“ Rosin and Bloch ” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Let's hear it for the House Sales.

DINO ROSIN - " KISS "

I mentioned in a previous blog my intention to attend a house sale this weekend because something caught my eye that was being sold. Well I have great news to report. It was a very successful sale for me. You realize that when I say "me", I mean the "Daryle Lambert Antique and Collectible Club."

First, let me share the strategy that I used for the sale. All the action started Friday but I didn't attend until midday Saturday. Why? Well, this was a very good auction with a lot of items for the customer to pick from but the items that I was interested in were very expensive and I figured that they wouldn't sell the first day. Knowing this and also how the house sales work, there wouldn't be any bargaining until the second day. I proved to be right and everything that I hoped to purchase was still available when I arrived at the sale Saturday. The first thing that I accomplished was to introduce myself to the lady running the sale and inform her of where my interests were. She informed me that the owner had died and that the relatives had only through Saturday to liquidate the estate. This gave me some information that would prove valuable to me as I calculated my offering prices. Knowing that no one else had made offers, I was able to present a price very favorable to me.

The first offer I made was for a glass sculpture by Dino Rosin "Kiss" that was 25 inches tall and must weigh 100 lbs. I had researched this piece and found that there may not be any more of these made. At gallery prices of $9100, I knew where to start the bidding. This negotiation was soon completed and so I went on to the next item which was a metal sculpture by Ruth Bloch. It was so large that the owner had a professional stand made for it and with the stand the sculpture must stand 60 inches high or more. As with the Rosin, I researched what the gallery price would be for the sculpture and found it at $14,000 without the stand. Before I made my offer for the Bloch, I returned home to do some additional research and then made my call and submitted my bid. The wonderful lady conducting the sale said she would have to call me back. That take a very short time and again the piece was mine. Two pieces with a total retail value of $23,100 now were mine. I have to pick the bronze up tomorrow at 9:30 and while I'm there I may make a few more bids.

I hope that you see that the way you approach a sale can mean whether it is successful for you or a waste of time. This is a business where you must be using your brain every minute if the end result you wish for is actually to happen. If I had attended the first day of the sale I wouldn't have purchased a thing, but knowing how dealers think told me to wait for the second day. Now let's take another example. There is a sale where there are a lot of items that I am interested in but I know that the first person through the door will be buying them, so what then? I remember one such incident where I spend the night in a driveway so as to be sure I was number one at the sale. Two examples but two different approaches and they were both right. I will report to you as I sell the items I purchased and it is my hope that won't take long.

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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“LEGO, A name You Should Remember” - Daryle Lambert

Photo thanks to www.flicker.com

Several months ago there were articles about young collectors or the lack thereof. I am someone who believes that collecting is as fundamental to people as eating. We aren't the only ones in nature that collect, for example, pack rats, crabs, ferrets, crows and many other species of animals collect. Our collecting habits do change, however, and this can be seen even today.

When I was young, visiting my aunt, there would often be a coffee table set up with a halfway finished jigsaw puzzle on it. These could take weeks to complete and the family usually made them a family project. It is no secret that puzzles became huge collectibles and their prices went through the roof. But what about today? Yes, puzzles still bring high prices but they will soon be joined by the new puzzles of today, LEGO Blocks.

If you aren't familiar with them you should be, because they are the new puzzles of the future. In the collectible society they are the newcomers but that won't last long. The variety and sheer number of LEGOs will assure their place in the collecting world. I think they will even surpass the hot wheels some day as the most remembered toy from people’s youth.

Your question is what should you look for in LEGOs as you prowl the garage sales, right? Remember our rule: the rare and unusual bring the most money. In this case it will be the sets still in their original boxes. Remember that the boxes may become more valuable then the blocks. Also where collectibles cross over is important. Star War LEGOs are a cross over collectible that will do very well in the future. Isn't this fun, making money with items that brought us so much pleasure as children?

I don't know if there is a guide on LEGO collectibles yet but you can bet one is coming. Who would have ever thought we would have LEGO stores, but we do. In fact, I know a young man that was fortunate and sold his business and retired to work in a LEGO store. What fun!

Staying ahead of the market is the responsibility of the 31 Club and that is what we intend to do. In an ever changing market the ones that stay ahead of the curve will be successful while others will get bogged down with trends that have ended. The way to help us help you is to ask questions about what interests you have and we will promptly give you our opinions. Working together and by the sheer weight of the numbers of members in the 31 Club, we can have a profound effect on the different markets that we participate in. For example, Lotton Glass. One of our members, Warner, took it upon himself to promote this beautiful glass and you can see the effect that it has had on the collecting of Lotton. Vases that were bringing $200 now may very well sell for $800 to a $1000 and the future for the better pieces of Lotton will continue its upward advance.

LEGOs, LEGOs, LEGOs: The collectible of the future.

I was already a golfer but after this buy if I hadn't been I would have become one.


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Daryle Lambert: The most Hated Person in the Antiques and Fine Art business.

Daryle Lambert - America's Most Wanted

By the People

It all started several years ago when one of my best friends said ”Daryle, why do you feel that you must educate everyone?" I have thought about that question many times over the years and here is my answer.



There is a fair way to conduct business and everyone is entitled to make a profit from their efforts but then the question comes up, “What is fair?” Is “let the buyer and seller beware”, a fair method to do our business by? I don't think so. I believe that we are the experts and it is our responsibility to be ethical.



Here is my standard and I can assure you that I sleep well at night. If a person asks me the value of any antique or painting I must give them an honest answer to the best of my ability. Then, it is perfectly okay for me to say that I can't pay that for it because I still must make a profit when it is sold. So let’s assume that a painting is worth $10,000 retail. I feel that a $5000 offer is within the realm of reason but if you offered $500 for it I would take exception. I also always tell the person where they can check what I have shared with them pertaining to value, so that they aren't totally dependent on me for the value. The only time I vary from this is if an item is already being offered to the world and I haven't been asked about it. Under those circumstances I feel that I have the right to purchase it at the asking price.



Over the years I have been confronted by many people in this industry but I have the same answer for each of them. I have to be true to the people even if it is at my own cost. EBay was one of my first targets because they were being unfair to the average person. I had many individuals say “Why don't you mind your own business” as eBay continued to escalate their prices to where they were often making more money than the seller. Not wanting to stop there they even bought their competition, PayPal and Pro Stores, so they could have a greater strangle hold on the market. But I warned that there has never been a market that wouldn't adjust itself if it became too unfair. Meg Whitman must have realized that too because she left at the peak, leaving the hot potato in the lap of her replacement. I now say that, due to their past sins, their future is bleak if there aren't major changes to their business plan.



Next it was to the Auction Houses . When I began going to auctions, the fee was 5% to the seller and nothing to the buyer. They considered themselves service companies but that has changed over the years. First it was 10% and then 15% but still this wasn't enough so today we have auctions charging the seller up to 27.5% commission while charging the buyer 25%. If my math is correct that is 52.5%. They no longer are a service company but your partner. Yes, they deserve fair compensation, but I consider this grand larceny. I believe it is about time we, the public, told the auction houses to go and find their own merchandise to sell.



Not wanting to be unfair and leave anyone out, I then began to write about antique malls and shops. They didn't take my articles as flattery. First, the malls have become, as a general rule, just storehouses for garage sale merchandise. If the dealers do run across something that a true collector would desire to own, they send it to auction. I am laughing all over again. Entering a mall in the front showcase were items that the dealer had listed on eBay. I asked the owner why I was there and he answered, “I don't know.” My response to him was that if all I could buy in his mall was what the dealer didn't want to put on eBay why didn't I just stay at home and bid from there. I left him with a startled look on his face but I believe I got my point across. This is the same situation with regard to the antique shops. Are you beginning to understand why I am so unpopular?



You know I really don't care what others think of me as long as I can live with myself and the way I conduct my business. You see I am one of you and all I ask is to be treated fairly. I hope that some of the people I have written about don't have a carton of eggs.



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Daryle Lambert: Walt Disney Even Feels Hard Times.

I was having a harder time than usual writing a blog this morning and then in my closet I found it, the offical Walt Disney Classic Collectible price guide. There was my answer, something that brings back joy but also shows what has happened to the collectible markets in just a short period of time. This can be looked upon as a bad things or an opportunity that we didn't have before.

I am talking about the Walt Disney Classic Collectibles or WDCC's as they are know to the collectors.The way I got introduced to them was went I bought a collection from a lady that had unfortunately allowed her credit card to be use to buy ever piece that was produced. There were actually hundreds of them all packaged in green boxes. It took two trips to her house before I was able to move them all.

Some of you that have been with me awhile know that this collection was part of the reason that Warner became my partner. He went on to organize the “Lotton Glass Club” and is in the process currently of some new wonderful ventures that you will soon be hearing about.

After deposing of the collection with the help of Warner I though that I would never want to see another green box in my life but that didn't last long as I met many serious collectors of these wonderful figurines and enjoyed their fellowship.. It didn't hurt that it added, if I still remember right, perhaps $25,000 to my bank account. These are the items that made me realize that if you can buy a collection it could mean big bucks to you.

These little fellows were introduce in 1992 for $200 or less. There were few exceptions to this but one of those was “A Lovely Dress for Cinderelly“ that came out at $800 and in the after market it reached nearly $3000. But what happened after their introduction was the thing that was amazing. “ Little April Shower” from Bambi was introduced in 1992 for $195 and I believe at its highest was commanding $2000 and this was with 7500 being produced. It didn't stop with just the ones made in 1992 because “Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” was produced in 1993 with 7500 made and its price was $295 but quickly advanced in value to near $2000. I had people calling me from all over the country wanting to know what I had left. My sells were in the thousands to most of the customers and often they were upset because I had sold pieces before they had a chance to purchase them.

The bubble has burst but I don't thing the love of Walt Disney characters has so now may be a great time to watch for those green boxes with the cartoon characters inside. I looked at eBay and there was the “ Cinderelly Dress” that sold for $1500 . There were many more selling for 50% less than what they did at their peak but you may find them where they could be purchased at 20% of what they were several years ago.

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Daryle Lambert: You Can Make Money by Not Giving Up.

Patience -Thanks to www.flicker.com

I just received an email from Marsha about the house sale she attended. We had talked about two paintings that she was interested in but they seemed priced a little high. She decided to take a chance on buying them on the second day which proved to be a very smart move.

The larger and better painting of the two was priced at $800 but finding it still there on the second day she offered $200 [ that's my girl!] but the offer was rejected. She did, however, purchase it for a price of $250. I believe she will easily triple her money when this painting is sold. The smaller painting was bought for $50 after being priced at $125. This is definitely a great start to the week. Way to go Marsha!

Yes, it is always best to buy the items you wish to own while you’re at the location where they are but there are times that the sellers just won't come to a price that makes sense to you. This is where patience comes in. You can't make money if you overpay so it is always better to pass on a piece than to overpay. Remember my experience when I wanted to purchase the Grueby vase for $5000 but was told I would have to get in line. Not wanting to wait, but still being patient, I returned to purchase it plus four other items for $3200. The combined sales price for the five items came to over $15,000. The return trip was well worth it. How about the $25,000 painting I waited for two weeks to buy and then purchased for $16,000 instead of the original price of $25,000. Yes, the auction price on that painting was $115,000. I love that old saying “ If it doesn't work the first time, try and try again.”

I have heard dealers say “If I can't buy it while I'm there then I never go back.” These dealers will be your best friends and account for some of your greatest buys. With rare exception, on the last day of any sale, the prices will be slashed by a least a half. This is why I am never disappointed at a sale when something is way over priced. If I can return the next day and purchase it at half price, it may be the price that I intended to offer originally and it gives me the opportunity to offer even less then half like Marsha did. I don't leave absentee bids because they are usually not successful. The sellers tell what your bid is and encourage others to top it. However, I do ask the person conducting the sale if they would entertain an offer less than the asking price while I'm there? Usually you will find that at most sales the prices are firm for the first day.

When working with individuals things can be entirely different. I am still in touch with people that have items that I would like to purchase and I continue to call them on a regular basis hoping that I will get a different answer than I did the last time I talked with them. Believe it or not I just talked to a lady in California yesterday about some paintings done by her grandmother that I would like to purchase. I first contacted her over 10 years ago. Patience will pay off, I hope. I don't know if she will ever sell her paintings but if she does I think I will have the first shot at them.

If someone else is willing to overpay then I say “It's better them than me.” As long as you have your money in the game and that game is to make money. Profit and fun is what we're after so sit back, be patient, have fun and watch your bank account grow.

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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: 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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Daryle Lambert: The Sound that means Money

Thanks to Flicker

This blog takes me back in time to when I stayed with my grandparents in Louisville, Kentucky. They lived in town and not on a farm like my dad's parents. Each night as I prepared to go to sleep, their clock would start chiming. In fact, I believe that I spent many sleepless nights because of it. I never really understood the reason for clocks that chime hourly but that's okay too. Today these clocks are in much demand by collectors and I think it might be because of the aggravation that they caused many years before.

These early clocks came in all sizes and were made by many companies. Here is a short list of companies: Ansonia, Glibert, Golay Fils & Stahl, Howard, Ingraham, Ithaca, Nelson and Seth Thomas. There are many more and if you wish there are books and price guide just on clocks. I wouldn't have space in one blog to cover all the types of clocks but the mantel clock is often favored by collectors.

The reason you may want to keep an eye out for mantel clocks is that the prices can vary greatly giving you a real chance to make money. I have purchased clocks for as little as $25 but then I have also paid $400. It is very important when buying clocks that they are complete with weights and the original works. Also, be sure the face is original. I have found that the sellers of clocks can't tell a $5,000 clock from one valued at $100. Yes, you can understand that because they do look alike but that is where your knowledge comes into play. It is easy to research clocks because of the many books that have been written on them. Your library will have great reference material on clocks. But let's get down to the nitty gritty! What can I expect to get for the clocks I find?

Here are a few examples: Desssille Louis XVI, marble, bronze, Paris, 25 inches $7,500, enameled dial,count wheel, roman warriors, bun feet, 16 inches $10,000. I could list many more but it would be easier if you checked Kovel's price guide. You will find at least forty percent of the clocks shown at prices exceeding $2,000. Finding one of these at $100 or less couldl prove to be a real treasure for you.

I have one clock that I paid less than one hundred dollars for that I would have to think long and hard about accepting $5,000 for it. Don't tempt me however, because I might just have to accept your offer. One reason I really like these clocks is that they fall under my personal rule of being no larger than a bread box.

While I do have some of these clocks in my house; I never wind them so that they won't chime. Too memories of lost sleep.


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Daryle Lambert: The weather is cold out side!

thanks to Flicker

I am very sorry that I haven't gotten a blog up today but there are circumstances that cause me to be late. Hopefully you will see these as an excuse. In Kentucky they have the worst ice storm in the history of the state. People have been told that they won't have electricity for up to a month. My sister in law and one of her sons, plus another son's girlfriend and her two children traveled from Kentucky to stay with us until the power is restored. They had been staying in a hotel in Evansville, Indiana but decided that it would be best to visit us. Can you imagine not having power or heat for a month?

However, it gave me an idea for a blog. How did people get along without these conveniences that we take for granted? First they usually went to bed early after sunset and if they needed light they used oil or kerosene lamps. In Kovel's price guide you will find Kerosene lamps priced as high as $4500 and oil ones $7500. Yes they don't put out as much light as the electric ones we own but for that amount of money, I can buy a lot of the electric ones, wouldn't you say? But how about cooking? Again there wasn't gas or electricity so they used coal or wood burning stoves and guess what? Not many people back then went hungry. However, my grandmother often started cooking before daylight and cooked all day. A great granite and chrome example of a antique cook stove might bring you up to $10,000 while a coal burning parlor stove can easily fetch $5000. I remember as a child backing into the parlor stove and the blisters that it raised on the palms of my hands. You only do that once.

But you are asking, what about entertainment, right? Well there wasn't television or even radio so can you even think that was possible? Well it was. They read books and talked to one another. What a novel thought you say! Some of those old books now can sell for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Not bad when you consider that most of those books cost as little as five cents. The simple life- where did it go? There most have been something special about it, or why would people today pay so much to get it back?

Today we look back to the way our ancestors lived and say, how did they do it? But I have to admit they may have had a better life than we did today. I know that they didn't have as much worries and I am sure that their stress level was lower than ours. In your search remember that there are collector sthat are just waiting for an item from these long lost days and your reward can be great if you find the right pieces. It was a different era without computers or four lane highways but just like the movie Cars, it shows there was something special about those years. In fact I am going to suggest that each one of you rent the movie Cars and watch it, and if you have children share it with them. This isn't just a cartoon but a movie that shows us some lessons that we need to relearn today. See you tomorrow.


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Daryle Lambert: Want to Make Money? Here's a Name for You.

Thanks to www.tapirback.com

I am constantly amazed at what I don't know. Have you heard of the company “Holt-Howard”? Well I hadn't. I wonder how much money it has cost me to not know this company. First a little history. The company was founded in 1949 in Stamford, Connecticut. Importing wares was their business and this included all types of home ditties.

The company was purchased by General Housewares Corporation in 1969. Most of the Holt-Howard pieces that you will find today are marked with two H's stacked on top of one another. Some also have a silver metallic label. They usually have the year that they were made, which helps the collector.

Most of their wares had an almost cartoon quality and these would brighten up any home. There were condiment jars, decanters, spoon holders and saltshakers. These are highly sought after today as can be seen by the listings on eBay that go as high as $1200. I believe that if I came across any of these pieces before I studied for this blog, I would have passed over them as just being junk.

I believe that these are one of the new collectibles that have come along because other collectibles have become too expensive for the average person to collect. If you follow the European collectibles, however, often when something starts off cheap as a collectible it soon become expensive itself. Look at pieces of Clarce Cliff that today sell in the thousands. These were made in England and at one time could have been purchased very reasonably. Isn't it amazing how the price of an item can increase when the title “collectible” is attached to it?

Over the next few days I hope to introduce you to some rather inexpensive items that will bring big money when sold as collectibles. I feel that some of you who are waiting to get started on your Million Dollar race will find these items to your liking. Remember, it doesn't matter where you start but where you end, like the tortoise.


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Daryle Lambert: “What's Not Hot”

Hummel's thanks to Flicker

This isn't my favorite subject but I think it will save you money to limit your purchases to items more likely to make money. There are wonderful looking items that simply don't sell and I hope that I can make you aware of them. Turning our inventory as quickly as we can and compounding our investment each time is the purpose of our business, so if we purchase items that can't be sold, we impede our progress. I have spent quite some time thinking about what should make the list this year and it is different from last year’s.


1. Paintings unsigned – These paintings may look beautiful but unless there is provenance with them they are only decorative pieces. In today’s market, when even the hardened collector is waiting a little before purchasing a piece, the decorator pieces will sit unpurchased. Even at $25 to $50, they are items that I would stay away from. In the past I have said to purchase well-done paintings that weren't signed, but the market has caused me to change my position.

2. Art Glass unsigned – These pieces are very pleasing to the eye but their value is almost non-existent. I talking about the pieces that have gold flakes in them and ones that have attempted to duplicate the better know Art Glass. Once you buy these they are yours forever because no one will be willing to purchase them from you at a price where you will be a profit.

3. Prints – By in large the print market has been eliminated. Prints that were selling for hundreds of dollars can now be purchased for $25 or less. The only prints that you should consider are the ones signed by the artist, and even then the artist must be someone of renown.

4. Silver plate – This is the first holdover from last year. Silver plate has not increased in collectability over the last year. If you pay over $100 for a set of flatware, my advice to you is to be willing to use it in your own home. I can find no reason to purchase silver plate items with the exception of figural napkin holders.

5. Collector Plates – With rare exception these will sell for under $5. This is a sleeping giant and I will recommend that you let it sleep.

6. Roseville pottery – Even the rarer patterns can't be purchased at a price where you can double your money so why invest your money where the return is not worthy of the investment. I made the mistake of buying several expensive pieces of Roseville and guess what, I still have them.

7. Steuben, Lalique and Baccarat clear glass – The secondary market is so weak for these pieces that no matter how cheaply you purchase them they might not sell. There are always exceptions but before you purchase make sure that what you’re buying is the exception.

8. Transfer ware – As a general rule this type of china has seen its day. Some may be tempted because a piece has an English mark from the 1880's but this doesn't mean that it has value in today’s market.

9. Pressed Glass – The number of collectors for pressed glass is so small that it isn't worth your while to try buying for them. It is always best to deal in items where the market is expanding not contracting.

10. Hummels - They no longer are going to be made by Goebel and I think that if they do find someone else to make them it will be a cheaper version. I haven't run into a new Hummel collector in years so maybe there aren't very many. Give the older Hummels a few years and they may make a come back.

The rare and unusual will serve you well during these trying times and remember this is still the best opportunity to make money that I know of. Where else can you walk the stairs to success without making a major investment and also do it, when you wish, plus have a tremendous amount of fun while your at it?

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Daryle Lambert: Unrealistic Expectations.

Today was the day that I was going to list the “ What's Not Hot” list but that will have to wait a day. There is something that has come up that I need to explain to all the members. It is most important for me to feel that I give the 31 Club the best I have, but I am not a miracle man. If you ask for something that I can't provide, I am sorry.

I receive an email from a person that was very disappointed in the service that I provide. You see they sent me a list of perhaps twenty items to give an evaluation on. At first glance I knew that most of them were of very little value so I asked that six be picked for me to do further research on. Using all my sources, which cost me thousands of dollars each year, I was unable to find any of the six items or references to where similar ones had been sold. These were early etchings and prints from different countries. You see, anyone that tells you that they can tell what a piece is worth without finding where a like piece has sold, will not be telling you the truth. If the value the person gives you comes only from their head, it could be wrong by a mile. All appraisals are based on what we in the business call comps and that is where a like piece has sold at auction. Usually we prefer that there are several like pieces before we stick our necks out. In this case there was nothing for me to base a value on.

At this point I suggested what I personally do in these cases. I list the items on a site such as Online Auctions or See Auctions at a price that would satisfy me and if the market values it higher then I will even be more satisfied. Remember the $40 vase that I listed for $400 and it brought $1800? This was the best advice that I could share with the person but they expected more.

It only left me one option and that was to give them a place to get the pieces appraised. I hope that this will satisfy them because if I can't even find a starting place, it would be very unwise of me to spend eight to ten hours researching something that evidently no one else cares about.

I will not be able to tell you what every piece you ask me about is worth, but the best news is that it hasn't cost you anything either and if I can't find it I seriously doubt you will. Remember we are looking for things that the collector is wanting to buy and if they can't even find a value for our pieces I doubt that this is the direction we should go. I am sorry that I had to write this blog but I hope you understand.


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Daryle Lambert: Do you ever wonder?

If you ask questions, do you receive answers to them? Well I can tell you that there isn't anything as important as the questions from our members at the 31 Club, and hopefully, we can give them answers that will help them in their efforts to make money.

It is my privilege to share with you one of the opportunities we have had to help a member. We always ask permission to use an individual’s name and comments beforehand and this applies in this case. I hope there are some lessons to be learned here. So here we go.


Hi Daryle,

Well, actually it was two mouthfuls ...

"Be careful of reproductions and false signatures with Tiffany because there are many out there.” “As with all glass, check for reproductions."

I think fakes are the single biggest stumbling block for beginners. After getting burnt a few times, we become paranoid to the point of being afraid of buying anything because we just don't know.

If I'm at a house sale or an auction, there's just no time to check with you ... even if there were, more than likely you'd have to be able to have the piece in hand to be sure.

And, really, where can a beginner go that somebody would let you hold a 10, 20, 30 thousand dollar piece of art glass (or whatever) just so you can learn? Yes, books and the Internet help to a point, but seeing a picture in a book or on a monitor is not the same as seeing it in person and being able to make the distinctions that seemed so clear in the book.

Therein lies our dilemma. It's frustrating and discouraging for those of us who have only been in this a short time. Most of us won't live long enough to amass the decades of experience you have. (You are so lucky to have had a father who got you interested in antiques at an early age ... as is your son!)

Don't misunderstand ... I love you for being willing to give of yourself so generously ... in time and expertise ... but sometimes it's so hard to relate knowing we're so far from being experts on anything.

But, I'll still read your blog every day and look up almost everything to which you make reference because I just find it so interesting, even though I'm sometimes overwhelmed by how much there is to learn. Maybe one day I'll be able to say I know more than I thought I did ... LOL.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for all you do.

Barry




Hi Barry


The only thing that I would differ on from you is holding the expensive pieces. Here is what you do.

Go to a big time antique show just to look not buy. Ask the dealers if you can see a piece but never pick it up without asking and then they will be flattered if you ask as many questions as you please.

They will be more than glad to let you handle their most expensive pieces regardless of their price and you will find that they will never tire of bragging about their items. This will prove to be of tremendous value to you. Ask them to show you why this is real and not a repro. and they will be glad to do it. Once you can see for yourself the difference between the real and fake you are home free and you will never again mistakenly buy a reproduction.

One thing that I would recommend you do when you are out and find a piece you have questions about is ask the dealer to guarantee the piece so that if you find it is a reproduction it can be returned. A lawyer once told me this, “I was at the bottom of my law class but I have proven to be one of the most successful members of my class and this is how. I never tried to remember everything that I was taught but I did remember where to find it if it was needed.” How does this apply to you? Well you know where to find it by calling or emailing your 31 Club.

I would like to use your letter in a future blog if you would permit.


God Bless

Daryle


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Make Money Buying and Selling Antiques: Art Pottery

Rookwood Pottery. (Photo from www.bargainjohn.com)

When you're looking to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles, it's important to take note that Collectors of art pottery will usually stop at nothing to purchase the pieces they desire.

So pottery is second to fine art on my list of treasures to find. I have many success stories to share with you and hopefully after reading this blog you will be sharing yours with me in the future. It was only after attending an auction at the Cincinnati Art Gallery that I became a true believer in the business of buying and selling art pottery.

Sitting in my seat on the third row so that I could see everything that was going on at the auction, I began to plan my strategies for purchasing the items that I had circled in the catalog. One item really caught my eye because I hadn't ever seen one like it. It was a plaque showing a steamship pulling out of port. It was a rather large plaque and I figured it would bring some nice money but did I ever underestimate it! This piece, that could have possible been purchased at a house sale for five to seven thousand dollars, never looked back as it passed $50,000. The audience, including me, was holding its breath at $75,000 and people were applauding as it sailed past $100,000. Who says you can't make money in this business?

It wasn't that dramatic but I attended a house sale where there was a Grueby vase being offered. Every dealer in Chicago was ahead of me in line so I returned home thinking that I might return to the sale later, which I did. The vase was still there with its $5000 price tag and I was asked if I would like to purchase it. My answer was “Why should I when everyone else has passed on it?” I was able to negotiate a deal by putting four other items with it, and the total I paid was $3200. Do you see where I follow my own rules? The four pieces sold for around $2000 but, are you ready for this? The Grueby vase sold in Cincinnati for $13,500. I ask, can you make money with art pottery? I walked into a shop in Glencoe, Illinois and spotted a rather plain Rookwood small vase. What made it special was that the vase was carved. It was uncrazed and by one of the top artists at Rookwood pottery, so I figured that I would make a pass at it for around $300. The price tag read $600 and after some lengthy negotiations I was able to purchase it for $350. I feel I made a fair return on my money as it sold for $4500 at auction.

But this isn't about me so how can I help you? First I would like to give a list of what I think the leading potteries are. These are not in any particular order: Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, George Ohr, University of North Dakota, Marblehead, Teco and believe it or not, Tiffany. A great book to study on is American Art Pottery by David Rago. It should be purchased at Abebooks.com or Amazon.com and it doesn't matter if it is used. Also you have heard me say many times that you should always keep your Kovels Book of Marks close at hand.

Here are the steps that I take to value a piece of pottery. First, who made it and who is the artist? Second, I evaluate the condition. It should be mint to bring top dollar as damage can take 75% of the value away. Then I look at the size--the larger the better is a general rule (in fact some pottery is valued by the inch). Last, is the market for this pottery increasing or decreasing? Why did I include that last step? Here is an example: Roseville was one of the favorites of the dealers but the market has gone down dramatically for Roseville pieces so I didn't include it in my list. Yes, if you can buy them cheaply enough they are still a buy, but not at the prices of past years. You see we want to make money and not let others set the prices for us so, yes the market is important.

When you want to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles, staying with pottery makes sense, because there is an ample supply to be had and there will always be collectors for the better pieces.


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Daryle Lambert: Art Glass, Pottery and Paintings make money.

Our wish should be to compound the money we start with until our goals are reached. So to make real money you have to follow a plan and ours is to compound our capital on each transaction we make. My thinking is that we shouldn't try to reinvent the wheel but to follow the easiest route to success. By that I mean we should deal in items that are the most popular in the field of Fine Art and Collectibles.

Yes the rare and unusual command the higher prices but you will find that those in certain areas appear most often and will bring you the greatest rewards. The nest of the bald eagle might be extremely rare but how many people are looking for one? On the other hand a rare vase by one of the better artists at Rookwood Pottery will be sought after by everyone that appreciates great pottery. No, everyone won't be able to afford it but if their circumstances change they may well be a future buyer.

With this reasoning, I have honed down my list to four areas of antiques and collectibles that I spend most of my time researching. Art Glass, Pottery, Paintings and Porcelain seem to be where the biggest bucks are, so these are the ones I concentrate on. I will try to break these down to a list in each area that will allow you to make money and have fun.

First, in the area of Art Glass, you must start with Tiffany because it is still the number one glass in the world for collectors. Be careful of reproductions and false signatures with Tiffany because there are many out there. You can't go wrong with a piece made by Tiffany if you purchase it right. There are some items made by Tiffany that are unsigned but you should let the buyer decide whether it is a real Tiffany or not. I once purchased a small vase, unmarked, for $40 and put it on eBay and it sold for over $1800 even though my reserve was just $400. The purchaser said that it was an unmarked piece of Tiffany and that was perfectly okay with me. Any red piece of Tiffany will bring extra money because of its rarity.

My second favorite Art Glass is enamel and etched cameo glass such as Galle and Daum Nancy. These pieces, depending on the quality of the workmanship, can start at $10,000. The top end is unlimited. A great source of information for you should be Victor Arwas book on glass, Art Nouveau to Art Deco. You might find a great art glass treasure and it could come in the form of a miniature piece by these companies. I once bought a vase by Daum Nancy that was less than 2” tall for a couple of hundred bucks, but after my research I was able to sell it for more than $3500. As with all glass, check for reproductions.

Two other companies that I keep an eye out for are Steuben and Lalique. I have been asked to write on Steuben and I will do that in the future. Frederick Carder was the most famous designer at the Steuben studios and any piece marked by him will be a great treasure. Steuben made many different types of glass and you can read about them in Victor Arwas' book. Lalique is also a very respected producer of fine glass, but don't get carried away with the contemporary pieces. Newer pieces that might retail for $5000 can often be purchased in the open market for under $1000. Color does count with the newer pieces of Lalique and they usually do better than the clear pieces. Rene Lalique pieces are the ones you want to find and they are top collectibles. You will find the real buyers searching for these pieces and if you find any the rewards will be fantastic. To make money, remember you need to find the pieces that others are searching for.

This blog has proven to be longer than I thought it would be so I will continue with Pottery, Paintings and Porcelain in my next three blogs.



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Daryle Lambert: The first step to help you make money

COMPOUNDING MAKES MONEY

Thanks to www.buildyourlifetoorder.com


If you have read the book that I have written then I would assume that you have opened your new bank account with $100 or slightly more if you wish. This has to be an amount that you will not need until your goal is met. This can't be an account that you co-mingle with your other personal accounts because that would defeat the purpose of what we are going to be doing--compounding the amount of money in our account. You have now entered the Million Dollar Race with the other members of the 31 Club. Our purpose is to make money and have fun while we're doing it.

I just received an email from one of our members stating that the market for even the rare and unusual items is beginning to drop. That may be true but that doesn't change our plan one iota. We must adjust the price we are willing to pay for an item to reflect the new retail price. I will give you an example. Last week I received an email from a gentleman that wanted to sell a very desirable T. C. Steele painting with impeccable provenance. I think that his asking price of $58,000 might have been a reasonable price a year ago but not today. After talking to him at great length about the painting and finding out that it came directly from the family, I told him that $20,000 would be my best offer.

Never over the last few years did I believe that a fantastic T. C. Steele painting of real quality would ever be bought for this meager sum, but things do change don't they? No, I haven't bought the painting yet and I may not, but when I spend the money in my 31 Club account it will only be spent if I can buy following the rules that I have set. I don't have to be in a rush because my goal is to compound my money at least twice a year so I have six months each time to do that. We also have to be willing to change our ideas of what an item is worth to make money. You see even if I thought that I could buy the painting for $38,000 and sell it for $40,000 it wouldn't meet the goals that I have set for purchasing and unless I had it pre-sold I would have to pass.

So today the first step to is to open our account understanding that this account is not to be used for any other purpose other than our new business and never is there to be a withdrawal from it unless it is for a purchase or an expense pertaining to that purchase. Also, our goal is to buy at 25% of the current retail value and not to break this rule unless the item we are purchasing is pre-sold.

Tomorrow we will talk about what to buy and why so that we can continue to make money.


Put a Turbo Charge on your Antique & Collectible Treasure Hunting Skills. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club.

Get FREE MENTORING. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets that help you make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles. Then Learn to Grow Your Money Exponentially with Daryle's Strategic Business Plan on How to Make Money Buying and Selling Antiques & Collectibles. Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers, making more money than they thought possible. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club, today.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership. Join Today!

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