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Gordon Victor Enterprises Auctnr
Categories: Shopping Antiques Arts & Entertainment Antiques, Arts & Entertainment [Edit]
31 N 3rd StPhiladelphia, PA 19106
Neighborhood: Olde City
(215) 923-3825
- Good for Kids:
- No
Mikey I. said: "So much hate for Calumet on here it seems. I can't say I agree. The few times I've gone in I've met with a friendly-enough and helpful salesperson. They were always very knowledgeable, though sometimes a bit snobby (which I guess I'd…" read more »
6 reviews for Gordon Victor Enterprises Auctnr
6 reviews in English
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Review from Chris F.
Philadelphia, PA
8/27/2010 1 photo
Whilst searching for Foster's Homewares, I walked by a building with a simple, handmade sign that read "The Most Unusual Store in Philadelphia". After stopping in my original destination next-door, I decided to indulge my curiosity and moseyed on into this establishment.
And I'm really glad I did.
I can't really describe what you'll see when you first walk in, because no matter what direction you look you'll find something old, dusty, and unique. Strewn around a large single room are an amazing amount of authentic African carvings, idols, tables, beds, and plaques all of which were truly authentic. No reproductions, replicas, or modern-day pieces. There are a few randoms floating around the store though, like an old organ and various other Americana-style items. I nabbed myself a bee in flight on its way to a flower encased in resin inside a 80's style snow globe, just found it too neat to resist. I asked the proprietor, Victor, how often he gets new items into his store, to which he jokingly replied, "Never. They don't make them anymore." He then went on to tell me how the bronze pieces were made using lost-wax moulds, meaning once the original is cast, the mould is destroyed in the process.
The store itself is a bit musty and could use a bit of organization, but it's just neat that you can visit the store more than once and find something you hadn't seen before. It's far more akin to walking in an art exhibition than a shop, which brought me to ask him why he hasn't sold some of his wares to museums. Victor said that he didn't want to sell it to a museum, not even to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With a beguiling smile he said he might be interested in an collection being named after him, but not a museum, even though he clearly has enough pieces. He wanted it to be appreciated up close, and was comfortable with me handling the pieces.
As he walked me around the store he grabbed selected works, telling me the tribe, whether it was meant for protection, fertility, or otherwise, but most intriguing was the research he had done on the value of his items. For each one that he showed me he had obtained a printout of how auctions of similar items (remember, lost-wax!) that had sold at Sotheby's Auction House for let's just say WELL over what he had wanted for it. The prospect sounded rather interesting, but I myself know little-to-nothing about African art, and certainly not items so dated, but it sounded like this nice old gentleman was sitting on a fortune for somebody with a couple books and some free time/cash. But it isn't the money that matters to him, as he explains the principle of a "jerk" price to me I imagine the little details needn't be discussed.
I think one of the things about this shop that intrigued me the most is that he will barter or trade for certain items. He described how one customer spent all his money he had on items from the store (investment?), but still wanted one last piece, and traded his Jeep for it, to which he jokingly interjected, "Hey, you don't need a Jeep, do'ya?" -
Review from Toddly M.
Philadelphia, PA
7/27/2011
A crumb bum creep. Hmmmmmmm, writing that felt good. Words from Frank Rizzo, adapted to a fresh recipient. Victor Gordon has always been a very sick, very unpleasant presence on the street, and several interesting properties on 3rd that are in a state that makes you scratch your head and wonder about what sort of mental kook must own them have just had their owner revealed.
Good riddance to bad rubbish, and I'm sorry so many elephants died to pop the lid off this bucket o' filth. -
Review from Nathan C.
Oakland, CA
7/26/2011
Victor Gordon was just arrested in what prosecutors are calling one of the largest seizures of illegal ivory in US history, see:
http://blogs.wsj.com/l... -
Review from Misti L.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2011
It's really sad that today with all we know that money would be more important than protecting a species like elephants. If you are guilty of importing ivory then I hope you get the longest punishment possible. This is unethical and I could never shop here.
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Review from Elise B.
Boulder, CO
7/26/2011
It's too bad so many innocent people probably got tricked by him to buy carved supposedly "old" ivory. Never, ever buy ivory, you could be saving a beautiful (and endangered, thanks to us) species' life.
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Review from dc h.
Philadelphia, PA
7/27/2011
Best place for ivory in Old City! Very authentic.
