tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post6049205804329645589..comments2024-03-26T00:10:40.751-04:00Comments on Reggie Darling: Winning Bid: Silver for the Entertaining HouseholdReggie Darlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-30000198595014485422010-09-20T01:23:50.228-04:002010-09-20T01:23:50.228-04:00Anon 10:30: Our storage at Darlington is full to t...Anon 10:30: Our storage at Darlington is full to the bursting. There were only a few closets in the house when we bought it, which we have augmented with building out as many cabinets as possible. More recently we have relied on using commercial-grade wire shelving in our (finished) basement to store our lesser-used entertaining wares. I wish that we had a butler's pantry, but unfortunately such a repository is but a dream for us, at least for now.<br /><br />Bonnie: Thank you for your comment, and I am happy to read that you have enjoyed your "meanderings" (a lovely word) amongst my postings. Unfortunately I have misplaced by dear aunt's recipe, but will gladly post it when I come across it (or retrieve it from one of my cousins).Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-81854944549788349012010-09-19T11:01:05.402-04:002010-09-19T11:01:05.402-04:00Dear Reggie
I am new to your blog and absolutely ...Dear Reggie<br /><br />I am new to your blog and absolutely adore your meanderings. As a matter of fact, I spent last evening scouring the entire contents of your blog. It brought me back to a gentler time in my life and, for that, I thank you dearly. Could you possibly post your Aunt Joanna's Swedish meatball recipe?<br /><br />Best regards,<br />BonnieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-40171766635659734122010-09-19T10:30:53.178-04:002010-09-19T10:30:53.178-04:00Am curious. Where do you house your lovely servin...Am curious. Where do you house your lovely serving pieces, bowls, glasswares,etc? <br />I am a fairly new reader and perhaps have missed a post on your storage space...a butler's pantry, a breakfront or cabinet? If not perhaps that would be an informative post. If one likes to entertain, is a collector, has inheried family silver or all of the latter, finding storage in an antique home, can be difficult.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-64527413365917687202010-09-09T07:03:45.000-04:002010-09-09T07:03:45.000-04:00Reggie,
Firstly, thank-you. I spotted a lovely st...Reggie,<br />Firstly, thank-you. I spotted a lovely stainless set at the Moma store in NY, soho and am thinking something like that, modern lines, but I will look at Barney's. Our wine glasses are from Barney's which I adore, as they fit in the dishwasher and not down the disposal. Ha!<br />It would be my honor to capture "Pompey" in an illustration.<br />Just send me some images - and I shall work on that "toute suite!"~<br />pvepve designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03527745630303158002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-66766469121714203592010-09-09T01:21:21.278-04:002010-09-09T01:21:21.278-04:00Hello PVE: Several years ago we traded out our &qu...Hello PVE: Several years ago we traded out our "every day" silver flatware in our city apartment (an assembled set of hotel silver plate) with Christofle stainless steel that goes in the dishwasher without getting pitted or going flat and dull. Must say I've been happy with it. We bought it at Barney's. MD used one of her lesser sets of sterling when I was growing up as her every day, that I had to get polished up professionally when I inherited it. You wouldn't believe how many tea spoons of her set went down the disposal, which I have been slowly replacing in the years since I got it. BTW, I would love to commission you to do a portrait of Pompey in a beach tent on wheels as you suggested a while back. Please email me your thoughts . . . reggiedarling@hotmail.comReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-68698433208489972472010-09-09T00:49:04.335-04:002010-09-09T00:49:04.335-04:00Might I ask a favor? I am in the market for every...Might I ask a favor? I am in the market for everyday kitchen flatware. <br />We have fine silver but I wanted to replace our everyday set.<br />Do you have a favorite or a go to source. One part of me loves something mod and practical or antique and genteel?<br />Any advice?<br />pvepve designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03527745630303158002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-59433905896447490662010-09-07T00:12:13.479-04:002010-09-07T00:12:13.479-04:00Well done Reggie, especially on the bowl. Jensen ...Well done Reggie, especially on the bowl. Jensen never sells at a bargain at our auctions here.<br /><br />Having been a "mall" dealer I can attest that what DED described occurs here too. Dealers will bid up marginal pieces and then price them seemingly to ensure they don't sell.<br /><br />My favorite personal silver experience: a box lot of plate water pitchers bought for five dollars. Polilshed and displayed all together on top of a chest they flew out of my space - because I priced them at 20 bucks a piece.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18003316530755458623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-71385927471557290142010-09-06T00:50:54.058-04:002010-09-06T00:50:54.058-04:00Wonderful post, and excellent comments - no surpri...Wonderful post, and excellent comments - no surprise, as your followers are a fine group. I bow to Ancient, whose powers of divination are worthy of applause. The find was so stupendous that I can't even be jealous, but I will say that I'd love a dozen Paul Storr plates (or even one, for that matter).DMCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-33416641536519382852010-09-05T17:27:41.753-04:002010-09-05T17:27:41.753-04:00well, you sure know how to pick 'em! as a dane...well, you sure know how to pick 'em! as a dane, georg jensen pieces ae spotted a million miles away, and i love your bowl! great find, and if you purchased it at a great price, good for you!!<br /><br />northern lightNatasha @ Northern Light Designhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09059475901507980212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-20069074924322714572010-09-04T21:57:43.950-04:002010-09-04T21:57:43.950-04:00Ancient: That is one of the best comments that Reg...Ancient: That is one of the best comments that Reggie has ever had. Thank you for this divine story. Reggie feverishly awaits the day when he will have the pleasure of dining off of said plates/chargers.<br /><br />BdeV: One of the things Reggie has learned is that there will be another auction, and another opportunity one day. I am sure that the Christofle you bid on was lovely, and that similar will come to auction again.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-3317775001105580572010-09-04T12:43:12.867-04:002010-09-04T12:43:12.867-04:00These are beautiful and practical pieces. I espec...These are beautiful and practical pieces. I especially love the lines of that Jensen bowl.<br />Sadly, so much silver goes to scrap.<br />I under bid on a set of Christofle a couple of weeks ago, now I am angry with myself for not offering more for it.Belle de Villehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045827018848979761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-12356297235320366012010-09-04T11:22:24.701-04:002010-09-04T11:22:24.701-04:00Ah, "the scrappers."
My Silver Story:
...Ah, "the scrappers."<br /><br />My Silver Story:<br /><br />Many years ago, when an elderly relative died, his heirs, myself included, divided his worldly possessions in a way that made everyone more or less content. Sotheby's had crawled through the house for several days, identifying every item of note, and attaching an "estate value" to each. Everyone took turns picking their favorites, and all worked out happily. But that left the silver, which no one wanted but me. To keep everyone happy, I paid a requested sum into the estate -- more than the valuation it had been given -- at which point all the silver was mine.<br /><br />Now most of this was family silver -- monogrammed, for the most part, dating back a long, long time. (I am probably one of the few people left who has a set of pre-Civil War Tiffany holloware.) But quite a lot of it would have been fuel for the scrappers -- items that I treasure because of their family history, but of no conceivable value to anyone else.<br /><br />Anyway, there I was at the house, supervising the collection of my new things. I went through the kitchen and the butler's pantry collecting the silver and piling it on the (Duncan Phyfe) dining room table to be packed for transit. In a final walk-through, I thought to look under the sink in the butler's pantry. There, behind the usual cleaning supplies was a large cloth bag. In it were twelve heavily tarnished silver plates. (A couple of them seemed to bear the remains of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.) But as they were silver, I added them to the pile in the dining room.<br /><br />And that is how I acquired a rather magnificent set of 1806 Paul Storr plates.<br /><br />(In practice, I only use them as chargers.)The Ancientnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-35788601891322230882010-09-03T20:43:27.840-04:002010-09-03T20:43:27.840-04:00I love these pieces. Especially the bowl for simp...I love these pieces. Especially the bowl for simply dozens of uses. I made the mistake of purchasing the stainless chafing dishes for entertaining a crowd and cannot stand the sight of them next to my lovely platters and dishes. Oh well, we live and learn. But I really do enjoy your posts. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08026642983521186196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-39664200470960803992010-09-03T18:17:39.489-04:002010-09-03T18:17:39.489-04:00Oh DED, I know that you meant it in a friendly man...Oh DED, I know that you meant it in a friendly manner. Reggie was having a bit of fun with you. Kindred spirits, no?Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-10055676580007322332010-09-03T18:09:52.735-04:002010-09-03T18:09:52.735-04:00PS, For all we know, your purchase prices may get ...PS, For all we know, your purchase prices may get reported in M.A.D. The Jensen bowl is lovely, and the tray fine.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-66192612273752261952010-09-03T18:07:24.376-04:002010-09-03T18:07:24.376-04:00Dept. of Amplification and Clarification:
The pro...Dept. of Amplification and Clarification:<br /><br />The problem with silver is that there's just so damned much of it----and much of it is attractive, but most of it isn't worth what was paid for it once it leaves Tiffany's or Shreve's or wherever (seriously, try to sell that Tiffany set for what you paid for it three years ago). And then, all that wedding present stuff that everyone has. And no doubt some dealers (Antiques Mall dealers are particularly guilty of this) just price the stuff as if it were gold, regardless of quality, but truth is, most old silver at everyday auctions goes to scrappers. There's always a strong market for the rare, the unique, the unusual, but the merely attractive and useful (chafing dishes are a good example of this----there are at least three chafing dishes for every one citizen in America) has a lot of competition for the buck out there. I envy Reggie if his local auctions still have bargains at the end. Not so at all at ours anymore. The competition for the interesting stuff is strong right down to the last nut dish.<br /><br />And in no way did I take it as a slam at dealers, worry not.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-56991804211779722712010-09-03T17:07:15.579-04:002010-09-03T17:07:15.579-04:00TDED --
I think you're probably right with re...TDED --<br /><br />I think you're probably right with regard to furniture and many other things, but I know any number of dealers who won't bid on silver because the margins have become too small. Perhaps it's different up there in New England.The Ancientnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-74149071567800937402010-09-03T16:31:05.582-04:002010-09-03T16:31:05.582-04:00Wonderful finds! I am sure you will enjoy entertai...Wonderful finds! I am sure you will enjoy entertaining your guest with these fine pieces!<br /><br />Karena<br />Art by KarenaKarenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206642885608991170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-27249983391433625152010-09-03T14:41:09.238-04:002010-09-03T14:41:09.238-04:00Oh, I wish you had a secret login page for us devo...Oh, I wish you had a secret login page for us devotees so we could see the price. And maybe put in requests for purchases you might make on our behalf:). That's OK. I will just dream.LPChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18209861350905135093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-62275304130532963012010-09-03T14:34:55.813-04:002010-09-03T14:34:55.813-04:00OHHHH Reggie, I am such a Portobello Road girl and...OHHHH Reggie, I am such a Portobello Road girl and besides loving silver, there is nothing like a good auction. I do so love living through you vicariously!cynthia - thedailybasics.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04859615460268242638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-12465412654712829972010-09-03T12:40:21.459-04:002010-09-03T12:40:21.459-04:00DED: With all due respect, if you knew what I paid...DED: With all due respect, if you knew what I paid for these you wouldn't be so sure. These were end of sale bargains, hammered down long after most of the dealers had left. And one of the pieces--the chafing dish--was bought with no others bidding against me. My point in this post is that certain things, such as silver serving pieces, can be bought inexpensively at auction because the average retail buyer at such sales (and dealer for that matter) isn't interested in them and therefore they can be had (at times) for little money. Reggie does, of course, buy through dealers all the time, and greatly respects your profession. His goal in writing this piece is not to dissuade his readers from buying from dealers, but to help his readers understand that sometimes (if they know what they are doing) they may also benefit from buying at auction, too.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-82377598258475798842010-09-03T12:01:17.821-04:002010-09-03T12:01:17.821-04:00LOL, Reggie, much as I love your take on auction b...LOL, Reggie, much as I love your take on auction bargains, trust me, once you've outbid all the dealers in the room, and paid the 10-20% buyer's premium, you really haven't bought it for that much less, if at all, than it would be in a shop. I consistently see stuff sell at auction---'heat of the moment'---for more than I'd ever dream of charging for it in the shop.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.com