W. A. Criswell: Tycoon of the Antiques ($3.2 Million Worth!)
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, April 11, 2007
- Viewed 165
- (5) comments so far
The Criswells focused on the 19th century, filling their Swiss Avenue home with German and French porcelain, French furniture, British oil paintings and Persian rugs.
Their huge collection of Meissen – a kind of porcelain made in the German town of that name – has wowed experts.
“Dr. Criswell began collecting when the dollar was strong in post-World War II Europe,” said Jody Wilkie, who assesses European ceramics and glass for Christie’s auction house in New York. “Accordingly, his collection has appreciated over time, resulting in one of the most extensive 19th-century Meissen collections to come to auction.”
The Criswells’ antiques are slowly being sold off. One major auction has occurred already. The next sale is May 9 at Dallas Auction Gallery. (See http://www.dallasauctiongallery.com for details.)
Christie’s is planning a fall sale of part of the Meissen collection.
Read more here in the Dallas News...
Here's an interesting story... W.A. Criswell, the late, legendary pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, sometimes referred to himself as "a holy-roller with a Ph.D." But Dr. Criswell and his wife, Betty, also were shrewd investors, particularly in collecting antiques. The couple was worth more than $5 million, according to an inventory done soon after his death in 2002 and ordered sealed by the probate court until six months after her death – a benchmark that recently passed. About $3.2 million of their wealth was in antiques, appraisers for the inventory found...
Comments
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Peter Hamm on Wed, April 11, 2007
I know there will be some people who complain about how much he was “worth”… but… it is SO important that we as pastors have some REALLY COOL diversion like this to make life more interesting. I have photography and movies. Some have fly fishing and hunting. Our diversions are REALLY important to God and for us… to maintain sanity. What a bonus that his stuff is worth money!
Pastor Tony on Wed, April 11, 2007
Whenever I thought of Dr. Criswell the word “antique” always came to mind.
Camey on Wed, April 11, 2007
“a holy-roller with a Ph.D.” - Once I saw that - the rest of the article was lost on me. Brought back some memories…. “Antiques” - very appropriate indeed.
Bill on Wed, February 20, 2008
I enjoy collecting Antique Toys, but my interest is out of hobby and not income. I hold nothing against Criswell for collecting antiques.
Craig on Mon, July 28, 2008
Everyone needs an outlet. I would imagine that even a preacher with a PHD is not exempt from this. He is in fact probably more in need of something like a consuming antiquing hobby to offset the stress and responsibility of his day/life job. My father, and recently myself, are collectors. He has begun selling in the past year with some success while I still find it hard to part with things that I have gathered. If you have ever dabbled in antiques you will know how easily it can become an obsession that leads to, if you have the means, a very substantial collection.
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