As I mentioned in my last post, I saw this painting from across the room at a charity shop I frequent and had to have it. But is this Monet? The signature is unclear, but the auction house numbers on the back are not. So I plunked down the asking price and away we went. Perfectly perfect for your old money house collection – notice the photograph of a similar painting at The Rockefeller’s house before they sold it. Although smaller, and maybe not authentic (waiting on a response from Christie’s Auction House) we shall enjoy it all the more. Thank you Claude – for inspiring this piece drawn from that lovely pond, so very many years ago. This painting has gone off to Christie’s Auction house (at their suggestion) so soon we will know the truth of it!
This doesn’t happen very often – but probably more often to me than to most people. I was meandering through the charity shop – as I often do on my day off – looking for the odd china piece I’m missing from a collection, or an antique chair or some odd and end that would belong to “The Manor Born” or so we would say – big old money.
Suddenly from across the room this painting caught my eye. I had to see it up close. I raced across the room and discovered – this was a well -executed piece – in the style of…dare I say, Monet? The asking price was low – and the frame alone was worth it – so I promptly took this piece to the cash register and made the purchase.
The artist’s name is somewhat vague toward the bottom of the right hand side. But I remember seeing similar pieces (Monet) in my college Art History class. But whatever the case – this is just the kind of item you would find in the home of the old money rich. And if it turns out to be Monet – well the last one like this sold for a cool 43 million.
But of course old money never would know because it would never sell. Until the money goes. And it always goes.
Until next time, happy hunting dear readers – and if you see something like this – my advice, grab it!
I was extremely lucky. I went to a little sitting room off of the garage and saw two pieces. One was of an Elephant in the jungle displayed on an easle with no frame, and the other looked like something I’d studied in college, a Hudson River School Painting. I snatched them both while other customers ogled the gawdawful wolf prints, flower still life and other commercial art looking “signed” pieces . These two did not have prices. I asked the attendant who said she’d have to check with the daughter. I wasn’t sure how much they were going to ask since most of the artwork was extremely overpriced.
The daughter took one look at the small painting and said – “It’s a shame the frame is damaged – it’s very old.” I asked her how much. She said, “Is 15.00 for the two too much?” I told her not at all.
I continued to look at some incredible sculptures under plastic cube containers and then found the attendant and promptly paid the 15.00.
Of course I’ll have to have an expert take a look at this piece under ultraviolet light. But if the artist is who I think it is – a similar painting sold at auction last September for, I hope you’re sitting down, the auction range was $30,000.00!
Nota Bene: When adding to your collection for your big old money place – you’d never dream of selling- maybe even keep the old, broken frame – but that’s some serious pocket change to put amongst your estate value. And most old money mansions are lousy with broken antiques and threadbare rugs.
Hudson River School paintings by Asher Brown Durand
More along the lines of the old money house would be this very interesting cocktail spoon, jigger and bottle opener by Napier. It was created in 1931 and adds that bit of conversation you might find yourself in during one of the feted cocktail parties you throw in your humble abode. Purchased for a farthing – or thereabouts I was happy to have this unusual piece in my arsenal of ‘inherited” goods – or the like.
Nice cup gives you jigger amounts of 1.5, 1 and 1/2 oz measures. Bottle opener for the beer or what have you and the quintessential stirrer. But I digress, I’ll allow the “Queen of Sienna” who helps us out with her knowledge on her webpage (https://queenofsienna.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/napier-noveltiesgimmicks-and-gadgets/ )
by stating:
“There is quite a lag between the 1922 ad and the 1931 ad shown above for the three-in-one spoon. Again, this is still during prohibition and there is no mention of cocktails in the wording. They state “it is good for cooking as well as for preparing all kinds of beverages.” I believe Napier manufactured a sterling version of this spoon without the bottle opener. The Meriden Daily Journal, December 21, 1931 edition, ran an article about local pilots being given Napier “silver jigger spoons”. I’ve seen both versions of these spoons with “Patent Applied” or “Patent Pending” on them. I have never seen one with an actual patent number. It is interesting to note that a patent for a similar spoon was issued to J. A. Lavin on May 5, 1931.”
It was a good day indeedy.
As I was wandering through sale after sale at a town-wide garage sale I came across this odd looking sculpture. Did it fit in with my “old-money” aesthetic?
The sculpture was of a fork suspended in air over a bowl of pasta. Definitely a conversational piece. I examined the sticker – made in 1978. That gives us some age and could help with a backstory. Definitely eclectic and not something you see every day.
I gave the vendor the asking price (less than 10.00) and took it home. Yes it was dusty. I bathed the sculpture in the sink with some dish detergent and very lightly washing and dabbed it dry with paper towels.
After a little research I discovered the Australian artist, Geoffrey Rose and found that one of his sculptures sold at auction for $1,200 last year (a suspended paint brush). I also found some similar sculptures of the piece I had acquired selling for 299.00 on eBay!
Goodness me! Another old money find. Do I keep it? Do I sell it? Another problem is – that on my low-carb diet I do not eat much pasta, so having this sculpture near me – made me think it was left over pasta – and increased my appetite (I love love pasta).
So into a box it goes until I either open my own shop, sell it to you or help to furnish an “old money” home.
Description
Full Cry Hand Colored Engraving 1883 C.R. Stock Matted and Framed: A beautiful engraving from 1883. This is Full Cry.Engraved by C.R. Stock, from a painting by William Shayer. Published in London by O.P. McQueen. Measures 37 1/4 x 29. A really beautiful and bright colored engraving.
A similar lithograph is up for auction for about $300.00.
Value aside, in these big old mansions filled to the brim with old money I have often seen the hunt scenes. Why you ask? My thought is that these pictures of the English Fox Hunt hearken back to the days of hunting amongst the aristocracy. Think of “Downton Abbey” . It’s the life of the landed gentry with little to do – and so a “hunt” would be organized. Whether you come from that lineage or not – having the lithograph from 1883 by Stock who died in 1902 could mean that it’s been inherited.
The well appointed old money home is lousy with hallmarks from a bygone era. One of my favorite lines from the film, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” is what the art collector, John Williams says when someone asks if his family has “always collected art” (a way of asking if he comes from Big Old Money) to which he replies:
“There’s only two things that interest me, work, and those trappings of aristocracy that I find worthwhile, the very things they’re forced to sell when the money runs out, and it always runs out. And then all they’re left with is their lovely manners!”
1 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) – Quotes- IMD[website], https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119668/quotes/?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu, (accessed 08 September 2020).
We can chalk the latest find to one of those things although more likely this print came from the estate of someone’s heir who deposited it into the charity bin without regard to its value or worth.
One man’s trash is our treasure here! So happy.
Here’s a good idea of where to place it in your home. Notice the sideboard. I have a bid on the Waldorf Hotel Auction (I mentioned in last post) on a console which would do nicely. Sadly I lost the settee to someone with deeper pockets.
While it breaks my heart to tell you this, the current owners are renovating the old hotel. But one man’s loss is another man’s gain. Now is the time to get your hot little hands on some of the goodies this marvel of the gilded age is parting with. The auction won’t last long – but now is your chance to own that settee or coffee table or the bed Cole Porter slept in! Hallmarks of big old money are furnishings that have interesting stories – and now is the chance – once in a lifetime – truly.
I myself have bid on a few items and will bid on a few more.
Here’s the link. The auction is on October 17 so there isn’t much time!
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/180496_fine-furnishings-from-the-waldorf-day-1/
I was driving by a house that was up for sale, and outside near the curb among many other household items I spotted two old “diner” type chairs with chrome legs. The vinyl was ripped and the legs were rusty – but I did see potential. The sign nearest them read “FREE”, always my favorite price. Without so much as a second to spare I popped them into the trunk of my trusty Jeep Renegade.
Touted mid-century as one of the most practical dinette sets ever seen, the chairs would’ve come with an “extension table” at 30-by-42 inches closed and 30-by-54 inches with the additional leaf in place. There was no table present or I’d have grabbed it!
The table would be all metal — which meant no warping or cracking or becoming unglued and plastic top, very serviceable. Legs on table and frames of the chairs were handsomely chrome plated. The form-fitting seats and backs on the chairs came in a variety of vinyl covered “leatherette” material – which was easy to clean and stain resistant.
Designed for the breakfast room or dinette – this furniture was for everyday use, not formal dining. This may have been in that little room off the kitchen where Cook was or even in the smallish eat-in area of your household help’s quarters.
Many of us did eat our special meals on such tables and chairs. And those who were raised by Nanny may easily have spent many hours in her kitchen (watching soaps?).
The chrome-legged table, with their leatherette vinyl covers — and Formica top, got used every day, in every way. And to find two chairs – such a bargain!
Cut to today – these chairs would fit nicely in your old money decor apartment – no matter how small. They fit the criteria in that they are decades old and can tell a story. They also fit the budget.
I was able to clean the rust off of the legs using soapy water, Coca Cola (yes Coca Cola) and tin foil. I then found some chrome cleaner I had in the shed back from the days when I motored around in a 1986 Cadillac Coupe De Ville Sedan (the trunk was so useful for picking up antiques – I could fit anything in there!).
I then went to Joanne Fabrics (joann.com) and was able to find what I felt was a kitschy looking pattern and some trim. I also added batting and purchased a staple gun and a few tubes of fabric glue.
For a relatively small investment (about 10. a chair – not including the staple gun which I figure I can use on other projects) I created two chairs which might easily retail at 300. each. Diner chairs are hot right now. Wayfair is selling them at 135. a piece. But for the more stylized you can fetch higher prices. And now for the great reveal:
So if you have the skills (and it doesn’t seem that hard) you too can create this design or one of your own. And if you do – please drop me a line of where you found it, what you did with it and a pic so we all can see and be inspired!
Thanks for reading and happy hunting!
How to develop an eye for art so you can pick out the winners
This question is often asked of me, “How do I develop an eye for art?” In the world of Big Old Money – let’s just say there is art hanging around any well appointed home. It’s a gentle nod to the centuries of artwork passed down through the generations. But what if you don’t have those inheritances (always my beef). Maybe you don’t come from old family or money – or maybe Aunt Bedelia squandered the old masters collection on a Lothario she picked up in Bora Bora whilst following the Spring?
The best way I feel you can develop an “eye” for art is to go to museums and art books and websites, here’s a good one http://www.moma.org and study the artwork.
I’ve been lucky enough to tell you that most of the art I have collected over the years is by artists who also have art that is hanging in a museum somewhere. I developed my eye by being ensconced in artwork since my early years as a junior member of the Salmagundi Club in NYC. (http://www.salmagundi.org) Here I hung with contemporary artists (no pun intended) and sup with them and wined with them and learned all about art, artists, tasted and smelled the paint between my fingers. I guess it helped.
But let’s get to the subject at hand, shall we? What I meant to share with you today is a collection of lithographs which I purchased at an antique store for 22.00. The collection is called, “The Peddlers” It is a set of 4 Antique Prints hand-colored as noted on the sticker by artist Vernei.
I really liked the illustrations of these hardworking men. Old money prides itself on hard work – which builds character. How many a billionaire would sit with me in the parlor of a clubhouse recounting the days when they were poor and worked themselves up from nothing. Nothing being the operative word. One man’s nothing is “3 million dollars inherited from Daddy” to someone else, but I digress. Here we have these pieces. Why are they only 22 dollars? Hmmm. The answer required research.
The answer lies in the way the artist’s name was spelled on the sticker. A simple typo. The artist is NOT “Vernei” but “Vernel.”
This made a world of difference. I was able to determine that each lithograph was worth about $200. So this collection is worth $800. And further I was also able to find out that a similar set exists in Gracie Mansion – the home of the Mayor of New York City.
These little tidbits of information can be quite useful in the world of Big Old Money. And when a guest asks (and they will ask) how you came by it – you can tell them the truth or invent a delicious tale which may or may not be true. Never ask a novelist – because we tend to embellish.
If there’s anything I write about that you want – everything is for sale. But unfortunately I won’t be parting with it for the bargain at which I found it. But I figured I’d put it out there just in case your mansion is crying for a Vernel piece. Eventually I’ll show you a hand painted tile I bought for five dollars which was also similar to one in Ronald Regan’s collection and sold for $5,000 years ago at Christies auction house. Salvation Army’s loss was my gain. There was no ticket on the tile – so I let the cashier determine the cost and smiled when she said, “I’m going to have to charge you the five dollars.” I gladly put the money in her hand. She told me that I would not be able to return it. And I replied, “once I remove this item from your store, and into my hot little hands, you will never see it again.” But of course she might in this blog or at auction.
I think I write these articles to give you hope. Your shabby little flat – can be fabby and fine and have everyone guessing where your money comes from. They needn’t know if you’re working at minimum wage at a greasy spoon or a gal/guy Friday saving every dime and waiting for your next big break. Take this knowledge and make your own breaks.
I think it’s best to keep the world guessing. And for your five dollars – a $4, 595.00 profit is more than most people will make on their investments unless of course you bought Amazon stock back in the day. And a $22.00 investment with a $778.00 profit is not to be dismissed!
And now I’ve gone on and your tea and scones with clotted cream have gone cold. Sorry.
I’ll leave you with this, Archimedes once said, “Give me a place to stand, and I will move the earth.” I suppose, in some small way, I’m trying to give you a place to stand – what you do with this knowledge (and I hope you’ll do great things) is entirely up to you.
Best,
Big Old Money Antiques & Vintage
Setting the perfect “old money” table.
As practically anyone in the old money world will tell you – meals are everything. They help to break up the day – give us an excuse to get together, give us an excuse to dress and are a part of our culture. And even if the meal is something you’ve “ordered”, puchased at a “take-away” or in some cases have gone to the local salad bar (when we had them) – you can still entertain the hoity toity polloy in grand style. And no one – not even cook – need know that you took a shortcut. Most of us trying to hold down one to three jobs – don’t have the luxury of time to cook as they did back in the day – or the help to do it.
In this blog I wanted to share with you my very, very recent acquisition. I’d been on my way to Rockaway for the town-wide garage sale. These types of sales are great for acquiring the Big Old Money Antiques and Vintage loot as many people are unaware of the value of the items they are selling – very often left to them by a relative or something they had in the attic. They don’t know the value and that’s where you come in.
I’d gone all around Rockaway but couldn’t find the sales. I had a friend on my carphone and so I was distracted. On the way home I was feeling rather sorry for myself having taken the long trip – and what to my wondering eyes should appear – but a table outside a barn and large “garage sale” sign. I quickly ended my conversation with my dear friend who’s living on Sutton Place and dealing with the virus there. I told him I’d spotted crystal. He knew the drill.
I quickly hung up the call and went inside the barn where some septuagenarians were seated – talking, and gossiping. I saw two nice champagne glasses, but what I really wanted were the six white wine glasses I’d spotted outside. I figured I’d use them when I didn’t want to use the really good crystal for my guests.
I asked one of the ladies, “how much for the glasses outside.” Notice how I didn’t say “vintage crystal.” She replied, “It’d be 6 bucks. And another 3 for the two champagne glasses yer holding.” I promptly gave her the cash (they mostly only take cash) and thanked them for the white wine glasses. I didn’t realize they were “Gorham” until I got home. The stickers still on them – they are new and unused. I went to www.replacements.com where I discovered the pattern “Regalta” has been retired and they retail at 23.94 a glass. Not bad. 6.00 for 200. in crystal! Replacements is an excellent place to see what the value of your silverware, china and crystal might be worth – and as an added incentive – they do buy items from you – depending on the share and demand of the item.
So the next time you’re out thrifting – do yourself a favor and pick up a few crystal glasses – you won’t be sorry or heartbroken if they do get damaged, and your boxed wine (joking – or am I?) is bound to taste much better in the glass. Why this shape for white wine – that’s another conversation all together. Now off to try and find some red! Happy hunting, dear reader!
Big Old Money Antiques & Vintage by Novelist Richard Smiraldi 