Daryle Lambert: Antique Canning Jars can be rewarding

Thanks to countryjoe.bizland.com


I just finished talking to my brother in Bowling Green Kentucky and was told that all his garden had been canned. This is very important to his family because they seldom have to buy vegetables from the grocery. I still remember my grandmother as she slaved over the coal stove all day canning the items from her garden and how much better they tasted than store bought. Beans of every variety, corn, tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, pears, apples were just a few of the things I remember from those days on the farm that came from grandmother's canning jars. The thought never crossed my mind that at some future date those jars would become collectibles. Some of those jars are worth their weight in gold in today's marketplace.

Which ones, you say? The Canton Domestic, cobalt blue, glass lid, wire bail, 1900, one quart fruit jar could bring you in over $14,000 in today's market. Your reaction is probably the same as mine; you must be kidding. That happens to be the truth and even more startling is that there are many more jars that are valued in the thousands such as the BBGM Co. jar in amber with glass lid and zinc band that is the half gallon size that comes in at $8,500 or the DA Knowlton jar, Saratoga NY in dark yellow olive, wide mouth, 1870, one quart for a mere $6,300. I know that Granny is turning over in her grave. I am sure that she was able to buy these jars by the dozens for no more than a dollar or two.

I'm sure you are asking why is their value so much and my only answer to you is that there are at least two people that are willing to pay that price for them. Also, you can be assured that there are few in numbers available for collectors to purchase. Color seems to be very important when it comes to valuing these fruit jars so I would suggest that you get the guide on fruit jars if you are going to actively search for them. Kovels Antique Guide will provide you with a lot of information but it definitely isn't the whole guide for this collectible. I was able to count over twenty five different jars that listed for more than $1,000 and I wouldn't be surprised if there are many more listed in the official price guide for fruit jars. I couldn't believe myself how many others listed for $200 and up. I will never look at the lowly fruit jar the same way again.

Let me list a few of the companies that manufactured fruit jars. A. Stone and Co., Air Tight, Altas, Cunningham and Co., Gem, Mason, Millville and many more. This seems to be a wide open field for us to research and where our efforts could be well rewarded.

I knew even as a young boy that food from canning jars tasted better but little did I know the the jar that I was eating from could be worth a grown man's wages for a year. If you don't believe me; I've left the best for last. Find this jar and you may equal your year's annual salary. The Millville Atmospheris, cobalt blue, glass lid, iron clamp, one quart could bring you over $25,000. Happy Hunting.

Daryle Lambert: Aantiques and Fine Art for the Designers.

One area of the Antique and Fine Art business that I have been lacks in is the Design and Interiors business. There are no better clients for us as dealers in antiques and fine art than the designers. They have the clientèle for the wonderful treasures that we find plus their constantly on the search to find the rare and usual items to enhance their customers homes. This is what sits them apart from the average decorator. I would suggest that you contact every interior designer in you surrounding area and make an appointment to offer your services to them in the future.

I know again you are asking where did he come up with this? Well it so happens that the reason is an unfulfilled promise I made and haven't kept. You see a wonderful lady contacted me from Catherine-Interiors in Boston and we agreed to exchange links. She was very prompt on her end but because I don't do this myself I have been a little tardy on my end. This morning I received a very nice email from her asking about our well being and also reminding me about the link. I most certainly want to pursue this relationship because going to her site I was amazed at the beauty that her firm creates. You may want to take a peek at www.catherine-interiors.com yourself.

It is so easy for us in our hurry to sale the items that we find that we pass by some of the better marketing outlets we have available for them. As for the designers there is an opportunity for us to work with them from the beginning of a project and we can even be instrumental in some of the choices they make for their clients. I have found that this is an avenue that most antique dealers don't take advantage of but we don't want to fall in that category.

One of the first things that we should do each month is update the list of our inventories and send it to all the designer firms that we can contact. There is a possibility that your prized items such as paintings and other fine items may be sold even before you get to offer them to the market place. The interior designers are truly our friends and my advise to you is keep your friends in mind when you are offering your prized items but also show your appreciation for working with you.

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Daryle Lambert: Staying home with Antiques and Collectibles can be fun.

Thanks to Morningsidemin.org


I just saw the latest unemployment figures and the newscasters gave more doom and gloom. The unemployment rate is now 6.7%? Well, historically, full employment was 6% and anything lower than that was inflationary and bad for the economy. I must be missing something! Or is it just that the news likes to scare people because this increases their viewership as people hang on their every word? I believe that it is time to buy stock and I hope that you’ll remember a year down the road as you look back and see that I said it here first.

What should we do in the meantime - while we wait for the market to right itself? One good idea might be to spend more time at home, but what can we do there that will hold our attention? A good idea is to engage with our families in good entertainment and this may be God's way of waking the American people up to the fact that we might not be in control of things after all.

I remember times in my youth, setting around the old Zenith tube radio with my parents and siblings, listening to the "Shadow Knows" and other shows that very few remember today. How long has it been since you have listened to a radio that was controlled by a vacuum tube, perhaps never? I can assure you that the sound was better than what you get with radios that you listen to today. Just for fun, you should go to a garage sale, pick one of these beauties up for under $25, and receive the treat of venturing back into the past. Also, board games and puzzles are a great way to pass time at home with family. The expense to you is little to nothing. You may find that you enjoy spending time with your parents, kids and/or siblings.

I am getting around to the economics of this story. There is money to be made with the items I just suggested you purchase to use for your own personal enjoyment. Lots of families are in similar situations to yours and and hopefully they will spend more time at home with each other. This is where you come in. While you are out looking for that special Newcomb vase, it may not be a bad idea to also purchase that Motorola Model 51X, Yellow Body, Green Grille Catalin, 1941, 7 inch radio sitting in someone’s basement that everyone else has passed by. This may be purchased for a song, but to the collector, it’s valued at about $5,000. There are many models made by such great companies as Emerson, Garod, General Electric, Philco, RCA, and Zenith that will bring over $1,000 today and few people realize their potential.

How about board games? Where do they fit on the value scale? Let’s take a look. Parcheesi. red, white, and green paint, breadboard ends, Maine, 16" by 24", is valued at $2,500 and its cousin red, orange and dark green, framed, 17 1/2" by 17 1/2" inches at $7,500. These are just two example and many more can be found in Kovel's price guide for Antiques and Collectibles. Believe it or not puzzles too can make your day - I have seen them sell for thousands of dollars.

When you are fortunate enough to find one of these items, it would be terrific to enjoy what they have to offer you before they are re-sold. I guarantee you that great pleasure can be shared by all while sitting around that antique radio or at the kitchen table playing board games or assembling puzzles.

It is a fact that your family will grow up and change over time so enjoy them while you have the chance.

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Daryle Lambert: If it is too good Beware.

Today I am going to share with you what I think is the scam that will be the biggest plague to hit the Antique industry for many years. I want to caution each and ever one of you to be on your toes. This scheme starts with our desire to sell the treasures we have found and often because of our excitement we can make a serious mistake.

How does this scheme work? First you will receive an email informing you that the customer wants to purchase your item and they will send you a bank cashiers check to cover the cost and expenses incurred for shipping. The next sentence will state that they will have their own shippers pick the item up and when you receive the check you are supposed to deduct the cost of the item your selling from the check and then send the balance to their shipper for that expense.

The only problem is that yes you will receive the check but it is phony as a two dollar bill. But if your aren't careful you will have been had by the time you fine that fact out. So lets see how this scheme works. You get a phony check and send the shipping expense to someone that is represented as being their shipper so that money of yours is now gone but remember you are depositing a worthless check. Next they may or may not have someone pick up the treasure that you supposedly sold them, so now they have your item and the money for the supposed shipping and you still have only a phony check. Presto you have just been had.

Can it happen you ask, the answer to that question is yes and it almost happened to me. I received several very pleasant emails about the transaction to sell a wonderful painting of mine to this individual overseas. He wanted to include the shipping which seemed extreme to me but it was his money, right? The shipping was to be well over $1000 but if he crated it maybe that price would be okay but even then it seemed out of place. So when I received the check just to play it safe I took it to my bank and by that afternoon I was informed that it was a fake. Thank you very much Harris Bank. Here is the irony of it all now I am receiving these deals offered to me on a weekly bases. Lucky me I must have gotten on the suckers list.

Isn't it a shame that people want to take something that brings so much pleasure to so many and reduce it to a sham. I have been co-operating with the authorities in hopes of giving this folks something free, like a free vacation.

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Daryle Lambert: Antiques can be a great buy out of Season

Each day for me can be an adventure. My son was sick last night so I got little sleep. But waking up this morning I realized that I would get to spend the whole day with him and it became a blessing. I didn't know what to write about today until I looked out the window at the snow and the trees with no leaves and tried to visualize what this view was like only a couple of months ago. There were potted plants on the patio and hanging ferns under the eves of the house, I then tried to create a picture in my mind of what it could look like next year with benches and fountains and new plantings. This brought on a warm feeling and a smile to my face. No, I haven't lost my mind but it did make me think of another way for us to make money.

People are impatient by nature and when something is out of season they often sell it for a fraction of its real value. What could be more out of “season” than garden furnishings? You are probably thinking; is there any money in these items? After reading the next paragraph of this blog, you will never ask that question again. Just think back to the last house or garage sale you attended. Remember those sad looking garden pots setting at the back of the garage with the wilted plants still in them or the wrought iron benches setting in the backyard with no price tags. This could equate to big money for you and me.

I want to share a story about two large pots that were setting on a front porch where there was a sale being conducted. Hundreds of people visited that sale and most of them left with nothing in their hands, passing those pots as they entered and exited the house. Just one person took the time to examine these dark green pots and then their eyes lit up. Going back into the house and asking the price, it caught the sales conductor so off guard she said "I will have to check." Coming back and she said "I'm not sure, but would you give $300?" The buyer quickly responded, "Yes." These particular pots happened to be “Teco” pottery and worth several thousand dollars.

Let’s look at some garden items with value. If there happens to be a cast iron bench in a backyard with a fern shape design about 60 inches in length from the 19th century it could bring anywhere from $2,500 - $5,000 in today’s market. How many times have you seen figures used in a garden setting but paid no attention to them? Well, I hope you didn't pass this one, a little girl and boy reading a book by M. Geiss, because it could be worth $5,000. Outdoor fountains may look fairly drab this time of year but in the spring they come to life again. A dolphin and boy cast iron and zinc 66" X 70" fountain may bring up to $10,000. That should create some sunshine for you. A few more to entice you; Majolica seat with molded birds, cattails, dragonflies and water lilies by George Jones, valued at $20,000 or how about this one; covered urn, baluster shaped, angels, cast iron,1880's 71" is valued at a whopping $25,000 or more.

I hope that this blog gets you out of those winter blues because just writing it has done that for me.

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Daryle Lambert: Antiques and used items trumps new

Steuben Cintra Bowl

My family just received an early Christmas present and guess what it was? It is used and yet we are so happy with it. It’s not clothing or furniture but a new vehicle. I think that this period in time is changing the way we think about money. In fact, I think we are getting smarter. Our new purchase is a 2007 model that was never sold by the dealer and so we saved several thousand dollars; saving more than half its original price. Now that is quite a stocking stuffer.

I recently recommended buying sterling service pieces for $5 to $10 per piece depending on the pattern. There should be willing buyers if you simply price it for twice your cost because in today’s market it is difficult to find good sterling for under $45 per piece in the stores. Also remember it is best if the pieces aren't monogrammed. This will give you the opportunity to complete one or more steps in your race to the finish line in the "Million Dollar Race." For you new readers, this is a program that the members of the 31 Club are using to gage their progress in this business. You can find out all about it on the 31 Club’s website at www.31corp.com.

Value of some things change when used but others don't. Example; fine crystal such as Waterford and Steuben always retain their value so if you come across six or more of these pieces for $5 a piece, you can be assured that they will sell for more than double their purchase price (even online). Most dealers don't buy these items and I often find them still setting on a shelf at a house sale on the last day of the sale marked half price. You can even offer less for several pieces and generally make the purchase. I purchased a Steuben Cintra fruit bowl for $20 and its value is approximately $1,200. It was overlooked by other buyers because they thought it was too new. I think that it is even better than new. There are so many other items that fit the 31 Club’s program. Go to the store and check the price of good sets of china. Names like Doulton, Rosenthal and others can run into the thousands but in the secondary market they may be bring only $200-$500. If you break these sets down and auction the pieces on http://www.seeauctions.com/ , http://www.onlineauctions.com/ or eBay the set may double or triple your investment.

Although name doesn't always equal quality, it usually does and when you can buy the best names for up to 90% discount, this should put you well on the road to success in this business. When I said that people are getting smarter, I meant it. You can tell that even the stores are recognizing this fact when they put up sale signs on new merchandise as soon as it comes in. My wife routinely looks for highly discounted racks when shopping and the merchandise is still new. On a recent shopping excursion, I spotted a great vest with horses on it for my wife but when I showed it to her with a price tag of $125, she shook her head no. Not giving up, I asked the clerk to check the price. The register reflected that the price was reduced to $44 and with a coupon for an additional 20% off; I quickly purchased the vest and can’t wait for her to wear it.

With money being tight, people are looking for bargains for quality items and that is where we can shine. Show them the bargains and the quality items you have to offer. Use your time wisely and get out there and buy. I know some of our members have purchased quality items that haven't sold yet but they will. While the lesser pieces may not sell, quality always will. One of the first things I wrote about was that this business is always about your ability to buy right and never about selling because rare and unusual items will always sell. I also put quality items in that statement. If you have questions, now is the time and I am a waiting to assist you in meeting the goals you have set for yourself.

Daryle Lambert: Silver is beginning to shine again

Wouldn't it be fun to collect coins again like we did when we were children? Perhaps that will be possible as the price of silver continues to drop. Yes, silver is no longer selling at $20 an ounce, but that may be good for the collector. You see when the price of the base metal gets too high, the numeric value doesn't increase equally. So when the silver market is headed lower, you can get more bang for your buck with the rarer coins. This would be a great time to introduce your children to the fun of collecting and where better to start than with coin collecting.

If you have read my book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles", which can be found at www.31corp.com., you have probably seen my story about paying for my college education by selling my coin collection. If you decide to begin collecting coins, make sure you don’t buy coins that won't appreciate due to the fact that everyone thinks they will and millions of those pieces are set aside to wait for the big jump in price that isn't coming. For example, I put the state quarter sets in that category. You will find great pleasure in trying to complete sets of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars. The next step should be to upgrade pieces in your collection and often by selling a particular coin, you may be able to purchase a higher grade coin with the proceeds of the sale because of the price you paid for the first coin.

Why are you talking about starting a collection when I thought your idea was to be a seller and to buy right? Good question - but with coins often you will buy multiple coins at one time and again if you read my book you will find that I state you should set aside pieces after your goal of compounding is completed. So here is an example: buy one hundred silver dimes for $30 and sell ninety of them for $100 and set the balance back to start your collection. You may find out that down the road that your collection could pay for college or down payment on a house.

The wonderful thing about coins is that you may find a special one that can sell for a significant amount. In fact, in my collection, there were coins that I had paid face value for that when sold brought $500 to $1,000 back in the 1960s. The best way to start buying coins is to let everyone know that you want to buy coins. Almost everyone has a stash of coins that they have collected or have been given to them by a parent. When you tell them what their worth is today, most will want to sell them.

There are great guide books on coins and they can be found by going to www.abebooks.com or www.amazon.com. I have run across a site that should be of great interest to you if I have caught your interest with coins. The website is www.silvercoinand.com

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