Monday, May 31, 2010

Randolph Street Market – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Club – What a Weekend




 Randolph Street



Spending two days with four wonderful appraisers who taught me so much and being able to work with Eric and Sally again made this weekend almost perfect. I was surprised at the number of people who asked if the appraising was going to take place at the next event. I feel sure that Eric and Sally will be making that decision shortly.

I was able to get reacquainted with several members of the Daryle Lambert’s Antiques and Collectibles Club plus perhaps a dozen dealers that I have worked with before. Tom, a new member, came late yesterday and he was able to get a great education on Bakelite jewelry from the couple that set up next to where we were appraising. It is also always great when I see Mike and Doris who are regulars at the Chicago Antique Market. Over the years, they have taught me a lot about western items and American art pottery.

These events are such great places to obtain the knowledge required to be successful in antiques and collectibles that I encourage my readers to attend as many of them as they can. I saw Brian again yesterday and I hope that in the future he will share with me some of the important information on lightning rods and balls.

What really got me going was the variety of items that I got to appraise. I will list just a few of them. First was the Tiffany gold iridescent vase with a footed bottom and pulled top plus a button pontil. It was an exceptional piece that I appraised at $800 to $1200. Next came a Grueby vase with yellow buds. The glaze was a deep green with a leathery texture and signed on the bottom Grueby Pottery. I couldn't see a signature and it was rather small so I gave it a value of about $700.

Paintings seemed to be in short supply but I did see a small painting with vivid colors by an eastern artist that should fetch $1000 or so. After these items, the values dropped significantly. I had to be honest with the people bringing items for appraisal but I could see the disappointment in their eyes. However, it is always best to know the truth and then you can put your mind at rest.

I am very hopeful that I will be able to work with Caroline, Mark, Brett and Brian again at an event at the Chicago Antique Market sponsored by the Antique Trader. I feel certain the next show will even be greater as the word spreads. 

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today



Sunday, May 30, 2010

Brian – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles blog - A long way off.



 Let's have Fun


I have enjoyed the last 3 years of writing the blog for the Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Club and I have to admit that through those years I have received some surprises but few compare with yesterday's. This story is almost impossible to believe.

I was sitting at my table doing appraisals for the Antique Trader and Chicago Antique Market when a very nice looking young man approached and said "I know you." For the life of me, I couldn't remember where I had seen this gentleman before. He convinced me, however, by calling Josh by name and sharing a few other pieces of information about myself. His name is Brian and I feel that to give his name is appropriate because he is a dealer at the market and deals in anything to do with lightning, like lightning rods. I have his card and if any of you have questions or items you wish to sell here is his website www.tyylos.blogspot.com or email to stcfinds@gmail.com.

But back to the story. It will be much better if I let Brian tell how he knows me than if I attempt to, so here is a short letter he wrote.

Daryle

I came across your blog while living in Bahrain. I would visit my wife's office and start cruising the net looking for all the information that I could obtain on antiques and collectibles. I ran across your blog and have followed it faithfully ever since. I have to admit that I have learned a lot from that old Kentucky boy with his grace and charm.

My specialty is lightning rod, balls and anything lightning related. I knew you before I met you and I can say you are as authentic and real as American pie.

Thanks for all your hard work and kindness.

Brian

I really don't know what to say but thank you and I feel so humbled by the praise. It has been my passion to serve others with the limited knowledge that God has blessed me with and to help create a community of like minded people who want to be successful with antiques and collectibles. There are two parts of being in this business. The first is the fun you receive by associating with such wonderful people and the second is the money that is available to those who give it their best effort.

The first day at the market was filled with excitement and I have never seen two people work as hard as Eric from the Trader and Sally from the Chicago Market. There isn't a substitute for hard work so you can be sure that these events are going to grow until they are the benchmark for antique and collectible shows across the country.

You still have time to visit us Sunday and we will be waiting for you.


My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today


Saturday, May 29, 2010

Art Across America – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – You will need these books




 Art in America - Thanks to  byteland.org



 Ondre, my partner, seldom suggests what I should write for the blog, but she gave me a great idea for one today. Yesterday, I wrote about focusing on local artists and how this could definitely help with your profits. She suggested that I recommend the Art Across America series by William H. Gerdts on the greatest artists this country has produced because it breaks down the artists by region. These books have been tremendously helpful to me, and just the knowledge in the three books will put you ahead of most when it comes to American artists.

The three volumes are Art Across America: The East and The Mid-Atlantic, Art Across America: The South and The Midwest and Art Across America: The Plains States and The West. When I purchased my set, I went to the sections that I was interested in and made a list to carry with me as I looked for treasure. This has produced some great finds for me, because it is difficult to keep all the artists in the regions near you in your head. Yes Patty Thum, Carl Brenner and Harvey Joiner are in the South and Midwest one.

Here is the great news. These books are expensive but you don't have to buy them new because the information in them is the same. When Ondre suggested the blog, she said there were some great buys on one of the series on Amazon at the current time. I hope that some members of our Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Club will be the proud owner of at least one of the volumes soon.

From time to time, I will be suggesting great buys for your library when I run across them at prices that are bargains. One purchase can pay for your entire library and I can assure you that mine has made me more money than any other single thing that I use in this business.

I will be at the Chicago Antique Market for the next two days and I sincerely hope to visit with a few of you there. My son, Josh, will be filming the event and hopefully we will have a few pictures of our members up on the site soon. If you do visit, be sure to bring something to be appraised because there are going to be four other appraisers there and together I am sure we can come up with the right price.

Next week I will be sharing so much more with you about what has happened over the last week and some special purchases that I have been fortunate enough to make. Some of those items might surprise you, but this I promise. If you ever run across them, there will be no doubt about what you should do in the future.

More and more of my readers are expressing interest in paintings and I hope to write several blogs just on helping all those who wish to deal in art. One of the first subjects that I would like to tackle is what to take into consideration before purchasing a painting, but that will come next week.

HOPE TO SEE YOU


My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today


Friday, May 28, 2010

George F. Schultz – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – Local is best




Joe Lee Parrish

Chicago



I always say that money is easiest to make if you're dealing in local items. This can include painting, art glass, pottery or almost anything else. When I was in Kentucky, I became a huge fan of the Kentucky artists from around the turn of the century. My favorite, as I am sure most of you know, is Patricia Prather Thum, but Harvey Joiner and Carl Brenner aren't slouches either. The reason that these artists appealed to me was that they were local, I liked what they painted and if I wished to sell them I had no trouble doing that and making a pretty penny at the same time. However, I no longer live in Kentucky, so my contacts are fewer there now and it is harder for me to compete with the local dealers, so I have changed my approach a little. If you find paintings by these artist however you know where to take them.

Now, I focus on Illinois artists and Chicago artists in particular. When I go to a garage or house sale, I often examine all the walls of the house before looking for other items. This is because if there happens to be any good art in the sale, it is often snapped up fairly quickly. Here is a tip. When you are at a sale, don't start telling the attendant at the sale all of what you know about the painting you are interested in. Why would you say that? If the seller thinks that you have just discovered a great piece, it will be very difficult to bargain on it. The research on paintings is often very limited by the companies or individuals who are conducting the sales. Since their knowledge may be limited on the art being offered, there may be a chance to purchase a piece at a bargain price. Ask them what they know about the painting and then thank them and ask if they would consider a lower price.

This just happened to me recently. I noticed a painting that really caught my eye and the person selling it said “Oh that is nothing”. Since I was at a private showing, I just kept walking. The artist was George F. Schulz, an Illinois artist of some renown. You can view his biography on the AskArt site. He doesn’t have the most valuable art that you will ever run across, but I can assure you that his pieces will sell easily in Illinois. Later I returned to the painting and it is now in my inventory and you will be seeing it soon.

The question that you must keep in front of you is “Yes I can buy it and the price is right, but how long will it take me to sell it?” If the answer is longer than 90 days, it has to be a super bargain because your goal should be to at least turn your inventory once every 90 days. If you can maintain that pattern, you will soon be looking for a larger bank to hold all your money.

Be sure that your knowledge is fairly complete on all the artists within 100 miles of your location, whether they are painters, glass craftsmen or potters, and you will be ahead of the pack.

Happy Hunting! 


My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Poker Chips - Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – Be a Good Neighbor


Moon & Owl Poker Chip - Thanks to athlebrites.com




Yesterday was one of the most interesting days that I have spent in a long time. Even though this week seems like it will never end, yesterday was special. I drove south of Chicago to meet a wonderful lady named Pam, and her daughter, and we spent the better part of the day together.

This story started a few months ago when I received a call asking if I bought antiques. I assured the caller that I did. She asked if it would be okay to visit my home and bring a few things for me to see. She wondered if I might be interested in buying the items, which I was more than glad to tell her was a possibility. On the appointed day she arrived, and to my surprise she had a very important Japanese tin toy in mint condition which I was able to purchase. I figured that I probably wouldn't see her again but that toy plus her wonderful personality made the day worthwhile.

Now to fast forward. I received another call and the voice on the phone asked if I would be interested in seeing some items that she would be interested in selling. Using my regular response I assured her that I would and asked where she lived. The appointment was made and yesterday I showed up at her door. Surprise, surprise, it was Pam, the same lady from whom I had purchased the tin toy. I hadn’t connected the dots.

We started walking through the house together and my eyes just jumped from one great item to the next. But today I only have room to write about one item. To complete this story of my visit with Pam will take a few more blogs. But let’s talk about that item that you should be interested in. As we were walking, I noticed a wooden box and upon opening it, found the box to be completely filled with poker chips. At first I thought they may have been Bakelite, but now I think they were clay. There were perhaps two hundred or more chips in the box and I hadn't seen any like them before. Not knowing what their value was and having used Pam's computer to look up something else, I suggested that we research them. I feel confident that if I had offered her $100, they would have been mine.

The daughter quickly entered the information I had given her and our eyes popped out when, there it was, a chip just like the one I had in my hand. We were looking at eBay's completed auctions where I have always suggested you look for information. This particular auction had just finished with a final bid of $11.99. You do the math. Two hundred times $12 equals $2400 I believe, and I had just become a good neighbor. I was more than glad to help this wonderful lady and I hope that she is able to get this for her chips on eBay. I didn't buy the poker chips, but when I left her house, my pickup was full of wonderful collectibles and I had spent a fabulous day with Pam and her daughter.

Watch for poker chips the are etched with a moon and owl. These originals are from the early 1900's. 


My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today


Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Will I See You - Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog - This Weekend?


 Where Will You Be This Weekend?


I have been privileged to be invited to participate in the upcoming extravaganza at the Chicago Antique Market this coming Saturday and Sunday. I will be appraising items for the event with the help of four other very qualified appraisers and I consider it a huge compliment to be asked. I want to thank Eric, the editor of the Antique Trader, for the invitation. It will be a real pleasure to be working once again with Sally, who owns the market and is one of the hardest working women I know. Sally and Eric have the same views that I have about antiques and collectibles. They also think there isn't a thing on earth that can be more fun and profitable. By the way, Sally is doing an outstanding job with the Market and Eric is committed to making the Antique Trader the number one magazine in the country for antiques and collectibles. So you see, it wasn't by accident that they got together for this event.

This will be a great time for me to meet some of the members of the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Club, and I hope that many will plan to attend the event. Over the years, this market has proven very helpful to me because of all the dealers who are so willing to share information with anyone who asks for it. I will also have books that I will sign that can be purchased for yourself or as gifts for others.

This I can promise you. All will have a great time looking as well as buying the wide variety of antiques and collectibles that will be on display. You know me, so it shouldn't be a surprise to you that I will also be participating in the wonderful food that will be available. If time permits, it would be my pleasure to browse some of the booths with our members and perhaps even share a few stories with them. This will prove to be a very important learning experience and it will help all that join us in sharpening their skills at this business.

It has been a very hard week for me, driving to Kentucky and back in one day to help my son purchase his first house. Also, in the next few days I will be sharing with you what I have been doing the last couple of days. I hope this will get you all fired up if you aren't already. Hard work does pay off and I know treasures are right around the corner but we must keep looking.

If you have any stories that you would like published in my blog, you may bring them to the show. I promise that they will not lie on my desk for long because when I tell the stories of others, it seems my emails increase tenfold. Happy hunting and I hope to see you. 

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Vacation Time – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles blog - can pay for itself


"Old Faithful" Yellowstone Park thanks to Home.earthlink .net


 



Like millions of other families that use the summer for their vacation time, Vickie, Josh and I will soon be preparing for our annual trek to the Smokies. I remember as a child being so excited thinking about our vacation to Kentucky Lake State Park or Mammoth Cave. You see these two places were close to where we lived and we couldn't go much farther, but as a child that was far enough. Those trips were like dreams to me and I thought about them all year long.

Just think about all the other places that families use as their vacation destinations. Here are just a few and some of them might bring back memories to you, the members of the Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Club. Who wouldn't yearn for a trip to Yellowstone Park or Niagara Falls? Believe it or not, with all my time spent in the West, I haven't seen the Grand Canyon but I hope to remedy that in the near future. There are hundreds of other wonderful spots in this country where you can go with your family and share in the best that God has made. “But Daryle, this is a blog about antiques and collectibles” you're saying, right? Well here is the good news. Find the rare and unusual collectibles from the vacation spots you visit and they might well pay for your vacation.

I just took a quick walk through on eBay and here are some examples of what I'm talking about. First let’s look at Yellowstone Park: Yellowstone Park painting by Thomas Moran $4400, a Photo Gravure first edition of Yellowstone Park $3250, Dorothy Waugh WPA Poster of Yellowstone $2500 and last a 1930's Yellowstone Railroad poster $2000. Makes you want to search for Yellowstone items, right? But the same can be said of must of our country’s treasures. Take a look at Niagara Falls: Paul Binnie Japanese Woodblock Niagara Falls $1450, US # 699 25 cent Niagara Falls complete sheet of 100 stamps $900 and Horse and Carriage ½ plate photo $875.

The same can be said for all the rest of the vacation spots here and the list of collectibles from each one is almost too numerous to count. Haven't you seen the collection of silver spoons hanging on your grandmother’s wall or the posters hanging almost as a badge of honor in the den. Paintings and books have featured our prized vacation spots almost from the beginning of the country. What a great way to prepare ourselves for that planned trip by searching for treasures that will give us knowledge of where we are going but also put the money in our pockets that will allow us to have the trip.

Whether you wish to go to the mountains or desert, there is so much to see in this great nation of ours and I hope that this summer you will be able to take some of it in. 


My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today


Monday, May 24, 2010

Chicago Sports – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – There is nothing better



 Walter Payton - Thanks to foundmyself.com


When you think of sports, three cities should come to mind: Chicago, New York and Los Angles. For the true collector, there are no better venues for the possibility of finding a sports treasure than these cities. In fact, treasures are so plentiful for the collector in these cities that they can go totally unnoticed there. What else do I need to say?

Since Chicago is a large mid-western city where I live, which may have an even larger following than the other two cities for sports, I will concentrate on it. Both college and professional sports have thrived in Chicago and the record books are filled with the achievements of the exceptional sports figures from Chicago teams.

Who wouldn't wish to see great traditions such as that of Northwestern, DePaul and the University of Chicago, or the Bulls, Bears, Sox or Cubs. Since Vicki and I have lived in Chicago, you have had Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and now Derrick Rose with the Bulls. They haven't only been great players but they have also delivered championships to the city. But not to be outdone, how about those Bears with Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, Daryle Singletary and Jim McMann? They only had one championship in the last twenty years, but for Chicagoans that was enough. Now baseball is another matter altogether. You cheer for the Cubs, knowing they will falter in the end. The Sox finally won the World Series, but it may be fifty years before they do it again.

So following your favorite sports team is great fun, but making money with sports memorabilia is just as much fun. I could tell you about the $1,000,000 dollar hockey card or Mickey Mantle’s rookie card that sold for $25,000 or more, but that might be hard for you to relate to. But how about a baseball signed by the whole team of the Cubs bringing $5000, or the one I had of the 1951 Yankees that sold for $1,000 when I should have gotten $10,000? Yes, I do make mistakes, but since I only paid $300 for the ball, I can't cry too much.

It's interesting hearing people talk about the sacks of cards their mother threw out, but the sad part is it is true in my case. Yes, my mother did throw my cards in the trash. Here is an even sadder story. I used Mickey's rookie cards on my bicycle to make it sound like an airplane. At $25,000 a pop, if I had my cards back I could be driving a Rolls Royce.

In my book 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles, I suggest that the reader pick something to deal in that has great interest for the collector. Here is a promise. You will not find anything that is more collected than sports memorabilia. Let’s just take a look at the possibilities. People have made a fortune just dealing in baseball cards, even though their value has declined for the common ones in recent years. Here are a few other items that can fatten your wallet: miniature sports figures, jerseys, basketballs, baseballs, footballs, bats, team rings, signed programs, gloves and too many other items for me to list.

Here are a few books and magazines that will help you in your hunt for sport treasures : Collecting Sports Legends by Joe Orlando, A Guide to Golf Collectibles A Guide to Golf Collectibles by Michelle Tason and Sports Collectibles Digest by F & W Publications. There are more books and magazines that can be found on www.amazon.com. Read, read, read and then count your money from the knowledge you accumulate. 


My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today


Sunday, May 23, 2010

Success – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – I saw it yesterday.






Often in life you see something that makes you proud of the young people of America. This happened to me yesterday. The day started off normally with my friend John and I attending a sale at a new auction service called Lighthouse Auction Service Inc. They were having their first auction at the location we were attending. The stage was set with all the trappings that you would expect. A tent covering the staff, chairs set out for 150 hoped for bidders, an auction stand with a great sound system and even a port-a-potty and water fountain because the day was rather hot. There was food available for those who were hungry and I knew I would be visiting the food stand before the day was over. Everything was prepared and I could see in the staff's eyes that they were excited. There were perhaps five assistants to the auctioneer, but when the time came to start the auction, there was just a handful of people in the seats.

Here is where I saw true character in all the young people that were involved in the sale. Even though there were only a few people present, they started the auction on time. They managed to start by asking if anyone wanted a particular item sold. There was silence so they just picked something and asked for bids. I have to admit that I picked several items for them to put up, hoping to get the people involved. Things didn't get better, however, and I knew that these young adults were learning a valuable lesson. The auctioneer, with his voice never wavering, continued to work the crowd as if everything was hunky dory. You would never have known that they were taking a bath financially. I am not sure that I could have kept my composure as well as they did.

You can be assured that I will share this story with my son Josh as an example of how to hold your head up high, even when things aren't going your way. This is also a great lesson for all the members of the Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Club. But I am not going to let the story end here. After the auction was completed, John and I were able to spend some time with the auction staff and tell them how proud we were of their effort. I will hopefully be give a lecture at their next sale, plus providing free appraisals until the auction starts. That is what we're all about, helping each other. These great young folks are going to be very successful no doubt, but why don't we give them a hand? I feel sure that if you contact them, they would would love to sell some items for you and I will give you my personal guarantee that they will work hard on your behalf. Here is another thing you can do. Send them an email of encouragement.

I was able to share some of my ideas with them. First, that knowledge will always get you to where you want to go, and I feel they want to go to the top. I don't have all their names but I want you to remember Mike Pote and Kevin Falls, because I feel they will be household names in the antiques and collectibles business in the future. Isn't it wonderful to live in a country where you can control your own destiny, and with God's help make this a better place to live?




My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today


 

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Paintings Part II – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – It's not about you




 Vicci Sperry

 

I wish to follow up on yesterday’s blog about the opportunities in the fine arts market. There is no question that art is where it's at when it comes to making money in the antique and collectible markets, but not all art qualifies for this opportunity. It is up to you to evaluate each painting as to its value and desirability. “But what am I supposed to watch for?” should be the question that you're asking.

I will try to summarize the steps that I hope the members of our club will take in evaluating fine art. First, remember that it isn't about you. When purchasing, you must have knowledge of what is in demand and what others are looking for. This is easily accomplished by staying up to date on current trends and auction prices. Yesterday, I asked that you keep a list of artists that you wish to follow. These artists should be ones for which the prices of their works are increasing, not just artists who appeal to you. Following these artists can be as easy as just typing in their names on Yahoo to see where paintings by them are being sold and at what prices.

My second step is a very important factor in purchasing art. Consider whether it needs repair and if so, what would be its value when restored. Most art works will suffer some discount in value when restored. I will give you an example of what I'm talking about. One of the artists I follow is William McKendree Snyder. I often buy his paintings and enjoy them for a while before passing them on to other collectors. The other day a lady called and really elevated my blood pressure. It seemed she had two large portraits by Snyder of Indian chiefs. They pictured Geronimo and another chief and were painted on leather. I could hardly wait for more information, but when it came my enthusiasm dropped. It seem that they had never been framed and they were rolled up for many years. When they were unrolled, they suffered some paint damage and two inches of the Geronimo painting broke off. I quickly figured what the restoration would cost and had to pass on the painting because I just couldn't see the profit I needed being obtained, even after the restoration was completed. Boy did I hate not buying them because they had everything that I could have wished for: Indians, the right artist and size, but I had to pass.

The third element is one that many dealers miss when deciding on what paintings to add into their inventory. Even if the painting you are considering is by a good artist, be sure that it represents a work that is sought after by the collectors. Take for example Williams Gollings, a very well known western artist. If you find a landscape or still life that he painted, it might crack $1000, but his western cowboy paintings can bring well over $100,000. But you have to be able to break it down even further than that. In Gollings’ case, he painted around the turn of the century. His early works from 1900 to 1915 sell very reasonably, but once you find his works from the 1920's and later, watch out because the sky is the limit. Most artists have a period in their painting careers in which they seem to have produced their best works and this has to be taken into consideration when you are purchasing paintings.

Now I think you may be understanding why art was the last market that I undertook to study because there are so many things that add to the value of a painting that aren't apparent at first sight. When it comes to art, be prepared to make it a life long study. The rewards will be substantial. 

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today

Friday, May 21, 2010

Paintings – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – What is Going Up?



 Charles Courtney Curran



Having been in the investment business most of my life, I have found that there are always some things going up, even in the worst of markets. Most of my time is spent trying to figure out what these items might be and then share that with the members of the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Club. I have to admit that lately it has been difficult, but there is one area of the antique business that is flourishing.

Yes, gold is crashing and the same with oil, but the value of listed art work seems to have taken off like a rocket. The stock market has lost 10% of its value in a matter of weeks, but that certainly hasn't deterred interest in quality paintings. I have the service AskArt and they send me information on about forty artists that I am following. With each auction, the prices seem to do nothing but go up. This may very well be the time that our members should really focus on art work when they attend auctions, and house or garage sales. I just received an email from a member who purchased a painting for just a couple of hundred dollars. If I am correct, it could bring $6500 or more at auction. Let me warn you, however, that it isn't a time to purchase unlisted pieces by artists that no one is searching for.

Why art must be the question. It may be just the process of elimination. Nothing else is going up and people who still have discretionary income are willing to enjoy art while they are waiting for its appreciation. Another reason might be that art is recognized around the world as something that retains its value, regardless of economic conditions. Yes, the art market may take a dip, but it is usually short lived as art lovers look for exceptional paintings to add to their collections. Never let us forget that the museums are continually buying the best of the best for their members to view and they never seem to run out of money.

Here is a tip that each of you should follow. Pick out your favorite type of art and then chose 15 or 20 artists that you would like to follow. Put them in your “favorites” and eBay will notify you when a work by that artist is listed. This will help you evaluate that artist’s work. Later on, as you are looking for treasures, if you see a painting by one of them, it might just be your lucky day. You should see me when I find a painting by one of my artists. It is just like Christmas for me, even if I am not the successful bidder.

It's my birthday so I am going to make this short however I will continue with more information about paintings tomorrow.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Is Gold Really Golden? - Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – I think not


 
 
Fools Gold - Thanks to wut2c.com 


 
I have been wanting to write this blog for some time, but needed more information before I did. Well, I think that I now have enough to shed some light on this subject that has been so puzzling to me. For perhaps three years, I have been saying that you should sell your gold on every advance over $1200 per ounce. In fact, I believe that I first said “sell” when it was at $1150. Since then, the range for gold has jumped and dropped several times, which has given everyone the opportunity to make some nice profits. I believe we are at the top of another cycle.

The problem that had stumped me, however, was where the buying was coming from, because I didn't think that the Chinese and Indians were the ones causing the rise in the price of gold. So if they weren't, who was? At last I have figured it out. It is us. “But Daryle, how could that be?”, I am sure you are asking. I think that it is us because you can't turn on the television without some celebrity telling you he has been buying gold for 10 years and you must be a fool if you're not doing the same thing. There is more gold being sold to moms and pops in America than all the other countries in the world because of the false fear that is being created.

Here is my theory. As we take our money out of circulation and buy gold, the economy will constrict because gold will never stimulate our economy. Just the opposite. It will restrict our economy, while the ones selling the gold will become wealthy beyond imagination. You see for our country to stay strong, we must invest our wealth into the very fiber of this nation where there will be employment and production so the economy will continue to grow. But if we can be persuaded to convert our money to gold, our economy will come to a grinding halt.

I can hear you now. “Yes Daryle, you are really sounding radical”, but am I really? Here is what finally convinced me to share this with you. Over the last few months, many of my friends have shared with me how they are making a pot full of money. First, their whole focus is on buying gold in any form, from jewelry and gold coins to commercial scrape. They then sell it to a broker for 80% - 90% of the quoted market price. This is sad to me because they have no interest in what they are destroying in the process and many beautiful items are being destroyed just to get the gold. You may remember when this country did the same thing with silver when the Hunt brothers tried to corner the market in silver. I still can see people stomping on vintage mint julep cups for the silver to sell it at $50 an ounce. But what happens next? The brokers sell it to the companies on the television to sell it to the moms and pops and more money is taken out of circulation.

It is so interesting to me when I am seeing “We buy gold” signs in almost every window I look into. Please help save America by keeping your money in coins and bills that say “In God We Trust” and keep them in circulation where they will help keep our neighbors employed and our country strong.

God Bless and I hope that I won't lose too many of you but this is a crisis that only we can cure. Yes, I will get back to antiques and collectibles, but occasionally I just have to blow off steam when I fear for this great nation that our founding fathers gave up so much for.
 
My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today

 

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Airlines Fly Off the Shelf – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog - Up, Up and Away.


Thanks to Galttech.com


 

One of the best things about the Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Club for me is meeting so many interesting people and getting to know their stories. This has led me in many different directions in my blog writing and today, I think you will find the group of people I am writing about quite interesting.

It all started out when I was much younger. The son of a person that I had gotten to know was an airline pilot. The son collected anything that had to do with the different airlines and I found that fascinating. His collection included schedules, advertising, uniforms, models, china, ink pens, ashtrays and many more items that don't come to mind immediately. During his collection days, it seemed that the airlines were in a continuous cycle of change with their mergers and bankruptcies. You never knew from one day to the next which airline you would be flying on. It was always an exciting day when I was able to see the son’s new additions to the collection. The great thing about collecting items from the airlines is that there are such a great number of them that you will never complete your collection.

The next person I met went about serving the airlines and people who fly in a totally different way. She was a stewardess. When I told her what I did, the first thing that she said was "If you find anything that has 'America Airlines' on it, let me know". Little did she realize what might come out of the woodwork for me if I focused attention on airline memorabilia. You guessed it. I found a box of old, unopened American Airlines playing cards with eight decks in it almost immediately for $2. Checking eBay I found that a single deck was worth over $12.

It makes this business so simple if you have people standing in line asking you to help them with their collections. That is why, no matter where I am, my first question to everyone I meet is "What do you collect?" If you are like me, if I don't write this information down it is soon forgotten, so here is a great tip. Carry a pack of 4 by 6 cards in your pocket at all times and when someone shares with you what they collect, write it down and put it in your file when you return home.

Now it is time to bring this blog full circle. My son, Joshua, wants to be a pilot and we are beginning his collection of airline memorabilia. When we fly, he never fails to meet the pilots and his collection of airline wings that go on hats is growing as we speak. Since Joshua already collects baseball cards, foreign coins, snow globes, NASCAR collectibles and now flying collectibles, his mother is going to be upset when she finds out because there isn't any more room for his collections. This is my second blog on the airlines but since Joshua is now even taking me to the airport to watch planes take off and land, I figure that we will be spending more time on this subject than most others in the future.

Here is great news for any of you who want to include the airlines items in your search. They are often very inexpensive and the collector will pay handsomely for them, but there are also expensive items for the advanced collector. Sounds like something we should be interested in, right? Let your mind wonder and fly, fly away
 
My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Art is on the Move – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – Check Your Paintings




 Tom Darro



 
Have you noticed that the value of paintings is on the rise again? All the antique newspapers are featuring stories of paintings which are topping their estimates from auction houses. I noticed this trend a few months ago and thought that it might just be a slight aberration, but it is for real. This is why I am alerting you to check the paintings you own and be sure they are priced for today's markets. Don't let someone take advantage of you because you didn’t take note of this trend.

This is great news for me. I list my paintings on AskArt and they send me all auction prices for my artists. Believe me, I am beginning to get excited again. Let me share with you what is happening with a couple of pieces that I have in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Club's Marketplace. The large William A. Slaughter painting of Bluebonnets, 40 ½ X 50 ½ inches framed, is listed at $22,500, which might have been a little high six months ago. Today, however, there are smaller paintings by Slaughter, bringing close to that amount. Next is the Tom Darro painting of the Native American mother and child, 30 X 41 ½ inches, priced at $35,000. I doubt that it would have brought $12,000 a year ago but there was one that just sold 4/10/2010 for $23,000. I believe that my phone will soon begin ringing as people look for the artists that we have represented in our marketplace.

The art market is often the fastest collectible market to regain its strength after a recession and it looks as if that is going to be the result this time. I have looked and I can't find a single area of the art market that isn't on the upward trend. Even the more contemporary paintings are on the move. It is my opinion that, in general, paintings have increased 30 - 50% over the last year and this trend may be in its infancy.

Even if art isn't where you want to focus your attention, you would be well advised to educate yourself, so that if a real treasure in the form of a painting comes your way, you will recognize it. Until you feel confident with art, remember your Club has the Associates Program where we will partner up with you on paintings. The Club will buy the painting, sell it, and you will be a partner in the profit. The most expensive collectible has always been art and it probably will always be, so why shouldn't you get your share?

I personally know several people that have, on the sale of one painting, made what would be equal to ten years work for the average person. Now that is something to dream about because it is like hitting the lottery. I have shared with you that one painting I sold brought over $100,000 and now I am on the quest for that $500,000 painting. Here is the exciting thing. If the good Lord leaves me here for a few more years, I have no doubt that I will find it. 

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today






Monday, May 17, 2010

Hand Held Calculators – Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Blog – Hewlett Packard is where it's at


Calculator - Thanks to gotoforms.com

 


Thanks Mason, I couldn't say it better myself. After 1000 or close to it blogs, I find great pleasure in having one of the members of the Daryle Lambert's Antiques and Collectibles Club send me a finished blog. Mason’s story, following John's success, should inspire more readers to get started on their own “31 Steps to their Millions.” For those who say our program of compounding our money is impossible, read Mason's and John's accounts of how they are doing that very thing. This list of successes is going to increase and the only outstanding question for you should be “Is my name going to be on it?” 

Here is Mason's blog.

Being a member and putting into place the 31 Steps, all adds up.  That is written tongue in cheek as the items I am bringing forward are vintage hand held electronic calculators.  The first electronic hand held calculator was developed by Texas Instruments in 1967. I want to focus on what is the most profitable section of hand held calculators, Hewlett Packard.

A quick look on eBay will show a Hewlett Packard HP 01 Calculator Watch selling for $856 to $2200.  I have seen several of these calculator watches selling for over $3000.  These items can be found at garage and yard sales today.  A more easily found Hewlett Packard item is the calculator.  HP calculators can be found for $1 at yard sales.  A recent find of a vintage HP 41 CV netted $200 on a $5 purchase.  I just purchased two vintage HP calculators for $76 and expect to sell them for over $300.

HP calculators are to the collector and user the "holy grail" of calculators.  They are primarily used by engineers, scientists and financial professionals.  My first introduction to an HP hand held calculator was when I worked for Appalachian Power Company in their engineering and surveying department. It was somewhat unusual as it did not have an equal sign.  HP calculators use a mathematical formulation called RPN or reverse Polish notation where algebraic formulas and stacking are utilized.  I find it difficult to use a hand held calculator without RPN since I have been using HP calculators since 1984.

As with all items, condition, condition, condition is the most important feature.  Hewlett Packard has a website, www.hpmuseum.org that features a Collectors Corner that gives information on what to look for, rarity of the models, how to inspect the calculators and even pricing for vintage calculators.

Let's see; a $5 investment and a $205 sale equals 4000% profit.  Add that to the thrill of the hunt and the excitement of being a 31 Club member, and you get a return on investment of Heavenly proportion.  All puns intended.

Now that is what I'm talking about. 
 
My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques and collectibles is FREE with your membership in the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club. Join Us Today