I received an email from a dealer (dealer 1) with several photos of newer inventory. I liked one piece of furniture and reached out to another dealer (dealer 2) who was expert in the genre. Would he look at it and let me know if it was “right?” He responded that he had not had dealings with dealer 1 in for over 20 years. That is all he said. I passed on the piece although it did sell quickly. I did not love the piece, so I did not pursue someone else to vet it for me. Was it right? I do not know.
A couple of weeks later another piece of furniture caught my eye. A color photo in an ad. I reached out to a friend in the business since I had never dealt with this dealer (dealer 3) who had the piece. His response, “he’s a crook.” That does not mean the piece in question is altered or untrue, but it did give me pause. I emailed dealer 3 and asked about its provenance, restorations, dimensions and the like. I heard from him a week or 10 days later. He said it had sold. My friend in the business said he may never have had it in his inventory.
Both episodes brought home to me the conviction that I should stick with the dealers I have worked with in the past and whom I trust. What would you folks do? I cannot be alone in these collector experiences.
On the somewhat positive side over a month ago I reached out to a dealer about what he had in his inventory. The email and phone numbers on his website did not reach him, or so I thought. A month later he called me. He had just checked his phone. I awaited photos which did eventually arrive. I have waited several days for his best price on one I like. Finally, we connect. I purchase the piece. Phew.
How do I feel about all this? It certainly takes the cachet off collecting for me, but I wonder if I am too sensitive or naïve. While intellectually I know that there is a “dark side” in the American antique world, to encounter it is a bit disheartening. All in a collector’s hunt, I guess.
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