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.