Later this month items from the collection of Bob and Gail Fischer will be sold at Kelly and Ben Schultz’ auction gallery in Clarence, NY. Antiques collectors in Western New York, especially those people who love early and folk items, know the eye these collector-dealers had for desirable antiques. Having been the “back bidder” behind Fischers at some auctions, I know we had similar interests and I always found visiting their booth at local shows worthwhile.
The Schultz gallery has had a number of “collections” at auction over the years, and their August sale has more than one. There is a huge collection of telephones and considerable amount of Roycroft copper in the sale, among other things in the three-day auction.
Locally at the Schultz gallery as well as the Cottone Gallery in Geneseo, NY, we’ve seen many items from the legendary collector of almost everything, Margaret Woodbury Strong, de-accessioned from the Strong Museum. We recall one sale where more than a dozen cast-iron stoves from the Strong were sold. We continue to be amazed at the quantity and range of items she collected.
There is no getting around the fact that there are times that collectors downsize and, of course, there are estates that include significant collections. Our son David, an avid collector of railroad antiques, has followed the dispersal of a number of well-known collections in specialty auctions.
Auctions are an efficient way to disperse large collections and give collectors a chance to “fill in” something in their own collections or, with some luck, start someone new collecting.
While most people would say that it’s time to “disperse” or downsize, Linda and I still find a few things to add here and there. And, because the Fischers had similar tastes, you can bet I’ll be tempted when items from their collections hit the auction block!