When Things Look Bad, We Shop

As money gets tight in this economy, I’ve received more calls than ever from people wanting to sell their valuable items – just like I thought. But remember, as antique and art buyers, we work just like real estate investors and stock investors. When the general public is in a panic and selling things off, when things look their worst, that’s when we buy. It’s in these times when the bargains will be found. True collectors are still waiting for you to contact them with that very special piece they’ve been hoping for, and you just might have found it.

We are in the last period of our website reconstruction, and I’m getting really excited in anticipation of the results .All members can now go to the Members Only Section and create a unique ID and Password. Once you create that, you can add the items you look to buy on your Wish List. It won’t show until the end of the week, but don’t until then to create your list. You can do it now.

Keep track of your progress in the Million Dollar Race by using your Personal Inventory Page right there on the website. This is a private page and only you will be able to view it. Please email or call us and let us hear how far you’ve progresses. For those of you who haven’t been following 31 Club, the Million Dollar Race is an inter-club competition to see who can compound $100 into a million dollars first.

We are almost there, so thanks to our many charter members for supporting us during the building of the 31 Club from the ground up.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

How Researching Artist's Signature Pays Off

Diego Rivera

If you came across a quality painting with only the initials “CC” signed, would it be worth your while to find out if this might be something of value? On the one hand, the time researching might pay off handsomely, but on the other hand, the time spent researching might add nothing more than another layer of knowledge, possibly to be used next time around.

This is the way it is in the Fine Arts business. You’ll often find signed paintings, but can’t decipher the signature. It may take you a lot of time researching and there’s a chance you’ll come up empty handed. But, the rewards of finding something valuable are fantastic. I found a painting one time that I knew had to be painted by a talented artist, but I couldn’t read the signature. My only solution was to go through the entire set of signature books I had, so I decided to do this. About halfway through the first book, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I found a direct match. At this point, I still didn’t know the value of my piece, but once I saw this artist’s signature in the book, I knew he was a listed artist and I could track this down.

I grabbed my Davenport’s Art Price Guide and quickly look him up. I discovered that the $150 I paid for this painting had been well spent. The least expensive of this artist’s work brought $5,000 while his top sale was over $82,000. I soon sold this painting for just over $12,500. If I had paid myself $200 for the time I spent researching, my profit still would have been over $11,500. Not bad for a little work.

Remember, we are looking for things others miss, and often the point where they walk away is when there’s a signature that isn’t clear. How many people do you suppose looked at that painting and thought that it just wouldn’t be worth the effort to research it.

There are other things people walk away from in the art world. For example, many famous artists used only initials to sign their work. If you don’t have a book on these monograms, then they’ll mean nothing to you. I use the American and European set of books called “Signatures and Monograms” by John Castagno. If you can find these used on the Internet or through Abesbooks or Amazon, they could be like gold to you.

In these books, you’ll also learn that artists often painted under more than one name. A woman may have painted under her maiden name, as well as her married name. These books also contain sections on indecipherable signatures and the symbols some artists used on their paintings.

You will also find where artist often painted under more than one name. A lady for instance my have painted under her maiden name and also her married name. They also have a sections in these books on indecipherable signatures and symbols that some artist used on their paintings.

Back to my original question – if you found a painting marked “CC”, would you take the time to research it? If you did, you’d discover it was painted by the famous artist Jean Baptiste Camilla Corot, and it would be very valuable. If a painting is signed, “Picasso” most people would pay attention, but if it had the initial D with the number 32 after it and you researched it, you’d know it was by Diego Rivera and it was time to snatch that up. And what if you could buy one of these for just a few hundred dollars, because somebody didn’t know what it was. The record for one of Rivera’s works is over $1,500,000. Like I said in my book, let’s spend our time where the money is.

One of our members just emailed me about a painting she purchased for $1200. If it’s genuine, it’s worth over $28,000. I have my fingers crossed for her. And presently, I’m researching a painting that could very easily be worth $65,000 or more. I’ll share the results with you when I get them, and it wouldn’t hurt to have your fingers crossed for me, too.

There are other sources of looking up artists, such as AskArt.com, ArtNet.com and ArtPrice.com. These are subscription based services. If you're a member of the 31 Club, rather than subscribing to these yourself, you can give us a call and we'll check the name and prices for you. That's just one more advantage of being a member.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Is a Shakeout Imminent in the Antique & Fine Art Industry

In several of my previous blogs, and in my book 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, I’ve commented that the marketplace will always adopt to the conditions its presented. Right now, in the Antiques and Fine Art Markets, we’re presented with various venues along with their associated fees that, today, have risen to unheard of levels. For example, today you find Auction houses collecting close to 50% of an item’s value in commissions and fees. They collect this amount by “double dipping” – collecting, what I consider, out-of-line- fees from the seller, and then charging the buyer a fee for the privilege of buying. I don’t know about this, but I have to ask myself this: When did auction houses become part owner of your inventory or your personal belongings? Last time I checked, my real estate agent was collecting 6% or less from the seller, and the buyer certainly didn’t have to pay a buyer’s fee for the privilege of buying.

This is just one example of what’s happened within industry, but the point is this: There is only so much people will take before they “revolt.” Lately, I am beginning to see the marketplace adapt to the conditions its been presented with lately, and people are beginning to rumble.

Business who have thrived on eBay in the past, are heading for the exit doors today, finding alternative sales formats due to eBay’s escalating fees. It can’t be too far down the road that people will revolt against the fees charged at auction houses, as well. I believe a shakeup is imminent, and ideas that have been germinating are now just sprouting.

31 Club and its programs for our industry is part of this shakeout and is sprouting a new venues, where both seller and buyer will benefit by lower fees and no buyers premium. A company who makes money on the back end after having provided a service, rather than on the front end.

There is no question in my mind that the Antique and Fine Art markets are going to have a shakeout, however the bigger question is this: What form will replace the existing way of doing business? I believe it will be a model similar to what we are creating at 31 Club, and a place where you can do the majority of your business on one site. 31 Club is a company you can partner up with and one that has been formed to assure your success before thinking about themselves. For these reasons and many more, I believe that the formation of the 31 Club is a glimpse into the future of this industry.

I believe companies like Blackwells Live Auction and Antique Associates at West Townsend, Inc. are companies whose pages you might want to explore, among others. If you become aware of companies who are shaking off the unreasonable ways, or you might be one of these companies yourselves, please send us an email and let us know. We’ll be writing about this approaching shakeout over this coming year and want to include those who are in step with the changing times.

Jeremy has assured me he hasn't even begun to create the most exciting site on the web for us, and we have begun discussions conducting having our own auctions. Wouldn't that be great to have fees for services that don’t require you to declare them as half owner of your belongings.
Your ideas about how we might improve services to members are welcome and encouraged. Please e-mail us at info@31corp.com or give us a call at 847-784-8544

Finding a Mark on Leaded Crystal

This Lalique Bird Vase of one of four affordable Lalique Vases in the 31 Marketplace.

Before you invest in good leaded crystal glass, it's a good idea to handle many high quality pieces and become familiar with the weight and designs of the better ones. It's easy to get fooled today, and we don't want to let that happen to us.

Good leaded crystal can have marks, and it's a good idea to become acquainted with them. Often, all clear glass looks alike, but it isn’t. In your study, these differences will become apparent.

It would seem easy to say, all that's necessary to recognize this quality glass is to look at the bottom of each piece to see the mark. But truth is, there's an influx of what I call "copycat" pieces on the market today, and unless you're familiar with marks, you could be fooled.

Some of the best cut glass that was ever produced is marked. At a house sale, I often have taken a piece from one room to another trying to get just the right light on a glass item so that I could pick up that faintest piece of a mark, such as a Lalique, Steuben, or Baccarat mark, and even cut glass. I've often had difficulty finding one.

These companies usually marked their pieces by acid etching the mark or by signing them with an electric marking process. Often these marks are almost invisible to the naked eye with out proper lighting or magnification.

Once at an estate sale, I spotted a huge frosted glass frog sitting on a card table. I must have picked it up and put it back when I couldn't find a mar on the bottom, just like scores of other people did, during the day. I searched the rest of the sale a while and didn't find anything, but my mind wouldn’t let me forget that frog.

I went back to the room where the frog was and examined it once again from top to bottom. Even though this frog seemed so special, I still couldn't come up with anything. I put it back and headed to my car. Before I opened the door, I stopped dead in my tracks. That darn frog was bothering me, so I went back into the house, picked the blasted thing up and told myself I was going to find that mark or it's going to kill me. Believe it or not, there it was, as clear as day -- "Lalique." I immediately took it to the check out and the woman told me $25. I paid very quickly, before I could crack a smile or bust out laughing.

Once I started the research, I discovered that this little frog was quite valuable. I put it on eBay. It was hard to wait so many days for the auction to end, but it finally did and I netted $625 for myself.

There are a lot of people that don’t know the rare pieces made by these companies from the common ones. When you do, it will give you a tremendous advantage over them. Stay with the best names in the clear glass, because the copycats, as I have called them, have very little value in the secondary markets.

A lot of glass is also overpriced, and this is where discipline is needed. Don’t ever over pay for anything you buy, even if you can make a small profit. At the 31 Club, we set our goals at doubling the price we pay for each item, at the very least. And remember, look carefully for a mark. Make sure you bring a pen light and have a magnifying tool with you. And -- become familiar with those rare items that may not be marked.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can register for membership in the 31 Club and start becoming an expert buyer and seller.

Antique Snuff Boxes: Small and Valuable Treasures Worth Sniffing Around For

Swiss Enamel & Gold Snuff Box, circa 1740. Photograph property of M.S. Rau Antiques

Papier Mache Snuff Box, circa 1814. Photograph property AAAWT,Inc.

I often tell Members of the 31 Club that money in the antique and collectible world can be made with items smaller than a bread box. Besides not taking up too much space in your home until you get them sold, you won’t be faced with transporting these small treasures back and forth, which eats away at your time and erodes your profit. Snuff Boxes and Snuff Bottles certainly qualify as items smaller than a bread box, and they can be quite valuable. Today, I'll focus mainly on snuff boxes.

Snuff, used for many centuries, is a tobacco that is ground into a very fine powder. It’s sniffed through the nose, tucked behind the lip, or tucked inside the cheek. It came in either a dry form or a moist form.

In Europe, in centuries gone by, the use of snuff was a very popular social ritual, mainly with the elite. Many a high society lady or gent would never leave home without their stylish snuff box and would often have several to choose from. They even had snuff boxes for every season. In China, snuff bottles were very popular, and the bottle stopper had a little pad on the inside of it. The process for use was the same.

In 19th Century America, some women might have smoked cigars in public for its shock value, however, there were far more ladies discreetly using snuff, which was perfectly acceptable. This was Women’s Lib 19th Century style, and it caught on.

Fast forward to the 21st Century and we find that anything to do with snuff has become highly collectible. If you find one for a collector, they'll pay you handsomely, especially for the right one.

Snuff boxes can be made from almost any material. They were often made of antler, silver, wood, brass, gold, pewter and many others. They also can be a combination of several materials, artistically decorated. Most boxes were decorated with gold or silver, often with the owner’s initials engraved on them. Many were highly decorated, and of course, these are quite valuable. Let’s look at a few values in Kovel’s Price Guide to see if your eyebrows move a little north:

A 3” Gold Enamled Box of a Harbor Scene, c. 1830 valued at $17,250. If that’s too rich for your blood, how about a Metal, Gilt, Musical, engine-turned panels sized at four inches for $14,950. These must have been owned by a very special lady or gent.

$32,500. That's the price of the snuff box shown in Today's Photo, top photo. It's at M.S. Rau Antiques and this Swiss Enamel and Gold Snuff Box, circa 1740, looks like it contains a double ivory portrait,adding to its value. This is a real beauty. When you take a look at all their high end snuff boxes, you'll have a better idea of the high quality, high end boxes out there.

Today's Photo, bottom, is an Papier Mache Snuff Box With a Print of American Victory on Lake Champlain, circa 1814. This piece will also qualify as Historical Memorabilia as it is a rare example of the War of 1812. It depicts Macdonough's September 11, 1814 victory over the British fleet on Lake Champlainthe. It's valued at $ $1,350 at aaawt.com.

Remember, we look for the higher end, rare items. As we work our way up the 31 Steps, our ever increasing knowledge of true quality and rarity will help us along the way. Please make every effort to attend antique shows in your area to see high quality items up close and face to face. The first goal is to be able to recognize quality when you see it.

Snuff was not reserved for the high society crowd. We regular folks used it, too. I can still remember the way my Grandmother would quickly sniff a little, sneeze, and then hold her dainty handkerchief to her nose. As a child, I often wondered why she would do this. Maybe to clear her nose, I thought.

Today, snuff is a dying industry. To the ladies and gents of days long gone, aside from being the socially chic thing to do then, that special little high from nicotines was what they were probably after. In those days, the use of snuff also made the dentists very happy, too. It caused many a mouth problem and surely increased the bottom line in the dentists' books.

If you're interested in "sniffing out" more information on snuff boxes, you might start by reading Christopher Proudlove's Blog on Snuff Boxes at WriteAntiques.com and Tobacco.org has a very informative timeline of tobacco that's quite interesting.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles , is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Windmill Weights as Folk Art

After I posted yesterday’s blog about the Whirligigs sought after by collectors, I guess my mind started going back to the days I spent growing up on a farm. Before I knew it, I was researching Windmill Weights. Maybe windmills were on my mind because of the need for this country to find new energy resources. Maybe the windmill images from the T. Boone Pickens commercials were forward in my mind. Only the Good Lord understands the intricacies of my mind. But, boy! I’m glad I did the research. I always thought windmill weights were in the form of animals, birds, moons, or stars, but I was mistaken, and I got quite the education on these folk art collectibles.

In case you're not as old as I am, I'll provide a little background info to understand the historical interest in windmill weights. Yesteryear, in parts of rural America and other parts of the world, many farms used windmills to capture the power of the wind to pump water out of wells for use on their land. Windmills also provided the energy to pump well water to fuel the early locomotives. Grain, especially in Europe, was ground by the energy provided by windmills. These windmills had many moving parts, of course, and a windmill weight was one of them.

Today, these weights are very collectible, valuable, and make great folk art. And there are lots of collectors who'd be grateful if you found a real beauty for their collection.

There are four different kinds of windmill weights – the Tail Weight, the Governor Weight, the Spoke Weight and the Regulator Weight. The Tail Weights are the most decorative of all.

There are hundreds of windmill weights to find, and they are still out there in the old barns and sheds. And some are quite valuable. Many of the weights you’ll find are painted, but I learned that this was usually done after the weight had out-lived its usefulness and later became a piece of folk art.

Many times paint is used to disguise a reproduction, however there are many ways to distinguish the real thing from a new reproduction.The best way is to look for rust. When these weights were used, they picked up sand in the rust, and this is what made the finish on the older weights. Watch for holes in the weights. They shouldn’t be straight up and down on the real ones, rather tapered. Any damage can quickly reduce their value.

I was fortune enough to run across the book, Windmill Weights, by Rich Nidey and Don Lawrence. I took a look at a site with some info on their book, and boy – what a head full I got.

I know you’re waiting for some price examples, so here they are:

A Black Bull with white writing, 18X24 inches, $920. Horse standing,white paint,16 X 17 inches, $920. Rooster, writing, Power & Pump Co. , 13 inches, $1495. ARooster by the Elgin Co., 15X19 inches, could bring you over $5000 today.

Today's Photo comes from Ames Hill Antiques and this 15 inch star weight made by the U. S. Wind Engine & Pump Co. Batavia, Ill. c, 1890. is mounted on a tiger maple stand and has provenance to a Minnesota farm. It's priced at $2250.

I think you’ll agree that these nifty items are worth looking for.

There is an endless stream of items people collect, and if we find them for collectors (or for ourselves) our coffers will be filled. An old saying I recall says, “Go where others have feared to go.” 31 Club says, “Look where others have failed to look.”

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

It's a What? A Whirligig?

If I told you a whirligig could bring in some big money, would you know what a whirligig is and how to spot one?

I always teach that the money in this business is made in the rare. The rare and desirable will keep your money turning, and a whirligig falls into this category.

So what is a whirligig? Think motion. Think action. Then, consider our past as a farming culture. When we were mainly farmers, birds in the fields, pecking away at crops was a real problem. Farmers needed something to scare off the birds without having to constantly have someone on the lookout who could to run out into the fields and wildly flap their arms to get rid them. Enter the whirligig. It’s a type of interesting and creative folk contraption made by a farmer on his time off from the fields, to solve the bird problem. Many will call it a toy, because it brought much delight to children, as well as to adults, but this contraption was designed with a purpose.

Most of these interesting contraptions are made of wood, but they can be made of almost any material. They have moving pieces, and when the wind blows on them, it creates an action. They might remind you of windmills -- folksy windmills.

I have seen figural whirligigs whose arms spin and the head moves. These are rather simple, but there are others depicting a person sawing a log or a woman churning butter. With these, you are beginning to touch upon the higher dollar whirligigs. They weren’t actually meant to scare off the birds, but rather to enjoy. These are the ones whose dollar value has escalated so much. The number of these pieces that have survived till now is limited. To the avid collector of these artistic creations, the hunt for them is a labor of love.

Unlike items like duck decoys, whose value escalates when it is signed by a particular artist, whirligigs don’t have to be signed for them to be valuable; the value is in the design.

Here is an example of some whirligig values: Two men turning a fan, articulated limbs, 13X18 inches, valued at $690. 20th Century 12” man wearing black jacket and blue trousers,$1380. Policeman, one arm and band leader the other arm, 20 inches, wooden, $3300. And, a man wearing a pealed hat, blue jacket, and red vest, 21 inches, $6325.

While there are reproductions, a close look will tell you the differences. Look for signs of new paint, modern screws, no patina, poor workmanship and materials not of the time.

There are so many items that have the potential to bring big money, but first we have to know what to look for. If you come across one of these during your hunt, I hope this blog will come to mind. And, if you’re successful in buying it, you might just keep a whirligig for a while before selling it just to amuse yourself.

Today's Photo comes from Marquisauctions.com.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Pardon Our Dust, But......

The 31 Club is on the march, and with our new listing arm on Askart.com, members who list art work in the 31 Gallery will have the backing of AskArt's 70,000 daily viewers coming into play. If you’ve been wondering if anything is happening, our tentacle on Ask Art should assure you there’s much work going on behind the scenes.

Our Wish List and Inventory Pages will be tested on Friday, and provided there no bugs, you will soon be able to do your own advertising and bookkeeping right on the 31 Club Members Site. If you haven’t gone onto the Members Only site yet, you might do so now and take a look at the 31 Club Expert Resource. If you decide an auction is the best venue for your particular item(s), our Listing of Specialty Auction Houses is an invaluable resource. Here, we’ve identified the best auction houses to sell an item of a particular category.

Presently, it’s taking some time to get all your listings posted. You can speed up this process by sending us photos sized 640 x 480, including photos of the markings, if any. If you don’t know of a way to re-size your photos, try downloading GIMP. It’s free and you can do a lot of nifty things with this program.

Your listing should include as many details as possible, like they ask for on eBay. Specifically, we need size, artist’s name, the material it’s made of, date or time period if you can determine it, and any markings on the piece. It’s very important to be accurate about its condition, and any damage needs to be specifically identified.

If your items is a painting, please indicate whether or not it’s signed, as well as the location of the signature. (Lower right, lower left, etc.) Is it oil on canvas, oil on board, watercolor, or ink drawing? Make sure this is indicated. Also include the size - framed and unframed.

Include information about provenance, (origins) if there is any. This can increase the value of your item.

Website hits are growing steadily each month, and this will result in more sales and purchases. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and we appreciate our charter members who’ve supported while we build an amazing site. Nothing could have been accomplished without those of you who climbed on board with us on this new adventure at a time when the media was writing the epitaph on this business. I know we are the industry leaders when I see others trying to duplicate our efforts. They''ll find that hard to do, considering they don’t have the fantastic and loyal members of the 31 Club behind them.

A 31 Club First – A painting assigned by a member to the Associates Program and purchased by 31 Club will be going to auction in at an internationally known auction house for modern design and art, Wright Auctions, here in Chicago. When it sells, this club member will make 35% of its net sales price without having to had invested a dime.

By month’s end, we should be hitting all cylinders so keep watching and participating with us in the best club in the antique business.

We warmly welcome all suggestions that you feel would benefit our members, so don’t be shy about dropping us a note during are growth and construction phase. We’d love to hear from you.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Collectible Band Instruments

This vintage Mark VI Alto Saxophone recently sold on eBay for $6,400

I have just been welcomed into the reality of life with a growing 9-year-old boy who has many interests. If you’re wondering what this has to do with the 31 Club and making money, here it is: The price and value of musical instruments.

When Joshua came home from school the other day and informed me and my wife that he was going to be in the band, my first thought was – Great! Then I went on eBay and checked prices on his chosen instrument, the Saxophone.

I could hardly believe there was a sax listed for $100,000. I knew this had to be a very special one so I continued in my search. After going through about fifty saxophones, slowly, the prices dropped to $5000 and I was beginning to feel a panic. Another hundred listings and the price was down to $2,500. At this point I thought Joshua and I might be having a very intense conversation about what kind of musical instrument he might pursue. I finally got to the very end of the listings on eBay and found some for about $300. These, I figured, must really be trash. It wasn’t until later that Cindy suggested I might rent an instrument for a while to see if this was truly what Joshua wanted to pursue before investing money in a high quality instrument. She's been through this before.

I’m sharing this all with you because Joshua’s interest has uncovered an area of collecting that I’ve never delved into. As you can guess, that might soon change.

I frequently see used instruments at House Sales and Garage Sales, so after checking the saxophone on eBay, I looked into other band instruments such as trumpets, clarinets, flutes and tubas. It was the same for all of them. Even at the local auction I attend twice a month, there are always instruments sold. I promise you, I will be doing more research into this are and writing more blogs on this subject. But, while you’re waiting for me to give you more direct information, I sugget you begin doing your own homework.

Isn't it amazing that just when you think you’ve covered most of the items that will present compounding opportunities, more ideas present themselves to you. I wrote in my book, 31 Steps to Your Millions In Antiques and Collectibles the fact that knowledge comes in layers and the more of these you build, the more likely you will be successful in the Antique, Collectible and Fine Art Business. I didn’t know I would be preaching to the chorus. You see, while I have been presenting you with the knowledge I’ve accumulated over 45 years in the business, it’s become apparent to me that I may have only skimmed the surface myself.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Caution is Needed When Purchasing Higher End Items.

Classic 1968 Cadillac DeVille Convertible is available through 31 Gallery & Mareketplace.

One goal we have at the 31 Club is to help our members move up to buying and selling in the higher end of the market, where the real profit is. This shouldn’t be done without caution. When you’re first starting out in this business and purchasing in the lower end of the market, you might come across items that are beyond your budget or knowledge. Using the Associates Program for these types of purchases will keep you from having to make buying decisions on higher priced items, yet still enable you to benefit monetarily.

This is important because, the more expensive and desirable an items is, the greater the chance of there being fakes on the market. Large amounts of money can be made in a very short period of time when the sale of a fake is completed. So, it’s important to know how to protect yourself when you’re buying in the higher end of the market.
Buying from the Internet requires extra precautions be taken, not just against fakes, but against those who would take your money and not deliver the goods.

The story of a man who bought a vintage Jaguar from the Internet illustrates some of the dangers you might face. You see, after calling the Jaguar seller at the number provided and feeling secure, he sent a cashiers check for the total amount. The seller informed the buyer that all the paperwork and owner’s manuals would arrive to him the next day. They never arrived, so the buyer called the seller and was assured they were on the way. Finally, after about 10 days, a box arrived, but it was filled with a pile of newspapers but no manuals. When the buyer called the seller, he discovered that the phone number had been disconnected. By this time, his cashier’s check had already been cashed.(surprise, surprise)

So what could the buyer have done?

He might have called a local Jaguar dealer close to where the seller lives and asked if they would take delivery of the car he he paid them a few hundred dollars. They probably would’ve done that. Then, you could have sent the check to the dealer to hold until the car arrived, and the dealer could register it in your name. Or, another way to complete the deal would be to fly out there to pick the car up yourself, bringing the check with you. This way, nothing is paid for until you see the item yourself and are satisfied. If the item you’re buying is over $500, taking extra precaution may well be worth the extra time and money.

I’ve had experience in this area myself. I had the chance to purchase two paintings in Florida that were supposedly painted by a well known artist. I decided to call a friend of mine who was in the auction business in that town and ask him if I could have the two paintings dropped off at his place of business and send the check for $50,000 to him. He agreed.

When the paintings arrived, he quickly photographed them and e-mailed me the photos. I sent these photos on to the authority on this artist. Almost immediately, the authority on this artist responded to me saying, “We saw these two paintings about two years ago. They were fakes then, and they are still fakes today.”

I called my friend and asked him to send me back my check and have the seller pick up his paintings. What do you think would have happened if the check had been sent to the seller? If you’re buying high priced items, I sure any local auction house would agree to accept your items if you paid them something for their time and effort.

What are some of the other things you can do to protect yourself from scams and fraud?

You might ask the seller if you could have the piece picked up. If he says, “yes,” then that has improved the chances that you are dealing with an honest person. Second, if you’ve been in the business long enough and have business references, you might be able to persuade the seller to send you the item(s) and if they are as he described, you will over-night him a check. Or, you could ask for the name, address and phone of the seller’s bank. This way you could check out the person you’re dealing with.

I did this very thing when I wanted to buy a very nice piece of Lotton Glass that was listed on eBay. The seller had no feedback and no rating so no one would bid on it. I called the seller and found out he was staying with a friend, which made me very suspicious. Strike one. I asked if he had a bank account in town and he told me “yes.”

I got the bank information and called to check the account and was told it had just been opened the day before. Strike two, right? Well, I didn’t want to give up so I asked if his banker would receive the vase. I’d be able to check out the vase with the banker and then send a check payable to the seller in his banker’s care. Believe it or not, everyone agreed to this and I profited by about $4,000.

Make every effort to protect yourself and this business will be even more fun than it is already.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Sharing 31 Club with Others

Maxfield Parrish "Stars" 1926

Yesterday, when I saw the morning stock market flying high and lots of e-mails coming in, I thought the day started out to be just beautiful. But the best of the day came when I got an e-mail asking if I could help with pricing an item. The young lady stated she was afraid of being ripped off, and she had no idea what the value of a print she had was. I asked her to call me so we could talk further. She did.

This young lady, Julie, is a student at a college in California. She found us on the Internet. I don’t believe in coincidences, so I figured there was a special purpose for her inquiry, and hopefully, I could help. Her first words to me were, “I bought this print and it had an original sticker on the back.” I told her that was a good start, but did she know who made the print? “Yes, it’s Maxfield Parrish, and the name of the print is “Stars.”

I immediately pulled out my Maxfield Parrish book by Coy Ludwig and discovered this print was a pretty fair find. I was able to tell her that there were three sizes: Small – 6x10, medium 10x18 and large 18x30. The large one is the most rare.

I could tell she was eager to know what is was worth, so I didn’t wait long before letting her know the larger one was worth from $1800-$2500. Unfortunately, she has the medium one, which will bring in about $700-$900.

I couldn’t resist asking her why she’s looking to sell it. “I have to sell it to buy my books this semester,” she told me. My heart stopped because I could tell she was very attached to the print.

I advised her not to be upset about selling this piece and to definitely buy her books and complete college. I told her that after graduation, she’ll be able to buy as many of these as she wanted. I didn’t want our conversation to end there, and as we talked, I learned that she had an interest and Antiques and Fine Art. She also told me she had some spare time away from her studies. I introduced her to the principles of the 31 Club, and she seemed to easily grasp the concept, so I invited her to join us. I assured her that being involved with the 31 Club could help with her school expenses. I feel certain we will soon have a new member from California.

I encourage all of you who are members to never miss the chance to share what the 31 Club is all about with others. You might just end up being somebody’s angel when one is needed.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

When Should I Restore an Item?

When you’re considering buying an item or a painting that needs repair, you might ask yourself what the increase in value will be after its restoration. While I usually recommend you allow the purchaser do the restoration, there is that rare time it makes sense for you to have a piece restored.

One of our members sent me a photo of a painting from a sales bulletin. It caught my eye, all right, and she planned to buy it. Before the sale, she contacted me again, saying the painting had some damage, but not too much. We agreed she’d bid on the piece without getting too carried away on the price. This painting soon became hers. She sent it to a restorer I recommended here in Chicago – Baumgartners, and yesterday I got to see it. Boy is it a beauty.

The artist, Jean Dominique Van Caulaert (French 1877-1979) had a listing in Davensport of $9,000. While I don’t expect this one to do that well, at under $750 restored, I believe this is a treasure. In fact, I like it so much I was thinking it would make a great addition to my own collection. But, I’m not going to do that this time. I’ve got enough for now, so look for this soon in the 31 Gallery.

While I don’t recommend you go out looking for damaged pieces, it you find a real quality piece, it might make sense if it is discounted enough. You see, when the restoration increases the value of a piece, by perhaps 5 to 7 times, that’s when you step forward and get the repairs done.

The Frederick Morgan painting I wrote about in my book was a painting I had relined. I bought it for $16,000 and this restoration didn’t reduce its value, and it sold for $115,000. It would have been very easy to have walked away thinking it was no good because it had been “fooled with”. There are times you can be proud of the decisions you make and that was one of those decisions for me.

Usually, items should be left alone. I wouldn’t want to be looking for damaged pieces and get to be known as a dealer of repaired pieces. But if the discount is sufficient and the restored article will bring many times its cost plus repair, then jump on it.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Antique Business: Build Up Your Knowledge and Network During an Economic Slowdown

Robert Louis Stevenson

As I discussed in my blog on buying and selling in uncertain economic times, the days ahead might get a little rough. However, this gives us even more reason to bone up on KNOWLEDGE. It is our knowledge of antiques and fine art that will give us the edge we need to be successful in the coming days, regardless of any economic downturns in our country or worldwide. The best and highly desirable always sells and we need to be able to recognize it and buy it.

Network, network, network! You'll be doing yourself a huge favor by letting people know you’re in this business. By doing so, you open yourself up to the possibility of having amazing things cross your path. Whenever I’m in conversation with someone, I try not to leave until I’ve at least mentioned I’m in the Antique and Fine Art business. Your saying so might even turn up some Civil War letters written by a Confederate Soldier to his wife, as it did for one of our 31 Club Members.

The lot of 147 Civil War Letters, found by a club member and purchased through our Associates Program, found a buyer immediately through our network of private buyers. The same thing happened with the Vintage Kentucky Derby Glass. In fact, this sale happened so fast we didn’t even have the time to list the glass on our marketplace.

This time of economic uncertainty isn't a time to rest on our laurels. Be very aggressive in your search for the special pieces that will propel you to the next level. And if you find something special that's not in you're buying budget, call us to go through the Associate Program and make the 35%.

This business never becomes dull for me. I hope it is never dull for you, either. With every passing day, I’m amazed by the things that come up. I received a great phone call recently as I was typing away at the computer. “Are you Mr. Lambert,” a warm voice with an East Coast accent asked? This got my attention because most people don’t call me Mr. Lambert. She asked me if I buy things. I told her I did and asked her to tell me what kind of things she wanted to sell. “Well, I don’t know if you’d have an interest, but I saw you had a Patrick Henry Document for sale, and I have six of those.”

I turned up the volume on my phone. I didn’t want to seem too excited, but I asked her what other items she’s considering parting with. "Well, I do have an original poem that was written for a member of my family by Robert Louis Stevenson. It’s never been published.” Thump. (That's the sound of me falling on the floor.) Those of you who’ve read my book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, know that it was Robert Louis Stevenson’s book, Treasure Island, that inspired me as a youngster, setting me on the path I’ve been on for almost 45 years –searching out antique and art treasures.

She has since sent me the photos of these items, plus a few others. We are at the point of evaluating them and exploring which method might be best for selling them. Now that’s exciting!

Being a history buff, there isn't anything more exciting for me than to be in possession of something that belonged to a notable figure in history. In my head, on some level, it creates a connection with that person, and for some reason – it’s important for me to feel that connection. Who knows exactly why this is so, and I'm not going to try to figure it out. There's too much treasure hunting to attend to.

I am sure there are members who have exciting stories that other members would like to hear. So, I am soliciting your stories so that we can include them on our website or in a blog. Please send them to Cindy at cindy@31corp.com

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Antique Business: Staying A Step Ahead of the Times

c. 1920s postcard of Eskimos hunting for walrus in a skin omiak, or canoe. From VintagePostcards.org

I have to confess, I to am a little enamored by Sarah Palin. I think she should make all women proud, even if they don’t agree with her. But, let’s focus on the Eskimo heritage of the First Dude of Alaska, Tod Palin. You see, if we’re going to stay a step ahead of the times in the Antique & Collectible business, his Eskimo heritage may very well be relevant to us. There are many works of art and collectibles that have originated in Alaska by her native people.

I was tremendously interested in Native Alaskan studies when I was a young man still in college, and I did an extensive study of their ways. I can say without hesitation that the Native Alaskans a sturdy breed. They have to be in order to handle the weather conditions in Alaska. Due to their way of life, they have to make decisions that most of us will never experience. Natives living the true native life, spent most of their time just providing food for the family, even today. But, out in the rugged landscapes of Alaska, the native way of life is not without its art and decorative wares.

Since there are mostly nature and animals in those landscapes, you might figure that most of what the native people living in the true native traditions have comes from nature and animals. You’d be right in your thinking. Many items were made from animal skins, bird, and fish. Seeds dyed with colors from native plants was often used as bead work.

Walrus was a favorite animal to make items from, and items are made from various parts of this animal. The bones and tusks, as well as hides, were used to make implements that served their daily needs. Today, there is a healthy group of collectors that search for the items used by the native people of Alaska in days past.

Here is a short list : Baskets made from the hides of Moose and Caribou, often adorned with ivory can bring from $750 up. Native Dolls are always a real treasure. The ones that truly represent native life can bring $2500 to $10,000. Cribbage Boards made from ivory will always be winners and can often exceed $1000. Drums, Harpoons, Knives, Sculptures and just plain Tusks are other items appealing to collectors. All of these items can help you work through the 31 Steps in your “Million Dollar Race.”

An episode of the Antique Road Show once featured a helmet from a region in Alaska a woman brought in for appraisal. “I just wanted to bring in something, but I know this probably has little value,“ were her words to the appraiser. Little did she know this helmet would steal the show. It had all the experts examining it, and if I’m correct in my figure – it was estimated at $250,000. If it were me, they’d have to carry me away in a stretcher!!! It's hard to remember all the things that come across your path, but I’m thinking that later, I remember there might have been a little controversy over that appraisal.

In the world of Antiques & Collectibles, there are so many things you could be knowledgeable about, but you can't know it all. Native Alaskan items is one more layer to place in your memory banks. Bringing this area to your attention today might be the little nudge you need to do some research before passing by an item that could possibly be native Alaskan. Or, it could inspire you to learn more and seek out these items. Learning about the different tribes, their history and customs, as well as what differentiates each tribes art and wares is a fascinating study. A good start is the book, Crossroads of Continents: Cultures of Siberia & Alaska. The hardcover book starts around $18, and their are inexpensive used soft cover books available.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.


Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

The Advantage of Knowing Your Buyers and Making Private Sales

Charles Lotton, 1977, pulled feather vase sold through 31 Gallery & Marketplace in 2007.

Even in uncertain economic times like these, good customers are looking to increase their collections.

Having a buyer in mind before we buy an item greatly reduces the time it will take to sell it. When our time in the Antique & Collectible Business is spent servicing past customers, we won’t have to give away our found treasures at low prices. If we can find the right items for them, we’ll be able to turn our money quickly and keep it circulating. This should be one of our main goals.

At least 75% of the sales in the higher end Antiques and Fine Arts are made between private individuals.

Since I introduced Lotton Glass as the “next” Tiffany, many people have asked me to call them if I ran across a nice piece of this wonderful glass. Well, this happened two days ago. One of our members let me know he wished to sell a very special John Lotton 15” vase. I knew of a customer who just might be interested for the right price. Bingo. Another sale made and everyone is happy.

As the 31 Club grows larger, private sales between members will increase.

In private sales, the seller will receive more money for items, and the buyers will pay less. That works for me. How about you? I think we’ll have a large number of very satisfied customers.

The average sales price for items sold in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace is beginning to increase.

We are seeing more sales averaging $3,000 – $4,000 thousand and fewer items selling in the lower prices. You’ll make more money dealing in higher end items, and if you read yesterday’s blog, you’ll understand just why the higher end more rare items are where we want to be, especially in uncertain economic times.

Members Are on the Hunt for Great Items

Right now, I can mention several items that there have buyers just waiting for members to find the right piece for them. These include paintings by Carl Brenner, Patty Thum, Paul Sawyier, Pauline Palmer and Harvey Joiner. (By the way, we are working on acquiring one of Joiner’s paintings that’s presently in Canada.)

Customers of ours are looking for more great glass by Charles Lotton and John Lotton. A customer is looking for three Springfield Rifles to present to each one of his sons. George Ohr Pottery and Rookwood Pottery have buyers waiting for the right piece at 31 Club.

Utilizing the 31 Club Wish List in combination with the Associates Program will catapult your profit making ability.

Let’s see how this works: The Wish List gives you the opportunity to advertise the items you want to buy at no charge. Free Advertising. Say you’re wanting to by Rookwood Pottery, but you’re only able to purchase $300-$400 items. Along comes someone who sees your list and that you buy Rookwood, but they have a rare piece and want $2,000 for it. You know you can sell it for double that or more, but you don’t have the $2,000 to buy it. Are you going to throw away a perfectly good buy? No.

That’s when you use the Associates Program. We buy it, we sell it, and you get 35% of the net sale. Let’s plug some figures into that. Say we netted $4,500 when we sold that Rookwood vase you called us about. You’ll have made $1,575. And you never invested a dime or did anything to sell it. Now, add a zero onto all those figures and see how you feel. Think about this very hard and imagine the possibilities. I’ll be glad to hear from you when this hits you over the head. When it does, feel free to share your excitement with me at info@31corp.com or call me at 847-784-8544 if you have questions.

Now, go take on this fine day.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.


Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Antique Business: What Will Pay Off During Economic Shifts & Uncertainty

Civil War Letters written by a Confederate Soldier, a Lot of 147, sold at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace in September, 2008.


How does your bank account look today? If there’s money in your Antique & Fine Art Business Account, this is the time to be very patient with your buying. The economic winds are shifting and time is needed to see where these winds are headed. Wisely use the things you’ve learned, continue to learn through the 31 Club, and do not be too venturesome in your buying right now. Time is needed to see where these winds are headed.

The Economic Shift May Leave Only One "Out" For Many People.

I foresee a tremendous amount of merchandise coming to the market in the short term, as people find their portfolios decreasing in value while their expenses escalate. This may leave only one option open for many people -- selling off the items of value they have treasured.

A Likely Flood of New Treasures.

A flikely flood of merchandise coming to market can cause the value of many things to suffer a temporary dip. You don’t want to get caught with items you can’t sell. Be willing to really do extra research before you buy during these periods of economic uncertainty. Your knowledge will lead you to items that will sell under any economic condition.

So what sells well during times of economic shifts?

The rare and the unusual will always be sought after regardless of economic conditions. But don’t kid yourself -- the collectors of the rare and unusual are savvy. After all, while the rest of the nation might be experiencing tough times, they aren’t. They must know a thing or two, wouldn’t you say? In this economic shift, their investment savvy will tell them to take more time to search out the real treasures and purchase at a good price.

Restrict Your Buying to Keep Your Money Moving.

Now is the time to restrict your buying to items that are still trading on a regular basis today. During this time, the best buys you will ever make will be found in the short term. Buy it right, sell it quickly, keep your money moving.

A Real Example from 31 Club Sales.

The Civil War Letters that were just sold by the 31 Club sold very quickly. Why? Let’s begin by examining their value.

The information I was able to uncover through research showed me the largest lot of letters written by a Civil War soldier,sold publicly, was a little over 40 letters, written by a Union Soldier. The lot 31 Club sold was a lot of 147 letters written by a Confederate Soldier and are considered more rare and desirable than that of a Union Soldier.

The content of this Confederate Soldier’s letters contained much information about were he was during certain battles and mentioned the time when General Lee had to recruit “Negro soldiers” to fight for the South due to his dwindling troops. From the tone of this particular letter, one gleans that this event didn't make the soldier very happy. This kind of historical and at-the-scene information is what you’re looking for in material from the war. I seriously believe that within a year or two, a book about these letters will find its way to the market.

I’m sure you now realize why this first hand historical information from a Confederate Soldier’s perspective has great value, regardless of what the economy is doing. This is the reason why they sold so quickly. It isn't like a painting painted by a fairly good artist that a prospective buyer might consider waiting a bit for because the price might come down. The buyer of the Civil War letters knew there was one chance to buy. If they waited, someone else would own them.

So, What Should We Search For?

If you spend your money buying more common items you are unable to quickly turn, where will your funds come from when something rare comes your way? Be patient in your buying right now, and strike while the iron is hot.

Make a serious effort to search out the more rare and unusual that can be quickly sold. No, we may not be buying as much as we could buy at times when people are upbeat nor when selling something doesn’t take as much time, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is the quality and rarity of what you purchase.

Remember the Purpose of Working the 31 Club’s Model Before You Buy.

Compounding Your Money!!!

If you can compound 31 times, all your financial desires will be beyond met. If you can even compound 15 times, I’m willing to guess your financial desires might still be met. If you’re buying items you can’t quickly turn, you eliminate the compounding factor and minimize your opportunity to progress and meet your financial and lifelong goals. Patience, perseverance, research, and smart buying will work in your favor in any economic climate. Take an offensive position against the shifting economic winds.

What To Do When You Find a Rare Item You Can't Afford to Purchase Right Now

Contact me at 31 Club. Club Members can take advantage of the 31 Club Associates Program when they come across rare or unusual items but don't have the money in their buying budget. We buy it, sell it, and the member makes 35% of the net sale. Questions? Ask me at info@31corp.com or call me at 847-784-8544.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.


Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Antique Business: Green is In

Malachite and Mexican Silver Centerpiece offered at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Yes, going green is the “in” thing to do these days, but we in the Antique Business have been green all along. We don’t follow the crowd, we lead the crowd. You see, we don’t manufacture new products and contribute to the by products associated with this process, rather we recycle and buy existing items to use again and again. These “recycled” items have a life of their own, and we connect these items with those who seek them out – The Collectors. Today, there’s another way to “go green” in the Antique Business. Malachite.

Malachite is a green semi-precious stone that has irregular bands, or rings, running through it. These layers are usually darker than the predominant green of this stone, and it’s very eye appealing. Imitation malachite has very regular black or white banding. Larger deposits of malachite come from Zaire, Siberia and Australia among other places. I believe it is one of the most beautiful stones you can acquire. It is often said to have healing and mystical properties, but I'll leave that up to you. I've linked a site below where you can read more, but don't forget to research this yourself. That's how you'll learn best.

Often, you will find inexpensive pieces of Malachite from the Czech Republic made into small animals, flowers or other designs, but the true value is in larger pieces such as boxes or jewelery cases. I once found a jewelery case made of Malachite and bought it just because I found it to be so beautiful. I didn’t know much about it at the time, and thought my wife would really like to have it sitting on her dresser. I hate to admit this, but when I got home and began researching its value, it didn’t stay in our house very long.

My wife always says I sell everything she likes, and that’s probably true, because she’s got great taste and an eye for quality. However, in this case, an easy couple of thousand dollars quick profit was more than I could resist. I’ve done the same with toys I’ve come across, thinking I’d bring it home for my son, Josh. I guess that doesn’t make me too popular around the house, but we’ve still managed to acquire a quality collection of items, despite this habit of mine.

So why might you be paying attention to Malachite? It’s one item many people overlook, and once you’re aware of the better pieces, you might just find a treasure at that estate sale after all.

We’ve got a beautiful example of a better piece in our 31 Gallery & Marketplace. It’s a centerpiece of Malachite birds and Mexican Silver, and that’s what today’s photo is. You can get the details of this item here.

So, stay “green” and don’t forget the Malachite.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.


Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Today's Link:

Malachite

Acting Today on Yesterday's Memories

Like most other people, I have memories etched into my mind over a number of years. Yes, we will forget 90% of the things that happen from year to year, but there are certain events that will never be removed from our memories, even though the emotional affects of it may subside.

I am sitting at this computer after 12:00 midnight on Friday night with tears in my eyes because, as the sun rises Saturday morning, there are many people whose entire lives will be changed once Hurricane Ike passes over Texas. I pray that not many lives will be lost but, I am fearful there will be. Electricity will be out, homes and schools will be destroyed, hospitals will be vacant of patients or working on limited back up power. The face of the communities that have been an anchor to many will be washed away along with their jobs. I could make an entire list of the after affects, but I won’t right now.

What is most on my mind is the friends I’ve made through the 31 Club who are in the path of Ike, and how their lives might change. I ask that you take some time out and pray for William R., Coral B., Linda B., Pricilla C., Lou Ann P and the many others of our Club from that area I may have left out. Remember, we started out to create a community, and here is a chance to act in the spirit of community on behalf of our members in Texas.

When I speak of memories that are etched in our minds forever, aside from personal memories, my mind often goes to historical events.

My dad went to World War II when I was first born. This has always makes me feel safe and proud, because he didn't go just to protect me, but to protect all Americans and their freedom. I’m sure my mother prayed for him every night. You see, our country use to be proud of our servicemen. I ask you to pray for our servicemen tonight.

The event most vivid in my memory after that came many years later when our President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was still working my way through college, selling Volkswagens in Owensboro, Kentucky at the time. When someone entered the dealership and said the President had been shot, I thought they were kidding. But I could soon tell by the expression on their face, this was the truth.

I felt as if time stood still in those early moments. This made me rethink what was important to me. You see, even though I was a Republican, my President had just been shot. I was sad, angry, mournful and shocked to my core. I wonder today how many people would say, "He was my President," if God forbid, George Bush got shot. How far this country has strayed. I ask you to pray for our leaders today.

Cindy has told me that she was appalled to witness the treatment our soldiers received upon returning home from Vietnam. Whether you agreed with the war or not shouldn’t have been at issue, she said to me once. The fact was, these young men put their life on the line in service to our country -- all of us-- and should have been welcomed home as heros regardless of the war’s outcome. Instead they were reviled. Please pray for the safety of our troops worldwide whether or not you agree with the mission.

The attempt on Ronald Reagan's life shook me to the core, but thankfully he survived and continued his term in office. I will let you judge his success.

I was hardly prepared for the events of 9/11. Killing civilian men, women and children with no remorse is beyond my capacity to understand. I have been taught to pray for my enemies, but this one is a tough task for me. But, the more I understand, the more I realize this is what is needed for God to do his work. So, please pray for those who wish to harm us.

Karen Karnes: Pottery For The Ages

Karen Karnes, Casseroles, Doug Hill photograph. Photo from Craft In America.

I never know where I might pick up additional information to store inside my head. Often, great information that makes me good money comes from people asking my opinion on something I’m not very familiar with. Once I research it, I find that it is another name I should add to my list of things to search for.

This happened to me just the other day when Mary C., a member of the 31 Club asked if I could help her with some Karen Karnes pottery she might want to sell it the price was right. Well, I wasn’t familiar with Karen Karnes, so I headed to the Internet. Yeehaa! There in front of me was more information about this pottery than I really needed. Her work is marked with a very distinctive mark of two capital “K’s” back to back, similar to the Rookwood “R’s”.

I will share here Biography with you, from Craft In America.

"Karen Karnes (b. 1925) is a ceramic artist heralding from New York (Brooklyn, to be exact) who uses salt glazing and wood firing in her work. It has been said that Karen is the "grandmother of American ceramics," having been influenced at the prestigious, but short-lived Black Mountain College by renowned avant-garde artists like Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage, and Peter Voulkos.

Her work, though traditional in material, always retains a modern approach, whether it's a functional pot or an expressive sculptural vessel. She attended Brooklyn College and Alfred University in New York. She has worked at Black Mountain College and Gatehill College in Stony Point, NY. The list of her exhibitions is extensive and her work can be found in the collections of the Museum of Arts and Design, Cranbrook Museum of Art, Everson Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others."

As you can see she has a rather extensive background and will be an artist I'll be looking for from now on. I hope to see these pots in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace soon. So, be on the lookout for her work. Most dealers won't recognize it, and the price at your next estate sale for one of her pieces might be as low as $5.00.

This just goes to show that even contemporary items can be treasures, but the secret is to find the right ones. I can assure you that I have passed by a fortune by not spending more time researching the artists of today, both on canvass and in pottery. As you can see, I am trying to get up to speed. As I do, I will pass it on to our members.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.


Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Get Out That Silver Polish

Have you seen that the price of Gold and Silver are declining? For those of us in the Antique & Collectible business, this decline will make it possible for us to make money buying Gold and Silver items again.

For a long while, the market was adding no value for the rarity or beauty of a piece, only weighing the value of its base metal. But now, these wonderful items, that have lasted the test of time, will once again make sense for us to buy. I’m thinking tea sets, compotes, vases and even silverware at prices that are sensible enough for us to make a fair profit.

Gold jewelry may get to the point where the dealer doesn't just weigh a piece and quote you the base metal price. I think the metal will always have a value and be a component of the actual value of the item, but other factors will become important. The spread between the offer and bid will again be wider.

A friend of mine came by the house today and showed me some items her elderly aunt took to a company who advertised an event at a local hotel to buy jewelry. She attended with her aunt to oversee this offer. to buy. I’ve been aware of these, what I would call scams, for over year. My friend was smart enough to prevent her aunt from selling these fine pieces for next to nothing, and when I looked at them and she told me what they offered, I don’t believe they even offered the price of the gold. I’d recommend staying away from these types of events.

As prices decline for gold and silver, people will have fewer and fewer places to dispose of their fine jewelry. You see, these so called “merchants” will no longer be able to simply weigh for the gold and silver content and offer you very little. And what do they do with the gold and silver once they “buy” it from you? They melt it down for the metal and then they’ve made their money.

I remember the good old day when I bought a sterling tea pot for a few hundred dollars. No, the silver content wasn’t worth that, but it was produced by a famous silversmith from the late 1700’s. I knew this was a special piece the moment my eyes landed on it. Believe it or not, I called all over the world before finally selling it in Australia for several thousand dollars.

It will be fun again to do our research and look for items that can return us 10 or 20 times our investment. Still, I don't think this change will affect silver plate or gold plate much, and these items should probably be avoided except in rare cases.

I just can't resist mentioning that earlier this year I strongly recommended my readers sell their gold and silver. At the time, the price of silver was around $16. I was a little early, because it did go briefly to $20 before coming right back down. At the time I made that recommendation, I had people e-mailing me hate mail, threatening my life and questioning my intelligence for making that recommendation in writing and sending it to the news services. But, of course, these were the people in the business of selling gold and silver to the public.

I stuck to my guns and continued to write about selling silver anyway. You know, I haven’t heard from any of those people again. And now, all their customers who bought at that time have lost a great deal of their investment while the fat cats have already cashed their checks and danced into the sunset. It isn’t over yet. I predict silver be $6-$8 soon enough, and gold will be back to $600 an ounce. Then it will be time for us to load up on it.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It
We Buy & Sell It
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.


Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Antique Dolls: A Re-Discovery

26" FRENCH BEBE STEINER C, original and in perfect condition is offered for $12,500 at ARW Antiques in New Jersey.



Yesterday, after listing some of the specialty auction houses I personally use, (in our members only section) I went into a closet and pulled out all the antique trade papers I’ve been saving for over ten years. The amount of papers on my floor could fill a small room. I truly hope my wife doesn't come in while I'm writing this, because I might have some explaining to do. But, boy, what a re-education these papers have given me. 31 Club members can benefit from the fruits of my labor by checking in with our Specialty Auction list as we get this completed. How will this help you? Well, if you find a good Rookwood piece, the auction house best known for handling Rookwood will be listed and linked. If you have a great Western Painting, the best place to sell Western Art jwill be listed, and so on.

I looked through old issues of the Antique Weekly, Maine Antique Digest and Antique Trader, specifically the sections where they list special items that have brought extra high prices along with the auction houses who sold them. It was quite an experience to go back and see what things were bringing several years back. You might be surprised to learn that just about as many prices have gone down as those that have gone up. Most items that went down are the more common pieces. The rare items, such as Duck Decoys, Paintings and Art Pottery have had the prices go through the roof. And that fits right in with what I’ve been teaching all along. Trade in the rare, and you’ll reach your financial goals through the program I’ve laid out in my book, “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles.”

I know many of you are in the early steps of our program and are probably dealing in some common items, but when you follow the program, very quickly, you’ll find yourself able to trade in the more rare and higher end pieces. And don’t forget to call me during this time for the free mentoring I offer all our members.

During my immersion in the trade papers, there was one category that caught my eye: Dolls. I had let the value of Dolls slip from my memory, along with some of the names of companies who made the most sought after ones. I was brought up to speed when I re-discovered this article and it inspired me to do some research because of the values I was reading about. There is real money to be made in these real darlings.

I would think that these prices are on the low side today but here is a few examples. Kestner 1880, pouty face, $3600. E.J. Bebe,1881, 17” $10,500, Gaultier Poupee 40” $26,000. Kammer and Reinhart 24”, $20,000.

The 1959 Barbie at over $18,000 to vintage dolls that can bring over &100,000 is enough to rekindle my interest and I hope yours too. One of our members that has a doll worth $2500 or more, but I haven't yet heard what she plans to do with it
I’d say that finding one of these beautiful treasures could make for a very happy day. There are dolls that command many times these figures, but this was enough to draw my attention.

If you would like to read this article and add it to your collection of resources, it appeared in the Antique Trader November 25, 1998 issue, along with a rather Comprehensive List of Doll Manufacturers and a lengthy Price List. Perhaps the best part of the article is the page of Marks.

In my future hunt for dolls, I know in my heart that God has already blessed me with the best doll in the world, even if she doesn’t like this huge mess of papers I’ve just created.

If you find a rare doll but don’t have the funds to purchase it, call me. We can use the club’s Associate Program funds to purchase the doll, and you’ll make 35% of the net sale price just for finding it. If you’re not a member, why not join today to take advantage of this club program. 35% for just finding an item we can buy! I don’t think you’ll find this offer anywhere else but at the 31 Club.

*******

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It
We Buy & Sell It
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.


Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Daryle's 220 Page Book,
31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Or E-Mail us at info@31corp.com

Young Collectors of Art & Antiques

At the 31 Club, we have always strongly encouraged families to become interested and involved in collecting art and antiques together. Aside from being a great family activity, the lessons learned about history, the internet, research, math, art, accounting and economics is invaluable to the children. Without a doubt, by becoming very knowledgeable about Antiques and Fine Art and by building their own collections, these children can be assuring themselves of a very prosperous future.

My 9-year-old son, Joshua, has been attending auctions with me since he was six months old. When we go to estate sales or auctions, he often sees bargains before I do. So yesterday, when Cindy spotted an article in the Wall Street Journal about children who collect art, she sent it to me. It was written last September, but it’s still a current trend today. Here’s the article by Kelly Crow.

"Recently, a respected art collector in Portland, Ore., walked into a local gallery. The owners greeted her warmly, and ushered her to the back room to show off their latest acquisitions. After politely declining several works, the collector chose a $5,500 porcelain sculpture shaped like a basket and covered in tiny, platinum elephants. "She has such a great eye for art," gushed the gallery's co-owner, MaryAnn Deffenbaugh.

The collector, Dakota King, is 9. .....Continue this article and see photos here.

Do your children collect art or antiques? If they do, send in your stories and photos to us. We'll feature them in our Kids Collections. info@31corp.com

Spotting The Rare

This Tiffany Ceramic Vase sold in 2003 for $11,000 through Burchard Galleries, Inc.

As you advance through the 31 Steps of our club program, your hunt for valuable antiques and art will take you into the higher end of the market. Having said this, it’s important to be knowledgeable about what items from a particular company are rare.

Many companies produced items aside from their main lines that are often overlooked. Very simply put, people, including dealers, are not aware of these anomalies. At the 31 Club, we are on the hunt for pieces that may not be easily recognized to help us move through the 31 Steps and attain our financial goals.

There is little doubt you are familiar with Tiffany and Galle glass, but did you know these companies also produced pottery? These are not common, and their value is also uncommon. If a nice piece of Galle or Tiffany glass becomes available, most people will know what it is. The same can't be said of their pottery. When you become familiar with their pottery marks, you’ll be a step ahead of the pack.

Just to give you a taste of this, Kovels Price Guide lists two items for Galle pottery, both figures. One is priced at $2415 and the other $5175. Tiffany listings include sixteen pieces ranging from $200 to a high of $8,800.

Several years back, when I was previewing items at an auction, my eyes fixed upon an unassuming piece of pottery. When I examined it, lo and behold – there was the Tiffany mark, LCT, all hooked together. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. As I hovered near the piece, I overheard a couple of dealers discussing the vase. “Can you believe they would let fakes like that in this sale,” one said. “Anyone would know the piece isn’t Tiffany.”

I had to turn away to keep from asking them whether or not they’d ever seen Tiffany Pottery before.

When the auction commenced and the vase was offered, the auctioneer announced they didn’t guarantee the piece to be authentic. (I’m sure he’d heard a complaint from those two dealers about fakes.) . At first there was no interest in the piece, but finally they got a $100 bid. I made sure I sat on my hands in this early stage, but I can state with no hesitation, I was extremely anxious. When the bidding slowed at $150 I put my card up at $200, and that bid was followed by one at $225. I bid $250, and finally the auctioneer said, “SOLD.”

I couldn't believe I had just purchased a real piece of Tiffany pottery for $250. You see, most people have never seen one of Louis Comfort Tiffany's pottery pieces. This vase sold a few months later just over $5700. Not bad for a “fake.” You may be fortunate enough to find some of their “fakes” also, ha ha.

What sweet little treasures these pieces can become when others think you are a fool for bidding on them or buying these pieces at house sales.

Treasure Hunters -- Partner Up with 31 Club on high quality treasures you find. You Find It, We Buy It, We Sell It, You Net 35%. It's our groundbreaking Associates Program, one of the many benefits that comes with your 31 Club Membership.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers, making more money than they thought possible. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club, today. or email us at info@31corp.com to find out more.

Daryle's 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. Join Today!

Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

Lenox – Don’t Let the Name Fool You

by Daryle Lambert

Until I was at a great auction and saw a piece of Lenox cross the block for over a $1000, I had turned up my nose at the name Lenox. I thought any piece by this company could be had for under $25. But no more. The way I figure it, if these were my thoughts, then other dealers probably think the same thing. This gives us the opportunity to find those rare and expensive Lenox pieces at very low prices.

One of the pieces most sought after are the Lenox steins. These may go for top dollars if they have the early marks. Many other items will bring a couple of hundred dollars or more such as lamp bases, pitchers, plates, Toby jugs and vases. In fact, I was stunned to find out that as few as ten plate could bring over $600.

Lenox produced porcelain similar to Belleek, made in Ireland. This is a very well made china that is still being made today. Most china, with the exception of Meissen, and a few others fall in the category of garage sale items, and I had always considered Lenox in that class until I did a little research.

If you see the name Ceramic Arts Company anywhere, know that this company was founded by Walter Scott Lenox in 1889 along with his partner Jonathan Coxon. When Lenox and Coxon dismantled their partnership, Walter Scott Lenox started a new company – Lenox. Being in this club has shown me that I don’t know it all. Just one small example of this knowledge gained recently -- I never associated Ceramic Art Company with Lenox. Duh!

The Lenox marks have changed over the years, and the earlier wares command the higher prices. This is no different than Belleek, who have changed not only their mark, but the color of them. Their first Lenox mark was black, while the more current production is green or gold. Some of the marks on Lenox are : The Ceramic Art Company, a reef with the L in its middle, Oxford Bone China, a painters board with the Lin a circle and just LENOX. There was also an American Lenox produced, known as Lenox Belleek that was patterned after the Irish Belleek and will be marked Lenox Belleek.

Most families would be very proud to set their table with Lenox China,but we’re looking for the more rare pieces. No, I don't think Lenox will be in your sights when you get to the upper levels of your 31 Steps, but as you begin the 31 Club's program to build up your personal cash reserves, these items can certainly pad your pockets and fund costlier buys.

Treasure Hunters -- Partner Up with 31 Club on high quality treasures you find. You Find It, We Buy It, We Sell It, You Net 35%. It's our groundbreaking Associates Program, one of the many benefits that comes with your 31 Club Membership.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers, making more money than they thought possible. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club, today. or email us at info@31corp.com to find out more.

Daryle's 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. Join Today!

Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

Bigger Than a Bread Box – Classic Cars

The phone rang about 8:00, and having been up very late I expected bad news. But it was a gentleman asking if I had a Cadillac. It didn’t register with me as I sat up in bed and tried to get my wits about me, that I had a 1968 Cadillac Convertible listed in the 31 Club Marketplace, so I replied, “I don’t drive a Cadillac.”

“The one online,” he said. I shook the cobwebs from my head and we were finally able to have a real conversation. Though he must have thought I was a complete idiot at first, the good news is I’m fairly certain that car is headed for New York.
Yes, cars are larger than a bread box, but finding classic cars and selling them can be quite rewarding. The great advantage is that the new owner has to make arrangements for its transportation.

I’ve written previously about finding items in your area that have greater demand somewhere else and Classic Cars fits into this category, at least in my neck of the woods. Both the East and West Coasts are havens for the classic car owners. So, if you are from the Midwest and find a 1957 Chevrolet hard top, you can be assured it will bring more money in California than in Kentucky.

So what should you look for? If it looks different or has markings that don't seem standard, you may have found a winner. Just one example is a car with the number 442 on the side. This may be a car you want to take note of. Convertibles are always in demand, and usually there were fewer of them made than other models. High performance models bring top money, also.

The manufacturer of the car isn't nearly as important as the rarity of the car. Dodge and Plymouth can bring more than Chevrolet and Ford in many cases. The great thing about this area of collecting is that cars are high ticket items. So, when you find the right one, it can play a big part in your advancement in the 31 Clubs Million Dollar Race, enabling you to complete several steps at a time, if you find the right car.

Where do I find out more information about what to look for? You can start with our old standby by checking eBay’s completed auctions for classic cars. Next, visit a gas station. There you’ll find magazines listing cars for sale. Take note of the makes, models, and prices of cars. Your local newspaper is a great resource, and they will have classified sales sections for cars. Sometimes on your visits to estate sales, you’ll see cars parked in the driveway or street with a for sale sign on them. Usually you can take the time to do your research on cars because they don’t sell every day.

I know you would like for me to name some of the best finds, but this is one area that I will have to let you be the judge. Just a few cars that I have personally owned that I think would fit into this area are a 1982 Corvette, 1953 MD TD, 1955 Chevrolet Belair, Studebaker Golden Hawk and a 1965 Mercedes.

Cars have always held a fascination for me and if you have interest in this area it will become a passion of love.

Historical Memorabilia: The Stakes Keep Getting Higher

In past blogs, I have suggested that you back up the truck and fill it with anything pertaining to this year’s election. With election day only about 2 months away, time is running out to gather what you can now if you plan on cashing in later. With the selection of Sarah Palin as VP, now it isn't just a pot of gold you’re looking for but all of Fort Knox. Whoever wins, history will be made in this election. Don't know what Fort Knox is? It’s where all of this country’s gold is stored.

Because I have been so blessed and seen so much over my lifetime, few things really get me very excited anymore. But I can tell you this: The events of this year’s election have caused my heart to really pump. Who needs to watch night time TV programs when this year’s election is splashed across the screen nightly, and it holds more drama than a screenwriter can pen without creating a believability problem? History will be made come this November. Will you have the memorabilia from it?

In a past blog, I wrote that I thought Barack Obama was one of the most appealing candidates to come on the political scene since Ronald Reagan. Although I won’t be voting for him, my opinion hasn’t changed, because our views of the world are still miles apart. However, I do think he believes in everything he’s shared with his audience.

I haven't written about John McCain yet, but his views are more closely in line with the ones I hold than Obama’s views are.

I figure if Obama wins, it will change politics to a more socialistic environment rather than a capitalistic one, like I personally favor. An Obama win could erase the racial stains this country has had for over two hundred years. That’s something to get excited about, however, if it supresses the individual entrepreneurial effort in this country, it can prove devastating. Either way, I think this election will prove to be one of the greatest historical events in my lifetime.

That old maverick, John McCain startled the world by not selecting who everyone anticipated as his running mate, but a woman that few had ever heard of. Yes, I wanted a woman on the ticket, but Sarah, who? That sentiment only lasted until I learned more about her and then heard her speeches. I do believe a superstar had been born many years ago and finally made it to center stage. Her election alongside John McCain will be a milestone for women in this country.

But aside from the tangible changes toward progress -- electing the country's first African American President or the first Woman Vice President -- in the end, it will be only one party who will lead us across an unknown threshold. Whoever wins will define how that change shapes who and what our nation becomes in the years ahead. What will we change to? Who will we become? The direction this changes takes us might very well prove to be a huge marker in the life of our country, for better or for worse, and it might have the power to seal our fate.

Having said that, I believe the stark difference in the candidates will make the Election of 2008 equal in historical importance to that of George Washington and of Abraham Lincoln. So, load up on memorabilia.

I don’t usually like to end a blog on a sad note, however I cannot end today's blog without acknowledging the passing of Ralph Kovel. The entire Antique Industry has truly lost a great and passionate friend. We at the 31 Club, send our condolences to the entire Kovel family and offer up our prayers for each one of them during this time in their lives. We ask our club members to remember Ralph Kovel and the Kovel family in their prayers, as well.

The Lure of the Sea: Nautical and Maritime Collectibles

This 1940's Nautical Captain's Desk Clock brought in $5,000 on eBay after having been estimated at $600-800.

British Artist, Graham Hedges, "Storm at Sea" is offered at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Did you know that early man used shells as money? Today these treasures of the sea may not bring you great financial gain but many other Nautical items may. While to many, an antique chronometer might not hold any significance, but to the collector of nautical items, this might be a great find. Think in terms of what might someone else collect while you’re out on the hunt.

Ten years ago when I had a booth at the Chicago Riverfront Antique Mart, I always passed by a booth of nautical items, and each time I noticed one strange looking item the dealer had hanging on his wall. So, one afternoon I strolled in to take a closer look at it. The dealer told me it was a Narwhal Whale Tusk, and that these whales live in the Arctic around Canada. The tusk is actually a spiraled whale tooth that can be as long as one third the whale’s body. He wanted $2500 for it. Not for me, I thought. Maybe $200, but I couldn’t see $2500.

When I got home that night, I decided to do some research on this strange looking tusk got the shock of my life. A tusk, the same size as the one I had just seen was showing a value of $10,000 or more. I wanted to call the dealer and buy it at that moment, but I hadn’t taken his phone number and it was late at night, anyway. I got to the mart very early the next day and tried to keep busy rearranging and dusting my own items, but I was waiting with baited breath for that dealer to arrive. It seemed like an eternity.

When I finally spotted him arranging his items, I high tailed it out of my own booth to claim my treasure. When I arrived, breathless, I was able to spit out that I was here for the tusk. “I sold it yesterday just after you left, “ he said. It was as if a dagger had pierced by heart. In fact, in re-telling this story, I still ask myself what I should have done differently.

If you have an interest in researching and studying nautical items, you will find ready and able collectors waiting to purchase you found treasures. Here are just a few items that you might do a little research on: Storage boxes, Chests, Chronometers, Clocks, Compasses, Lanterns, Models, Sextants, Ship Bells, Signs, Telescopes, Wheels and Whistles. This should keep you busy for awhile researching these.

In addition, there are many collectors of items depicting anything related to the sea. Figurines, Fine Art Paintings, Prints and Sculptures.

Having a booth at a marketplace didn't prove to be the best move I've ever made, financially, but having done that, I've been able to established a business network with some truly wonderful people who also set up shop there. Whenever I see them, it's as if I just saw them yesterday, and I continue to do business with many of them.

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Not Only Derby Glasses: Libbey Cut Glass

Libbey Bowl in the Ellsmere pattern recently sold on eBay for $615.

Because I and others have written about the value of Libbey Glass Company’s Kentucky Derby Glasses, a lot people may have their radar raised at the present time on these valuable treasures. However, this fine company produced a wide range of products, and some pieces can be quite valuable as well.

I seriously doubt that many people are looking for Libbey vases or bowls. These cut glass items can command prices in the thousands. For example a 20” vase made in the Harvard pattern, Amethyst cut to clear can bring $3400. A signed Amberina Perfume Bottle might fetch $2450. With these prices, it might be wise to become familiar with this company’s higher end items.

Libbey Glass Company started in 1888 in Toledo Ohio and was later purchased by Owens-Illinois in 1935. It is still in production today and makes a very wide range of products.

You may have already figured this out, but the older pieces will usually bring the most money. I am one of the people guilty of passing by cut glass pieces because I think there will be damage on them, which there usually is. Another reason for me passing these by is due to the number of new or fake pieces I run across. But, I’ve discovered that it would be well worth my while to set my assumptions aside, slow down, and spend more time looking very closely when I come face to face with cut glass items at sales. I encourage you to do the same.

Most people will not be able to distinguish the rare from the common items produced by Libbey, but with some study, you will. Marked pieces always sell at a premium in most items in the antique business, and this holds true of Libbey as well. Libbey’s marks are often very difficult to find, however. Should you come across some cut glass you’ve identified as having the quality of finer cut glass, be sure to take the time required to search for a signature, if there is one.

Damage to cut glass will reduced its value considerably, more than any other category of antique items. A flake, chip, or hairline crack will reduce its value by up to 90%. Even if a very valuable vase is ground to disguise a flake, the vase will drop in value significantly.

While finding any of Libbey’s higher end and more valuable items might not bring you as much as finding a 1940 Kentucky Derby Glass would, it could very easily add a few thousand dollars to your coffer. But don’t give up on discovering a Derby Glass. We found one a few days ago. Watch for it to be listed soon in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

I haven't found that very special piece of Libbey cut glass yet, however I did find a small bowl once, marked for $25. Its sale for $500 was a big deal for me at that time in my life.

When you’re first starting out in the Antique & Fine Art Business, making $500 early seems like a very big deal, but later it might take making a profit of $5,000 to feel that same thrill. As you progress, it might be $50,000. This is why I have never tired of the Antique and Fine Art Business and I love it so much. My goal now is to find that special piece worth $500,000. Oh, it doesn’t matter if I find it just yet. Knowing that it’s out there waiting for me keeps me alert and ready to take on the day.

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Dedham Pottery

Dedham Turkey Plate is offered in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

31 Club Members, Ron & Mary, traveled from Ohio to spend the day antiquing with Daryle.

As I mentioned in Sunday’s Blog, I had the opportunity to spend the day hunting for antiques with 31 Club members, Mary and Ron, who traveled from Ohio to visit with me. One of the high points that day was the discovery of a Dedham Turkey plate. I was able to purchase it at a very fair price, and it is now offered in our 31 Gallery & Marketplace, here. This isn’t the first time a Dedham piece has been good to me.

Several years ago, I was shopping and spotted a strange looking five inch pitcher among items sitting on a table. It had a strange design, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it. I must have picked it up and put it back down four or five times before taking it to the sales table and asking the dealer what their best price would be. The dealer wanted $175, which seemed ridiculous to me. But, there was something about this piece that was gnawing at me. So, without knowing what I had in my hand, I offered $100. The dealer said no, but she’d take $125. I had to think about that for a minute, and, as I’ve taught you before, I never put the piece back down until I made my final decision. I decided to take it at $125.

It was a very different piece with an owl on one side and a rooster on the other. I don't remember the rest of the design, but it had the appearance of being crazed all over, and the mark on its bottom was smeared and not legible. Somehow, I just knew it was special.

When I got home and did some homework, I found out it was a Dedham piece called the “Day and Night” pitcher. I sold it very close to $1,000. There is a lesson here. If something seems to stand out as you are searching, it might be your subconscious memory telling you that it’s special. In fact, you might have seen it in a book, magazine or at an auction at one time and had forgotten it but your subconscious hadn’t. In today’s guides, I see that this pitcher now sells for a little less than what I sold it for, but to me back then, it was a real home run.

The Dedham company was founded in 1872 in Chelsea, Massachusetts by the Robertson family. Dedham went through several transitions and finally closed for good in 1943 during the war. They became very famous for their crackle ware, most of which featured animals, flowers and other natural motifs.

Just to list a few of their better known pieces, the Polar Bear 8 ½ plate lists in Kovel’s Price Guide for only $10.18, while the Lily 6 ¼ brings $1150. A real treasure is the Thistle 8 ½ inch plate signed by Hugh Robertson, listed for $2970. They also made vases, and most of these bring big money from $2000 up.

There are some authorized reproductions of Dedham, and further information on these are available at the Dedham Historical Society.

This is definitely a company’s wares you should keep in mind while searching in the field. that you should keep in your mind while searching in the field.

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Link: Dedham Historical Society

Historic Events and the Antique & Fine Art Business

To be in the Antique and Fine Arts Business, I believe history must hold some interest for you; enough interest to search out things from the past. Perhaps this business takes you back to those times or the events when the items you've discovered were produced, and this is an important connection in your life at some level. When I discover a great painting, I feel as if I knew the artist, because I am holding his work in my hands. Have you ever had that feeling?

The news coverage of this presidential election and the current news coverage of Hurricane Gustav has made me think about other events in our history. People’s memories are often short, but to the Collector of Historical Items, these events are forward in their mind and close to their heart. Those of us in this business have a deep appreciation for history, and this appreciation can help fatten our wallets and help to provide for our families by connecting those items we've found with a collector who is seeking them.

So what might be the historical events collectors seek items from?

On my local front, The Chicago Fire caused many stories to be created about its source. Did Mrs. O’Leary’s cow really kick over the lantern that set the whole city ablaze? If you come across items associated with this fire, there are many collectors who’d have great interest in this. How about events in your region of the country?

The Great San Francisco Earthquake is a great part of U.S. Western history. Even today, all the stories about future quakes are compared to that one. I am sure there are great pieces from this era that can only be found by looking in every old trunk you run across.

What could be more vividly etched in our minds than 9/11 or the assassination of President Kennedy? I can’t count the times I’ve heard people reciting exactly where they were when these events happened.

Remember the Martin Luther King letters I told you about? They were found by a friend of mine in a box lot at a local auction house who holds auctions twice a month. He bought them for next to nothing. It wouldn’t surprise me, if today, these letters could bring over $10,000.

How about the original copy of the Declaration of Independence that was found behind a two dollar print? At one time, an auction house estimated this to be worth over $3.5 million. Since that time, this document has been sold at auction, however, I don't remember the exact hammer price. You can be certain is was quite substantial.

In our hunt for items from history, we should always remember that most of these items aren't discovered out in the open. Rather, they're hidden in trunks, basements, attics, behind cheap framed prints, or in scrapbooks or shoeboxes just waiting for us to uncover them. Even if they are out in the open, most eyes can't recognize them, because many people who see them don't have the knowledge of history necessary to know their value.

The story of a box of several dozen love letters written by a sailor during the Second World War brought great interest to me recently. The article seemed to infer that these letters would have significant historical value, and therefore, dollar value. Why did this interest me? Because the day I saw that story, we had just purchased 147 letters from a Confederate Soldier written to his wife. If the first letters, written sixty years ago, were considered valuable, how about letters written 160 years ago during the Civil War – one of the most significant events in this country’s history?

Only so many Tiffany Glass pieces or Rookwood Pottery items were produced, but the number of items that have historical content are unlimited. This gives us a great opportunity each day to find one of these treasures, if we’ll only look.

I am sure that you can think of many more events from the past as well as the people associated with them, either nationally or local to your area. If these events mean something to you, they might also have importance to others. And they might hold some surprise value when a Collector wants to buy it from you. Who knows? A Historical Society or Museum might even be interested.

If you have found anything of historical significance, please send me an email describing it and I will share it with the rest of our members.

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