I didn’t go to auctioneer school, but I’m beginning to wonder if there’s a class with the title “Hyperbole, Or How to Over-Exaggerate at Auction.” I was at an auction this week where the auctioneer…
Month: September 2010
I was flipping through some GE Show ‘N Tell records and filmstrips from 1964 that I got at auction, putting aside the Disneys and fairy tales and cartoons. Then I started seeing some serious stuff: Indian…
The wonders of children’s books
Posted in Books
I love children who love books. Children riding in their strollers who, when they come upon a slew of books, instantly reach out to them. Or children walking with their moms and dad who get…
Not too long ago, a table at one of my favorite auction houses held one of the biggest stuffed peacocks I had ever seen. The bird was the talk among all who passed it because…
When Terry McMillan walked onto the stage at the Free Library in Philadelphia this week, the packed room of women applauded her. Some jumped to their feet. She was so overwhelmed that she left the…
A tug-of-war over Murano art glass
Posted in Glassware
I’d never seen this regular auction-goer so miffed. I even heard him use a few derogatory words to describe the bidder who was re-lent-less-ly knocking out his business partner for Murano art glass. These two business…
I was waiting for my next item to come up for auction recently when I spied a lovely lamp sitting on the top of a case at the front of the room. The shade was…
A 2nd look at red lips
Posted in Black history, collectibles, and pottery
I was nonchalantly perusing the shelves of glassware at one of my favorite auction houses yesterday when something stopped me. There on a middle shelf were five head vases, all with red lips. This grouping…
Awesome table lamps
Posted in Lighting
This week, one of my favorite auction houses had one of its modern design sales. I don’t normally pay much attention to them because they consist largely of modern furniture – which does not go with…