Posts Tagged ‘art’

While many consider ‘original’ art to be the most valuable, there are many prints that bring surprising prices.  John James Audubon prints are widely known and collected — and reproduced by the millions.  How do you know if your print is valuable or someone’s promotional give-away?  Ron Flynn has some advice.  Although now retired, for many years Mr. Flynn collected, sold, and authored guides to the prints of Audubon and shares much of this knowledge on his website [http://www.auduboninfo.net/index.htm].

The first Audubon edition, Birds of America published in London, included 435 hand colored prints, issued in 87 parts of 5 prints each, and spanned the years 1826-1838.  Other editions of Birds of America were followed by The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America and Quadrupeds of North America, also with more than one edition.  Modern day editions of high quality began appearing in the early 1970s.  Of course, there’s cheap prints, calendars, posters, copies, etc. numbering in the millions.

So which is worth keeping, and which do you wrap the fish in?  Actually, it’s a little complicated when you realize just how many editions (some quite limited) were produced under different labels.  Mr. Flynn does an remarkable job of explaining in detail each of the collections – size, paper, ink, printing process, watermark, embossing, plate number, and more.  All details that, with a bit of detective work, can help you identify your print.  It’s unlikely you’ll run across one of the early editions, but some of the modern ones bring quite respectable prices.  Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at Audubon print that’s hung over Grandma’s fireplace for years.

Animal collectibles!  Ok, maybe the collectibles don’t, but their real life counterparts do.  From the earliest cave drawings to our modern world, mankind has always been fascinated by animals.  Whether it’s fuzzy and huggable or wild and dangerous, we’re captivated and want to surround ourselves with our favorites.  Since having a hundred dogs, or even a single tiger, isn’t really practical (or safe!), collectibles fulfill that desire.

Some of the most popular animals collected are: dogs and cats – often a specific breed; farm animals such as cows, pigs, chickens; butterflies, bees and birds land on our tabletops; horses, zebras and deer trot across our mantles; dolphins, whales, frogs and turtles grace out desks; while skunks, rabbits and squirrels find a home in our curio cabinets.  Whichever creature of land, sea or air bewitches you, that first acquisition can lead to a lifetime hobby.

Figurines are most often collected.  Usually small, you can add to your collection for years before you need to buy a bigger home.  Prices can be absurdly cheap or set you back nearly as much as that bigger home.  But figurines just scratch the surface of the many available collectibles.

Vintage books – fact or fiction – especially children’s books, that focus on an animal are a wonderful way to expand your collection.  For horse lovers, the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley comes to mind.  Paintings and prints, jewelry, salt and pepper shakers, ornaments, paperweights, plates and mugs can all reflect your preference.

The United States Postal Service has issued several sets of animal stamps highlighting endangered species, pet adoption and favorite children’s book animals, to name a few.  Something you may not have considered is the many hundreds of coins from around the world that feature animals.

So start a collection – for yourself or a friend.  Whether your favorite sound is a growl or a chirp, the satisfaction you’ll feel when you place that first one on the shelf never fades.

Being that Gin-For’s Odditiques has the most information on WG pottery I’ve ever found, I chose the above heading.  Besides – “West German Pottery, Art Pottery, Porcelain, Glass, Paintings, Corporate Cats, Life and Death, Puns and Giggles” seemed a bit lengthy. You’ll see what I mean when you get there, so I’ll stick to the main subject.

Ginny and Forrest collect, buy and sell West German Pottery, one of the rare collectibles that has a relatively short and definite period of production – 1949 to 1990. They boast of one of the finest selections of WG pottery in the U.S. and I don’t doubt it.  Addicted to auctions and antiques since 1991, they began focusing on W. German pottery about 1997.  A few years later, they created the ginforsodditiques.com site and began to share their still growing knowledge of the field, including makers, marks, quality, buying, glazes, values and more.

Lots and lots of excellent photos (oh, happy day!) of marks and pottery categorized by company, color, size and more.  They’ve even kept their sold items online (with bottom marks) to help you with identification, along with added notes referring to designers, glazes, shape numbers, etc.

Not content with just facts and photos, informed and practical articles on collecting WG pottery, values, etc. – Gin-For’s Odditiques created a running commentary through their Facebook page where collectors meet up to share their finds, ask questions, and make new friends.  Forrest and Ginny continually update their website, every time I visit there’s something new.

And, as I said earlier, a whole lot more.  You MIGHT be able to go through the West Germany pottery in an evening if you skip dinner and TV and your regular bedtime. But you’ll definitely have to come back again and again if you want the full monty.  A combination of wit and wisdom, you won’t regret visiting http://www.ginforsodditiques.com/.

Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria

For the next couple months we want to share all the amazing things Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County have to offer with our winter visitors and year-round residents who may not be familiar with some of these.

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
http://www.navysealmuseum.com/
The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the history of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including the Underwater Demolition Teams, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Office of Strategic Services Maritime Units and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.  Located in Fort Pierce, Florida – the birthplace of the Navy Frogman – the Museum promotes public education by providing the opportunity to explore the history of the Navy SEALs in an atmosphere of respect and honor.
Virtual tours on their website are great, but no substitute for being up close and personal!
Reasonable admission fee.
By purchasing at their gift shop you can support the museum.
Editor’s note: My favorite is a t-shirt that states:
When it absolutely, positively must be destroyed overnight!
Call 1-800-HOOYAH!

The Manatee Observation & Education Center
http://www.manateecenter.com/
The Manatee Observation and Education Center is a waterfront wildlife observation and nature education center located on Florida’s east coast in downtown Fort Pierce. The Center lies just west of the Atlantic ocean and overlooks the nationally recognized Indian River Lagoon, a saltwater estuary and Moore’s Creek, a freshwater creek and historical resting spot for the Florida manatee. The Manatee Observation and Education Center’s primary purpose is to promote understanding and responsible actions for the fragile ecosystems of the Treasure Coast and their inhabitants.
Admission is a buck.  Check out the Calendar of Events, many activities (free and very reasonable) for adults and children.
Editor’s note: Manatees are not in tanks, they roam freely – best time to view in Moore’s Creek is during the winter months.

A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery
http://www.backusgallery.com/
The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, a 5,000 sq. ft. public visual arts facility, was established in 1960 by A.E. Backus, the preeminent Florida landscape painter, and a group of local art enthusiasts. The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery features the Nation’s largest display of original paintings by Alfred Ernest Backus. Four additional exhibition wings feature changing exhibits of artwork by contemporary Florida artists. Located in historic downtown Ft. Pierce, a mere 2 blocks from Backus’ longtime home and studio and adjacent to the location of his original studio.
Small admission fee, free admission on Sundays.
Editor’s note: Next door to Manatee Observation Center, ample free parking provides convenient access to other area attractions, casual waterside dining and boutique shopping downtown.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Ocean Discovery Center
http://www.fau.edu/hboi/OceanDiscoveryCenter.php
The Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Center is the public gateway to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University. The ODC houses interactive exhibits, small aquaria, a video theater, and other displays exploring the marine environment and depicting the research efforts of the Institute. ODC exhibit content is developed in close coordination with the Harbor Branch project managers by a team of award-winning educators and media specialists.  Exhibit content is continually evolving to showcase the ongoing research and conservation efforts of Harbor Branch and to give visitors a close-up look at the emerging technologies used by the marine research community.
Editor’s note:  Free admission – but drop some $ in the donation box and lots of cool stuff in the gift shop.