The theater runs through Newel; we started as a service to Broadway, and it runs through our veins. For us, it is about “The Show”; where in the decorative arts do you want to go? But part of the fun is that we can now better entertain you, with our own unpredictable displays, in Newel’s new warehouse in Long Island City (LIC). There is no denying my passion for the visual image and how decorative arts are so critical to enhance a stage. The stage is anyone’s opportunity to show how you live your daily life, anytime and anywhere. What is now possible are more dramatic and unexpected presentations at…
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Christie’s, My New Best Friend
Just as business started to improve, one my two old nemeses, Christie’s, threw a softball to every decorative arts dealer who wants to claim the “middle market.” I don’t think it is really a big secret that the duopoly abhors the process and logistics of selling the vast quantities of decorative arts out there, all for the taking. Their problem is they don’t know how to make this segment of the industry profitable, short of giving inventory away or strangling consignors (they do it quite nicely to the buyer already). First, I have to explain what Christie’s is doing, as reported in this week’s Antiques Trade Gazette. Their new 2%…
BADA for the 21st Century, Prospects For A Future?
Michael Cohen, the new chairman of BADA has written a ringing challenge in the “Back Page” of the Antiques Trade Gazette in an attempt to revitalize that organization’s standing and relevance to the trade and the greater public. Certainly anyone trying to fill his new shoes would feel the urge to offer some (dare I say any) action that might help awaken the industry to a progressive and not resistant path. As the consummate “outsider” who’s only membership in the trade is as a 1stdibs dealer, I want to offer my thoughts on the prospects for his success. First and foremost, Mr. Cohen understands that membership growth is paramount. With…
Sotheby’s Contagion Now Spreading to Ebay
On July 14th the front page of the New York Times ran a major article concerning the new relationship being created by Sotheby’s with the original internet auction giant eBay. With all the fanfare of the Sotheby’s PR machinery, breaking the news of this questionable combination was orchestrated to quiet their critics and leapfrog their “competition.” Well Christie’s, their duopoly partner/competitor, is probably not too concerned given that this new partnership is full of many hurdles and issues that perhaps may yet come back to haunt them. It’s interesting how the New York Times article puts such a spin on the synergies and possibilities of eBay’s worldwide market gaining access…
Humira, the Arthritis Drug for Antiques
While watching the news on TV it seems that most of the commercials cater to drug oriented products, be it erectile dysfunction, diabetes, stomach ailments, and cholesterol issues. One that caught my eye was for an arthritis relief drug called Humira. Not that I have arthritic issues (although I do have a bum knee), the Hurmira commercial features a young lady searching through an antiques shop as a nod to her physical ability to enjoy a task that the drug would ameliorate. Why antiques, and she appeared to be under 45 years of age. Perception is not necessarily reality and not anyone who wants to live and collect antiques has…
The Spring Masters Show in NYC, Done Differently
I started blogging about this industry back in 2007 when I discovered Clinton Howell commentaries and his participation at shows. I saw him today, exhibiting in the revolutionary format of this year’s Spring Masters show. With Artvest Partners now in control they are attempting a different approach that is dramatic, and it works. Clinton suggested I write something about the show, as he obviously loved the change and extraordinary visual vistas of the show floor. It works because of the creative and inventive approach taken by the architect, Rafael Viñoly. That antiques and art fairs so desperately need a new format is reflected in the fact that this show unfortunately…
The State of the Decorative Arts Market, Never Better
After a solid 15 years of ho-hum at best business, the decorative arts are finally reaching a critical state, with the greatest potential for success in front for all to see. Great merchandise has never been more available. The quality is of all shapes and forms, and anyone with some sense of taste and value can find great objects like never before (or perhaps since the last three decades after World War II). I think it has taken a maturation of the decorative arts to be weaned off auction blood for survival. The biggest potential market for a dealer’s acquisition of inventory is now the private collector or client who…
Holding Physical Inventory, a Value Added
I guess if you live long enough you can discover anything is possible. Thank you Goldman Sachs and friends; you taught us how to manipulate the price of aluminum upward with the technique of storing and moving inventory. Is the storage and movement of decorative and fine arts really a disadvantage? Perhaps you can skim a nice percentage, like a built in commission. Without physical control, it would be hard to classify anyone in this industry as a dealer. It is the function of a dealer to trade with inventory and bet that you can buy low or beat up a consignor’s share, but be able to sell it. For…
Free Admission to Galleries and Auctions, Why not Fairs
There is reluctance in the Trade, about being able to attract new and especially younger people as to what we sell. Starting with the image of the word “antique”, what might that conjured up in the mind of a smart-phone packing 20/30 year old? We’re in an industry that specialized is turning off the next generation of potential customers with intimidation, abusiveness, and attitude. Gaining the confidence of this budding generation of customers is going to require more than redefining a failed image. It will entail reaching out to them and trying to accommodate their curiosity. We at Newel are planning to get in touch with colleges and programs in…
My Bully Pulpit For Regulation; AAD
The AAD (art-antiques-design.com) website has quite frankly, been publishing some of my “old blogs”, which somehow I find really refreshing. They make me think that this industry faces the same issues. However, I enjoy responding to some of the comments on my blog and making comments on other AAD blogs. There is as interaction on the challenges for the entire industry of dealers, auctioneers, museums, and of course the need of living with design for the public at large. It’s not 1stDibs, Artnet, or eBay, but it is interesting and relevant for participants who wish to comment on what is going on in these areas. I’d like AAD to become…