First, from George Kocis:
What happened to auction, retail and insurance values? I think that this realignment of values reflects little more than the seller’s efforts to maximize his profits. If buyers will pay more for a decorator piece that a “collector” piece, why not.
When I was selling real estate, “values” were always a problem. In the end “fair market value” was the price that a motivated buyer was willing to pay to a motivated seller. While many of the dealers still hold to the dictum of setting the price of a piece at twice their purchase price, I think they will be left behind.
Next, Audrey Lipton who will be one of several speakers at this year’s Symposium (Sept. 18-20 in Corning) on the subject of trends and probe how we should, as an organization, says:
Thank you for your reality based thoughts about Carder Steuben and the marketplace. As a
subscriber to Antique Week, I always learn a lot about the current state of the antiques market when I read Rinker’s articles. As his is primarily a dealer’s perspective such insight is important for collectors. Here in New York where we are fortunate to have several fine auction galleries and a multitude of fine dealers, the changing market for decorative arts items is apparent. Fewer people are collecting. As many restaurant meals are going from several courses to tapas where diners kind of graze on small plates of not too serious food, the buyers of furnishings and accessories (yes, many items we think of as serious design were meant to be used or displayed as symbols of affluence) are buying pieces based on eye-appeal to accessorize very pared down environments. The reasons for this are too extensive to address in an e-mail message. But the current state of the market that has resulted from the life style changes that are all around us are important.
To begin with, serious collectors have always been rare. Collecting requires focus, endless amounts of research, time to attend museums, browse at shows and shops and dialogue with those more knowledgeable than we are. In an age where surfing the web, reading blogs, talking on cell phones, commuting, traveling, jogging, going to the gym, et al – you get the picture – there is not much time or energy left to focus on what’s on the coffee table. And let’s not forget that our cultural icons have changed. Conspicuous consumption for young people focuses on electronics like flat screen pixels and size; blackberries other gizmos that have replaced our dinosaur-like corded phones; digital photography; wireless at home communication systems; i-pods and so much more. In short, they have different status symbols from those coveted by prior generations.
Our focus, as Carder Steuben collectors, is to preserve and foster appreciation of this
extraordinary body of work. So what if instead of collectors of dozens of pieces, there are buyers of only one or two pieces. As long as we preserve and enhance the artistic value of Carder’s work, pieces will be coveted, prices for fine work will continue to grow and interest in the work will increase. Buyers of contemporary paintings are not likely to own twenty Jeff Koons or Lucien Freud pieces. Nor are museums expected to always focus on collecting the work of a single artist. Rather, curators know where to go to “borrow” pieces for their exhibitions. Anyone who pays a lot of money for a piece of decorative art – whether a collector or someone who just thinks the pieces} will look good in their homes, is going to take good care of these pieces and will also have an interest in preserving the value as well as the physical condition of the work. If a Carder vase sells for the same price as a Crate & Barrel vase it will not command much respect.
So let’s work at getting wider recognition for Carder Steuben in the current cultural environment.

Finally, Gerry Eggert recounts his experiences:
Appraisal is a different story. I had a robbery @ my home in Rochester 20 years ago. They took 50 pieces of very nice Carder era Steuben. An antique dealer was part of the robbery team! He knew his glass!
My insurance co. wanted an appraisal. Mr. Rockwell did it! No questions asked any further. The insurance Co. checked him out! No discussion. They accepted every one of his values.
So I guess value depends on who does the appraisal.
Incidentally, I never saw any of my pieces again. I had some nice stuff too.
That is one big reason I would rather donate to CMOG than let the stuff hang around here!
The police said they were probably sent to Texas!

The best comment comes from Ed Bush of Painted Post, NY. He says:
In your recent bits about the pricing of “antiques” you left out another category of prices, i.e. the Ed Bush price. This is defined as the highest price anyone has ever paid for the article, before or since.
Actually Ed, a good idea, but there is a long line of people, myself included, who think this technique should be named after them.

Then Dave Williams of Kalamazoo, MI responds to comments from Gene Kocis of Newbury Park, CA:
First, from George Kocis: …..
While many of the dealers still hold to the dictum of setting the price of a
piece at twice their purchase price, I think they will be left behind.

Dave Responds:
Amen ! I watch Carder Steuben listings on eBay and many end with no bids –
they are just over priced.
Query Dave. Who are the e-Bay bidders today? Perhaps not all of the
marketplace. Many collectors have commented to me that they don’t follow or
bid on e-Bay. Probably decorators or those decorating their homes don’t either.
Why if there are many items not bid on, on e-Bay is there so little Steuben
available at the typical antique show?