Antique Trader September 1, 2021

DALLAS — Vintage video games have entered into a new, almost surreal realm of collecting, leaving many gobsmacked at how quickly the market has developed. The first standalone Video Games Auction at Heritage Auctions in July soared past pre-auction expectations, amassing nearly $8.5 million in total sales. The star of the event was a nearly pristine condition Super Mario 64 game that sold for a world record $1.56 million. The 1996 sealed cartridge, graded a 9.8 on a scale of 10 by authenticating company Wata Games, was a launch title for the Nintendo 64 console, and was one of the most influential early 3D platformers. There are “fewer than five” copies in such condition, Heritage Auctions said. The record-setting sale took place only two days after an early production copy of The Legend…

Tiffany’s Driscoll a shining role model The irony of Clara Driscoll’s life is not unnoticed. Chances are, you don’t know Driscoll. That’s understandable. Even at the height of her inventive and artistic career she was relatively unknown. We’ll get to that, but first this: At the turn of the 20th century the world was changing dramatically. Many in urban areas were experiencing the wonders of electricity on a grand scale, literally seeing the (electric) light for the first time. It was a miraculous era, especially if you had money, as Louis Comfort Tiffany did. Tiffany, the son of Charles Lewis Tiffany, the founder of Tiffany jewelry, was born into great wealth. To his credit, Tiffany was a gifted and talented artist. His name is synonymous with, among other things, exquisite, high-end stained glass, thanks…

During his basketball career, Michael Jordan was famous for being a high flyer, seemingly able to take flight on the court. Now his basketball shoes are doing the same thing at auction. An autographed, ultra-rare pair of Air Jordan basketball shoes, made specifically for Jordan to commemorate his role in the popular mid-1990s movie Space Jam, soared to new heights, selling for $176,400 recently at Sotheby’s. The size-13, one-of-a-kind Nikes are autographed by Jordan. The shoes are considered “deadstock,” meaning they were never worn. The shoes are a “player sample” made specifically for Jordan, who wore the style during the 1996 NBA playoffs, leading the Chicago Bulls to the championship. “This pair is truly a grail for many sneaker collectors worldwide,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of streetwear and modern collectables, said in a…

SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla — A number of pieces by American industrial designer Richard Arbib highlight Hess Fine Auctions’ sale on August 21. The auction, which features nearly 100 lots of Mid-Century Modern design pieces, watches, jewelry and fine art, includes art and watches designed by Arbib. Arbib is considered one of the leading and visionary industrial designers of the 20th century, producing groundbreaking design concepts for automobiles, wristwatches, pens, vacuum cleaners, yachts and personal helicopters. Other notable lots include a 1954 Pablo Picasso Sujet Poule ceramic hen creamer (est: $2,000-$4,000), a 1966 Robert Indiana 18k solid yellow gold LOVE ring, 34 of 100 and size 8-1/2 (est: $8,000-$10,000) and a 1972 Elvis “Now Las Vegas Hilton” Summer Festival poster (est: $3,000-$4,000). The auction starts at noon EST and bidding is by phone or…

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fontaine’s Interiors & Collections auction on August 28 offers collectors and decorators nearly 500 lots of furniture, collectibles, cool cars, fine and decorative art, toys and Asian art and antiques. Featured lots include a 1961 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, a restoration in progress with 19,632 miles (est: $15,000-$25,000); a quarter sawn oak and cast iron Model 101 “Hexaphone” by Regina Company, founded in 1892 (est: $8,000-$12,000); an early 20th century American carved mahogany dining set comprising eight chairs, dining table (with five leaves), server and a console table (est: $4,500-$6,500); a lithograph of Amoskeag Mfg. Co. Steam Fire Engines, circa 1870 (est: $3,000-$5,000); and a group of four walking sticks including one with a bone-carved face, one with a carved antler, one with chevron silver and one with…

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Cheyenne’s Old West atmosphere will be in full force at New Frontier’s collectibles show and auction August 27-29. The Cheyenne Firearms & Western Collectibles Auction, hosted annually by New Frontier, features 391 lots of antique and vintage firearms, as well as premiere estate collections including Old West artifacts, antiques and art. The show and auction will be at the Laramie County Event Center at Archer. Show hours, all Mountain Time, are from 12-5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, with dealer setup from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, with the auction beginning at 2 p.m.; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29. Highlights of the auction include the lifetime collection of 1895 Winchesters, horsehair bridles, Western art and…