Silver Plume Trading Company, LLC, was founded in 1990 by Tad Anderman in order to study, buy, and sell the art of the Native American Indian and folk art of Mexico. 

Tad believes that collecting any kind of art is a passion and that collecting what you love is far more important than collecting what others think is “great.” He encourages collectors to make decisions for themselves and not be influenced by outside opinion.

“Too much of our collecting is based upon others opinions of what is great. The collector has to live with the art and love it. The best education for the collector’s eye is to view as much as possible.”

Tad’s father, George Anderman, had interests in New Guinea and contemporary sculpture. The New Guinea collection can be seen at the Denver Art Museum. Tad’s mother, Joan Anderman, had a passion for older Katsina dolls, Jicarilla Apache baskets, and contemporary Danish furniture. Their influence began early with Tad. He started collecting Katsina dolls at five years old and continued at age 15 with a trip to Papua, New Guinea, buying art from the villagers.

Tad went to University of New Mexico to study Anthropology in 1981. He apprenticed with Linda Durham Gallery in Santa Fe from 1985 to 1986, adding to his knowledge of abstract contemporary art.

In 1986, Tad studied Christie’s Fine Art course in London. From 1987 to 1990, Tad worked for Adobe Gallery in Albuquerque where he gained a broader knowledge of Southwestern Indian art.

In 1990 Tad created Silver Plume Trading Company to buy and sell Navajo textiles and historic pueblo pottery, primitive furniture, and Mexican folk art. He continues to this day, expanding to include historic Native American jewelry from the southwest and the plains.

Tad is very fond of art in different mediums. His recommendation to the collector is to view as much as possible, read as much as you can on the subject so that the art that you choose is the right one that you will see and love every day.