Clive Sinclaire Posted September 30, 2013 Report Posted September 30, 2013 Gentlemen I have just received the catalogue for the Bonhams New York Sale to be held October 8. There are some very good pieces being offered and I wondered if anyone knows the vendors "a collector from Arkensa", another from a Florida collector, "property of a Texas gentlemen" etc. I am interested to know if these are legacy swords, where collectors from the 1960,s and 1970's have shuffled off their mortal coils and whose families are selling the collections, sometimes with indecent haste. I know this is occuring in the UK and I believe it is also the case in Japan. It seems that at some of these sales prices are very low except for very good items (Juyo and the like). The wierd thing is it seems, that surviving old collectors, such as yours truly, are often the ones buying these lots because it is several decades since we saw such cheap swords being offered! Of course, it is a comparitivly short time before we are going to the great shinsa in the sky ourselves and so all these pieces will come back onto the market in a few years time, so good luck then! Regards Clive Sinclaire Quote
Surfson Posted September 30, 2013 Report Posted September 30, 2013 Clive, I saw the online calendar, and you are right, there are some very interesting pieces. As to the wash out of good swords from the primary collectors in the US, this is an interesting phenomenon that a good economist, such as Arnold Frenzel, might have a bit of fun analyzing. The primary US collectors developed real selectivity, so much of what is coming out in this manner is likely to be at the top end of the war trophy swords brought back. I do wonder whether there will be a little bit of a outflow of such collections in the next decade. Quote
Curran Posted September 30, 2013 Report Posted September 30, 2013 I am guessing a bit, but believe the Arkansas collector is probably a very alive and kicking man with one of the finest collections in the USA. An incredible signed ubu healthy straight to Tokubetsu Juyo (yes, such things exist... H, TH, J, TJ all on first try from non Japanese owner) probably went there recently- thus is easy to believe he is letting some go. He has that sort of collection, and his not alone in the USA. Do not know the Texas gentleman and can only guess the Florida gentleman or Florida couple is from north of here. However, I do not see some of the blades I know he(they) have. Therefore, I could be wrong. As a retirement state, many of our collectors are in their golden years. Quote
benatthelake Posted October 1, 2013 Report Posted October 1, 2013 Although a relative newbie myself, the prices for the lower end nihon to seemed very low in comparison to those offered through US dealers. Also noted in another thread on this subject, it is difficult to bid online with the limited info/pictures provided. It will be interesting to see the final prices. Ben Quote
Gabriel L Posted October 1, 2013 Report Posted October 1, 2013 benatthelake said: Although a relative newbie myself, the prices for the lower end nihon to seemed very low in comparison to those offered through US dealers. Also noted in another thread on this subject, it is difficult to bid online with the limited info/pictures provided. It will be interesting to see the final prices. Ben A lot of the low stuff in this auction is relatively junky Muromachi stuff with bad hada. They are estimated accordingly. I wouldn't touch 'em. Quote
Curran Posted October 1, 2013 Report Posted October 1, 2013 Still trying to coordinate trip up to NYC with some other business & family responsibilities. Anyone going Sunday or Monday willing to take a look at that Naoe Shizu for me and tell me if there are any distinct problems/deal killers? Estimate on it seems low compared to what it would cost nowadays. That is what a decent TH one cost about 10 years ago. Quote
Ed Posted October 1, 2013 Report Posted October 1, 2013 Yep, i too know a few of these pieces. The Arkansas pieces, as Curran mentioned are from a big time collection. Actually kind of surprised he is letting the Masazane go. Very rare sword. Ben, those estimates are intentionally low, and are a marketing ploy designed to draw you in. Draw you in, in hope that you will be caught up in a bidding frenzy. That's how they work. Quote
Keichodo Posted October 3, 2013 Report Posted October 3, 2013 Greetings everyone, Regarding the Bonham's sale, I believe the reference to the Arkansas connection refers to the deceased sword collector A.C. Freeman and not the other well-known gentleman collector who is still with us...Some of the blades are those that belonged to Mr. Freeman. Several others come from different U.S. based collectors... The armor is somewhat of a mystery, but judging from the volume it may well be coming out of Japan.... Regards, R. Hughes Quote
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