Gary Germer & Assoc. Blog

Wonderful Chinese over-sized chess set, finely carved in tea stained & natural ivory. Very well carved in fine detail. The pieces are Mandarin versus Cantonese. The King measures approximately 6 inches tall. Board is 26 inches square and 3.25 inches tall when in use (open). The interior is padded and lined in red silk with an Oriental pattern. Circa 1950s.

Condition: Excellent! Set appears unused. Please review images carefully. All of the Knights have their spears. One of the 4 is about .25 inches shorter than the other three. Board/case with some age related wear. The hinges and clasp are in excellent condition. There is some flaking of the finish near one of the hinges. Additional images available upon request. This was purchased by our consignor in the 1950's and is the largest set we have ever seen or sold. Don't miss out! Only $2,950

http://www.rubylane.com/item/626146-3691/Hand-Carved-Ivory-Chess-Set

First Appraisal Clinic & Sales Exhibit of 2012!

 

Do you have an item that you would like appraised and have been waiting for just the right time? Would you like to view our NEW & NEVER SEEN art, pottery & jewelry? If so, please join us at the Clark County Fair on January 21st and 22nd of 2012. This event is hosted by Palmer Wirfs, curators of America's Largest Antiques & Collectibles show.  Early Admission (come get first dibs on items while we set up on 1/20) is $20. Admission is $6, Children 12 to 17: $3 Under 12 Always Free; verbal appraisals are ONLY $5 per item (we charge $30 in our NW office) and will benefit a Portland area charity. Don't miss this! Gary will be busy doing what he does best; giving appraisal advice! Susan & I will be running our first ever Gary Germer & Associates sales booth, so be sure to come see us, too! We will be featuring new art from Jack Van Ryder, Jefferson Tester, Sydney Laurence, TR Lambert and others. We will also have new pottery for sale from Moorcroft, Roseville, Rookwood and others. Plus stunning estate jewelry (diamonds & platinum)!!! Come on down either Saturday (9-6) and/or Sunday (10-5). We hope to see you and your treasure(s) there!

-Ron

 

ESTATE GALLERY OPEN FRIDAY-SUNDAY!!! We invite you to come in and browse all of our fresh inventory. Our hours are from 10am to 5pm.

1016 NW 17th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 235-0946

Hoarding Revisited

 

"We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing."                                                                             

                                                                 -Billy Graham

I never thought I'd be quoting Billy Graham, but I find his quote very appropriate for this blog entry. Compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding or disposophobia) is defined by Wikipedia as "the excessive acquisition of possessions (and failure to use or discard them), even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary." We experienced this disorder firsthand! After watching a recent episode of Hoarders on A&E, I recalled an experience I had in 2007 with Gary Germer & Associates. Thanks to Gary's inability to tell a crying, elderly woman "no", we ended up digging for treasures in a hoarder house belonging to the client's aunt. It was a modest 2 bedroom home with an unfinished attic and basement, yet we still managed to fill up 10 of the largest dumpsters I'd ever seen in my life. They were the 40 yard size that are so tall, they have a ladder welded onto the side.

(A 40 Yard Dumpster 7’W x 7’H x 22’L)

This was in addition to the countless truck loads of recycling and donations we hauled out. After nearly 250 boxes of clothing, the donation outlet we were using asked us to stop bringing in anything else! We had to drive miles out of the area to donate to different charities. Ed Kitson of Community Warehouse (you won't soon forget this client, will ya Ed?!) helped lead the charge of determining what was donation worthy. I was in charge of the guest bedroom and I'll never forget what I encountered there. It was filled with debris. The door wouldn't even close. It was piled up to within a foot of the ceiling. As I begin to peel back the layers, it was like traveling back in time. I could see how the rubble had been accumulated over the years. My determination was fueled with the hope of uncovering lost treasures! I'd hold my breath when opening up newly uncovered boxes. I just knew that the next $1000 collectible was waiting to be unwrapped! Instead, I found endless supplies of used pantyhose, pen parts, empty perfume bottles and lots of rubberbands. Who saves their old pantyhose and thinks, "Ya know what? I might use these again one day!" There were many discarded newspapers among the rubble that acted as a sort of time-line for the hoard. I found newspapers from the 1990's, the 1980's and the 1970's. Finally, once I reached the bottom of the pile there were newspapers printed during the 1950's. Unbelievable. I ended up developing a mysterious rash that remained with me throughout that entire project!

I was thrilled to put that job behind us. The treasures we were promised never materialized. Sometimes I still have nightmares from what we discovered in the unplugged freezer down in the basement. I didn't know there was even a stage beyond rotten and decayed, but there is! Needless to say, we no longer leave Gary alone with crying little old ladies. They are his kryptonite!

Hoarding is a serious matter. We suggest that if you know anyone who needs help with hoarding, you should contact the International OCD Foundation for help.

 

Up! Up! Up Chuck & Di!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120765208902

 

Danish Modern Teakwood Flip Top Desk by Jens Quistgaard for Lovig Dansk

We've just listed an amazing piece of Danish modern furniture. We hate to sell it! Check it out here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120764427401

 

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

Unique wedding or anniversary gifts!

 

Fresh from a recent Estate, we here at Gary Germer & Associates have acquired these stunning Waterford Crystal Cigar Humidors in the Giftware pattern:

• Waterford Crystal Humidor w/ Silverplate Lid 5 1/2" T (w/ lid), 4 1/8" W
• Waterford Crystal Humidor w/ Silverplate Lid 6 3/4" T (w/ lid), 5 1/4" W

Now listed on eBay 8/15/11!

These gorgeous early pieces from Waterford and very hard to find. The are pretty, sparkly pieces with a silverplate rim and lid and really catch the eye. The crystal is in excellent condition, no chips or cracks found. The silverplate rim and lid are also in good condition, no dings or scratches.  These humidors are acid etched with the Waterford signature. Both the silverplate rim and lid are marked Waterford Silverplated.

In addition to its main purpose of storing, preserving and aging cigars for a number of years, a humidor can also be an attractive piece of furniture, and even a family heirloom. For most cigar connoisseurs, a humidor is a small investment that will protect a much larger investment of valuable cigars for many years. Look for these Waterford versions at our eBay store starting on Sunday, 8/7/11 or come buy them from our Estate Gallery by appointment located at 1016 NW 17th Avenue in Northwest Portland. We take credit card orders over the phone and can ship anywhere in the world. As always, priced at liquidation prices!  A wonderful wedding or anniversary gift for the man in your life or buy them both and use them for display and storage in a bedroom or master bathroom!

 

Gary Germer & Associates

The Estate Gallery

1016 NW 17th Avenue

Portland, OR 97209

(503) 235-0946

 

Next Estate Sale: Books, Books, Books.

Opening day for our next estate sale is approaching fast.  (Visit our home page for all the details).  Today I thought I would give a little guided tour of sorts through the fantastic collection of books that will be available.  All of us here at GG&A are big book lovers, and working with this collection has been both enjoyable and a challenge.  The collection is scholarly, interesting and particularly in the case of the 100's of children's books, nostalgic.  It's wonderful to work with a collection like this, while also being a bit distracting.  Gotta resist perusing each title as we price them!

There are just too many books to share them all with you today, so I have picked out a few of my favorites to share.  Nearly 150 images of the sale can be found here.  We will be adding more Wednesday night or early Thursday.  

"Monsters of The Sea", 1880's First Edition - "The Mansion" William Faulkner, First Edition

Two of multiple Tolkien First Editions:
"The Adventures of Tom Bombadil" - "Smith of Wootton Major"

First Edition Roald Dahl:
"James and the Giant Peach" - "Fantastic Mr. Fox"

 

Books on Typography

Lots of U.S. History, especially Native American & Western/NWestern topics.

My personal favorite, Chilren's Books.  Many vintage, dozens of Caldecott Medal winners, including the First Edition (second issue) "Where The Wild Things Are"

~~~

 

I hope this little preview sparks your interest and you decide to make the trip to Hillsboro for this sale.  We are looking forward to finding new homes for these special books, and seeing all of YOU at this great sale!

 

Hillsboro At Orenco Station
Friday, Saturday & Sunday only
June 24, 25 & 26
10am - 4pm

More Details

 

 

 

Our Next Sale: The World Travelers Estate

(Updated on 2/24 with address and signup list details.)

We are very excited about our next estate sale. It is in east Vancouver, near the Cascade Park neighborhood, in a beautiful home filled with a lifetime of living around the world.  From Japan to Istanbul, our client’s family led a very interesting life that is reflected throughout their eclectic home.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday
February 25, 26 & 27

10am – 4pm

(address removed)

Off Bella Vista & McGillivary Blvd

> > > Sign up list will be out today (Thursday) no later than Noon. < < <

  Please, No Shopping By Phone
 and
No Early Birds

If you have any questions about the sale, feel free to email us and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
info@garygermer.com

And please, everyone, think warm thoughts!  We don't want to get snowed or iced out tomorrow!

(Click on any image in this post to see a larger version)

I had the opportunity to walk through the home yesterday and get some preliminary pictures for you to see.  We are still uncovering new items every day as the sale is set up.  So I will be posting new pictures and details throughout the week leading up to this great sale. 

Hope to see you on Friday!
-Aubra

(Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to more pictures of this sale.)

Mid Century Furniture:

    -Eames lounge chair and ottoman.
    -Set of 3 Eames molded plywood lounge chairs.
    -Round Eames coffee table.
    -Danish modern dining table with 3 leaves, 6 chairs and long buffet.
    -Sectional wall unit.

Other Furnishings:

 

 
    -Victorian armoire and marble-top dresser.
    -Spool chairs and rocker, “Arrow-back” style.
    -Rustic coffee table from  Chile.
    -Long Japanese modernist coffee/sofa table.
    -Lacquer side tables.
    -A number of colorful lacquered Chinese chests of drawers.
    -A wide variety of unusual, hand-made and designer furniture from the U.S. and around the world.
    -A number of colorful hand-made area rugs.

Art:

   

    -1967 signed Gyorge Kepes abstract oil (from another estate, see our earlier blog post for details).
    -Japanese woodblock prints.
    -Islamic illuminated pages.
    -Oil paintings, watercolors, block prints and a wide assortment of art from around the world.

China/Sterling:

    -Spode, “Buttercup” china set.
    -Wedgwood “Wild Strawberry” china set.
    -Set of German K.P.M. china "Callypso".
    -Large collection of Japanese china and porcelains.
    -Two high-design mid-century tea services, one silver plate, one pewter.

More! 

 
    -Hats: vintage and international.
    -Indonesian puppets.
    -Good quality household items.
    -Costume jewelry.
    -Nice contemporary women’s clothing.
    -Craft/sewing supplies.
    -Lots of Christmas décor.
    -Books, including a pop-up collection and coffee table books on Art and Travel.
    -Teddy bears.
    -A Large basket collection.

 Firearms:
 Assorted rifles, including (but not limited to)
    -Japanese WWII .22,
    -Winchester Model 1894 (pre 1964)
    -Civil War era percussion rifle.

--> More Pictures Added Frequently Here <--

Gorgeous György

Souvenir (1967)

We here at Gary Germer & Associates are taking a break from the efforts of remodeling our estate gallery to bring you this wonderful painting titled “Souvenir (1967)” from György Kepes (October 4, 1906 – December 29, 2001). It has been said, "Gyorgy Kepes was the greatest pioneer in the marriage of art and technology in America, if not the world. He was a visionary, a towering intellect and a breathtaking artist. He single-handedly created the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at MIT and turned it into an internationally acclaimed program for the development of the finest in late 20th-century art. His work will endure for many centuries to come."

He was born in Hungary in 1906 and studied painting at the School of Arts in Budapest. In 1930 he went to Berlin, collaborating on film, stage and exhibitions, and graphic design with Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, one of the principals in the Bauhaus movement. Kepes came to the United States in 1937 as head of the Light and Color Department of the Institute of Design in Chicago, then known as the New Bauhaus. He joined MIT in 1946 as associate professor of visual design, becoming a full professor in 1949. He was appointed Institute Professor in 1970. Kepes founded the Center for Advanced Visual Studies (CAVS) in 1967 and served as its director until 1972.

Throughout his career, Kepes continued working as a designer, producing both small and large-scale works. His paintings are included in 30 permanent collections including the Brooklyn Museum, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington and the Whitney Museum in New York City. The Kepes Prize is presented annually at MIT.

György Kepes

This 8’ X 14” oil on canvas painting from Kepes is currently available for purchase for $2950. It is mounted in a glowing gold leaf frame that measures 9.25” X 15.25”. Please contact us if you’d like more information. If you would like to add this piece to your collection, see our eBay listing here. As usual, watch this site for weekly updates regarding unique finds, musings, and tips on caring for your treasured items!