The Burns View

Skinner auction results - Lots of good ones!

2011-11-06T15:24:00.025-05:00

Hey folks, the auction house Skinner had a big early image auction this past week. Here are some highlights for you. Strong images did very well and many of the lesser images sold for strong prices, too. The market for photographs remains strong. Here are images that brought $2,000 or more. All image links and prices are from liveauctioneers.com, where this auction was simulcast.

$2300

$2100

$2400

$13000

$4250

$2700

$2500

$2000

$13500

$2300

$3000

$2900

$6100

$2200

$3250

$2400

$2500

$2300

$2200

$2300

$2100

$3250

$2800

$16000

$2800

Fighting the flood of the fake tintypes

2011-11-01T09:58:00.001-04:00

This piece is scheduled to appear in future publications issued by the Michigan State Auctioneers Association and Ohio Auctioneers Association.

If you haven't seen one yet, you will.
Civil War tintypes that seem the holy grail. Soldiers with two or even three guns stuffed into their belts. Rare Confederate views. Black soldiers of the Great Rebellion. The cream of the crop to collectors.
Except they're not. They're fake.
The bogus tintypes have begun to flood eBay in a trend that seems to have taken hold in recent months. While some are sold as reproductions, others are sold as the real deal. Even those labeled as fakes bring money in the hundreds of dollars. Those that aren't labeled as fakes do, too, as unsuspecting buyers snatch up what appear to be great deals. And why does anyone pay hundreds of dollars for the images disclosed as reproductions? Because they'll probably sell them as the real deal for a lot more.
It's only a matter of time before they wind up on your doorstep, as consignments for the next auction. Some will surely knowingly peddle these fakes as the real deal. But countless others will get a hold of fakes they bought as the real thing from someone else, either on eBay, at a flea market or another auction. And what will they do?
They'll bring the image to auction, put it back on eBay or otherwise offer it as the real deal.
You may very well get excited, as will your bidders. The price might soar, and yet another sorry buyer will end up with a pricey tintype with little value.
I can't proclaim to know the motivations of the handful of eBay sellers that move these fakes on a near daily basis. I'm not even entirely sure how these things are made. I bought one to examine it, and had the seller pull out of the deal, supposedly because of an eBay sanction. It's too bad. I would have liked to examine the thing in the flesh. I still will as soon as I buy one and get it delivered.
In the mean time, here are some tips.
Of course, looking at as many of the real thing as possible never hurts.
Real tintypes are attracted to a magnet (tintypes are indeed not tin, but on a thin sheet of iron), and most often have a deep and rich contrast and are black and gray or black and a deep gray brown. Those that I have seen online that are clearly fakes have a strange color. Green in tone, or blue, and with little contrast. Their backs are often unusual too.
Just about all real tintypes have a back that japanned black or is brown in color, but has not had any heavy coating painted on.
These fakes, though, seem to wind up with a coating on the back for whatever reason. That's another thing to watch out for.
While low quality repros have been floating around for quite a while, these better copies today seem to be coming out in larger numbers. They're sure to end up at your auction house soon, and they seem to get harder to spot by the day.
The sad result will be a depressed price for the legitimate item. I've already been contacted by one seller who had a 'Reb tintype returned after a buyer accused it of being a fake. I'm convinced it was real, but as soon as the fakes flood the market everyone becomes suspicious.

Here are a few fake tintype images from eBay, with my thoughts on them:

This image clearly lacks contrast depths of a genuine tintype. Gradation in tone is also poor. It fades from light to black very quickly. It also has a uniform yellow color.

Back appears coated, unlike most tintypes

This lack of tint and contrast, along with the green color and complete lack of surface wear, belies this as a fake.

The back had a treatment similar to the above tintype, but was sanded to add "age." It was also bent a few times to add the appearance of age. As with all antiques, one must look for signs of authentic age.

Poor contrast and color. These fakes are often tinted, and often elaborately, to add some sense of authenticity. Tinting does not make a tintype authentic. In fact, too much of it might call it into question if some of the other issues are also present.

Also has the sanded back, worn in a way that is not also apparent on the front. Pure fakery.

Excessive tinting in the flag, but no tinting elsewhere. Lack of contrast and tone. Strange green color.

Treated back.

Again, the strangely tinted flag and odd tone.

This image is trickier. It has been cut to an oval, and had paper applied to the back as if it once resided in an album. Do not be fooled. Look closely at the treated back and odd tone on the front.

Again, poor contrast and tone/color gradation.

A strange blue color and little contrast and gradation.

This one is trickier, but still has a very sharp transition from dark to light, which gives it away, as does some other strange bleeding in the colors at his elbow to our right.

And the back has the treatment that gives it away.

Please do not be fooled by these. If you come across an image and aren't sure, don't hesitate to contact me at adrian@burnsbid.com

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-10-17T20:12:00.000-04:00

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Daguerreotypes:

1. RARE DAGUERREOTYPES OF FRENCH SCULPTOR MANIGLIER 1850 - $6000

2. Dag - Hunter with Fabulous Dog, Still Sealed - $1880

3. 6th Plate Occupational Dag Doctor w/ Quack Medical Devi... - $1025

Ambrotypes:

1. Cavalry George W. Hackworth 1862 Ambrotype Photograph~T... - $7898

2. 6th Plate Ambrotype Union Soldier James Gist SCV ESTAT... - $1075.03

3. 2 GENUINE Civil War Ambrotype Navy Soldiers in Full Uni... - $334.30

Tintypes:

1. Rare Colored Tintype Of A Civil War Confederate Rebel/B... - $896.67

2. c 1870 BLACK FACE MINSTREL CLOWN BANJO PLAYER, DRAMATIC... - $785

3. Civil War ID'd Confederate Soldier, Early Electrograph ... - $460

Stereoviews:

1. c 1870 stereo GOLD MINE REGION, CHENEY SALOON STEREO, G... $362.

2. Rare Stereoview PHILIPPINES 1878 By Gustav REIMER - SMS... - $350

3. CIVIL WAR PERIOD PHOTO ST ALBANS VERMONT C.S.A RAID RAI... - $295.03

CDVs:

1. ORIGINAL AUTOGRAPHED CDV Maj Gen William T. Sherman RAR... - $3049

2. 1860s Old CDV Japanese SAMURAI WARRIOR w/2 Swords. Nobl... - $1715

3. 1860s Antique CDV Japanese. Group 5 SAMURAI Swords.Orig... - $1605

Cabinet Cards:

1. CABINET PHOTOGRAPH ANNIE OAKLEY ~ LIITTLE SURE SHOT - $1150.89

2. Antique Vintage Occupational Cabinet Card Photo Photogr... - $898

3. Eisenmann Photo Madam Milo Long Hair Woman 9.99NR! - $280.89

Militaria:

1. M816 WRECKER TRUCK AM General 5 Ton 6x6 Military Diesel - $23000

2. RUSSIAN USSR LEADER JOSEPH STALIN AUTOGRAPH SIGNATURE - $8995

3. WWII P-51 Mustang Instrument Panel Original - $5000

Folk Art:

1. AN OUTSTANDING CHESTER COUNTY ,PA PAINTED ,HANGING CUPB... - $4050

2. Antique Primitive Canadian Flying Ducks Grenfell Rugs - $3060.20

3. Antique Large Folk Art Primitive Grenfell Hooked Rug 5 ... - $2756.99

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-10-10T20:59:00.001-04:00

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Daguerreotypes:

1. SUPERB 1/6 DAG in Rare Case / Stunning Woman! Ethnic Ro... - $5877.77

2. Daguerreotype Victorian Memento Mori - Photo of Attract... $1400.22

3. 1/6 plate daguerreotype Mexican American War Officer - $1224.99

We were happy to sell this one...

Ambrotypes:

1. Ambrotype Stereoview SUNDAY OUTING 1860's Figures in Pa... - $132.39

2. 1850-60's Ambrotype "THE LITTLE SISTERS" - $105.89

3. BEAUTIFUL POST MORTEM AMBROTYPE SAD FATHER & DECEASED C... - $102.50

Tintypes:

1. SPECTACULAR - ARMED CIVIL WAR SOLDIER TINTYPE with PIST... $791

2. Civil War Tintype of Classic Zouave Soldier - $510

3. RARE HUGE Tintype Ludwicks Spokane Falls WA - $466.99

Stereoviews:

1. Great Early Shaker Stereoview The Office Enfield New Ha... - $612

2. Rare 1873 Modoc Indian War Eadweard Muybridge US Army S... - $360

3. Stereoview High School, Lincoln Nebraska - $331

CDVs:

1. Japan -- 4 Samurai -- with Swords -- ORIGINAL Photo - $1150.88

2. RARE CDV RIO DE JANEIRO BRAZIL BLACK WOMAN 1870 - $811

3. CDV SIGNED ~ SAMUEL F.B. MORSE - $750

Cabinet Cards:

1. EISENMANN FREAK BOXERS LEOPARD BOY + WASHINGTON? RARE I... - $610

2. Antique Rare Russian Imperial Photograph Tsar Nicholas ... - $525

3. Cabinet Card Occupational Electrical Workers Bulbs - $199.99

Militaria:

1. Very Rare WWII Japanese YASUKUNI SHRINE Kai-Gunto Sword... - $7801.89

2. ORIGINAL IDENTIFIED CIVIL WAR UNIFORM / FROCK COAT-154T... - $3200

3. RARE! Original WWII D-Day Map/Aerial Photo Grouping @WO... - $3176.62

Folk Art:

1. Antique French Impressionistic Painting Joseph F Paris - $1693.88

2. DATED 1691 SAMPLER IN AMAZING CONDITION ! NO DIRT MINIM... - $1650

3. ANTIQUE APPLIQUE ALBUM QUILT TOP w/ AMERICAN FLAG/SHIP/... - $877

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-10-03T21:39:00.000-04:00

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Daguerreotypes:

1. Daguerreotype of Couple in Scottish Costume Tartan Swo... - $925

2. POST MORTEM DAGUERREOTYPE TENDER MOTHER MOURNS BABY - $450

3. ANTIQUE DAGUERREOTYPE SOLDIER UNIFORM ANSON PHOTO PRE C... - $388.12

Ambrotypes:

1. CIVIL WAR PHOTOGRAPH 1/6 PLATE AMBROTYPE TWO ARMED NAME... - $1375

2. Quarter Plate Civil War Ambrotype: Possible Confederate... - $1027.50

3. Civil War era 1/4 plate AMBROTYPE militia soldier with ... - $462.99

Tintypes:

1. Original, Vintage CDV-sized Tintype of Western Gunfight... - $1136.45

2. FULL PLATE TINTYPE of Identified TEXAS LAW MAN w/ GUN /... - $1005

3. ** SUPERB ANTIQUE CIVIL WAR SOLDIER TINTYPE AMERICAN FL.. - $888.99

Stereoviews:

1. Rare Stereoview Wilson Hood Maj Gen Hancock Raising Vol...- $777.77

2. Rare Stereoview Wilson Hood Maj Gen Hancock Raising Vol... - $565.55

3. Early Antique Shaker Stereoview Enfield N.H. Bee Keeper... - $549.99

CDVs:

1. GREAT CIVIL WAR CDV OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN - $2125

2. SCARCE 1800'S CVD IMAGE OF 72 INDIAN CHIEFS AT NEW WEST... - $639.99

3. TOKUGAWA YOSHINOBU SHOGUN OF JAPAN RARE 1860s CDV BY DI... - $436.89

Cabinet Cards:

1. Org Cabinet Photo Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna Russia - $450

2. Lot of 1890s Circus Clown Cabinet Cards + Juggling Ring... - $338.99

3. Rare 1880's Wood Boxing Cabinet Card Arthur Chambers Bo... - $310

Militaria:

1. RARE SOVIET RUSSIAN ORDER OF LABOR GLORY 1, 2, 3, cl wi... - $7000

2. Beautiful Large 17th Century Italian German or Spanish ... - $5430

3. English Civil War lobster tail helmet and breast plates - $4595.51

Folk Art:

1. American Antique Folk Art Portrait - Young Woman - Fanc... - $2672.50

2. ANTIQUE C.1820 EARLY AMERICAN SOUTHERN MINIATURE DRESSE... - $2200

3. AN EXTREMELY RARE SOAP HOLLOW ,(JOHNSTOWN,PA AREA) PAIN... - $2000. 50

Today's listing. Some highlights!

2011-10-01T15:44:00.000-04:00

Hey folks,

We just listed about 181 listings of great daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, cdvs, cabinet cards, stereoviews and more. This is a giant batch! We have items listed that will suit the new collector all the way on up to the veteran. Please check them out here:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/salvatorparadise/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

Remember, we always:

-List a great variety of images in our batches

-combine shipping

-keep shipping costs low

-sell only genuine early images (no reproductions or fakes!)

-offer a return policy

-answer your questions promptly

AND - we ALWAYS start our images at $4.99. Not $249. Not $5000. $4.99, every time. You may not always win the auction, but you can always bid!

Here are some highlights:

Mexican American war daguerreotype:

Post mortem or sleeping?

Daguerreotypes:

Daguerreotype plate box:

Postcards:

Cabinet cards:

CDVs

Tintypes:

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-09-26T21:40:00.000-04:00

The world is a mighty big place, and so much gets sold in even one week's time. Here are some highlights from the past week on eBay, where all manner of stuff gets sold, some of it for big dollars. These are by category, as they are listed on eBay.

If you find this weekly blog interesting, please share on facebook, by email or on twitter by using the buttons at the bottom.

Daguerreotypes:

1. California Goldminer 49er W/Gun Daguerreotype~Rare Tint... - $9223.45

2. LOT OF 4 DAGUERROTYPE TINTYPE AMBROTYPE PHOTOS WIDOW DE... - $1802.97

3. Boston Church Interior Quarter Plate Daguerreotype by H... - $676

Ambrotypes:

1. Rare Colored Tintype~Ambrotype Of A Civil War Rebel Or ... - $2475

2. ANTIQUE 1/4 PLATE UNFRAMED AMBROTYPE RISQUE NUDE GIRL W... - $382.77

3. ANTIQUE 1/6 PLATE HALF CASE AMBROTYPE RISQUE NUDE GIRL ... - $300

Tintypes:

1. Mint Large Chinese Merchant Tintype San Francisco Occu... - $660

2. 1890s Men Hiding Faces with Fans - Gay Interest - $308.99

3. circa 1860’s Fat Man Tintype Photograph Album - $260.65

Stereoviews:

1. Antique Shaker Stereoview People in front of Building E... - $811

2. CHINA A Fong photo Canton How Que's (??) Garden ca 1860 - $484

3. JAPAN D.R. Clark 26 Nagasaki panorama 1874 - $345

CDVs:

1. CDV SERGEANT ROBERT F. SHIPLEY ~ MOH ~ CAPTURED FLAG @ - $1724

2. CDV SIGNED TWICE ~ ROBERT ANDERSON ~ HERO OF FORT SUMTE... - $750

3. Brazil CDV: a BLACK NURSE and WHITE CHILD by HENSCHEL - $619.99

Cabinet Cards:

1. CABINET CARD WALT WHITMAN in CAMDEN by FRANK P. HARNED - $2550

2. GERONIMO SON & TWO BRAVES. C. S. FLY, TOMBSTONE, ARIZON... - $799.99

3. Russian Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Antique Cabine... - $699

Militaria:

1. Antique suit of armour for a boy English Civil War old ... - $7700

2. RARE ORIGINAL 1795 PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS DOCUMENT SIGNED - $7099

3. ww2 japanese oficers sword - $5000

Folk Art:

1. Authentic Antique *Wilhelm Schimmel* Pennsylvania Folk ... - $2709.59

2. FINE! Large New England 1815-1820, Federal Mahogany Tim... - $1475

3. Albert Zahn Folk Art sculpture of "Man & 8 Birds" - $950

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-09-19T18:20:00.000-04:00

Daguerreotypes:

1. 1856 JOHN C FREMONT PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN DAGUERREOTYPE - $542

2. 1/2 PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE CALIFORNIA PIONEER - S.HENSLEY - $499.99

3. 1/4 Masterful DAG Photo - Beautiful Woman in Profile / ... - $450

Ambrotypes:

1. Confederate North Carolina Soldier Robert Bean Sutton &... - $1225

2. 19th C Ambrotype Of A Fisherman Complete With All Fishi... - $645.97

3. Post Mortem Ambrotype Young Man *circa 1854 to 1865* Ci... - $565

Tintypes:

1. c1860 STILL-LIFE TINTYPE *Tobacco Pipe* EARLY Example ... - $709.

2. GREAT CIVIL WAR UNION ID'D HALF PLATE TIN TYPE W/DISCHA... - $496.30.

3. Magnificent 4" X 5" Tintype of Locomotive and Tender C.... - $450

Stereoviews:

1. MUYBRIDGE STEREOVIEW BUENA VISTA VINEYARD SONOMA CA GRA... - $436.13

2. 1876 STEREOVIEW PHILA CENTENNIAL Zoological Garden - $267.79

3. 1885 NEW ORLEANS *Bird's-Eye View @ Exposition Groun... - $260.02

CDVs:

1. CARTE DE VISITE GATHERING OF PAINTERS - $1700

2. Psychic-mystic-Theosophical Society-Madame Helena Blava... - $403.08

3. CDV PHOTOGRAPH CIVIL WAR REGIMENTAL FLAG 7TH PA RESERVE... - $382.09

Cabinet Cards:

1. Rare Antique Occupational Cabinet Card Photo _ Photogra... - $618

2. CC: Czech explorer of Africa EMIL HOLUB with AUTOGRAPH - $356

3. Rare 1880's Wood Boxing Cabinet Card Billy Madden Boxer - $325

Militaria:

1. gold soviet order of socialist labour and gold order o... $5250

2. JAPANESE WW2 ARMY OFFICER SHINGUNTO SWORD ORIGINAL - $4150

3. 18th C Persian Shamshir Kilic Sword Wootz Blade - $3333.33

Folk Art:

1. Antique 1840s English Folk Art Prized Cow Oil Painting - $5000

2. Beautiful Early/Old Burl Wood Treen Bowl...Superb!! - $3309

3. BRITISH GEORGIAN NAIVE OIL PORTRAIT - $1750

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-09-12T22:30:00.000-04:00

Daguerreotypes:

1. Very Pretty Girl with Dog 1840s Daguerreotype - $655.60

2. 1/2 PLATE PLUMBE DAGUERREOTYPE PHOTO OF WOMAN - $316.80

3. 1/2 PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE PHOTO OF A COUPLE IN THEIR BES... - $280

Ambrotypes:

1. Stunning 1/6 plate ambrotype Haughty Girl Jug Cohasset - $2150 (We were happy to sell this one)

2. Double Union Case 2 Tinted Ambrotypes Smith ID Cohasset - $431 (we were happy to sell this one)

3. POLLOCK QUARTER PLATE AMBROTYPE PHOTO OF A POST MORTEM... - $371.50

Tintypes:

1. 1/2 PL TINTYPE of Funeral MOURNING WREATH, Unusual - $3749

2. Civil War 9th Indiana Cav Photos Eli Lilly Col Jackson - $1724

3. tin type soldier ? w / sword wood leather case photo - $990

Stereoviews:

1. Stereoview Bloody Lane Civil War Sharpsburg MD Antietam... - $442.77

2. Dundas Hamilton Ontrario Canada Stereoview Photograph - $317.76

3. 1870s SV PHOTO Terrible Mine BROWNSVILLE Colorado - $255

CDVs:

1. CEARLY SALT LAKE CITY CDV ALBUM MORMON FAMILY UTAH - $1526

2. Yosemite California Trail Builder/Pioneer-RARE/SIGNED! - $1124

3. U.S. Sculptor/Artist P.F. Connelly, climbed New Zealand- $889.99

Cabinet Cards:

1. RARE 1914 Mt Vernon OH Cabinet Photo Optical & Pocket W... - $550

2. Rare autographed cabinet card of Carol I of Romania - $500

3. GROUP OF 14 PHOTOS OF INDIANS & CAVALRY IN NEW MEXICO - $475

Militaria:

1. AMES CIVIL WAR PRESENTATION SWORD / SABER - $11000

2. RARE! Eagle Industries Allied RLCS Kit RBSS AOR1 MLCS - $10100

3. WW2 Japanese Sword Navy Kaigunto with Owner Inscription - $4995

Folk Art:

1. ITINERATE 19th Century FOLKY HOUSE PORTRAIT Oil on CANV... - $2225

2. GREAT!! Pr American 1830 Portrait Miniatures on ivory - $1103.52

3. Early American Portrait Miniature Painting by Verstille - $1083.78

The magic of a snapshot

2011-09-05T23:47:00.001-04:00

(Adrian Burns collection)

There's magic in a snapshot, and at this junction in the evolution of the collecting and study of early images that's becoming clearer.

The daguerreotype reigns supreme as the early image that holds the most monetary value when all other things are equal. And as the earliest commercially viable form of photography there is little dispute that daguerreotypes open the farthest reaching historical portal. It is this look back, way back, that first turned me on to early photography, and the allure of the silver canvas still beckons for me.

But, please don't forget the snapshot. It is the last stop on the line that began with the laborious daguerreotype. But forget about photographs taken for art's sake. They can be wonderful and very valuable for their own reasons. But instead focus on the common photograph. The image not taken with art in mind, but that which is capable of being art because of happenstance, the creative mind of a working photographer or the special subject. Usually all three make a showing when the common photo is elevated to art.

Anyway, with dags we most see portraits. Plain sometimes. Rarely boring to me, but, yeah, a little boring sometimes. Of course there are the wonders, too. But on the whole, there are fewer dags, they took longer to produce and their creation involved a lot more rigamarole. Snapshots, on the other hand, lack that look back to the mid 19th century. They flourished in the first half of the 20th century. A time when some folks alive today were up and about.

But they exist in great quantities. And most important, they were created by the most absolute of amateurs, of those who didn't seek art, nor any pretense but to capture a flicker. It was rare that a flicker was intentionally captured in the early days of photography when dags were being made.

But snapshots, oh snapshots. That is nearly all they did! Today there are some that provide more than just a window into the past, but a beautiful and glimmering one. And because of their low cost, wide usage and acceptance, they proved the most fertile grounds for accidental art in photography.

(Adrian Burns collection)

Collectors have come to appreciate this, as snapshots, lonely, messily little thin, tiny snapshots - the type smooshed into a box at an auction, in some cases now elicit great demand from collectors.

Some pricy snapshots that sold on eBay in the past week:

Helen and Anna kiss: $175

Gal Pals: $78.77

Boy & sculpture: $78.77

I'm beginning to see why. It is in the flickers that I can see beauty in photographs. The glimpses. Don't tell me that an epoch in a photo will be but a speck to me, as my emotional brain struggles to connect my own life experiences with such a swath. Ah, but a flicker. It is so tiny, I can identify with it, and yet still feel deep meaning. Meaning that I can wrap my brain around. That is what gets me in a photograph. No doubt you see this in the best of early images. I see it most in snapshots.

They are the height of the flicker among the vintage or antique photos. They are the most real, or at least the most real the most often.

Don't overlook them in your hunt for old photos, those tiny slices of emotion from another time. They're bite sized and tasty as can be.

The love shack

(Adrian Burns collection)

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week

2011-09-05T14:34:00.000-04:00

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Daguerreotypes:

1. SCARCE DAGUERREOTYPE STEREOVIEW by ANTOINE CLAUDET 185% - $2250

2. ca1850 DAGUERREOTYPE PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUNG MALE VIOLINIST - $914

3. Rare Civil War Daguerreotype photo - $755 (Not a dag)

Ambrotype

1. POST MORTEM AMBRO PHOTO OF A WOMEN - $678

2. Ambrotype U.S. Civil War Soldier w/ Rifle & Handgun NR - $349.91

3. 1/6th AMBRO black NANNY WHITE BABY 1/2CASE 1860s#7546 - $180

Tintypes:

1. BLACK CIVIL WAR SOLDIER WITH GUN,RIFLE,US FLAG TINTYPE - $725.89

2. Civil War Confederate Soldier (?) Tin Type Photo - $666.55

3. Antique Tintype Tinted Photo Photographer & His Camera - $565

Stereoviews (singles):

1. VINTAGE STEREOVIEW JOHN L SULLIVAN JAKE KILRAIN BOXING - $350

2. Rare 1873 Modoc Indian War Stereoview Photo Muybridge - $295

3. J COLLIER CENTRAL CITY TRAIN ENGINE SV DENVER COLORADO - $240.07

CDVs:

1. Original Cabinet of Annie Oakley and her Gun Ex Cond - $1200 (cabinet card)

2. c1870 HONG KONG,CHINA *Happy Valley Race Course* CROWDS - $550

3. RARE CDV BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN BY MATHEW BRADY - $400

Cabinet Cards:

1. CABINET CARD MADAME CANDELARIA ~ SURVIVOR OF THE ALAMO - $791

2. ANNIE OAKLEY STACY PHOTO CABINET CARD - $749

3. CC: portrait SISI’S DAUGHTER Archduchess MARIE VALERIE - $480

Militaria:

1. Well Armed Virgina Confederate 1/6 Plate Ambrotype - $6000

2. 8x60 U.BOAT "COMMANDERS GLASS" BINOCULARS - CARL ZEISS - $5671.75

3. WW2 1940 GERMAN U-BOAT NAVIGATION STAR GLOBE w/STAND - $5500

Folk Art:

1. 1wpa mural study mexican figures men and boys grieving - $2200

2. THE FINEST ,PA. GERMAN MINIATURE BRASS SKIMMER THERE IS - $2026

3. 19th Cent. Swedish-American Folk Art Wedding Chest - $1200

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-08-29T22:33:00.002-04:00

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Daguerreotypes:

1. Painter Daguerreotype with Brushes and Bucker- $3600

2. Good 6th Plate Daguerreotype Portrait Of 2 Young Ladies - $889.99

3. Large 1/4 PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE group women college - $730

Ambrotype

1. Ambrotype of Pregnant Black AA Lady in arm of other wom - $1979.99

2. 7th Cavalry Company H Armed Ambrotype - $232.50

3. Great Ambrotype in Even Greater 3-D Gutta Percha Case - $179.04

Tintypes:

1. 1st Indiana Heavy Artillery Tintype History Grouping - $1051

2. Civil War Tintype SNY Belt Knife Pistol Backpack Pipe - $1026

3. SIXTH PLATE TINTYPE OF AN ARMED BLACK SOLDIER - $685.03

Stereoviews:

1. Antique Telebinocular Tour of the world Complete 12 Vol - $670

2. Grant, Sherman, Burns, Grand Review Stereoviews- $500

3. Gettysburg Civil War Dead Stereoview & Stereoviewer - $431.79

CDVs:

1. 1864 Autographed CDV from GB McClellan to HJ Hunt - $1675

2. CDV: US Civil War, surgeon DR. MARY WALKER, CMOH - $937

3. c1860s *NUDE Beautiful WOMEN* albumen cdv INDIA/CEYLON? - $542

Cabinet Cards:

1. NATIVE AMERICAN DAGUERROETYPE CABINET LITTLE BIG MAN - $8900

2. c1890 cabinet photo 2 men GRAPHOPHONE Music Devic- $541

3. Rare 1880's Wood Boxing Cabinet Card Mike Cleary Boxer - $311

Militaria:

1. VISIGOTHIC HELMET - V CENTURY - ORIGINAL !!!!!!!!!!!! - $10655

2. Antique French Napoleonic Cuirassier Uniform Pre 1865 - $7896.54

3. 1800's FRENCH CUIRASSIER CAVALRY OFFICERS SWORD - $4849

Folk Art:

1. 19th Century Painted Copper "Harris" Horse Weathervane - $2281

2. ANTIQUE ROOSTER-CHICKEN WOOD CARVING FOLK ART PLAQUE! - $1304.79

3. AN EARLY ,AMERICAN CHILDS SETTLE,OR BUCKET BENCH - $1052

Boys had bottle curls, too

2011-08-23T21:31:00.002-04:00

What a cutie! Bottle curls and proud of it! Cabinet Card. Will be offered soon.

Earthquake photos please – let's see them!

2011-08-23T15:30:00.003-04:00

In light of today's earthquake, I thought I'd solicit some links to some great early earthquake photos. Send them on in in the comments section.

And I know some of you actually own some great early earthquake images. Feel free to post them here, too! Let's see!

And - comments are now open to anyone, you don't have to follow this blog to comment.

* I just found this site - kind of the mother lode of photos.

(Courtesy Library of Congress)

Exquisite tinting - 1/9 plate daguerreotype

2011-08-23T00:31:00.000-04:00

The British were the masters of daguerreotype tinting, and this 1/9 plate daguerreotype is a master work. Tinted from top to bottom. No spec of the surface spared. Sky tinted as if the sun was low. It's amazing what a good tinting can do to bring an image to life. Have had this for a few years but only recently rediscovered it in inventory.

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-08-22T10:02:00.000-04:00

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Daguerreotypes:

1. 1/2 Plate Daguerreotype " Mom & Pantless Baby" Full Cas- $750

2. TURKEY CONSTANTINOPLE ISTANBUL GALATA ANTIQUE PHOTO - $690

3. Early 1840s 1/6 DAG of Woman w Tasseled Curtain Shadow? - $600

Ambrotypes:

1861 6th AMBRO, CIVIL WAR SOLDIER HOLDS FRIEND'S HAND - $487

2. ca.1863 Civil War Soldier in Uniform,Delaware Ambrotype - $456.51

3. POST MORTEM DOUBLE AMBROTYPES MOTHER w/ DEAD CHILD - $361.69

Tintypes:

1. GENTLEMAN W/BANJO TINTYPE PHOTO IN CASE - $6276.76 (listed as a tintype but clearly a dag)

2. 7 Incredible US Civil War Armed Soldier Tintype - $1426.99

3. Antique 19C. Military Tintype Photo of Soldier w/ Sword - $1226.99 (Clearly a dag)

Stereoviews:

1. Orig ca.1860 Interior Appleton Stereoscopic Co NY Store- $717.07

2. OLD DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN MINING PHOTO STEREOVIEW CARDS - $565

3. RARE PHOTO MODOC INDIAN WAR 1873 BY EDWARD MUYBRIDGE - $407.50

CDVs:

1. CDV Photo,Civil War Soldier,Id'd Gen. Farnsworth,KIA - $3350

2. President James Garfield CDV Carte de visite Civil War - $1625.03

3. c1862 Utah MORMON Leader * BRIGHAM YOUNG * Signed cdv - $765

Cabinet Cards:

1. MADAME HERRMANN. QUEEN OF MAGIC. c.1890. VERY RARE - $686

2. TINTYPIST WITH CAMERA & SITTER. BY FALK. c.188) $685.32

3. GENERAL ULYSSES S U.S. GRANT CASKET CABINET CARD PHOTO - $455

Militaria:

1. VERY NICE CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE SWORD P1821 - $10303

2. JAPANESE SWORD - $6789.25

3. Antique Chinese Naval Short Sword Dagger WW2 - $4938.01

Folk Art:

1. Huge Folk Art Sideshow Circus Painting Robert Wicks - $2550

2. Antique American Folk Art Game Board Old Paint - $2272.22

3. RARE! SMALLEST ROOSTER 19TH C. WEATHERVANE.. VT BARN - $1525

The roundup - Some top sellers from the past week.

2011-08-14T22:11:00.001-04:00

THE ROUNDUP IS BACK! I'VE ADDED SOME NEW CATEGORIES THAT WE'LL TRACK: STEREOVIEW PHOTOS, CABINET CARDS AND CDVS

Daguerreotypes:

1. YOUNG WOMAN HOLDING A BOOK - 1/6 DAGUERREOTYPE PHOTO - $749

2. Daguerreotypes - Aaron and Huldah Sackett - Akron Ohio - $635

3. Antique Photo Lot Daguerreotype & Ambrotype - $588

Ambrotypes:

1. Occupational RubyAmbrotype " Seamstresses- RARE CASE" - $274

2. QUARTER PLATE AMBROTYPE PEOPLE IN CEMETARY TEXAS RARE - $260

3. ANTIQUE AMBROTYPE 6TH PLATE 2 MEN GAY INTEREST - $180.27

Tintypes:

1. 1/4 Plate Tintype 63rd INDIANA Sargent Major w. Sword - $358.50

2. BOY WITH 2 STEREOSCOPES & STEREOVIEW TINTYPE - $316

3. EARLY TINTYPE OF A SAILOR, CIVIL WAR VINTAGE ???? - $311

Stereoviews:

1. OLD SAN FRANCISCO CA. PHOTO STEREOVIEW LOT GOLD MINING - $2575

2. OLD SAN FRANCISCO CA. PHOTO STEREOVIEW LOT GOLD MINING - $2481.78

3. OLD SAN FRANCISCO CA. PHOTO STEREOVIEW LOT GOLD MINING - $2190.50

CDVs:

1. CDV GENERAL JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN ~ MOH FOR GETTYSBURG - $4935

2. CdV album w/ 40 Civil War era photos US VP military gov - $1900

3. 1860s CDV Photo/Madarin Chinese Official/Shanghai/Fine- $759.99

Cabinet Cards:

1. George Edward Anderson Cabinet Card Photo Utah Mormon ? - $898

2. Rare 1887 Des Moines Iowa Baseball Cabinet Photo - $769.99

3. 1896 Texas Pioneer Orig CC Photo w/Rifle, Pistol & Dirk - $709.99

Militaria:

1. BALDWIN MARK I U.S. NAVY RAILWAY GUN BUILDERS MODEL - $5325.99

2. Italian Dagger - about 1580 - MEDICI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - $5300

3. A-2 "Flying Tiger" WW2 Named Pilot with papers- $5000

Folk Art:

1. AN OUTSTANDING EARLY CHESTER CO. PA. SPICE CABINET !!- $6600

2. Early Antique Patriotic American Centennial Eagle - $2180.55

3. A RARE CHESTER CO. PA," VINE & BERRY" ,SPICE BOX,SUPERB - $1924.99

Utah Rock formation and gnarly cowboy stereoview

2011-08-14T11:15:00.000-04:00

Here is another from this recent acquisition. Rock formation and old man are craggy alike:

Finding good stereoviews...

2011-08-13T21:31:00.000-04:00

One of the great things about working in the auction business is coming across really great stuff. I worked the internet bidding today and did some bid calling for Peter Gehres and his Belhorn Auctions pottery auction at The Super Auction.

While I enjoy pottery, I love old photographs, and so scoured the various rings for goodies today, and came up with some great buys at very reasonable prices. I bought many stereoviews of the old west, an album of tintypes and some fantastic real photo postcards at the auction ring held by Jade Montrie of Toledo, Ohio.

Here is one. It is as old west as it gets! I've handled many good old west views, but rarer are the scenes of daily life. There are more. I'll get them up ASAP.

Super Auction today

2011-08-13T21:05:00.000-04:00

wrote this about about 7:30 am this morning but didn't post it, so I'll post it now!

Today is the sixth Super Auction, which is a real big group auction held in Ann Arbor, Michigan in February and August of each year. It's managed by auctioneer David Helmer and my collegue and friend Peter Gehres, a Columbus, Ohio auctioneer. It goes all day and has numerous hour-long auction rings including pottery, metal hunting traps, guns, militaria, coins, baseball cards and more.

I'll be working the online bidding platform and doing some bid calling. And, of course, some buying. There are a handful of early photo lots that I'd like to get my hands on. It's a beautiful day here, not too hot and plenty sunny at this early hour.

http://thesuperauction.net/

You can see the few photos I took on my facebook page.

1/6 plate tintype - Old west cowboy

2011-08-12T09:30:00.001-04:00

1/6 plate tintype - howdy partner!

1/6 plate daguerreotype - Happy Baby, Stressed Mom

2011-08-11T21:40:00.002-04:00

Primitive, blurry, sudden. But baby is happy giving mom a hard time. She looks exasperated. 1/6 plate daguerreotype.

The Wire Walking Show Must Go On, or, Niagara: it's not just the water

2011-08-09T11:24:00.016-04:00

Niagara Falls, Canada - working to avoid a carnival-like atmosphere

Where the water crashes and mist rises at Niagara, a man with a mission has emerged - and his name is Wallenda.
His plan is simple. String a two-inch wide wire across the gaping, breezy Niagara Gorge near Niagara Falls and walk across it.
But he may never have the chance to plunge hundreds of feet to certain death in the churning Niagara River below. That's because Canadian parks officials will have none of it.
They're against the idea of the walk. It'll encourage stunting, they say. Niagara is a natural beauty, not a carnival spectacle, they say. From the Toronto Star:
"The final holdout, however, is on the Canadian side at the Niagara Parks Commission. Its fears the act is a one-time stunt that would return Niagara Falls to its days of flash and showmanship, rather than highlight the falls’ natural beauty."
Hogwash. Niagara Falls, Canada is already carnival through and through with its casinos, strip clubs, wax museums, bars and tourist traps.

If the site of spinning slot machine reels or bouncing bosoms doesn't take one's eyes off the falls, I don't know what will.

The Niagara Fallsview Casino.

The falls have always been about danger, risk and thrill. It's a natural spectacle, and a dangerous one! And it looms so large that a wire and a man set in front of it would surely be dwarfed by the huge cataract .
The huge gorge, buffeting winds, sheets of drifting mist and backdrop of the falls will be the feature, with the tiny speck of a tightrope walker registering somewhere in the middle of its splendor.

Man and that backdrop is the crux of the attraction of the falls.

It is a gigantic and deadly siren that slaps you in the face the way few natural phenomenon do.
"I can kill you!" it shouts when one looks at it. "Step into the water! Go ahead! I'll suck you in and over and to your death!"
Most ignore such a call. But our human race always has a few who answers it - and that's Wallenda.
Why can't we live vicariously in his decision to do the unthinkable and embrace the danger that we all love to approach at Niagara?
If America has apple pie then Niagara has the danger seekers. Plain and simple. It began a long, long time ago and has never really gone dormant. The Native Americans in the area actually built a ladder between the waterfalls that allowed access to the base of the falls. Observe this illustration from 1751.

(Print, courtesy of The History Gallery)

And then there were the numerous professional thrill seekers of the 19th century, a time rife with stunts. Yes, the included tightrope walkers. Heaven forbid a real-life stunt is allowed in the 21st century rather than relying on television for our thrills.

Henry Bellini makes his leap from tightrope to the water below in 1873. Stereoview (Burns Antiques & Appraisal Collection)

Even regular folks have long been known to push the limits of the falls, creeping a little too close for a photo.

A man peers over a ledge at Niagara. Carte De Visite (Courtesy Thanatos Archive)

Too close for comfort. Late 1860s full-plate ambrotype. (Burns Antiques & Appraisal Collection)

But no, a tightrope walker in this age of natural purity at Niagara Falls would be too much. Never mind that the parks commission sponsors a cable car that is loaded with tourists and pulled out over the gorge on a wire, yes a wire!
"Sometimes frightening and always unforgettable!" the parks says on its site.

But a man on a wire? Blasphemy!

I'd much rather watch Wallenda on the wire for free than pay $12.25 to go out on a wire myself.

Here's to letting the stunt go forward. Opposing it because it somehow turns Niagara into a carnival or place of stunts is a lame argument.vIt has long been that way. As long as mankind enjoys the falls, it will continue to be that way, even if only in our tempted minds.

Incidentally, officials from the U.S. side of the border have largely embraced Wallenda's plans. With no strip clubs, wax museums, overflowing bars, dance clubs, gondolas on wires, super hotels or actual outright year-round carnivals, Niagara Falls, New York needs what it can get. Luckily, you can always see Canada's fireworks from both sides of the Niagara River. And they say our view of the falls is better, too.

Adrian Burns grew up in Youngstown, New York in northern Niagara County. He visits the falls each year from his home in Lancaster, Ohio. He is now an antiques dealer and appraiser, with a special interest in early photography.