We have just updated The Gemmary's web site with our Fall 2007 Antique Scientific Instrument Catalog and Science Book List. We invite everyone to browse these catalogs - we have added a number of very exceptional instruments.
Rick & Faye Blankenhorn
The Gemmary, Inc.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Gemmary Status Update - We are home
Faye & I returned to our home on Friday at 11am. Our next door neighbor kept watch over it and let us know that it was ok; however, we did not know how close the fire actually came to us. The fire came up to our street 2 houses above us and crossed the road to start burning leaves under the avocado trees. The fire fighters planned to make their stand on Canonita, so there were fire trucks on our road all during the fire. They put out the small burn on our side of the street and stopped the fire from any further crossing - all of this about 150 yards up Canonita from us. Two houses on the next street north were totally destroyed down the hill from the burn that reached Canonita - very scary. Our house had power all week, so we did not even lose the food in our refrigerators and freezer. We are so thankful.
We are going to return to Vince & Cathy's today to pick up the Suburban that we filled with our most valuable instruments and books, and to bring our birds home - Oski (blue & gold macaw) and Chewie (black headed caique) are fine, but they both want to come home and the air quality here is good and getting better. Surprisingly, very little ash around, but a few scary large pieces of black embers that could have started burns on our property if they were still burning when they landed. Again, Faye & I want to thank all of our friends around the world who have emailed their concern for our safety. All in all, it was an experience that we do not want to have again.
We are going to return to Vince & Cathy's today to pick up the Suburban that we filled with our most valuable instruments and books, and to bring our birds home - Oski (blue & gold macaw) and Chewie (black headed caique) are fine, but they both want to come home and the air quality here is good and getting better. Surprisingly, very little ash around, but a few scary large pieces of black embers that could have started burns on our property if they were still burning when they landed. Again, Faye & I want to thank all of our friends around the world who have emailed their concern for our safety. All in all, it was an experience that we do not want to have again.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Fallbrook Fire and Gemmary Status
We had to evacuate our house in Fallbrook at noon on Monday due to the Rice Fire coming down Reche Road from I15 towards us. Faye & I and the two birds are staying with Vince & Cathy at their house in Murietta, 20 miles north of Fallbrook. We finally got confirmation this morning that all of the houses on our street survived - our next door neighbor sneaked back into Fallbrook last night and we talked to him at his home. Two houses at the top of our street were damaged and their groves were partially burned; at least one house opposite us on the street just north of us was destroyed, so it was a very close call. The Rice Fire has burned over 7500 acres in Fallbrook and destroyed over 200 homes at this time; the fire is still burning north of town, but is currently not a threat to us (however, it is reported to be only 15% contained, with full containment not expected until Sunday). The hot dry Santa Ana high wind conditions should subside today and be replaced with higher humidity cooler air flow from the ocean. If all goes well, we should be able to return to our house Thursday, or Friday at the latest, and try to get The Gemmary back in business.
Faye & I want to thank all of our friends around the world who have emailed their concern for our safety. It looks like we dodged the bullet this time and we look forward to returning to our house. I will post again when we get home.
Faye & I want to thank all of our friends around the world who have emailed their concern for our safety. It looks like we dodged the bullet this time and we look forward to returning to our house. I will post again when we get home.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Preservation, Conservation, Repair, or Restoration
There are several different levels of "care" for antique scientific instruments that should be considered by all collectors, ranging from preservation (least invasive) to restoration (most invasive) which can be simply defined as follows:
Preservation: Actions designed only to arrrest or slow physical deterioration and finish degredation - damage is left as is, but prevented from going further. Preservation activities are not intended to try to return a piece to its original condition.
Conservation: Actions designed to preserve as much of the original materials and original finish as possible, while trying to bringing the piece back to as close to its original condition as possible.
Repair: Activities involving structural repairs or reinforcements to original parts and replacement of missing or damaged parts - including the addition of new materials.
Restoration: Actions designed to bring the piece back to as close to its original condition as possible, including structural repairs or replacements and finish repairs or refinishing.
In our opinion at The Gemmary, preservation is considered manditory, conservation is considered highly desireable, repairs are undertaken only if they are required to prevent further damage to a piece or to make a piece suitable for display (minimal repairs), and all out restoration is considered only as a last resort to preserve a rare piece in very poor condition.
In future postings, I plan to discuss some of the products and options available for the materials most common in antique scientific instruments, including wood, paper, leather, and metals.
Preservation: Actions designed only to arrrest or slow physical deterioration and finish degredation - damage is left as is, but prevented from going further. Preservation activities are not intended to try to return a piece to its original condition.
Conservation: Actions designed to preserve as much of the original materials and original finish as possible, while trying to bringing the piece back to as close to its original condition as possible.
Repair: Activities involving structural repairs or reinforcements to original parts and replacement of missing or damaged parts - including the addition of new materials.
Restoration: Actions designed to bring the piece back to as close to its original condition as possible, including structural repairs or replacements and finish repairs or refinishing.
In our opinion at The Gemmary, preservation is considered manditory, conservation is considered highly desireable, repairs are undertaken only if they are required to prevent further damage to a piece or to make a piece suitable for display (minimal repairs), and all out restoration is considered only as a last resort to preserve a rare piece in very poor condition.
In future postings, I plan to discuss some of the products and options available for the materials most common in antique scientific instruments, including wood, paper, leather, and metals.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Mercury Regulations and Antique Barometer Collecting in the US
Recent and proposed legislation in various states regulating the use of mercury will seriously affect the collecting of antique barometers in the US. State legislation, part of larger bills intended to reduce environmental contamination from mercury, by making it illegal to sell objects containing mercury. Unlike in Europe, where the draft legislation exempts antique barometers as a special case, antique barometers are not exempt in most of the pending state legislation at this time.
States with active or pending mercury management legislation likely to impact the barometer trade include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. New Hampshire now has a mercury reduction law, but some of its language appears to afford sellers some leeway; Minnesota requires objects that contain mercury to be clearly labeled before sale; while a law currently being considered in Ohio that would prohibit selling mercury added products, including those for household adornment, unless the manufacturer, importer or exporter provides written notification to the state and receives an exemption. Maine recently passed a bill amending their legislation reinstating the legal trade and restoration of antique barometers, defined as instruments over 100 years old, and Indiana provides a specific exemption within its law for barometers made prior to 1980.
Some states have had mercury management laws for up to three years but their bans were not well publicised. Recent press coverage of the issue has prompted antique fair organisers in New York to ban mercury barometers and/or thermometers and medical equipment, while Sotheby's and Christie's have publicly declared their policy not to sell mercury barometers in the United States. Skinner's, the Boston auction house known for its Science and Technology auctions, will follow suit now that a Massachusetts ban has taken effect.
Most affected by the bans, however, will be the dealers across the country who sell antique barometers. Clearly their sources for buying and their outlets for selling barometers will shrink. Their access to vital parts and supplies needed for restoration will also be limited, particularly their access to the mercury needed for restoration or recalibration. Dealers hope to lobby state legislatures for amendments exempting antique barometers or for schemes that would allow a licensed specialist to sell and repair mercury added objects, but that will take time (possibly years).
Clearly, mercury management regulations, once publicized in the press, will discourage existing collectors from adding to their collection and will strongly discourage potential collectors from starting, since future disposition of a collection at favorable prices could become very difficult (including the obvious problem of finding someone willing to empty a barometer and deal with the mercury so that it can be shipped).
States with active or pending mercury management legislation likely to impact the barometer trade include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. New Hampshire now has a mercury reduction law, but some of its language appears to afford sellers some leeway; Minnesota requires objects that contain mercury to be clearly labeled before sale; while a law currently being considered in Ohio that would prohibit selling mercury added products, including those for household adornment, unless the manufacturer, importer or exporter provides written notification to the state and receives an exemption. Maine recently passed a bill amending their legislation reinstating the legal trade and restoration of antique barometers, defined as instruments over 100 years old, and Indiana provides a specific exemption within its law for barometers made prior to 1980.
Some states have had mercury management laws for up to three years but their bans were not well publicised. Recent press coverage of the issue has prompted antique fair organisers in New York to ban mercury barometers and/or thermometers and medical equipment, while Sotheby's and Christie's have publicly declared their policy not to sell mercury barometers in the United States. Skinner's, the Boston auction house known for its Science and Technology auctions, will follow suit now that a Massachusetts ban has taken effect.
Most affected by the bans, however, will be the dealers across the country who sell antique barometers. Clearly their sources for buying and their outlets for selling barometers will shrink. Their access to vital parts and supplies needed for restoration will also be limited, particularly their access to the mercury needed for restoration or recalibration. Dealers hope to lobby state legislatures for amendments exempting antique barometers or for schemes that would allow a licensed specialist to sell and repair mercury added objects, but that will take time (possibly years).
Clearly, mercury management regulations, once publicized in the press, will discourage existing collectors from adding to their collection and will strongly discourage potential collectors from starting, since future disposition of a collection at favorable prices could become very difficult (including the obvious problem of finding someone willing to empty a barometer and deal with the mercury so that it can be shipped).
Friday, August 17, 2007
Skinner's March 2007 Auction Results
Skinner's March 2007 auction of Science & Technology and Toys & Dolls brought a total of $1.35 million. High prices were achieved from the Wilbur medical collection including a Civil War surgical set by Tiemann which brought $9,987, as well as a Civil War bone-handled amputation set which sold for $9,987. Skinner's next auction of Science & Technology and Toys & Dolls is scheduled for Sunday, October 28, 2007.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Christie's Buyer's Premium Raised to 25%
Christie's have introduced a higher buyer's premium of 25% for their lowest tier (up to £10,000). That plus the usual 17.50% VAT applied to the premium, yields a total premium of 29.38% for all buyers. Most of the provincial auction houses in UK have recently raised their buyer's premiums to 20% or 22%. I expect many will further increase their premiums to 25% following Christie's lead. With the pound now over $2 and shipping expenses also up, buying at auction in UK has become very much more expensive. Buyers need to factor into any potential auction bid all costs associated with the purchase, including buyer's premium, payment costs (bank charges, credit card surcharges, and currency conversion costs), and packing/shipping charges or they may face an very unpleasant surprise upon winning and getting the bills.
Christie's are also raising the handling charges for unsold lots at South Kensington from £35/£50 to £50/£75 and imposing minimum trade and private commission rates of 15% for vendors in Amsterdam and Paris, so both buyers and sellers will see substantial increases in the costs associated with Christie's auctions.
Christie's are also raising the handling charges for unsold lots at South Kensington from £35/£50 to £50/£75 and imposing minimum trade and private commission rates of 15% for vendors in Amsterdam and Paris, so both buyers and sellers will see substantial increases in the costs associated with Christie's auctions.
Friday, August 3, 2007
To Auction or Not To Auction - (Auction Houses)
Consigning individual items or an entire collection to an auction house has always been the first choice of most collectors (or their heirs) for disposing of high quality collectibles. In the past (pre-internet), it may have been the best choice for many sellers. The major auction houses, Christie's & Sotheby's, had access to most of the serious collectors worldwide, they would handle entire collections, and their commissions & expenses to buyers & sellers were not considered excessive. Unfortunately, all of that has now changed, giving rise to many issues that must be considered before deciding to auction or not to auction.
The most critical issue is that the major auction houses will now only accept the finest and most expensive items in a collection, leaving the seller to make other arrangements to dispose of the rest. While the major auction houses may get a seller premium prices for their best items, it will certainly be far more difficult for the seller to find outlets for the rest of a collection, without its best items. The second tier auction houses will certainly atttempt to fill the vaccuum left by Christie's & Sotheby's exits from the antique scientific instrument auction market, but it will take several years for any of them to expand their base of buyers and, with four or more auction houses competing for business, it is unlikely that one or two of them will be able to dominate like Christie's & Sotheby's did, leaving the auction market splintered and none of the auction houses with access to a majority of the most serious buyers worldwide.
The second most critical issue is that the commissions & expenses to sellers have become very much higher in recent years, including packing, shipping, storage & insurance charges from the seller's location to the auction house, catalog photography, seller's commissions, unsold item charges, and packing, shipping & insurance charges for unsold items returned to the seller.
Another critical issue is that the commissions, payment costs & shipping expenses to auction buyers have also become very much higher in recent years - buyer's premiums plus VAT at UK and EU auction houses are usually 24% or higher, payment costs (bank charges, credit card surcharges, and currency conversion costs) can add another 2-4% at least, and packing/shipping charges can be downright eyepopping. As a result, many serious collectors are no longer willing to buy from auction houses, preferring instead the many other venues offered on the internet.
In light of these issues, consigning to an auction house should no longer be a seller's first choice, but should be considered as simply one choice among many now available in the marketplace and sellers should evaluate the pros and cons of each relative to their specific needs.
The most critical issue is that the major auction houses will now only accept the finest and most expensive items in a collection, leaving the seller to make other arrangements to dispose of the rest. While the major auction houses may get a seller premium prices for their best items, it will certainly be far more difficult for the seller to find outlets for the rest of a collection, without its best items. The second tier auction houses will certainly atttempt to fill the vaccuum left by Christie's & Sotheby's exits from the antique scientific instrument auction market, but it will take several years for any of them to expand their base of buyers and, with four or more auction houses competing for business, it is unlikely that one or two of them will be able to dominate like Christie's & Sotheby's did, leaving the auction market splintered and none of the auction houses with access to a majority of the most serious buyers worldwide.
The second most critical issue is that the commissions & expenses to sellers have become very much higher in recent years, including packing, shipping, storage & insurance charges from the seller's location to the auction house, catalog photography, seller's commissions, unsold item charges, and packing, shipping & insurance charges for unsold items returned to the seller.
Another critical issue is that the commissions, payment costs & shipping expenses to auction buyers have also become very much higher in recent years - buyer's premiums plus VAT at UK and EU auction houses are usually 24% or higher, payment costs (bank charges, credit card surcharges, and currency conversion costs) can add another 2-4% at least, and packing/shipping charges can be downright eyepopping. As a result, many serious collectors are no longer willing to buy from auction houses, preferring instead the many other venues offered on the internet.
In light of these issues, consigning to an auction house should no longer be a seller's first choice, but should be considered as simply one choice among many now available in the marketplace and sellers should evaluate the pros and cons of each relative to their specific needs.
Monday, July 23, 2007
How to Pack Expensive Antique Scientific Instruments for Shipping
1) Take everything apart that can reasonably be taken apart and wrap each of the individual pieces separately in bubble packing
2) Put the individually wrapped pieces and/or fragile items in one or more interior boxes to pack in a larger outer box
3) Wrap the heavy parts (e.g., microscope base) individually with lots of bubble packing and put each in a separate interior box filled with styrafoam peanuts - do not try to pack the heavy parts back into the original instrument case as they will shift during shipping and damage the case or the instrument or both - light weight individually wrapped pieces can be packed in the original instrument case and the case then wrapped in bubble packing to protect its finish.
4) Do not use tape of any kind on any part of an instrument or its case - tape will damage finish
5) Glass fronted cases will need to be protected with a layer of bubble packing over the glass, a layer of cardboard, and several more layers of bubble packing
6) Interior boxes and the instrument case should be packed in a heavy outer box (double wall if possible), with at least 2 inches of styrafoam peanut fill between the interior boxes and the outer box sides if possible - before sealing the outer box, shake it gently - if anything rattles it is not properly packed
7) Use fiberglass reinforced tape to seal the outer box - wrap tape around the box in several places to keep the box from being damaged or coming open - the heavier the box, the more tape wraps are needed
8) When in doubt, overpack some more - it is a real tragedy when a fine antique scientific instrument is damaged in shipping if a little more care in the packing process would have ensured its safe arrival
2) Put the individually wrapped pieces and/or fragile items in one or more interior boxes to pack in a larger outer box
3) Wrap the heavy parts (e.g., microscope base) individually with lots of bubble packing and put each in a separate interior box filled with styrafoam peanuts - do not try to pack the heavy parts back into the original instrument case as they will shift during shipping and damage the case or the instrument or both - light weight individually wrapped pieces can be packed in the original instrument case and the case then wrapped in bubble packing to protect its finish.
4) Do not use tape of any kind on any part of an instrument or its case - tape will damage finish
5) Glass fronted cases will need to be protected with a layer of bubble packing over the glass, a layer of cardboard, and several more layers of bubble packing
6) Interior boxes and the instrument case should be packed in a heavy outer box (double wall if possible), with at least 2 inches of styrafoam peanut fill between the interior boxes and the outer box sides if possible - before sealing the outer box, shake it gently - if anything rattles it is not properly packed
7) Use fiberglass reinforced tape to seal the outer box - wrap tape around the box in several places to keep the box from being damaged or coming open - the heavier the box, the more tape wraps are needed
8) When in doubt, overpack some more - it is a real tragedy when a fine antique scientific instrument is damaged in shipping if a little more care in the packing process would have ensured its safe arrival
Saturday, July 14, 2007
How to Ship Expensive Antique Scientific Instruments
We have been shipping antique scientific instruments around the world for nearly 20 years and have tried a wide range of delivery services. For domestic shipping, the clear winner has always been USPS Registered Mail. It has always proven to be more reliable, less expensive, and at least as fast as any other service. The size limit is 108" (length plus girth - we stock double wall 20"x20"x20" boxes as the largest box we regularly ship by registered mail); the weight limit is 70 pounds; and the insurance limit is $25,000 - yielding a maximum shipping cost of $141.85. We have had only one registered mail package lost (over 10 years ago, an entire locked bag of registered mail was lost with one of our packages in it) and we have had only one package arrive with damage - in both cases, we simply filed the necessary insurance claim forms and we received a check for the total insured value of the package plus the shipping charges within about 60 days, with no questions. This is in stark contrast to our experiences with the package delivery services (UPS, FedEx, etc.) - basic shipping charges are usually at least 50% higher (usually much higher) and it is virtually impossible to get an acceptable resolution on insurance claim for damages to a shipment of expensive antique items.
For international shipping, we have successfully been using USPS Express Mail International for several years. It has also proved to be more reliable, less expensive, and at least as fast as any other service for packages up to 79" or 108" (length plus girth), 44 or 66 pounds, and $650 - $5,000 maximum insured value (specific limits depending on destination country). We have had one express mail package to Canada arrive with damage - we had to fill out insurance claim forms several times, send in catalog photos & descriptions of the damaged item several times, fill out several other forms that were sent to us, and make several calls to the Post Office international claims office to finally get a check for the total insured value of the package plus the shipping charges (approximately $1,400). This is again in contrast to our experience with the package delivery services - we have never received any payment for any damages to any insured international package (the claims that we have filed have been denied or simply ignored, with no one to appeal to).
For international shipping, we have successfully been using USPS Express Mail International for several years. It has also proved to be more reliable, less expensive, and at least as fast as any other service for packages up to 79" or 108" (length plus girth), 44 or 66 pounds, and $650 - $5,000 maximum insured value (specific limits depending on destination country). We have had one express mail package to Canada arrive with damage - we had to fill out insurance claim forms several times, send in catalog photos & descriptions of the damaged item several times, fill out several other forms that were sent to us, and make several calls to the Post Office international claims office to finally get a check for the total insured value of the package plus the shipping charges (approximately $1,400). This is again in contrast to our experience with the package delivery services - we have never received any payment for any damages to any insured international package (the claims that we have filed have been denied or simply ignored, with no one to appeal to).
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Important Surveying Instruments Recently Sold
I would like to thank Dale Beeks - Perceptions Scientifica for providing the following information on his winter 2006 - spring 2007 private sales of important antique surveying instruments:
1) Rittenhouse Potts compass - $11,500
2 ) Rittenhouse Evans compass - $12,500
3) Oscar Hanks Bow Compass complete - $15,500
4) 17th century half circle by Wynne - $35,000
5) 1870 Gurley pocket solar compass complete - $50,000
6) 1880 Young & Sons Aluminum Solar compass - $55,000
7) Goldsmith Chandlee compass with provenance
to George Washington's nephew Laurence Lewis - $70,000
(via Auction at Cowan's in Cincinatti)
1) Rittenhouse Potts compass - $11,500
2 ) Rittenhouse Evans compass - $12,500
3) Oscar Hanks Bow Compass complete - $15,500
4) 17th century half circle by Wynne - $35,000
5) 1870 Gurley pocket solar compass complete - $50,000
6) 1880 Young & Sons Aluminum Solar compass - $55,000
7) Goldsmith Chandlee compass with provenance
to George Washington's nephew Laurence Lewis - $70,000
(via Auction at Cowan's in Cincinatti)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Is eBay still as Interesting to Instrument Collectors as It once was?
Unfortunately, the answer to that question seems to be a resounding "NO!" An informal survey of my collector customers suggests that far fewer "interesting" instruments have been offered on eBay of late when compared with the offerings of only a year or two ago. Most of my collector customers approach Ebay watching the same way I do - I actively maintain a 10-day book mark list of items of interest. The average number of items on my personal moving bookmark list over a month can be considered as quantitatively characterizing how interesting Ebay is to me during that month. Until perhaps two years ago, my 10-day bookmark list averaged some 20 to 50 items, but more recently only 10 to 25 items - i.e., eBay is less than half as interesting to me now as it was only two years ago. I think that feels about right, as do many of my collector customers, and it raises some serious questions. Has the majority of previously undiscovered quality instruments finally found their way into the hands of advanced collectors or, are more sellers now choosing to offer their highest quality items through private sales rather than through eBay auctions? Finally, is this apparent downward trend on eBay likely to change in response to the recent restrictions announced by the major auction houses regarding their future sales of antique scientific instruments? Comments welcome.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Bonhams to Expand Their Scientific Instrument Sales
I would like to thank Jon Baddeley, Bonhams Director & Group Head of Collectors' Sales, for providing the following information on their scientific instrument auction plans:
"I can confirm that Bonhams see sales of scientific and technical instruments as being key to to the future development of the collectors market and we certainly visualise it as a growth area especially as Christies and Sotheby's are now not going to compete vigorously in this market. Currently we include scientific instruments with our marine auctions - as from 2008, we will be producing two catalogues a year devoted to instruments of science and technology in London. There are also plans to start specialist sales in New York.
In my opinion it is very important that an auction house offers a vendor the opportunity to sell antique instruments in specialised auctions irrespective of value. If we are to encourage new collectors into the market, then again it is imperative for auctions to include lots at more modest prices rather than just those instruments worth in excess of £3000 . As we all know, there are some fantastically important and beautiful instruments in the £500-3,000 price range and I would have no hesitation in continuing to include such items in Bonhams auctions."
"I can confirm that Bonhams see sales of scientific and technical instruments as being key to to the future development of the collectors market and we certainly visualise it as a growth area especially as Christies and Sotheby's are now not going to compete vigorously in this market. Currently we include scientific instruments with our marine auctions - as from 2008, we will be producing two catalogues a year devoted to instruments of science and technology in London. There are also plans to start specialist sales in New York.
In my opinion it is very important that an auction house offers a vendor the opportunity to sell antique instruments in specialised auctions irrespective of value. If we are to encourage new collectors into the market, then again it is imperative for auctions to include lots at more modest prices rather than just those instruments worth in excess of £3000 . As we all know, there are some fantastically important and beautiful instruments in the £500-3,000 price range and I would have no hesitation in continuing to include such items in Bonhams auctions."
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sotheby's has Discontinued Scientific Instrument Auctions
In their 2006 year-end results, Sotheby's announced that they would be moving away from middle-range auctions to focus on sales at the top end of the global art market. Accordingly, the minimum lot threshold at Sotheby's has been raised to £3000. Scientific instrument sales have been discontinued, all catalog subscribers have been notified by letter, and the specialist responsible for these sales, Catherine Southon, has already left the company. Library globes will continue to be sold by Sotheby's and will be included in furniture sales. If some high-end exceptional scientifc instrments were consigned with other property, it is possible that they would also be included in furniture sales. I would like to thank Michael Turner, Director of Sotheby's Clock and Watch Department, for providing this information.
My immediate reaction was that the combined Christie's and Sotheby's changes would create a vacuum in the international auction market for scientific instruments, allowing Bonhams and others to expand significantly in this area, especially in England. I hope to get comments from Bonhams, Skinner's, Dorotheum, and Auction Team Koeln regarding their scientific instrument auction plans for future postings.
My immediate reaction was that the combined Christie's and Sotheby's changes would create a vacuum in the international auction market for scientific instruments, allowing Bonhams and others to expand significantly in this area, especially in England. I hope to get comments from Bonhams, Skinner's, Dorotheum, and Auction Team Koeln regarding their scientific instrument auction plans for future postings.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Christie's Organizational Changes Announced May 2007
Christie's in London will no longer be holding individual sales in the following Collectible categories:- Cameras & Photographic Equipment, Toys and Trains, Teddy Bears and Dolls, Mechanical Music, Maritime Models Instruments and Artifacts, Scientific Instruments, Popular, Film and Entertainment Memorabilia, Sporting Memorabilia. Scheduled sales continue until the end of the current sale season in July. Christie's alternative strategy will be to create two new categories of sales; "Icons of the Twentieth Century" and "Science, Exploration & Discovery" which will focus on top lots from some of the above categories and objects which have crossover interest away from the specialist collectors. The Science, Exploration and Discovery department will hold approximately three sales per year, incorporating the following categories:
Significant examples of Scientific Instruments
I would like to thank thank Michael Pritchard, Director of Christie's Photographic Auctions, for providing this information.
The implications of these changes will certainly be felt throughout the antique scientific instrument market place. Christie's clearly intends to focus on the better lots that now usually appear in their "Exceptional Instrument" sales and many lesser lots will no longer be accepted. The implications to collectors, dealers, and estates who want to sell an entire collection are clear - Christie's will only be interested in your best pieces - you will have to find another venue for the rest (e.g., smaller auction houses that usually have only limited visibility in the world market place, eBay that requires very time consuming individual sales, or dealers who will take a collection on consignment, but will also want the better pieces to compensate them for the time required to sell the lesser pieces).
Significant examples of Scientific Instruments
- Optical
- Measuring
- Surveying
- Communication equipment
- Electrical apparatus
- Calculating machines
- Astrolabes
- Time measuring
- Fine marine models
- Space
- Natural sciences
- Medical
- Discovery remains
- Atlases and maps
- Books and manuscripts
- Pictures
- Prints
- Related relics/objects
- Travel memorabilia
- Diving equipment
I would like to thank thank Michael Pritchard, Director of Christie's Photographic Auctions, for providing this information.
The implications of these changes will certainly be felt throughout the antique scientific instrument market place. Christie's clearly intends to focus on the better lots that now usually appear in their "Exceptional Instrument" sales and many lesser lots will no longer be accepted. The implications to collectors, dealers, and estates who want to sell an entire collection are clear - Christie's will only be interested in your best pieces - you will have to find another venue for the rest (e.g., smaller auction houses that usually have only limited visibility in the world market place, eBay that requires very time consuming individual sales, or dealers who will take a collection on consignment, but will also want the better pieces to compensate them for the time required to sell the lesser pieces).
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