The Japanese have long had a reputation for producing objects of great beauty. With a Zen-like approach to design, they have the ability to infuse even the most practical of objects with clean lines and elegance. Lots 142 & 143 allow bidders to keep an eye on things...and to look good doing it! This truth is evident in the sale of two lots selling in Kodner Galleries’ Antiques, Fine Art, Jewelry & Decorative Art sale. Lot 143, a pair of 1940s World War II Japanese battleship bigeye binoculars, and Lot 142, a pair of 1950s Japanese Imperial Navy binoculars, may have been designed to keep an eye on military matters for the land of the Rising Sun, yet its hard not to be impressed by the retro sleekness of their design. The jewelry category is deep and filled with unique and interesting pieces. Lot 127 - a vintage ladys Israeli pear shaped whit...Read More

No one ever accused 19th Century entrepreneur Adam Bogardus of modesty. Holder at one time of just about every shooting record in the book, he titled a 1898 biography he authored: “One Thousand Secrets of Rich and Wise Men Revealed,” by C.A. Bogardus, “Champion Shot of the World.” Bogardus was also an inventor, and in 1877 created the first practical glass ball trap. This trap threw the ball 60 feet through the air in a very long arc that revolutionized the sport of target shooting. Bogardus, who owned a shooting galllery in Chicago, promoted himself tirelessly and soon became the leading manufacturer in the U.S. target-making business. Those looking to try their hand at a Bogardus should check out Pook & Pook Inc.’s Sporting Auction, set down for Saturday, November 14. Selling as Lot 170, the Bogardus iron trapshooting target ball thrower ...Read More

Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend that there was a time when people existed without television. Just what they did with themselves is anyone’s guess; suffice to say it’s hard to imagine an existence without the spine-tingling plot twists of the Kardashians or the moving dignity of a televised Donald Trump. On Wednesday, November 11, Leland Little Auctions deliver clues to the above conundrum when they offer Lot 150 in their sale of the Personal Collection of Philip P. Huggins. A 19th Century reverse painted table screen depicting a young woman departing by boat from the shore, it has, on first glance at least, the resounding look a pre-electronic flat screen TV! Now sure, an evening’s entertainment gathered round such a piece in your living room is sure to have its limits, but then it truly is a lovely work with strong romantic vibes and be...Read More

When it comes to literary champions, you’d be hard pressed to find two writers sitting on loftier perches than Shakespeare and Whitman. Kings of their respective times, with legacies growing richer as each year passes, and enthusiastic audiences that never seem to diminish. On Sunday, November 15, Skinner offers bidders a unique opportunity to snare prized collectibles by these great men when they stage their November Fine Books & Manuscripts auction. Both are extremely valuable editions, rarely available at auction, so competition is sure to be fierce. Lot 287 will have devotees of The Bard licking their lips in anticipation! An 1820 edition of Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies published according to the true original copies. The book is bound in full brown calfskin and decorated in a very spare geometric style reminiscent of...Read More

It’s not every day you get a chance to snare a genuine piece of motorcycle history. Yet tucked away in Session 2 of Cowan’s European & American Firearms and Early Militaria sale is a piece of machinery sure to capture the heart every two-wheeler fan who crosses its time-honored path. A Rex motorcycle, used to win the prestigious Lanes End to John OGroats road race back in 1904, is selling as Lot 980. Brothers William and Harold Williamson founded Rex Motorcycles in 1899, and the Coventry-based company was soon active in all types of two-wheel competition. In 1904 Harold set his sights on the Lands End to John O’Groats road race, run between the most southerly and northerly points of mainland Britain. Traveling over rough, un-surfaced and often treacherous roads, he completed the 880-mile marathon in 48 hours 36 minutes, beating the existing...Read More

Love him or hate him, no one can deny that Andy Warhol was a true American success story. Born Andrew Warhola Jr., he rose from the working class suburbs of Pittsburgh to be the toast of the art world, a king of New York society, and one of the most recognizable faces on the planet. At auction his work continues to take center stage, with a 2009 article in The Economist describing Warhol as the "bellwether of the art market." Which brings us to Lot 734 in Ragos Post-War & Contemporary Art auction. Part of a small series depicting shipping and handling labels, "Open This End" is one of the first paintings in which Warhol used silkscreen to reproduce commercial objects and repeating images. The technique suited Warhol well, allowing him to duplicate images at will. Away from "Open This End," there are a host of interesting pieces by Warhol in...Read More

What to Look for When Bidding on Fine Art at Auction Buying paintings and works on paper at auction can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also be nerve-wracking, as many factors influence the decision as to whether to pursue a particular lot. One key aspect buyers should keep in mind is the condition of any piece they plan to bid on, as works at auction are sold “as-is.” A certain amount of wear-and-tear is to be expected for artwork with any age, but being aware of either past restoration or restoration that needs to be done can influence the decision on whether or not to bid. To better understand a work’s condition, it is preferable for a potential buyer or someone they trust to view it in person. Auction house specialists are always happy to show interested clients any lots that might catch their eye. When inspecting a painting, ...Read More

Ask people here in the U.S. their favorite national holiday and you’ll be met with a variety of answers. Many will pump for Christmas, others for New Year’s, and there’s never any shortage of turkey fans waving a drumstick for Thanksgiving. But when it comes to straight up fun, celebrated by people of all shapes and sizes, none of them can match the popularity of Halloween. Halloween is a day that connects with everybody. Whether out trick-or-treating or partying till dawn, we have a personal history with the day that goes back to day one. Now, as America’s national day of fancy dress draws near, what better time to combine some serious collecting with the wicked enjoyment of Halloween? One of the real goals of Halloween, apart from having a great time of course, is survival. Picking up this vintage vampire killing kit, offered as Lot 867 o...Read More

Following hot on the heels of their hugely successful Americana sale, Pook & Pook Inc. will stage an International decorative objects auction exclusive to Bidsquare. Set down for Saturday, October 31, the sale draws its strength from artistic offerings in oils, wood, and ceramics. The empires faded but the artwork remains. Lot 20 & 21 - portraits by Brit, John Buncombe The sale is stocked with great pieces of all shapes and sizes. A collection of miniature military portraits by British artist John Buncombe is sure to be a highlight, as is a French bronze, cloisonné, and porcelain-mounted mantel clock. A large portrait of a woman and canaries by French artist Joseph-Désiré Court is sure to demand attention, so too a unique piece by Brazilian artist Juarez Machado. Lot 163 - Vietnames modern art by Le Pho The International auction also featur...Read More

Bids were flying thick and fast in Essex recently when a photograph by the American photographer Irving Penn went under the hammer. Selling as Lot 299 as part of Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers’ 20th Century & Decorative Art auction, the rare still life, titled “Gino Leaves,” eventually fell to a bid of £61,000. It’s not often an important work by such an esteemed artist as Mr. Penn is offered beyond the pristine salerooms of London, New York and Paris. The fact that Sworders, selling for a long-time client from their Stansted Mountfitchet saleroom, were able to realize such a price is testament not only to the company’s capacities but also the quality of their clientele. Irving Penn is best known for his fashion photography, portraits and still-lifes. He exhibited widely and is represented in many public collections, including the Smithsonia...Read More