Antique Trader March 15, 2022

He gave us Bill Murray. If Ivan Reitman had done nothing more than that we would forever be indebted to him. Of course, he gave us much, much more. Reitman, a Canadian writer-director, who helped Murray transition from TV’s “Saturday Night Live” to become a movie star, died February 12 at age 75. Although he started his career producing horror movies, Reitman quickly established himself as a talented funny man, producing National Lampoon’s Animal House in 1978 and in quick succession directing Murray in Meatballs (1979), Stripes (1981), and the 1984 blockbuster Ghost-busters. Reitman also did the impossible, turning pumped-up action star Arnold Schwarzenegger into a funny sidekick of Danny DeVito in Twins (1988), a story of polar opposites who discover they’re fraternal twins. But it was Ghostbusters, which starred Murray, Dan Aykroyd,…

ATLANTA — Kathleen Guzman, former Christie’s and Heritage Auctions executive and noted authority on fine art and collectibles, has been elected to WorthPoint’s board of directors. Guzman brings a broad range of leadership experience, as well as a long track record of business acumen with collectors and resellers to WorthPoint, the world’s largest online resource for researching, valuing and preserving antiques, art and collectibles. “Kathleen’s valuable domain expertise will be crucial in leading Worth-Point as it develops new products and services key to our customers’ success,” said Will Seippel, founder and CEO of WorthPoint. “Her experience in the business of buying and selling antiques, fine art and other high-end collectibles brings a unique perspective that can only help WorthPoint grow.” Prior to joining WorthPoint, Guzman was a Senior Vice President and the Managing…

BARRINGTON, Ill. – The Covered Passageways of Paris were early shopping arcades built in the late 1800s. Strolling along the covered cobblestone streets, admiring perfume bottles, powder boxes and toiletries in the storefront windows of Rene Lalique, Francois Coty and Richard Hudnut, among others, was a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Fast forward 120 years. Now a visit to Perfume Passage in Barrington, Illinois, is reminiscent of those covered Paris walkways. Visitors can stroll down the Passageway gallery, admiring the artifacts exhibited within elaborately themed window displays, each telling a story of the great French and American perfume houses and their impact on the cosmetic industry. Perfume Passage Foundation is a private 8,000-square-foot space dedicated to preserving the history, beauty and artistry of perfume bottles, compacts and related vanity items.…

I’ve been thinking a lot about Barenaked Ladies lately. And yes, the winters are long and cold where I live. But no, what I’ve been thinking about is the band out of Canada that goes by that name and not people in their birthday suits who would get me in trouble on the home front. The band has been around forever, forming in 1988, making witty, rollicking music that defies you not to smile while listening. You’ve likely heard their tune “The History of Everything,” the theme song of the hit TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory. Great song, no doubt, but I’ve got another one of their tunes dancing in my head these days. It’s called “If I Had A Million Dollars.” Recorded in 1992, it’s a catchy, romantic, goofy song…

While this has been another unusual year for dealers, according to Asheford Institute of Antiques, there were still plenty of changing trends to be found in the antiques and collectibles field in the results of its 2021 survey, even as many of last year’s top-selling themes remained strong. Stainless steel was finally toppled by brass, while an old indestructible kitchen favorite from the 1960s and 1970s got hot. Art Deco sellers continued to reap the profits from their trend-setting insights, while vintage dealers who added textiles to their inventory made out like bandits. The survey was conducted from January 2021 to December 2021 by the research staff at Asheford. The survey consisted of a sampling of more than 2,231 current students and past graduates that are actively employed or working within the…

NEW YORK — An impressive, carefully curated collection of fine and decorative antique carpets sourced from dealers, private estates and collectors worldwide, as well as a unique selection of vintage Scandinavian and Moroccan, are featured in Nazimyal Auctions online event Sunday, March 13, beginning at 11 a.m. These pieces and many other magnificent vintage and antique rugs are to be auctioned at a fraction of their original price, with some of the lots being offered without reserve. The sale presents a rare opportunity for dealers, scholars, collectors, interior designers and private consumers to find outstanding deals on valuable antique carpets and textiles in a wide range of sizes — from a 28-foot antique Persian Khorassan rug and 25-foot antique Persian Kerman, to a small tribal antique Yomut horse cover and antique…