In reading the Sotheby’s published commentaries of the life and career of Peter Wilson (Sotheby’s Maestro), there is no denying his creativity and methodology to change an industry.  It was also the start of a time with endless possibilities for a stodgy way of doing business.  The Post-World War II landscape of Europe vs America for taste and money, was wiped clean. His opportunities were in delivering a better product, in a better way with a good bit of PR, which never hurt.  With all the accolades and anecdotes about his life by the many colleagues and professional acquaintance I found it stunning that no one mentioned his role in the implementation…

Recently, I had been talking about the history of Newel to a group of visitors in our showroom; Kiel Wuellner who head our sales division, suggested to me that I should write a book about Newel and the incredible people and productions associated with the Company. The thought seemed too daunting for me with so many stories to tell, but intriguing to try. With this in mind, Oliver Smith seem like a trans-generational figure in telling Newel’s story. He was a Broadway designer and socially connected New Yorker extraordinaire; he’s a good person to start the journey. Newel had always been associated with only the top Broadway set designers going…

It was enlightening to read a review of the latest version of the “venerable art fair La Biennale Paris.” In all fairness, I’ve never been to it, but I can only imagine the setting and the aura of walking down the aisles of such an austere event. An article about the fair was written by Ted Loos in the New York Times which also referenced antiques dealers as “now been discarded, least it sound musty and fusty”. Yes, I can agree, but the show must go on and filling booths and attracting fair goers is still the end game. It’s been a fascinating last decade and a half for antiques…

I guess if you live long enough you can see everything.  I believe I have witnessed in my career in the art and antiques industry the most seminal decision by an auctioneer to voluntarily forgo the buyer’s premium.  Sotheby’s, you not only see the handwriting on the wall, but now realize new potential in how the market can work.  Offering no buyer’s premium to online sales only, is the most significant auction method change since it was first introduced in the mid 1970s. In the press release, Sotheby’s acknowledged the economics of the decision to test the waters where there is least resistance and the greatest pool of buyer.  Presently,…

Back in the day, dealers were the backbone of supporting prices in a market that they not only dominated, but kept the value fluid and sustainable.  Take out the dealer participation in today’s world and along with a precipitative drop in overall consumer demand, pricing seems to have little foundation. Letting the markets forces begin to evolve, you get a structure that is only effective as an internet exchange, where buyers and sellers can and will negotiate and buy.  All terms of the sale are up for discussion. The idea of a working decorative arts market exchange has been something I’ve dreamed about for 30 years, since the advent of…

The end of the summer is rapidly approaching, and I think it’s a good time to reflect on where the Decorative Arts has a pulse.  From my perspective, good Rustic, of any period or style will sell easier than a French 18th Century commode.  That may sound like a “stretch” but then again, Mid-Century and Contemporary still dominate the taste style du jour. Rustic is a very broad style, that spans American Folk Art to Bavarian and Swiss Black Forest styles.  It cuts a very broad swath of collectors and has interior design appeal. Rustic as a classification of decorative arts represents a style that in many ways is timeless.…

I never have seen such a time for opportunities in the antiques decorative arts world.  The merchandise is certainly available in all periods and styles, as museums have acquired all they need and the final generation of collectors and over-decorated residences is passing on.  With the glut of inventory saturating auctions and little or no demand from consumers (not to mention a dearth of dealers), Adam Smith’s iconic laws of supply and demand have hammered prices. With that, prospects in this industry are now percolating. Whatever the future holds, the powerful forces of taste, style, function, and knowledge will always be vital components to a valuation.  The one fudge factor…

When a company is created, it is the DNA of the entrepreneur who puts his substance and skills into the business.  As the environment around that entity evolves and becomes more challenging, the mark of the founder can be disrupted and destroyed by many means.  Succession, competition, and technology come to mind as cause for the demise of a potentially good business; but with those tests can come resourceful opportunities.     In assessing the history of Newel and its colorful past associations with Broadway, window display, and later with motion pictures and television, the last 60 years of the 20th Century was a gold era for the firm.  Product…