Why can’t a seller bid up his items at auction? If he tries, the auctioneer isn’t allowed to accept his...
Archive
High End Antique Furniture Dealers: Bleak Prospects?
The high end of the decorative arts market has been experiencing its first major contraction in modern times. If you...
Real Estate/Antiques- Which Transaction Format
What’s an antique or piece of real estate worth? It’s not a simple answer but requires thought, knowledge, and evaluating...
Mr. Auction Vendetta
I’ve been characterized by names (both good, and bad), but now I have been “recognized” by another blogger for my...
Strategy + Operating Leverage = Results?
After Sotheby’s announced their last quarterly financial statements, CEO Bill Ruprecht explained that “We believe that these results validate our...
Buying, the Pleasure and the Challenge
The chemistry involved in acquiring a work of art requires a very unique processing of emotional and financial needs. Any...
Sham Bidding, the Auctioneer’s Unreasonable Advantage
Some industries can take advantage of elaborate financial and legal loopholes and do very well. The auction business in the...
Why Is the Fine & Decorative Arts Industry Different From Any Other?
There really is no other industry that is dominated by an auction system. I’ve been racking my brain to find...
A New World Record At Auction Set by Christie’s
In a small final paragraph in Carol Vogel’s New York Times column today, it was disclosed that Christie’s now holds...
Proposed NY State Legislation; Who Are The winners?
Hold your breath….and the winner is: The Duopoly. It really is a “can’t miss”, as Sotheby’s and Christie’s are in...