From the Sack Volumes
From the Sack volume –Volume III – Brochure #20 – November, 1971
From the Sack volume –Volume III – Brochure #20 – November, 1971
After years on 57th Street, on or about November 1, 1971, Israel Sack, Inc. moved to the Crown Building on Fifth Avenue. Prices At this writing, A Rhode Island bonnet-top highboy was sold at the Parke-Bernet Galleries in New York for $102,000. We had predicted that before long the $100,000 auction barrier would be breached, but it hardly seemed likely that this would transpire in a recession cycle. This same phenomenon has happened before in other fields and usually involved a piece of great historic or great artistic import. Obviously, an event of this consequence electrifies the field like an attack from outer space and elicits diverse reactions from interested parties. Those who own either comparable or what they believe to be comparable pieces raise the ante on the wealth of their possessions, and thos who are newly collecting throw up their hands in dismay at the soaring price level. We believe that a cautious examination of the situation should bring out certain fundamentals. The reward of good purchasing should basically be one of artistic and spiritual satisfaction and enjoyment./ Collecting for dollar appreciation in itself somehow vitiates the nobility of great art. The price one pays or gets is merely a reflection of greatness and more so a confirmation by others. As the saying goes there is noting wrong with money--it is the love of money that causes difficulties and dwarfs the spirit. The function of a top dealer is to direct his clients to pieces of truly great stature. The rewards of owning pieces of this caliber are immeasurable. Note: Since this event in 1971, more than 40 pieces have brought over 1 million dollars each. Israel Sack, Inc., set the record in 1989, when we purchased the Nicholas Brown secretary-desk for $12,100,000. Israel Sack would have been proud to see the stature of American antiques recognized as a major contribution to the art of all eras. This was due to a great extent as a result of his vision and conviction. |
P3378 Chippendale mahogany side chair with claw and ball feet, interlaced Gothic splat, fluted stiles, Philadelphia circa 1760-1780. The chair retains the label dated 1839 on the seat frame which reads: “These chairs were in possession of General George Washington. While residing in Philadelphia as President of the United States and were purchased, at a sale of his effects by PETER HINKLE, and kept by him until his decease, when they became the property of the present owner WILLIAM GARDNER A.D. 1839.”
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