How Online Shopping Changed Collecting – For the Better!

Since the late 90’s, how we shop as well as the specter of places available to shop for antiques and collectibles has changed forever.  We have heard comments at shows about how “the Internet and in particular online auctions ruined everything,”  referring of course to the resulting reduced number of brick and mortar antique shops as well as a decrease in dealers at antiques shows.  Really?  Didn’t it make things better by ultimately broadening the audiences of buyers and sellers and in some cases connecting them socially?  While we agree there is nothing quite like touch and feel shopping, there are still plenty of quality shows were you can still do this. Our view - of course we still enjoy doing shows both as dealer and buyer, but there are many fabulous pieces we would never have had the opportunity to buy without the enormous selection now available via surfing rather than driving.  The Internet also provides us with a worldwide customer base.  It allows us increased freedom to purchase the niche specialty item, because we have a greater chance of someday finding a niche buyer.  The past 10 – 15 years has morphed collecting into a wonderful new world and you reading this blog is a perfect example of how we can all connect much more easily and we say “Thanks for that!” 

Porcelain figures we dispayed at the NY Pier Show in 2011
Galle, Goldscheider and Essevi
More porcelain from our collection

F r a n k a r t !

Off the collections we have accumulated, Frankart is probably our all-time favorite.  Frankart was sold in select venues mainly in New York in the 1920s and early 1930’s and continues to gain popularity with collectors as it inches closer to being 100 years old. So many lamps and figures, such variety yet similar look and feel.  At one point years ago we had about 175 different Frankart pieces in our home.  Oops. Got a little carried away.

From the 1930-31 Frankart catalog, “Particular emphasis has been stressed on the artistic conceptions of streamline designs expressing the modern vogue.  Inventive ingenuity has been happily combined with artistic ability to create objects d’art of practicality.” 

 “Frankart products are original works of art conceived and designed in the Frankart studio by Arthur von Frankenberg, President and Art Director of Frankart, Inc.  They are manufactured by skilled workmen in the Frankart Factory under the direct supervision of George Murad…” who was also a partner.

The Frankart studio was located in New York at 33 West 67^th St. in the heart of (then) “America’s exclusive studio colony.” The factory was located at 542-548 Casanova St., and the Frankart showroom was at 225 Fifth Ave.  where Henry Underberg was responsible for general sales and advertising as Vice-President and General Manger. We were delighted when Henry’s son Neil introduced himself to us at the New York Pier Show a couple of years ago and related many stories about Frankart Inc.  So very entertaining when history comes alive with first hand anecdotes. 

We continue to buy, sell and love Frankart and probably always will. 




Thom at New York Pier Show with Neil Underberg, son of Harry Underberg of Frankart, Inc. 

 


Frankart lamps along side other art deco objects

  

Collecting 20th Century Decorative Objects

Collecting design objects from the 20th century is rewarding in so many ways - the thrill of the hunt, the special deal because of your subject knowledge, the pride of ownership. You have something tangible that you enjoy owning and it can be a profitable experience to boot. One aspect that somewhat evens the playing field (don't forget that ultimately you are competing with others for who gets the best pieces!) is that new items come onto the market constantly as attics are emptied and estates are sold. Here's a good example of three modern sculptures that we were able to pick up for reasonable prices. We enjoyed owning them and have sold 2 of them; that part was enjoyable too. Needless to say we immediately bought more (and to us, better) objects to upgrade the collection. Rinse. Repeat. Fun never ends!

Constructivist face by Nat Werner

Bronze figure by Alfred Burlini

Sergie Gritsay steel maquette

See more modern sculpture from our collection

Welcome!

Thom Marone and I are avid collectors of 20th century objects and art.  We are collectors by choice and dealers by necessity - we continue to acquire but cannot keep everything (although we would like to!).  We have exhibited the collection a couple of times each year for the past 25 years including the Stella NY Pier Show, Miami Beach Antique Show, The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show and many Atlantic City shows.  We are attracted to the shapes and styles of art deco and modern objects. We live with our collection and enjoy owning every piece.  Our collection includes Frankart, Icart, Lenci, Goldscheider, Rosenthal and LeVerrier as well as mid century abstract, constructivist and figural sculpture. 

We welcome you and invite you to enjoy the collection and interact with us.

Ken Cowell

Baltimore Summer Antique Show

Ken and Thom with Bobby Saylor at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show
We’ve known Bobby since birth and now he collects Frankart.  Must be contagious.