"No, really, business is booming..."

We had the pleasure of attending a Holiday cocktail party with friends over the weekend (okay, it was more than one party, I admit it) and I could not help but notice how our friends would peer at me, place a consoling hand on my shoulder and say: "So, how is business?"

The answer, I'm pleased to report, is that business is quite good.

It seems that the current downturn, while serious and certainly worthy of investigation at certain levels (ahem) has had only a limited effect on our sales and, in fact, is driving consignments as some people look to sell things they may not have under ordinary circumstances.

We've had some nice, early Gold Rush-era documents come in, as well as some other items which didn't last long, and seem to be enjoying a spate of contact with authors and researchers hoping to make use of our photos. We do help scholarly endeavors when we can.

But all this has had little impact on those who feel the market downturn has completely closed us down. That would explain why my answer of "you know, things are still pretty good" drew such disbelieving looks.

Well, that's the way it is. More things coming online soon, as well as a new dog in the family my wife promises will be hers and taken care of by her and the kids. It's okay, as unrepentant animal lovers more life in the house the better, but the resident cats will undoubtedly have some adjustments to make.

Stay in touch, thanks for all your calls and letters and emails. And good hunting!

J.D. O'Connor

Remembering this Sunday in 1941...

Remembering all those who fell on this day in 1941 and in the maelstrom that followed.
NEVER forget...

Antiques Company Joins the 21st Century

Yes, we've caved in to convention and technology and upgraded our Web site. Many of you were far too polite to ask in recent years, but we felt it was time.

We hope you have a moment to check out the site. We've added search functionality, one-click consignment buttons, one-click valuations and upgraded our e-commerce link, preferring to tie it in directly to our bank rather than PayPal.

We're adding more things every day. If you have anything you want to consign, let us know... and we are still buying nice old things from time to time so let us know what you have and what it will take for you to part with it.

Hope to hear from you all soon. Thanks for staying loyal and contributing so much, that's what makes this antiques game so much fun!

Best,

J.D. O'Connor

New Clues From the H. L. Hunley

New clues from the H.L. Hunley...

It seems that scientists may be closer to finding the solution to the nearly 160-year-old puzzle to why the Confederate submarine Hunley foundered and went down outside Charleston Harbor in 1864.

No shock wave. No gunfire from sorrounding Union blockaders... it seems that after Hunley planted the charge that sunk the U.S.S. Housatonic she may have drifted away, taken by the currents, as her crew rested at their crank-handle stations.

And then, scientists theorize, the crew succumbed one by one to oxygen deprivation, dying in their seats. Scientists this week found that the eight-man crew of the hand-cranked Confederate submarine had not set the pump to remove water from the crew compartment, which might indicate it was not flooded but rather sank after the crew had perished.

FBI Tracing Treasure Trove of Art

Leslie James Skelton
Pike's Peak from Manitou Peak, Colorado - one of several dozen paintings found in the apartment of William M.V. Kingsland.

More than 300 works of art—paintings, sketches, sculptures, and other pieces by such artists as Pablo Picasso, John Singleton Copley, Alberto Giacometti, Giorgio Morandi, and Eugene Boudin — were discovered in this man's apartment after his death.

Well known in New York City’s art circles as an engaging and intelligent connoisseur of art, books, architecture, and genealogy. But when he died, he left no will… and no apparent heirs to claim the floor-to-ceiling stacks of paintings and art works crammed into his one-bedroom apartment man of which have been confirmed as stolen, according to the FBI.

For more info, click HERE and help solve the riddle of a mysterious man's mysterious past.

A Little Chinese - To Go

Just in to Antiqueswest, a massive dining table... handsomely carved and accompanied by four sturdy chairs. Consignor offers a host of photos to help you make your decision...

Early California Comes Out of the Bank Vault

Another lovely find arrives at Antiqueswest.com.

This one is a massive 4.5'x6' early California (circa 1870) landscape by Ransom Gillette Holdredge, in its original frame, and signed lower left and rear. The scene is a handsome rendering of late afternoon along Penetencia Creek in Santa Clara County, cattle grazing along the meandering arroyo, the hillsides touched by golden light.

We are pleased to have it. It hung in a bank in Northern California for some time, apparently, as there are some property tags on the back.

Another Note from Pawnee Bill

Just one you think you've seen all the Pawnee Bill Lillie things you're going to see for awhile up comes more letters and memorabilia. Scroll down for a look at a drum believed used in Bill's Wild West Show.

All items sent in from friends of Antiqueswest who saw similar items posted here. That's part of the fun, talking about interesting old bits that crop up from time to time. More on the way. Check out the antiques section when you can and thanks for writing and calling!

Rats!

Well, close but no cigar. I hail from the "all or nothing" school and it seems our CS Oval with Stars is a no show... though it had style. Floating around in the bottom of a cigar box at the house I decided to offer the plate for sale at a favorable rate, immediately setting off alarm bells from some of the biggest names -- well, actually the biggest names in the business, several of whom said they were "90 percent certain" it was "right."

Turns out it's a very old restrike, done in a wax mold and loaded with deep patina - just like the real deal. If it had been found genuine, I was going to take the family out to dinner and put a new roof on the hacienda on the proceeds.

Instead, back into the cigar box! Thanks to all of you who wrote us about this piece and to the real pros in the business who looked this plate over for me. Gentlemen all!

Vintage or 1862?

This little guy has sparked something of a controversy on the site. We had thought it was a vintage strike of the famed CS Oval with Stars and brought it out of storage for sale. Now, we're told by a couple of experts we've heard about before who say it is real and from the war years.

Your thoughts? Any other experts care to weigh in? Beautiful chocolate patina and nice overall finish.

Pawnee Bill's Drum?

All of a sudden, musical instruments. Go figure. We just moved a nice, enscribed Civil War flute, a Gibson guitar and now this comes in over the transom. Liverpool maker and with a potentially interesting history as used in the Pawnee Bill Lillie Wild West Shows. Oral history only at this point. Any scholars out there seen it before?

New Ships Arriving at Antiqueswest.com!

It was a maritime week for Antiqueswest as a superb ship's model sailed on to a new owner and a new painting sailed in, believed to be by American painter Arthur Onslow and signed on the reverse.

Oral history has it that the depiction is of provisions and inmates boarding a "prison ship," unknown harbor but possible in the Americas though one ship bears the British flag. Great detail, two repairs to the reverse.

More photos on the way and as we learn more, we'll post it. Thanks for your inquiries.

Well, I'll be jiggered...

Superb old Walrus Ivory corkscrew by Will & Finck and straight from the Barbary Coast. As an added plus, this one has the original owner's initials carved in the handle. Boars hair brusk and mellow overall patina make this one the finest example we've handled in a long time. The simplest tools had a lot of style back then. Check it out, under "Antiques," with a few more of its closest friends.

This Ship Has Sailed...

Off to a new owner is this recently consigned model of the freighter "American Scout." Beautiful model... and a happy new owner. The consignor of this fine model was landlocked as can be... the buyer a collector of fine ship models. Great to put them together. Have something to consign? Only $25 and the payoff, as in this case, can be great!

Fakes and Finds

Interesting times out there, economically and otherwise.

We have been gratified to be on the receiving end of several new finds lately as individuals and families pass their items on to us, either for display in our collection of early California, police, and military items - or for passage on to you.

We had a great collection of 19th and 20th Century art come through Antiqueswest.com and it all went quickly, with some nice French impressionist canvasses selling well and briskly. Furniture is coming in by the van load and selling slowly, it seems, as the power and price point of Ikea holds until people come to their senses and realized nice, early pieces are selling for a relative song.

The forgers, or copyists perhaps, are also out in force during economic times... knocking out a quick painting or Crimean War letter to make ends meet or just to say they fooled their area's resident "expert."

Please be careful of autographs, particularly those sports stars we've all heard of as this market has been flooded by spurious examples of signed mementoes. Civil War items, once red hot and highly desirable, have fallen off slightly as interest - and family fortunes - wane in light of recent givebacks in the stock market.

Still, there are still buyers out there and people hoping to counter the vagaries of the antique market with that one, great "Eureka" of a find. They're still talking about two recent finds here in the Bay Area we'll get into a bit later.

Recent Finds... When Something Lovely Walks In And Says: "Hi, Handsome..."

You'd think things made of gold would be an easy find in California, where it could be argued that the love affair with the yellow metal first started. But when they walk in with history engraved on their backsides and they begin to speak to you... that's when your knees really begin to shake.


This guy and a few of his brethren came into the shop recently, and there is the hint of others like him on the way. If you like gold, and you like badges, you'll like this latest batch of antique law enforcement items.


Enjoy. We do.