“Fine Art” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – The percentages are greater.

WILLIAM A SLAUGHTER

Before I get started with something new, I must finish up with my trip back home and report my success or the lack of it to you. The grand ending was when a lady backed into the side of our car that is only a few months old and Vickie and I had to convince ourselves that the car is just an object that could be repaired. We both knew the other was lying but it was the only way we could keep a stiff upper lip.

Even at the Sohn's auction, there seemed to be a lack of quality items being sold, although the offerings were going cheap. I had no success at buying there or the other places that I stopped at but I still questioned everyone I came into contact with about the condition of the Antique and Fine Art business. To my surprise, it was unanimous that things were slow but there was still the opportunity to make money if you dealt in the right items. I am sure your question was the same as mine. What are those items?

Without exception the answer was art and most of the success stories I heard pertained to paintings that people had found where they had very little information on the artist until they did their research. The typical story went something like this, "I was searching through the garage sale when I spotted this painting that I really didn't like much but I knew it was original so I bought it. Since the price was just $50 what did I have to lose? After getting home I searched Davenport's guide and lo and behold there was the artist's name. Was I lucky or what? The best part was then when I went to Askart and the artist's paintings listed from $5000 and up." This made me begin to think about my successes over the last two years and guess what, art is also where I have made most of my money during that time.

Yes my guess would be that over 75% of the profit I have been fortunate enough to make has come from paintings and most of my finds have come from unexpected sources. Remember my last blog where I stated that we should get back to basics? What would be more basic than to spend our time in ways that make us the most money? At the present time paintings are where it's at so I am recommending you spend your time researching artists and looking in every known location that a painting may reside that could turn you a handsome profit. The art world is still the most mysterious area of collecting that I know of and few people are knowledgeable about what art is truly worth. This gives you a huge advantage against your competition when it comes to finding paintings that are worth while.

During these slower times it is necessary for us as dealers to focus on few things but be more informed on those items than most of our competition. This will spell success for us when others are struggling.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Uncle Wiggly 11 “– Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectible Blog – My favorite.

Uncle Wiggily 11 - Thanks to Flicker.com

I will be returning to Chicago today and it may take me a couple of days to answer all your emails but I will do that as quickly as possible. The trip has been disappointing as far as the treasures I found, but while at the Sohn auction I did get reacquainted with an old friend of mine. Uncle Wiggly was a comic character when I was young and when I saw some of his old adventure books for sale at the auction I just had to leave a bid. I wrote a blog about Uncle Wiggly on 8/12 but it had been quite awhile since I had the opportunity to buy more of his pieces.

Finding these books gives me a chance to share a principle with you that has made me successful in the Antique and Fine Art markets for many years. In my book “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles” I state that your knowledge in these markets should come in layers like the pages of a book. When you start gathering this knowledge by going to the book store and looking at the guides and reference books presented there you will begin putting the pages of your book of knowledge together. First, it may just be a few pages and that is completely acceptable but you must persist until the book is filled. You’re going to be presented with the opportunities to buy items at garage and house sales and you will become more confident daily. You may be overwhelmed at first but as those pages of your book of knowledge are filled that will happen less and less.

Now on a regular basis I realize that my book is not as complete but it is substantial and with every discovery of items such as the Uncle Wiggly books I am thankful of the time that I have spent collecting this knowledge. You will feel the same way as you venture out more and more and realize that the knowledge base you’re working from is expanding each and every day.

I hope that when I return I will be able to share more tidbits that will add to your success and maybe I should spent some time by revisiting some of the basic ideas that are included in my book. I am beginning to look back and see that most of the items that you will be looking for have been covered in past blogs so hopefully you will be asking for information that you feel hasn’t be covered sufficiently or perhaps I have missed.

The purpose of these bloge is to help in your success and if the information that they cover isn’t helping you on a daily basis, I need to reconsider the direction that I am taking. Please help me by emailing ideas that will help you but also other readers when I share your questions. Never forget this is your company and one that I hope you will continue to be proud of by your participation in it.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Miniatures Collectibles equal Dollars” - Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectibles - By the Inch.

We arrived in Owensboro, Kentucky after a very nice but short stay in Jeffersonville, Indiana to drop off my two Patty Thum paintings. They are to be shown for two months in the museum’s show there and I will receive a book of all the paintings in the show. This is very exciting to me because I personally collect Patty Thum paintings.

Arriving in Owensboro, I called my friend Cecil and we immediately headed to Evansville, Indiana for the Don Sohn Auction. We previewed all that was going to be offered on Friday and guess what? It was a wasted trip. But in the section slated for Saturday’s sale, Cecil pointed out this small, less than two inch, stoneware Kentucky jug. He asks “What do you think this piece will bring? “ My guess was maybe $250 to which he said “Your not half way there yet.” “Think $500 or a thousand and you will be closer.” This got me to thinking where could I find some of these jugs. My first thought was where they were made but soon I realized that probably would be the worst place because the people that lived there would know their value. But how about all the people that visited the distillerys and wanted to take a souvenir home from their visit? Jackpot! Yes, these jugs should be able to be found priced at $1.00 or less all over the country and most people would think of them as garage sale items. So look for miniature Kentucky jugs and if they have advertising they will bring even me money.

What about other miniatures you ask? I had a friend that with her husband they produced miniature rooms. One room they made was an art gallery with original works of art. There were three pieces in the gallery two paintings and a sculpture. The entire group was made by artists that were well listed. I saw the invoice that showed each piece was bought for $1,000 or more and I continued to pursue purchasing the room until the lady moved and put a huge smile on your face. A treasure out there that may be worth as much as $25,000 so if you see it I am still interested

Then there are the Charles Lotton vases under 2 inches that I was buying for just a few dollars a few years ago but today they are bringing $500 or more and in my opinion that is a bargain in the future they will bring $2,500. Gallee and Daum miniatures often reach $2,500 to $5,000 already and Lotton’s as good if not better. Check all glass miniatures that you come across they could bring huge smiles to your face. The Doulton penguins will sell for $250 plus and Vickie bought, I think six, for us at $35 each, yes miniatures are in.

Think small as you are out in the marketplace because to many don’t see value in miniatures but I can assure you they are wrong. This theory even extends to miniature furniture and pieces of this can bring thousands of dollar if the are early pieces. I like the characters in that movie “Mom I Shrank the Children” and all the miniatures they need to live. This would give me a great market for all the items you find but believe me there are full sized people that will search you out if you have the true treasures in the miniature world.

“Travel Can be Fun” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – God's Country Here I Come.

Kentucky - Thanks to www.ky.net

The week should prove to be interesting for me and my family as we are headed to God's country as we call it, Kentucky. The trip is to wish my wife's nephew the best as he leaves for Iraq Monday. By the way, did you see the Medal of Honor presented yesterday? I have to admit my eyes were filled with tears. What others give so that we can live as free people sometimes overwhelms me.

However, this trip is going to be so much more besides honoring Nick. Our first stop is going to be Jeffersonville, Indiana to drop off two paintings by a Kentucky artist, Patty Thum, to be displayed for two months in their museum and then entered into the catalog of Patty Thum's works. These are perhaps the only paintings that I have purchased that Vickie has ever liked and by having them in the museum and catalog, their value will only go up.

Next, I will be attending an auction in Evansville, Indiana with my friend Cecil on Saturday and hopefully there will be stories to tell of great treasures that were found when I return to Chicago. The auction that we will be attending is the Sohn's auction and the owner, Don, is a personnel friend. I mentioned his auction in my last blog. With Vickie's permission, I hope to stop at a few malls along the way and see how the mall business is doing. It is so interesting to talk to the proprietors of the malls to hear their views on the latest trends in this business of antiques and collectibles. As you can tell, my business is never far from me and I would like to encourage you to have the same perspective. You never know where that little gem might turn up that could make your year if you only had your eyes open.

I have told you before that when I travel most of my reference material stays at home but I will make every attempt to publish a blog each day that will at least add to your desire to stretch your abilities just a little further until you achieve the success that you desire.

Hopefully, when I return to Chicago my emails will be overflowing with questions or stories from you the member, that will take months to answer. I am your servant and if you don't use me I will get lazy and forget how to do what I do best and that is serve you. And even though I feel that I have tried your patience, I will have news about the site to share with you next week.

I do have a request, please say a little prayer for Josh, Vickie and I for safe travels while we are away, I know God will hear it.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Auction Buzz” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Boy, did I stir up a hornet's nest.

Lets Be the Examples

When I wrote the blog about my less than satisfactory transaction with Christie's auction house, I believed that would be the end of that. Was I mistaken! The first email that I received referring to the blog stated "Who do they think they are?" I thought the person was talking about the treatment that I had received, but no, they were talking about the treatment they had received at the hands of Christie's. Here is their quote, "I have tried to contact them but they didn't even respond to my request. You can be assured that the very nice American silver pieces that I was calling them about won't be adorning a Christie's catalog after reading your blog.”

Wow! And that was just the start because the next person contacting me asked if the blog was for real because they just couldn't believe it. I assured them that every word was the truth. Then came the call asking if I was going to do a follow-up story about other experiences I have had with auction houses and expressing surprise at the conduct of Christie's. It went on like that all day. There was also the woman that sent pictures to Christie's and never heard back from them. Perhaps they got lost in the mail like my check did.

Not wanting to beat a dead horse because I think you get the idea, there were other calls defending other auction houses. A friend of mine told this story about an auction house in Montana. I wish I had written down the name but I didn't. He consigned a painting to this auction house and it didn't sell so he called them and asked if they would try to sell it. The reserve had been $1000 so to his surprise they got back to him within a couple of days and said the painting was sold for a little over $900. Expecting a check for the $900 less commission, when the mail arrived with a check for the full sales price, he called and they said since it didn't sell in the auction they waived the commission. I ask you, do they have a customer for life? Here is a story about my experience with Cincinnati Art Gallery. I consigned a Daum Nancy piece to one of their auctions and someone tried to say it was a fake. If this rumor had persisted, the piece wouldn't have brought anything. The auction house kept me informed about the information on the piece before they sold it at auction time and most people had been convinced that they had nothing to worry about. The piece brought well over $13,000 and it may have even been over $15,000. I will never forget what they did for me and you can be assured that if I have anything that would fit into one of their auctions that is where it will sell.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for honest auction houses and they have become some of my closest friends. Here is a short list of auctions that I would put my reputation on: Shannon's in Milford Ct., Sotheby's New York, Cincinnati Art Gallery Cincinnati Oh., Sohn's auction Evansville Ind. and Early's Auction Cincinnati Oh. There are hundreds of other fine auction houses I am sure but these that I have mentioned worked for me and always tried their best to be sure I was well represented.

I did get a good piece of advice from one of my callers and he said to tell my readers to really read the contract with the auction house before you sign it and if there is anything you disagree with cross it out. Also he said to share that most things are negotiable in the contracts such as commission, ins., photo fees, reserves and resale fees. I will promise that never again will I sell anything without a reserve and if the auction says they won't take it with a reserve then it won't be sold.

Auctions can be your best friends but just like a friend, choose wisely. I am sure we at the Daryle Lambert Antique and Collectible Club will have more opportunities to list items in our marketplace since this experience we had with Christie's.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Marketplace Value” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Look no further.

MARKETPLACE - Thanks to Flicker.com

I have quoted the little book “Acres of Diamonds” before in blogs but I think that a look back at it may be in order. It tells of a man that spent his life in search of a fortune but never succeeded. Returning home dejected and ready to quit, he discovered diamonds in his own back yard.

This book was written by Russell Herman Conwell in 1917 and has sold millions of copies. Why would people still search this book out after so many years? The answer is that it is as relevant today as it was 95 years ago. We don't have to travel around the world searching for our fortunes because most people that find theirs are within a short distance of their home. I hear people constantly saying if only I live in New York, Chicago or Los Angles then I would become rich. But let me share with you what I see.

There is a young man who lives in Jacksonville Florida, now that isn't a metropolis, who purchased a painting for $25 and later sold it for $600,000 or the lady in Evansville Indiana that purchased an Indian blanket for a small amount but sold it for over $150,000. Not wanting to leave out my friend Cecil who bought a Kentucky Derby Glass, I think in Henderson Kentucky, for $12 and soon placed it with a new owner for $12,500. I could continue to tell these stories for at least five blogs but I think these stories are enough to prove my point, that the little book written so many years ago is still relevant today. Yes, your fortune might be right where you are now, but if you only dream about other places where your fortune might be located, then there is a chance you will never find it.

One place I believe our members should look is in our own marketplace. Many of the listings have been there for many months and now may be priced fairly with enough profit to be made on them that they would meet our requirements for doubling our money. Don't be afraid to make offers for the items that are listed in the marketplace because you don't know what the sellers would take now that they have been listed for some time. Also go back to the places where you have spotted treasures but the asking prices were too high for you. If these items are still available maybe a 50% offer would be entertained. I think back to my own experiences where I offered $15,000 for a painting that was priced to me for $25,000. Yes I did have to pay up for it with the final price $16,000 but six months later I sold it for $115,000.

Dreams are just that, dreams, but action speaks louder than words so now is the time to get back in the game. Talking about how bad things are will never make you a dime. A lady called me about a painting she owns and I believe that soon I may have a chance to purchase it or at least represent her in the sale of the painting. If this comes about it should be the second best trade that I have ever made. Just keep filling that pipeline and I assure you that over time you will get your share of deals. As others stand asking how you do it, you will be basking in your success. “Go get them mate.” I sort of like the way that sounds, don't you?

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Is Christie's Worth Your Trust?” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – You be the Judge!

Thanks to www.this oldhouse.com

I have been brought up thinking that Christie's and Sotheby's were the pinnacle in the auction business but now I have second thoughts about Christie's due to a transaction that I was involved in where Christie's sold a painting for me. Now I am reconsidering my opinion about their professionalism in the auction business. I will let you be the judge and I will just present the facts for your analysis.

This story starts out on a very happy note when a member of the “Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club” was contacted by one of its members in Texas about a painting. This painting was by Walter Darby Bannard, an American painter. It was rather large in size 30 X 45 ½ inches and from the era of his better paintings. Its title was Cherokee Blanket # 4 and on the stretcher it was signed and dated 1970. At the price of $600 it had to belong to the Club and with a $100 fee to get it to Christie's or Shannon's, the total investment would be $700.

The Club was more than happy to enter it into the “Associates Program” where the Club purchases the piece and then splits the profit with its member who found it. Calling Shannon's Auction and being given an verbal estimate of $3,250, the next call was to Christie's since they had sold the most recent painting by this artist for $13,750. To be fair it was larger, measuring 67 X 99 inches, but it was the same genre. After Christie's estimated the painting at $5000 - $7000, it was decided to sell the painting at Christie's because they had sold a piece by the artist at the highest price. What a mistake that was because Shannon's seems to never miss the estimates they give me.

But on with the story. The auction due date came and all the parties were excited until the news came that the painting didn't reach its reserve. Please remember that Christie's set the price with no help from the Club. Yes, we were disappointed but Christie's said they would resell it at another time. However, they set the estimate this time at $2000 - $3000 fairly insuring it would reach that level but yet not allowing a reserve to be set the second time around.

Now this is where the story turns a little sick because at the second auction it was sold for $850. A check for that small amount of money seemed to confuse them because after the settlement date had come and passed, there was no check and they were given a call. They said the check must have been lost in the mail but assured us a new one would be sent.

Now for the comedy, the check arrived listing the sales price at $850 with $212.50 deducted for the commission. But that isn't all, there was an Ins. Fee for $12.50. Are you laughing yet? If not you soon will be. They also charged $150 for the second auction and $300 for their illustration. Wow! We jumped for joy at the final figure $174.75. With the buyer's premium the painting sold for $1063, less what they paid Daryle Lambert for the club $174.75 so if my math is right Christie's kept $888.25. I wouldn't believe this story unless it happened to me. But be assured once stung it was my fault but there won't be another stinging at the hands of Christie's for me.

So, what should Christie's or any other auction house have done? Remember, they set the estimate and the reserve for the first auction. When bidding for an item doesn't reach the reserve, I'd like to see a new set of pricing rules kick in. There shouldn't be a charge for placement in a second auction. They should never insist that an item be auctioned with no reserve. The commission should be lowered. The seller should be offered the chance to take the item back at no cost other than shipping and insurance charges. We choose an auction house based in part upon their best estimate of the amount of money the item will bring. When the auction house misses its own estimate, let's be fair and try to make things right with the seller rather than eke out the most profit you can.

WARNING – WARNING – WARNING – You be your own judge as to future transactions with Christie's.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com