Biography of an Object Writing Contest

As you know, we are always looking for ways to engage with a new audience (as well as opportunities to reconnect with our existing friends and customers).  Whether it is speaking to school kids about items that could have been found on a wagon on the Oregon Trail or offering insights  to curious adults on how
to evaluate 19th and 20th Century unknown artists, our efforts are motivated by a sincere desire to "preach the gospel according to Garth."  In no way is that meant to make light of anyone's  religious beliefs...it has just been the way that we, internally, verbalize what our company is about.  By all accounts, Garth
Oberlander was a kind, sincere and dedicated auctioneer; focused on delivering a quality auction experience and treating everyone "right."  We sum it up as:  "Dependable. Honest. Results."

Those values have been at the heart of our company for 60 years; and, although sometimes our efforts seem peripheral to our core jobs, these efforts are right in line with our core values.  Our latest endeavor is a partnership with three of the major "trade" papers and the top online database.  We are grateful
that P4A.com, AntiqueWeek, Antiques & the Arts Weekly, and Maine Antique Digest share our interest in proselytizing to new (and old) audiences.  Check out the Biography of an Object Contest www.garths.com/contest) - and, even if you are not interested, pass it on to a child or adult in your life.  Better yet, offer them a suggestion from your own collection or inventory as the inspiration for their entry.  Spark their imagination and share with them what it is that makes us all crazy about this "stuff."  Use
your passion to ignite a passion in someone else.  That's how we got into the business; and, probably how many of you got your starts, as well.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your business.  We'd love to hear from you.  Call, email or stop by.

Best Regards, Amelia & Jeff Jeffers

Spring 2012

With such a mild winter, it wasn't surprising when a friend mentioned having had the mower out for
the third time this "spring." Grass doesn't check the calendar - it just looks for a little encouraging sunshine,
soaks up whatever moisture it can, and it's off to the races.  Much like everyone else, our team is enjoying
the early spring, but we certainly aren't letting any grass grow under our feet!  Emerging from the winter
antiques season, having sold four lifetime collections in a period of three months, we haven't had any time
to rest on our laurels (not that we'd want to, anyway).  Plans for 2012, made in the fall, are now unfolding and keeping everyone hopping.  We just completed our first Groupon promotion; started a Pinterest account (so addictive it is scary!); finished up course descriptions for our class offerings at the Chautuaqua Institution this summer; laid the groundwork for a website overhaul; and continue to fill up the calendar with lectures and appraisal  days throughout the Midwest.  And, of course, we've traveled near and far, gathering material for upcoming auctions - checking out and picking up consignments from Nebraska to the state of Delaware.
Gratefully, we continue to love, love, love what we do. Everyday is an adventure, every phone call is an old (or new) friend, and lots of opportunities lay ahead.  Our team is growing steadily, and we are fortunate to be surrounded by people who are passionate, dedicated and genuinely interested in making customers happy.

Happy spring!  We hope to hear from you soon.

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Amelia & Jeff Jeffers

Ronnie Doggett, February 2012

Any one ever in the company of Ronnie Doggett could see very quickly that Ronnie had a zest
for life ~ his quick laugh and warm smile instantly put others at ease, and most certainly impacted his 50 years as a successful antiques dealer.  He owned shops in Missouri, Indiana and his beloved Louisville, Kentucky, where his shop (Tin Horse Antiques) was a favorite gathering place for friends, dealers, decorators and his faithful clients.  Ronnie loved to sell antiques, but his business was simply a means to an end - the hunt and acquisition of rare and beautiful objects.

Ronnie had a long, trusted relationship with Garth's.  He loved coming to the auctions, van
loaded and cell phone in hand, dialing his clients on the way home, "I have the perfect piece
for you!"  With an infallible memory, he knew his clients and their collections well; buying
selectively with special people in mind.  This caring nature endeared him to many.
We will miss Ronnie's keen eye and wonderful sense of humor; but feel sure he is smiling at
the thought of his personal collection passing through this sale room, into the hands of another
passionate buyer.

~ Amelia & Jeff Jeffers

Dan Dennis, Thanksgiving 2012

DAN DENNIS

April 18, 1945 - September 16, 2011

Dan Dennis passed away unexpectedly on a Friday night, after loading his truck for the Springield show and grilling steaks for he and his beloved wife, Vicki.  We have a feeling that Dan would have said that he passed the way he had  always hoped - doing the thing he loved, with the person he loved.  We can’t remember an auction that Dan missed,  and there is no doubt that his friends at Garth’s will miss his friendly smile and great stories.  While we are proud to handle ine examples from Dan and Vicki’s collection, the moment is bittersweet, as we mourn the loss of a dear friend.

Carl & Joyce Mueller Collection, January 2012

"For over one half century, we have collected - lived with - and enjoyed Antiques. Carl spent over ifty years in the commercial radiator business started by his father in 1920. Joyce is a retired elementary public school teacher. Our irst collecting passion was for Edwardian era antique automobiles and mechanical music (music
boxes, automaton, orchestrion, etc.)  Shortly after our marriage in 1962, we purchased the brick Federal style Abraham and Abigail Hine home (circa 1830) in Tallmadge, Ohio.  Thus began a forty year quest for historic preservation.  At that time, our collecting expanded to include the decorative arts (antiques) to
properly furnish our (new) old house. In 1962, also began our irst experience with Garth's.  Garth
Oberlander was selling John and Winn Dennison's (friends of ours) collection.  Some of these pieces are now in this sale. That sale was the beginning of a long, pleasant, and rewarding experience with Garth's Auction House culminating with this Catalogue.  That sale also was the beginning of a new journey
of discovery. We've met mentors, made friends, and enjoyed the company of fellow collectors throughout these years.  Many Dealers from this period whom we have frequented, have since passed away
such as Thelma Harding from New Philadelphia, Gailey Wilson from Hickory, Pennsylvania, Charles Momchilov from Jeromesville, Mary Thornton, Norwalk, George Samaha, Milan, Joe Stevens, Canton and many others.  We have raised three children in our restored home who have grown up and moved on.  And, as Garth Oberlander used to say, "the burden of stewardship was growing too heavy". So, a couple of years ago we packed up a few of our favorite pieces and moved to our restored 1872 Carriage House on Sandy Lake where we spend lazy days and experience some of the most beautiful sunsets in northeast Ohio.
So, the time has come to dispose of the things we have lived with and loved.  Hopefully, these things will bring others the same enjoyment that we have been so fortunate to experience."

~ Carl and Joyce Mueller

We are fortunate and proud to represent the Muellers' collection.  They have watched Garth's change and grow, as much as everyone at Garth's has watched their collection change and grow.  We hope you enjoy
this collection as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you.

~ Amelia & Jeff Jeffers

Collection of Jim & Susie Widder, Thanksgiving 2011

For some, antiques are not just objects to buy, sell, and collect, but instead they are truly a way of life.  For nearly five decades, such as been the case with Jim and Susan Widder.  They met at The Ohio State University when Jim was a graduate student (and Susan's lab instructor), and when Jim completed his doctoral work, the couple settled in Cincinnati, where Jim spent over thirty years in research and management at Procter and Gamble and as a professor at the University of Cincinnati, while Susan spent
fifteen years as a research assistant at Children's and University Hospitals. When the Widders decided to move away from the then-popular trend of Danish Modern decor, a friend, who also happened to be
a local antiques dealer, introduced them to the world of painted furniture and folk art, and they soon began filling their suburban Cincinnati home with brightly decorated furniture, folk portraiture of all sizes and a veritable menagerie of carved animals.  They also began to participate in antique shows, using their growing knowledge to sell some of their discoveries to their fellow collectors. To Jim and Susan, however, the things that filled their home were not just neat things to look at, but rather objects with stories to
discover and to tell.  Through diligent research in libraries and, later, online, Jim and Susan breathed new life into many of their antiques by making new connections and unraveling the mysteries of their makers.  This commitment to research even led them to the front door of the 92-year-old great-great-granddaughter of folk portraitist Ruth Whittier Shute, a moment that was one of the highlights in their life in the world of antiques (and the portrait by Shute is one of the highlights of their collection). After nearly fifty years of living with antiques (and 52 years of marriage), Jim and Susan have decided to allow the objects in their
collection to ind new homes.  Selling now has not only allowed them the opportunity to participate fully in the cataloging of their collection, but to also simplify their lives in order to spend more time with their two daughters and four grandchildren.  We at Garth's are honored to have been chosen to represent this deeply
personal collection, the result of years of a shared love of both  antiques and each other, and we remain grateful for the Widders' contribution to the catalog you now hold in your hands and for their many years as good clients and even better friends.

To everything there is a season...December 2011

As the December Eclectic Auction booklet goes to press, cold weather is settling over the Midwest.

Despite the natural rhythm of this season - shorter days, a sleepy chill in the evening inviting hibernation -  the staff at Garth's is (much like the rest of the antiques and art community) bustling about, preparing for a

busy winter auction season:

•  We are but a week away from the Thanksgiving Americana auction;

•  The finishing touches are being made to the January Americana and Firearms catalog;

•  The final additions are being accepted for the late January Chinese and Continental auction.

It seems the days fly by more quickly than we can mark them off the calendar.  Fortunately, Justin, Cheryl-Lynn and many other members of our team cruise right along, noses to the grindstone, producing top-notch Eclectic Auctions.  It's a busy, but good time, to be at Garth's.  In the coming 10 weeks, we will sell four lifetime collections - three of whom have been Garth's regulars for longer than any of us can remember.  The care with which these collections have been assembled is awe-inspiring; and, definitely inspires us to take care as we bring them to market.  It is a good time to be here, and we are thankful.  Thankful for a team that  is passionate about getting it right - thorough research, world-class photography and design, and (not to be underestimated) service with a smile. Thankful for clients who trust us with their buying and selling needs.  Whatever the pace of your winter season, we hope your days are filled with passionate pursuits, satisfying accomplishments and moments of thankfulness.  

We look forward to connecting with you soon.

- Jeff & Amelia Jeffers

Just a spoonful of sugar...

Re-published from October 2009:

When checking my email several times each day, I look forward to the occasional message from my best friend. We are talkers – and touch base by phone at least once a week and send cards and letters, but rarely email. Last week, I had a message from Lesley, who happens to moonlight (when she is not fulfilling best-friend, mother and wife duties) as a stockbroker with a national brokerage. To my surprise, her email was not a kid-story, or a tip about a sale at our favorite shop – it was an article by one of her colleagues about the emotional cycles of the stock market.

Titled “Pessimism, Skepticism, Optimism, Euphoria”, the article describes market cycles as emotional swings that follow one another in a predictable pattern. In the interest of time and space (they only give me a couple hundred words…), I’ll summarize: pessimism brings
low prices and a bear marketplace; next comes skepticism, (like spring following winter, when weather can be great one day and bad the next) - economic data may still be negative, but predictions are cautiously optimistic; then comes optimism, the result of a period of good
economic data that creates confidence in consumers and spurs consistent, strong buying habits; and finally, euphoria – a period of extreme confidence and exuberance in a market, characterized by excessive risk-taking and speculative, frenzied buying. Once a market hits this
phase, it is bound to crash harder than a five-year-old on a sugar buzz from over-indulging on sweets at Nana’s house. Back to square one: pessimism. Sound familiar?

The good news is that we, as collectors and trade professionals, have all survived the crash, and it seems we are well on our way to equalizing the blood sugar levels of the market. Everyone sat up, dazed and confused, wondering if we dared to venture back to the candy jar. A few licks of a lollipop later, we have remembered that we can do this. A little moderation never hurt anyone (or any market). Our recent Labor Day auction, and many conducted by our colleagues, have demonstrated a healthy return to confident buying. Knowing where we are in the emotional cycle should be re-assuring as we march confidently on, working through a bit more skepticism into what we should hope to be a nice, long, leisurely stop at optimism.

Fondly, Amelia & Jeff Jeffers

Antiques are a greener alternative...for the earth, and your wallet

As a business owner and a member of the antiques and art trade, I am always reading. Usually it is trade - specific: review of a particular auction or show. But, especially in this economy, I find myself gravitating toward economic news and projections, and even discussions of consumer trends. As our industry remains concerned about the future of antique collecting (and many of us grow weary of the topic), the trade has generally tried to stretch outside it's comfort zone and find new ways to appeal to younger generations, a la "Antiques are green".

On a recent road trip with Steve Bemiller, we were discussing the recession, and our thoughts regarding post-recession consumerism. Thanks to modern technology, we didn't have to just wonder about what experts are predicting. I popped in the v-card, powered up the laptop and found more information than I could absorb in the 2 hours to Birmingham. In fact, some of what I read was both surprising - and, surprisingly encouraging.

The fact is, the antiques community may have hit the "green" bandwagon a bit too late in the game. Turns out, Americans are happy to save the earth - and spend more money on expensive products that utilize recycled materials and renewable energy - as long as they are making lots of money. But, when the going gets tough and dollars get tight, we tend toward more value for our dollar than more beneficial for the environment. Don't quote me wrong: if two products are comparable in price, we tend to go for the one that is more ecologically friendly. We just aren't as willing to spend 25% more on paper towels that are 15% recycled content. The fact is, after periods of deep economic downturn, Americans return to a value-driven mode.

The good news is, antiques are green AND a great value for your money. As demand has slowed, prices have become very reasonable - so reasonable that grandma's dresser may be 1/2 the cost of a chic, department store version (if she makes you pay for it). So, if positioning is key to retail success, then the members of the trade would be wise to use the "Antiques are green" logo to suggest a buying alternative that keeps more green on the earth, as well as your wallet.

It's catching on...

Just caught wind of this article from a friend...

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/healthy-antique-furniture.html

Garth's Newest Hybrids

As you know, we believe in "walk-the-talk". So, when we needed to add a new car to the company fleet a few months ago, naturally Andy Richmond suggested a hybrid. The Saturn Vue has been a great solution: good-looking, economical, and gets the job done. Andy's review of the Saturn Vue will be coming shortly.

The word "hybrid" has been top of mind for all of us at Garth's lately (and not just because Andy's snazzy new car has it emblazoned across the side). Discussions and strategizing about the shifting art and antiques marketplace have brought to mind the possibility of a new auction hybrid: an economical, good-looking vehicle to bring quality objects to auction in an international marketplace. The result is our July auction. Objects that substantiate a catalogue presence, but may not make it economically feasible to print a full-color catalog. As my 5-year-old would say, "Wah-lah!": enter isuu.com.

We have looked for a well-done "flip-book" online publishing site for quite a while. Even watched while some folks tried out early versions. But, this one was worth the wait. No software to install, just point and click. Quickly searchable, with great zoom features. Customizable for individual viewing pleasure. Automatic notification for readers, when new materials are available. Ready for social media (yep, now you can add our catalog to your facebook account...or, maybe you'll worry about new bidding competition!). Archiving. Search-engine-optimized. And (drum roll, please): environmentally friendly (you should have guessed! This is the GREEN blog). Just click on the title of this pot to see it for yourself.

Not to worry, we recognize the value of a great printed catalog. We haven't worked this hard on photography, design and cataloguing to move away from it! Garth's catalogs will still be coming your way...keep your coffee tables and nightstands ready.

Green Inspiration

Garth's is going green. It has a wonderful alliterative effect, doesn't it? Well, Garth's is going green for many reasons other than lyrical quality. In fact, the list is so long, we may take a few posts to share.

The inspiraton for positively affecting Garth's carbon footprint came after a cosmic collision of anecdotal experiences. On or about the same day (ok, maybe the same week, or even month - time is flying by in our old age), our third-grader came home with a science project and we read an article by antiques dealer / magazine editor, John Fiske.

Apparently, third-grade science teachers are living to lay guilt on parents (sorry, Miss Hayden, maybe that's just how it feels). When Jacob came home with a trash journal, we scoffed. We aren't wasteful people. I had already been purchasing bulk products, in order to cut down on packaging waste; already been torturing Jeff by washing and drying plastic baggies for re-use. I didn't even buy paper plates, because I felt terrible about wasting the paper. What's the big deal with emptying a dishwasher once a day?

But, the fact is, without a recycling program, we were dumping a trashbag a day into our local landfill. A trashbag, shamefully, that included loads of recyclables. Our trash collection company charges a fair amount more for recycling containers, and what a terrible inconvenience it felt like to sort and haul plastic vs. paper vs. metal, etc.

At the end of Jacob's assignment, the facts were staring us in the face. It was time. We are committed to raising good citizens, and talk with our children about voting, volunteering, living with honesty, integrity and compassion - but, environmental stewardship? We had dropped the ball. So, with the help of the kids, we set-up a recycling program at home and at Garth's. Sure, it was easier to throw away the yogurt container than to wash it out; but, give a 4-year old some soap and water, and it actually kills two birds with one stone - occupy her, save a landfill. Perfect.

Around the same time, we read the "Antiques are Green" article created by John Fiske, of Fiske and Freeman antiques and the New England Antiques Journal. John's article "spoke" to us. What a concept! Antiques are green. Sure they are. There is absolutely no harm to the environment when you buy an antique. It is the ultimate in reduce and reuse. However, utilizing antiques as a green alternative for marketing purposes seemed only half the issue for us. We are big believers in "walk the talk", so we decided to take a look around our company before promoting our product as a green option.

What we saw was a lot of opportunity to make a positive impact. First, we improved the recycling efforts we had recently begun: eliminated styrofoam cups and paper plates in the office, made sure the programmable thermostats were set correctly, etc. Then, we looked to our marketing materials. Wow! We use a lot of paper. It is a necessary evil in the auction business: catalogs, flyers, postcards. And, we always over-run for promotional purposes. There had to be a better way.

We started by asking a lot of questions, which resulted in the first change: FSC certified papers. Sure they cost more, but well worth the investment to purchase from sources who practice responsible forestry and utilize recycled materials. Then, we looked at the dimensions of our catalogs and flyers. Moving to a (roughly) 9.75 x 8.66 book would save enough paper to cover more than half an acre of ground every time we printed catalogs for an auction. Wow! It was a no-brainer to us. The change in size also requires less effort from the press, since we can print more pages per sheet - resulting in 30% less energy usage per run.

We also decided to enhance our digital offerings for each auction - allowing folks who don't need a printed catalog to view the auction in its entirety - as a pdf version of the book, or as individual lots with multiple photos and extra condition information.

We are continuing in our efforts to "go green", and to educate others about green opportunities, as we, ourselves, get educated. Check back often as we share what we find.