June 15, 2011 - Auction Central News

Morphy’s launches newly expanded 36,000-sq.-ft. auction gallery

Morphy’s new, purpose-built saleroom with theater-style seating, a chandeliered decorative tin ceiling and polished faux-marble floor. Morphy Auctions image.

DENVER, Pa. – On Tuesday, June 14, Morphy Auctions’ CEO Dan Morphy cut the ribbon to launch his company’s newly expanded 36,000-sq.-ft. auction gallery and offices. Invited guests included executives from virtually all of the local firms that worked together to bring the project to fruition – from the senior VP of the bank that provided the financing, to the architect who conceived the design, to engineers and on-site supervisors who steered the concept toward its completion.

Representatives from the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry and members of the media toured the new facility, which is now twice its former size and, in the words of Dan Morphy, “as fine an auction gallery as one will find anywhere in the world.”

Before the actual ribbon cutting, Morphy addressed the gathering inside the gallery and thanked everyone who had played a role in enabling the construction, including his staff, “who had to endure paint smells, blowtorch exhausts and other unavoidable inconveniences as we progressed toward our goal.”

The 10-month project has added new executive and staff offices, a conference room, three self-contained photography studios, a black-light room for close-up inspection of auction items, and additional restrooms.

The gallery now boasts a fully enclosed loading and unloading dock featuring a hydraulic lift to adjust to truck or van height, and a 1,000-sq.-ft. holding area for loading and unloading of merchandise. Once inside, goods are placed in the custom-built 9,000-sq.-ft. storage space with 25-ft. ceiling and museum-quality storage rack system.

The jewel in Morphy Auctions’ crown, however, is the stylish new saleroom with 110 comfortable theater-style seats, a polished faux-marble floor, decorative tin ceiling with chandeliers, and independent climate controls. The room’s purpose-built design enabled the latest telecommunications, wireless technology and acoustics to be installed as the room’s construction progressed. Morphy’s uses LiveAuctioneers.com for its Internet live bidding.

Dan Morphy said all features implemented into the saleroom’s design were selected after conferring with the project’s architect, Eldon Stoltzfus of Althouse, Martin & Associates; interior designer Laurie Collins, and Morphy’s auctioneers. “Our auctioneers are the ones who run the show during our auctions, so their input was very valuable to us,” said Morphy.

Immediately adjacent to the saleroom is a sleek and comfortable café with audio-feed capability that enables bidders to monitor auction activity as they nosh on food from a favorite local eatery, Dave’s Diner of Adamstown, Pa. Exterior improvements include 90 additional parking spaces and a hotel-style, all-weather canopy over the front door.

“I can’t say enough about the professionalism of every company and individual involved in this project,” said Morphy. “This is the second time Greg Kline of Susquehanna Bank has gone to bat for us in providing financing, and it’s also the second time we’ve had the pleasure of working with Matt Mack of Ludgate Engineering. Our architect, Eldon Stoltzfus, interpreted our vision beyond all expectations, and as a result of our many conversations with Eldon along the way, we discovered that his daughter Kirah is a photographer. She has now joined our in-house photography team, so that was an unexpected bonus.”

“As for Benchmark Construction, you will not find a more professional company,” Morphy said. “With any undertaking of this size, there are going to be holdups, and we had a few along the way. But any time there was a delay, their project superintendent Troy Hafer and project supervisor Fred Kurtz stepped right up to get things back on track.”

Founded in late 2003, Morphy’s held its debut auction in April 2004. Three years later, Morphy’s set a world record for the highest-grossing single-day antique toy auction of all time, realizing $7.7 million with the Steckbeck collection of antique mechanical banks. A family-operated business, Morphy’s now produces more than 30 auctions per year, with an emphasis on long-held collections of premier quality.

To contact Morphy Auctions, call 717-335-3435 or e-mail morphy@morphyauctions.com.

View the fully illustrated catalogs for Morphy’s upcoming sales at www.LiveAuctioneers.com:

June 18 – Antique Advertising featuring the Gotham Cigar Museum Collection, Tampa, Fla.

June 25 – General Antiques & Pottery

ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE

Dan Morphy (center) cuts the ribbon to officially launch the newly expanded Morphy Auctions gallery in Denver, Pa. Honored guests included (left to right): Michael Callahan, president of Benchmark Construction Co.; Matt Mack, engineering manager Ludgate Engineering Corp.; architect Eldon R. Stoltzfus of Althouse, Martin & Associates; (Morphy), Troy Hafer, project superintendent Benchmark Construction Co.; and Fred Kurtz, project supervisor. At far right is Morphy Auctions general manager Kris Lee. Morphy Auctions image.

Morphy Auctions CEO Dan Morphy addresses the group that gathered for the official launch of the newly expanded gallery. Morphy Auctions image.

Eight-year-old Haley Morphy – an auction company CEO in training – listens intently as her father, Dan Morphy, speaks to the group that gathered in the new saleroom. At left is architect Eldon Stoltzfus; at right is Matt Mack, engineering manager of Ludgate Engineering Corp. Morphy Auctions image.

Left to right: Gene Friedman, columnist with the Reading Eagle and widely acknowledged dean of Pennsylvania antiques journalists; Morphy Auctions CEO Dan Morphy. Morphy Auctions image.

Skinner’s $6.1M Asian sale sets company record for category

Bamboo brush pot, China, 18th century, carved with Immortals in a mountainous landscape, ht. 6 inches. Sold for $539,500. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers.com Archive and Skinner Inc.

BOSTON – Skinner Inc.’s June 2-4 auction of Asian works of art totaled $6.1 million, making it the highest-grossing Asian sale in the company’s more than 40-year history. It is also the second-highest-grossing auction of any type to be conducted by the Boston-based company. All prices quoted in this report are inclusive of a buyer’s premium calculated at18.5% to $200,000; 10% above that amount.

The 3-day event had a 94% sell-through rate, with sales consummated on 1,647 of the 1,748 lots. The majority of the bidding activity came from Greater China, and it was noted that this was the first time in a Skinner sale that Chinese buyers were seen buying Japanese material.

In addition, online bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com was extremely strong. Over the three days, 558 lots were purchased through LiveAuctioneers, with the online sell-through averaging 30%.

The online catalog was very heavily viewed. LiveAuctioneers’ tracking statistics showed that, in all, there were 10,896 visitors to the electronic catalog. Those visitors translated to dollars. After the sale, Skinner’s stated that there had been “a five-fold increase in the dollar amount sold via the Internet since Q2 2009.”

According to James Callahan, Director of Asian Works of Art for Skinner, “Everything sold uniformly well in this auction. When you consider that the top lot came in at $539,500, and only seven other lots exceeded the $100,000 mark, you can appreciate the incredible demand that exists for this material.” Callahan continued, “This sale is testament to the fact that the market is not only hot, but sees no sign of cooling. It’s really the case of a limited supply in an unlimited market.”

Lot 450A, an 18th-century Chinese bamboo brush pot likely set a record price, hammering down at the aforementioned $539,500. The second-highest bid was lodged on lot 584, a pair of 18th-century Chinese covered jars that sold for $292,000; followed by lot 480, a rhinoceros horn libation cup that went for $250,000.

Chinese paintings had a successful outing, as well. Lot 1209C, a small mounted leaf of a scholar, from the ex-collection estate of the late Senator Theodore F. Green of Rhode Island, sold for $159,975. Lot 1194, a painting of a rocky landscape by Lu Yanshao, brought $100,725; lot 1171, a painting album by Xie Zhiliu, sold for $71,000; and a Wu Changshuo fan painting of abstract prunus blossoms from the P.Y. Wang collection, made $34,365.

Painting specialist Tianyue Jiang said, “Skinner has attracted some important collections of Chinese painting and calligraphy in the recent years, from Charles Chu to P.Y. Wang estate. We have seen huge interest in old and modern Chinese paintings in general. For those items with impeccable provenance, the prices realized here are comparable with what is seen in Hong Kong.”

View the fully illustrated catalog from Skinner’s June 2-4 Asian Works of Art sale, complete with prices realized, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

ADDITIONAL LOT OF NOTE

Auktionsgespräche: Im E-Book-Zeitalter wollen die Sammler noch immer das Original besitzen

Beschreibende Literatur, Puschkins 'Die Fontäne von Bachtschissaraj,' inspiriert durch musikalische Werke wie Schwanensee erhöhten den kulturellen Wert. Die erste Ausgabe aus dem Jahre 1824 wurde für 55.000 EUR bei Bassenge verkauft. Photo freundlichst überlassen von Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR.

Es war ein bescheidenes kleines Buch mit einer dünnen Goldprägung und in waldgrünem Leder gebunden. Die erste Ausgabe von Alexander Puschkins “Die Fontäne von Bachtschissaraj” aus dem Jahre 1824 war heiss begehrt und der Preis erreichte nach

geschätzten 450 EUR eine fünfstellige Höhe.

“Es waren dann nur 2 Bieter, die um das Buch bis zum Schluss kämpften. Es wurde sehr ruhig im Saal als dies passierte”, sagte Dr. Markus Brandis, Direktor der Buchabteilung von Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen GbR, Berlin.

Der Hammer fiel bei überraschenden 55.000 EUR. Der Gewinner war russischer Herkunft und Teil eines Trends, dass wohlhabende Russen ihre Literatur und Kultur zurückkaufen, bemerkte Brandis.

In einem Zeitalter, wenn E-books leicht bedeutende Verkaufszahlen erzielen, wollen Sammler noch immer das Ursprungswerk in ihren Händen halten.

Die Buchverkäufe haben sich bei Bassenge seit dem Jahre 2007 verdreifacht, beobachtete Brandis. Ihre letzte Auktion brach die zwei Millionen-Marke. Dies war teilweise auf den steigenden Wert von Wiegendrucken zurückzuführen. Wiegendrucke sind die mit beweglichen Lettern gedruckten Schriften, die zwischen 1454 und und dem 31. Dezember 1500 hergestellt wurden.

Vor 25 Jahren waren Institutionen, Bibliotheken und Museen die Mehrheit der Kunden von Bassenge. Heute machen sie wegen ihres engeren Budgets nur 20-25% des Geschäftes aus. Privatkunden, die von Kinderbüchern bis zu alten Atlanten und Reiseprotokollen alles suchen, kaufen den Hauptanteil.

„Sie sammeln wirklich alles, was wir anbieten,“ sagte Brandis.

“Unsere Kunden kommen aus der ganzen Welt,“ bemerkte Auktionator Piet van Winden von Adams Amsterdam. „Private Sammler, Gelehrte und Anstalten waren von Beginn an im Jahre 2009 bei uns.“

Van Winden führt den wachsenden Kundenbestand auf ihre unorthodoxen Marketing-Techniken zurück. Dazu gehören die Vorabausstellungen bei De Bijenkorf, dem grössten Geschäft am Dam Square in Amsterdam und im Hauptquartier der ING Bank in Antwerpen. Seit Frühling werden ihre Auktionen auch im bedeutenden Het Grachtenhuis

aus dem 17. Jahrhundert abgehalten, was auch ein Kanalmuseum beherbergt. “Wir mieteten Busse an, um alle Belgier zu

empfangen, die über unsere Auktion Hugo-Klaus in ihren Zeitungen lasen“, sagten van Winden.

Als hervorragenden Verkauf bezeichnete er einen Stedenboek oder Städteatlas, von Joan Blaeu, welcher im Oktober 2010 für 340.000 EUR versteigert wurde. Der Zustand und der Inhalt spiegeln den herausragenden Preis wieder. Es sind Kartenzeichnungen des 17. Jahrhunderts, welche intakte Pläne und Diagramme für alle Städte, Festungen und Belagerungen der Holländer umfasst.

“Seien sie nicht zu grosszügig mit dem Zustand der Bücher, die sie kaufen,” rät van Winden. “Es ist immer deprimierend, wenn man auf eine bessere Ausgabe stösst, als die schlechtere Ausgabe, die man gerade erworben hat.” Es ist faszinierend, wenn man

in der Lage ist, eine Originalausgabe wie diese in den Händen zu halten oder solch seltene Arbeiten in seiner eigenen Bibliothek zu haben. Aber kann man es riskieren, eine 40.000 EUR Ausgabe von “Le Capital” von Karl Marx, wie sie in der Auktion von

Bassenge angeboten wurde, zu berühren – oder lässt man sie besser und sicher im Bücherregal?

“Getraut man sich, die antiken Bücher zu berühren? Man sollte zuerst die Hände waschen, aber man sollte mit diesen Nimbus aufhören, dass sie heilig sind“, sagte Brandis. “Sie wurden gemacht, um gelesen zu werden. Oftmals ist das Papier, der Klebstoff und die Bindung bei antiken Büchern besser als bei modernen Büchern.“

Wenn man nach der Lagerung von antiken Büchern fragt, bemerkt Peter Kiefer von Kiefer Buch und Kunst Auktionen, Pforzheim: “Selbsverständlich – also kaum erwähnenswert – trockene Räume und keine extremen Temperaturänderungen.“

„Erhalten Sie sie, wie sie sind“, empfiehlt van Winden. “Wenn Sie alte Bücher mögen, müssen Sie feststellen, dass Sie nur der vorübergehende Besitzer sind, und Sie werden nicht die Person sein wollen, die sie in einigen Minuten verdirbt, nachdem sie für hunderte Jahre konserviert wurden.“

Willkommen bei LiveAuctioneers für das Mitglied “E.P. Deutsch Auctioneers”

Nur wenige Auktionshäuser können auf eine Familiengeschichte von 120 Jahren im Antiquitätengeschäft zurückblicken. Das neue Mitglied bei LiveAuctioneers E.P. Deutsch Auctioneers, Wien, hat eine solche Historie. Seit dem ersten Handel in 1890 zum Ausgleich ihrer Finanzen avancierten Antiquitäten zu einer Berufung der Familie und wurden deren Hauptgeschäftszweig.

Nach dem 1. Weltkrieg eröffnete die Familie zwei Geschäfte im historischen Zentrum Wiens, wurden allerdings mit Beginn des 2. Weltkrieges wieder aufgegeben. Hugo Deutsch eröffnete 1949 in London und Friedrich Deutsch 1954 in Wien jeweils ein Geschäft, wo 1972 auch mit der Durchführung von Auktionen begonnen wurde. Beide Geschäfte existieren noch.

Paul Deutsch führt seit 1985 das Wiener Auktionshaus. Hier ist man spezialisiert auf europäische Antiquitäten des 18. bis 20. Jahrhunderts, wobei viele einzigartige und außergewöhnliche im Mix der Versteigerungsojekte zu finden sind. Für weitere informationen besuchen Sie www.deuart.at

Kommende Auktionen

30. Juni und 1. Juli – Hampel Kunstauktionen, München. Möbel, Gemälde, Bücher und viel mehr. www.hampel-auctions.com

2. Juli – Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen, Glasauktionen in Zwiesel, www.auctions_fischer.de

6. Juli – Neumeister, München, Alte Kunst. www. Neumeister.com

8. und 9. Juli – Allgäuer Auktionshaus, Kempten. Große Sommer-Auktion mit Glas, Silberware, Porzellan, Religiöse Kunst, Spielzeug, Bierkrüge und Varia. www.allgaeuer-auktionshaus.de

ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE

Leicht farbige Holzschnitte erzählen die Geschichte: 'Leben der heiligen Altväter' (Vitae sanctorum partum, sive Vitas partum), von Hieronymous; Augsburg, Peter Berger, 1488. Verkauft für 40.000 Euro bei Bassenge. Photo freundlichst überlassen von Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR. — Leicht farbige Holzschnitte erzählen die Geschichte: ‘Leben der heiligen Altväter’ (Vitae sanctorum partum, sive Vitas partum), von Hieronymous; Augsburg, Peter Berger, 1488. Verkauft für 40.000 Euro bei Bassenge. Photo freundlichst überlassen von Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR.

Eine DeWit Ausgabe aus dem siebzehnten Jahrhundert des Kartenzeichners Joan Blaeu 'Stedenboek' oder Städteatlas, erzielte 340.000 EUR bei Adams Amsterdam. Photo freundlichst überlassen von Adams Amsterdam. — Eine DeWit Ausgabe aus dem siebzehnten Jahrhundert des Kartenzeichners Joan Blaeu ‘Stedenboek’ oder Städteatlas, erzielte 340.000 EUR bei Adams Amsterdam. Photo freundlichst überlassen von Adams Amsterdam.

Peter Kiefer bemerkt, dass qualitativ hochwertige alte Reiseprotokolle sehr gefragt sind, wie 'Bilder aus Palästina, Nord-Arabien und die Sinai' von B. Moritz, welche für 16.000 EUR verkauft wurden. Photos freundlichst überlassen von Kiefer Buch und Kunst Auktionen, Pforzheim. — Peter Kiefer bemerkt, dass qualitativ hochwertige alte Reiseprotokolle sehr gefragt sind, wie ‘Bilder aus Palästina, Nord-Arabien und die Sinai’ von B. Moritz, welche für 16.000 EUR verkauft wurden. Photos freundlichst überlassen von Kiefer Buch und Kunst Auktionen, Pforzheim.

Auction Talk: In an age of e-books, collectors still want originals

It was a modest little book, bound in forest green leather with minimal gold embossing. But bidders competed fiercely for this 1824 first edition of Alexander Puschkin’s Bakhchisarayskiy fontan, pushing the price from an estimated 450 euro ($648) to five figures.

“There were only two people fighting over it at the end. It gets very quiet in the room when that happens,” said Dr. Markus Brandis, director of the book department at Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR, Berlin.

The hammer fell at an astonishing 55,000 euro ($79,200). The winning bidder was Russian, part of a trend Brandis has noticed of wealthy Russians buying back their own literature and culture.

In an age when e-books make important volumes easily accessible, collectors still have a desire to hold the original work in their hands.

Since 2007 Brandis has watched the book sales at Bassenge increase three-fold. Their last auction broke the 2 million-euro mark, partly because of the increasing value of incunables, books printed with moveable type fonts between 1454 and Dec. 31, 1500.

Twenty-five years ago the majority of Bassenge’s customers were institutions, libraries and museums. Now, due to tighter budgets, they make up only 20 percent to 25 percent of the business. Private customers, looking for everything from children’s books to ancient atlases, literature to travel logs, buy the rest.

“They really collect everything we offer,” said Brandis.

“Our customers come from all over the world,” noted auctioneer Piet van Winden of Adams Amsterdam. “Private collectors, scholars and institutions have been with us from the start in 2009.”

Van Winden credits their growing customer base to unorthodox marketing techniques, such as having preview exhibits at De Bijenkorf, the largest shop on Dam Square in Amsterdam, and at the ING Bank headquarters in Antwerp. Since spring their auctions are now held in the magnificent 17th-century canal-side mansion Het Grachtenhuis, which also houses a canal museum.

“We hired buses in order to receive all the Belgians who read about our Hugo Claus auction in their newspapers,” said Van Winden.

As an outstanding sale, he cited a Stedenboek or town atlas, by Joan Blaeu auctioned for 340,000 euro ($497,679) in October. Condition as well as content is reflected in the stellar price. This volume by the 17th-century cartographer includes intact plans and maps for all of the cities, fortresses and sieges of the Dutch.

“Don’t be too easy on the condition of books you buy,” advised Van Winden. “It’s always depressing to come across a better copy when you just spent a lot on a poor one.”

There is a thrill to being able to consult an original source such as this, or include such scarce works in one’s own private library. But does one dare touch – say, a 40,000-euro ($57,600) copy of Karl Marx’s Le Capital such as the one auctioned at Bassenge – or better to leave it safely on the shelf?

“You are able to touch antique books – OK, you should wash your fingers first, but stop with this nimbus that they are holy,” said Brandis. “They were made to be read. And often times the paper, glue and bindings in antique books are better than that of modern books.”

“Naturally – but hardly necessary to mention – dry rooms and no extreme changes in temperature,” noted Peter Kiefer of Kiefer Buch und Kunst Auktionen, Pforzheim, when asked about storage of antique volumes.

“Keep them as they are,” recommended Van Winden. “When you like old books you have to realize that you are only the temporary owner, and you wouldn’t want to be the one who spoilt them in a few minutes after they were preserved as they are for hundreds of years.”

Welcome to LiveAuctioneers member E.P. Deutsch Auctioneers

Few auction houses have a family heritage of 120 years in the antiques business, but new LiveAuctioneers member E.P. Deutsch Auctioneers, Vienna, has such a history. From an initial trade in 1890 to ease their finances, antiques became a family fascination and the chief business.

After World War I the family opened two shops in the historical center of Vienna, but these were lost at the start of World War II. In 1949 Hugo Deutsch opened a store in London, and in 1954 Friedrich Deutsch opened a shop in Vienna, with auctions starting in 1972. Both branches are still in existence.

Paul Deutsch has directed the Vienna auction house since 1985. They specialize in European antiques from the 18th to 20th centuries, with many a unique and curious object thrown into the mix. For more information visit www.deuart.at

Upcoming Auctions

June 30 and July 1 – Hampel Kunstauktionen, Munich. Furniture, paintings, books and much more. www.hampel-auctions.com

July 2 – Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen, glass auction in Zwiesel. www.auctions_fischer.de

July 6 – Neumeister, Munich, antique artwork. www. Neumeister.com

July 8 and 9 – Allgäuer Auktionshaus, Kempten. Big summer auction with glass, silverware, porcelain, religious art, toys, beer steins, and more. www.allgaeuer-auktionshaus.de

ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE

Descriptive passages of Puschkin’s 'Bakhchisarayskiy fontan,' inspired such musical works as 'Swan Lake' and added to the cultural value of this 1824 first edition sold for 55,000 euro ($79,200) at Bassenge. Photo courtesy Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR. — Descriptive passages of Puschkin’s ‘Bakhchisarayskiy fontan,’ inspired such musical works as ‘Swan Lake’ and added to the cultural value of this 1824 first edition sold for 55,000 euro ($79,200) at Bassenge. Photo courtesy Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR.

Gently colored woodcuts tell the story in ‘Leben der heiligen Altväter’ (Vitae sanctorum partum, sive Vitas partum), by Hieronymous; Augsburg, Peter Berger, 1488. Sold for 40,000 euro ($57,600) at Bassenge. Photo courtesy Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR.

A DeWit edition of 17th-century cartographer Joan Blaeu’s ‘Stedenboek’ or town atlas, brought 340,000 euro ($497,679) at Adams Amsterdam. Photo courtesy Adams Amsterdam.

Peter Kiefer notes that quality old travel logs, such as ‘Bilder aus Palästina, Nord-Arabian und dem Sinai’ (Pictures from Palestine, North Arabia and the Sinai) by B. Moritz which sold for 16,000 euro ($23,240), are in demand. Photo courtesy Kiefer Buch und Kunst Auktionen, Pforzheim.

Reyne Gauge: Antique flea markets abroad

Visitors to Helsinki can attend a flea market every day, May through September. Photo Credit: Marko Kareinen.

If you are an antiques enthusiast like I am, you search for shops and markets to visit when traveling to other cities. What about when traveling abroad? I have acquired some of my best finds overseas. The merchandise tends to be completely different than what we typically see at American markets. Treasures that are hundreds of years old sold out of the trunks of cars, spread on blankets in fields, and in stalls that span city blocks.

Over the years many exciting things have turned up in flea markets overseas. For example, several years ago in a flea market in France a painting was purchased for approximately $2,500 that turned out to be an original Vincent van Gogh valued at around $3.5 million.

The following are a few of my favorites, and tips on what you can expect to find at each:

Tokyo, Japan

Togo Antique Market – This is the biggest of all the antique markets in Tokyo. Open every first, fourth and fifth Sunday.

Vintage kimonos, woodblocks, Imari and even American products such as antique toys, Barbie dolls, radios and movie posters.

Helsinki, Finland

The Hietalahti Flea Market – Also known as Hietsu. Open from May to September, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

A lot of Mid-Century Modern Finnish design, some Scandiavian and Russian products. Dealers are prohibited from selling new products. Lots of tourists frequent this market.

Vienna, Austria

Naschmarkt – Vienna’s most popular market. It has existed since the 16th century and is open every Saturday 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. There are over 200 dealers selling every type of antique imaginable. Furniture, collectibles, books, sculpture, art and more.

Tongeren, Belgium

Veemarkt Square – The largest flea market in the Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg region. It opens at 7 a.m. and closes at noon, so you want to arrive early.

Just about anything can be found here from furniture to glass, chandeliers to vintage hardware.

London, England

Portobello Road – England’s largest flea market. Open every Saturday beginning as early as 5:30 a.m. Most stall dealers are there by 8 a.m. Over 1,000 dealers offering some of the finest trash to treasure each week.

Arts and Crafts Period, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern are the mainstays of this market, though you can find Old Masters paintings, early architecture and books.

Berlin, Germany

Strasse des 17. Juni – Named for a major thoroughfare, this is the most popular and classy flea market in Berlin. Open Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

There’s less junk at this flea market. This is a more upscale antiques market where you are less likely to find a bargain, but certain to find fine quality goods.

Billy the Kid picture ‘wanted’ at Old West Auction, June 25

Texas gunfighter J.A. Garrett’s Colt Single Action revolver from the Johnson County War, a Wyoming range war in April 1892. Estimate: $25,000-$35,000. Image courtesy of Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction.

DENVER – The only known photograph of Billy the Kid (the “Upham tintype”), a signed and numbered serigraph from Andy Warhol’s Cowboys and Indians series, and an extensive collection of new-to-market Buffalo Bill and Wild West memorabilia are among the highlights at Brian Lebel’s 22nd annual Old West Auction on June 25. The 431-lot auction of art, antiques and artifacts from the American West will be conducted at the Denver Merchandise Mart beginning at 4 p.m. Mountain.

LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

The 130-year-old tintype of Billy the Kid is the only authenticated photograph of the outlaw known to exist, and is widely regarded as the most important photograph of the American West. It carries a $300,000-$400,000 estimate. Extensively studied and documented, the photograph is nearly as famous as its infamous subject. A tintype of Billy’s friend, Dan Dedrick, to whom Billy gave his tintype, is included in the lot, along with other photos and letters from the Dedrick family and their descendants. Another piece of history can be found in J.A. Garrett’s Colt Single Action, which has documentation linking it to the Johnson County War (est. $25,000-$35,000).

Fine Western art at this year’s sale includes an important Edward Borein watercolor, California Vaquero, from the estate of noted Borein collector Katherine Haley (est. $60,000-$90,000). A rare, unpublished Will James watercolor will be offered (est. $25,000-$35,000), as well as a number of first edition Will James books with original drawings and signatures.

The Old West Auction will offer its first ever Andy Warhol, the 1986 Mother and Child, signed and numbered “TP 18/36” (est. $8,000-$10,000). Other Western artists to be offered include Harry Jackson, Will Crawford, Nick Eggenhofer, Ross Stefan, Eric Michaels, Remington Schuyler, Joe Beeler and Ralph Lillywhite.

The personal collection of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performer Jordan Cottle will be offered for the first time, and includes a hand-drawn, hand-signed, banner with original signatures from such noted Wild West performers as W.F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Annie Oakley, Frank Butler, Johnny Baker and others (est, $5,000-$8,000). One of W.F. Cody’s personal pocket watches is for sale, as are original copies of the divorce proceedings from his wife, Louisa Cody, in which a witness accuses her of trying to poison her famous husband (est. $5,000-$8,000).

Fine saddles, spurs, bits, bridles and other cowboy items from noted names such as Bohlin, Visalia, Ortega and Buermann will be offered. Native American artifacts for sale include a beaded Omaha man’s war shirt (est. $6,000-$9,000), pipe bags, Navajo textiles, parfleche items and Apache baskets. Hollywood cowboy items include a John Wayne movie hat and Clayton Moore’s (TV’s The Lone Ranger) Colt Single Action revolvers (est. $5,000-$7,500).

“I’m very excited about this year’s auction,” said founder, Brian Lebel. “The quality and diversity of the items is among the best we’ve ever offered.”

The auction is part of a weekend event that includes the Old West Show, which showcases dealers of fine Western art, antiques and merchandise. Both the show and auction are open to the public. For more information, or to order a full-color auction catalog, visit www.denveroldwest.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

The Billy the Kid tintype is estimated to sell for $300,000-$400,000. Image courtesy of Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction.

Edwart H. Bohlin custom-made filigreed spurs, constructed of 14k, 18k and 22k gold and sterling silver. Estimate: $15,000-$25,000. Image courtesy of Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction.

Edward Borein (1875-1945), ‘California Vaquero,’ watercolor, 14 5/8 x 19 5/8 inches, framed to 31 ½ x 28 inches. Estimate: $60,000-$90,000. Image courtesy of Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction.

Sampling of vintage and custom boots. Image courtesy of Brian Lebel’s Old West Show & Auction.

Missing championship ring returned to sports museum

The Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards is adjacent to Oriole Park. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

BALTIMORE (AP) – A championship ring earned by longtime amateur baseball coach and Major League scout Walter Youse has been returned to a sports museum at Baltimore’s Camden Yards.

Mike Gibbons, the executive director of the Sports Legends Museum, said Monday that the stolen ring was returned anonymously. Gibbons says Youse’s family has allowed the ring to be put back on display at the museum, where security has been increased.

The ring was reported missing in May. Gibbons says it will be back on display shortly at the museum near Oriole Park.

AP-WF-06-13-11 2351GMT

D.C.’s National Building Museum to charge for admission

The National Building Museum is housed in the former Pension Bureau building, a brick structure completed in 1887. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The National Building Museum in Washington has decided to begin charging an admission fee for the first time since it opened in 1985 due to the impact of the recession.

The private, nonprofit museum announced Tuesday it will begin charging $8 for adults and $5 for youth, students with IDs and seniors on June 27.

Executive Director Chase Rynd says the recession has been devastating for arts and culture groups and for the building industry that supports the museum. He says nonprofit groups that wait too long to adjust to new economic realities won’t survive.

The museum instituted its first charge of $5 for the exhibit “Lego Architecture: Towering Ambition,” which opened last July. It has drawn 130,000 visitors.

Many of Washington’s other private museums also charge admission fees.

AP-WF-06-14-11 1404GMT

Balloon Boy parents extend auction for balloon

FORT COLLINS, Colorado (AP) – The former Colorado couple who told authorities their son floated away in a silver helium balloon say they’re reopening the auction for the balloon because of low and fraudulent bids.

The auction website said Monday that Richard and Mayumi Heene were extending the auction until Friday.

The Heenes announced the auction June 1 and suggested a bid of $1 million. Their attorney says all proceeds would benefit earthquake and tsunami recovery in Japan.

The delay was reported in The Coloradoan.

Authorities chased the UFO-shaped balloon in October 2009 but the 6-year-old boy wasn’t inside. He was later found at home and authorities accused the Heenes of staging a hoax to promote possible reality TV shows.

Both parents served time in jail and the family later moved to Bradenton, Fla.

AP-WF-06-13-11 1735GMT

Famed leaky faucet neon sign drips again in Saginaw

SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) – A whimsical neon sign of a leaky faucet is dripping again in Saginaw for the first time in 14 years.

The Saginaw News reports the sign last was lit up in 1997 when Brenske Plumbing Heating & Supply Co. was razed to make way for a Rite Aid Pharmacy. On Monday night, the drops made of neon began dripping again at an intersection on the city’s West Side.

The sign had been in storage at the Castle Museum of Saginaw County History. It was restored by Barrett Sign in Saginaw.

Tom Mudd, president of the Saginaw Valley Historic Preservation Society, wants the area to become a historical neon sign park, incorporating signs once adorning now-demolished buildings. Another sign that hung for 67 years on the Merrill Building is nearby.

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Information from: The Saginaw News, http://www.mlive.com/saginaw

AP-WF-06-14-11 1129GMT

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