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| GARY COX: “THE ANTIQUE ANSWER MAN” by Carole Berry, for the Folsom Historical Society’s Evaluation Day Committee July, 2007 Gary Cox, known to many in the greater Sacramento area as “The Antique Answer Man,” began his interesting journey from collector to appraiser thirty years ago while living in the Midwest. Shopping primarily at old farm auctions, Gary was able to support his habit as a collector by wholesaling to dealers as a “picker.” The rural Midwest of twenty to thirty years ago was abundant with five to six monthly farm auctions where a box lot of Depression glass went for $10.00. He laments, “I wish I’d held onto it!” Still considering collecting and picking an avocational interest, he continued his “real” job in nuclear power plant supervision and construction. Twenty years ago after relocating to California to work on the now defunct Rancho Seco project, he finally made the break to devote his full energy to antiques. Over the years, he has found that staying active in retail antiques has helped him as an appraiser to maintain a pulse on the antiques’ market. One of Mr. Cox’ best buys took place early in his career at a farm auction in 1976. He discovered a hay rack wagon (a big flat wagon; eight to ten feet long by eight feet wide) pilled three feet high with vintage clothing. For $700.00 he purchased all of the clothing, which included five exquisite twenties and thirties beaded flapper dresses, hundreds of elegant thirties cocktail dresses and Victorian clothing. He wholesaled most of it to a shop in Chicago for ten to fifteen dollars a piece. Many pieces would carry a current value of five hundred dollars each. After purchasing the lot, Mr. Cox was astounded to learn from the auctioneer that, just prior to the auction, he had discovered the owner getting ready to set fire to the whole pile of clothing, assuming it was junk! Living in the Midwest, Mr. Cox was able to learn what to look for from old time antiques dealers, many of whom had been in business since the 1930's, as well as authors and historians.He soon became a real “history buff,” a passion that continues to aid in his contemporary research as an antiques’ appraiser. Thirty years ago, Mr. Cox developed a meaningful dialogue with top glass researcher William Heacock. Mr. Heacock was known for his primary research at old glass factory sites, where he would dig up shards and compare them to contemporary pieces of glass. Collectors would contact Mr. Heacock when they found unique pieces that could prove helpful in unraveling the mysteries of American pattern glass. When asked how computers have affected his current research, Mr. Cox responded that he doesn’t buy as many books these days, relying upon computer research to upgrade values of antiques listed in his 1970's and 1980's reference materials. He finds computer- based research helps collectors and dealers keep up with current auction prices, especially in the art world where trends are important. Some historical research may be accomplished faster and more efficiently with the aid of computers. Researching a person’ s name, family, history and achievements, such as in the case of a civil war figure, used to involve a lengthy process of sending for government war records. When asked what advise he offers on what to collect, Mr. Cox says, “Collect something you love, you’re going to have to live with it for ten or twenty years anyway in hopes it will multiply. [If you are] buying for investment, [you are] usually going to do it wrong. Buy quality not quantity.” Although we typically assume that when an item becomes rare, it will go up in value, Mr. Cox relayed an interesting yet contradictory example. Beginning in the mid 1800's, “custard glass” [yellowish-white opaque glassware first made in 1886 at the La Belle Glass Works, Bridgeport, Ohio] was highly collectible, particularly in the Midwest. With most pieces off the market and in collections, newer collectors did not develop an interest in it, so prices went down. Mr. Cox: “Today a lot of people don’t know what custard glass is . . . not a lot made it to the West coast.” In contrast, he continues, “oak furniture in the 1970's in the Midwest was very inexpensive, a big fancy 1890's oak buffet was $100.00, today it would go for $2500.00 to $3000.00. Walnut and mahogany were seen as premium grade, oak was catalog grade, cheap stuff. The perception has changed, [people] recognize it has a quality of its own.” When asked what trends he sees today, Mr. Cox noted that “inexpensive 1950's maple furniture is the last true quality furniture made in America. The color and style aren’t in right now. [It’s hard to predict] whether that style will come back in.” In recent years, Gary Cox has worked extensively as an appraiser with local historical societies, notably the Crocker History Museum and the Folsom Historical Society. When asked what “exciting” pieces collectors have brought in for appraisal, he shared the following wonderful story about artist sketches passed down in a Sacramento family. Apparently the artist painted frescoes (reference: wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresco) in the Cystine Chapel in the 1500's. A full sized pattern was painted in color with holes so the paint would go through to plaster walls. These pieces were one-of-a-kind, very hard to research with literally nothing to compare them to. “Is it part of an existing piece of the Chapel?” The collector was directed on how to pursue further research. Another fascinating piece that was brought to Mr. Cox during Evaluation Day at the Folsom History Museum was a sterling silver snuff box from 1861, heavily engraved with a firefighting scene which included the Fire Chief, ladders, buildings on fire and the name of the retiring Chief. The value and collectability of the piece, Mr. Cox shared, were significant: A snuff box, bearing the maker’s and owner’s name, a piece of fire memorabilia, a New York City piece, all from the date when the Civil War started. Apparently prior to the war, New York City fire fighters made up a division of Zouave [reference: www.civilwar.si. edu/soldiering_zuoave.html], wearing fancy clothes and performing elaborate drills. Once the war broke out, they enlisted as a unit. Mr. Cox speculates the Chief may have retired to go into the regime to fight, which would double or triple the value of the piece. Further research into the specifics of the regime and their battles could prove helpful in further clarifying the historical significance and value of this rare piece of Americana. Without further research, Mr. Cox valued the piece at $1500.00 to $2000.00. With Evaluation Day at the Folsom History Museum coming up October 6, Mr. Cox offered some practical advice for collectors seeking evaluation of larger pieces of furniture. First, take good photos. Second, bring in a drawer. The construction of the drawer, along with the photos, will provide helpful information on identifying the piece. Is it put together with machine-made or handmade dove tails? Are the handles 1800's hand cast brass or machine made? Third, he continues with advice on checking the main piece of furniture, “look everywhere, touch and feel, run your hand over the whole thing. Is it hand planed or rough cut? [Was a] circular or band saw [used]? What type of wood is in the interior . . . all [this] tells the date, country of origin, location within the United States, etc. The more details the better.” Gary Cox is well known throughout the Greater Sacramento Area as “The Antique Answer Man”, offering both written and verbal appraisals. A regular on Public Television, renowned speaker to glass collectors, civil war buffs, antique societies and those just learning, interested in how to tell a fake from the real thing. For more information, contact Mr. Cox at: 916-600-2775, by email at gary@antiqueanswerman.com or visit with him during the September 21 Antique Peddlers' Fair in Folsom between 8am and 4pm or by attending the Folsom History Museum’s October 4, 2008 Evaluation Day. |
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