With NYC’s housing market warmer than Diddy’s sex drive, and so many buying and selling homes, I decided to talk with Heritage Auctions’ President Greg Rohan.
He told me: “Asia’s market is running hot. Wealth is created now in China and throughout Asia. We opened a Heritage office in Tokyo six months ago. With pop culture, urban art, wine, jewelry, it’s doing phenomenal.
“We sold Elton John’s piano for $900,000. ‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby slippers went for $32 million!
“Sometimes it’s an antique effect. History buffs. One collects coins, stamps, another baseball cards. A feeling of accomplishment. Making more money, they put sets together. Return to what they collected as a child.
“There’s the social aspect. Art — it’s meeting people with similar interests. Travel with them, wine and dine with them. It becomes their social life.
“Heritage started 49 years ago. Rare coins. We were the first company out there.”
People unloading their homes now, what should they know?
“Furniture’s coming back. My tips would be: Don’t sell to someone outright. Get a couple of opinions.”
You guys ever been screwed?
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“Sure. Happens with sports stars.”
Tell us how to handle valuables we might want to sell.
“Don’t jump at the first person who waves at you. Don’t be alone with the maybe buyer. Always have someone with you. Don’t leave jewelry lying around. For an auction house, pick one that’s been around. And get two or three opinions.”
And if scratching around to see someone else’s collection, know that LA’s Grammy Museum will be showing off original Britney Spears outfits. Like from her 1999 “Baby One More Time” tour. Plus performance shmattas from her 2001 “Dream Within a Dream” tour. Part of its “& Juliet” exhibit, opening next week.
No need to thank me for this advance information.
If you’re not a collector, pay attention. Whilst stuffing in Fresco by Scotto’s zucchini chips appetizer, Sherri Shepherd and Carrie Preston — who long back worked on short-lived “Emeril” — are back. Try catching them this fall on CBS’s Season 3 of “Elsbeth.”
The world’s getting smaller. The Near East is too near. And the Far East isn’t far enough. At the UN, no matter in whichever language you hear their diplomats, none of them make any sense.
And that’s only in New York, kids, only in New York.