Donna Einhorn, a principal in the firm of Einhorn & Brown Valuations here in Fishers, has just returned from a three-week appraisal assignment on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Along with a colleague, she was hired to evaluate antiques and fine art that have graced the public areas and suites of the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua for the past 13 years, and to create a catalog for potential buyers during a liquidation sale.
The hotel is currently undergoing a major renovation, and it was decided that they would sell off their 18th and 19th century furniture, paintings and prints. Among the choice items offered to the public were an 1852 oil painting of a harbor scene by the eminent British artist James Webb named “Coastal View.” A hole in the canvas limits its Fair Market Value to about $20,000, but when repaired this will soar to $60,000, according to Einhorn. Other 19th century oil paintings sold included “the John Paul Schooner” by William Stubbs, $14,000; “The Steamer Arizona” by Antonio Jacobsen, $15,000; and “Twin Boys” by Paul Salieres, $15,000. The latter had been associated with many local superstitions of the twins’ power over hotel guests and employees, and because of the rumors, it sold for a fraction of its original cost.
The liquidation sale also turned up numerous mid-19th century lithographs of birds by John James Audubon, John Gould and William Hart, as well as earlier engravings of orchids, shells and other flora and fauna. Einhorn’s knowledge of the creation of such prints and previous experience valuing similar properties proved extremely useful to International Content Liquidators Inc., who is conducting the sale on site (see this link for photos of some of the objects). For more information, contact Einhorn & Brown Valuations at 317-598-7070 or antiquesappraiser@msn.com.
