Hidden Treasure

By: Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press Writer
ROME (AP).- Italian tax police said Saturday that they had seized works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Cezanne and other giants of art in a crackdown on assets hidden by the disgraced founder of the collapsed dairy company Parmalat.

Authorities estimated the 19 masterpieces stashed away in attics and basements were valued at some euro100 million ($150 million).

Parma Prosecutor Gerardo Laguardia said that, based on wiretapped phone conversations, officials believed at least one of the paintings hidden by Calisto Tanzi was about to be sold.

"We got lucky. We learned that there were negotiations under way to sell one of the paintings" and raid three apartments in the area of Parma, near Parmalat's headquarters, Laguardia said in an interview on Italy's Sky TG24 TV. He didn't identify the painting.

Bologna-based tax Police Col. Piero Iovino told The Associated Press by telephone that investigators believed the entire batch of paintings, watercolors and drawings were up to be sold. The prospective buyer was a Russian, possibly living in Italy, Iovino said.

No arrests were announced as part of the art seizure.

Tax police said Parma prosecutors are opening a probe into alleged concealing of assets in Parmalat's bankruptcy case.

Parmalat, the dairy conglomerate known for its long shelf-life milk grew from a small dairy distributor in Parma, into a diversified, multinational food company by 1990, but collapsed in 2003 under euro14 billion in debt — eight times what it had previously acknowledged — in what remains Europe's largest corporate bankruptcy. Many small investors who lost their life savings were among some 40,000 defrauded bondholders.

Italian courts have already ruled that Tanzi bore the brunt of responsibility for the collapse. Tanzi was convicted by a Milan court last year of market-rigging and other charges in one of multiple probes. He is currently on trial for alleged fraudulent bankruptcy.

Tanzi has blamed the banks for the labyrinth of deals that helped swell the company to a global empire with operations in more than 30 countries, but also led to the company's collapse.

For years after the collapse, Tanzi was rumored to have had a "hidden treasure" somewhere. On Nov. 29, a state TV show alleged that Tanzi had hidden a collection of artwork to try to shelter himself from the effects of looming collapse of Parmalat.

"I don't have any secret cache" of paintings, Tanzi told reporters the next day on the sidelines of his current trial in Parma, repeating his ongoing dismissal of reports that he had a so-called "little treasure" of assets squirreled away.

A lawyer who represents Tanzi and serves as his spokesman didn't answer his cell phone Saturday.

Police showed some of the paintings to journalists near Parmalat's headquarters Saturday.

After the TV show, "we tightened the screws" and zeroed in on Tanzi son-in-law Stefano Strini, Iovino said. "He told us that the paintings were Tanzi's" and led police to the apartments, he said.

As the corporate failure loomed, Tanzi moved to safeguard his wealth by hiding "property whose value endures through time," Iovino said.

Among the masterpieces was a pencil on paper portrait of a ballerina by Degas, two Van Goghs, including a depiction of a trunk of a willow tree and a still life, a watercolor by Cezanne and a pencil-work by Modigliani.

Tax police official Massimo said some of the paintings were carefully wrapped for protection, but that other paintings, including a Picasso, were left open in the store room

YE OLDE CONVENT GARDEN TOY STORE

Benjamin Pollack's Toyshop

"The history begins in 1856 in Hoxton, an area of London bordered by the wealth of the City and the poverty of the East End. This is where Benjamin Pollock was born. At this time the toy theatre trade was flourishing in Covent Garden's Theatreland. By the time Benjamin Pollock had married Eliza Redington and inherited her father's Theatrical Print Warehouse, the toy theatre trade had been overshadowed by new fangled novelties such as magic lanterns, gramophones and the wireless.

However Mr Pollock, in his dark and dusty shop in Hoxton, carried on supplying theatrical sheets costing a penny plain and twopence coloured. His customers were local children aspiring to the stage or city gents nostalgic for their childhood as well as actors of the larger stage such as Charlie Chaplin. Pollock, although not the most innovative producer of Juvenile Drama, was the most amiable and diligent.

When Robert Louis Stevenson went to visit Webb, a rival of Pollock, he found him disagreeable and after an argument went down the road to Pollock's shop and was so delighted with him he immortalised him in an essay 'If you love art, folly or the bright eyes of children, speed to Pollock's." Here is the link to the store.

This Might Be Helpful For The Holiday Travels Ahead

Airline Baggage Charges made simple. From Lifehacker:"Nobody wants to get hit with a massive over-limit luggage charge when they're already stressed and rushing to catch their flight. Hit up Luggage Limits before you travel to avoid any check-in counter surprises.

We don't know if you've visited the web site of a major airline lately and attempted to decode their baggage policies but a significant number of the airlines have baggage policies that are not only buried deeply in their sites but written in a less than clear fashion.

Luggage Limits catalogs the baggage policies of over 90 airlines. Plug in what airline you are traveling with, your departure and arrival airports, and the class of your ticket—no surprise that first class has a higher luggage limit—and Luggage Limits spits out a comprehensive breakdown of cost of checking bags, the size limits for both standard and overweight/oversize baggage—and the associated fees—and the size and weight allowance for your carry-on and personal items. Reading the information on Luggage Limits for Northwest Airlines was much clearer than reading it on the Northwest web site, that's for sure."

Luggage Limits here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
--Irv Kupcinet

I HOPE YOUR DAY REQUIRES A LOOSENING OF THE BELT AND A GREAT NAP. CHEER'S AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HOMER.

The Robert Isabell Auction

Robert Isabell was a fascinating fellow who worked in the limelight of Manhattan and yet was a very private man from the midwest. Today's story in the New York Times about the auction of his estate is really interesting. The contents of his home in Manhattan, seen by few, was truly eclectic and makes his life and possessions all the more interesting.

A great read in today's New York Times.

Here's the E-Catalogue from Southebys

Holiday Auctions For That Special Gift

Here is a list of upcoming auctions all taking place before the Holidays. Here are a number of auctions around the country and a link, worth a look for that special piece.



Lets start off locally at Weschlers.Fine Art & 20th Century Decorative Arts - Washington DC - December 5 2009 12:00PM


DOYLE AT HOME®
FINE FURNITURE, DECORATIONS AND PAINTINGS
Including Holiday Gifts

Auction
Wednesday, December 9 at 10am




Christie's Auction House: Important American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture. New York, December 2nd, 2009



Bonhams and Butterfields: American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture - December 2nd, 2009.


Susanin's in Chicago has some nice things for sale on December 5th, 2009.


Jewelry and Silver at Rago's on December 6th, 2009.

More on Walton Ford

I wrote about Walton Ford early in Homer's start.I'm a huge fan of Mr.Ford and can't wait to see his new pieces now on exhibition at the Paul Kasmin Gallery through December 23rd.

Previous post included below.




Talent will out. I've recently been exposed to the great artist Walton Ford by Habitually Chic. I'm just surprised that I was unaware of his work, as it of a subject and genre that I have always loved. He will be exhibiting his work at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York from May 8 to July 3, 2008. I highly recommend seeing this work if you have the chance. While I might question the political undertones of these pieces, I cannot get over the sheer talent before my eyes and that always wins out.

From Artist 21, " Walton Ford was born in 1960 in Larchmont, New York. Ford graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with the intention of becoming a filmmaker, but later adapted his talents as a storyteller to his unique style of large-scale watercolor. Blending depictions of natural history with political commentary, Ford’s meticulous paintings satirize the history of colonialism and the continuing impact of slavery and other forms of political oppression on today’s social and environmental landscape. Each painting is as much a tutorial in flora and fauna as it is as a scathing indictment of the wrongs committed by nineteenth-century industrialists or, locating the work in the present, contemporary American consumer society. An enthusiast of the watercolors of John James Audubon, Ford celebrates the myth surrounding the renowned naturalist-painter while simultaneously repositioning him as an infamous anti-hero who, in reality, killed more animals than he ever painted. Each of Ford’s animal portraits doubles as a complex, symbolic system, which the artist layers with clues, jokes, and erudite lessons in colonial literature and folktales. Walton Ford is the recipient of several national awards and honors including a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Ford’s work has been featured at Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art at Champion, and the Forum for Contemporary Art in St. Louis. After living in New York City for more than a decade, Walton Ford relocated his studio to Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Ford and his family reside in upstate New York."









From an earlier post, compare his work. It's an obvious evolution of a style I much admire.

I recently stumbled upon the University of Glasgow's Special Collections website and proceeded to spend a few hours gazing at the most beautiful old prints. Here you will find a selection of groundbreaking and wonderfully illustrated natural history books, from the fifteenth to nineteenth centuries. All I could think of was covering my walls with some of these fantastic illustrations. I've selected just few to give you an idea of what a great resource this collection is for ideas and an appreciation of truly great art.Though I must say that I've always loved Turtles.

Maryalice Huggings

Erik Jacobs - New York Times

I loved this story from the New York Times.

Mimi Read, NYTimes:11/11/09: For Maryalice Huggins, old things — particularly fine antiques — are living, breathing beings. Some radiate irresistible allure. Auctions might as well be singles bars.

So it’s perfectly in character that Ms. Huggins, 57, fell under the spell of an unusual old mirror and wrote a quirky book about her 10-year obsession with it. “Aesop’s Mirror: A Love Story” was published this week (Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus & Giroux), and like Ms. Huggins’s conversation, it is a looping expressway of intersecting stories and tangents.

“It’s written for people with short attention spans, like me,” Ms. Huggins said in her husky, animated voice.

Full story here.

200 One Dollar Bills Worth A Bit More

Great news for the fall contemporary art auctions.

ART DAILY:NEW YORK, NY.- Tonight at Sotheby’s in New York, Andy Warhol’s monumental masterpiece, 200 One Dollar Bills, brought a remarkable $43,762,500, soaring past the pre-sale estimate of $8/12 million. Competition was fierce. Auctioneer Tobias Meyer opened the bidding at $6 million and was immediately met with an almost unheard of response - a bid of $12 million, twice his opening bid. Five more bidders raised their paddles before the winning bid was cast by an anonymous purchaser bidding on the telephone. The Warhol was the top-selling lot in a sale of Contemporary Art that brought an outstanding total of $134,438,000, far-above pre-sale expectations (est. $67.9/97.7 million) and with all but two lots finding buyers

My Modem Died

PC problems..but I'll be back.

The Lombardi Cancer Center Gala And Auction

Washington is indeed a small town and a couple of weeks ago a lovely lady came into the store and we got to chatting. One thing led to another and while we had actually never met before it turned out that we had dozens of friends in common.

The lady turned out to be Tanya Potter Adler and she is chairing along with her better half Howard, this year's Lombardi Cancer Center Annual Gala.

Dr. Potter and his wife Tanya, with Gala co-chairs Tanya Potter Adler and Howard Adler. "Tanya Potter Adler, along with her husband, Howard B. Adler, will co-chair the 2009 Lombardi Gala. Tanya is no stranger to Lombardi. Her father, The Honorable John Potter, MD, is the founding director of the cancer center. We are proud to have someone with such close ties to Lombardi, and the cancer cause, at the helm of our signature fundraising event."

The subject of this blog came up and how I focus a great deal on auctions. " Well really," said the young lady, " I happen to be chairing a charity event with an online auction." "Could you help us out?" To which I replied, "just tell me what to do."

So folks, here is something vastly more worthy than my usual nonsense.

Some of the important people we look to for help.

Drs. Subha Madhavan, Lucile Adams-Campbell, Claudine Isaacs and Shawna Willey of Lombardi

The 2009 Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center Annual Gala is having an online auction in addition to its silent auction held at the Gala. This very smart idea allows individuals with a stake in the important work the center does to participate and donate and win a great gift.

About the Gala:"The 23rd Annual Lombardi Gala, on November 7, 2009, is an unparalleled celebration to benefit Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Louis M. Weiner, MD, Director. This black-tie dinner dance features a cocktail reception and renowned silent auction; a raffle that includes a 2010 model Lexus automobile; presentation of awards to remarkable individuals for their fight against cancer; and more. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Gala go directly to Lombardi for cancer research, education, and treatment.


Lombardi is just one of 40 comprehensive cancer centers in the nation designated by the National Cancer Institute, the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only one in the Washington, D.C. area. Named in memory of All Star Coach Vincent T. Lombardi, who was treated for cancer at Georgetown University Hospital, Lombardi’s world-renowned research faculty are discovering cancer risk factors, designing effective prevention strategies, and learning how to detect cancers earlier. They are developing and testing the cancer treatments of tomorrow – targeted therapies that will improve both survival and quality of life – and making progress toward the ultimate goal of eradicating cancer. Washington, D.C. has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the country, and Lombardi’s team of oncology experts ready to help you, your colleagues, family, and friends.

We hope that you will join us at the event and in the fight against cancer." The link for the entire event is here.

The online auction runs from now until November 6th. The link to the online auction is here.

Lets take a look at some of the very nice pieces donated for the online auction and their bids and values.

Set of Six
Estimated Value $300.00

Buy Now Price $450.00

Item Number 16
Item Description

Cup and Saucer - Set of Six (6) English Aymsley bone china. Each cup has a different floral design. Late 20th century.
Special Instructions

High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges



Estimated Value $1,850.00

Buy Now Price $2,775.00

Item Number 19
Item Description

Crown Shaped Cruet Set English marked set of 4 crystal lacons, crown shaped holder. Salad set late 19th Century.
Special Instructions

High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges



Estimated Value $250.00
Buy Now Price $375.00

Item Number 20
Item Description

Brass Jardiniere (Planter) Dutch jardiniere. 19th century. Intricate hammered brass.
Special Instructions

High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges



Estimated Value $125.00

Buy Now Price $188.00

Item Number 6
Item Description

Austrian Crystal Covered Dish 20th century Austrain crystal covered dish with alpine decoration.
Special Instructions

High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges



Estimated Value $2,400.00

Buy Now Price $3,600.00

Item Number 5
Item Description

Art Deco Urn Go retro with this glass urn in the art deco style. With a black frosted background and carver stylized floral motif, circa 1920, this vase is truly stunning. It will look great with many decors. Signed by: Clianick.
Special Instructions

High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges.
Donated By:Sarah Boyer Jenkins




Estimated Value $150.00

Buy Now Price $225.00

Item Number 3
Item Description

Antique Porcelain Pitcher Collectors will be delighted to take home this antique porcelain pitcher. This Nippon with iris motif and gilt decoration is circa 1900.
Special Instructions

High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges.
Donated By:Sarah Boyer Jenkins

These are just a few of the very nice items up for bid and what a worthy way to have fun at an auction. I have attended the event a number of times and can say without reserve that it is a splendid example of people, power for good and is truly worthy of your consideration. I'll be reposting this as a reminder til the big night. CHEER'S Homer.

That Rotten Shark Is Starting To Really Smell. A Perfect Halloween Art Story

It couldn't get worse for Damien Hirst
After a career built on conceptual art, Damien Hirst turned to paint and canvas - and the boos from the critics were unanimous. Mark Hudson fears he had it coming.

Mark Hudson of the Telegraph.UK: "This week we may have witnessed one of the pivotal moments in the history of art. Not only has Damien Hirst, arguably the richest and most powerful artist in history, received the critical pasting of his life, but there's a sense that our whole perception of what art is, or should be, may have subtly – or not so subtly – shifted.

In case you've been miles from the media over the past week, Hirst, the man who became famous by putting sharks and sheep in formaldehyde, who summed up the 21st century confluence of art and shameless materialism with a £50 million diamond-encrusted skull – none of which he actually made himself – decided to exhibit paintings executed with his own hand in one of Britain's most august art institutions, the Wallace Collection." Full link here.