March 24, 2001
Greetings Accumulators!
And Nikki, thanks for the transcontinental prod. We did a very busy Triple
Pier Show last weekend and are just now recuperating (well, I am. I smashed
my hand into a showcase while we were unpacking. It was the same hand my
sister closed and locked in a car door years ago, so it's really hurting.
But, that's another story). I'll be taping the Sally Jesse Raphael Show
(no, the topic is not "Women with Excessively Curly Hair and The Men Who
Love Them")on Tuesday, along with colleagues Judy Martin and John Bruno. No
air date yet, but I'll get back to you on that. I've also just become the
newest columnist for AntiqueWeek, so if you subscribe to it, look for me
there. The column is called "The Antiques Barometer", and it's about the
state of the market. And if you don't subscribe, you should. You can get a
13-week trial subscription for only $4.95, by phoning 1-800-876-5133 toll
free. It's the USA's largest circulating weekly newspaper devoted to
antiques and collectibles. Try it and you'll see why.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MEN WE LOVE TO HATE
So, the Worst Boyfriend In The World has just turned 40. That's right. Ken
Carson, longtime commitment-phobic beau of Barbara Millicent Rogers hit the
Big Four Oh last week. Check out those crow's feet, girls. But, did he
celebrate by giving Barbie a ring? Of course not! Despite the fact that the
woman has excelled at every career she's tried (and there have been
hundreds), all he can think about is the fact that she's an older woman
(two years - big deal). Barbie and her friends can console themselves with
the knowledge that she's always sold WAY better than he has.
ATTEMPTED EXTORTION, NOBILITY-STYLE DEPARTMENT
Lord Dalmeny, eccentric British Royal, owns a portrait of George Washington
now on loan to the Smithsonian Institution. The famous portrait by Gilbert
Stuart, a copy of which hangs in the White House, has been on display at
the Smithsonian since the 1960s. Lord Dalmeny also happens to be, besides a
Peer Of The Realm, a deputy director at Sotheby's in London, and now he has
apparently decided to skip the goodwill gesture and make some moolah. So,
last year he warned the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian that,
unless they came up with his reserve price of $20 million by April 1 of
this year, he was going to either auction off the painting or sell it
privately. Lord Dalmeny told the Sunday Times he was sure some people would
think he was selling the painting just for the money. Now why would we
think that? He also said he really did want the painting to stay where it
is. "I think the Smithsonian is the best place" he said. How nice.
ANOTHER TALE FROM THE ANNALS OF DUMPSTER DIVING
The Associated Press reports that a woman rooting through the garbage at a
car wash in Chattanooga, TN found a scrap book containing correspondence
signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon. The book
apparently chronicled the life of one Charles Seward, grandson of William
Seward, Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln. The police, to whom the
woman who found it dutifully turned over the book, said no one has yet come
forward to claim it. They also said the book could have been taken during a
robbery and then dumped at the car wash by the thieves, who may not have
recognized its value. Should no family member or other rightful owner
appear, the police say they'll donate the book to a museum or historical
society. And I bet they won't try to put it up for auction 40 years from
now, either.
Oh, Dear Accumulators, tonight Artie and I are actually going to a movie
with friends. This is a rare thing, since He Who Is The Light Of My Life
usually refuses to go to the cinema, as a protest against escalating ticket
prices, which he says are only rising to support ridiculous star salaries.
I am so looking forward to this! We haven't had much decent weather in The
Apple lately, so no garage and yard sales - yet. Wherever you are, I hope
you're able to get out there and chase The Big Find this weekend. Have a
great week, Accumulators. Happy hunting!
Best,
Judith
© 2001 Judith Katz-Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Antiques and Collectibles Newsletter #143
U.S. Library of Congress
ISSN 1520-4464
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