Saturday, November 27, 2010

Everyone wants to know the state of the antique markets. For this newsletter, it would be the state of the Carder Steuben market. There are no statistics as there are for retailers like Wal Mart or Saks Fifth Avenue. Basically, the measurements are the experiences of dealers–of which there aren’t too many. Then it’s like asking a retailer about the results of black Friday (day after Thanksgiving). Always some degree of shading.

We can watch national auctions, and these results are public. However, there are so many unique pieces of glass–even that is then difficult to assess. However, I think many would suggest that the results for the last two years from these public auctions are Carder glass, other than the best of rarities has demonstrated softness.

I attended the Early auction on November 6. So, here is my two cents worth on the subject. First, I was surprised by how few pieces of Carder glass were in the auction compared to what I would call the norm. I heard (second hand) that because the last market was soft that Steve Early held back the number of pieces in the sale with hopes that fewer pieces to the same group of Carder collectors would help with the balance of the supply-demand balance. Personally, I don’t think it made any difference.

The more traditional “moderate” price glass sold at what I view as low prices compared to what they commanded a few year’s back. My observation is that auction estimates stated in the catalogues of many auctions have moved to a lower level from where they’ve been in the past, properly reflecting the market place.

There is what I’d call the middle market. Items that historically have gone for over $2,000 and often considerable so. Items that are semi rarities. I think a good example is #403 (p. 50 of the catalogue) The link to the catalogue is below. That is a Gold Aurene fan vase with green and white variegated heart and vine decoration. Steuben shape #6297.

http://cardersteubenclub.org/shapes/item-view.cfm?recordID=23949&back=1

This is one case where gold is much rarer than the blue Aurene and should command a premium. In the past 10 years a couple gold Aurene’s have sold at auction in the $5,000 area. On this Saturday, Early’s sold one to a delighted buyer for $1,700 before the 15% buyer’s premium.

Even the more available blues have been selling at auction from $3 to $4 thousand over the past ten years.

Another sale with similar desirability that I would use for an example is #418. p. 53 of the catalogue. This an amethyst Cintra bowl with a black lip. Normally, Cintra commands a good audience and price. This bowl had a particularly unusual color for Cintra and unusual shape. Shape #3227

http://cardersteubenclub.org/shapes/item-view.cfm?RecordID=20618 This commanded a hammer price of $1,400. I suspect at another time it would have seen prices easily north of $2,000.

Then another example is item #424. A Rosaline cut to alabaster vase in the Pekin pattern. Shape #5017. http://cardersteubenclub.org/shapes/item-view.cfm?RecordID=20931 A particularly striking pattern for this vase. I believe this vase sold for $2,650 at Early’s in 2003. On this day it would be hammered down at $1,100.

The highlight of the auction was an Intarsia goblet in blue. #7160, item #416, p. 52 of the catalogue.

http://cardersteubenclub.org/shapes/item-view.cfm?recordID=24078&back=1

This rare piece, like so many rare pieces held its value. It hammered at $24,000 before buyer’s premium.

The link to the catalogue is:

http://www.earlyauctionco.com/2010-fall-catalog/default.asp

So, it looks to me like the true rarities still command the buyers. Everything else is now on sale. Perhaps many opportunities abound in this market place.

Any opinions expressed by participants to the Gazette are the opinions of the authors and are not endorsed by or the opinions of the Carder Steuben Club
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