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 Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of Science, Technology, and Clocks on Saturday, June 2nd in its Marlborough gallery. The sale features an important 19th century English fossil collection, as well as several prominent antique clock and watch collections.
Natural History Collection Featuring English Fossils
The natural history collection featured in the June sale is composed of more than 125 lots, including complete dinosaur skeletons, eggs and other bone fragments, a wooly mammoth tusk, fossilized fish, sharks’ teeth, a sea scorpion, ammonites, trilobites, crinoids, and more. With so many lots on offer at various price points, everyone from the museum collector to the new hobbyist has an opportunity to own a piece of natural history.
Many lots of classic Jurassic fossils from the Lyme Regis, Dorset England were the property of pioneer collector Mary Anning. Others carry the original catalogue labels of famed mid-19th century London dealer Bryce McMurdo Wright. Highlights include a Jurassic ammonite with catalogue label and conservation photography by Tom Rich (lot 36, estimated between $3,000 and $5,000), two Psittacosaurus dinosaur skeletons (lot 75, $3,000 to $5,000), and two dinosaur eggs (lot 76, $1,000 to $1,500).
Antique Clocks & Watches
Clocks featured at the sale range from the modestly priced mantle clock to the high-end precision regulator. For the collector of domestic clocks, the sale features an excellent assortment of American tall clocks, including one by Benjamin Willard (lot 386, $15,000 to $25,000). The Willards were a famous family of clockmakers during the 18th and 19th centuries from Roxbury, Massachusetts. Benjamin was the eldest of the four brothers and examples of his clocks are very rare.
The Skinner department of Science, Technology, and Clocks is well known for offering precision astronomical regulators at auction. The June sale is no exception. Notable precision astronomical regulators include a Riefler precision astronomical regulator (lot 309, $6,000 to $8,000), and an E. Howard No. 74 astronomical regulator with gravity escapement (lot 310, $35,000 to $50,000). An Edward Prior triple case watch, created for the Turkish market (lot 238, $1,000 to $2,000) will also be offered.
For the clockmaker or watchmaker seeking precision machinery, there is a large collection of tools available that would be ideal for anyone starting out in clock and watch repair.
Exploring & Surveying Tools
Notable exploring and surveying lots include a brass mountain barometer by Cary (lot 202, $2,000 to $4,000), and a Ramsden brass reflecting telescope (lot 201, $3,000 to $5,000). A spectacular 100-blade exposition knife by Pius Lang (lot 227, $8,000 to $12,000) will also be offered. Between the mother-of pearl grips are 100 individual tools ranging from pocket-knife standards, such as a scissors and bottle opener, to the more unique earwax spoon and bone toothpick.
Automatons
A Lord’s Supper automaton by Philibois features Jesus and the twelve Apostles engaged in serious conversation (lot 206, $10,000 to $15,000). This automaton was part of the traveling London Mechanical and Electrical Exhibition touring England, Australia, and New Zealand in the 1920s.
Previews, Catalogue & Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2012, 12 p.m.-5 p.m., and Friday, June 1, 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Department director, Robert Cheney, will offer a gallery walk on Friday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the Marlborough Gallery. To register, please visit: http://conta.cc/science-june1.
Illustrated catalogue #2600M is available from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
 Album cover art has a fascinating and long history. From the days of Alex Steinweiss to pop artists like Andy Warhol and Roger Dean, album cover art has evolved; with some highly praised covers (i.e. the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper LP) to the controversial, including Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland” that featured nude women.
But using old, generally unplayable vinyl records (LP’s) as a canvas, artist Daniel Edlen is creating one-of-a-kind ‘Vinyl Art’ masterpieces, adding a new dimension to the art of vinyl albums.
I spoke with Daniel about his love of art and music and how he is able to merge the two on the unique canvas of a vinyl record.
“My Dad introduced me to records with the Beatles’ “Revolver” album,” explained Daniel. “My Mom volunteered for the local library, running the used book sales. They would get records as donations and I got first crack at them because they were usually too beat up and they didn’t sell well. Then I had an art project in my teens with white pencil on black paper and I thought, why not try to paint on some of these old records.”
But as a record collector yourself, isn’t this almost blasphemy, using a vinyl record as a canvas?
“I have struggled with that question, especially after the reaction I’ve gotten from some collectors. My answer is that I do try use albums that would practically ruin a good phonograph needle, and also, I’m turning something that likely would sit in a box in someone’s garage into something they can hang on their wall to celebrate their musical culture. It’s something unique and creative that is a great ice-breaker, starting conversations about music, art, and all things retro.”
When asked about the process, Daniel detailed:
“The actual painting part of the process verges on meditation for me, it just flows. I’m always listening to music while I work, often whom I’m painting. It’s a joy to do what I do, and when I write my blog posts, I often end up adding how lucky I feel that my passion allows me to touch people. The tricky part is finding and sizing the right image of the musician. I place the portrait so the label becomes part of the composition, sometimes highlighting specific information, like the title of the album or certain tracks that make that particular record special or important. I use just white acrylic paint, using the density to create the shading. The whole process takes about a day.”
Recently, Daniel has also begun creating time-lapse videos that he’s uploaded to YouTube http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dedlen. These show the development of the paintings, using about twenty-five pictures taken as the painting goes through its stages, and are backed by music recorded by the subject of the piece.
So, just who is Daniel Edlen? Obviously a very talented artist, he would draw and paint for fun and enjoyment throughout his formative years and after experimenting with other art media (such as sculpture), he did a few pieces of what he now calls ‘Vinyl Art’ for friends and family as gifts.
His audience not only loved his work, they encouraged him to try selling them. So with the support of his wife, family and friends, Daniel decided to utilize his talent and passion to, not only make something new from something old, but to create a whole new way for music-lovers to share that passion. For Daniel, the payoff is peoples’ reaction when they see the pieces for the first time.
Daniel has opened up a web site and online gallery http://www.vinylart.info/why.htm so the public can see just what he does. Framed simply in a black metal LP frame with the album sleeve behind, the focus is on the original painting.
As a vinyl record collector and enthusiast, I am excited and just marvel at the ‘Vinyl Art’ history and one-of-a-kind paintings that Daniel Edlen creates everyday. Daniel keeps his audiences craving more, and as an artist, that is all you could ever wish for.
Author Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and operates http://www.collectingvinylrecords.com, where you can pick up a copy of his ebook called
“The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting.”
Contact Robert at robert@collectingvinylrecords.com
 Chris Pavone, author of 'The Expats' Chris Pavone lived for two years in Luxembourg, Europe and used his time to write a novel. ‘The Expats’ is a story about an american couple that emigrates to Luxembourg – just like the author and his spouse did. It’s a book full of thrills and on it’s way to become an international bestseller. Collect-Online.Com’s François Besch had the opportunity to talk to Chris Pavone about his time in Luxembourg and his book.
Q: ‘The Expats’ is your first novel. You already wrote a little book about wines and edited several about cooking. What took you to write a detective story?
A: I worked in the book publishing business for nearly two decades, mostly as a nonfiction editor, including a good number of cookbooks. I had always wanted to write a novel, but never found the time until I was an expat in Luxembourg. And it wasn’t a detective story I started out to write, but rather a more true-to-life book about being an expat. But that manuscript bored me a bit, so I turned into an espionage thriller.
Q: What did you know about Luxembourg before you came here with your spouse?
A: Nothing. We visited on a preview trip in June, when the days were long and the weather was wonderful. Then we moved in August, still knowing almost nothing. But at least we had already found a place to live, on rue de l’Eau.
Q: There are – I suppose – many autobiographical aspects in you Novel. Not concerning the story. But concerning your stay in the Grand-Duchy. i.e.: Have you bought a car at Losch’s in Esch-sur-Alzette during your stay in Luxembourg?
A: Yes! We did buy our second-hand Audi at Losch’s. And I did many of the things that my protagonist in the book does—I went on the same trips, I did the same chores, I passed my time in mostly the same way. All the real-life atmosphere of the book—what expats do, and where, and why—is true to my experience. Just not the major plot points.
Q: What are your souvenirs of our country. What did you like most, what didn’t you (the roundabouts)?
A: I loved the expat community, and our friends. I hated the weather. And, yes, I also disliked the roundabouts (which I reference in the book); I much prefer the clarity of traffic lights.
Q: Do you plan a continuation of the story? (I would be happy to read more and to know if Julia really abstains from her part of the money, and what Dexter’s, Kate’s, Bill’s – and Hayden’s future brings)
A: I definitely plan to continue the story! But that probably will not be in the next book I write.
Q: Will you write another Novel on the topic of banking and cyber criminality? Are you writing another book this moment?
I am indeed writing another, and it too is a novel of suspense, but it’s not about the main characters in The Expats, nor is it about banking or cyber criminality. Something different!
Q: Could you tell me in which languages the novel will be translated, with the approximate dates of release?
The book is already in bookstores in Spanish. There have also been translation deals with publishers in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, the Czech Republic, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Brazil, and Japan. But I don’t know when any of these editions will hit bookstores. I think beginning this summer.
Q: You novel has been critically acclaimed. Did you expect such a euphoric reaction?
A: No, the book’s reception has been a tremendously pleasant surprise at every turn, beginning with the book deal—we accepted an offer two days after submitting the manuscript to publishers—and then the early endorsements from people like John Grisham and Patricia Cornwell, and then the positive reviews from the New York Times and others, and now the book is on various American bestseller lists! It’s an embarrassment of riches.
Q: Has nobody yet issued the wish to make a film adaption of ‘The Expats’? (The film-industry in Luxembourg is growing.)
A: I’m sorry to say for the Luxembourg film industry that we have indeed sold the film option to someone in the American film industry. It’s very exciting!
 Secret records from an illegal casino with direct ties to Al Capone discovered in the rafters of a suburban Chicago building reveal the mob’s gambling wins and losses.
The books will be among the highlights in Potter & Potter’s June 23rd, 2012 gambling memorabilia auction.
On June 23, 2012, Potter & Potter Auctions will conduct its second annual auction of gambling memorabilia. A highlight of the sale will be a recently discovered set of duplicate books from El Patio, an illegal mob-run casino from Cicero Illinois. Louis Campagna, one of Al Capone’s closest bodyguards, owned a piece of the action at El Patio.
The books – uncovered in the rafters of the club by a construction worker who helped demolished the building in the 1960s – lays out exactly what illegal gambling was going on there in the heyday of the mob in the Chicago ‘burbs, and how the house almost always won. They recall the era of Prohibition and illegal gambling dens of the 1930s, depicted in movies like The Godfather. One of the books even “names names,” cataloging the identities of all the employees at the club. The books have never, until now, seen the light of day.
The auction will also feature relics of another dark side of gambling: cheating devices.
These devices make winning games of chance a sure thing. Among them will be two Holdout Tables – pieces of furniture that secretly add or remove cards from the hands of the gambler, and another table which allows the operator to literally see through the backs of playing cards in his opponent’s hands.
These will be complemented by many rare and early books on how to cheat at various table games. Among them are the true first edition of How Gamblers Win, of which only five examples are known; a possibly unique book on cheating at Baccarat, Le Guide du Jouer; and a first edition of S.W. Erdnase’s The Expert at the Card Table.
Rounding out the sale will be an assortment of decorative items, ephemera, punch boards, roulette wheels, faro dealing boxes, layouts, case keepers, corner rounders and trimmer, trade stimulators, associated gambling and gaming items and rare books on poker, dice, and trade catalogs.
An illustrated catalog will be available in late May from Potter & Potter. Liveauctioneers.com will carry the online bidding.
For more information, contact:
Gabe Fajuri
Potter & Potter Auctions, Inc.
3759 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 121
Chicago, IL 60613
773-472-1442
gabe@potterauctions.com
www.potterauctions.com
 Stanley Gibbons will be officially unveiling two new mobile apps on Thursday 17th May at their London store.
The Apps, designed to make the range of Stanley Gibbons publications more easily accessible to collectors, particularly those overseas, will offer virtual editions of the company’s extensive range of printed catalogues, product brochures, stocklists and auction catalogues. There will also be a virtual edition of the company’s magazine, ‘Gibbons Stamp Monthly’, before print editions hit the shelves.
The Apps will allow users to view selected Stanley Gibbons catalogues or copies of Gibbons Stamp Monthly on an Apple device, with the facility to browse and bookmark pages. The Gibbons Stamp Monthly App also includes hyperlink technology giving access to a range of recommended websites direct from the page; the company is also offering discounted virtual magazine subscriptions including an exclusive 6 month option, not currently available for the print edition.
Both Apps are free to download and each offers free sample content; The ‘Stanley Gibbons App’ offers a free download of ‘How to Identify Stamps’ and the ‘Gibbons Stamp Monthly’ App offers a free download of the February 2012 issue allowing collectors to try before they buy.
“Digital catalogues themselves are around 30% less expensive than their paper counterparts, but the biggest saving may come on postage fees” said Stanley Gibbons Publisher, Rob Swain.
Both apps are in the early stages of development but the company’s Great Britain Concise 2012, Part 17 China and Falkland Islands catalogue, as well as the April and May editions of Gibbons Stamp Monthly are all currently available, with new content being added frequently.
Further information can be found at stanleygibbons.com/app
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