Daryle Lambert: Nothing Lasts Forever

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One of the things we enjoy about dealing in antiques, fine art and collectibles is that the quality names seem to stay with us regardless of market conditions. If you like finer things, how would you ever forget Meissen porcelain, Rookwood pottery, Tiffany glass or Rockwell paintings? These names are etched in our minds, but how about other companies we have grown up with that have always represented quality.

Here are just a few: Royal Doulton, Wedgwood and Waterford. Did you know that, because of changing times, these companies have all come together under the same company and that through the years, even though they have retained a certain amount of their original quality, most people would agree that it isn't the same quality as it was in the past.

The reason that I am bringing this to your attention is because the company that incorporates these names has just filed for bankruptcy. The company tried to find a suitable buyer but none was to be found. Quality is quickly disappearing from our society as we accept the throw away mentality of the world today. This is a general statement but I believe it to be true. However, there will always be that remnant of people that appreciate the finer things. These people will support the secondary markets that we deal in for antiques, fine art and collectibles. In fact, as more and more of the household names disappear from the retail marketplace, it will be better for us, as collectors try to recapture things they remember from their past. Because of the expense involved in producing quality items, I feel that the future is dim for the people that want to live as they did in the past. Paper and plastic plates and utensils are here to stay and the paper table cloth won't be replaced by a linen one any time soon. The new reality is that if it looks okay it is good enough.

You must be asking why then am I so encouraged? The reason is that fewer and fewer people will be able to recognize quality items, but we will, and this limits competition and will allow us to maximize our time in finding items to fill the requests we receive from the true collectors in the future. Also, as companies discontinue making products, the price on the secondary market for their older pieces will increase and that make us very happy.

Wedgwood, Doulton and Waterford may never be the same again but their items produced in the past can be our pathway to success.


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Antique Majolica - Know It by Sight and Win Big

Antique George Jones Majolica Butterfly Cheese Keeper with very slight damage sold on eBay April 27, 2008 for $4,500.

This wonderful colorful pottery known as “majolica” has been reproduced time and time again since the 14th century. As a kid I was always interested in watching films where the ground in great cities of the world were excavated, and the archaeologists uncovered wonderful vases and pots. Many of these had interesting designs, but it was the colors that caught my eye.

Majolica is produced by covering the body of a piece with an opaque, tin enamel, hiding the color of the clay. Whenever a Majolica dealer is set up at an antique show, I can’t pass their booth without stopping in.

Today’s Majolica Collectors have a wide range of items to choose from, so there is plenty of opportunity to form a rather substantial collection. My daughter, Dana, just became interested in these wares, and when Marsha found the oyster plate that I just wrote about yesterday, I remembered Dana’s interest. You see the oyster plate is Majolica.

But we are first in the business to make money, then, if we make some good buys and sells, we just might find ourselves being able to form our own collections from the good trades we've made. I told you once that when you follow my lead, you will know where the money is made. So, I’m telling you today, majolica is an area where you can still make some serious money. But you need to be on the inside track and know the secrets.

Many people are afraid to invest in Majolica for a couple of reasons. First, so much of the Majolica is unmarked. Second, it’s still being produced today and they might not know a vintage or antique piece from a current one. This fear keeps many people from investing in it and gives us a tremendous advantage if we seize the opportunity. Once you see the real thing, you won’t be fooled after that.

A book that I’d like for you to purchase, and it’s perfectly fine to buy it “used,” is The Collector's Encyclopedia of Majolica. (There's links to any of the books I mention at the end of the Blog). This is an older book, but its price makes it a great value compared to the other majolica book prices. Another fabulous book, though pricier, is Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey. Cindy says Abesbooks has a better buy on this today. These are single, used copies so they go quickly.

It’s also a good idea to get up close to some of these items, so next time there is an Antique Show in your area, make every effort to get there. In fact, I can’t stress enough the importance of attending Antique Shows. You’ll get a close up view of some of the finest examples of most of the items I write about. Nothing replaces a real encounter with an authentic piece.

I said that most majolica wasn't marked but there is still a lot of it that is marked. For example, one of the best known names in majolica ware is George Jones. If you come across his pieces, just shout “WOW.” Most people would recognize his pieces if they ran across them. Here’s why: There might be an English registry mark on it. His mark might be as simple as a very small circle with a “J” that passes through the G. Two other English companies you might recognize are Minton and Wedgewood. These companies produced majolica wares.

Here are just a few examples of values in marked majolica: George Jones Game Pie Dish – Fox crouching near dead bird – Jones 1875 – 11 inches - $8000. Garden Seat – Birds and Floral – Jones 18 inches - $15,000. I think you’re getting the idea. The wonderful thing about majolica is that there are always willing buyers, yet there are so few people who really know the better pieces.

I’m waiting for Marsha to call me because I might even have a bigger surprise in store for her. The oyster plate she picked up might be George Jones

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Books:

Collector's Encyclopedia of Majolica
At Abesbooks (BEST VALUE)
At Amazon

Majolica: A Complete History and Illustrated Survey
At Abesbooks (BEST VALUE)
At Amazon

George Jones Ceramics: 1861-1951 by Robert E. Cluett
At Abesbooks
At Amazon

Link:
Majolica International Society - History of Majolica

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