Featured Covid-19 impact on antiques business

It could be worse; I could still be sitting on it.

 

Today was pickup day at the online estate auction I bought from last week. Online only, no shipping, from pics with no preview, three hour window to pick up or forfeit the item, something I've never done before and don't like, but it was cheap and close to me, and I was curious to give it a try.

Texted before heading out with a show up time, then met her at the door of the condo building, a converted school. I had already paid by credit card - a good incentive to remember to show up. When I drove up I confirmed my name, and she went inside to bring the item. I was told to bring my own pen; she handed me a slip for signature then gave me the bag and I was gone - masks were had by all.

I was watching a few things at the auction, and this was the only one that I thought could be substantially under valued. I don't think it was a steal; things seldom are at auctions since you are competing with other knowledgeable bidders; which is why I prefer estate sales and not estate auctions. This was in a lot described as a collection of south american items, and most were, so I assume most didn't bother to look closely at all the items in the lot. 16 in. tall. I won't be sure of potential value until @komokwa gives his opinion, though. This is the auction result: https://www.auctionninja.com/cleari...la-textiles-and-native-collection-266665.html

 

No clue about the Pacific Coast carving, but you got three mola pieces for $18? Nice one! Those are hand-done and each one is unique. I've done applique and don't even what to think about the work that goes into a small piece.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mola_(art_form)

 

I know less than zilch about this type of item, but would have definitely picked up that wooden piece. Glad it worked out well for you.

 

A local auction house had their auction today. They have always had on-line bidding up until the morning of the sale, but they were limiting the number of people that were able to attend in person. I had consigned something that sold this afternoon & I will be interested to see what it ended up selling for today.

The auction house I work for is doing a version of a silent auction. They have 850+ lots that are all numbered & they are allowing people to come in at their leisure over a couple of weeks time to view the lots. They can then leave bids for whatever lots they are interested in & then they will notify if you that you won. A time will be set up for you to pick up anything that you won.

If this works out well he will continue to take consignments & possibly do another auction like this again. If it does not go well I am not sure what he will do. I was over there dropping off some stuff on this past Monday & he said he already had bids coming in so he was optimistic.

A local consignment shop I frequent will also be opening on June 1st with reduced hours & some physical changes to the shop. I do consign stuff to the shop & had about 15 items on the shelves when they closed down. They gave you the option to come & pick up your stuff before June 1st; have it re-tagged & placed back onto the shelves; or you could just leave it as is & it would be sold at whatever is on the tag.

This shop runs on a 90 day consignment schedule & they do sell a tremendous amount of clothing. The price drops 25% after the first 30 days & another 25% after 60 days. You can then pick up whatever didn't sell or they will donate it to a local TS if you don't.

 

Nice size...no chips or dings.....the price reflects a Vancouver tourist gallery / shop price.

Richard....one of the more productive Bakers..... senior Bakers.....

Richard Baker
CULTURAL GROUP:
Squamish

BORN:
February 12, 1962

BIRTHPLACE:
North Vancouver, BC

Richard was born into a family of artists and his brother Matthew Baker is a well-known carver as well. He started carving and drawing in 1974, learning the basics of technique and formline design from family. He was a featured carver at the 1986 World Exposition, and this opportunity opened many doors for him. In 1996, Richard opened a studio for the public on Capilano Reserve in North Vancouver. He divides his time between creating hand-engraved jewellery and carving wood.

I sold dozens of these.......
Stained white pine

 

Is this the end of the Roadshow? Not exactly a climate for assembling crowds and wont be for a long time.

Do you think that this might help some collectibles like stamps and coins?

 

I'll be stunned (but pleased) if anything helps stamps.

 

I've been using my late dad's stamp collection as postage. It's about all it's worth. We can but hope; he bought Mint sets too. (sigh)

 

Thanks! Do you think the #86 is the date (1986) or an inventory number etc.? About how much have you sold these for?

 

Now they are saying that people do not have to clean the stuff they bring home from the supermarket. I know they are trying to help us but as time goes by I think we will learn more about what we should do and not do.
Listen to the scientists and dr's, not some of the politicians who put party over health.

 

Ruth my father collected stamps too but another family member took em all.

 

Four more local shows bit the dust this week, one scheduled for June, two for July and the fourth for August.

Our antique dealers association has a show planned for August but it may be canceled. We expect to hear from the town this coming week and they may ban all outdoor shows. We are looking into changing it to an online show but it's complicated!

One local show scheduled for the end of July may have to cancel because they can't get anyone to volunteer to help. All the volunteers are in their 60s-80s so I don't blame them

 

Here in Mass, the July Brimfield show is still scheduled, though I wonder if it will go ahead or not. Brimfield is outdoors (mostly) which is good, though crowds can be intense and that will be hard to control as there are always people streaming down the street and wandering over the fields. Not sure people are even able to social distance in a setting like that.

 

Meanwhile, the thrifts are starting to show signs of life. @journeymagazine seems to be taking advantage of that (said he waited in line for hours before first opening). Saw this article in CNN about thrifts. Seems to be mostly good news for buyers. Unclear whether that is good or bad news for resellers - will people be glad to be rid of the stuff they have been staring at, or wishing to get new (old) stuff to take its place? Too early to know, I guess: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/23/us/thrift-donations-coronavirus-isolation-trnd/index.html

"Thrift stores around the country are getting a deluge of donations from people who've had months to think about the things they don't need while sheltering at home during the coronavirus pandemic. ... "There were literally several of our properties ... where there were lines around the building, around the property, with folks wanting to drop things off," she said. ... "The different centers had to be rather innovative and start figuring out how they could store these properly," Wilson said. Some rented trailers or had warehouses to handle the overflow."

 

$ 75...to 115.......depending on what I paid for them..
Today though.....it may go for less !!

86 is the date...
notice the elongated #....... under ..thunderbird ...that's just the way he underlined stuff...

 

I know the GW's are open around here & have passed by one of them several times. I have not gone in though, not because of what is happening, but because it feels so good to be actually sending stuff OTD that has been here for way too long & there is still so much to go.

I will likely go over to leave some bids with the auction house for their "silent walk-around sale" next week, but I doubt it will be more than 5 & 1 is something I want for myself.

I know I am missing treasures, but I am bound & determined to get rid of the stuff that has been pushed back in favor of the new shiny object that came into the house in the last few days.

 

Darn, another show has been cancelled, this one was scheduled for the Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. The're dropping like flies

 

Now they are cancelling state and county fairs, which aren't for another few months. This really is starting to go to far.

 

It always was...but the powers that be did not want to cause a panic & wanted us all to think that there was an end to this coming soon....
Y'know....schools will open in a few weeks....then a month, then next month....then in the fall !!!!!!
The beach is opening soon....the beach is closed till June !
The restaurants will be opening soon.....but only 3 people at a time can eat there !!
Last night I heard that the planes here will start flying again soon....but you have to wear a mask the whole flight and only 25% of the seats will be available , and only for domestic flights..!!
The the next Talking Head was saying how the airlines will be offering great deals...and discounts....and then another expert said we won't want to fly until we feel safe sitting on a plane....for 3 hours ....locked in a pressurized tube with who knows who.....& that'll be after the vaccine is widely available in late 2021....

( Oh, Air Canada is laying off 20,000 workers.........)

One of the beaches in Toronto was so packed this weekend that officials were ranting against the folks who came out......and they said the cops will be ticketing those who gather in large close groups......but they interviewed a couple of mounted cops who said....that's not possible !!

& as if we didn't know this was coming......
Two Missouri hairstylists potentially exposed 140 clients to coronavirus when they worked for up to eight days this month while symptomatic.....

If anyone out there thinks Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas are going to look anything like in the past....... that Quinocloroclorox yer taking has been laced with LSD !!!!