Skinner

Boston, MA – November 2, 2018 – Skinner is pleased to announce the November 18 auction of Fine Books & Manuscripts to be held at the Skinner Boston Gallery at 11AM. Featuring 350 lots, this rare book auction offers fresh finds from several important New England estates including printed books, documents, natural history prints and maps.   An attic discovery of the rare 1845 first edition of Poe’s Tales (Lot 224, Estimate: $60,000-80,000) in paper wrappers will be offered, along with a first edition of The Book of Mormon (Lot 264, Estimate: $45,000-55,000), and Benjamin Lincoln’s Oath of Allegiance witnessed and signed by George Washington (Lot 53, Estimate: $20,000-30,000). Americana collectors will have a chance to bid on the 1770 London edition of A Short Narrative of the Horrid Massacre in Boston (Lot 55, Estimate: $7,000-9,000), a copy of John Ogilby’s America from 1671 illustrated with maps (Lot 201, Estimate: […]

Important Jewelry Preview | New York City Join the Jewelry Department in New York City to preview highlights from the December 4 Important Jewelry Auction. Private preview times are available by appointment only. TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13 | WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 14 REQUEST APPOINTMENT Skinner New York 415 Madison Ave, #1418, NY, New York Questions? Contact us: jewelry@skinnerinc.com 617.874.4313

Thursday, November 15, 2018 Reception: 5:30PM | Presentation: 6PM Join Fine Books & Manuscripts specialist Devon Eastland for a demonstration of bookbinding techniques, restoration treatments and a discussion of approaches to repair with examples. See books from the inside out and bring your questions. Devon has worked in the field of restoration for more than twenty years. Repair a chair and sit down, fix a book and read! Light refreshments will be served, and all items in the November 18 Fine Books & Manuscripts auction will be available for preview. Devon began learning bookbinding and book repair as a hobby while a college undergraduate, and upon graduation began work as a book dealer. Devon was fortunate to work with early printed books (many pre-1700) executing repairs and restorations to leather bindings that maintained archival standards with an eye to authentic period structures and materials. Working with early books also translated into […]

Join us for First Tuesday in Marlborough  Tuesday, November 6  | 1:30PM – 4PM Specialists Robin S.R. Starr, Kaitlin Shinnick, & Christopher D. Fox will be on hand to evaluate items and accept consignments for upcoming auctions.  Experts Available in November: Robin S.R. Starr – Director of American & European Works of Art, will be on-hand to evaluate paintings, prints, sculpture, and photography for upcoming auctions. She is looking forward to seeing examples by listed, sought-after artists, as well as iconic works of fine art photography from the 19th through 21st centuries, with market interest over $1000. Post-War and Contemporary Art is particularly strong in the current market.       Kaitlin Shinnick – Senior Specialist of the Fine Jewelry department will be appraising Fine Jewelry, Antique Jewelry, Gemstones and watches.  The Jewelry Department regularly holds four auctions yearly and are actively seeking consignments of Fine Jewelry.  Whether antique or contemporary, Kaitlin is excited to have the opportunity to evaluate and […]

“Where Did You Get That?” True Tales from the Homes of Connoisseurs, Collectors and Hoarders Please join us for a gallery talk held in conjunction with the preview for the November 3 American Furniture & Decorative Arts auction, as department specialists share stories of how objects in the auction were collected by their owners, and how they made their way to Skinner. Friday November 2, 2018  |  Skinner Boston Gallery 5:30PM Reception, 6:00PM Gallery Talk Boston Gallery 63 Park Plaza  Boston, MA 02116 PLEASE RSVP HERE Questions? Contact us: events@skinnerinc.com 508-970-3240

Meet the specialists from the Fine Wines Department and taste highlights from the upcoming November 5th Fine Wines & Rare Spirits auction.   The Ultimate Wash-Ashore Dinner      Thursday, October 18 | Martha’s Vineyard | 7PM-10PM     Beach Road Restaurant     79 Beach Road     Vineyard Haven, MA 02568      RSVP ONLINE       Pre-Auction Wine Lunch     Tuesday, October 30 | New York City | 12PM-2PM     Vaucluse Restaurant     100 East 63rd Street     New York, NY 10065     RSVP ONLINE       Pre-Auction Wine Tasting    Thursday, November 1 | Boston | 5PM-6:30PM    haley.henry    45 Province Street    Boston, MA 02108    RSVP ONLINE   Questions? Contact Us: 508.970.3246 finewines@skinnerinc.com

John is a specialist in our Fine Jewelry department, nurturing a lifelong interest in jewelry with particular expertise in antique and period pieces. His love of antiques began in the flea markets, tag sales, and antique shops of his native Westchester County, New York, appreciating the beauty and simplicity of 18th century English silver. While studying at Boston University, John explored his interest in the auction world by joining Skinner’s Boston gallery team part-time in 2002 and the Jewelry Department in 2005. In 2013 John became an appraiser on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow.   How did you get your start in the auction world?   I really started loving antiques when my friend’s dad used to take us to tag sales to look for silver when we were in high school.  He taught me what to look for, and how to haggle!  It got me into looking for great finds, and […]

Are you looking at a work of art, but can’t decide whether you’re looking at an original painting or a reproduction? Don’t panic. To bust the vast majority of repros all you need to do is look closely. Ask yourself if there a reason the work looks suspicious? Maybe the colors look a little off, like an old Kodachrome slide or that faded poster that used to hang in your dorm room? Maybe the texture of the surface seems wrong; it looks like the paint is applied with heavy impasto (meaning thick, loose, brushstrokes) but the surface is flat as a pancake? Or the surface has texture but it seems pattern-like and doesn’t relate to the brushstrokes as defined by their colors? All of these observations should set off alarm bells. Now look even more closely. If, like me, you’re over 40 you may need a magnifying glass or a […]

Skinner thanks Frank Maresca, co-founder of the Ricco/Maresca Gallery in New York City for penning an introduction to the catalog for the Marvill Collection featured in the November 3 American Furniture & Decorative Arts auction.  If I had to choose one word to describe Mickey and Jill Baten in their lifelong commitment to collecting art, it would be “fearless.” It is a word that not only implies the lack of fear but, more significantly, the presence of courage; a willingness to venture into the unknown with one’s own instinct and conviction as guides. The collection that the Batens built is without rival in the world: from museum-quality examples of the great American self-taught painters of the 19th century, to world-class 18th and early-19th century furniture, to the finest collection of anonymous/artist unknown sculpture that has ever been assembled. In 1976 I attended Folk Sculpture U.S.A. at the Brooklyn Museum. The […]

Join us for First Tuesday in Marlborough  Tuesday, November 6  | 1:30PM – 4PM Specialists Robin S.R. Starr, Kaitlin Shinnick, & Christopher D. Fox will be on hand to evaluate items and accept consignments for upcoming auctions.  Experts Available in November: Robin S.R. Starr – Director of American & European Works of Art, will be on-hand to evaluate paintings, prints, sculpture, and photography for upcoming auctions. She is looking forward to seeing examples by listed, sought-after artists, as well as iconic works of fine art photography from the 19th through 21st centuries, with market interest over $1000. Post-War and Contemporary Art is particularly strong in the current market.       Kaitlin Shinnick – Senior Specialist of the Fine Jewelry department will be appraising Fine Jewelry, Antique Jewelry, Gemstones and watches.  The Jewelry Department regularly holds four auctions yearly and are actively seeking consignments of Fine Jewelry.  Whether antique or contemporary, Kaitlin is excited to have the opportunity to evaluate and […]

MARLBOROUGH, MA – October 3, 2018 – Skinner is pleased to announce the November 2, 2018 auction of Historic Arms & Militaria. The bi-annual sale offers collectors material of historical interest from the American Revolution through World War II, including artillery, pistols, muskets, rifles, swords, powder horns, and uniforms. The Billy Ahearn Collection of American Revolutionary War Firearms  The collection includes numerous rare examples of British, French, and American military muskets with provenance to specific soldiers or regiments that played prominent roles in the American Revolution from Lexington & Concord through the conclusion of the war in the early 1780s.  One highlight is a rare British Long Land Pattern musket (lot 19, estimate: $5,000-7,00) used by the 4th or The King’s Own Regiment’s flank companies saw service at Concord on April 19, 1775. The David F. Post Collection of Important Colt Revolvers and Winchester Rifles The collection features a fine offering […]

  Tuesday, October 23 & Wednesday, October 24 | New York City The Asian Works of Art Department is now inviting consignments for upcoming auctions. Department specialists will be available by appointment to offer verbal evaluation and accept consignments in the New York office on October 23 and 24 between 10AM and 3PM. Please call or email to inquire about the possibility of consigning with Skinner or to set your appointment.   REQUEST APPOINTMENT Skinner New York 415 Madison Ave, #1418 New York, NY Contact Us: asian@skinnerinc.com 508.970.3263