Antique Auction Forum

Margaret Schwartz, known as The Modern Antiquarian, joins me to talk about how she went from a spontaneous antiques tour to filling a 20 foot container in a single day and launching a successful business. We discuss what it really takes to learn the trade, including early mistakes, pricing challenges, and how to spot reproductions in a market where fakes can easily fool newcomers. Margaret also shares her shift into garden antiques, from Four Seasons figures to cast stone and fountains, and what continues to drive demand today. A big part of the conversation centers on something we both strongly believe, antiques are meant to be used and lived with, not locked away. From everyday use of inherited pieces to embracing wear as part of an object’s story, this episode highlights the personal connection that makes collecting meaningful. Margaret also reflects on her time working with Martha Stewart and how that experience shaped her eye for design, presentation, and storytelling. We also touch on buying online versus in person, the rise of platforms like Facebook Marketplace, and what the future may hold for the antiques trade, making this a thoughtful and engaging conversation about collecting, design, and the stories objects carry through time.https://www.modernantiquarian.com

What started as just another estate auction turned into one of the most shocking results I’ve ever seen. A worn, heavily used 18th-century Bible, something most people would overlook, ended up selling for nearly $200,000. And the most incredible part? It started at just $1. In this conversation with Dan Meader of John McInnis Auctioneers, we break down exactly how this extraordinary result came together; Dan and his colleague Jay Williamson sorted through a typical New England estate and they ultimately uncovered a rare 1777 Boston-printed Bible tied directly to the American Revolution. Along the way, we discuss why “old” doesn’t always mean valuable, how the auction method can exceed expectations, and what truly drives collectors to push prices to extraordinary levels. This is a perfect example of why the auction method works—and why you should never underestimate what might be hiding in plain sight. If you enjoy antiques, history, and real-world appraisal stories, this one is not to be missedJohn McInnis Auctioneers: https://www.mcinnisauctions.com

One of our most fascinating guests of all times, former FBI Special Agent Robert Wittman, author of  NY Times Best Seller "Priceless" speaks with Martin about  traveling the world while posing undercover retrieving a quarter of a billion dollars worth of stolen artworks, Rembrandts, Picassos, ancient artifacts and much more. Robert also discusses aspects of his current business, how to protect your art and what he can do to help you.  SHOW NOTES Check out http://www.robertwittmaninc.com

Steiff's Official Consultant Archivist Rebekah Kaufman, AKA Steiffgal joins Martin and greets all our listeners with teddy bear hugs. A very enthusiastic guest who is passionate about collecting Steiff and preserving the Steiff legacy. Listen in for lots of helpful information and interesting facts (it all started with undergarments) about collecting, rare finds, identifying, restoration and more.   Click here for Show Notes.  http://mysteifflife.blogspot.com Send an email to Steiffgal

Listen in to a roundtable informative chat with worthpoint.com CEO Will Seippel, Maggie Turnipseed, Audra Blevins, Mike Wilcox, Jason Robins joined by host Martin Willis. They chat about the success of sponsoring The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, the launch of marksandlibrary.com a data source for over 40k marks of all kinds of marks of your antiques and collectibles. Jason Robins speaks about the remaking of goantiques.com which will launch in March, 2012. SHOW NOTES

Episode 2 of 2, we interview Miami Show dealers: Philip Chasen on Galle Glass; Vivienne Hall on Picasso Ceramics and Arty Unger on Georg Jensen Silver.     Check out informational websites. Philip Chasen Antiques (Galle Glass): chasenantiques.com Squire Antiques (Picasso Ceramics): trocadero.com/squireantiques Imagination Unlimited (Georg Jensen): imaginationunlimited.com

Part one of two, Martin interviews dealers at The Original Miami Beach Antique Show (largest indoor antique show in the world). This episode's dealers are:  Marco Astrologo of Branded Luxury Unlimited (Louis Vuitton); Phil Larke on O.S.A.R. Antiques on Amphora art pottery, and Peter Rudolph of McClees Gallery on fine art. Tune in to part II on: Galle glass, Picasso pottery and Georg Jensen silver. Click here to watch our video. Branded Luxury Unlimited: brandedluxuryunlimited.com Send an email to Phil Larke on Amphora McClees Gallery: mccleesgalleries.com

Martin chats with a young & fun American folk art dealer who began collecting at age five! Listen in as Kate talks about getting her generation active in the antiques world, the struggles they face and her part in keeping collecting alive. Make sure you visit: mankoamericanfolkart.com

Tom Johnson and Arlene Palmer Schwind Martin steps into the beautiful Victoria Mansion in Portland, Maine and speaks with curator, Arlene Palmer Schwind and director, Tom Johnson. Listen in as they discuss the beginnings of this fabulous summer home with a Gustave Herter interior, it's near miss with demolition and what is involved in preserving this historical landmark. Check out the mansion's website at victoriamansion.org Check out the video of 2011 Christmas decor here.  

Martin chats with knowledgeable dealer/collector Ron Burkey in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They discuss militaria trends, what is hot and what is not. They also talk about cautionary purchasing for the novice collector and explore many facets of collecting! You can visit Ron's website at flyingtigerantiques.comComplete show transcription here.

Martin pays a visit to Maine Antique Digest and speaks with Sally, Kate & Clayton Pennington about MAD's beginnings, controversial stories, present day happenings of the periodical.. the internet affects and the antiques world. Click the image to visit the Maine Antique Digest's website. SHOW TRANSCRIPT HEREVideo clip here.

Martin talks to Mike Overby of Coeur d'Alene Art Auction about their recent $16.8 million auction, and some of their strategies for success. They further discuss the state of the Western art market, what collectors may consider when buying (& selling) and much more. Click the image to visit the Coeur d'Alene Art Auction website. Click here for a CBS video Click here for show transcription.

Martin talks to author Gayle Soucek about her book: "Marshall Fields: The Store that Helped Build Chicago" and the overall interesting history of the city. Listen in to hear if Mrs O'Leary's cow had anything to do with the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and much more.

Martin visits Rob Elowitch of Barridoff Galleries in Portland, Maine. They talk about Barridoff's presence in the art auction world, past and upcoming highlights including the annual summer auction on August 5th, 2011. They also discuss Rob's amazing wrestling career, and his movie "Canvasman" click here for a  trailer of the independent film which encompasses both Rob Elowitch's art life and Robbie Ellis' wrestling world. Click the image of the Maurice de Vlaminck still life to visit the Barridoff Galleries website.

Martin visits Strawberry Banke for Part Two with Chief Curator, Kimberly Alexander, they talk about this year's exhibition: "Fitz John Porter – Civil War Hero or Coward?" Major General Fitz John Porter was a Civil War soldier, born in Portsmouth, NH. He was court marshaled after the second battle of Bull Run by disobeying orders that in fact would have annihilated his troops. It took sixteen years for exoneration.  Listen in as Kimberly talks about the amazing story of finding the long lost sword of the officer and much more. Click the image for the exhibition page on the Strawberry Banke website.

Martin visits historic Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and chats with the Chief Curator, Kimberly Alexander. This riverside museum has 35 structures dating all the way back to 1695 (only two buildings were moved to the site). Kimberly is a wonderful guest with a passion for preserving history. Click the image to visit the Strawberry Banke Museum website. "Come explore four centuries of American history in one of New Hampshire's oldest waterfront neighborhoods."  

Martin stops in and talks with Nancy Jones at Foreside Consignment Gallery in Falmouth, Maine about her eight month old shop that is bustling with business on the beautiful Maine coast. Listen in as they discuss what it was like growing up in a big household of antique dealers and auctioneers and much more. Click the moosehead image to visit the shop's website.

Martin visits master craftsman Allan Breed at his shop & School of Fine Woodworking in Rollinsford, NH. They talk about the construction of period American furniture, carving and early American apprenticeships. Of all cabinetmakers in the US, Allan was chosen to make an exact copy of the most important piece of American furniture, the 1760s Nicholas Brown Six Shell Desk/Bookcase by John Goddard (click here). Allan runs a school sharing his knowledge & skills of using hand tools almost exclusively for fine furniture in the manner of the 18th century. You can stop in at Allan's website by clicking the image to the above right. Click here for a short video clip of the workshop/school.

Martin visits veteran dealer Paul DeCoste in Massachusetts who specializes in antique marine & scientific instruments. They talk about Paul's background, the people who shared knowledge with him and what the current market is like. Listen in to hear about a "best find" an Aaron Willard Orrery (an orrery pictured to the left). They later discuss rare ivory scrimshaw, famous scrimshanders (Susan's Teeth), fakes and the strict government enforcement on ivory "smuggling". For a related blog, click here. If you have items of interest in these categories, you can contact Paul at: 978-363-1420

Martin talks to antique appraiser and radio show host of Keep Antiquing, Frank Farmer Loomis. Frank and Martin discuss museums, Nazi stolen artworks, and an unusual book signing. Frank's sense of humor is always appreciated! Click Frank's image to visit his website.

Martin & Thelema speak with phone guest Gene Shannon of Shannon Fine Art Auctioneers about the company's recent 5 million dollar auction, what is hot & what is not so hot in the art collecting world. Click Gene's image to visit Shannon Fine Art Auctioneers website.

In conjunction with the American Decorative Arts Forum, Martin along with co-host Susan Doherty interviews Janine Skerry of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation on the subject of Matthew Boulton, Sheffield plate maker and entrepreneur. Listen in to hear the multifaceted in-depth knowledge of our guest as we discuss the amazing life of Boulton, the process of silver plate making and much more. For more information on Matthew Boulton, click here.

Martin interviews Antique media personality and author, Harry Rinker who shares some great insight on today's world on antiques and collectibles. Visit Harry's website here.

Martin interviews the authors and creators of a great new blog site, Sally Schwartz and Danny Alias. In a nutshell the blog was spawned by the two having some kind of mid-life crises. If you like antiques and vintage as well as laughing, this podcast is for you. Check out the blog by clicking the image. Check out the Sally Schwartz Randolph Street Market website here and Danny's Broadway Antique Market here. Check out Martin's blog on "vintage" here. All images courtesy of Danny Alias (not Google)

Martin talks to CEO Teri Franks of Fine Art Registry. Listen in to find out the advantages of registering your artwork and how the service can benefit you as an artist or collector. They talk about art fakes, frauds and much more. Click here for Fine Art Registry's website with comprehensive information and 100s of art related articles and services..

Martin meets with TBS Dinner & a Movie host Paul Gilmartin who talks about his love for the Danish Modern design.  They discuss Paul's passion – his craft of hand shaped pieces in the Danish style. Click here to see Paul's work.  

Reyne & Martin record an informational podcast together on one of Reyne's specialties, Louis Comfort Tiffany's art glass.  They talk about the beginnings to when it had fallen out of favor in the 1930s to the 1960s. They discuss Lillian Nassau's role in bringing the collectibility back and what the market is like today. They also touch on art glass such as Loetz, Durand, Quezal, Steuben, Ludberg and more. Check out Martin's blog on Tiffany Glass: Click Here

Martin talks with guest Don Carpentier from Eastfield Village, New York about his skilled craftsmanship of recreating mocha wares (click here for info.), and the historical rescue of the early ceramics molds (60,000 of them) from the closed Spode Factory in England. Click here for here for images & history of Spode . Click here to visit Don's website.

Martin welcomes a new co-host, Thelema Dietler.  She and Martin speak with Robin S. R. Starr, Director of American & European Paintings & Prints at Skinner Auction House. Listen as they discuss Skinner’s growth and successes, including the sale of a $5.5 million Fitz Hugh (Henry) Lane painting. They talk further about other incredible finds and the current state of the antique auction world. Skinner is one of the world’s most exclusive auction houses with gallery locations in Marlborough and Boston, Massachusetts. Visit Skinner Auction House for Antiques and Fine Art online.

Click image for details of restoration; before and after of the Fire Trumpet Martin visits artisan Ruth Rhoten, silversmith, goldsmith & artist at her studio. They talk about her wonderful silver making as well as her antique silver conservation work for dealers and collectors nationwide. (we apologize for the background noise of heavy rain) Ruth's website: Here. Our video at the studio: Here.

Click Image for Website Click to Enlarge Martin drops in at Pixar Animation Studio and talks with artist Dice (Daisuke) Tsutsumi about his journey as an artist and what brought him to Pixar. Dice talks about what it was like as the art director behind the scenes of creating Toy Story 3 and his love of painting. Artists Help Japan – Earthquake & Tsunami 2011 Visit the website to donate here.

Click the ducks to visit RJG Antiques. Martin interviews Russ Goldberger about his road to success and how he has utilized the power of the internet to promote antiques. Listen in as they talk about decoys, folk art, objects with original painted surfaces and how to market them in today's business climate.

Martin interviews Peter Loughrey, Founder & Director of Los Angeles Modern Auctions. Listen in as they talk about the spectacular Max Palevsky Interior to be offered in March with several custom pieces by Ettore Sottsass. They also talk about several facets of the collecting hobby of Mid-century Modern, and Contemporary Design. Click here for LA Modern Auctions.  Click here for our podcast with Mid-Century Modern dealer Dave Shaw.

Martin interviews the leading authority on Abraham Lincoln, historian Harold Holzer. Listen in as they talk about Lincoln's life and struggles through the Civil War. Click here for Martin's blog on Abraham Lincoln's writings.

Martin & Reyne talk to Mark Moran, antique appraiser, author of over 25 books on antiques & collectibles and editor of FW Publications. Mark is an interesting guest with a love for the business and has an outstanding diversified knowledge of antiques & art.

Martin & Reyne interview Will Seippel, the CEO of Worthpoint, the most active antique website in the world with 200,000 hits a day! They talk about Worthpoint's trilogy of websites including GoAntiques and PriceMiner.  Listen in to hear the amazing future plans of Worthpoint rolling out soon. Click on logos to visit websites.

In this segment Martin talks again to eBay's Senior Manager of Seller Advocacy and Spokesperson Griff. Feedback is further discussed, and new changes that help on the seller's side. Martin asks why eBay left the Live Auction world and they end talking about unusual and memorable items that have sold on eBay. Griff hosts eBay Radio, click the logo to check it out. Part I with eBay's Griff Click Here

Click Image to visit website. Martin talks with master swordsmith Scott Slobodian on his fine artisan craft. They talk about the history of Japanese swordmaking and more. His buyers range from someone who saves up for a few years to buy one sword all the way up to the Sultan of Brunei. Scott has won many major awards including Knives Illustrated, "Best Knife of The Year" for four consecutive years. In 1996 he also won Blade Magazine's "Best Art Knife of The Year."  Scott has been featured in every major knife magazine in the US, Europe & Japan. He is also a member of the Knifemaker's Guild, USA, Germany & Italy. His knives are represented in major collections in 18 countries.

Part I of II. Martin visits the eBay campus in San Jose, CA and interviews spokesperson Jim (GRIFF) Griffith, Senior Manager, Seller Strategy/Advocacy. Listen in to hear the beginnings of the company, the reason for the changes in the seller feedback system, and eBay feelings about the "little guy" vs big vendors. Martin talks about how eBay affected the auction business and what adjustments were made. Martin asks about certain rumors, Griff discusses some great evolving changes and much more. Griff can be heard live twice a week on eBay Radio, click here Part II Click Here. *Correction: Martin states he was an eBay member since July, 1997 and it was July, 1998.

Eric Bradley joins Reyne Haines & Martin Willis to discuss what the Antique Trader is doing to grow awareness in the hobby of collecting. Read our blog on Eric here. Antique Trader Website, click here. Antique Trader Blog, click here.

Curator Susan Stein joins us for Thomas Jefferson Part III. We talk about Jefferson's Monticello transitioning over the years, his five year Parisian influence which created the cosmopolitan feel of the Monticello interior and more. Listen in to hear what items have been recovered from the January 15th, 1827 Five Day Dispersal Auction, and what things never left the house. Susan also talks about recent changes and what is in store. Visit the Monticello Website HERE. Thomas Jefferson I, Andrew Burstein  HERE. Thomas Jefferson II, Andrew Burstein  HERE.

Martin & Phyllis interview the only artist that can claim that he walked on the moon! Listen in is as Alan Bean talks about his unique paintings and what he does in a lunar way to prepare them. He talks about his surreal Apollo 12 experience while standing on the moon and how it inspired his art. Alan is a fine gentleman with a sense of humor. Click here to reach Alan Bean's Art Gallery website. Click here to watch a video on Alan Bean. Intro music: "Walking In The Air" by George Winston

Auction Kings Paul Brown joins Martin to talk about the inside scoop on the new Discovery Channel's hit show. Listen in as Paul talks about what has changed in his life & at Gallery 63 since the show aired. Paul also talks about his background and what it was like growing up in the auction business and a lot more.

LSU Professor & Jefferson Scholar Andrew Burstein joins us for Thomas Jefferson, Part II. Listen in to hear about Jefferson's struggles with slavery, his concubinage relationship with Sally Hemings, what Jefferson might think about today's immigration issues & more. Toward the end of the episode we speak briefly about Monticello. Thomas Jefferson Part I  HERE. Part III Jefferson's Monticello HERE

Return guest Darren Julien is back with more stories. He talks about his auction in Macau China where he sold a basketball signed by Michael Jordan & Michael Jackson for big bucks. He talks about upcoming auctions "Icons & Idols" with John Lennon's 1966 Beatle's military jacket used in a Life Magazine photo shoot and Albert Einstein's brain x-rays (this is not a typo). Then we discuss "The Johnny Cash Auction", property from his life and career. Listen in to hear the strangest thing he ever sold that was once part of a celebrity! Click image for Julien's Auctions website.

Martin and Phyllis speak with phone guest, Historian & Jefferson Scholar, LSU Professor Andrew Burstein about Thomas Jefferson’s letters, his beliefs & sentiments, and what 18th century life was like. We have a Skype caller, John Logan from Rhode Island who asks a few questions. Thomas Jefferson II, Andrew Burstein  HERE. Thomas Jefferson III Monticello HERE

We are throwing in this 20 minute podcast as a bonus this week. Martin talks to fellow antique & auction podcaster, Walt Kolenda of Gloucester, MA. Listen in to hear the free services and info that Walt provides for anyone's use and about The AuctionWally Show.  The two touch on all the character auctioneers they have known and more. Click image to go to Walt's website.

Neal Auction Company’s Marc Fagan is our phone guest. He talks about John James Audubon,  historical and natural history prints. How the auction gallery handled Hurricane Katrina & more. Click the image to go to website.