Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts offers a unique experience. Explore early New England in the company of farmers, craftsmen, and fascinating characters. Celebrate yesterday's proud traditions on your remarkable journey into America's past. OSV is the largest outdoor living history museum in the northeast. The historical landscape of more than 200 acres includes more than 40 structures including restored buildings brought from across New England as well as some authentic reconstructions.
A new series - From the Sack Volumes.
2007 Smith Award to Dr. Christopher Long
The Robert C. Smith Committee of the Decorative Arts Society has presented the 2007 Smith Award to Dr. Christopher Long for the most distinguished article in the decorative arts published during the year, by an American, and in the United States. He receives it for an article entitled “The Viennese Secessionisstil and Modern American Design” in the Spring-Summer 2007 issue of the Bard Graduate Center’s Studies in the Decorative Arts (vol. xiv, No. 2, pp.6-44). The semiannual is edited by Sarah B. Sherrill; the guest editor for the special issue on Modernism in America in which the article; appeared was Dr. Kristina Wilson, Assistant Professor of Art History, Clark University.
The Committee members are: Peter M. Kenny, Ruth Bigelow Wriston Curator of American Decorative Arts and Administrator of the American Wing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Dr. Jessie J. Poesch, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Art History at Newcomb College, Tulane University; and the Chair, Milo M. Naeve, Field-McCormick Curator Emeritus of American Arts, The Art Institute of Chicago. Committee members must be former recipients of the Award. They cannot receive the Award during committee service, though others are eligible regardless of previous awards.
The Committee states that Dr. Long’s article admirably meets standards of the Smith Award. The research is comprehensive, carefully documented, and clearly stated. The final qualification for the Smith Award is an innovative subject that establishes a new direction in research. Dr. Long’s article presents a new insight into American decorative arts in the early 20th Century—especially the Chicago School and the West Coast—and documents Viennese arts as the foundation for later innovative European influences.
Dr. Long received his education in the United States, Austria and Germany. His undergraduate degree in history is from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and studied at the universities of Graz and Vienna. He holds a doctorate in architectural history from the University of Texas at Austin. His Fulbright award was to the University of Vienna. Dr. Long is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas in Austin where he specializes in the history of architecture and the decorative arts.
Early 20th Century Austrian and American architecture and design are Dr. Long’s focus. He publishes frequently on the subjects. His books include Josef Frank: Life and Work (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002), and this year Yale University Press released his Paul T. Frankl and Modern American Design. Dr. Long’s current research is for a book on designer Kem Weber.
We are pleased to announce the addition of a new feature
Emyl Jenkins – Author of Stealing with Style will be providing Sack Heritage Group with fine arts related Questions & Answers each month.
Ms. Jenkins is a longtime antiques appraiser. She has worked at two auction houses and written numerous books and articles on antiques, as well as a syndicated column. In addition to Stealing with Style she is the author of Emyl Jenkins' Appraisal Book, Emyl Jenkins' Southern Christmas, The Book of American Traditions, and From Storebought to Homemade, among others.
Question:
Dear Antiques Expert: After my brothers and sisters and I selected what we wanted from our parents’s home, a lot items were left over. When the antiques dealer came to purchase these things we were surprised to learn that some things were really valuable weren’t and conversely, the value of some things we thought were giveaways astounded us. What makes one piece more valuable than another?
Answer:
Yours is a common experience. To accurately value an antique, remember this tip: age + condition+ quality + rarity = value. Truly valuable antiques must meet all four criteria. For example, a poor-quality, commonly found piece in bad condition will not be valuable, regardless of age. And even a fine antique in excellent condition won’t be extremely valuable unless it is rare. Also remember that antiques have fashions, like hemline lengths and hairstyles. That’s why, to learn the real value of an antique, it’s wise to consult someone who is knowledgeable about current values as well as a particular object.
Wendell Garrett: A true Renaissance gentleman, who has been so gracious, willing and generous with his time, incredible knowledge and vast expertise. We are pleased to count Wendell Garrett as a friend. His continuing contribution to the Sack Heritage Group website is gratefully acknowledged. Without his confidence and understanding of what we wanted to accomplish, we might not be entering our 3rd year.
Thank you, Wendell. Congratulations upon the occasion of the Antiques Dealers Association of America honor on April 17th, which is added to your many other richly deserved awards.
