A while back, early October to be exact, we visited a friend who is curator at the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont. Like most, you probably think of pottery when you think of Bennington...bird-decorated stoneware by Norton, or flint enamel glazes on molded pitchers and the like. And if these things are what floats your boat, then you'll have a ball at the Bennington Museum. But there is also a stellar collection of regional furniture and art (including the most phenomenal triptych portraits by Ralph Earl). Of course, you'll also see the famed Bennington Flag (do a Google search and you'll know what we're talking about) and some other historical objects. Add to that the largest collection of Grandma Moses works and you have one heck of a museum.
But wait...there's more...you won't just see a bunch of static galleries filled with dusty artifacts. Along with rotating galleries (that regularly host traveling exhibits), the permanent galleries offer an interactive experience with an audio tour available via cell phone - you call the number on the label and, presto, there's a voice discussing the work upon which you are gazing. Our favorite part is that they're integrating this audio tour with projects at the local high school - what a great way to get kids involved in art and history and get them interested in connecting with a museum!
Plan on spending the entire day if you really want to take it all in. For more information: www.benningtonmuseum.org.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It's the holidays...
Hence the embarrassingly long time since our last post.
A big part of what we have talked about for the past couple of years has been value. Seriously, beyond just about anything else, antiques offer solid value. For a very reasonable price, you can purchase a well-designed, well-made, American-made, sturdy, useful antique that will offer you years of beauty and use and still be worth something when you are ready to let it go. In America's current consumer environment, you just can't find that very easily. Ultimately, we firmly believe that it's this value and this quality that have the most potential to revitalize the antiques business.
To that end, you should read Ellen Ruppel Shell's Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture. Beyond being simply a diatribe against WalMart's treatment of its employees, it's an enlightening expose' of the dark side of America's bargain-priced consumer culture--from Woolworth's and the dawn of discount pricing to the sweatshops of 21st-century China. What's most revealing are the studies she discusses that point to an innate desire that we humans have for "a good deal," but that most of the purchases we make thinking they are good deals really aren't (but we all know that already, don't we?).
As those of us in the business look towards a new, and hopefully prosperous, year, let's focus some of our sales talk on quality and value. Let's face it, conspicuous consumption is so 1990s, and in today's economy, we NEED to be talking value and about getting the most for your money. This is the kind of attitude that will allow us to reach beyond our normal market (e.g. collectors) and connect with folks who just want stylish and affordable stuff to live with.
A big part of what we have talked about for the past couple of years has been value. Seriously, beyond just about anything else, antiques offer solid value. For a very reasonable price, you can purchase a well-designed, well-made, American-made, sturdy, useful antique that will offer you years of beauty and use and still be worth something when you are ready to let it go. In America's current consumer environment, you just can't find that very easily. Ultimately, we firmly believe that it's this value and this quality that have the most potential to revitalize the antiques business.
To that end, you should read Ellen Ruppel Shell's Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture. Beyond being simply a diatribe against WalMart's treatment of its employees, it's an enlightening expose' of the dark side of America's bargain-priced consumer culture--from Woolworth's and the dawn of discount pricing to the sweatshops of 21st-century China. What's most revealing are the studies she discusses that point to an innate desire that we humans have for "a good deal," but that most of the purchases we make thinking they are good deals really aren't (but we all know that already, don't we?).
As those of us in the business look towards a new, and hopefully prosperous, year, let's focus some of our sales talk on quality and value. Let's face it, conspicuous consumption is so 1990s, and in today's economy, we NEED to be talking value and about getting the most for your money. This is the kind of attitude that will allow us to reach beyond our normal market (e.g. collectors) and connect with folks who just want stylish and affordable stuff to live with.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
It's all about quality...
As you'll read in our next column, we like antiques because of their quality. Today's economy is all about low prices, but if you think about it, you'll quickly realize that low prices are not really a good thing. Don't believe us? Check out THIS.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Time to be Thankful...
It's 2 days until Thanksgiving, which means that the stores have had their Christmas displays up for about a month. It's also auction week for me (Andrew). Friday and Saturday Garth's is having its 49th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Auction. It's a good sale, lots of fun things, from painted furniture to ship's binnacles. Certainly the auction and the non-turkey dinner (we are vegetarians) are occupying our time, but we still always take a little time to be thankful. We are thankful that, in this economy, we still have jobs in a business that relies largely on discretionary income. In fact, we are especially thankful because it's a darn great business. We get to interact with fascinating objects and equally fascinating people each and every day.
So...have a great Thanksgiving. And since you have some time off, spend it looking at your favorite dealer's or auctioneer's website. Perhaps there will be something nifty that you just can't live without!
So...have a great Thanksgiving. And since you have some time off, spend it looking at your favorite dealer's or auctioneer's website. Perhaps there will be something nifty that you just can't live without!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Antiques for holiday gifts?
Yep, now that the Halloween jack-0-lanterns are just starting to collapse on themselves, it is now officially time to think about the holidays. Lights and trees are up everywhere, and Jingle Bells can be heard at nearly every retail establishment.
Anyone out there giving an antique as a holiday gift? Or usually receive an antique as a gift? Hollie and I usually include antiques in our gift giving. Last year, my lovely wife got me a wonderful folk art frame from David Good (that is currently hanging on the wall above me). And several years ago, I purchased entirely antiques...for everyone in the family. Nothing I gave that year was less than 100 years old. Just small things...trinkets really, but the response was great.
Think about antiques as gifts. Know a young person who likes art and/or history? You can find them very neat antiques for less than $50. Try it and see if you can't hook them!
Anyone out there giving an antique as a holiday gift? Or usually receive an antique as a gift? Hollie and I usually include antiques in our gift giving. Last year, my lovely wife got me a wonderful folk art frame from David Good (that is currently hanging on the wall above me). And several years ago, I purchased entirely antiques...for everyone in the family. Nothing I gave that year was less than 100 years old. Just small things...trinkets really, but the response was great.
Think about antiques as gifts. Know a young person who likes art and/or history? You can find them very neat antiques for less than $50. Try it and see if you can't hook them!
Monday, November 9, 2009
A busy couple of weeks!
Once again, I (Andrew) must apologize for the delay in posting. On October 31, Garth's had a firearms and militaria auction. It was a screamer, I'm pleased to say. We exceeded the high estimate of the sale by 10% and sold guns to buyers around the globe. It was a truly exceptional collection of early weapons and we were pleased to have been able to offer them. (BTW...we're not done with this collection yet!) Two strong sales in a row for Garth's...and Skinner's sale this past weekend was a good one. Methinks the market is on the upswing!
Then, last week, it was off to Delaware for Hollie and I. We did the Winterthur paintings conference and the Delaware Antiques Show. It's always a little like going home whenever we are in northern Delaware. Saw some old friends (both objects AND people) and made some new ones. I learned some nifty things in the conference workshops and we saw plenty of sales happening at the show. And we had a great time at dinner with friends at Jessop's Tavern in New Castle.
And so ends our travel for 2009, aside from the usual family visits at the holidays. It's been a busy year...over 20,000 miles on the road. We look forward to about 2 months off from travel, but I must admit...I'm already getting excited for Americana Week in New York!
Then, last week, it was off to Delaware for Hollie and I. We did the Winterthur paintings conference and the Delaware Antiques Show. It's always a little like going home whenever we are in northern Delaware. Saw some old friends (both objects AND people) and made some new ones. I learned some nifty things in the conference workshops and we saw plenty of sales happening at the show. And we had a great time at dinner with friends at Jessop's Tavern in New Castle.
And so ends our travel for 2009, aside from the usual family visits at the holidays. It's been a busy year...over 20,000 miles on the road. We look forward to about 2 months off from travel, but I must admit...I'm already getting excited for Americana Week in New York!
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