Auction Talk Germany: Auction experts under way

Ketterer Kunst, Munich, has one of the most extensive touring schedules with 20 stops. In addition to visiting Hamburg and Dusseldorf where they have offices, they are also traveling to Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and the U.S.A.

“These are some of the most important regions for us and our clients do appreciate the personal contact,” noted Robert Ketterer, managing director of Ketterer Kunst. “It makes their lives so much easier if they do not have to pack up their works and carry them to us to obtain an expert's point of view or a valuation.”

Collectors love the chance to talk about their collections, and the auction experts welcome new and returning customers. Not every stop on the tour turns up a new-to-the-market Old Master, but the exchange is mutually good.

“With regards to Old Masters or even the top paintings of Modern Art, it does get more and more difficult to obtain high class pieces, as the most important works are tugged away into major museums or permanent collections. Unlike in Contemporary Art, the artists have died, and it is only on very rare occasions that one of their masterpieces appears on the auction market,” said Ketterer.

“One of the more exciting works we obtained at a valuation day was Otto Griebel’s watercolor Zwei Frauen. It was estimated at €30,000-40,000 ($39,800-$53,000) and ended up fetching €158,600 ($210,456).”

The Griebel painting is a rarity. A great deal of this Dresden artist’s work was purposely destroyed following its inclusion in the 1937 Nazi-organized Degenerate Art Exhibition, which ridiculed Modernist art. Griebel’s remaining works were sadly depleted during the Allied bombing of Dresden in February 1945.

As a tangible investment in this climate of insecure stock markets and world currencies, such a scarce work is very attractive. Robert Ketterer reported that 2011 was the most financially successful year in the firm’s history, with sales over 29 million Euro (nearly $39 million). Increasing prices draw potential sellers to Expert Days, and may bring us unexpected treasures in the very near future.

For an appointment and a complete schedule of Expert Days visit www.KettererKunst.de

Here is a sampling of other Auction Houses with experts under way, possibly in your own neighborhood:

Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen, Heilbronn, will be in Munich on March 1-2; Hamburg and Bremen on March 7-9; Zwiesel and Munich on April 18-20. An appointment is requested. Contact them at www.Auctions-Fischer.de

Hauswedell & Nolte, Hamburg, will be in Stuttgart on Feb. 29; Munich on March 2; Zurich on March 5; and Freiberg on March 7. Appointment requested. www.Hauswedell-Nolte.de

Karl & Faber Kunstauktionen GmbH, Munich, will be in Offenburg on Feb. 29; Dusseldorf on March 5-7; Karlsruhe on March 7-8; Cologne and Bonn on March 7-9; Nuremberg on March 14-16; Salzburg on March 21; and Innsbruck on March 23. Contact them at www.KarlundFaber.de

Lempertz, Cologne, will be in San Francisco on Feb. 21-23; in Paris on Feb. 23-24; in Munster on Feb. 24; and in Switzerland on Feb. 28, and March 1-2, 8-9. Appointment requested. www.Lempertz.com

Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen, Munich, will be in Parma on March 1; in Brussels on March 6, and Vienna and Salzburg on March 5-7. Contact for appointment. www.Quittenbaum.de

Auction Talk Germany: The Art of Protection

The collection of 600 objects will be sold in a two-part cooperative auction beginning Dec. 13 at Pierre Bergé & Associés, Brussels. The second auction will be held in June 2012 at Hermann Historica oHG, Munich. Surprisingly, in addition to 40 full suits of armor, 120 helmets, swords daggers, shields and guns, mounted and preserved crustaceans are a part of this sale.

The reason for this is clear. Klingbeil’s deep interest in the way the human form was clad and protected in hand-forged metal related to the way these members of the animal kingdom are protected by their own natural armor.

“The Art of Protection,” as sale is titled, includes many treasures not often available for sale: a 16th century Milanese armor intricately etched and gilded from head to toe, credited to master Pompeo della Chiesa; a decorative 16th century Venetian parade shield made for Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg; and a parade saber with coral-set hilt made for the Electors of Saxony, 1620-30.

Some of these pieces were formerly in the collections of such notables as William Randolph Hearst and Lord Astor of Hever.

Karsten Klingbeil is as interesting as his collection. At 14 he knew he wanted to become a sculptor and always pursued this dream, but life got in the way. Following time as a prisoner of war during World War II, he returned to Berlin and financed his art studies by newspaper distribution and an employment service for students. He started a construction firm that became wildly successful. In a 60th birthday present to himself, he sold the company and focused on sculpture full time.

His sculptures, not surprisingly, involve the human form. And as an artist he writes not of war, but of man living in harmony with his natural environment. Maybe that is why his armor collecting has run its course.

Whatever the reason, “The Art of Protection” is an arms and armor auction that will be long remembered.

For details on the auctions please visit www.Hermann-Hostorica.de ; to see Klingbeil’s sculpture see www.KarstenKlingbeil.com

Upcoming Auctions

Dec. 6-11: David Feldman, Geneva. Stamps, covers and collections covering such themes as the Olympic Games, Belgium and Switzerland. www.DavidFeldman.com

Dec. 8-10: Auktionshaus Kaupp, Sulzburg, holds three autumn auctions. Jewelry and watches, Dec. 8; Modern and Contemporary art, Dec. 9; and handcrafts, antiques and paintings on Dec.10. www.Kaupp.de

Dec. 9: Van Ham Kunstauktionen, Cologne sells classic and contemporary photography. www.van-ham.com

Dec. 9-10: Kunsthaus Lempertz, Cologne, Asian art. www.Lempertz-online.de

Dec. 10: Ketterer Kunst, Munich, offers a sale of Modern art, art works after 1945 and Contemporary art. www.Kettererkunst.de

Auction Talk Germany: Prices for Swiss-born artists climb

If there is a household name in Swiss art, it must be Giacometti. Artworks by both father Giovanni Giacometti (1868-1933), who painted in a color-rich impressionistic style, and son Alberto (1901-1966), known for lanky human sculptures, have brought astoundingly high prices at auction.

Alberto Giacometti’s Walking Man I astounded the art world when it was sold for the record price of $92.5 million (67.2 million euro) by the Dresdener Bank at Sotheby’s London in February 2010.

This past June Giovanni Giacometti’s Haus und Weg in Capolago, 1921, fetched 1.4 million euro ($1.9 million) at an auction house in Zurich. Since his painting Die Mutter, 1911, brought nearly three million dollars (2.18 million euro) at a Christie’s auction in Kunsthaus Zurich in 2007, prices for his paintings have remained determinedly strong.

Painter Albert Anker (1831-1910), may have spent his career painting people in simple, everyday settings. However, his portraits are fetching far from everyday prices. Dobiaschofsky Auktionen AG sold the 1882 Bildnis eines Mädchens last May for 220,000 Swiss franc ($251,000). The small, loosely rendered oil painting more than doubled its 70,000 Swiss franc ($79,900) estimate. In June, a slightly larger, more refined pair of children’s portraits by Anker auctioned for 7.3 million Swiss franc ($8.5 million) in Zurich.

Both Germany and Switzerland lay claim to expressionist Paul Klee (1879-1940). What cannot be disputed is the magic his signature has at auction. His painting Tänzerin, 1932, sold last June at Christie’s London for over $6 million (4 million euro).

Works by Swiss painters Ferdinand Hodlers (1853-1918), Cuno Amiet (1868-1961) and Felix Vallotton (1865-1925), have brought consistently increasing results at auction. Collectors value them for their classic genre and finely rendered images, which are easy to live with.

Art collectors with an eye to the future may want to take a look at these active Swiss-born artists:

Urs Fischer (1973), has been called the world’s most expensive living artist under the age of 40. Fischer creates elaborate installations using drawings, sculpture, collage and surprising elements such as live birds and fresh fruit. One of his untitled works sold last May at Christie’s New York for $6 million (4.3 million euro).

Peter Fischli and David Weiss, a Swiss artist team creating together for 25 years, saw their best-known work, Der Lauf der Dinge, auctioned for $700,910 (512,486 euro) at Christie’s Zurich in 2008. This film records a chain reaction of inanimate objects, set into motion through clever use of the “domino effect” and chemical reaction.

Finally, Ugo Rondinone’s multimedia paintings, large-scale drawings and sculptures have reached prices in the $450,000-$500,000 range (324,000-360,000 euro). Such an upturn in price is unusual for a working artist.

German Record Set for Chinese Table

With a nearly 1.33 million euro hammer price ($1.8 million), a finely carved red sandalwood table from the 17th century Qianlong Dynasty returned to its cultural roots. A buyer in Hong Kong placed the winning bid with Nagel Auktionen GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart at their sale on Aug. 27. This broke the German auction record price paid for a single piece of Asian furniture. It also shattered Nagel’s estimate of 65,000 euro ($89,000) for the seven-piece group of Chinese furniture, which ended up bringing 2.6 million euro ($3.56 million). This price included the buyer’s premium. The table was originally from the estate of Dr. Edmund Dipper (1871-1933), former director of the German Hospital in Peking. The seller bought it at a time when such antiques were bringing very little money. The majority of pieces in this Stuttgart auction were sold to buyers in China.

Upcoming Auctions:

Sept. 23-24 – Auktionshaus Michael Zeller, Lindau. 110th International Bodensee Auction including African tribal art, Asian handcrafts, paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, plus furniture, porcelain and much more. www.Zeller.de

Sept. 24 – Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen, Trappensee-Schlösschen, Heilbronn. Their 200th Jubiläums Auction Features 200 Masterworks including paintings, sculpture and Art Deco and Jungenstil Glass. www.AuctionsFischer.de

Oct. 1 – Auction Team Breker, Cologne. Photography and film auction including stereophoto cards, spy and novelty cameras, and photographs. www.Breker.com

Oct. 5-6 – Nagel Auktionen GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart. Art and antiques. www.NagelAuktionen.de

Oct. 7-8 – Schwarzenbach Auktion, Zurich. International postage stamps, letters and post cards, with an emphasis on Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Europe. www.Schwarzenbach-Auktion.ch

Oct. 19-22 – Galerie Bassenge, Berlin. Decorative graphics, valuable books, autographs and a special catalog of Karl May. www.Bassenge.de

Nov. 23-25 – Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger, Munich. Antique coins and medallions; antiques. www.CoinHirsch.de

Nov. 23-25 – Galerie Fischer Auktionen AG, Luzern. Modern and contemporary painting; old master works; Swiss and Russian art; arts and crafts and furniture; silver and jewelry. www.FischerAuktionen.ch

Nov. 24-26 – Villa Grisebach Auktionen GmbH, Berlin. The auction house celebrates 25 years with five different sales—classic and contemporary photography, art of the 19th century, selected works, and the “Third Floor” auction featuring art works with an estimated value of up to 3000 euro. www.Villa-Grisebach.de

Auction Talk: In an age of e-books, collectors still want originals

“There were only two people fighting over it at the end. It gets very quiet in the room when that happens,” said Dr. Markus Brandis, director of the book department at Bassenge Kunst und Buch Auktionen, GbR, Berlin.

The hammer fell at an astonishing 55,000 euro ($79,200). The winning bidder was Russian, part of a trend Brandis has noticed of wealthy Russians buying back their own literature and culture.

In an age when e-books make important volumes easily accessible, collectors still have a desire to hold the original work in their hands.

Since 2007 Brandis has watched the book sales at Bassenge increase three-fold. Their last auction broke the 2 million-euro mark, partly because of the increasing value of incunables, books printed with moveable type fonts between 1454 and Dec. 31, 1500.

Twenty-five years ago the majority of Bassenge’s customers were institutions, libraries and museums. Now, due to tighter budgets, they make up only 20 percent to 25 percent of the business. Private customers, looking for everything from children’s books to ancient atlases, literature to travel logs, buy the rest.

“They really collect everything we offer,” said Brandis.

“Our customers come from all over the world,” noted auctioneer Piet van Winden of Adams Amsterdam. “Private collectors, scholars and institutions have been with us from the start in 2009.”

Van Winden credits their growing customer base to unorthodox marketing techniques, such as having preview exhibits at De Bijenkorf, the largest shop on Dam Square in Amsterdam, and at the ING Bank headquarters in Antwerp. Since spring their auctions are now held in the magnificent 17th-century canal-side mansion Het Grachtenhuis, which also houses a canal museum.

“We hired buses in order to receive all the Belgians who read about our Hugo Claus auction in their newspapers,” said Van Winden.

As an outstanding sale, he cited a Stedenboek or town atlas, by Joan Blaeu auctioned for 340,000 euro ($497,679) in October. Condition as well as content is reflected in the stellar price. This volume by the 17th-century cartographer includes intact plans and maps for all of the cities, fortresses and sieges of the Dutch.

“Don’t be too easy on the condition of books you buy,” advised Van Winden. “It’s always depressing to come across a better copy when you just spent a lot on a poor one.”

There is a thrill to being able to consult an original source such as this, or include such scarce works in one’s own private library. But does one dare touch – say, a 40,000-euro ($57,600) copy of Karl Marx’s Le Capital such as the one auctioned at Bassenge – or better to leave it safely on the shelf?

“You are able to touch antique books – OK, you should wash your fingers first, but stop with this nimbus that they are holy,” said Brandis. “They were made to be read. And often times the paper, glue and bindings in antique books are better than that of modern books.”

“Naturally – but hardly necessary to mention – dry rooms and no extreme changes in temperature,” noted Peter Kiefer of Kiefer Buch und Kunst Auktionen, Pforzheim, when asked about storage of antique volumes.

“Keep them as they are,” recommended Van Winden. “When you like old books you have to realize that you are only the temporary owner, and you wouldn’t want to be the one who spoilt them in a few minutes after they were preserved as they are for hundreds of years.”

Welcome to LiveAuctioneers member E.P. Deutsch Auctioneers

Few auction houses have a family heritage of 120 years in the antiques business, but new LiveAuctioneers member E.P. Deutsch Auctioneers, Vienna, has such a history. From an initial trade in 1890 to ease their finances, antiques became a family fascination and the chief business.

After World War I the family opened two shops in the historical center of Vienna, but these were lost at the start of World War II. In 1949 Hugo Deutsch opened a store in London, and in 1954 Friedrich Deutsch opened a shop in Vienna, with auctions starting in 1972. Both branches are still in existence.

Paul Deutsch has directed the Vienna auction house since 1985. They specialize in European antiques from the 18th to 20th centuries, with many a unique and curious object thrown into the mix. For more information visit www.deuart.at

Upcoming Auctions

June 30 and July 1 – Hampel Kunstauktionen, Munich. Furniture, paintings, books and much more. www.hampel-auctions.com

July 2 – Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen, glass auction in Zwiesel. www.auctions_fischer.de

July 6 – Neumeister, Munich, antique artwork. www. Neumeister.com

July 8 and 9 – Allgäuer Auktionshaus, Kempten. Big summer auction with glass, silverware, porcelain, religious art, toys, beer steins, and more. www.allgaeuer-auktionshaus.de

Auction Talk: Spring auctions provide a touch of Vienna, Russia

Since their beginnings in 2001, art historian, owner and auctioneer Carolin Bergner and her partners have worked hard to make Von Zezschwitz Kunst und Design a specialty auction house for Jugenstil, Art Deco and Modern Design, as well as contemporary art. The April 14 auction at their Munich gallery, featuring Art Deco, Jungenstil and Applied Arts of the 19th and 20th century, does not disappoint.

The focus of the 600 offered lots is Viennese furnishings, including several items by designer Josef Hoffmann. Hoffmann was among the designers to begin to incorporate the technique of bent wood into his pieces after the Thonet Brothers patent expired in the late 1800s. Of special interest is Hoffmann’s bentwood design writing desk with brass rivets in black and green, circa 1901 and crafted by Jacob and Josef Kohn, Vienna. The desk, lot 551, is estimated to sell for 18,000 Euro ($25,632).

Von Zezschwitz has a Design and Murano Glass Auction planned for April 15. Those who enjoy modern and contemporary art should mark their calendars for their auction on May 19. To view online catalogs, visit www.von-zezschwitz.de

Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen, located in the fairytale Trappensee-Schlößchen in Heilbronn, is known for their glass auctions. But they have also carved out a specialty niche for themselves with their Russian Art and Icon Auctions. Their sale on April 14 is rich with Russian silver, porcelain, glass and other handcrafted objects. It includes Russian poster art as well as paintings that provide a glimpse into the country’s landscape and culture.

The Russian religious icons, with their brilliant color and glints of gold, take center stage at this auction. At the top end of the scale is lot 102, a large (27.2 x 27.4 inches) icon showing the baptism of Christ, painted around 1600. The traditional three-band vertical composition places Christ in the center balanced by John the Baptist on the left and three angels on the right. The work has an estimated price of 22,000 Euro ($31,328).

However, there is a great price range to these lovely art works, and smaller, newer icons in the auction start out at estimated prices of 120 to 150 Euro ($171-$214).

Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen has scheduled their next art and antique auction for May 14. To view their online catalogs, visit www.auctions-fischer.de

LiveAuctioneers welcomes new member

“We have worked with large auction houses like the Dorotheum and Christie’s as well as private customers and decided to try online auctions with Live Auctioneers,” said Simon Jahn, owner of The Jahn Gallery, Paul Ehrlichgasse 23, Vienna.

The gallery, which opened in 2007, represents artists from Europe, the USA and Bali, Indonesia at exhibits worldwide. They now plan to hold auctions for their nonartist clients through www.LiveAuctioneers.com The Jahn Gallery’s new exhibition and auction facility is scheduled to open in Vienna in October. Their website, www.jahngallery.com, should be operational in May.

Upcoming Auctions

April 28 to May 12 – Hermann Historica oHG, Munich, auctions 7,700 objects including antiques, weapons, handcrafts, hunting items and militaria. www.hermann-historica.com

May 3 and 4 – Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen, Munich, two-day sale has Jugenstil, Art Deco and Modern Art on May 3; Metal, Silver, Jewelry and Bronzes will be auctioned on May 4. www.quittenbaum.de

May 13 – The Lempertz spring arts and crafts auction in Cologne is filled with porcelain, furniture, jewelry, miniatures and more. www.lempertz.com

May 14 – Ketterer Kunst hosts Modern Art with Collection Schiefler in Munich. The focus of the auction is Expressionism, including works by Emil Nolde and Erich Heckel. www.kettererkunst.de

May 26 to 28 – Bassenge Kunst und Buchauktionen, Berlin, three-day sale features Print Graphics from the 15th to 19th century; Old and New Master drawings and paintings from the 15th to 19th century; and Modern Art. www.bassenge.com

May 26 to 28 – Villa Grisebach, Berlin, offers selections from the collection of Dolf Selbach. Willi Baumeister, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Paul Wunderlich, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and other contemporary artists are highlighted. www.villa-grisebach.de

May 28 – WestLicht Auction, Vienna, has a delectable selection of antique and contemporary photographs, including an unusual early Daguerreotype Porte Notre Dame by Auguste Rosalie Bisson, 1842, estimated at 60,000-80,000 Euro ($86,716-115,621). www.westlicht.com

Auction Talk Germany: BDK continues to quietly fight art forgery

In light of this, it is not surprising that the most important agenda item for the Bundesverband deutscher Kunstversteigerer (BDK) is “Fighting Forgeries.” The organized group of German art auction houses has actually been doing this for some time.

“I initiated the Databank of Questionable Works (Datenbank der kritischen Werke) about five years ago for the BDK,” said Markus Eisenbeis, director and auctioneer for Van Ham Kunstauktionen, Cologne.

He originally envisioned the databank as a place where the members of the BDK could enter and share information on questionable works of art. The database was not meant to be a list of forged works, but a list of pieces with a doubtful provenance or problematic histories. The information in the databank was to be maintained and expanded only by BDK members.

“However, because the acceptance of this lagged behind my expectations, I permitted the databank to become a budgeted project when I was vice president of the BDK in 2009,” said Eisenbeis. “The funds went to diverse experts, artist heirs and archives to enter recorded forgeries into the databank. Consequently there are meanwhile over 1,000 works documented and the database has a solid foundation for further expansion.”

Eisenbeis and the BDK are still weighing the legal and financial responsibility required if the databank is expanded to include other German art organizations. Only when the cooperation and financial support of the German art organizations are in place, does Eisenbeis foresee linking the database to other art organizations internationally. The sharing of this information with other art professionals could greatly hinder the incidence of forgeries on the international art scene.

In the case of the alleged German art forgery scandal, the operational tactics were especially insidious. No one walked into a gallery carrying a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. That would have been too obvious. Instead, lesser known artists of the early 20th century were targeted – Johannes Molzahn, Heinrich Campendonk and Max Pechstein, among others. The paintings were considered to be unknown, not appearing in the artist’s own inventories and never having been photographed. Provenance was convincing, but fictional.

“In reality it is only possible to prove provenance with much difficulty, when one gets no information from the person who brings in (the artwork). Often it is the heir who has inherited the piece with no documentation and also has no knowledge himself of where the work has come from,” said Eisenbeis. “This is generally valid for the lower price segment, especially for Arts and Crafts pieces that are often not one-of-a-kind.”

Eisenbeis recommends that people shopping for authentic artwork never try to find a bargain, and buy only through serious auction houses and art dealers. They should have, whenever possible, a certificate written by an internationally known art expert.

“With artists whose work is expensive, there is the danger of forgery. With such artists it is often not the oil paintings, but especially the watercolors and drawings that are forged, because these are often not completely documented,” said Eisenbeis. “There is also danger with artists who have not left a competent estate, for example not taken care to archive their work.”

As auctioneer, Eisenbeis treads carefully when a masterwork from Rubens or Picasso is offered to a German auction house. He is realistic enough not to imagine it is a first choice masterwork. He recommends suspicion when important, expensive artwork is offered for value prices and there is no competition to buy it. Paintings over 100 years old in perfect condition also set off warning bells for him, as do rare works that pop up too often.

“In early 2010, for example, we auctioned a painting by Expressionist Arnold Topp from the year 1918. In autumn we were again offered a painting from this year. Another auction house also had a work in early 2010 from 1918,” said Eisenbeis. “In autumn I contacted my colleague from the other auction house, and he also had a second work from 1918. When both pieces were scientifically examined, one was determined to be a forgery. Thank God not the one from our auction house.”

Science, it seems, can be very revealing. One of the paintings involved in the alleged forgery scandal is said to contain a paint color formulation that was not available at the time the work was supposedly painted. This stroke of modern color was the red flag that led to further investigation. And while the full extent of the damage is not yet known, even museum collections may be effected.

Meanwhile Eisenbeis and the BDK continue their project to make the purchase of authentic artwork more secure. Eisenbeis expects to resume talks with other German art organizations this year in order to further expand the BDK Database of Questionable Works.

The Final Tally

The Hoffmeister Collection of Meissen Porcelain, auctioned in three sales by Bonham’s London, gleaned close to a total of 3,553,000 euros (about $5 million). The sale put many of the pieces back into the hands of the original families who once owned them. Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis retrieved a Meissen saucer made for a Thurn und Taxis armorial service with a winning bid of just over 6,390 euros ($8,834). Only two other recorded pieces of this armorial service still exist.

Another astonishing auction result was the December 2010 hammer price for Kinderköpfchen by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner at Ketterer Kunst, Munich. This 1906 transitional Expressionist work breezed past its estimate of 400,000 euros (just over $550,000) to finish at 1,740,000 euros ($2,406,107).

In other news, Doebele Galerie + Kunstauktionen have moved into their new branch offices at Gartenstraβe 3 C in Berlin. The space is near their existing gallery, which is currently displaying “Max Ackermann – Late Pastels.”

Upcoming Auctions

February

15 – Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen, Munich. "La Dolce Vita" Design und Murano Glass; The Dolf Selbach Collection of Jugendstil glass. www.Quittenbaum.de

15 and 16 – Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger, Munich. 1,400 Antique Art Objects in glass, stone, clay and metal.; Feb. 17 and 19. Coins and Medallions. www.Coinhirsch.de

March

3 and 4 – Yves Siebers Auktionen GmbH, Stuttgart. Art, Antiques and Toys, including the collection of Majolica Manufacturers like M. Heinze, W. Süss and A. Müller. www.Siebers-Auktionen.de

5 – Schmidt Kunstauktionen, Dresden. Artwork from the 17th to 21st Century. www.Schmidt-Auktionen.de

12 – Anticomondo GmbH, Cologne. Toy Auction. www.Anticomondo.de

12 – Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion Heidrun Höhn. Coins and Medallions. www.Numismatik-Online.de

14 to 17 – Preview at Sotheby’s, Amsterdam; auction at the Rai Theatre, Amsterdam. Property from the Estate of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands to be sold for the benefit of charity. www.Sothebys.com

26 – Auction Team Breker, Cologne. Photographica and Film. www.Breker.com

Auction Talk Germany: Focus on WestLicht in Vienna

“The whole business has grown insanely in the last years,” said Reinhart. He modestly calls himself “sort of a film maker,” but declined to declare a job title because his work at WestLicht is so varied.

“First came LeicaShop, founded by Peter Coeln about 18 years ago,” explained Reinhart. “It is not associated with the Leica company, but he (Coeln) has a good relationship with the company and is the only one in the world allowed to use the Leica name in this way.”

The sale of new and vintage Leicas and cameras from every major camera manufacturer expanded to include photographic accoutrement and delightful collectibles such as spy, stereo and panorama cameras, magic lanterns, and even some camera literature and advertising.

Coeln intended a symbiosis between the technical and the artistic, the informational and the creative, when he started WestLicht as a photography gallery in 2001.

“The auctions started about eight years ago and were almost an immediate success,” said Reinhart.

Not that the beginning wasn’t rocky. Twenty minutes before the start of the first auction the auctioneer had a heart attack and had to go to the hospital.

“Usually people are asking, ‘Is there a doctor in the house?’ We had to go out into the audience and ask, ‘Is there an auctioneer in the house?’” recalled Reinhart.

Fortunately James E Cornwall, who had recently closed his own photography auction house in Cologne, was in the audience and volunteered to take over.

“He ended up staying on as auctioneer for 4-5 years, which was a really good transition for the customers of Cornwall’s,” noted Reinhart.

WestLicht conducts camera and photography auctions. Since the first image of reality was captured in 1826, the photographic process has reinvented its self many times: Daguerreotypes, glass negatives, large format film photography, 35mm film, Polaroid, pocket cameras, disc cameras, digital cameras. WestLicht’s customers are as diverse as the medium.

“With the camera equipment, it’s a close, small society of enthusiasts. They have their thing and they communicate amongst themselves,” said Reinhart. “I know people who have to have everything. They have museums in their basements with everything tagged. Others are interested in the antique cameras and lenses because they produce a very special kind of look.”

The photography field, noted Reinhart, is much more open to collectors. Customers at WestLicht photo auctions may be searching for a certain genre such as trains or landscapes; photos taken by a favorite photographer; photos made using a specific photographic process, or even classic photographs as an investment.

The photographic art of tomorrow is being generated today. Reinhart is enthusiastic about the small group of 20-somethings who are very interested in using analog cameras and darkrooms to create their art. He said there is also a resurgence of interest in the Polaroid method.

“Analog photography still exists and people still care about it,” said Reinhart. “There is a return to handcraft in photography – a lot of good work is being done.”

WestLicht will hold separate camera and photography auctions on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Highlight of the camera auction is a black lacquered Leica MP2 with a Wetzlar motor, one of only six examples made in the late 1950s, estimated price 150,000 to 180,000 Euro. A tiny 1890 Lancaster Watch Camera, shaped like a telescoping pocket watch, is expected to fetch 50,000-60,000 Euro ($69,800-$83,760).

The photo auction features an international array of work by Hans Watzek, Elliott Erwitt, Nobuyoshi Araki and many others. To view online auction catalogs, visit www.westlicht.at. For camera retail sales, visit www.leicashop.com

Art and Auctionhouse Herr, Cologne, joins LiveAuctioneers

LiveAuctioneers welcomes art auction house Herr, Cologne, as a new member of our auction-house family. The company has been serving the Cologne area since 1982. Herr Auctions specializes in Jugendstil, Art Déco, Bauhaus und 20th Century Design. Their next auction is on Nov.11. Part one includes handcrafted works of silver, metal, jewelry, porcelain, ceramic and glass, plus sculptures, paintings and prints. A special highlight is the 175-piece private collection of Jugendstil objects, featuring 154 pieces of Jugendstil glass. Part two of the Nov. 20 auction offers 20th-century design furniture, lighting and accessories. For more information please visit www.Herr-Auktionen.de

Upcoming Auctions

November 2010

5.11. Auktionhaus Eppli, Stuttgart: Benefit auction to support the Wildpark Pforzheime. Fine jewelry and wares of every type. www.Eppli.com

5.11. Galerie Widmer Auktionen, St. Gallen: Selected Art Works; 19.11. Paintings by Carl Walter Liner. www.GalerieWidmer.ch

10.-13. 11. Dobiaschofsky Auktionen, Bern: Paintings from the 15th to 21st century. Prints and Adverstisements, Furniture, Antiques and Jewelry. www.Dobiaschofsky.com

11.11. Dr. Fischer Kunstauktionen, Heilbronn: Icons, Russian Art & Fabergé. www.Auctions-Fischer.de

11.11. Von Zezschwitz Kunst und Design, Munich: Modern und Contemporary Art. www.Von-Zezschwitz.de

14.11. Sotheby’s, Geneva: Important Watches; 16.11. Exquisite Jewelry & an Outstanding Pink Diamond. www.Sothebys.com

17.- 20. 11. David Feldman Philatelists, Genf: themed auctions including World Rarities & Collections; Olympics & Tennis; France, Great Britain and the Colonies; Switzerland and Mexico. www.DavidFeldman.com

19.11. Doebele Kunstauktionen, Berlin: Art of the 20th and 21st centuries. www.fine-art-doebele.de

20. 11. Auction Team Breker, Köln: Scientific and Technical; Office Antiques; and Toys and Doll Automats. www.Breker.com

22. 11. Ketterer Kunst, Hamburg: Maritime and North German Art; Valuable Books, Manuscripts, Autographs, Decorative Graphics. www.KettererKunst.de

December 2010

2.-4. 12. Auktionshaus Kaupp, Sulzburg: Art Handcrafts; Jewelry and Watches; Paintings, Antiques & Furniture; Modern and Contemporary Art. www.Kaupp.de

3.-4. 12. Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion Heidrun Höhn, Leipzig. www.Muenzen-Leipzig.de

4. 12. Ketterer Kunst, Munich: Modern Art; After 1945/Contemporary Art. www.KettererKunst.de

4. 12. Schmidt Kunstauktionen, Dresden: Artwork of the 17th to 21st Centuries. www.Schmidt-Auktionen.de

6.12. Sotheby’s, Zurich: Swiss Art. www.sothebys.com

7.12. Quittenbaum Kustauktionen, Munich: Studio Glass; Highlights of Design History VII – Table Culture. www.Quittenbaum.de

9.12. Von Zezschwitz Kunst und Design, Munich: Italien Design. www. von-zezschwitz.de

Auction Talk Germany: Tangible assets - buying antiques for pleasure and entertainment

Spring and summer 2010 has not been the best of time for investors. Greece's bankruptcy sent the Euro into a dive. The gold price climbed ever higher, reflecting the already weak dollar. Stock markets around the world staggered. Even holding paper currency appeared dangerous because of its declining value.

Meanwhile, a quiet group of private investors turned in the winning bid on the Treskilling Yellow. There is only one known example of this 1855 Swedish postage stamp. The group was one of only two active bidders in the closed-door auction at David Feldman Auctioneers, Genf. While the May purchase price was not released, the Treskilling Yellow was last sold by David Feldman for 2,875 million Swiss Francs in 1996.

David Feldman noted that the consortium believed the Treskilling Yellow to be “a solid investment in these turbulent times.”

Tangible assets such as art and antiques take on a particular gleam during unpredictable economic periods. Buyers are also looking hard at antique gold and silver coins, as well as photographs from the turn of the 20th century.

Markus Eisenbeis, partner in Van Ham Kunstauktionen, Cologne, has observed this buying trend since the fall of 2009. He notes that paintings to 1970 are of special interest to these buyers.

“Long-term, these are surely value stable,” said Eisenbeis. “If they can be sold without a loss during every difficult economic time is naturally questionable.”

As with all investments, the amount of money recouped when selling is what the market will bear at the time of the sale. One wonders if a reasonable profit is even possible during strained economic times? The auction market, which in recent years has experienced a reduction in sales volume, has at the same time seen individual objects set record prices. Time-honored works by artists included in museum collections tend to at least maintain their original value. Those who can keep their investment for a decade or two have the chance of reaping a sometimes eye-opening profit.

“That the investors are concerned about the security of their investment, they look for secure value,” said Dr. Takuro Ito of Lempertz, Cologne. “That is, quality artwork, artwork with good provenance, work of the Old and Modern Masters, in the area of contemporary art - works that are classic, for example established contemporary artists.”

Robert Ketterer, auctioneer and owner of Ketterer Kunst, Munich, agreed. He said works by Dürer, Rembrandt or E.T. Compton are often requested. Of the classic moderns, Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Gabriele Münter and Emile Nolde are popular at Ketterer; the same goes for the intuitive contemporary art appearing after 1945; even pieces by living artists such as Georg Baselitz, Gerhard Richter or Günther Uecker are sought-after investments.

Ketterer said customers are also rediscovering ZERO-Kunst, a movement started in the late 1950s, which reduced monochromatic color and design to basic, experimental principles.

“That the interest in art as investment has risen and continues to rise is correct,” said Ketterer. “Surely loftier reasons come into play with the motivations mix of the buyer. One should not forget that art is a product that speaks to the emotions of the observer.”

In other words, invest wisely, but love what you buy. Living with the art and antiques you love is more than the acquirement of tangible investments, it is a direct expression of your personality.

For Outdoor Browsing

The enormous year-round Agra, a monthly Antik und Gebrauchtwaren Market at the agra Veranstaltungspark, Leipzig/Markkleeburg, is open Aug. 28 and 29 for summer shopping fun. With a field full of antique and trodel dealers coming from as far away as the Netherlands and Austria, the selection is immense. A recent visit revealed red and blue embroidered “Weisswasche,” hand-painted Jungenstil tiles and more hand-crank coffee grinders than this writer has ever seen in one place. An unusual and heavy player piano harkened back to the days when its music rolls may have filled in for the pianist of a fine café. The large agra hall has fine furniture, jewelry, art and more. www.abuha.de

The big Trodel Markt on the Strasse den 17. Juni in Berlin (near the angel-topped Siegessäule) is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From dealers with lovely old paintings, glittering crystal and china, to dealers with cardboard boxes full of classic auto parts, there is something for everyone.

New Members

Live Auctioneers welcomes Auktionshaus Gut Bernstorf, Kranzberg, Germany as a new member. Owner Michael Lehrberger brings more than 20 years of experience as an auctioneer to this establishment, which offers porcelain, oil paintings, graphics, Oriental rugs, sculptures, Asian art, furniture of epochs, antique and modern jewelry, silver, glass and crystal. For more information visit www.Gutbernstorf.de or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

New member www.Lauritz.com is an online treasure trove for lovers of 20th-century design. Be sure to take a peek at shell chairs by Charles Eames, multiple shaded lamps by Poul Henningsen, and use the website’s “Last Chance” feature to view auctions ending in 24 hours.

An American freelance writer, Heidi Lux grew up near Rochester, N.Y., and is a graduate of that city's Nazareth College. She presently lives in Saxony, Germany, where she works as an English language editor and private tutor. Her work has appeared in Transitions Abroad and German Life magazines, as well as Style Century Magazine.

Auction Talk Germany: The Art of Selling Irish Stamps to Germans

“Yes,” says Roy Hamilton-Bowen of Rodgau Philatelie, Eisenbahn Strasse 8, in the German city of Rodgau. “Irish Stamps with German Quality” is his business motto, and the logo of his Web site www.hibernian-news.eu is a green stamp emblazoned with a harp, an Irish symbol that dates back to the 13th century.

Hamilton-Bowen is a native New Yorker who grew up internationally, in London and Paris. He started collecting postage stamps when he was in his teens. His fascination with Irish stamps began after spending time on the Emerald Isle.

In the late 1970s Hamilton-Bowen began working for a stamp business from New York City. He picked up a little German language along the way and ended up working full time for the company in Dublin. “I specialized in helping the German customers,” he said.

In 1985, the year the Value Added Tax (VAT) increased from 10 to 25 percent, the business overextended credit to a German customer and went into liquidation. Hamilton- Bowen decided to seize the opportunity and start his own Irish postage stamp business in Rodgau.

His auctions are online and by catalog, but he has long since given up collecting. “An important client would come along and I would end up dipping into my own collection to meet their needs,” he said.

Rodgau Philatelie’s auction, which closes May 22, features 715 lots of Irish stamps and postal history, with a presale reserve totaling almost a quarter of a million Euro.

Of special interest is Lot 333, a 1935 re-engraved 10/-with overprint double in superb mint condition, starting at 6000 Euro; Lot 124, a registered cover with mixed overprint franking including the Dollard 1/2d with inverted overprint, starting at 3000 Euro; and Lot 105, the first example of the scarce “SLIGO” forerunner to come on the market in many years, starting at 2500.

“For me, I find the 1922-1923 Irish provisional overprints most interesting,” said Hamilton-Bowen.

His years of interest and expertise in these stamps recently brought him a top honor in the stamp-collecting world. His article on Irish Provisional Overprints was published in the March issue of the London Philatelist.

"For me, that's as good as it gets," said Hamilton-Bowen.

Rodgau Philatelie may be contacted at +49 6106 3023. Their next auction, with Internet live bidding provided by LiveAuctioneers.com, will be held on May 24, 2010 and contains more than 700 lots with combined starting prices of almost a quarter-million Euro.

Lauritz.com

Welcome to new LiveAuctioneers client, the Dusseldorf auction house of wwwLauritz.com. Lauritz Christensen Auctions, one of the oldest auction houses in Denmark, has 18 locations in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Germany. It was the first Danish auction house to provide online auctions. Their Web site currently features some sumptuous modern furniture by Charles Eames and Arne Jacobson, but they have objects of fine Modern design in every category.

Leipzig Buchmesse Attracts 156,000

Record numbers of visitors enjoyed the 2010 Leipzig Buchmesse. This marked the 16th year for the Antiquariatsmesse in Hall 3, with 69 dealers from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Finland.

“It’s a wonderful fair,” noted Michael Melzer from Melzers Antiquarium in Lüdenscheid. “Even non-collectors are coming here, asking questions and buying.”

Demonstrations in Hall 3 in age-old book printing techniques by the Leipzig Buchkunst Museum and the Gutenberg Museum, Mainz, made the antiquarian book experience complete.

The next Leipzig Buchmesse is slated for March 17-20, 2011. For details about the Antiquariatsmesse, visit www.Abooks.de

Upcoming Auctions

Galerie Bassenge, Berlin (Grunewald):

Spring Auctions: Art including prints, paintings, drawings and modern art, June 3-5; print graphics from the 15th to 18th century and ornamental papers, June 3; print graphics of the 19th century and miscellaneous prints, June 3; Old and New Master paintings June 4; Drawings from the 15th to 19th century June 4; Modern Art part II June 5. www.bassenge.com.

Villa Grisebach, Zürich:

Classic and contemporary photography June 3; selected works June 4; contemporary art, June 4; art of the 19th, 20th and 21st century June 5. Third Floor - Estimates to 3000 Euro, June 5. www.villa-grisebach.de

Galerie Widmer Auktionen AG, St. Gallen, Switzerland:

Selected Works 2101 – June 4. www.galeriewidmer.com

Lot 60 - Adolf Dietrich (1877 - 1977), Grünspecht auf Föhrenast, 1955. Oil on card stock. Estimate: 80,000- 55,000 Swiss Franks. (Photo courtesy Galerie Widmer).

Schmidt Kunstauktionen, Dresden:

24th Art Auction – art work from the 17th – 21st  century, June 12. www.schmidt-auktionen.de

Sotheby’s Zürich:

Swiss art from the 19th century - June 14. www.sothebys.com

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An American freelance writer, Heidi Lux grew up near Rochester, N.Y., and is a graduate of that city's Nazareth College. She presently lives in Saxony, Germany, where she works as an English language editor and private tutor. Her work has appeared in Transitions Abroad and German Life magazines, as well as Style Century Magazine.

Auction Talk Germany: Collecting as a princely art

“This sale caused something of an uproar in Liechtenstein at the time, but it enabled me – straight after finishing my studies at the age of 24 – to reorganize and rebuild the princely estate and assets,” recalled the prince.

It couldn’t have been easy at that age to become the keeper of a collection assembled as far back at the 17th century. Flush with Old Master paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries, with concentrations in Flemish and Biedermeier paintings, the collection lacked in sculpture and furniture. Several very fine paintings were sold for cash after World War II, including Leonardo DaVinci’s Portrait of Ginevra de’Benci sold to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in 1967.

In celebration of the Prince’s 65th birthday, 140 pieces from the family collection are on exhibit at Liechtenstein Museum, known as the Garden Palace, in Vienna. The exhibit demonstrates 30-plus years of diligent work on the part of the Price to close gaps in the collection.

The prince admits to more interest in the sciences, but has taken pleasure in rebuilding and upgrading the family collection. He points to Erasmus Habermehl’s Equatorial Annular Sundial as a piece that combines the latest technical and mathematical knowledge of its time into a work of art.

“My interest and understanding have grown, although I am still an amateur,” said the prince modestly. “Apart from this, I realized pretty early on that buying works of art can be a very good investment, if one understands something about it. That’s why I always get the advice of experts when buying works of art.”

Part of this exhibit will be shown in Vaduz at the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein from Sept. 24 to Jan. 16, 2011. To see more of the collection visit www.liechtensteinmuseum.at

Auction Companies Expand

In this uncertain economic climate it is heartening to hear that two of the German auction houses are expanding. Both Van Ham Kunstauktionen, Cologne, and Herrmann Historica, Munich, are adding staff to represent them in a wider geographical territory.

Art Expert Pia von Buchwaldt joins Van Ham as their new representative in Hamburg. She will be available at Alsterrufer 33 to answer any questions potential buyers or sellers have about their collections, and has already held her first “expert day.” www.van-ham.com

Hermann Historica welcomes Nicholas McCullough, former director of the Arms and Armor Department at Christies, as their new London representative in a new strategic alliance with Bloomsbury Auctions und Dreweatts, London, New York und Rome. Likewise Bloomsbury, known for their antique books, manuscripts and graphics, will have representation in the German speaking auction world through Hermann Historica’s militaria auction house in Munich. Both auction houses are pleased about their new international cooperative work, but plan no future business merger. www.hermann-historica.com

Other News

Doebele Galerie + Kunstauktionen, Kunstgut Effeldorf, celebrates our love of the feline form in art with a new exhibit and sale, Cats - Strange and Fascinating, Feb. 24 through April 30. www.fine-art-doebele.de

Pop Life. Warhol, Haring, Koons, Hirst, now to Sept. 5, Galerie der Gegenwart, Glockengießerwall. www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de

Now to March 13 Ketterer Kunst shows Tom Wesselmann – Graphic Work in their gallery in Berlin-Charlottenburg. The presented work comes from the collection of New Yorker Paul Rothman. www.kettererkunst.de

Schmidt Kunstauktionen, Dresden, starts the new auction year on March 13 with an offering of 850 objects of art, porcelain, glass and furnishings from the 18th to 21st centuries. www.schmidt-auktionen.de

An American freelance writer, Heidi Lux grew up near Rochester, N.Y., and is a graduate of that city's Nazareth College. She presently lives in Saxony, Germany, where she works as an English language editor and private tutor. Her work has appeared in Transitions Abroad and German Life magazines, as well as Style Century Magazine.