CHARLES MATHES

 Charles Mathes has forged a unique career in three notoriously difficult industries: publishing, theatre and art.

Prior to earning an M.F.A. as Shubert Fellow of Playwriting at Carnegie-Mellon University, Charles had already established himself in St. Louis as a magazine writer, editor and graphic designer. His first job in New York was as an assistant to a young, unknown magician with the unlikely stage name of David Copperfield. He then spent a decade running Rodgers & Hammerstein’s international play publishing and licensing company and was responsible for the collection and distribution of millions of dollars of royalties and the annual licensing of over 2,500 productions.

After working with such theatre luminaries as Yul Brynner and Angela Lansbury, however, Charles found that he was more interested in Richard Rodgers’ renowned art collection than in the entertainment business. He began the second act of his career by going through the NYU appraisal program and apprenticing with an important art appraiser. This led to a twenty-year stint as Director of a Madison Avenue art gallery where his clients included corporations, celebrities and a dozen members of the Forbes 400.

Charles is now an independent art advisor, consultant and appraiser specializing in prints, Picasso ceramics and tapestries by 20th century Modern masters. In addition to working with private clients he has served as a vetter for prestigious art fairs and consulted for auction houses, the IRS and museums ranging from the Wadsworth Atheneum to the Barnes Foundation. He is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America and has belonged to the organization since 1992.  Charles has frequently lectured to art related groups. His expertise has been quoted in publications ranging from “Art & Antiques” to “The Financial Times.”

Charles Mathes’s first book was a coffee table volume entitled THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA: A STATE BY STATE CELEBRATION with an introduction by Bob Hope, followed by TREASURES OF AMERICAN MUSEUMS. He then wrote the unique “Girl Series” of art and antique-related mystery novels published by St. Martin’s Press, followed by a children’s book illustrated by his wife, Arlene Graston.  Their collaboration, IN EVERY MOON THERE IS A FACE, was named as Foreword Magazine’s best Picture Book of the Year.