Daryle Lambert: Dolls Make Money Even When Damaged

Thanks to www.flicker.com

I once bought a doll head for $25 and sold it for over $300. I believe the lady who bought it must have had the body, don't you think? Later I found out that this doll complete was worth somewhere between $3500 and $5000. I was still very happy but in the future I may try to find the body myself.

You must know that dolls are one of the most collected items in the world. There are more books written about dolls and their accessories than you can count so this must mean we can make money with the right ones. The French and German dolls seem to lead the pack when it comes to collectors and this means you must educate yourself in their masks to capitalize on their value.

Why is he talking about dolls today I am sure you’re asking. The simple answer is that I joined www.iantiqueonline.com on the Internet and one of the groups there was a doll group. You should join also because I feel there is going to be an opportunity to learn a lot about dolls there. But what caught my eye was this lady advertising for doll restoration and I stored that away for future use www.treasured-collectibles.com.

I am often asked about what items I could recommend for purchase that have a top value high enough that a person can reach the upper levels of the “ Million Dollar Race”. This is a friendly competition between members of the 31 Club to see which one can make a million dollars first by using the book “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles. I have seen dolls sell for over $100,000. Here is a record of some of the most expensive dolls ever sold at Theriault's auction.

Every woman can probably remember her first doll, but who would have thought that some day that doll could put a child through college. In fact, I seriously doubt that many men would have an interest in dolls but they do and for good reason. If you haven't included dolls on your list of treasures, I would highly suggest that you do it now. There are many books on Abesbooks or Amazon that can be purchased for just a few bucks used and they would make a great addition to your library.


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Daryle Lambert: Make Money Liquidating Collections

In this economy people are having to divest themselves of their possessions to replace their loss of wages or other asset values. You might have read about a top executive who sold off the art collection that his wife had put together because he needed $14,000,000 to maintain his lifestyle. Boy, do I wish I could have lived that lifestyle. We may not have that kind of money but we have an opportunity to be of service to others because of the knowledge we possess.

You may be asking why anyone would want us to help them dispose of their collections. I will be glad to give several reasons. First, often well respected individuals don't want the public to know that they are having to sell assets. This could prove harmful to them if the people that they were doing business with thought that they were having financial problems. Second, by going through you, the collection can be properly liquidated through other collectors, auctions and even you personally, without upsetting the marketplace. Large collections put on the market all at once can create a firehouse mentality where the prices received are greatly reduced. Third, most people have very little knowledge about liquidating their possessions and they can easily be taken advantage of, so they are looking for someone honest to assist them.

Now that we know that there is a need, how do we fill it? First, we must let people know that we have not only the financial ability to assist them but also the knowledge necessary to do the best job disposing of their items. You may ask but how can I tell them that if the collection has a large net value? Don't forget you have the backing of the 31 Club by using the associate program. Next, they will be dealing with a person they know and you can share with them information that will comfort them as the collection is sold. This is where you can really shine: by not letting buyers cherry pick the collection, the overall total will be much larger that the seller will receive. This saves them from selling off the better pieces but then not being able to sell the cheaper ones. Lastly, you will be able to ascertain where each piece of the collection will bring the highest dollar, thereby, increasing the overall value of the collection.

If you really want to see your bank account increased, work with someone that has a very expensive collection to liquidate. By helping them receive a fair market value you certainly will make money hand over fist. We have been taught that most high priced items are sold at auction but nothing could be further from the truth. Most of the high priced items pass through private hands and never see the auction ring. Remember how one of our members sold a painting for over $120,000? It was a private sale.


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Daryle Lambert: Make Money with Quality Silver.

Thanks to www.spencermarks.com

The 31 Club is here to help you make money, however it can be made. Several months ago I said to sell silver as it approached $20/oz. and hopefully you heeded my advice because in subsequent months it dropped below $10. Today it is about $13 and, with the nervousness in the financial markets, this is the time to watch its movement over the next few months.

However, this only pertains to the scrap silver and not to the better quality silver items. Silver coffee and tea sets with early hallmarks might be something that you want to keep an eye out for today. These I believe are coming back into fashion and the international market for them is picking up. With the internet today it is as easy to sell something in Europe as it is to sell it here at home. I purchased an English teapot for $500 and sold it for almost $2500 in Europe. I believe that there are great treasures for you to find in the silver category, where in the past I have been rather cautious in this field. Good sets of dinnerware can also feed your bank account. Depending on the pattern you should still be able to buy sets for $10 per piece or less. This should assure you of doubling your money. Silver is one area of the antique business that should always compound your money because most of the time you will be purchasing it at close to the actual cost of the silver.



Beware of weighted candlesticks and similar objects because often they seem cheap but there is very little market for them. One of my favorite silver items to buy are mint julep cups. Those produced by early craftsmen could be valued in the thousands. Even the average cups can bring three to five hundred dollars.

I have found that when I buy silver the seller usually has several pieces to offer me and this allows for an offer that would be less than the pieces bought individually, making my job even easier. Be sure that you don't get caught buying silver plate, even if it has great eye appeal, because I believe that your chances of find a buyer after your purchase will be rather limited. The exception to this are figural napkin ring holders.

There is no limit to the number of items made from silver that you will encounter but I will give you a short list: cigarette cases, compacts, bowls, tureens, decanters, figurines, vases, tankards, centerpieces and candelabras. This is just a start and I am sure that you could add many more but keep in mind we are buying for others and looking for items in the quantity that is necessary to fill our customers’ needs.

Here is my tip for today. Study the Russian hallmarks for silver because the hottest things in the market are Russian silver items. Most dealers can't identify the Russian marks so this will give you the advantage whenever a Russian piece shows up.

P.S. For you in the Stock Market - Flash!! I believe the market is set for a rally. We have put in a key reversal at 7400 and now at 7800. This is a very strong signal for a rally.


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Daryle Lambert: Make Money with Josef Originals

Thanks to www.flicker.com

Want to make a quick $100? That may sound like a foolish question but as I talked to Frank at Onlineauctions.com, his words were that the lower end items are still selling at a rapid pace. So I thought I would give you one of those items that will put cash in your pocket.

Josef Originals were made in California from 1945 to 1962 and they were a cheaper substitute for the more expensive figurines that were produced in Europe. Ladies were the largest part of the collection but there were also animals. Muriel Joseph George was the designer who was ahead of her time. When others were producing their wares in the USA, she took her designs to be produced in Japan. The company has been sold twice since its beginning, once to George Good in 1982 and then to the Southland Corp. in 1985.

Even the figurines that were made after the company’s sale still carried the name “Josef Originals”. These little figurines have almost become a collecting icon. The good thing for us is only the avid collectors know their value so often they can be picked up for a song. I have seen many of them at garage sales priced at half a dollar or less. They are one collectible that I feel is still climbing in value as they attract more and more collectors. The greatest part is that the collectors of these figurines are true collectors but they don't have to be millionaires to build a wonderful collection.

I am sure that the earlier pieces will bring the highest dollar and by watching what sells on eBay and also consulting the Kovel price guide, you will become familiar with the figurines most in demand. I have seen many that are listed on eBay bring from $150 to $200. Now for an old Kentucky Hillbilly $.50 to $200 is quite a gap. Who says there isn't treasure among all the trash?

Young people will come back to collecting by finding something to collect that doesn't break the bank. In fact, if you introduce people to these interesting little figurines you may be forming your own market. I have written about Warner Smith and Lotton glass and that is actually what he did . He shared the Lotton Glass with everyone he met and soon he was the Lotton guy. Just something for you to think about.


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Daryle Lambert: Time to evaluate Ebay vs. Onlineauction.com and Seeauctions.com.

Thanks to www.english.pravda.com

Ebay is a dinosaur with a mortal wound and unless it changes its ways it will soon be doomed. If you remember I started writing about the demise of eBay almost a year ago. My suggestion was that they discontinue their listing fees altogether but instead they insulted their members by trick math. The sellers didn't buy this and neither did they buy that sellers could only use paypal and their inflated fees.

Mag Whitman was right in leaving a sinking ship and now it is evident to all the world why. Ebay can still regain their footing but it is going to take a major overhaul from top down. They have the greatest asset that you can have in the Internet business and that is numbers but I believe these are falling at a staggering rate. Unless they are able to match the new business models in the market their stockholders are in for a rough ride. The stock price for eBay has tumbled almost 75% and there may be further to go if they don't implement changes.

There is good knew for the members of the 31 Club and that is the formation of several companies that have put the interest of their customers first. The two that I would like to high lite are Onlineauction.com and Seeauction.com. I was first introduced to Onlineauction almost a year ago I think and immediately became a founding member. I was impressed that they allowed their sellers to pay $8.00 for their unlimited listings [ This could be modified in the future ] however up to this time it hasn't. Isn't this sweet, no listing fees or final value fees. They have also started an affiliate program where you can put their banner on your site if you have one and make money by just sharing this wonderful opportunities with others. My contact with the company Frank informed me that the $10 to $25 market is still red hot but they have seen a little slowing at the upper end of these markets.

My second recommendation is Seeauctions.com. This company is perhaps the most forward looking company that I have ever run across. I talked to the founder of Seeauction.com and he shared with me his vision. First he decided to have on charges for sellers that placed their item on seeauctions site for a period of time. His reasoning was that first he had to get enough traffic to the site that people would go there to find what they wished to buy. Yes most would have thought that they could do this with advertising but not this man of vision he saw the by giving free listings the sellers would make more money and tell all their friends about this opportunity. This approach I am sure will produce the effect that assures success for Seeauctions.

Both of these companies are capturing more market share ever day while there is no doubt that eBay is losing share. I highly suggest that our members of the 31 Club utilize both these companies in their plans for the future. The 31 Club will continue to monitor the markets and keep you abreast of changes and opportunity for you to increase your profitability.


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Daryle Lambert: My, How things have Changed for the Ladies

Thanks to www.cyherattic.com

Did you know that a lady didn't powder her nose in public until after WWII? But after that all was fair game and women, to express their new found freedom, began to carry beautiful and expensive compacts to hold their powder. These compacts expressed the signs of the time and Art Deco was the rage. These were followed by commemorative ones like the World’s Fair compacts. Political items were also very popular and came in a close third.

Things were really swinging after the war and women were ready for a new beginning. The period of Art Deco ushered in a new look for women and they loved it. Bright colors and modern design set women into a new era of beauty and fun. No longer wanting to be considered second class citizens they wanted their time on the stage.

How can this make money for you? Just wait till I share with you some of the values of antique compacts of earlier eras. I believe you will have new respect for the lady’s compact.

The great things about compacts are that they will fit into anyone’s budget. Some were made for the average woman and then there were those that could only be afforded by the wealthy. Compacts produced in plastic and inexpensive metal but with great designs made for items to be cherished by the working woman but then there were also designer compacts by the leading designers of the times, using gold, silver and other precious material. Many were enhanced with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and other precious stones.

I was aware that these accessories could be expensive but little did I expect their true value could be as great as $40,000 until I looked them up on eBay. There before my eyes were several that were in the four to seven thousand dollar range. The house and garage sales are treasure troves for this kind of find and the greatest thing is that there isn't any shortage of collectors who are seeking to buy these powder compacts. Yes, most will be between $100 and $500 but if they are purchased for $10 then you have just complete a step or two in your race to the millions. Consignment and white elephant shops are also great opportunities for you.

We don't see many women with compacts anymore but the compacts we can find will still make money for us.


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Daryle Lambert: Make Money with Our Equal Opportunity Company

Thanks to www.flicker.com

We have talked about guns and cuff links but what about the ladies’ items? I just discovered that items that women cherish can certainly raise your eyebrows when you find out their value. I never really thought about earrings for instance and only thought them to be adornments, but was I wrong. We won't be discussing the diamond studs because the diamond is the value but what about other earrings?

Designer pieces will always bring value according to the reputation of the designer. As you search for treasure your list of prominent designers should contain many names. These pieces will always make money for you but they aren't the only ones that can. Remember, I’ve shared with you that very often you may find earrings in a jewelry box at a garage or house sale that is completely filled with custom jewelry with the exception of the pair of earrings at the bottom that are 24 ct. gold. The way to buy these is to offer a bid for the entire box because if you pull the earrings out the seller may realize that these should be priced differently than the box.

To give you an idea of designer pieces’ value, here are two sets of earrings: a Cipullo Cartier, onyx rings, three pyramid shaped frosted crystals, 18 K gold, $3000. How about if you came across this set: openwork foliate, circular cut diamonds, textured gold, M. Buccellati, $5000. Depending on the name and quality these pieces can go into the tens of thousands and more. You can see from this that a jewelry box may became a true treasure trove for you.

But how about sets of earrings that aren't designer. Can I make money with them? Good question. Let’s see if I can answer it for you. How about if you came across this set: drop rings, fan shaped top, diamonds, open pearl shaped drop, Art Deco, $6500. Or this one: fluted amethyst teardrop, platinum, diamond link chain, Art Deco, $3500. I think you will agree that you can make money with other than designer pieces

Be sure to have your jeweler’s loupe with you at all times because the stamps on jewelry often are too small to read without assistance. I like to buy my pieces at the value of the metal or less and you may want to adopt that rule

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