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One of the world’s oldest cameras has sold to an anonymous bidder at auction for almost 600,000 euros, BBC reported.

The daguerreotype camera, made by French firm Susse Freres no later than 1839, was found in a German attic and sold at a Vienna auction house. Bids came from around the world for the daguerreotype, said by an expert to be the only remaining Susse Freres model.

The daguerreotype process, only perfected in 1839, was judged the first viable form of commercial photography.

The head of the Vienna auction house said he was convinced the piece was from the earliest years of popular photography. “I was of course shocked because every camera dealer dreams of one day owning a daguerreotype camera,” said Peter Coeln.

The daguerreotype was named after the man who invented the process, Frenchman Louis Daguerre. Each daguerreotype developed a positive image, not a negative, like later photographic processes, on a plate of mirror-polished silver, and did not allow for any reproductions. But the relative speed of the process compared to previous techniques made the daguerreotype the first kind of “popular” photography, and was particularly suited to portraits.

The first photograph of Abraham Lincoln was believed to have been taken using a daguerreotype, in the 1840s. Today few daguerreotypes survive intact in private hands, and the discovery of the Susse Freres model, in a Munich loft where it had lain undisturbed since 1940, prompted a frenzy of interest.

MyThings (http://www.mythings.com), the leading global online registry of belongings, today announced its partnership with GoAntiques (http://www.goantiques.com), the online marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles. By integrating with MyThings, GoAntiques.com offers every customer automatic registration of their new purchase in a free, secure online portfolio, which provides access to additional relevant information and services. GoAntiques.com customers are invited to register all their valuables free of charge.

The GoAntiques.com partnership represents MyThings’ commitment to offer collectors the information and services they need to enjoy their collections. MyThings provides easy access to product materials, accessories, insurance, warranties, reviews, and community features such as forums and messaging. Further, MyThings’ sister website, Trace.com, allows members to report the details of lost or stolen property, thereby increasing the chance of recovery.

Once a customer completes a purchase, GoAntiques.com will provide each customer with a MyThings portfolio already populated with the details of their purchased items, including the image, item description, purchase price, and date. Once their free portfolios are activated, customers may take advantage of the wide range of services and information relevant to their new purchases.

MyThings.com has a number of channel partners in the UK. MyThings also enjoys due diligence agreements with the world’s leading auction houses which, taken together, account for more than 80% of the traditional auction market by value.

Historic Highcliffe Castle is to play host to the popular BBC Antiques Roadshow programme next month.

The stately clifftop mansion, itself a rare example of early 19th century art and architecture, will be the backdrop for an edition for the 30th series of the long-running programme due to be screened between September and April.

Current host Michael Aspel and former long-time Roadshow presenter High Scully will be among the celebrities appearing at the castle with the team of expert valuers including Hilary Kay and Lars Tharp.

Around 2,000 punters are expected to flock to the castle during the day-long filming on Thursday, June 14, to find out if their favourite family heirloom is worth a fortune.

But just hosting the Antiques Roadshow is rich reward for Christchurch council and Highcliffe Castle staff, who have overseen the restoration of the once-ruined pile to a major tourist attraction and wedding venue.

“Getting the Roadshow is absolutely massive. It is a really big deal for the castle and the council and we are absolutely delighted,” said castle events manager Jaine Fry, who has been closely involved in negotiations with the programme makers.

advertisementShe added: “We investigated the possibility a few years ago, but thought the castle would not be big enough. Then the BBC came back to us at the end of last year and said they were happy to do the whole thing outdoors, whatever the weather.”

Antiques Roadshow editor Simon Shaw said: “The team are all looking forward to visiting Highcliffe Castle. It’s always exciting to see what will come to light on the day. Despite the high turnout everyone will get to see an expert.”

Gates open at 9.30 am for people to bring their antiques for viewing, but people with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects in advance to: Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk to arrange to arrange viewing and transport.

Featuring the collections of over 550 international dealers from the United States, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, South America and Asia, the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show is the largest summer indoor antiques event in the US.

The annual show, celebrating its 27th year, returns to the Baltimore Convention Center Labor Day Weekend, August 30-September 2. Each year thousands of knowledgeable collectors, dealers, decorators, and shoppers from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond attend the show which is a cultural experience featuring: fine art, jewelry, silver, porcelain, decorative accessories, furniture, glass, textiles and more ranging from the antiquities to the 20th century. Additionally, the show includes a 60-dealer Antiquarian Book Fair offering rare books, first editions, fine manuscripts, autographs, and unusual bibliographical material. The incredible diversity combined with the solid quality of items makes the Baltimore show a significant event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call Palm Beach Show Group at 561-822-5440 or visit www.baltimoresummerantiques.com 

Gilded chairs, ornate commodes and wardrobes with inlay were once common among wealthy and noble families who prized expensive furniture. Individual pieces that survived wars and plundering are available now in antique shops and a few furniture makers are specializing in making reproductions of these pieces.

Experts differ on the criteria necessary to make a piece of furniture an antique. “Some say everything up to and including Biedermeier (1815-184 can be described as antique,” said Hermann Specht, president of the federation of German art and antique dealers based in Drestedt. In Britain, dealers have a different definition of an antique. They say an antique is anything that is more than 100 years old. “This is more and more becoming the prevailing definition. “

Collectors take pleasure in strolling through antique shops and rummaging for particular pieces. But there are people who find that too much trouble or who are searching for an exceptional piece for their home and do not care whether it’s a true antique. They are best served by period furniture makers.

“Period furniture pieces are reproductions that date back to former eras, say the baroque or classic periods,” said Ursula Geismann of the German furniture industry association in Bad Honnef. These pieces usually are a mixture of styles. “There are basic classic elements in every era,” she said, adding that among period furniture reproductions, Italian makers are especially well represented.

Furniture maker Selva of Bozen in Italy’s South Tyrol region has two lines that borrow from the King Louis XVI style. They are called the Bernini and the Villa Borghese collections. The latter includes elements of the German and French classicism. Another Selva collection, Louis Philippe, is orientated toward the style of the French king whose name it bears.

Desks, beds and chairs are available in a dark antique nut tree colour or antique cherry with a finish that shows signs of wear and tear. “Much of the furniture is handmade. The inlay, for example, is done by hand,” said Evi Leitner of Selva.

The Nieheim-based furniture maker Finkeldei describes its upholstered furniture as classic-luxurious. Some pieces can be attributed to specific eras. The Lafayette chair, for example, is a Louis XIV reproduction. Other pieces such as the Luxor combine various periods.

Furniture maker CK Homedesign is the place for shoppers who have fallen in love with the baroque sofa in the museum catalogue. The Erlensee-based company builds furniture according to the customer’s specifications. “You can simply bring us a picture and we use that as a pattern,” said Stefan Kinzel of CK Homedesign.

Maker Kare is oriented toward the sumptuous shapes of the baroque period. The company, based in Garching outside Munich, is not set on remaking exact reproductions though. On the contrary, old designs are converted into modern looks.

“We seek a mixture of periods,” said Kare spokeswoman Jacqueline Wand. The company doesn’t go exactly by the original patterns. Its armchair Black Mink, for example, is made from black lacquered wood and fake animal skin and Kara refers to it as an extravagant baroque design.