SOLD!!!
a review of previous auction highlights 

Bronzes Surprise
March 9th, 2008 results

Fine Art Leads January Sale
January 13th, 2008 results

Carpet tops Veteran's Day Sale
November 11th, 2007 results

The $36,000 Indian Ball Club
local appraisal results in major find

The Source
some useful websites for the antiques enthusiast

Bidding Advice
10 steps to better buys

A family curiosity hanging in a Newtown kitchen for decades brought $41,400 at Fairfield Auction  September 9th. The 29" hewn maple club with a ball shaped end, decorated with brass tacks and fitted with an iron spike was a gift from an eccentric aunt more than 30 years ago and hung just across from the seller’s refrigerator until brought to local auctioneers Jack and Rosie DeStories for evaluation. The DeStories determined the club to be a rare and early Native American ball club.

"We recognized this was an important Native American artifact in remarkable condition. Once the full scope of our marketing was unleashed collectors, dealers and institutions from a dozen states were calling with interest," said Jack DeStories of Fairfield Auction.

When it came to the auction block seven telephone bidders stood ready and  bidding began at $17,000 (due to competing absentee bids.) After a flurry of bids between the phones and the floor the club was pronounced sold at $36,000 ($41,400 total purchase price) by auctioneer Rosie DeStories, bringing a thunderous applause from all in attendance.  The buyer was a major dealer and collector of Indian artifacts in New York City.

According to Fairfield Auction’s Jack DeStories, "We are very pleased with the results. It is probably the greatest satisfaction in this business... finding a great object that could have just as easily been sold at a tag sale and getting a tremendous result. The consignors were simply thrilled."

Other items in the auction ranged from antique furniture to paintings, jewelry and even a card autographed by Alfred Hitchcock, which sold for $175.

Fairfield Auction conducts sales every 6 weeks and offers free evaluations of antiques, art and other curiosities at its Newtown gallery by appointment. They can be reached at 364-1555.

APPRAISAL CLINICS

Fairfield Auction regularly conducts Appraisal Clinics for local non-profits. We have been pleased to donate our time to The Newtown Historical Society, The Danbury Museum, American Cancer Society, Founder's Hall of Ridgefield and others.

Items of interest from a recent appraisal day included a Gendron pedal car circa 1940 which was valued at $500; a baseball signed by Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez and Bill Dickey (all Yankee hall-of-famers) circa 1935 which was valued at $1,500; a 14k gold men’s wrist watch by Le Coultre, valued at $700 and a large Nantucket basket signed by its maker, Ferdinand Sylvaro, valued at $2,000 and a large marine painting by Johanes Holst valued at $25,000.

Fairfield Auction conducts appraisal clinics for non-profits regularly with 100% of the proceeds going to the cause.  For information about hosting an appraisal clinic call our offices at (203) 364-1555.

THE SOURCE

TimeSavers
thousands of reproduction parts for antique clocks at great prices

Iron Renaissance
a source for vintage patio furniture

Gothborg.com
a glossary of Chinese porcelain terms

The Bryan H. Roberts Gallery
believe it or not art news

Chubb Collectors
information about fine art conservation

Old & Sold
an online dictionary of antique terms

Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks
a useful website for identifying and dating silver

British Antique News
an online trade magazine from across the pond

Bidding Advice
10 steps to better buys

1)  Understand the rules.  Be clear ahead of time on buyer's premium,  preview times,  payment terms,   pick-up/delivery options and any other terms.

2) Don't go hungry.  Many auctions serve food, but often not much.  It's better to take the time for a good meal ahead of time.  A hungry bidder is a distracted bidder.

3)  Allow ample time.  It's always better to have too much than too little, especially when it comes to previewing.

4)  Preview and use the catalog.   A catalog lists all lots in the order being sold.  Nobody can remember every item and it's condition, but a catalog allows you to make notes and follow them as thing are sold. Make notes on as many things as possible.

5) Listen to the auctioneer.  The auctioneer will announce any changes to the catalog such as a revised estimate or quantity. 

6) Don't attend.  If attending auctions isn't enjoyable or you have other things to do leave absentee bids.  It's convenient and often you still buy things well below your maximum bid.

7) Bid your maximum.   Remember your absentee bid is a maximum and the auctioneer can not exceed it, but you may get the item for less.  Always ask yourself, "would I go one more bid?"  Too many bidders come up short and regret not leaving a higher bid.

8) Make a longer list.  Don't focus on too few items.  It's easy to expect to buy everything you like, but if you have price limits (like most of us)  you'll want to have  back-up choices or be prepared to come back next time. 

9)  Buy condition.  It becomes easy to see similar looking objects as similar in value.  But when it comes time to reupholster that sofa or repair that chipped vase you'll pay the difference and more- almost every time. 

10)  Don't buy bargains.  We all want bargains, but buying something based on price without regard to quality, utility, or beauty is a mistake. Every auction has its share of bargains, but the fundamental mistake novice bidders make is to bid because something  "seems cheap."   Buying an object you enjoy everyday is the best investment.