Showing posts with label Investing in antiques and collectibles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Investing in antiques and collectibles. Show all posts

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Carnival Glass, Virus Caution & Club Updates

The Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass is a valuable tool to add to your 31 Club Took Kit.

Late last night, I received a call from Cecil R. informing me that a comment posted on yesterday’s Blog was a VIRUS. I immediately deleted it. We will do everything in our power to protect you, but I encourage you to email us about anything suspicious you see someone place on our site at any time. I believe the comment was left by “akinogal” and was about running virus software. Keep your eye out for this one.

Back to the business at hand, Cecil also told me about another great piece of Carnival Glass he found. This time, it is an 11 inch, two flowers electric iridescent bowl. It seems like the better pieces are beginning to surface now. I even received a call early yesterday morning from a member, informing me of several Carnival pieces she was previewing at a local auction. There was a 10” Cherry Ice Cream Bowl and a Sugar Bowl at this particular auction.

Should you come face to face with Carnival Glass on your treasure hunting excursions, here’s a few tips: 1) Damage is deadly. Stay away from pieces, even if they have only a very small flake or chip. 2) Color is everything. Look for the pastels in ice blue, ice green, white, aqua, red, and check the Carnival book for others. 3) Plates usually less than 2” bring great money. These might appear to be “swallow bowls”, and can be 6” to 11” across. 4) Funeral Vases are a collector’s delight. They can be 15-18” high and have a head than can be 8-10” across. 5) Patterns can make the average piece of Carnival Glass command prices in the thousands. Animals on a piece almost always assure it will bring a fair price. If there is advertising on it, the price can double or triple. 6) There are auctions that deal in nothing but Carnival Glass, and if you should purchase a special item, they are more than willing to provide the sales service for you.

I’ve been interested in Carnival Glass for many years. I once purchased a pastel colored plate and sold it to a gentleman from Texas. He was so excited about this find that he drove all the way from his home to personally pick it up, and I was very pleased to accept his $5,000 check. Carnival is one of the items that has treated me well over the years. With a little study, you can become somewhat of an expert on it and cash in on your knowledge. I recommend some time spent with The Standard Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass, by Bill Edwards. Abesbooks has older copies of this book beginning at $1.61 for a 1998 copy and moving up in price from there. Amazon also has many used copies of this book. The April 2008 edition of this book is available in paperback for about $9. We really appreciate those who purchase through the blog. Every little bit helps keep us up, running and able to bring you this information everyday. There’s also an annual book of the top Carnival sales, and if you e-mail Cindy, listing “Carnival” in the subject, she will give you that information. cindy@31corp.com

I’ve been receiving calls from members for assistance while they are at auction previews or estate sales, and nothing pleases me more than to be able to help you in making decisions on pieces you see out there. This is what will help you achieve your goals and help 31 Club grow. Where else can you get questions answered and send you on your ascent up the 31 Steps and win your race to the million dollars? There’s been a missing link in this business for far too long, and 31 Club is that missing link.

Thanks so much to all the responses to our request for listing items in the 31 Marketplace. These listings will start to appear when Jeremy finishes with our website reconstruction. When others discover 31 Club has many of the rare and unusual items listed at fair prices, below retail, our traffic will increase tremendously, and your items will get huge exposure. Why below retail? Remember, we want to quickly turn the items so we can keep our money moving at all times. That means we don’t have to get retail for every item.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting skills. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to build a bank account to last a lifetime, 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. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Visit our Website, here.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Sharing the 31 Club Program


Yesterday started out like any other for me, but I was in for a surprise. About two o'clock my my third son, Landon, who lives in Kentucky, called. He asked me what I was doing, and I told him I was just busy around the house, working on the 31 Club. To my surprise, he asked me if I wanted some company. It turns out he had attended a basketball tournament in Michigan and wanted to stay the night before heading back to Kentucky.

After spending about six hours together, I asked Landon if he would mind helping Joshua and me move some books. Without hesitating he said “sure.” Little did he know what was in store for him. Moving books meant the last 2500 copies of my book, 31 Steps to your Million in Antiques and Collectibles. You see, I had been storing my books at my church and they were giving up the location where I had stored these books. Joshua and I had already moved a lot books, and this was the last of them.
As we were breaking our backs with fifty pound boxes, Landon asked me what kind of books were in the boxes. Only then did I realize I had not told him what I had written.

We talked about the book, and he had many questions. To tell you the truth, I was ashamed I hadn’t shared this information with him before now. I could see his interest growing with every new subject discussed. I began to see all the possibilities to work with my son that this business could provide. We talked about his Baseball Card collection and the many Star Wars pieces and old coins he still has stored away at his mother’s home in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Are there people in your life who could benefit by you sharing with them what you have found in the 31 Club? It could be out-of-work friends, families that need something to bond them together, fathers and mothers that are worried about college for their children, or in my case, a child that you just want to spend more time with. How foolish I felt when I realized that there are members of my own family with whom I haven't share this program, while I am spending hundreds of hours telling others.

I realized that our families should be where we start in this program.Now I want to call my cousins, aunts and uncles, college and high school friends, and many more people that I haven't heard from for quit some time, and tell them all the great news. This program is something honest we can do to have fun together, while at the same time, make enough money to change our lives.

One of our newest members, Stephen, is one I think will be able to complete several steps in his million dollar race very quickly. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with this young man and together, I am hopeful we can add to his life and make positive changes. My feet have hardly touched the ground, and I thank God for giving me this opportunity.

Tomorrow, I will give you a list of things to share with everyone. Being successful alone can be very lonely, but if your success is shared with others, the rewards are limitless.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting today and start building a bank account big enough to last a lifetime. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE! Our book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Join the 31 Club and learn how to build personal wealth through the antique, collectible and fine art markets.

Read Up On The 31 Club Here.

Visit our website here.

Please leave a comment. If you don't want to sign in, just use the ANONYMOUS button. Chime in and participate!

Friday, February 29, 2008

The Silver Bubble -- Sell Sell Sell Anything Silver

Mint Julep Cup


I remember a time like this several years ago, when people were taking their Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cups and crushing them to sell as scrap. Today, with the current price of silver, I'd bet they wish those cups were still in their showcase. In fact, on eBay, a 7 oz.1850 pure coin silver Mint Julep Cup by Peter Krider sold 2/27 for $600.

Yes, I was a little early in my call to sell silver, and it has gone up another 20% making it an even better sell. Anyone who says they can pick the very top or bottom in a market is someone to be fearful of. No, I didn't think the dollar would continue to fall through the floor, but it has. Neither did I suspect that crude prices would continue to skyrocket above $100 a barrel, but it did. So does that make my reasoning wrong? Not at all. Where I was right in my thinking was that corn would gain in value because of the production of ethanol. However, I did not take into consideration that this would cause the price of soybeans to go over $13 a bushel, or wheat would sell at $16. Who would've thought that? Because of these sharp, elevated prices in the futures market, their fall will be even steeper than their gains. So, yes I still say sell silver while it is still going up. This cycle will come to its end soon.

This new high in the price of silver now provides a better place to sell for those that didn't sell when I first wrote about this. I know of several people who sold a portion of their holdings the first time around. Now they can average up their selling price. I truly believe that as soon as the political parties have their candidates selected, the markets will begin to change, and by the third quarter, the economy will have righted itself. That will make this buying frenzy over.

I also recommend graded coins be sold. The interest in collecting coins has always been with the new collector, and this market isn't a fraction of what it was fifty years ago. So as soon as the glitter is off the metals, the elevated prices of the graded coins will drop significantly. Remember, starting collectors can't pay the prices being ask for coins in the market today.

There is more than one way to lose money in this over exuberant market, however. A friend of mine from Kentucky had over $1100 in silver coins for sale in a showcase at an Antique Mall. It seems that several people entered the mall distracted the attendant lifted the top of the case and helped themselves to his coins. It is too bad we don't have the justice that they used in the Old Testament today.

There are two things to be learned here. Yes, there were cameras but they didn't cover all the booths in the mall. My friend's booth wasn't covered. So if you set up at a mall, be sure that your booth is covered by the security camera. Second, when you set up at a mall you usually are asked to sign a document that states that the mall isn't responsible for losses, so you must carry your own insurance.

Anyone controlling a large amount of silver and gold at these prices might be well advised to deposit them in a safety deposit box. A person who has collected coins for several years might be surprising what the value of their holdings are today. It's best to protect these assets.
The 31 Club uses a wealth building plan that can help you accumulate enough funds to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, collectibles, and fine art. Join the 31 Club. Learn about Antiques & Collectibles. Learn How to Invest in Antiques & Collectibles and build lifetime wealth. The plan is in my book. When you join today, you'll receive my 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, FREE.

"...I spent about 15 years in the antiques and collectible field
and I can tell you this is one of the best books you will ever
read about making money with art, antiques and collectibles."

-Skip McGrath, Auction Seller's Resources & EBay Powerweller

"It has been a great pleasure knowing Daryle for more than
10 years. I share his excitement in releasing this book. He is
a man of his word."
Riley Humler, Cincinnati Art Galleries
Consultant, Antique RoadShow

Want to read more about the 31 Club? Read an article here.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the
31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

Go to Our
Homepage.

Please leave a comments. If you don't want to sign in, just use the ANONYMOUS button. Chime in and participate!


Thursday, February 28, 2008

DARYLE LAMBERT – Holy Comics Books Batman!- 31 Club Member Cashes in on Collectible Comic Books

31 Club Member sold this lot of 9 Golden Age comic books for $4,200 on eBay.


Do we need to jump in the Bat Mobile or be faster than a speeding bullet to take advantage of the collectible comic book markets? People, including me, talk about Paintings, Pottery and Furniture appreciating, but Holy Cow, Batman, how about comics books!!??

This story of riches found in Comic Books is from an E-mail I received from 31 Club Member Vicki H. I include it because, otherwise, her story might just seem like a fantasy. Here's Vicki's letter about several lots of comic books she had listed on eBay last week, on consignment.

"Hi Mr. Lambert,

Wowie-Zowies! What a Week! Well, are you ready for this? $12,956.16!!!

However, I did have one glitch. Ebay canceled one auction -- oddly enough it was the lot of two Terror comics that you featured in your blog. I am not certain of what happened exactly, but according to another bidder, some girl from CA with a Hawaiian name was sniping and somehow revealed the other top bidders high bid. And they didn't allow me to have the chance to see the site again, making it impossible for me to contact the second bidder or to use as a re-list. I had to rewrite the whole ad.

It's already up to $51 though so it's ok. The fees are quite high, about $400 on this lot. But, where else would I have gotten these prices? So, I guess Ebay does have a hold on us sellers.

Now, you know I only get to keep 35% of this, however that comes to a whopping $4534.66! and I had no initial investment. Kind of nice huh? After I give my tithe --always first, I plan on making a large payment to my credit card and one or two car payments. It has been a struggle for me since I injured my back. I am not really able to conduct estate sales any longer and plan on doing appraisals and online selling for people full time now.

But I will take at least $200 to add to my treasure account. This gives me $1000.00 to spend. Now I need your help. What do you think of investing in Loetz glass? Or possibly Newcomb college pottery? Do you think I could double my money by investing in one of these items? Do you have any good suggestions on what I should look at? I am very excited to be a part of this club and really feel like I'm getting the hang of it!

Thank you so much for your time and talent that you have been so generous with! God Bless You! Vicki"

Now, Vicki didn't make all the profit herself because she was selling the comics on consignment, but I think you'll agree this sale put a big smile on her face. You can check her completed sales by doing an advanced search under her seller name: zvicki40

I really appreciate the way she finished her email by thanking your 31 Club for all its help and showing that her life is in the hands of God and giving the first portion of her profit to help do his work in the world. I am truly inspired by her.

No matter how much I write on the advantages you receive by being a member of the 31 Club, only successes like this one will prove the truthfulness of the program we have developed for you. If we truly want to help ourselves, as well as our neighbor, we need to be sharing this program with everyone we meet

Now for some math to ponder:

If you are amazed with an Andy Warhol painting selling for $71,000,000 that could likely have been purchased for $1,000,000 five years ago, what would you say about those comic books that could have been purchased for .05 or .10 selling for $660.00?

The painting increases by a factor 71. If the Comic Book had only increased by 71, its selling price would have been $7.70 not $660.00. Even if you went back further where the painting could have been purchased for $100,000, the factor would have been 710 times, while a 710 times factor on a dime is only $71. Still far from $660. Ka-Pow Robin!!! Let's begin the search before the word gets out!

Join the 31 Club Today! What are you waiting for? You'll get my 220 page soft cover book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles FREE with your membership.

The 31 Club uses a wealth building plan that can help you accumulate enough funds to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, collectibles, and fine art. Learn about Antiques & Collectibles with the 31 Club. Learn How to Invest in Antiques & Collectibles and build lifetime wealth with the 31 Club. The plan is in my book. When you join today, you'll receive my 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, FREE.

"...I spent about 15 years in the antiques and collectible field
and I can tell you this is one of the best books you will ever
read about making money with art, antiques and collectibles."

-Skip McGrath, Auction Seller's Resources & EBay Powerweller

Want to read more about the 31 Club? Read an article here.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the
31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

Go to Our
Homepage.

Please leave a comments. If you don't want to sign in, just use the ANONYMOUS button. Chime in and participate!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Expert Opinion Needed in Asian Antiques and Antique Bottles

There are a few areas of the Antique, Collectible and Fine Art markets I find I don't have enough knowledge about. The ones that give me the hardest time are Asian antiques and antique bottles. Both of these areas require years of experience and much study before a person can claim to be an expert. This doesn't eliminate these types of items from consideration, but finding an expert in these fields you can trust and consult with is highly advisable. This would be the person you could contact to authenticate an item so you could decide if it's something you might buy. If it's an item you picked up at a garage sale or a house sale, you might find out you have a real treasure.

A man I know inherited collection of Asian collectibles from his parents, along with a collection of Tiffany Glass. Since his interest was in art glass, and he was not attached to any of the Asian pieces, he decided to sell a few of the lesser items. A major auction house was interested in a rather small jade piece they seemed to think would bring in a fair dollar, maybe $30,000-$50,000. He consigned it to them, and then he and his wife went to New York and sat in the audience during the auction.

When the price of this rather common looking piece sailed past $100,000, they began to sit up quite straight in their seats. At $250,000 this piece hadn't even started. At $500,000 they were having trouble breathing. The final bid was somewhere around $700,000. Wow! Do you think that would make your day?

I can't top that story with an old bottle story, but as a child, I remember collectors would often go to the old buildings and dig for bottles. They also dug for bottles in the country, because the farmers would take their trash and fill gullies to stop erosion. In fact, anywhere trash had been disposed of is a place people would look for bottles. Antique bottles is one area that's a weak spot in my knowledge bank. It is very hard for me to tell a reproduction flask from an old one, but the dollars tell me there is a difference. This is where you must be very careful and depend upon an expert you have cultivated a friendship with.

Here is why it's important to know something about old glass. Recently, a railroad flask sold for $29,000 at an antique bottle auction. Many of the other bottles came in over $10,000 and most managed to top over $3,000.

There are some great bottle guides on the market, but I believe this is one area where you must handle the real things over and over again before you could trust your own judgment.

I see these old bottles and flasks at almost every sale, and if they are cheap enough they may be worth risking$1 to $5 dollars. Then, you do research. You might find you've walked away with the prize of the day.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you begin building personal wealth using antiques, collectibles and fine art, rather than the conventional methods of using stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find results like these through your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

Great Link for Bottles:
The Society of Historical Archaeology together with the U.S. Department of the Interior/Bureau of Land Management has the best site I've ever seen for information about utilitarian bottles and jars. Great information and photos. Today's Photo is from their site.

AmericanBottle.com has a good history of glass
National Bottle Museum
AntiqueBottles.com
The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors






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