Buy, Buy, and Buy

Roseville Falline 9" Vase in mint condition is offered at 31 Gallery.

I got up this morning to news that the world was coming to an end. Collapse of the markets as we know them and world recession news was everywhere. But, don’t you believe what you read, because America is where it’s at, and the rest of the world will rush to our shores in these rough times. If the doomsdayers are right, America might be the only safe haven in the world.

Despite all this, there couldn’t be a better time to pick up fabulous pieces of Rookwood, Grueby, or Newcomb pottery at bargain prices. Watch the up coming auctions and I believe you’ll see there will be bargains to be found there. In fact, your wait time for making huge profits on pieces found now may be shorter than most think. Once the election is out of the way, people will begin to realize the sun has come up and the sky hasn’t fallen. They’ll still be able to make money, and it’ll be going further. Gas prices will fall and food prices will follow.

Don't let yourself fall into the trap of thinking that nothing will ever be the same again. This can become paralyzing, causing a person to stop functioning. Get busy and keep your mind active in a good way now, and it will pay huge profits in the future.

Gold, silver and other commodities have had their day, and now it will be the Antiques and Fine Art market that will shine. While the stock market is off 50% the Antique and Fine Art markets have hardly flinched. So, take advantage of this by searching even harder for the treasures that will serve you well.

If you want to learn about collector quality antiques and fine art, and learn how to buy and sell these for profit, I wrote a book about it last year called, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles."

Yesterday, I spoke to Gene, who is listed on our Expert Resource list. He said that at the lower end of the art market may be a little lower, but for the better painting, he had people waiting to buy, if he could find what they wanted. This is just what I’ve been telling you for months.

Visit those thrift shops and antique malls and attend more of the garage and house sales. You may find that people are throwing the baby out with the bath water. Several blogs ago, I said I was using Craiglist.org more, and wow, did I get a favorable response. Every item I listed I was contacted about. People are just now beginning to be aware that the better items might come on the market, so they are being more aggressive in their search. This just means that we now have to be sure to take what we find to them. Heads up and eyes straight ahead. That’s where we want to be because the cash is out there to be had.

Treasure Hunters:

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

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Russian Silver - Lucky Numbers

Russian Silver and Niello snuff box, Moscow 1834, by Ivan Kaltykov at J.H. Tee Antiques LTD. for $900

The Numbers 84, 88, and 91. These three numbers can make it a happy day if you run across them in your hunt for treasure. But what do they mean?

They aren’t the regular numbers to identify silver and its content. While these numbers do indicate the silver content in Russian silver, they will look foreign to the American buyer. You see, in American Silver, it is customary to see 925 for sterling silver. But on Russian silver, along with the numbers 84,88, and 91, you will see letters of the Russian alphabet stamped on most Russian silver. And you don’t even have to know what the letters mean to make a smart buy.

There are very few Russian Silver items that don't command high prices, and the reason for this is the Russians were perhaps the best silversmiths of all times. . The Faberge company has had no equal. They’ve produced the finest silver ever. The Faberge Eggs, produced for the Royal Family at the time and given as gifts, now command prices in the millions of dollars when they come to market.

However, we aren't here to discuss million dollar items, rather the ones that you might find in your search at garage sales, estate sales and even possibly in the occasional shop. Pieces of Russian silver aren't something that the average person sees every day, so for this reason, it might pass under the radar screen of most people and be there waiting for you to find it. There are fakes out there, but if you recognize high quality, more than likely it is a real piece of Russian Silver. Be sure to find a silver guide book that gives you some of the marks on this silver. The discovery of just one piece of this silver could buy you a whole library of books.

Here are some price examples from Kovels price guide: A Cigar Box 1891 $14,950; Cigarette Case with two tone gold $5,750; Crucifix enameled 1900 $4,600; a pair of plates with stylized leaves and blue enameling 1910 for $14,950. I don't think that I could eat off of this one. But don't get discouraged and think that you can't find one of the items I mentioned above, even though it is possible. There are many items in the $200 to $500 range that will make it possible for you to double your money on Russian Silver.

I have seen some of the most fantastic miniatures made by the best Russian masters that were purchased for just a few dollars by dealers with a sharp eye. You should always pick up any small silver item to check to see if it might be Russian.

At the Chicago Antique Market last year a dealer showed me a picture frame that he had just bought that was one of the most beautiful things that my eyes had ever seen. I ask what he had paid and his answer was “not very much.” This piece was worth $25,000 if it was worth a penny, and I may have under valued it by five fold.
Watch for these odd numbers and also the different Russian letters. They might just sweeten your pot by thousands of dollars.

A good, but rather expensive reference book is Russian Silversmiths Hallmarks. When I checked, there were only 3 left at Amazon. You can get a better price at Abes and there are more copies available.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and turbo charge your treasure hunting today. 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.

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Antique Linens and Textiles

Even though I've been in this business over 40 years, boy do I have a lot to learn from the ladies I've seen attending estate sales and auctions! Tables filled with antique table cloths, doilies and napkins always seem to get their attention, and I never fully understood the attraction. I knew there must be one, so doing what I recommended for you to do, I searched out information on these items. To my great surprise, there were listings of considerable value for them.

No, not hundreds of thousands of dollars but definitely value that would make these items candidates for purchase when you are in your early steps, aiming to ascend through the 31 Steps I write about in my book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles.

The secret seems to be that when you find a group of these miscellaneous articles, (there may be 50 to a 100 pieces lying there) buying them inexpensively as a group or lot, and then assembling sets from them and selling the rest individually can result in a large profit, if you bought them cheap enough.

I didn't know the difference between embroidery and crochet, but this I do know: It took many hours to produce each one of these pieces, and no matter what they cost today it would be a fraction of their value when considering the loving hours spent producing them. I can still see my Aunts and my Grandmothers sitting in their rocking chairs, stitching away with ease and precision. Isn't it a shame that we no longer appreciated this work of love that was done so many years ago.

To give you some ideas of value, I went to eBay and pulled up completed sales and found that it wasn't unusual to find pieces selling for over $200. If you were able to purchase 50 assorted pieces for $100 and they only averaged $5 each, you would have reached your goal of doubling your money. But what if one or two pieces brought over $200? The return might be 400 or 500% on your money. This is where the compounding that we keep telling you about comes into play.

Let's say this was your first purchase. You paid $100 and the sale brought in $500 for you. That's five times your money, and you'd be well on your way. If you took that $500 and made five times your money on your next 3 buys, we'd be talking about $62,500. This might seem unrealistic to you but I can guarantee that it is happening in our group today. Even if you slow it down and just double your money each time, like I talk about in the book, what would you have? Think about it.

To go even further with antique linens, I must tell you about "Samplers", so you won't miss the opportunity you see some. Children, as well as adults, practiced their sewing on small squares or rectangular pieces of cloth many years ago. These practice pieces are called "Samplers." The best pieces were known to be produced between 1790 -1840. Often, Samplers were made with the listing of the ABC's and had the persons name and the date it was produced stitched on the bottom. Later ones often had numbers, borders, and even pictures applied to them. My personal favorites are the ones that contain mottoes.

The price for the treasures can be tremendous. Rather plain ones can command $200 to $500. But I think that you will find the better examples bringing from $1000 to $10,000. If you really want to shoot for the moon and happen to find one that has historical value, the price could easily come in at $100,000 or more.

Can you imagine what a little girl might think today if she knew that something she produced just to practice her sewing could be worth tens of thousands of dollars today?

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.

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Arts & Crafts Movement Metal Work - Heintz

The silver-on-bronze work of Heintz Art Metal Works of the Arts & Crafts Movement are treasures that might find a place on your list of items to make note of. "Arts & Crafts" is a decorative arts design that emphasizes spare, clean lines and simplicity of design.

Heintz Art Metal Shop was founded in 1906 in New York by Otto Heintz. They discontinued their works in 1935 when a new name, Silvercrest, was taken. Heintz produced some of the best bronze ware that have ever been made in this country. Most people aren't aware of this company, but the ones that are aware, realize that there is a ready market for their better pieces.

The fantastic thing about Heintz was their ability to combine different metals, often making the body of a piece out of bronze, but enhancing it with silver. While today you will see an abundance of cheap copper or bronze items on the market, I think it is fair to say that Heintz items will bring a premium still today.

Once you begin to appreciate the items that they produced you will be able to envision one of their large vases sitting on your Stickley sideboard, or a candlestick of theirs in the middle of your Arts and Crafts table. In fact, some of the best desk sets that were ever made came from this factory. If you are seeing what I'm seeing, you will understand why the better pieces will fly off your shelves and into someone else's collection quickly.

Note that your search for and purchase of Heintz treasure comes with a warning. You never want to clean a piece of Heintz. By removing the patina, up to 75% of the value can be eliminated. When I find a piece, I'd rather let the new buyer clean it as they see fit. And if you find a piece of Heintz, and it has been cleaned, know that its value has been lowered. You don't want to be paying too much for a piece.

Heintz's better candlesticks in today's market might fetch up to $4000, and the same can be said about their lamps, which might bring a considerable amount more. Vases also are highly sought after, and it is unusual for one to be found under $200. From there, the ranges can go into the thousands.

I have had many pieces of Heintz, but most of the pieces have been in the $200 - $600 range. I have seen pieces that I would have given my eye teeth to own. Once you recognize their mark, you will never forget it. It will just become another little nugget of knowledge that gets planted in your brain, waiting there until you need it.

The best places to find Heintz is garage sales and flea markets. These venues don't seem to put as high a value on the Heintz as collectors do. There is money to be made with these wares, so keep a sharp eye out for them.

Learn about Antiques & Collectibles and Learn How to Invest in Antiques & Collectibles. We use a wealth building plan to get the most out of buying and selling that will help you accumulate enough wealth to last a lifetime. Join the 31 Club. When you join today, you'll receive my 200 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 have any questions about the book or the club, e-mail me at info@31corp.com.

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.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

TODAY'S LINKS:
Heintzcollection.com
Learn about the Arts & Craft Movement

Antique Pipes & Meerschaum

Meerschaum Pipe. Photo from House of Pipes

As a young man, I remember looking at a magazine ad of a man sitting in a large comfortable chair beside a roaring fire, his dog at his side, smoking a large pipe. What could be better than that, I thought? I looked at the spiraling smoke climbing toward the ceiling, and I dreamed that would someday be me.

I never did start smoking, but that doesn't mean that I can't feel the satisfaction that picture has embedded in my mind.

At one time a man's prized possession was his pipe. He chose the right pipe as diligently as he would choose a wife. His pipe had to be made of the finest wood, clay, ivory or meerschaum. It had to feel just right and draw with perfection. No, nothing was too good for a gentleman's pipe.

How times have changed, and today, having lost their dignity, it is not surprising to find twenty, thirty, or even forty pipes in a box lot. But, there are still people that appreciate a great pipe and are willing to pay handsomely for a special pipe. They're the collectors, of course. And pipes are highly collectible. Just take a quick run through the completed sales on eBay and see how many bids certain types of pipes get, and at what price they're selling for.

This is where you come in. With a little research, you can come to recognize the ones that the true pipe connoisseur is searching for. Yes, among those discarded pipes could be a real treasure. In fact, I have been fortune enough to find several of these treasures in a single box lot.

At one auction, I allowed someone else to out bid me for a box lot of pipes. I later approached the winning bidder and asked about the ones I was interested in. They sold them to me for a couple of dollars. And here's the clincher -- the ones I bought were worth $300-$600, while the ones remaining in the box were worth about $5-$10. Yes, knowledge is King, and I will be showing you this as long as we work together.

Some pipe bowls are often carved with a great deal of artistry. The stems can be made of Bakelite, Vulcanite, Lucite, or just soft plastic. Expensive pipes once had stems made of amber.

Just a few examples from Kovel's price guide. A carved wooded pipe with a figural bowl, Dutch figures $1440; Ivory and wood crowned head and glass eyes $545; breaded man head silver mounted $260. These can be found in box lots for $2-$5 dollars each.

The Meerschaum pipe is a much different pipe, and you may have to pay up for them. The fact that few people really know their worth still can provide you with wonderful surprises. Here is an example. A helmeted warrior with a mother of pearl design $750.

This is where my theory comes in handy. I just say "I will take them all." This works out pretty well for me. I once bought a box lot of pipes for about $200. I sold them all and made about $2,250. There are people who work all month long to bring home $2,250. With knowledge, you can make that amount and not have to work all month for it. I see treasures everywhere.


Learn about Antiques & Collectibles, and Learn to Invest in Antiques & Collectibles. Join the 31 Club. When you join today, you'll receive my 200 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

"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 have any questions about the book or the club, e-mail me at info@31corp.com.

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.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

TODAY'S LINKS:

There's a couple of good books put out by Schiffer Books about collecting pipes. I recommend Collecting Antique Meerschaum Pipes and A Complete Guide to Collecting Antique Pipes , both by Ben Rapaport, and The Ultimate Pipe Book by Richard Carleton Hacker

Look at some beautiful and interesting antique pipes here:
House of Pipes

This is an older article, but the history is not outdated:
The Art of the Antique Pipe

Ruby Lane has some more common antique pipes that will familiarize you with the more common item and can help you assess value.