“I picked up this print about 16 years ago at Eastern Market,” wrote Susan Williams to the column about the piece she recently brought to the Michigan Design Center for a free Trash or Treasure appraisal (if you would like to do the same, see the sidebar on this page about an upcoming event). ‘It was in the bin that was marked half off. I picked it up because I loved the color. I brought it in hoping someone could tell me more about it,” she explained to appraiser Brian Thomczek at the event.
“Entitled ‘Lobster Trap,’ it bears a signature that looks like it reads “A. Vlahantones,” the year 1957 and the numbers 18/4. “I think it’s Anthony, he was a local Detroit artist and had connections with an art community in Ohio,” she wrote in the email. She added additional information at the event. “I tried to look up the artist,” Williams explained to the appraiser, adding that she found a few references to him on the internet. “It’s a Detroit name but I can’t even pronounce it. He has had some work on exhibit at a university in Ohio but I couldn’t find much else.” A subsequent internet search proved unsuccessful and revealed no additional information. Williams says she thinks she paid less than $25. “If it was more than that I wouldn’t have bought it,” she added.
Even without more information on the artist, Thomczek praised the 13 by 20 ½-inch piece, calling it “really interesting.” He identified it as “a post-World War II modern abstraction,” saying it had both good subject matter and was well done. “The artist may have gone to CCS,” he added.
He was less enamored with the condition, which he said had a bit of discoloration on the edges and could use a good cleaning. He said paper conservators would be able to remove the damage and restore the piece to its original condition.
If she wanted to sell it, he thinks it would bring $150 to $250 at auction. “This is the kind of piece that would look great in a Mid-Century Modern house,” he said. “You definitely came out ahead. It’s worth a lot more than you paid.”
He added that more information may be under the frame backing but Wiliams said she had already looked. Even without more information about the artist, she was happy to have a current value. “I have it hanging in my living room,” she said of the piece. “I would never sell.”
Item: Contemporary print
Owned by: Susan Williams
Appraised by: Brian Thomczek
Estimated value: $150 to $250 at auction
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Curious about a collectible, garage sale bargain or family heirloom? Now’s your chance to find out more about it – for free! Appraisers usually charge for their services and expertise but we work with DuMouchelles in downtown Detroit and independent appraiser Brian Thomczek to offer free appraisals as part of the column. The next Troy appraisal is scheduled for June 19 at 10 a.m. the Michigan Design Center; stay tuned for the Detroit date and time. If you are interested in being considered, send a photograph of your item with what you know about it to trashortreas@aol.com. If you and your item are chosen for one of a dozen appraisals at each location, we will be in touch.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Trash or Treasure: Woman’s ‘Lobster Trap’ print worth more than she paid
Reporting by Khristi Zimmeth, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
