Daryle Lambert: Antiques and Collectibles Come Full Circle

Where are you today in your search for success with Antiques and Fine Art? Have you been disappointed over the last few months as markets have seemed to shrink? Are you finding it more and more difficult to get out there every day? Well you're not alone, but this is the time to keep pushing forward. These times are just like the ones that a marathoner goes through at about that 20th mile in the 26 mile race. He can quit and he knows it, but with just a little more endurance, he can cross the finish line. My hope is that with the help that can be provided here at 31 Club, all our readers and members will cross your own finish line.

I want to share a little story with you about the ups and downs of this market. Remember the 1940 Kentucky Derby Glass that I've written about in pass blogs. Well, when one of or members of the 31 Club discovered it, and enterd the glass through our Associates Program, this is where the 31 Club partners up with its member and shares the profit from its sale. It didn't take long for the glass to be "sold" and our celebration started, but it was short lived. The sale wasn't consummated, and our joy soon turned to disappointment. This was the wall just like that marathoner reaches. So, what should we do? Well, I have to give it to Cecil, our partner in the glass, who said we need to suck it up an take it to the next step. I am happy to report to you that now the Kentucky Derby Glass has found a new owner at a price equal to what we thought it was sold for the first time. The second success is even sweeter than the first.

If you are in a similar state of mind with perhaps inventory that you thought should have sold but hasn't, it may be because you have stopped putting forth the effort needed to get the items sold due to past disappointments. Give it another try and see if the results aren't different. They sure were with the Kentucky Derby Glass.

One way I try to get on the brighter side is to have something that in the future, can change my temperament. For example, I'm looking forward to January 9th because that's the day that William and the 31 Club will be selling a painting at Christie's. The artist is Bannard. I believe it will bring more than Christie's high estimate, because this artist's works have been exceeding the high estimates in almost ever auction where they have been consigned. Even though other things may not be going just as I had planned, I still have something to look forward to. Is your glass half empty or half full? That's what you might ask yourself. You are the only one who can make that decision.

If you need encouragement, please call me at 1-847-784-8544. I believe after we talk, you will be ready to get back into the saddle. God wants us to succeed but he doesn't promise us it will be easy. Working together, I feel confident that nothing can stop us from crossing the finish line in our own “Million Dollar Race” unless we just quit.


Learn to Grow Your Bank Account Trading in Antiques & Collectibles. Register for the 31 Club. Daryle's 220 Page Book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
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How Do We Know People Are looking for Antiques and Fine Art ?

This is a question that I am often asked and I have given much thought to my answer. The conclusion that I have come to is fairly simple. Are there paintings or other antiques that I would buy regardless of the economic conditions? The answer to that is a resounding yes! And, if I feel that way, then it only seems logical that others feel the same way. Very few people are in the business of Antiques and Fine Art solely for the money, you will find that most of them truly enjoy the items that they purchase. Most antique and are dealers are also collectors.

I can share my want list with you. These items remain constant regardless of other factors with the exception of price. First are paintings by Patty Thum, a Kentucky artist who painted around the turn of the century. You should add this to your list of things to watch for because I am obsessed with her work and so is my wife. We are also interested in other Kentucky artists such as Harvey Joiner, Carl Brenner and Paul Sawyier to a lesser degree.

But those aren't the only items that stay on my want list. I am always looking for Doulton pieces by leading artists including: Hannah Barlow, George Tinworth, Eliza Simmance, Mark Marshall, Frank Butler and Emily Stormer. By having constant items on your wish list, it helps you begin to associate with other collectors of these items therefore letting those collectors know you are a buyer. In addition, it provides you with a sell list of customers for items that don't meet the requirements for your personal collection.

It will subsequently become apparent to other people and they may consider you an expert in the area or items you choose to deal in. This provides you with a base of business and it will continue to expand as your name is shared with others. One of our first rules in the 31 Club is to let everyone we meet know what we're doing and after we have become established, we tend to forget to continue to follow this rule.

Make your list of items that you are most interested in and share them with everyone you come in contact with. This is the best way to promote yourself and it costs you nothing. Save money and help make money - what could be better than that?

Learn to Grow Your Bank Account Trading in Antiques & Collectibles. Register for the 31 Club. 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.
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After the Election, What Then?

Tomorrow we will have a new President, and I personally believe that the coming year will be a very good one. I also believe the Antique and Fine Art Markets will flourish. If this is true, how might we start preparing for this time?

Maximize your money by buying something of value. Remember, money in the bank next year will likely produce very little income for you because of low interest rates. Getting back to basics is the order here, and looking to what has produced the greatest returns in the past will tell us what to buy. Paintings, Art Pottery and Art Glass have proven themselves to be the greatest return on investment for many years, and this will hold true in the coming year.

Paintings have guaranteed the person who has found pieces by listed artists and bought them well, the greatest return on investment. The number of people qualified to estimate their value is smaller than any other field in the antiques field. This being true, I highly recommend you spend time familiarizing yourself with a number of listed artists you want to become very knowledgeable about. I chose artists that appealed to me and then followed their successes in the marketplace through auction results and articles written about their works.

My list includes Harvey Joiner, Carl Brenner and Patty Thum. These are all Kentucky artists, and being from Kentucky, I have been able to accumulate a list of people who are searching for their paintings. Whenever I find one, I have a ready market for it. Next, I turned to one of my true loves -- the West. When I traveled to Wyoming, I discovered the paintings of artists such as William Golling, John Borein and Ida McAffee. All of these artist have served me well over the years, and have greatly added to my bank account.

Closely behind paintings, in return on investment, comes American Art Pottery. Grueby, Newcomb, Rookwood and George Orr pottery have increased over the years many times their value, and I believe their value will continue to escalate because of the limited number of pieces that were produced. Have you done your homework so you can know the rare and unusual in these lines?

Art Glass speaks for itself, with Tiffany leading the way in value, but it doesn't stop there. Companies like Stueben follow closely behind. I believe, however, that in the area of Art Glass, the real growth in value might be in the more contemporary glass such as Lotton, Smallhouse and Satava. I’ll be writing more on these last two another time.

I’m happy to assist my readers in any way I can about getting back to the basics. If you have questions, just ask me. Leave a question in the comment box is you like, or send me an e-mail at info@31corp.com. I want this coming year to be one that people will look back on and say ”The 31 Club changed the way that business will be conducted in the future.”

Learn to Grow Your Bank Account Trading in Antiques & Collectibles. Register for the 31 Club. 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!

Halloween and Collectibles

As a child, I waited all year for Halloween to roll around, and fondly remember those nights when I took a pillowcase and canvassed the neighborhood with my friends. Knocking on doors, saying “trick or treat” and watching the adults hand over the loot filled with homemade popcorn balls, candied apples and other special prepared treats conjure up feeling I can hardly express properly. Those were such special days. I filled my sack until I could no longer carry it, then headed home to empty it. But, once I emptied it, I wasn’t yet done. I headed out for round two, especially to those houses that were giving away whole candy bars.

My costume was always homemade, because we couldn't afford the store bought kind. But that didn't matter; I was having the greatest childhood in the world. What a treat it was to run through the neighborhood by ourselves past sunset. My folks didn’t worry about us encountering trouble, because all the neighbors watched out for one another’s children.

My best memories of Halloween, however, were the ones spent before the night of trick or treating. Those days spent with my mom and dad helping us kids carve pumpkins are visions in my mind that will never fade. No matter how bad a job we did on the pumpkins, they would always tell us how beautiful they were. Usually mom would have hot apple cider waiting when we finally trudged in from the porch, and the fireplace was always ablaze. Today, on this special childhood occasion, is your house like this? I hope it is. My whole neighborhood took part in this day, and people who didn't have children, often seemed to have a better time than the ones who did. This day creates great childhood memories.

What has happened to our lives since those carefree days? I wish I knew. Today, I won't even let my son go out early Halloween night without Vickie or me being with him. Most of the candy Joshua receives is given away or thrown away, if it's not properly packaged. I ask God’s forgiveness for the way we have sat back and watched these special childhood times to be ruined for our children.

So why am I writing so much about Halloween? If you remember, I said that people collect what they remember from their past, and Halloween was usually a happy day for most people. This being so, then there most be collectibles that can make us money from Halloween. And, there are. A few of these collectibles would be candy containers of Hobo's, Jack O' Lanterns, and Roly Polys.

Witches can easily bring you $500 or more. Costumes from the past such as Boss Hogg, Fonz, Mickey Mouse, Spiderman and other creatures are always being sought out by collectors. Paper mache masks from the Mardi Gras can command prices as high as $1000. There are many more items that will come to mind as you are on the search, but don't leave Halloween items off your list of things to search for. BOO!


Learn to Grow Your Bank Account Trading in Antiques & Collectibles. Register for the 31 Club. Daryle's 220 Page Book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
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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.

Making Money From the Doctor

1930's Dr. Pepper porcelain sign, 10" x 24", sold on eBay for $545

We talked about making money with doctor items yesterday, but when I ask my wife to read that blog she said, “ Why don't you write about my favorite doctor?” This stumped me for a moment until I realized she was talking about “Dr Pepper.” Yes, Vickie is a Pepper and proud of it. So, today, I’m dedicating this blog to her.

To please her, I’ll share a brief history of Dr. Pepper: Charles Alderton was the one who discovered the formula for this popular drink, back in 1885, when he was a soda jerk for Morrison’s Old Corner Store in Waco, Texas. It soon became very popular with the local customers, so much so, that the store had a hard time keeping up with the demand. Mr. Alderton wanted to name the new soda, “Waco, ” but he was overridden by the store owner, Mr. Morrison, who named the drink after a friend by the name of Dr. Pepper. The Dr. Pepper company was formed in 1891, and its product was introduced to the world in 1904 at the Worlds Fair. It's the oldest major manufacturing company of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States.

Wow! That was a mouth full, but now, how can begin to make money with this information? There millions of people around the world that now call themselves ”Peppers” and wouldn't think of drinking any other soda. Doesn’t it make sense that some of them would be collectors? This is where you come in by finding the early and rare items produced by the Dr Pepper Company and selling them to the collectors.

The large tin signs from yesteryear are sought after and command prices in the upper hundreds to the lower thousands. Then, there are the early bottles and advertising, plus advertising glasses and calendars. The array of items that are out there to be found is almost without number, and they can help put money in your pocket.

I remember the time I saw an early Dr. Pepper advertising tin surrounding an outdoor thermometer sell for several thousand dollars, and I had seen the very same piece at a garage sale priced at $10. Boy, did I feel foolish for having passed that by.

The lesson to be learned here is that we don't have to make this business difficult. Just look for items representing products from you past, and that you’ve seen your friends using. There are collectors for just about everything you can imagine. And you can probably check this out for yourself by doing a search on the Internet.

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

Value in Rare Medical Collectibles

Cupping and Bleeding set, circa 1880, made by Capron, Paris is offered at Antiquemed.com

Pepto Bismol might not be enough to settle our stomachs in this turbulent market, so, we might be thinking a visit to the doctor might be the order for the day to cure what ails us. The real cure, however, might not be found in either one of these solutions. Rather, finding the right medical collectibles and cashing in on their values will likely work miracles in calming that upset stomach.

Doctors have been admired for centuries and discoveries have shown that surgery was performed thousands of years ago. So, what should we be on the lookout for when we’re at auctions, estate sales, or paying a visit to a prospective client?
How about a Rhinoceros horn? No, I’m not a brick short of a load this morning. Something you might not know about the Rhinoceros horn is that it is supposed to have magical powers, and a cup from this horn was fashioned and used for medical purposes. If you come across one, you should know that these can be valued as high as $10,000. However, there are many more items related to the medical profession of yesteryear that are more readily available than one of these horns.

I can still remember the leather medical bag my doctor carried in the days when doctors made home visits. When he opened it, my eyes would widen with excitement, not knowing what he would pull out of it. Usually, the first item I saw was the doctor's stethoscope. One of these old style instruments will fetch good money today, but there are many other items to keep an eye out for. Apothecary Jars, Poison Bottles, Hot Water Bottles, bleeding cups, mortar & pestles, and surgical instruments are items that were often found in that black doctor’s bag, and these could bring some good money today.

One of the most sought after of items is something called a quack machine, said to perform astonishing cures. They really did nothing to help the patient, but nonetheless, if you find one it could be valuable, depending upon how outrageous it is. A Dr. Daniels Tin Veterinary cabinet could bring $5,000 plus.

I once made a big mistake on a surgical set being auctioned locally here in Chicago. I saw it during the preview and it held my interest, but as the night wore on, I decided to leave before this lot came up for auction. I later found out it sold for only a few hundred dollars. I looked up its possible value in a very old Civil War guide I had and discovered its value back then was listed at $5,000. Who knows what it would be valued at today. I just check this off as another one of my many mistakes. I share this with you so you don’t make the same mistakes I did. I often get a little antsy and don’t stay around for some the items I’ve had an interested in. Big mistake. Stay a little longer for the items that have initially caught your eye. It can pay you off several times over.

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 Hard to be Away From the Antique Business

This is the longest I have been away from my son, Joshua, who is nine years old. He calls at least three times a day or more, and I share what I’ve been doing while I’ve been away. Although he knows I didn't go away to specifically treasure hunt, he always asks me if I’ve found anything that's worth a lot of money. You see, I’ve been teaching him, from a very early age, that when you acquire knowledge of the Antiques and Fine Arts business, you can always provide a living for yourself. And when you travel, whether it's for pleasure or for visiting family, you can still be out on the hunt for that next great piece.

Already, Joshua's interest has evolved to the point that Lionel Trains is something he’s well versed in. While most people think that the important part of a train set is the engine, first, and then the cars, Joshua knows of something else that can bring top dollar.

If you attended a house sale and spotted a very old box in the corner of the basement that said "Lionel Train" on it, what might you do? Of course, your heart would probably start pumping very fast, and you'd probably head over that way. But, what would you do when you discovered the box was empty? While your heart rate might slow down from the disappointment, Joshua would still be really excited, because he knows that the old box can have great value. If you knew just how much value that old box could have, your heart would still be pumping like his. Here's how valuable that old box could be: $14,600 worth of value.

You probably think you didn’t read that figure right, but I assure you, you did. Joshua found an old Lionel Box from 1929 that sold on eBay after 93 bids. (Yes, he even knows how to research on eBay.) Here’s the listing he found, so you can see it with your own eyes. Just don’t forget to come back to finish the blog.

That listing is just one item pertaining to Lionel Trains that most people would overlook, and here are several others. A Lionel 920 Landscape Park will bring you $4,300 or better, while a standard gauge no. 94 high tension line can put $1,775 in your pocket, if not more. Not convinced yet? How about a Lionel Power Station for $1,650 or an early 810 Crane for $1,000. $880 is the value of a 927 Lamp Post, and a 912 Landscaped Villa could land you $800.

All these would most likely pass under the noses of most dealers. This is how you make the big bucks while others are asleep at the wheel. That’s why I am spending so much time with Joshua, at his tender age. He's learning how to make money and take care of himself. Besides that, he enjoys the hunt for treasure and he gets to spend time with Dad. That’s the way it should be!

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 Hard is a Working Vacation?

Spending time in constructive ways is the best strategy to prepare yourself for success in the antique, collectible and fine art business. this will pay you off in spades. Any time spent reading about antiques or art will only help you when you go out into the field and see what the pickings are. Scanning eBay’s completed sales will give you a sound basis for setting the prices you are willing to pay for almost any item you find while you’re out on the hunt and will give you the latest prices you need to sell your items. If you do this continually, you’ll know a lot more than you might think you do.

When I go travel away from home, I’m still thinking antiques and art, even if I’m supposed to be vacationing (much to the dismay of my wife.) I’ve found that when I’m vacationing or traveling anywhere, if I do business while I’m away, my trip has become a business trip, and that’s good for my bank account. There are certain actions that I think will give you a tremendous head start on your competition, if you follow them while traveling. Like, always having a least 50 business cards with you at all times and dispensing of them liberally, once you’ve determined that those you’ve spoken to about antiques, or about what you do, have an interest.

While I’m in the hotel, I pull out the phone book and make a list of all the dealers. I do this with the auction houses, as well. If there’s time, I call some of them and introduce myself. I tell them about the items I specifically look for and the items I generally look for. I also ask them to go to the 31 Club Wish List and look at what items I’m buying, as well as the ones members are looking to buy. When I call the auction houses, I ask them to put me on their mailing list. I also tell them I’ll send one of my business cards to be put on file with them.

If there’s time, I stop in as many of these antique shops as I can. I introduce myself to the proprietors, enter into a conversation and take a look at their items. If you wonder if I really do this all when I travel, here’s an example of my first day in Palm Desert, California, where I’m spending my 25th wedding anniversary with my wife, of course, and her sister and brother-in-law.

We arrived yesterday, and upon our arrival, we stopped for a bite to eat once we picked up our rental car. There was a small antique shop I made sure we stopped in to after lunch. We were greeted by a very polite lady, so I introduced myself and shared a bit about the 31 Club with her. She was more than willing to show me her shop and tell me all about the better items she was offering for sale. When it came time for me to leave, I gave her a card and asked if she’d send me an email so I could put her in my files.

Next, we all stopped at this wonderful little mall on the bay, and while my wife and the others dashed into one shop, I slipped into a glass shop I spotted. I found several pieces of art glass for sale by an artist I’m familiar with. The proprietor was more than willing to talk at great length about all of the artists’ work, and again, I left my card. I honestly think the 31 Club might have picked up two new members at these two establishments.

At the end of each trip, I drop a hand written note along with my business card to those antique establishments I've called by phone, but wasn't able to stop in to.
I can assure you these simple things will increase your business and profits. I have also found many fine treasures while I was supposed to be on vacation.

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

Stemware Right Under Your Nose

Tiffany Favrile Ribbed Glass Stemware Service, circa 1901, recently sold on eBay for $4,500.



Most companies conducting a house sale or estate sale will put their better items in showcases, in the dining room hutch, or on a table in the living room close to the check out. This way, they think these items are more secure and less likely to be damaged. So, this is where I usually look first. I check for the more rare and expensive art glass items, figurines that might catch my eye, and good artwork. Often times, I’ve left empty handed. However, recently I found a way to make leaving empty handed a less likely occurrence.

You see, now I know I may have been passing up fine treasures in the area of stemware because of my lack of experience in these items. Little did I know that some stemware can command prices equal to the finest art glass. This really adds up when there is from twelve to fifty pieces of the same pattern being offered in stemware and accessories. When you figure the potential profit per piece from $20 to $100 each, for example, you can see that a nifty profit can be had. Until I realized that stemware could make the day for me, I would have passed on these treasures. I seldom attend a sale without seeing groups of fine stemware being offered and this has now opened up a new avenue for me.

One stemware winner that has appeared on eBay recently is a set of Tiffany stemware that sold for $4,500. The set included nineteen stemmed pieces, each one bringing in over $230 apiece. I have no doubt that the seller had less than 30% of that price in as his investment. If my math is right, his profit should have been almost $3,000.

Baccarat, Moser, Gorham, Waterford and Orrefors are just a few of the better names in stemware you might watch for, because they all can make you serious money when you buy them right. What I like about these items is that there is a ready market, even if you choose to use eBay to sell them. Regular auctions can be a great outlet to sell, and now you have the opportunity to use the 31 Marketplace with its extremely low fees to sell as well. The sale of stemware should almost be immediate, and your investment plus profit will be back in your account to use for your next purchases.

Look where other eyes pass over the obvious and be willing to continually learn more. By doing this, your bank account will be greatly enhanced.

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

Don't Make Compromises When Buying Art in This Economy

Picasso reproduction print, pencil signed by the artist, is offered at 31 Club Gallery.

I’ve recently been bombarded with people wanting to sell me some of the best works of art and glass I’ve seen in many years. Salinas, Wood, Joiner and Sawyier are just a few of those that have come across my desk. I haven’t been able to purchase all the great works of art I’m seeing, because the asking prices are simply too high. But that’s okay. We are in the business of dealing in the rare and unusual, because that’s where we can make the most money today. We have that opportunity now and can be selective during this turbulent economic time. It’s important to be disciplined and use control now in your spending.

Along with some of these fine pieces of art, there’s been a great increase in the number of prints such lithographs, serigraphs and other printing techniques that are being offered to me. At this time, I have very little interest in prints. One of the rare exceptions are wood block prints, because I consider these almost the same as originals. I share this with you because when markets are first elevated, people look for substitutes for originals. These are more readily affordable. At the peak of a market, prints of leading artists can command high prices, but as the market stabilizes and cash is more readily available once again, prints quickly drop in price. In fact, I would state today that most prints will only command decorator prices, and you should give them very little value as a piece of art. Even the most sought after pieces will decline in value if this economy continues to decline.

Having said that, my advise to you is to buy prints only if you can obtain them for less than it could cost to frame them. Today, having a print framed will usually exceed $200 if the piece is matted properly and the frame isn’t from a big box store. I’d be hard pressed to buy a print for over $100 unless it was signed and numbered by a leading artist. Picasso would be an example of where I’d bend my rule.

With the real thing in art, it is almost impossible for the piece to lose its entire value, regardless of the economy, and at times it even makes sense to restore a damaged piece. Not so with prints. They can lose their value quite rapidly, and if you damage a print, it can send its value to nothing. You see, paper items tend to be more likely to get damaged by too much sunlight, and water is often a villain in a print's demise. Prints damaged by water or sunlight often have very little value. Watch for the real thing during this economic turn down, and buy it if you can.

Spend money wisely, and the results will speak for themselves.

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

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

Treasure Hunters -- partner up with 31 Club on high quality treasures you find. You find, we buy, we sell, you net 35%.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers, making more money than they thought possible. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club, today.

My 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.

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