OAKLAND, CA.- The continuing disenchantment with financial investments has proved to be a major boon to Claremont Rug Company and its clients who are collectors of 19th century, art level Oriental rugs. Citing the interest in his latest acquisition, Claremont president Jan David Winitz said the demand for the “best of the best” was unprecedented in his 30 years in the business. “We have nearly three dozen waiting lists for clients who are seeking rugs to add to their art collections and who are telling us that they are buying them as they move away from other investments,” he said. Winitz said that in the 90 days since he had unveiled the 175-rug Intercontinental Collection, the Gallery had sold nearly 80 percent of the pieces. The carpets range in value from $20,000 to $500,000 per piece. “Normally, it would take almost a year to sell that percentage of a major collection. But frankly our clien