting a diet....

Who knows what I'll actually get accomplished this week. My NAPO friends will probably holler at me. And so they should. I will holler at myself.

HULLO-O!

Perhaps next year, I won't have this problem. I won't put it on the calendar and thus will eliminate any expectations.

The Economist: Chinese Export Porcelain Sales Report

Heads up to those of you who might like to buy a piece of history! The late Chinese Export dealer Elinor Gordon's collection is on the block next week at Sotheby's in New York. It is a must see for any of you interested in these historical porcelain pieces. Her private collection is said to be a true collector's sale, with items having estimates below their usual minimums. According to Christina Prescott-Walker, head of the Sotheby's porcelain departments, many lots will sell for hundreds, not thousands of dollars. Previewing will be an education unto itself.

Here's The Economist's article on it.

Need inspiration?

Isn't it nice to know that there are good kids out there today doing good things? My friend, Nancy Doyne, from Mountain Lakes, NJ, has three amazing daughters, one of whom is Maggie. She has been working in Nepal, building a children's home called Kopila Valley. Her post high school journal here is awesome. See what she's up to today.

The apple didn't fall far from that tree!

Christies' Reports Growing Influence of Chinese Collectors

By Le-Min Lim Jan. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Mainland Chinese are buying more art at Christie’s International’s auctions in New York and Europe as their purchases “rose significantly” last year using wealth produced by a growing economy, Christie’s said. Mainland China residents bought the most-expensive items at Christie’s New York jewelry auction in October and more than doubled their purchases of Chinese art last year at sales in London and New York, said Andrew Foster, president of Christie’s Asia, in a statement. Nine of the 10 priciest items at the second part of a Paris auction of Yves Saint Laurent’s effects in November were bought by Asians, Christie’s said, without saying how many were Chinese. The past two years have seen the Chinese outbid Americans and Europeans for top-end Asian antiques and gems at art sales in Hong Kong, the world’s third-largest auction market after New York and London. Now, the Chinese are expanding their collection beyond traditional art to include watches, wine, jewels and some Western art, said Foster. “The trend is crystal clear,” said Foster, who’s also Christie’s chief operating officer. Asia’s “wealth is migrating to art and lifestyle purchases, and not only in Hong Kong.” Hong Kong is leading the global recovery in the art and auction markets, said Foster. Like rival Sotheby’s, the company holds biannual sales in the city. In 2009, Christie’s Hong Kong sales tallied HK$2.7 billion ($348 million), with buyers paying 27 percent more per lot at the second auction than the first. Foster said “passion” is returning to the Hong Kong art market. “The head evaluates, but the heart rules the art market.”

Everything you need you already have. You are complete right now, you are a whole, total person, not an apprentice person on the way to someplace else.

-Beverly Sills

Sadly, hoarders and savers have not heeded her wise words. Help is available!

The National Assn. of Professional Organizers http://www.naponnj.org/

Personal Property Consultants is an affiliate member of the NJ Chapter of NAPO. We have had the pleasure of working with professional organizers who need valuation advice for their clients. Clients want to know how much their things are worth. This information helps them make decisions about gifting, donating, insuring and selling.

We will participate in the NAPO NJ Vendor Event January 25 at the beautiful Fairfield (NJ) Red Cross Building.

Photo Exhibit Opening At The Newark Public Library (Baristanet)

Photo Exhibit Opening At The Newark Public Library (Baristanet)

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Do you know...

the most important requirement of any appraiser is USPAP compliance?

The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 recognizes USPAP as the generally accepted appraisal standards and requires USPAP compliance for appraisers in federally related transactions. State Appraiser Certification and Licensing Boards; federal, state, and local agencies, appraisal services; and appraisal trade associations require compliance with USPAP.

http://www.appraisalfoundation.org/s_appraisal/sec.asp?CID=3&DID=3

ASA Granted Expanded USPAP Options

In a letter dated January 5, 2010, The Appraisal Foundation officially granted ASA's request to allow BV, GJ, MTS, and PP appraisers subject to USPAP the following options for meeting USPAP continuing education requirements:

• Successful completion of the 15-Hour National USPAP Course and pass the associated 15-Hour National USPAP Course Examination every five calendar years, or
• Successful completion of the 7-Hour National USPAP Update Course every two calendar years, or
• Successful completion of a 7-Hour National USPAP Update Course specific to Business Valuation, Gems and Jewelry, Machine and Technical Specialties, or Personal Property every two calendar years

Downsize = Rightsize!

Our clients tell us that downsizing is one of the hardest things they ever do. But, they also tell us, post-execution, that it is one of the most gratifying of experiences. Letting go of their excess baggage is liberating. They want to know that their personal collections are respected and will go to someone who can appreciate them. If that is accomplished with grace and professionalism, they achieve new found freedom and peace.

Museum DeAccessioning

Museums across the country are selling off portions of their collections to generate cash for operating expenses. It's a passionate discussion; no one wants to HAVE to do this. Sadly, reality interferes with artistic missions. If you can't experience it, is there still art?

Many museums and historical institutions SHOULD redefine their mission statements, re-allocate their collections and re-focus on their core constituents.

It's important to keep the lights on, doors open and remain relevant to your community! Creativity is key!

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