Snake Q&A 021: John Radtke/Somewhere, Someplace
Happy Mondays, John Barrymore, no specific flea markets, baby boomers, Frimkess cups, quilts, Ricky Powell
Snake covers design and explains it. For a representative sample, read the best selections from this week’s auctions, and the most recent designer profile and explainer.
Today on Snake: Every other Friday or so an interview with a person in good standing of the newsletter whose taste in vintage, furniture, and adjacent is worth recording. Sellers, buyers, artists, adjacents, etc…. but first,
Housekeeping:
Barzilay stereo cabinet for sale, pickup in Los Angeles, 90032 (near Troy’s Burgers) before Jan 31… price is couple grand. DM if you’re interested and I’ll put you in contact with seller. Cash goes to helping immunocompromised/chronically ill bedbound artist thai Lu transition into a new studio, and get medical supplies. Piece:
I made a brief in-studio appearance on The Best Show this past Tuesday, at approximately the 2:41:22 minute mark, discussing pretzels. (Spotify/Apple/the Best Show website/video on the Patreon…) thanks to my good friend Barry for bringing me along, and, of course, Tom.
Is anyone available to take an author photo of me and my Ford Mustang outside Sprouts (during magic hour ideally) on Monday? Maybe Sunday. Can be any Sprouts. Thanks.
John Radtke | IG | Southwest | Where is SMWRESMPLCE ? | Website
John digs and has a talent for antiques and displaying 1-of-1 items. He’s also one of the deeper vintage sellers out there, with a grasp of many markets and prices beyond smalls and rates. He’s let just about everything get through his hands. He is displaying at the Nameless Art show in Chelsea, NYC (516 W 26th St Suite 315), from Friday (today) to Sunday.
Q&A 021
Fav flea market?
I love them all, a lot of people like to claim this area is better than that area, this flea is better than that flea. I don't know if that matters, honestly. This is the number one consumption country in contemporary history; stuff is everywhere.
Best flea market day ever—what did you get?
I recently pulled a Doyle Lane weed pot at [insert name here].
Best eBay purchase?
Years ago a Mondays fan who had been to almost every show and amassed the most insane collection of merch and ephemera was selling. I was lucky to buy shirts from him over a few months. He shared a catalog of everything he'd collected. It had all been done prior to him going to prison after being wrapped with thousands of ecstasy press pills. Eventually he stopped returning my emails. Supposedly, his collection was to go to the History and Industry Museum in Manchester.
Best Craigslist find?
My dog Sid, seen on strip quilt
Best LiveAuctioneers find?
I don’t shop Live much, the premiums often kill the buy and I don't like the search trace it leaves, but I did recently purchase an African American strip quilt that went fair. I put bids on a lot of items that just go bananas. The reason that thing cost an extra $500 is me.
IG seller account you hang out on/look at their stuff the most?
@criticaleyefinds, @stevenspowers/@ployart, @ryfillmanantiques, @esotericsurvey, @hollerandsquall, @hareandarrow, @danielschmidtantiques, @newlynlowly, @derekmagnette—the list can go on. And if I didn't name you here, picture me E-stalking your IG. Many people I work with and look up to either don't promote their pages, don't want them promoted or just don’t go on social media at all.
Thing you most regret passing on?
I thought about this awhile and nothing comes to mind.
Best thing you got for insanely cheap?
Best thing you got for insanely cheap? I found 4 Magdalena Frimkess mugs at a thrift store in Oregon state for $30 a few years ago. They were randomly placed on a shelf of kitchenwares halfway stable. I threw in some random items to mix up the pile, probably unnecessarily.
Best thing you overpaid for?
This obscure futuristic sculpted door handle, it’s cast iron and painted. I often buy things that I can't immediately place because they are interesting and original. I definitely get tired fast of seeing the same old. Supposedly came from the collection of John Barrymore? At least that's what the seller said, it could actually be from anywhere.
Favorite piece of furniture you own?
Lucky to own two larger sculptures by artist Dawn Cerny. Look her up. @cerny_studio
What’s one thing you own that you won’t ever sell?
This is tough. I’ll eventually sell it all. Some things kick around longer than others but nothing goes all the way.
Piece you have now that you despise and want to replace?
There are always a few pieces of MCM furniture around here that I buy to earn on. Despise is strong but I just want the money, most of these things go to flea markets or auctions.
Who do you think sold more records: Nelly Furtado or Three 6 Mafia?
Weird Al Yankovic.
Secret spot that you love but won’t tell anyone about? (please describe as judiciously as possible while omitting any identifiable characteristics)
There is a picker I found this year. He has several warehouse spaces full, wall-to-wall, and still buys regularly within several states of his home. True old school seller, pot head-type that’s lived all over the country until about three years ago. I always leave with a good pile of stuff, modern and designs items rustic old west stuff art a true mix and plenty of room on the $.
Rarest/most canon vintage thing you have but never wear?
I recently handed off all of my vintage to a friend to manage, but I had one of the first Rappin With The Rickster tees that Ricky Powell possibly screened himself. Chico and Esco had the second rendition with multi colors in their collection last I knew, and I think Nils Hanson recently found one in LA.
Most jealousy-inducing thing you’ve seen? (e.g. I saw a guy in Foremost jeans once in 2012 and I’ve never gotten over it)
I was at the Goodwill in Port Townsend, Washington, that store is notorious for putting out raw. I saw this guy pick up an Alpine Designs promo poster with the Alpinist character. I always do this kinda, “Hey, how ya doin, what's that?” when I'm trying to weasel something from another buyer. He was rolling away when I offered him $20. He turned it down. I went up to $40, when he basically said not going to sell it no matter what. Not a crazy piece, but for dealers and collectors from the NW, outdoor gear and ephemera is a thing, I still think about that.
Favorite Russian novelist?
Nabokov
Is there a field of collecting are you looking to get into in the near future? (Furniture/paper/autographs/stamps/model trains/computer shirts/90s Harley shirts/digital watches/lighters/slot cars/faberge eggs/Amish quilts etc)
Jewelry. I think about it often. For the scale and value, you can't be in a better market.
What’s the item that’s been on your watchlist the longest without you having pulled the trigger?
WW1 trench Rolex with a gridded sterling crystal guard, there are multiple different styles of these I’ve seen and this one takes it.
Is the best vintage/furniture online or in the wild?
The wild, I still travel, although I buy online when I'm static. I still feel you can find the best stuff out and about if you're savvy.
Has all the cool shit been discovered? (Yes or no answer only)
Not even, the boomer generation is packing up, and all the stuff they hoarded for the last 40 years is back in motion.
Any vintage accounts you want to rep or boost? Furniture? (feel free to include local spots)
Kirk Albert in Seattle WA, I first went to Kirk’s shop in 08. I have never been there and not been impressed with the variety and quality in the gallery. (IG)
Uncommon Objects in Austin Texas may hands down be the best Antique Mall around right now big Sid fans over there. (IG)
Minds Eye Vintage in Easton PA, Maya is the only Raiders fan I’m friends with, her store is packed with raw personality and quality, always great to visit. (IG)
Catalog Sale in NYC, I started following those guys after their second run. Not many people out there were selling the type of things they were at the time in quantity and Avi Kovacevich has kept that going quite well. (IG)
The Window in Los Angeles, always an inspiring collection. (IG)
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Auctions ending this week:
World Cup soccer pinball game, CT, $200, Sat (this country is bereft of Wayne Gretzky tabletop hockey, which if Picasso played, he’d have liked
Nakashima coffee table for Knoll, $400, NJ (his most invisible design, but no brainer)
Two Magistretti Veranda chairs, NJ, $500 (his best piece; buy one, sell one)
Two Brno chairs (Knoll) (vdR), Mass., $400, Sun. (I love looking at this chair, even in pictures)
Reverse housekeeping:
They have better mineral water here than anywhere in America. That’s probably why everyone’s so healthy.
What is the better Armenian bread?
Bonus poll: Has anyone seen the movie Cop (1988), directed by James B. Harris?
Post Q&A god-tier aesthetic video of the week: