Researching 101

Whether you think you found a gem in your Granny’s attic or you are searching for the piece of your dreams and don’t want to get ripped off, at some point you will want to do some research.  For sure the internet has made researching items so much easier but you need to use your head and good sense to come out on top. Provenance makes or breaks value so the more you know, the better you can make decisions.  

I found this piece, NOW WHAT? 

Makers Marks, Tags, Stamps, Signatures.  All of these tell a story. If you are fortunate to have a piece with any of this information, it will greatly help you in your quests!  There is a great community of enthusiasts and collectors who have vast knowledge of makers, designers and their works who post blogs and updates.  Start your searching on google, Facebook, Instagram and my favorite, Pinterest.  There are many ads and catalogs posted either for sale or just as a reference.  These are valuable resources! 

Now what do most people ask first when they post in a group to crowd source provenance? HOW MUCH IS IT WORTH? The short answer, nothing if no one wants it. Half the battle of reselling your items is getting it to the audience who does want it and is willing to pay market value to get it.  Any legit retailer, myself include, has overhead which needs to be included in the selling price.  We are trying to cover expenses and make some money on top of it.  If this job was easy, everyone would be doing it.  It’s hard work and in 4 years, I am still not making much of a profit nor contributing to my personal finances so keep that in mind when you support the retail industry.  If anyone is getting rich doing this at this stage, i’d love to meet them! 😂

Let’s talk about some great places to start sleuthing.  Google and Google Image will pick up large auction house listings, first dibs and other online sales.  Use this as a start but be leery of claims unless there is significant proof of provenance.  There are a lot of false claims coming from the highest end markets.  

Ebay can be a great place as well and always remember to search current listings and then go one step further by clicking ADVANCED followed by checking the box for SOLD listings.  This will get you realized sales.  I also consider the source because there are many facets to retail.  Ebay does attract collectors so an in demand item may realize for top dollar, however, a lot of large items are PICK UP ONLY so to me, that seller it not really experiencing the full national market which can affect his price.   

Once you think you have figured out the origins of your piece, you can move forward into other realms.  I love Pinterest for this and have found many original ads and catalogs there.  Ebay also has been a great source for this.   

Art specific items can be fun.  I have found info in the American Art Archives of the Smithsonian, local art museums have libraries as well.  I did find a search engine (worldcat.org) covering libraries and the art museums around the country are also in the search.  I have twice used resources at the Philadelphia Art Museum and it is easy to reserve, make an appt to view and then you sign in at the desk and get a visitor’s pass.  This pass lets you spend time in the building perusing the current exhibits before you leave as well!  Parking in the residential area behind the museum is free for up to two hours!  Also note that you may even find a published book or exhibition catalog! Some leads do not amount to much but you will find out more as you go along.

Exhibit catalogs and resources I perused at the Philly Art Museum researching Marie Cuttoli and my Fernand Leger tapis which to date is my most valuable find. 

Pay sites?  I have paid for day use of ask Art and the like.  Not that impressed and most of the info was publicly available anyway, Sotheby’s and Christie’s are searchable direct.  

Print or Original?  One trick to help you determine if you have a print is to use a magnifying glass.  A print will show all the tiny dots in the ink from the printing process.  An original will not have the dots.  I started by checking a Picasso print I had so it was easy to see and then looked at my piece and it definitely was not a print.

This auction had the piece listed as a lithograph.  It is indeed an original sketch. I have no reason to believe this artist made copies as of my research to date.  I would like to travel to Connecticut to investigate some more in the museums local to where she lived.

Sculpture.  Most reproductions of sculpture are plaster, possibly hollow and were big in the 70’s.  If you find signatures of NPI, FRANKLIN MINT, AUSTIN PRODUCTS, they are def reproductions.  If you tap them they will ring high in pitch.  The usually have felt on the bottom. Some are mounted to a board or base but many just have felt covering the hollow middle.  The 2 original sculptures I have are both mounted on a base.  The bolt that hold the piece to the base is visible under the base.  Each piece is made out of a material that is denser than ceramic and makes a dull less bright noise when tapped...reminds me of striking rubber.  In both cases, they are signed by the artist down toward the base on the side or back of the piece.  My Mankowski piece has copyright symbol after his name (B. Mankowski) but it was a series he made to sell multiple pieces.  The other sculpture I have from Bette Fast only says FAST.  She seemed to sell her work privately and was not widely represented.

My two original nude sculptures. Each made of different composition materials but by touch and sound they are very similar and distinctly different than a plaster or ceramic reproduction. 

It really is interesting to see how the art world works.  I have seen relatively unknown local artists selling prints, copyrighting their works and making a living. They do not show up in internet searches but they were selling.  Buy what you love and find out what you can about it.  If you are lucky, you will be able to unravel some of the mystery!  

Happy New Year to all my friends!  I look forward to an even more exciting 2018!  Local peeps I will be having a clearance sale in my space at Fleetwood Antique Mall this month. 20% off everything, 10% off featured furnishings and Holiday items are all marked at least 50% off.  The mall is open until 3:00 New Year’s Eve. More items will arrive after I am done celebrating Christmas with family.  It is always the two weeks of Christmas for us! 👌😂🎄

Yugo I Go. Getting intimate with lounge chairs from Yugoslavia.

Little chair needs new cushions and big chair needs a makeover.  

We have all seen them.  They look danish, but not.  Straighter arms, less sculptured but still that same great look we all love.  I passed up a pair a few weeks ago because the strapping needed to be replaced and I wasn't feeling that project.  So then I find this pair.  Ok.  Seat supports are good.  A bit wobbly.  The gal at the shop was like, aren't these great??? The seats come up almost like they fold but not really!!! Skeptical me was thinking, honey, these need some serious gluing and clamping!

So fast forward a week.  I decide to start cleaning them up and getting the structure secure so I can start working on the cushions.  I need mom for that and honestly, I have no clue what color! I just picked up some upholstery scraps but not sure I have enough of any to do both chairs.  I have cream velvet.  I have brown with stripes knoll fabric, probably enough of the red Schumacher? It's so hard making color choices for a not yet found buyer.  If anyone sees these and must have, speak up and I can make custom cushions in your choice of fabrics!  

The finish is in good shape.  A little love evened out the issues without too much effort.  The wobble was a bit discerning so I wanted to find out more.  I can see some nail 'pins' and brass catches going on.  That is not gluable.  In fact, there are no exposed screws anywhere!   So I post a thread on my favorite restoration group- https://m.facebook.com/groups/671198139615447 and here is what I find out.

The screws catch into this hardware piece. 

the screws that catch.  Give them a turn or two to tighten up the structure. 

​Turns out these guys were made to flat pack! That kept shipping costs down drastically.  I further inspected and every piece has the screw and catch. The seat just lays in with pegs, plus evidence of 2 screws that's was told prevents the seat from popping up unwantedly. I was also told that tightening up those screws just a little will help it be less wobbly.  So I am working on that now.  This is important to keep in the back of your mind in case you run into one of these rickety babies!  It can be helped and it's only a matter or tightening a few screws.  These chairs are lightweight and really a pretty add to your space.  As far as shipping, they can be flat packed!  It's up to you as the buyer, but I would label everything so you can get it back together fast.  Now......what color to make those cushions!!!?!!!  

XO Malissa​

Not broke! Don't panic!  

wow! I tightened 3 screws about a full turn. Whacked the one side with a rubber mallet because it was not sliding and I am happy with it!  Very sturdy now!  These sit a little low for me...as do most mcm lounge chairs, but they will be great with new cushions! 

Instant Art Collection- Bette Fast

For those who have been following along, you know I am a sucker for regional artists and do my best to authenticate and verify the items I have.  Sometimes they find me by accident....or perhaps fate, other times, I see potential with a quick search and know I can find out more.  Art is a very personal thing.  Collect what you love, but also spend the time to learn about its creator and you may just find you love it even more for what is behind the piece.  That case is true in the pieces I picked up the other week and also in the new items I won last week.  Here is their story.......

Framed painting on canvas dated 1965 by Bette Fast. A known feminist, most of her subjects were female.

Nude sketch in red pencil on textured paper dated 1975. 

BETTE FAST, wife of HOWARD FAST (author and 1953 Stalin Peace Prize recipient- amazing story here but he wrote stories of American History best known novel was Spartacus, which was self published after he was in prison for Contempt of Congress and he was banned.  Like a celebrity scorn, he rose from the flames of being a Communist supporter in the states and had himself a highly successful career!), was a working artist from Connecticut.  She produced sketches and paintings and ending up the last 35 years of her life doing sculpture.  I found some lots of her work in an online auction and decided I found out enough about her in a quick search (not an insane amount of info, mind you, but enough to know she had a great story and I could learn more).  I managed to win the original painting on canvas at a great price.  Then moved on to a few lots of sculpture.  I knew she was a sculptor by this point, but the pieces were not identified in the auction listing.  This is where my instincts kick in and I decided i was going for them regardless, hoping to win cheap enough to be able to resell them if not what I was looking for.  There was a single piece, and another lot with a pair.  The pair looked suspect....like reproductions but I did not recognize them up front and decided to try for them all.  Sculpture is such a great thing to have placed around your space, on bookcases and credenzas.  Always a nice thing to add to my inventory.  I was able to win both lots.  Then I moved on to a pair of framed sketches by Bette.  They were both nudes in red pencil.  I was fighting someone for them so eventually dropped the battle.  Not sure if they were a Fast fan, or just a fan of nudes.  There was one more framed sketch in red pencil, a lying nude.  I won this one very easily.  So as weird as it is, you never know what drives your fellow bidders!  I added another lot of cigarette cups and ash trays to my take....I love multiple items and this set will make 11 smoke sets!  I can list them and forget it and they will continue to sell over the next year.  Overall, I was thrilled.  Pick up day last Friday meant a day spent with a friend hitting sales and thrifts on our way to and from the auction house.  I get some of my best finds in this area and it is worth the drive!  I gasp when I saw the painting!  It was much larger than I had imagined....yes, the dimensions were on the listing and no, I did not make a visual.  My friend reminded me that this is a bad move because she bought art that did not fit in her car once!  haha  The additional print was also a nice size.  As soon as I got the sculpture in my hand and felt the texture and density of the material, I knew it was a legit piece and not a reproduction.  It felt just like my Mankowski piece.  I turned it over and found the siggy, FAST.  Wow!  I scored one of her sculptures!!!! I was so excited and the piece is an amazing abstract of a woman sitting with her legs crossed.  Her head is much smaller than her body.  Interesting.  Meanwhile, I had already discovered that Howard published a book on his lovely wife's work so I located a copy on ebay and it was already purchased and en route to my house.  Although I have no reason to suspect Ms Fast sold alot of art, I did find she only had 3 exhibitions, one in LA, and the other 2 I believe were both in Connecticut (New Canaan and somewhere else) during her years.  I used the opportunity to inspect this piece with a magnifying glass and comparing to a Picasso print.  Indeed, I do believe it to be an original as is the painting.  The book arrived yesterday and there was a lovely forward by Howard and another by a friend of hers.  The care and love she shared for creating filled me with joy.  There were many photos and sketches in the book but none of my pieces were featured.  It also said most of her work resides with private collectors.  Apparently, I just found on of their estates.  I will continue to look for more info on Fast and her works.  It was an amazing find to say the least and they will be welcome into my collection.

see the dots? Picasso print. The printing process creates dots which kind of vibrate when they come into focus.  This pic is through my magnifying glass.

sketch. I think we are safe to say there are no dots here.  

The gorgeous sculpture when I first got a look at her.

 The other sculpture lot was indeed museum reproductions and included SPANISH DANCER by Edgar Dagas, which I have just listed in my shops.  1988 Franklin Mint edition.  Degas was known for his dancer and ballerina subjects.  This lovely lady is a great example of form and function.  His subjects were almost always MID MOVEMENT and in a position impossible to hold for long.  She will make a great add to a collection.  The other piece is a man hand holding a smaller female torso.  I did not recognize it but after I uncovered the artist I had to say DUH out loud!  Rodin.  I have been to his museum more than once at the Philadelphia Art Museum.  I also have a reproduction of THE KISS his most favorite work of mine.  This piece is not pristine with some chipping, but I will add it to my bookcase with THE KISS. <3 

All 3 sculptures. 

I just added a bunch of items to the etsy shop and my latest finds are mostly there for the taking.  The Lane bookcase/hutch has been sold and the only casework piece left is the Danish Hundevad piece that I moved into my space at the Fleetwood Antique Mall.  I also came home with a great chandelier we are working on restoring and I listed a plastic swag light that just got a new fixture.  Keep watching as I move quickly with this stuff and I would hate for you to miss out on something! 

With the holidays fast approaching, shop early so you do not have to expedite your package!  All of my shipping quotes are for standard shipping only.  If you want to expedite, you will need to reach out! I am available TUES, WED, FRI for regional deliveries plus I have some weekend availability.  It is not too late to add some great furnishings to your home!  xo Malissa

chandelier coming soon! 

Lastest restorations complete.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!  It was pretty quiet for us unless you count the washing machine giving up and shopping for a new one, a water leak not long after causing us hassle to dry out but luckily my inventory was spared.  So I have been busy around the house and thankful things have been pretty slow as I am sure folks are out shopping retail.  I had time to get my little projects completed including the rocking chair, which I just put the final touched on today. She is stunning!  I photographed today and sent my listing to Chairish.  If you are regional or can meet me for delivery, the etsy listing is live.  I can quote shippers for you if you need it.  

The perfect piece for a covered porch or sun room! Eclectic and Boho lovers will style it up with a Kantha or Kilim!  

When shopping vintage, I know what you will find. This chair had 2 areas of broken weave....it's now repaired. The upholstery was gross and there was an issue with the seat frame....it's now repaired and better than ever.  This chair is as comfy as it looks! 

My side project little wire bench is also complete.  I stripped a bad paint job off her (PAIN IN THE BUTT) and then added a gloss black enamel finish, new rubber feet caps and my custom cushion featuring the Schumacher indoor/outdoor fabric.  It is so adorable!  I can see this fitting a toddler perfect and what a cute bench to use in a photo shoot for the holidays or even Valentine's Day!  I can ship in 24 hours or less. 

Super cute wire bench revamped for another life. At the foot of a bed, under a vanity, prop for photo shoots....many uses! The details have been taken care of for you.

The Hundevad piece is a little wider than the Lane hutch and provides even more storage. Danish Modern is always hot. 

I just sold the Lane Rhythm hutch that was in my booth so I am currently featuring the awesome Hundevad Teak 2pc unit at my best price.  I will warn you the top part will only fit in a full size truck or van.  I am available to help deliver but only if our Vanagon is in a happy mood, no snow or salt on the ground, etc.  It is currently in the shop for winter repairs and inspection so out of commission at this moment.   As of last Friday when I made the swap, the Cathrineholm bowl is still unclaimed!  Add this $50+ valued piece to your collection by making a $200 purchase with me at the Fleetwood Antique Mall!  I have awesome gifts and some great restored furnishings waiting for you.  My local market can be kind of depressing and while I love shipping my items all over the country, it would be a super surprise to find some local MCM fans who appreciate great design and quality restored goods right here in my area.  If you are reading and have any friends who are looking for items to furnish their homes, please send them my way!  I work with interior design pros all over the country and would love to work with more local folks!

Current view. My pair of blue Heywood chairs moved to Texas.  This orange chair is sad and would love a new home too! Priced at my lowest price at the mall for self service customers.

Yesterday was the closing of the Richard Redd Scrapbook Exhibition that I was fortunate to be able to attend last month.  I got to claim my 2 original framed prints and take them home.  I took a few minutes to chat with him and meet his sweet Pomeranian who never leaves his lap.  I told him that my college did not have much of an art department but I did take an acrylic class as an elective after I switched majors.  And I said I 'stuck it out there' since I did not want to transfer.  He told me in the 1950's when he was a student at Lehigh University (where he taught and chaired the Art Department years later), they only had a 2 person art department and he 'stuck it out' as well.  Amazing how your heart leads you where you need to be regardless of what you study.  In my case, my accounting and bookkeeping career is very much useful to me as I would really be sunk if I had to hire someone!  haha  My interests in preserving the stories and histories of the small artists and especially the local and regional artists that I come across in my picking travels is always the main goal.  Sometimes it is hard to find out a lot like in the case of the Bethlehem woman who I have the beautiful floral paintings from, but in the funny way life is, I just happened to revisit google for Mr. Redd's story just in the nick of time to experience his final exhibition and was so thrilled to be able to add a few pieces to my personal collection.  I do occasionally keep items I am smitten by and tend to keep those with trees in them.  haha  The pieces I selected are very much nature inspired! <3 Now to figure out where to hang them!  I also made a donation to the scholarship in his honor that will be started for art students at Lehigh University.  Your support of my business allows me to give back to the museums and organizations that aid me in my research and being able to contribute to this cause was important to me. <3 

Have a great week and I am sure many are getting ready for the holidays!  I have many performances coming up in December with the 2 ensembles I play French Horn with and it is a busy and exciting time of the year! 

xo Malissa

Holiday Promotions Start Now! SHOP SMALL, shop often!

I have a few things to buzz about for the holiday season coming up as I get myself organized.  Here is what is happening:​

ETSY SHOP: 10% off all inventory except furniture and fabrics is on NOW THROUGH NOV 20!  Early birds are being rewarded! Stop by and see if you can knock some gifts off your list or shop for yourself, I WON'T TELL! 😜  ​

BLACK FRIDAY GIFT WITH PURCHASE.  I did this last year and prepared to do it again! I got lots of little items from Primitives by Kathy to give away!  Any etsy orders shipping from Thanksgiving through Christmas will get a free gift from me! 🎁 while supplies last but I have plenty so do not think I will run out. If you shop earlier, just message me that you want the Christmas gift and I will include in your package.  I love doing this and hope my customers like it.  GIFT WRAP? I will gladly do a special wrap or add a card for you, just message me.  Etsy wants us to charge and specifically offer it and honestly, so few people ask for it that when they do, I accommodate no charge.  I want your item to make it safely so my main concern is packing it properly. 

If this bowl were for sale, I'd be pricing it between $50 and $80.  You can claim it FREE with a $200 purchase! 

FLEETWOOD ANTIQUE MALL SPACE.  The mall may run some promos and I may participate but nothing is firm yet. Starting today in my space only (tags marked MW) I am offering up a fabulous 8" Catherineholm enameled Lotus bowl in harder to find yellow and green​.  From today through Christmas, the first person who spends $200 (in a single transaction) in my shop will be able to take this great bowl home FREE! I only ask you take a pic of you in my space holding the bowl when you claim it! 💕👌  if it goes unclaimed by Christmas, it will go back in my china hutch.  😂🤘🏼 

MAY I SUGGEST? I just stocked up holiday items, added my beautiful dining set at a crazy cash/carry price.....$1000 for 6 restored chairs and a table! I have the chairs at $1200 online without the table. Come see it, all set with glassware and china looking pretty.  I have a few great pieces on display! I also have gifts from Primitives by Kathy and lots of fun vintage goodies to choose from.  Don't forget the Lane Rhythm Hutch is also available for a crazy low price of $500!  If you are looking for a handsome bookcase or china/collectibles Hutch this could be the one! Priced for the local market and ready to use!  

Stop by and shop the mall! It really is a fun place with an awesome selection.  Let me know how you like it! ​

Took a few pics of the daybed as I removed from my showcase.  It is such a lovely piece.  If you know of someone looking for a multi use piece like this, send them my way! I will deliver in the region. Perfect for a nursery for new parents, den, spare room and more.  All newly restored with sturdy metal frame on gorgeous hairpin legs. 💙

all new foam, professionally upholstered.

Includes original details like piped edging, tufting and zipper access on the small pillows. 

Thanks for following along! I will have more updates on my rocker restoration soon! Fabric is on the way! XO Malissa