*PRICES OF ANTIQUE ENGLISH PAPERWEIGHTS SOAR IN L. H. SELMAN LTD.
WINTER 2011 AUCTION*

L. H. Selman Ltd., the world's premiere paperweight dealer, has concluded another successful winter auction. Nearly 250 bidders participated in robust bidding via internet and telephone from the US, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The active bidding helped make this another outstanding and exciting paperweight auction.

Antique English weights fared especially well in the L. H. Selman Winter Paperweight Auction.
Of the three lots of antique Bacchus weights, Lot 2 and Lot 3 each sold for $26,400. This
was one of the highest recorded figures for Bacchus weights, a fantastic result reflecting the quality of the work and the importance of these rare weights. All three of the Bacchus weights offered in this auction are outstanding examples, and include the factory's finest characteristics. George Bacchus and Sons produced a very limited number of weights, only 300 to 400, which contributes to their desirability.

While the antique Bacchus weights were the clear superstars of the sale, there were many other pieces among the 382 lots that met or surpassed expectations. Among the great French factories, the exceptional antique Clichy faceted close packed millefiori paperweight, Lot 13, sold well above its estimate for $13,200. The numerous Clichy roses (21 in all) along with its substantial size made this weight so seductive. Lot 20, the exquisitely crafted antique Saint Louis mushroom paperweight, fetched $12,000 which was nearly double the high estimate.

The highly prized classic Clichy blue and white swirl, Lot 23, enjoyed very active bidding,
ending with a sale price of $3.900, far above the pre-auction high estimate.

Among the important paperweight related objects in the sale, the rare and elegant antique Saint Louis vase fetched the impressive price of $9,600.

Similarly, several antique American weights made a good showing including Lot 104, a
beautifully crafted antique New England Glass Company red poinsettia which sold for $1,560,
far above the estimate, and an outstanding antique Sandwich Glass Company blue double
poinsettia, Lot 113, which sold for $720.

In addition to 113 antique lots from the 19th Century, the 2011 Winter Auction included 268
contemporary paperweights and related objects, featuring the work of glass masters from Great Britain, Europe, the United States, New Zealand and Japan. The active bidding on modern weights was very encouraging, considering the current economic climate. Works by highly skilled contemporary American artists were especially successful, many selling at far above their prices of just a few years ago.

Paperweights by highly esteemed lampwork artist Rick Ayotte achieved high bids, many selling above the estimate. As an example, his 1981 "Peregrine Falcon", Lot 127, went far above the pre-auction estimate to $1,920.

Works by the gifted artist Melissa Ayotte did exceptionally well such as her 2009 "Red Rose and Pink Aster" paperweight, Lot 139, selling for $840, more than double its release price.

Among the modern offerings, two of the three weights by celebrated artist Debbie Tarsitano
reached impressive heights. Lot 156, the multi-faceted bouquet paperweight, sold for $3,000 or nearly double the pre-auction low estimate, and Lot 158, the graceful Debbie Tarsitano and Max Erlacher collaboration "Three Pansy and Hummingbird" paperweight, brought the handsome sum of $3,600, more than double the estimated value.

Works by internationally acclaimed artist Paul Stankard performed well with Lot 161, the
1986 "Bouquet and Berries" paperweight selling for $3,000, double the release price, and Lot
166, a 1994 weight, "Fertile Seed" from his miniaturized Word Cane series reaching $4,800, well over the original price.

Lot 216, a 1994 chequer paperweight from the legendary Parabelle Glass Studio, greatly
exceeded estimates by selling for $2,700.

For sheer lasting beauty, for the excitement of collecting, and for the benefits of investing,
nothing compares to a fine paperweight.