Niall Mullen Antiques

Batman Causes A Stir

Niall — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:33:07 +0000

The estate of the late Billy Wright from Virginia turned up a few surprises when comics bought by him as a boy made a total of $3.5million with a copy of a comic named Detective Comics No.27 making $523,000 on its own. The reason for its price tag was because Batman was first introduced in this comic which cost 10cents in 1939. The comic collection was found by a relative of Mr Wright while clearing the basement of the deceased. Mr Wright also had a copy of Action Comics No. 1 which featured the first appearance of Superman and this made $299,000. The comics were never mentioned to his family while Mr. Wright was alive and lucky that they were not thrown in the recycle bin.

Princess Margaret Brooch

Niall — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:20:37 +0000

A brooch once owned by Princess Margaret and made by Tiffany is to be auctioned in Adams next week. Cast in 18ct gold the brooch in the shape of a scalloped shell comes with a certificate of provenance from Kensington Palace. It was sold in 2006 as part of The Princess Margaret Jewellery Collection in Christies and was bought by an Irish client. It was valued originally at £700-£900 but made £5760 and a mere six years later it has a price tag of £10,000 to £15,000

Vintage Clothing

Niall — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:36:13 +0000

Due to the popularity of the hit TV show “Mad Men” an interest in all vintage clothing but especially of 50s and 60s fashion has been rekindled. So before you discard of old items consider making some money from them. If they are vintage designer wear then you have more options available to you i.e consign them to a vintage clothing auction or take them to a shop dealing in vintage designer wear e.g. Ruby Ruby in The Hibernian Way off Grafton Street in Dublin, (www.rubyruby.ie). This does not just apply to designer clothing but you can also sell vintage handbags, scarves and accessories.

Louis Le Brocquy Tapestries

Niall — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:26:40 +0000

The first items to test the market since Louis Le Brocquy died will go to auction In Whyte’s saleroom next week. The series of tapestries by the artist were consigned some months prior to his death. The guide price is €250,000 to €300,000 but because of international interest the sale price is expected to double. However, this price will still be well below the price paid for the items in Celtic Tiger years when €875,000 was paid for the series of tapestries. The art world will be eager to see what prices Louis Le Brocquy’s work will make.

Irish Artists At Christies

Niall — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:31:49 +0000

Christies will hold a sale of 20th century Irish and English art on May 24th in London. Lowry, Yeats, Henry to mention but a few will be on offer and the prices reflect the popularity of Irish Art outside our Isle. Results will be posted after sale.

World’s Most Expensive Painting?

Niall — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:17:49 +0000

The fate of this iconic painting was sealed in just under 12 minutes when it came up for auction this week in Sotheby’s. Two telephone bidders battled to be owner of the only copy of “The Scream” to be owned privately and the final bill came to just under a cool $120million. It is the only copy of the 1893 work to include a poem by the artist. Painted in pastels the small painting packed a powerful punch and captured the imagination of art lovers everywhere. Let’s hope the painting is enjoyed for many years by the new owner!

The Importance Of Being Wilde!

Niall — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:22:32 +0000

He may have died destitute in Paris but a rare first edition copy of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” sold in Sothebys last week for €263,000 over three times the highest estimate, the new proud owner is bookseller James Cummins of Manhattan. It is the second highest price paid for a work by an Irish writer, (highest paid goes to James Joyce and Ulysses).

Good News For The State

Niall — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:06:00 +0000

Important artefacts retrieved from the wreck of the Lusitania last August are to be donated to the State. The ship sank in May 1915 off the Irish coast near Kinsale with a loss of 1198 lives after it was hit by a single torpedo from a uboat. Among the dead was renowned art collector Sir Hugh Lane and rumours at the time abounded that some works of art were lost, (the ship was nearing the end of its journey making its way to Cork when it was struck so it is feasible to think that he may have purchased some works while in the States). The announcement made in Tralee yesterday brings an end to legal wranglings over ownership of items recovered and collaboration between the State and American millionaire may see other artefacts donated. Items handed over now include 2 first class portholes, part of the steering mechanism and a directional indicator. Who knows what else the sea might give up?

End of An Era

Niall — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:23:53 +0000

The Arts World is in mourning after one of its great exponents died yesterday. Irish art will never be the same without the leading light that was Louis Le Brocquy. He had his own unique style and a pioneering approach to Art that inspired many others. With a life spanning 95 years he had a huge influence on Irish Art and Culture. There is nobody who can fill the void left by his death. He is survived by his wife Ann and sons Alexis and Pierre.

Hermés Bags

Niall — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:40:00 +0000

Hermes have designed four bags, one to represent each of Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland, which are to be sold in an online time based auction by Christies beginning on May 14th and ending on 31st of May to the highest bidders of the four bags. All proceeds will be donated to the Royal Academy of Arts and the online auction coincides with the Hermes Leather Forever Exhibition beginning on May 8th in London. The four bags are to celebrate the United Kingdom and Ireland. Strange so that while the English bag has a black fur charm to represent the bear skin hat by the Queen’s Guards and the Scottish bag has a kilt pin, the welsh bag a silver dragon why then should the Irish hag have a four leaf clover…such a pity they did not research the difference between a four leaf clover and a shamrock our national emblem.

Men hold on to your wallets tight from now until the end of May and ladies have your purses at the ready as each bag will be sold to the highest bidder on the night.