Michael Polak’s obsession with old bottles started innocently enough in 1974 while digging in the dirt of an abandoned dump in Tonopah, Nev. To hear Polak tell it, that dump in the former silver-mining boomtown was just about the most exciting place in the world. Of course, Polak was a man who found fun rummaging through the remains of long-ago-deserted outhouses. And if you think that’s odd, well, you’re not alone. As Polak once confessed, “just bring that up at a family gathering and you’re sure to kick the conversation into high gear.” Digging for bottles can be addictive. And…
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Danner Memorial WindowSotheby's When Sotheby’s announced the Danner Memorial Window would be up for auction, it was cause for excitement. Windows by Tiffany Studios rarely come to auction, and the Danner Memorial Window, commissioned for the First Baptist Church in Canton, Ohio, in 1913, is an especially beautiful example. Sotheby’s offered the window at its Nov. 18 Modern Evening Auction in New York; it had a presale estimate of $5 million to $7 million. It more than exceeded expectations by selling for $12.48 million, the highest price any Tiffany Studios piece has achieved at auction.This isn’t the first time Tiffany Studios…
This New England threepence, struck within weeks of establishing the first mint to be opened in the Massachusetts colony AND the future United States, is the only example known outside of a museum.Stack's Bowers Galleries A 1652 Massachusetts threepence shattered records at auction at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, selling for $2.52 million and captivating numismatists and history buffs alike. This extraordinary coin is one of only two known to exist. The tangible connection to America’s colonial past set a new record for an American coin minted before the Revolution—the prior record was $646,250 for coinage struck before the American Revolution. The…
The gold pocket watch was inscribed with a message from the three surviving widows to mark their “heartfelt gratitude and appreciation” for Captain Rostron.Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd. The sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, is one of the most famous tragedies of the 20th century. But we can’t forget that the stories surrounding it also tell of remarkable acts of bravery, heroism, and survival. A gift given to one of the greatest heroes, an 18K gold watch, just sold in England for £1.56 million (nearly $2 million in US currency), breaking the record for Titanic memorabilia.The Tiffany…
The oldest stone tablet depicting the Ten Commandments will be auctioned on December 18, 2024.Sotheby's The Ten Commandments related to the Biblical Book of Exodus make one of the world’s oldest, most famous sets of rules. They are the basis of major world religions, key tenets of moral codes, and even the inspiration for an epic film. Now, the oldest stone tablet inscribed with these rules will be up for auction at Sotheby’s. The marble tablet, about two feet tall, 115 pounds, and approximately 1,500 years old, will be displayed at Sotheby’s showroom in New York starting on Dec. 5…
Echt Altmann Mare and FoalJuanita Gartman A reader is curious about their porcelain figurine. After some research, I have found the unbridled truth (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).Question: Is there any way to date and identify this small statue? Any help would be appreciated.Answer: Your figurine, aptly called “Mare and Foal,” was made by Echt Altmann, a name associated with porcelain figurines, particularly those depicting horses and dogs. The term “Echt” is German for “genuine” or “authentic,” suggesting that these pieces are authentic works by Altmann. However, the exact origins of the Altmann brand are somewhat ambiguous.Some collectors believe that Echt Altmann…
In 1787, delegates from the newly formed United States met with the intention to revise the Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1777. They ultimately created an entirely new document: the Constitution. One hundred copies were printed and sent to the 13 states for ratification. Today, eight of these copies are known to survive, and until recently, none were thought to be in private collections. That changed in 2022 when a previously unknown copy was discovered in a file cabinet. That copy sold for $9 million recently at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, N.C. The historic document was found in a North…
Jim Marshall (American photographer, 1936-2010), Bob Dylan Kicking Tire, Seventh Avenue, New York City 1963. Gelatin silver print–printed 2001. Sold at Heritage Auctions on September 11, 2024, for $1,625.Heritage Auctions Jim Marshall’s photograph of Bob Dylan kicking a tire down a New York City sidewalk in 1963 is an iconic image that captures the youthful energy and rebellious spirit of the burgeoning folk musician. Taken at a time when Dylan was emerging as a powerful voice in the American folk revival, the photograph portrays him in a moment of playful spontaneity, kicking a discarded tire with a sense of carefree…
Danner Memorial WindowSotheby's Tiffany glass is among the most precious jewels of the decorative arts world, whether it’s in the form of an iridescent vase, a leaded lampshade, or, rarest of all at auctions, a monumental window. For the first time, Sotheby’s auction house is offering a Tiffany window in a fine art evening sale. The Danner Memorial Window, made for First Baptist Church in Canton, Ohio, in 1913, is set to sell at Sotheby’s Modern Evening Auction in New York on Nov. 18. With a presale estimate of $5,000,000 to $7,000,000, it is expected to break the record price…
CURATED at Luxury Lifestyle is a new event dedicated to emerging jewelry designers – one of my very favorite jewelry categories! I had the chance to pop up to NYC to see everything in person and I can’t wait to show you the jewelry I saw. Rings by Crevette Design Studio First things first: what is CURATED at Luxury Lifestyle? It’s a section of the NY NOW Trade Show, a select showcase of carefully chosen emerging jewelry designers’ brands that includes extra support for its participants. In the words of its organizers, Liz Kantner and Robin Kramer: “CURATED at Luxury…
