Christmas Treat – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Make Someone Happy.

Does He Have Your Present?

There isn't much time left before it will be too late to help someone fill their Christmas wish. If you put that special gift on eBay this week, the buyers can still receive it before Christmas. It is about now when everyone starts to panic about what they are going to give that special person. Yes, there are people that are responsible but I find that many are just like me and put their shopping off to the last minute.

Look through your inventory and see what items might make that special gift for someone and list as many as you find on eBay, but here is a suggestion. Instead of running the listing for seven days, make it just three. This will give you extra time to ship and the buyer will be assured that the gift will be under that tree on Christmas day.

I can think of many items that would make a true collector’s eyes shine, like a wonderful Rookwood vase, a Lalique figurine, a Meissen Grouping or even a painting. I know from personal experience that when the pressure is on to buy that special person a gift and time is running out, I really don't worry about the price. That will play to your advantage if there are others like me and I think there are.

There is another side to this story and here it is. There is no other time during the year when people feel that they need money more than around Christmas and that is especially true this year when most are reluctant to put their purchases on credit cards. So what can people do to not go further in debt? You got it. Sell something. That is where you can be the white knight and help them. I have made some of my greatest buys in November and December. Because the economy is so tight, your negotiating power will be enhanced and I think you will find people more willing to accept your offers than usual.

You do know that retail stores can make up to 80% of their profit in the last two months of the year and this could also apply to you. So this isn't the time to sit back and wait for next year and pat ourselves on the back for what a great year we had. Be motivated because this is the stretch run and we are near the finish line.

Good Luck Santa and Mrs. Claus

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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Car Posters – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectibles Blog – Cars mean cash.

Steve McQueen - Thanks to Flicker

I have loved cars ever since I was given my first one, a 1955 Chevy. Through the years I have owned Corvettes, MG TD's, Studebaker Golden Hawks, Thunderbirds and one of my favorites, a Mazda. People that love cars may not be able to own the actual cars but to deal in automobile memorabilia can be just as satisfying.

We have talked about the expensive hood ornaments, hub caps and toy cars but there is another area that can be quite profitable and that is paper goods used to advertise the automobile industry. First, you may want to buy posters that feature cars. They don't necessarily have to represent any particular automobile. Often travel posters show cars and racing posters can also bring a pretty penny. But posters aren't the only paper items that command fair prices. Owner's manuals, advertisements, photographs and ownership papers on cars owned by celebrities are eagerly sought after by the collector. Some of my favorite collectibles are the old magazines such as Road and Tracks and Car Action.

If you become known for having a quantity of paper car collectibles, the buyers will hunt you up and, since this hobby isn't that expensive compared to some others, your inventory will turn very quickly. One thing that I have found is that automobile collectors usually concentrate on one brand such as Chevy, Ford or Chrysler, with some preferring foreign makes. I have found that many items that I buy to resell take quite a bit of room, for instance I now have to rent space just for my inventory, but with paper items the need for space is minimized.

Let’s look at a few items that are for sale today. First, there is a Steve McQueen Bullitt movie poster listed for over $11,500 from 1969. If that is a little rich for your blood, how about the early 1900 Peugeot French poster for $1800. I also found where a 1971 Mercedes poster was bringing $82.25 while a racing poster with a Mercedes was selling for $350. Even the 1972 Corvette poster sold for $150 while another Steve McQueen from Bullitt made in America brought $599.

I have just about run out of space on this blog but don't forget about the other items that I mentioned because they will help you on your way to success.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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Hub Caps – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Do You remember those Spinners?

Let the Fun start now - Thanks to Flicker.com

I remember my first car, a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air two door hardtop. Being a junior in high school and driving this car to school, at that time was the greatest thing in my life. In fact I was one of the few students that had a car back then and after taking hand me downs all my life, I felt rather special. Dad had done very well in the oil fields around our area and for the first time in my life I felt equal to the other kids that I ran around with.

Owning a car was great but only if you had the right hub caps. That is what really set your car apart from others. I

had worked during the summers and also saved a few dollars from my paper route so once I had the car, it was only logical that I had to buy the most expensive spinners on the market. It seemed that few of my friends wanted to talk about my car but those spinner hub caps were the talk of the school.

Why do I share this story with you? Well, it seems that the hub caps still in one sense make the car. I am amazed by those caps that seem to keep spinning after the car stops. Have you seen them? If you have, I am sure that as you watched them spin you asked, "How do they do that?" Now, to show you how to make money with this information.

I have attended several garage and house sales where in the garage, stored in boxes or hanging on the wall, were sets of hub caps. These usually were the original caps that had been replaced by fancier ones by the owner, like me when I bought my spinners. Guess what? These sets of caps can bring plenty of money because car collectors are looking for them as they restore their vintage cars.

If you go to a car meet, you will find that sets of vintage hub caps can bring from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Perhaps the worst place to sell hub caps is eBay, but I will share with you just a few prices from past sales there. Do you own a 1956 or '57 Lincoln Mark 11 that needs four new caps? Then $2000 will be your cost. Or perhaps it is the 1963 Buick Riviera spinners you're looking for at $1700. As you can see, the owners of special cars are willing to spend lots of money to dress them up. Here are four more examples: 1970 Ford Mustang $1195, 1970 Chevy Camaro wires $1000, 1979 Cadillac Eldorado wires $800 and last but not least 1958 Chevy Impala $545.

There is gold in those caps so keep a sharp eye out for them. A complete set of four caps usually will bring far more money but if the cap you find is rare enough even a single will pad your pocket.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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Lladro – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Great to look at but?

Lladro

Boy, did I spend a great thanksgiving at a church friend's house yesterday. The food was fit for a king but what I want to talk to you about is the Lladro collection I saw. It was out of this world, with some pieces three feet long and containing as many as fifteen characters. Many of these limited edition pieces list for $50,000 or more. I have to admit that with fifteen children running through the house it made me very nervous. But the question is have these wonderful people made a good investment?

It is my opinion that to collect you must make your collection pay for itself. What do I mean by that you must be asking? Well here is your answer. First, never buy items to collect just because you like them or they are cheap. If you are successful in buying an item that you are interested in keeping, first sell something and with the profits above the goal of doubling your money that you have set, you can then spend the extra on items to keep. This means that your bank account continues to grow but also, on occasion, you add a piece to your personal collection.

I have seen too many horrible stories where people spent their retirement money on items that they were told would appreciate in value, only to see them decline in value far below the actual cost. There was one elderly couple that came to me with their Hummel collection that they had invested $125.000 into, only to have me tell them that they could only get about $10,000 for it. This broke my heart because I could see the hurt in their eyes and knew that their way of life would be affected by that news. This doesn't need to happen if the person is careful and uses the information that is provided by your “Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club”, because we want to make money from our efforts. Part of the rewards will be putting a collection together that is free to us. Now that is what I call fun. You have heard me say before in these blogs that profit and fun are the two elements that we must obtain in this business and without both of them we won't be successful.

Now back to the original question. No, I don't think that this family made a good investment and here is why. First, they will never get their money back if their cost was near retail which I assume it was. Second, I was shown several pieces that have already been damaged. The only good news there was that much of the damage included pieces that can be ordered from the factory which will put the figurine back in mint condition but there were others that will have to be professionally repaired reducing their value.

Keep your collecting in perspective and realize that if you have no investment in it, the only way the value can go is up.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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Cincinnati Art Gallery – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – News

Rookwood Pottery - Thanks to Flicker.com

Happy Thanksgiving

I have to admit there are few things that surprise me any more but when I picked up the Antique Week and found where the Cincinnati Art Galleries had sold the auction this did catch me off guard.

After reading the article however I realize that it is probably the best for everyone. The Sandler family wish to maximize the efforts in the art field and this will give them more time for those endeavors. However what is going to happen to the pottery and glass auctions you are asking? This is where it really gets exciting.

The Rookwood Pottery company is purchasing the auction part of the business and Riley Humler will be the new gallery director for Rookwood Pottery. He will also bring with him other art and pottery experts to assure that the auctions will continue to be the best in the business.

I have been doing business with Mr. Humler for over 20 years and I have to say he is perhaps the most honest man that I have ever know. During our dealings together he has always kept my best interest up most in his mind and I have used his expertise more times than I would like to think. In fact you may remember that when I made my largest deal and talked about going to Cincinnati to consult with an expert, that expert was Riley Humler. That consultation resulted in me selling a painting for over $115,000.

Over the years Riley has help me to become successful in this business like the time I took a very plain looking Rookwood vase to him only to have him tell me that it was a very rare piece. I sold this small vase for almost ten times what I would have accept from a buyer if I hadn't received that knowledge from Riley.

I wish Riley and his whole staff much success in their new surroundings and I hope that all my reader will consider them when selling Art Pottery and Glass.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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Last Night - Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectibles Blog - Going Home

I have been away from home to long but tomorrow I will sleep in my own bed again. There are reasons for being away from home and these last few days have been required me to be away but I haven’t done much as far as the business. I am beginning to believe that the best things in life happen to you near home both in life and business.

It seems that if you are at home you have the home advantage at lest this is what has happened to me lately. Trying to do business far from home requires trusting others and I have found that often if I am not working with someone I know there can be problems. Take for example the painting that I have refunded the money on, if this had been done in the Chicago area I believe the results would have been totally different.

Doing business with auction houses that know you can often prevent mistake because they will protect you as a continuing customer while an auction that you are doing business with for the first time might give you little consideration. Also if my buyer are local they see what they are purchasing so there isn’t mistake about the condition of an item and I find these transactions usually stay completed.


I am really tire from all that has happened over the last week so I will be signing off but you can be confident that the tips and information that is helpful to the members of the “ Daryle Lambert Antique and Collectible Club “ will resume with past quality starting tomorrow. Please pray for my safe return.


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Sarah Palin – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectibles Blog – Bright Star

Sarah Palin - Thanks to P.A.L.I.N.COM

President Obama’s star is beginning to tarnish as his popularity drops below 50% but there is a new star on the horizon and that is Sarah Palin. I have given ever opportunity to Obama in my blogs to be the president of the people but it seems that he has chosen to follow the guide of the far left wing of the Democratic party. The country wanted a change from the policy’s of George Bush but they weren’t prepared for the redistribution of wealth that Obama is initiating.

Obama’s memorabilia will continue to appreciate being our counties first black president but he is squandering the opportunity to become the president that I thought he could be. I would still continue to search for Obama items but the more exciting option is to buy anything Sarah Palin. This should include her new book ”Going Rogue” and it will add to the value if it is signed. Don’t be fooled by all the negative publicity that she is receiving because this shows the real fear that the democrats have of her.

Remember when I suggested that you buy posters, pins, photographs, books and any other item featuring Obama at this time I believe you would make more money finding items featuring Sarah Palin. Her popularity hasn’t begun to peak so this is the time to get on her bandwagon. Palin is going to have a tremendous effect on the mid-term elections in 2010 so this is your chance to make big money on her items over the next year. Items from her political career in Alaska will also pay you handsomely if found. Take this opportunity to enhance your bank account while other items are still reacting sluggishly to this economy.

Palin is going to have a tremendous effect on the mid-term elections in 2010 so this is your chance to make big money on her items over the next year. Items from her political career in Alaska will also pay you handsomely if found. Take this opportunity to enhance your bank account while other items are still reacting sluggishly to this economy.

I will be back in Chicago Wednesday and hopefully I will be able to get back in the scheme of things.

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Fifties Furniture – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectibles Blog – Blast from the past.

50's Furniture

I still haven’t found anything here in Florida that has peaked my interest but I have discovered a nest of great pieces that were right there for me to harvest. You are asking then why haven’t I purchased them if they could be mine at anytime?

You see those items are the entire house full of 50’s furniture in my mother’ home. I have talked to my brothers and sister and it seems that none of them wants this type of furniture but I informed them that fifties furnishing are very collectible whenever the time comes for us to sell them. I remember when my parents purchase this furniture and how proud they where to have new furnishings, up to that time our home was filled with hand me downs.

There is an important lesson to be learned here and that is don’t forget the things that you may have the chance to sell that may be closest to you. In this case it is items belonging to my family that will be sold and I can help my siblings by sharing my knowledge with them. My suggestion was this type of furniture would bring nothing in Owensboro Kentucky but In Chicago it should do quite well. Hopefully these Items will be sent to Chicago to be sold.

This reminds me of when I visited a wonderful ladies home and she shared with me that she and her husband had purchase a house full of new furniture in the fifties and that after enjoying it for all these years she sold seven pieces for over $35,000. One of the pieces was perhaps the most awful looking lamp that I had ever seen that sold for over $12,000. The other pieces were a couple of tables, one couch, two chairs and coffee table.

I will be back in Chicago Wednesday where Ondre again will be able to correct my grammer.


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The Day – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectible Blog – That You never want to see.

God be With Us

My mother passed yesterday and I am not sure if I have accepted it as real yet. The woman that gave me birth is no longer there to except my phone calls or send me letters. Yes I know that she is in a better place and there is no longer pain but at this moment that seems to give me very little comfort.

I will be trying to keep the blogs going but over the next few days it might be very difficult. I am in Florida and won’t be in Chicago until Wednesday. It is very hard to think of money at times like this because it seems so worthless but I will share some thoughts with you..

I spent the day looking over so many items in places that call themselves antique shops but found that these places may have forgotten what an antique is. I was not even tempted to make one bid all day long so what does that tell you. Yes the personal contacts, garage and house sales seem to the last opportunity to find treasures for resale in these markets.

I have told you to keep your money until you are sure that what you’re buying is a real bargain and to day that is even more important than when I first wrote it. I didn’t talk to a single person that was selling anything and most of them were just trying to hang on. There is a time coming when the market will improve but it still isn’t there yet even if I want it to be. The only markets that seem to be stable are the upper end items and even then I would hope you have an idea where you will place the items before you purchase them.

You will be hearing from me and I ask for your prayers.



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Stars and Stripes Our Flag – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectibles Blog – Stand Up.

Join Me

Today’s blog will come from my heart so I hope you will bear with me. It is time for us to stand up for our country and its flag. I still remember when I was in the first grade how proud I was when the teacher taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance and I put my hand over my heart. That feeling is still in me today no matter where that pledge is said--at a ballgame, a Memorial Day commemoration or a school event with my son, Joshua.


Why don’t we take this chance to show our love for the greatest country on earth by standing up for the United States of America? How can we do that, I am sure you’re asking? Here is my suggestion. Why don’t we start a national trend of collecting memorabilia that features our flag? What better way to show that we are united under the Red, White and Blue than to encourage others to find and display items featuring the flag.


Here is an idea. Why not buy and sell items from the military that show the flag, like patches, uniforms and military posters, Then show these to our children and tell them that anyone who serves this country is standing up for its freedom and those that oppose our soldiers are on the wrong side of the fence. We should also teach our children that being patriotic is an honor, not something to be ashamed of. On eBay today there are 8000 plus patriotic items being offered so there is definitely a market out there for us to tap into.


This seems to be a two for one opportunity for us, showing others how we feel about our country and making money at the same time.


I mentioned things from the military that the flag has been incorporated into but that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to items featuring our flag. First, the flag has long been used in paintings and when it is, prices skyrocket into the hundreds of thousands for one artist. I don’t have my reference books with me but this same artist painted scenes of New York with the American flag hanging from buildings. The flag has also been featured in glass, pottery and porcelain.


I sold a pair of gloves made by the first Americans that had beaded American flags on them for $5000 and if you are able to find a vintage quilt with flags on it, the price could be $10,000 or more. As you are out in the field searching for treasure, keep a keen eye out for that old Red, White and Blue and it will be true to you. GOD BLESS AMERICA


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Paintings – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectibles Blog - True or False.

Blanchard


Today I received an email that no seller wishes to receive. It said that the buyer of my Blanchard painting was questioning if it was the real thing. I waited to see why he would question it because I am sure that it is an original painting by Blanchard. Here is his reasoning. The signature doesn’t look right to him and therefore he would like to return it for a refund. I assured him that he could send it back and if it was in the same condition as when he received it, the refund would be sent out immediately. However, this is troubling to me because buyers put so much stock in the signature.

People should realize that the signature on a painting is the easiest part of a painting to fake. Maybe the atist hurt his hand or just got in a hurt signing one of his pieces so the signature might look a little different than most that he signs. This doesn't mean he didn't paint it. Also, the signature should not carry nearly the weight as the painting itself when evaluating the authenticity of a piece. The brush strokes, colors, style and subject matter are for more important than the signature. If people buy paintings based solely on the signature, I promise that they will be stung at some time. In this case, I have two examples of Blanchard’s signature on paintings that match the one on my painting perfectly. First there is a $22,000 one on eBay and then there is a match in the European signature book. However, it isn’t for me to educate him if he already knows that it is a fake in his eyes and it is simply easier to just return his money.

I do have an interesting story for you, however, and here it is. There was a painting attributed to Blanchard at Brunk’s Auction on November the 14th lot 188, and it sold for $3200. That doesn’t sound very interesting does it, but here is the rest of the story. It seems that the painting was signed “Cortes”. How could that have happened? Well you see in the past, a Cortes has brought more money than a Blanchard and they painted in somewhat similar styles so to make more money someone just put Cortes’ signature on it.

This is a perfect example of what I am taking about and some sharp eyed dealer recognized that the painting was by Blanchard and not Cortes but still picked up a bargain. You see the signature didn’t mean much to the buyer because he knew the differences between the two painters. Yes the signature is important but it is only half the story.

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Airline Collectibles – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Up up and away.

Now That's My Boy - Thanks to Flicker.com

Tomorrow I will be flying to Florida with my family to spend a couple of days with my daughter. Yes, mom is still in very poor shape but I have been told that it could be weeks before I will be called home. It seems that my life is being pulled in many directions but I know the Lord is in control so I have little to fear.

Thinking about my flight, I decided to research airline collectibles and boy, did I get a surprise. It seems that there is a large contingent of collectors for anything that was made by the different lines. I didn't realize how many airlines have come and gone or merged with one another. I found that if one of the lines ceased to exist, their items seem to be in the highest demand.

Here are just a few items that are collected and searched for by these avid collectors: china with the company's emblem, glasses, posters (you won't believe what some of them bring), uniforms for pilots and stewardess, caps and hat pins and advertising signs. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to airline collectibles but you will found it interesting compiling you own list. The items that you will discover are almost endless and anything mentioning an airline will be sought after by the collectors. Checking eBay, I found that these items have the best completion rate of almost any other group of collectibles that I have studied.

Looking at the advertising auctions, I found where posters have brought in thousands of dollars while models of the aircrafts sell in the high hundreds. Here are three rather interesting items that sold on eBay. First, a United Airlines sign featuring a Tiki brought $550 while a figurine of a Hula dancer had 24 bids and settled at $466.99. Not to be left out, Barbie had her own American Airlines stewardess outfit at $375. Keep an eye out for anything that is adorned with the symbol or logo of a present or past airline company.

I promise I will be tucking away several of the napkins, barf bags and about anything else I can get my hands on. It would really be neat if I could talk the airline out of one or two posters to hang on Joshua's wall because he is studying to be a pilot and already spends hours on the computer with his simulators. Josh is already saying he wants to take the flying courses offered at the high school he will be attending and I believe this may be our next father and son venture into collecting together.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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It's That Time Again Sell Gold – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Sell Gold and Silver.

Time to sell - Thanks to Flicker.com

The last time I made this call for my readers gold was over $1000 an ounce and silver went to $21. After my call, gold went to $800 and silver was as low as $10. I think these markets have peaked. I hope that over the last few months that you have purchased some silver and gold coins like I suggested in my blogs, but now is the time to take your profit. I know that I will be getting all the hate mail again from the gold bugs but that is okay.

A good friend of mine just took a few pieces of old and broken jewelry to a gold buyer and received over $550 and I guarantee you that I wouldn't have given her $100 for what she showed me. There is still the misconception that gold is a hedge against hard times but I believe that in today's markets where the true hedge is currencies, gold is just another commercial metal. Yes, India and China are buying gold but as we have seen in the past they can just as quickly turn to sellers. In both these countries, jewelry is very important to their culture and that is why they are purchasing gold, not as a hedge.

As I have told you in the past, these markets have almost become a sham. I find it hard to watch thirty minutes of television without someone hyping gold. Do people think they are doing that out of the goodness of their hearts? No, it is because they are making fortunes selling to the uninformed public what they are buying at much cheaper prices. When the market reverses and starts down, see if they are still around or better than that if they will buy the gold they're selling now back at what the public paid.

How does this pertain to us as antique dealers you may be asking? There still is money to be made on quick turns in gold and silver, just don't get stuck with it. You may find that you run into someone that has 40 or 50 silver dollars that you can buy. This may be a real opportunity for you. First, I would recommend that you buy them and research each one to see if they have any numerical value. Put the ones that do on the Seeauctions site and sell the rest as scrap. The same advice goes for gold coins and jewelry. I believe that today is an opportunity that won't last long and as you visit the garage and house sales, pick up all the gold and silver items you can and sell then just as quickly. The items that I spoke of earlier that the lady sold could have easily been purchased for under $100 at a sale. That would definitely met our goal of doubling our money.

Here is what I will leave you with. If at the present time you have gold and silver items, sell them. Also take this opportunity to buy more of these items but sell them the next day or the same day if possible. This love affair won't continue.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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The Lowly Spoon – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – But has it changed?

Enameled Spoon - Thanks to Phoenixmasonry.org

Look what has come back into fashion, souvenir spoons. I can remember just a few years ago buying twenty or more souvenir spoons for a couple of dollars each but it looks like that day may be over. In fact I often bought plain sterling silver souvenir spoons for as little as 50 cents. The jump in the price of silver is having a dramatic effect on any object that is made from it.

The great thing about collecting spoons is that there are unlimited subjects that were incorporated into souvenir spoons. Almost every tourist attraction had spoons made with its images on them, plus each state had many different images of their state placed on spoons. I wouldn't know where to stop when listing these souvenirs but here is a short list: Indians, sports, people, buildings and cities.

Souvenir spoons were made of many different metals including gold and silver but usually what made them special was having jewels and enameling applied to them. This is where the big bucks come in. I am sure that there are spoons that sell for $10,000 or more but I am going to stick with the ones that you are most likely to find. But who knows, one of the others may find its way into your pile of goodies at the next garage or house sale you attend.

Here are just a few spoons that sold on eBay recently. Hopi Indian Snake Dance spoon with enameled Hopi Indian in the bowl and decorations on the back that sold for $2500, Union Station St. Louis sterling and enamel featuring a train $495, Iowa Wesleyan University sterling $425, and not to be outdone, several city spoons from Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Kansas City selling for $395.

Here is a tip. Don't try to pick the best one when there are many being offered. Try to buy them all and you will find that your average price will often go down substantially. Gold and silver are the preferred metals and if they are jeweled and enameled, the price heads north. There can be big money made here because there will often be a whole collection for sale. I have seen as many as 200 at one time. They don't all have to be huge winners but even one at $1000 can make for a great day. Let's just imagine buying 25 spoons for $50 and finding one of them is worth $1000. Wouldn't that make your day? The other 24 most likely would sell for $10 each, so let's figure $1000 plus $240 equals $1240 not bad for a $50 investment.

Keep your eyes open for souvenir spoons and remember unusual items almost always bring the most money.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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Blanchard – Fahnestock – Curran – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – What has changed.

THESE LITTLE BUNNIES HAVE A NEW HOME - FAHNESTOCK

Do you recognize these artists' names? If not, then you haven't noticed the art that members of our club have been listing on eBay. Cecil and I have listed paintings by these artists many times on eBay without receiving a single bid but as I have been saying, things are changing. Over the last few months I have seen a huge increase in items sold at auctions and on the internet. What do you think the contributing factors are for this movement?

In my opinion, the first factor is that people realize that their money is being deflated and that true treasures are increasing in value. Second, the prices for items have decreased until there are real bargains to be had if you search for them. Third, due to the recession, there is a tremendous buildup of buying demand that is being filled today.

The paintings that I mentioned in the title have now been sold at double or triple what they have been offered for over the last year. This should be very encouraging to you and all those items that you have attempted to sell with no success should now be dug out of your inventories and put back on the auction block. I believe that a lot of the results you get will surprise you in a good way. This should also signal that it might be time to buy and that the bottom of this market might have been achieved.

I know that many of you who joined our club as this recession started have found it difficult to execute the “31 Step” plan but stay tuned because your opportunity is coming. In the future, my hope is that all members will become active members in the formulation of our game plan and that we will be sharing more success stories with each other. There isn't anything that encourages me more than hearing that a member has made made a wonderful buy and then reaped the rewards from its sale.

The three paintings in the title that six months ago would have been losers just produced over five thousand dollars in profit. Don't tell me things aren't changing. I don't want to hear that. My question is how much of this resurgence in buying is yours?

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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

eBay vs. Paypal – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Sunset for eBay.

That Magic Word

Most of my readers know that many months ago I wrote that eBay must change its ways in order to survive. It is now doing the things I suggested but it may be too late, “It's all about the sellers, stupid.” This company had it all but its greed might have been its undoing. It is forecast that Paypal may become larger than eBay and I don't doubt it. Remember my words, “If eBay doesn't start pampering its sellers then the sellers will go to where they are pampered.” This is happening and as other venues open up and gain traction, eBay will continue to lose its advantage.

There are other changes in the wind and I predict that “The Antique Trader” will be the next casualty of this new and exciting market re-figuration. The printed word is too slow when everything you need to know is on your computer. Publications like the Trader are yesterday's news and seldom worth reading. People in the Antique and Collectible business are looking for information that will increase the money they are making and as the pages continue to shrink in the Trader, there is less and less information provided that is of benefit to its readers.

All this being said, it only encourages me that the future is in groups like ours, “The Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club.” Why do I say that? First, our Club isn't in competition with our readers and wishes only to help or partner with them. Second, there are no secrets that are kept from our readers or fees paid for the information and advice that readers receive. Third, we are building our own markets that will help in our success.

The last transformation in the re-alignment of the markets will be when auction houses start to compete with each other for business and the commission rates begin to adjust to lower levels so that you the seller will be able to receive more of the profit from items you sell. Don't be afraid to ask for the commission to be lowered if you sell items at auctions. To your surprise, you will find that the competition for inventory to sell by the auction houses will force the lowering without even a whimper. This business is near a turning point where it will be fun and profitable again for the ones who survived this downturn.

Now what do you suggest, I know you are asking. First, if you are still selling online take advantage of all the special offers from eBay and the other auctions because today there is one out there that is nearly giving their service away to get your business. Second, keep just one publication. I think the best is the “Maine Antique Digest”. With your savings, add to your library because this is where your knowledge can be advanced so that your money will be increased. Third, work with your Club to take advantage of the knowledge provided to you through our daily blog. WE WILL SURVIVE.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.


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

Thanks – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Thanks

Good Night

I just returned home after consulting with the doctor's and the news isn't good. Mom only has a few days to live but 91 years isn't bad. I have had one hour sleep since Wed. at 4:00 AM so I will be going to bed soon.

I do have to share some news with you however and it is that my friend Owen is closing his Antique shop and I ask him why? “ There are only lookers” was his answer and believe me he has some fabulous things.

This is the trend today, fix locations are closing at an unbelievable rate but guess what, that is go news for us. There is still the same amount of items to buy so by so many shops and malls closing it will give us more opportunities to purchase the better items.

This was just a quick note but hopefully tomorrow I will be back up to speed.

God's Day – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Please pray for me.

God is Good.

I was going to blog about the new toys that are making the Toy Hall of Fame this month. The first was going to be the Game Boy but that will have to wait until later. God's timing often changes things for us and this day is one of those times for me.

My mother in Kentucky had a massive stroke yesterday and I will be traveling there to be at her side. My daughter's husband, who is a doctor, said that it was best if the family came together so I will be driving most of the night. Please keep me in your prayers. If the Lord takes her home she will have earned her rest putting up with me for 68 years. Mom just celebrated her 91st birthday and was able to tend to herself right up to this day.

I will still have my cell phone and if you need my attention please call 847-867-7162. There may be times that I have the phone off but leave me a message and I will return your call when I can.

God Bless and Thanks for your prayers in advance.

Paintings – “Condition is Everything” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – Be Careful.

Maxwell Armfield - In Our Gallery

It is aways better to be safe than sorry when it comes to buying paintings. What you think might be worth $10,000 may prove to only be worth $2,000 due to its condition. I have seen too many paintings sitting in someone's closet after they were purchased because the price that was paid for them was way out of line.

What do I mean by condition? First, if it is unframed and the artist who painted it used vintage gold leaf frames, it will cost you an arm and a leg just to purchase the right frame for your painting. Here is a personal example of what I'm talking about. I have told the story about my best purchase and sale of a painting that brought over $100,000 many times but there is more to the story. When I went to Cincinnati to have my friends look at the painting, they said that it would never sell with the frame it was in, so I purchased a better one for $3,000 before taking the painting to New York to be sold. Upon arrival at Christie's, they examined the piece and informed me that before they would sell it there had to be a better frame than the one I had, so they put a $25,000 vintage frame on it and the buyer was told that they would have to buy the frame separately. The final bid was about $115,000 but the sad part about the transaction was they never returned my $3,000 frame. That was back in 2001 I believe but something like it just happened today.

I received an email asking if I was interested in a William Snyder painting and the person sent a picture along with the email. After looking it over quite thoroughly, I called the phone number. A gentleman answered and I introduced myself and asked for more information about the painting. In the photo, the painting looked to be about 24 X 36 inches but in reality it is 9 X 18. Also, it has no frame and needs a good cleaning plus some in painting. At this point it was time to ask the price that was being quoted for the painting. The gentleman informed me that people had told him the value should be at least $1,000 and he was hoping to get that. I then shared that to have the painting cleaned properly would cost $300 and a proper frame for it would likely be $250. Now I shared with him that in top notch condition it might bring $1000 in this market but maybe not. However, if it were sold, there would be commissions to be paid and the auction house might not even have an upcoming sale for several months.

So what did I do? I told him to check all his other avenues to sell it and then call me back and I would pay $250 for the painting. He may find someone to pay him more but I doubt that there is money to be made at a higher price. Again, I say it is better to be safe than sorry when you're buying something that needs work. If you don't put your pieces back in their original condition, then don't expect to get top prices.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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

Collector's Friend Auctions– Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectibles Blog – It could be you.

" BUYER ASSOCIATES "

I continually try to think of ways that our members of the “Daryle Lambert Antique and Collectibles Club can be more successful. It occurred to me that perhaps I have been oblivious to something that was right there in my face.

Have you heard the phrase "Buyer's Associate" and if so do you know what it means? My friend in Los Angles and his wife use a buyer's associate for almost everything they buy. It is much easier for them with their busy schedules to have someone else do their buying than to take the time to do it themselves. What a novel concept and my question is can that work for us?

In the past, I have talked about how our former customers should be our best future customers but how does that work? First, we need to keep lists of the items people buy from us and search for other similar items to present to them. That sounds something like being a "Buyer's Associate", doesn't it? Second, if your customers are real buyers then it is up to you to keep in communication with them to see what they are in the market for.

Here is an example of how this just worked for me. I have a customer that has a very large collection of Steuben glass for her table. She was looking through an auction catalog and saw a compote that matched her set and asked me my opinion. Going to the site and finding the piece listed for $500 - $800 it seemed reasonable to me so I contacted her and asked if she would like to be represented at the auction. Her answer was “most certainly” so I made the arrangement to bid by phone for the compote. I had just become a " buyer's associate" but would this be good for her?

The auction house agreed to call me when the compote's number came up and I was to be near the phone. At about 1:00 the phone rang and a gentleman asked if I was ready to bid and my answer was “Yes”, but I didn't want to bid until someone else bid first. The season for that strategy was so that the price would start as low as possible. On the phone I could hear "I have $325 do you want to bid?" "Yes, $350" but that didn't last long and the new bid was $375 and I bid $400. Guess what? That is where the bidding ended so I ask you, did I do a great job for her or what? You see the auction house knew who I was so there wasn't any funny business and I purchased the piece below the low estimate where if the customer had been bidding the price could have been several times what I purchased it for.

In cases like this I will assure you that your customers will be more than willing to pay your commission and thank you for your service. Here is the best part. Yes, you could have purchased it hoping that the customer would buy it from you and exposing your capital but by being the "Buyer's Associate" it required no money outlay by you. Just another way of skinning a cat. You cat lovers please don't be offended.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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

Gold That Glitters – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Cashing In.

These are for You - Thanks to Jewelrytelevision.com

Here we are again with people all over the place saying that gold will go to $5000 an ounce. But you know my feelings about gold, that it is no longer a hedge against inflation, but just another commercial metal. In fact I believe it will soon top out near where it is at the present time, around $1100 per ounce. That old saying "If everyone is on the same side of the boat go to the other side", will prove right again as gold retraces its rise and declines back to $500 per ounce.

How can we make money with this huge increase in the price of gold you may be asking? The answer is that the best way to profit from this artificial rise in price is to find gold where others pass it by. I was talking to my wife's stepmother yesterday because she was visiting our home for Vickie's birthday. She asked if gold coins had any value today because she had several of them. Rather than just answer her question, I took her to my computer and brought up the completed sales of gold coins on eBay. You should have seen her eyes as I showed her where $20 gold pieces were bringing $3000 and more. Even the $5 and $1 coins were selling for $500 to $2500 each. I could see that adding machine in her head doing its job. Her next question was where can I sell them? It didn't take me long to inform her of what I thought the best way to dispose of these coins was and all she had to do was depend on me.

Have you asked anyone recently if they had coins that they might want to sell, because in your opinion this was the time to sell them? Probably not, but it still isn't too late to start, You may want to buy these pieces outright or charge a commission for your services selling them. Either way you will come out way on top. However, why stop there? Ask if they have any gold jewelry or ink pens that have gold included in their construction? With this gold market where it is, you need to make hay while the sun is shining. I heard that from my grandfather.

Most house sale conductors will know what they have in the way of gold and they usually overprice the items they are selling. You will have much better luck at garage sales and consignment shops. Never go out without your jeweler's loupe because you will never know when the opportunity to purchase these objects might occur. Please don't forget to ask the people you run into if they know of anyone who has gold items to sell and if they do, be sure to deal with them honestly. Our plan isn't to take advantage of anyone but to do a fair service for them. Since this price for gold has risen to such high levels, every snake has slithered out from beneath their rock and I am sure you have seen their ads for buying gold. There are even gold parties where they tell you about how wonderful the opportunity is to bring your gold to the party and what a fantastic price you will receive for it but you will be deceived.

Yes, this is a special time to own gold objects but I believe it will be short term so now is the time to strike while the iron is hot.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

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