Antique Hunting, and Auctions!

ANTIQUE HUNTING IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT - FOR FUN, FOR THE COLLECTION, FOR PROFIT

MUSKOKA AS A GOOD ANTIQUE ENVIRONS

IF YOU DIDN'T JOIN MY COLUMN / BLOG PUBLISHED YESTERDAY, I WANT TO HEAD TODAY'S SUBMISSION, ONCE AGAIN, WITH THE OFFICIAL AND EXCITING NEWS, THAT I WILL BE WRITING MUSKOKA ARTIST, RICHARD KARON'S BIOGRAPHY, AS AN EXCLUSIVE TO THIS BLOG SITE. ALMOST 25 YEARS FOLLOWING HIS PASSING, HIS SON, ALSO NAMED RICHARD KARON, WILL ASSIST ME TO WRITE HIS LATE FATHER'S LONG-OVERDUE BIOGRAPHY. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I HAVE RECEIVED MANY INFORMATION REQUESTS, REGARDING THE WORK OF MR. KARON, WHO PAINTED AT A LAKE OF BAYS ART STUDIO, NEAR BAYSVILLE, DURING THE PERIOD OF THE 1970'S AND EARLY 1980'S, DISTINGUISHING HIMSELF AS A REVERED LANDSCAPE ARTIST. HUNDREDS OF HIS ART PANELS HANG IN MANY MUSKOKA LAKESIDE COTTAGES, HOMES, AND BUSINESSES, AND IN CORPORATE COLLECTIONS. KARON'S PAINTINGS ARE STILL VERY AFFORDABLE, FOR THE QUALITY OF THE WORK, AND FREQUENTLY SHOW UP FOR SALE, IN ART AND ANTIQUE SHOPS, THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE. I WILL BE MUCH MORE PROFICIENT ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM PAINTING OWNERS, AND MAKING MORE REALISTIC APPRAISALS OF HIS WORK, THAN HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY POSSIBLE. WE PLAN TO BEGIN OUR BLOG SERIES IN EARLY MARCH, OR AS LATE AS APRIL, DEPENDING ON THE WORK COMPOSING THIS FIRST-EVER BIOGRAPHY OF A VERY SIGNIFICANT MUSKOKA ARTIST. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED BY THE DIVERSITY OF MR. KARON'S ART THROUGH THE YEARS, AND WE WILL HOPEFULLY REPRINT IMAGES OF THESE PAINTINGS, FROM EARLY IN HIS CAREER, TO THE YEARS SHORTLY BEFORE HIS DEATH AT A RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE. THE FINISHED BIOGRAPHY WILL BE DONATED TO THE ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT OF THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY OF CANADA, AND THE ONTARIO ART GALLERY, TO ASSIST FUTURE RESEARCH OF CANADIAN PAINTERS. LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING A START ON THIS PROJECT.

THERE ARE LOTS OF GOOD FINDS - IF YOU'RE PREPARED TO DIG IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

FOR YEARS AND YEARS I'VE BEEN FORCED TO LISTEN TO ASSOCIATE ANTIQUE HUNTERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LOW VOLUME OF GOOD OLD STUFF HERE IN THE MUSKOKA REGION. THEY FEEL COMPELLED TO TELL ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN, HOW THE REALLY BIG BREAKS AND BEST PRIZES ARE EVERYWHERE ELSE BUT HERE. STRANGE THING THOUGH, HOW THEY STILL WORK AND HUNT HERE DESPITE THEIR OWN CONVICTIONS THAT "THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO FIND."

I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS A RUSE, WHEN THEY MADE COMMENTS LIKE THIS, ALMOST TO CONVINCE THE COMPETITION TO MOVE ON, AND GET OUT OF THEIR TERRITORY. I'VE NEVER ONCE BELIEVED THEIR CLAIMS, AND I HAVE LOTS OF EVIDENCE THEY'RE WRONG. BUT I WON'T EVER GET INTO A FACE TO FACE ARGUMENT WITH THEM, BECAUSE ANTIQUE DEALERS ARE A STUBBORN LOT……WHO WOULD FIND IT ALMOST SINFUL TO ADMIT THEY WERE WRONG ABOUT SOMETHING. WE ARE NOT REALLY A CLOSE-KNIT GROUP HERE IN MUSKOKA, AS WE ONCE WERE, BACK IN THE HEYDAY OF REGULAR AUCTIONS, WHICH ALWAYS SEEMED TO PULL US TOGETHER. THE 1980'S AND 90'S, AND EARLY YEARS OF THE NEW CENTURY, WERE PRETTY GOOD FOR REGULAR SALES, WITH COMPETING AUCTIONEERS AND LOTS OF ESTATES TO SETTLE. THINGS ARE QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT NOW HERE IN SOUTH MUSKOKA PARTICULARLY. DEALERS WHO RELY ON AUCTIONS FOR INVENTORY ARE HEADING SOUTH TO ORILLIA AND BEYOND, OR NORTH TO HUNTSVILLE, WHERE THERE ARE REGULAR MONTHLY SALES IN SEASON.

I HAVE A LOT OF AUCTION STORIES TO SHARE, IN THE FUTURE, AND IN THE 1980'S I AUTHORED A VERY SUCCESSFUL NEWSPAPER COLUMN, CALLED "THE AUCTION ROLL," WHERE I OFFERED SOME SALE REVIEWS AND BUYING ADVICE. I CAN REMEMBER GETTING VERBALLY CLOBBERED BY A HUNTSVILLE AUCTIONEER, BECAUSE I SUGGESTED IT WAS PRECARIOUS TO BUY USED MATTRESSES AND UPHOLSTERED ITEMS AT THESE SALE. WITH BED-BUG PROBLEMS AND OTHER POTENTIAL CRITTER INFESTATIONS ALWAYS POTENTIAL, BUYERS OF SUCH ITEMS SHOULD BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION OF WEE BEASTIES INTO THEIR HOUSEHOLDS. THIS WASN'T A SHOT AT THE AUCTIONEER AT ALL, AND AS I TOLD HIM, IT SHOULD BE A STANDARD CAUTION OFFERED AT EACH SALE……FALLING UNDER THE CATEGORY OF "BUYER BEWARE." SO HE GOT SO MAD AT ME, FOR OFFERING THIS OPINION, THAT HE SCOLDED OUR RECEPTIONIST, BARKED AT THE SALES MANAGER, AND REFUSED TO ADVERTISE WITH US AGAIN. ALL BECAUSE I OFFERED SIMPLE, HONEST ADVICE. I LIKED THE AUCTIONEER, AND WAS SORRY HE FELT THIS WAY, BUT IT WAS A GIANT OVER-REACTION ON HIS PART, BECAUSE UPHOLSTERED ITEMS WERE A RELATIVELY SMALL PORTION OF HIS OVERALL INVENTORY ANNUALLY. ANTIQUES WERE THE GAME THEN, IN THE 1980'S, AND IT'S THE SAME TODAY. AN AUCTION WITHOUT SOMETHING TO MOTIVATE THE COLLECTORS AND DEALERS, TO ATTEND, IS A SALE UNLIKELY TO MUSTER A LOT OF INTEREST. JUST THE WAY IT IS. AND THE WAY IT WAS.

The successful antique and collectible hunt, which always commences for us, from hometown Gravenhurst, depends on one personal characteristic above all else. Like fishing. If you are impatient, "forget about it." I've read quite a number of biographies about well known collectors and dealers, and in every one of them, patience is most definitely a virtue. I know antique dealers who are so obsessed about getting from one sale to the other, you can tell they're trying, but failing to get their brain and perception to work faster. In those grinding, smoking gears of "minds in overdrive", they're already at the next sale, speculating on the next big discovery. You tell they can't stand the suspense, of what they're missing some place else. I get a real kick out of watching them, and I wonder if they enjoy anything at all about the antique trade…..being in such a hurry all the time. We're complete opposites to most antique hunters in our region, because we don't race from yard sale to yard sale, or speed through church rummage sale, to get over to the local thrift shop, ahead of all the other imaginary competitors…….who just might beat them to some wildly precious piece. Or not! If you study the characters who travel these same routes on yard sale Saturdays, you'd concur, it is pretty funny to watch them falling over themselves in quest of some holy grail…….that probably never turns up as they would like.

I don't condemn them for being aggressive. I like to think I'm determined, just possessing a more gentle form of aggression. I certainly won't elbow or trip you, in order to cut-into the line. I don't need to, because I get some pretty good stuff by being patient, cautious, ever-watchful, approachable, talkative, and well mannered. The four Curries act the same, and put recreation and socializing into the same mix, as the enthusiasm for old and interesting pieces we might find, wherever we attend. Here's why.

In the apparent race at these sales, collectors and dealers climbing over themselves to pick up the obvious, there is little expended on "attention to detail." While the dealers I see fancy themselves proficient enough, to leave no stone unturned, my advantage generally, is that they are totally absorbed by their own over-stated biographies. They adamantly believe sale hosts always prominently profile the antiques they wish to sell at these sales. This is true in some cases. Especially pieces of furniture, like sideboards, and vintage dining room tables, chairs and cabinets. Not so much the case for old books, collectible paper, jewelry, old records, antique glass, fabric, quilts and rugs. These take a little more time and effort to ferret out, and a general willingness, to talk with the folks who have placed these materials for sale……just in case they have other items to sell, that were not thought "sale-worthy." Often a casual conversation with these folks, will turn up lots of additional pieces, either that day, or a week later, when we might get invited back to have a look-see. Those who leap through sale items, thinking they can see everything on the fly, are fooling themselves. I can walk the same route that they leaped, hopped and ran, and find something of antique or collectible value they missed by being in a hurry. As they "buy and dart," and find it a waste of time to talk with vendors, we delight in dilly-dallying, and while it doesn't always pay dividends, it can and will over time and places visited. In the same vein, I've watched many, many foolish dealer / collector types, insult vendors by making ridiculous offers, thusly offending the sale hosts. Now this not only tarnishes our reputation as dealers, but it inspires me to kick their arses for being so stupid. So we do the exact opposite. What was that old saying about flies and honey. Well it's true, and we've got a lot of proof in this regard.

Last spring, we drove to a Friday morning estate sale, a short distance out of town. It was interesting because there was an unusually large amount of antique curiosities, bits and bobbs, you don't often find at typical yard sales. Andrew was able to buy a nicely conserved radio, and cabinet for his "radio room" at their vintage music shop in Gravenhurst. While there was a large and "buying" crowd for the unusual Friday sale, we hung around for about an hour, looking in every box, and watching as the hosts kept bringing out more items to the sale tables. Andrew asked a simple question. Was there a cylinder machine (known as a Talking Machine) to go with the small collection of wax cylinders in a box, at the corner of the house. As a matter of fact, there was. But it wasn't visible. In fact, it was still in another building, and the chap wasn't even sure there was any point bringing it down to the sale. It was a real gem, with pristine, original horn, in working order, that had in fact, belonged to the gentleman's great grandfather……who had bought it new, shortly after it was released by the manufacturer. For about $450, give or take a few bucks, it came home with us, as did a small box of cylinders, that still play sweet music more than a century later. The horn alone, is valued at more than what Andrew paid the vendor. By the way, just in case you're wondering, Andrew didn't haggle the price. It's one of our traditions. We feel better this way. If we've paid what you asked for, then we can't be accused of cheating any one out of money.

The other most important personal attribute to possess, other than patience, is good manners. The hand-shake approach, following the purchase of the items you found, is an old fashion, still in vogue courtesy, that can foster the kind of relationship that extends beyond the event, the day, and the prevailing circumstances. "The call-back." Don't kid yourself. It happens a lot. The host may call you later, especially in the case of an estate sale, with an offer to show you more items in storage. I've watched so many ignorant buyers complaining about prices and quality of items, and even mouthing off to people at the sale they don't know. There are characters out there, who have a crappy track record of this, and offend most sale hosts they deal with…..because of low-balling and a profoundly rude approach. Especially at estate sales, where a death has occurred, it is a matter of common decency to show respect and kindness, to folks having a difficult time selling-off, in some cases, significant heirlooms, as deemed necessary by estate protocol. I will give you an example of this, that we experienced in our own family. Most in attendance had no idea of the circumstance, but didn't mind making snide comments to family, none the less. It was our auction to remember…..and not fondly.

Suzanne's father had stipulated in his will, that with the exception of two vintage automobiles, that all the articles from former cottage, house, and workshop be sold at auction, and the proceeds divided amongst those named in the document. It was within our rights, and it was stated at the commencement of the auction, that family had the right to bid on items being put for sale. We could have had that announcement made twenty times during the sale, and it still wouldn't have made a difference. The fact we were bidding, made others suspicious of our actions, as if we were the sale "shills" trying to raise the amount being paid for the items…..but never actually buying anything. The problem was, we didn't have the kind of money required, to get in on the bidding, for much of what was being offered at the sale, especially from the shop where Suzanne's father restored vintage wooden boats. The turn-out for the spring sale, generated a lot of interest from those collectors of old boats, and that meant it was almost impossible to out-bid any of these folks. It meant losing some family heirlooms, and even as an experienced auction-goer, every intentional jump in bid amounts I tried, to shake off my competitors, failed miserably. It might have worked for smaller, less valuable items, but these folks had the resources to jump whatever increment I made. I must have bid on two hundred items that day, but only got a very few to haul home. While it's true that money raised was dispersed to beneficiaries of the will, some things had a personal attachment that was worth well more than the cash received for the sale.

There was an old lantern that used to hang in her father's kitchen, that I had always admired on visits. It was a navigational light, with an oil lamp for illumination. When it came up, I'd just moments earlier, spent a thousand dollars to buy-back a flat-to-the-wall cabinet Suzanne really wanted. I was on shaky financial ground, spending much more, but I had got it into my mind, "the lamp is coming home too!" The bidding was aggressive, and once again, large incremental bids weren't deterring my competitors. It was just shy of one hundred dollars, and I didn't have another dime to bid. I won. I couldn't believe it. While I hadn't been able to identify all the bidders who were vying for the lantern, I suspected an old acquaintance of ours, had been "upping" the bid with considerable enthusiasm. That was fair, just as my right to bid. When I took possession of the lantern, following the bid, this same gentleman approached, and made a comment that frankly stunned me, because of the sour look on his face, and the fluid sarcasm from his mouth…….definitely pissed-off that I was bidding on auction pieces in the first place. I didn't respond. I knew him as a friend, not as an adversary. Seldom being at a loss for words, you know, I couldn't make a summation at that point in the day……without physically throttling someone. Suzanne had been crying on and off all day, as were the boys, watching their grandfather's possessions being hauled away by people they didn't know. I remember one friend of Suzanne's father, saying to me……"He would have been very upset to know his prized possessions were to be auctioned off like this." I looked him in the eye, feeling as if my head might actually explode and cause collateral damage. "Well, that's a funny thing sir, because this was his doing, not ours. That's right. He demanded the estate be settled this way. Not any other way. This way!" There were other words tumbling in my mind, at that moment, but suffice to say the man choked on his coffee, and decorated his shirt with mustard from his flying hot dog.

Ninety-nine point nine percent of the people that day, believed we were inflating the auction prices by repeatedly bidding. There really wasn't much we could do, but endure the snide comments, and nasty glances, in order to buy back a few keepsake pieces, that had also belonged to Suzanne's mother, who had passed away many years earlier. What made it particularly unhappy, was that she had identified items to Suzanne, before her death, that were to be kept in our family, from portraits to pottery that had come from her family's homestead a century earlier. It was a depressing event but necessary. So when I suggest that sale-goers refrain from instant judgements, and getting all flustered because things don't go their way, it might be the better, more fulfilling and benevolent way, to be considerate and mannerly as a standard protocol. There are many folks who have to sell off pieces, to raise money in order to pay bills. Have a little compassion for circumstance. The "me" thing…..and "I'm so important" attitude, is a self destructive way of doing business, especially in the antique trade, where patience and kindness are the best qualities to possess, when trying to acquire antiques and collectibles……under the duress of circumstances I've described above.

In the next blog, I'll tell you about one of the most unfortunate sale circumstances I found myself in…….when we bought items, just to donate them back to the owner. A sad day but legally necessary. Where have you read that before?