Art Nouveau Really Nouveau - 20th Century Design Auction

Isn't this the most beautiful Art Nouveau Chair?!!!! I am madly in love with it -- and believe it or not, it is not an antique -- it was made in 2000 by CLAUDE LALANNE. I just had to share it with you.

It is going to be in Heritage Auctions (ha.com) 2009 December Signature 20th Century Design Auction #5032

Can't wait to see what this antique-to-be sells for. Check back!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Rarest Horror Film Poster - The Black Cat

I fell in love with this awesome scary-movie poster when I was surfing Heritage Auctions. The graphics are amazing -- and the subject is "to die for"!

I mean, you've got two horror film legends together -- Boris Karloff and Bela Lugossi -- in a 1934 movie by literature-icon Edgar Allan Poe -- all tied up with a Black Cat -- what more could you want? How about that it is a only-one-known example? Oh yeah!

Read all about it over on Heritage's excellent blog, penned by Noah Fleisher who has one of the best jobs ever!

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

James Bond Highlights New Rare Book Auction at Heritage

I could write dozens of posts each week about the fabulous items that Heritage Auctions lists. And I could go on about their excellent website, e-newsletters, and blog. I have seen beautiful illustration art, and learned about rare historical and patriotic items.

And now they have a truly outstanding magazine -- to which they are giving FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS -- to the printed version! You can read it online of course, but they are giving subscriptions to the hard copy. I signed up immediately when the subscription card fell out of last week's Antique Week paper. If you didin't save that card, or don't get the AW, then just go to Heritage Magazine to sign up.

Here's just a small example of the goodies that Heritage Auctions get - this week they are selling several Ian Fleming-signed first edition James Bond books. Yes -- WOW!

Here's what they say about these rare books:

A first edition signed and inscribed copy of Ian Fleming's Casino Royale, the book that introduced the world to its favorite secret agent, the one and only James Bond, headlines Heritage Auctions' Rare Books auction, Oct. 16-17. The fact that the copy is signed by the renowned writer is reason enough to make it a desirable edition, but how Fleming tantalizingly inscribed the book may well make it the ultimate Bond collectible of them all:

"To M," Fleming wrote, alluding to the enigmatic head of the British Secret Service. "These pages from my memoirs! Ian."

It's speculated by Bond experts that there are two possible sources behind Fleming's inspiration for M, his soft-spoken spymaster. The first likely candidate is Maxwell Knight, a popular 1950s radio and television naturalist who led a secret existence as an MI5 spy runner. The second is thought to be Admiral John Godfrey, under whom Fleming served during World War II. Heritage Auctions has estimated the book at $40,000+.

"We would normally be thrilled to have even one signed Ian Fleming first edition Bond book in any auction," said James Gannon, Director of Rare Books at Heritage Auctions, "but here we have not only the first Bond book signed and inscribed, but also the second, Live and Let Die (estimate: $25,000+), the fifth, From Russia With Love (estimate: $22,000+), the seventh and ninth, Goldfinger (estimate: $14,000+) and Thunderball ($12,000+), and the eleventh, On Her Majesty's Secret Service ($10,000+)- every one of them first editions and every one of them signed by Fleming."

So do yourself a favor, go over to Heritage Auctions website -- sign up for their newletters - and the magazine - and look at their listings. I know you will be fascinated and educated by their treasures.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Stuff Your Derringer in a Sock, Mister

Dillinger's Derringer Gun recently sold at Heritage Auction. They always have unique and rare items, and their auction descriptions have lots of history and info. I subscribe to several of their category email updates, and always see interesting items, and learn something, too.

Here's a recent goodie - timely with the Johnny Depp/Dillinger flick, Public Enemies being out now.

From the Heritage Auction site:

Dillinger's Double Derringer More Than Doubles Estimate At $95,600

The small pistol gangster John Dillinger was carrying hidden in a sock when he was arrested in Tucson, Arizona 75 years ago – six months before he was fatally gunned down in Chicago – was sold for $95,600 at Heritage Auction Galleries' July 25 Grand Format Arms & Militaria Auction.

The winning bid was more than double the pre-auction estimate of $35,000-$45,000.

"It's a Remington .41 caliber Double Derringer that was confiscated from Dillinger when he and members of his gang were taken into custody in Tucson in January 1934," said Dennis Lowe, Director of Militaria at Heritage.

John Herbert Dillinger when arrested in Tucson, Arizona, January 25, 1934. Dillinger, using the alias "Frank Sullivan," along with gang members Henry Pierpoint, Russel Clark and Charles Makley, and their "molls" including Billie Frechette, were all arrested over a three day period from January 22 to January 25, through a series of co-ordinated police raids, without a shot being fired.

Upon being arrested, Dillinger was quoted as saying, "My God, how did you know I was in town? I'll be the laughing stock of the country! How could a hick-town police force ever suspect us."

In reality, and unbeknownst to Dillinger, a local fireman, called to a fire in the hotel where some of the gang members were staying, recognized Russel Clark from his "wanted" picture in True Detective magazine, and alerted the local police.

After their uneventful arrest, the gang members were all booked by the County Sheriff, John Belton, on fugitive warrants and held in the county jail at bonds of $100,000 each. The next day the gang members were "put on display" to the curious public, and some 2000 people trooped past their cells exchanging disparaging remarks.

On January 28, Arizona Governor B. B. Moeur signed extradition papers, and Dillinger was secretly flown to Indiana to face trial for murder. The rest of the gang were sent back to Ohio by train.

Five weeks later, using a carved wooden pistol, Dillinger escaped from jail in Crown Point, Indiana. Just four months later, on July 22, 1934, Dillinger was gunned down by FBI agents at the Biograph Theater in Chicago.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Dillinger's death. You can read more about this gun's history on the Heritage Auction site.

As for stuffing things in a sock, George suggests a sack...

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Captain Nathan Harlan’s first edition Volume 1 of The Federalist Papers sold for a staggering $80,000 hammer price in Heritage auction

I'm a big fan of heritage Auctions, and just wanted to chime in and tell them that I thought they did a pretty nice thing recently.

One of our U.S. soldiers consigned an important historic document to Heritage, and Heritage honored his serving us all in the military by waiving the 20% seller's fee.

Read more about U.S. Captain Harlan, and his consignment of The Federalist Papers which sold for a staggering $80,000 hammer price on Heritage's blog.

Ms. Dow Antiques Blog 'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com

Rare Civil War Patriotic Covers - Heritage Auctions - Stamps

Heritage Auctions. I love this company - super quality auction items, and a really well run website - and they get some amazing rare stuff!

They have an auction featured in the newsletter that has a selection of rare Civil War Patriotic Covers -- check out the Jackson with Snakes - oh my!

Here's the link to the 1st cover in the auction -- There's a link to "Next Lot" at the top and bottom of each item page, so you can check them all out - I think there's about 25.

http://stamps.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1109&Lot_No=32126

Here's an artist doing neat modern First Day Cover art - Dave Dube.

'Tique Talk is published by msdowantiques.com