Collectible LP’s and CD’s: Profits Found Trading in Music

Original, Sealed, U.S. Pressing of 1964 "Meet the Beatles" sold on eBay July 3, 2008 for $2,027.99

We’re in the car headed back to Chicago, and I must say, I am having a very hard time trying to type. So, today we have a Guest Blogger, my friend and 31 Club Member, Colin. Colin collects and trades in Music, and here’s his blog in his own words:

Music has been a transforming art form for thousands of years. Within this past decade alone, music has been listened to in so many different ways. Remember the old 45’s you used to spin in your living room or at the local dancehall? I’m sure half of you don’t! Artists would come out with vinyl LP’s that you could buy in the store for a dollar at best, and they would feature some 8 songs (You know, 8 tracks). Slowly we progressed to those cell phone-sized cassette tapes, where the music was played through a stereo instead of using a turntable with a needle. These lived a rather short lifespan, however, and for good reason. They broke easily (the tape would get stuck and tangled up in the machines), and finding a particular song on the tape was difficult as you had to fast forward to rewind through the long tape to find what you liked. For these reasons, cassette tapes are not, and were never, worth much, even when they later became obsolete.

Since the beginning of MTV in the early 80’s, we heard the famous saying, “Video killed the radio star” (the title of the first-ever music video). Music was no longer limited to the radio, but music videos became the norm, and it became unwritten law that artists needed to make a video to accompany their hit song as a new means of promotion. Around this time, CD’s hit the scene and slowly revolutionized the way we listen to music.

Music became digital and no longer did we need to worry about our cassette tapes getting tangled up in the stereo, or tearing our LP’s up with needles. Now we could just pop in a CD, not having to worry about rewinding or fast forwarding for an hour to find that one song we really liked! Songs were made as tracks, and with the touch of a button, we could find our favorite one! The only problem was, CD’s cost up to $15 a pop, and nearly all of them had maybe one or two good songs, and the rest were considered filler (basically songs that just were not good!). Only the best of the best made CD’s where most or all of the songs were consistently listenable. Putting such a dent in your pockets for only one or two songs hardly seemed worth it. Not only that, everyone had to re-purchase everything that they had on cassette or LP and get the CD version. The benefit of this caused many of the more obsolete vinyl records to become quite valuable, while other more common ones lost all value. It is really hit or miss with these, and the ones that are still sealed are definitely the ones that will bring in the most money.

With so many artists and bands, you really need to do your research to find records or artists that have value. A good start is going on eBay and looking up completed auctions for 12” records or LPs/vinyl, and seeing the most expensive items that were recently completed. Then you can go out on a hunt at used records stores or find other auctions on eBay that sell a huge lot of records at once (and see if you can find a hidden treasure in the lot). Garage sales and estate sales can be goldmines, as the common person has no clue which ones, if any, are worth anything.

Back to our history lesson-- As we entered the new millennium, music again was completely revolutionized. With the development of the internet, the power was now all ours! MP3’s forced their way into the picture, and with the click of a button, you could have just about any song in existence through a simple download- for free! Artists got angered though because essentially, we were stealing their music and they lost whatever money they would have received from their greedy record companies. A new program called Itunes requires you to purchase a song for $1.00, so that artists do receive compensation for their work, as they deservingly should.

While CD’s are still in use, people are actually buying more blank CD’s. Now, why would you want to buy a CD that has nothing on it? Because now we could make our OWN CD’s- called mixtapes! We now can download any song we want, arrange them however we want and record them onto the disc, ending with a CD consisting of 15-20 songs that do not need to be skipped. Apple developed the ever-famous IPOD, where we can take all of those downloaded songs and store them on a device smaller than your wallet. Now you can’t walk down the street without seeing someone using an IPOD. In fact, I’m listening to mine right now! And you can sure bet, just as CD’s replaced records and cassettes, the IPOD and music on the Internet, is doing the same thing with CD’s.

How does this affect you? Well, I can tell you that I have made more than 3000% profit on CD’s that I have bought and resold.

Recently, I bought a CD on eBay for $10. Knowing what I was looking for, and knowing that the seller had no idea of the treasure that he had, there was an opportunity that could not be passed up! That $10 CD was soon sold on eBay the next week for $300. The original owner missed out on $290 just by misidentifying the CD.

The best thing that has worked for me is searching on eBay for “lots” where sellers sell a bundle of CD’s at one time. Most people do not take the time to search through all the CD’s in these lots, but if there is one in particular you are looking for that is worth a lot, by taking a couple minutes to read all of the titles in the lot, you sure can come across CD’s that will give you the bankroll to make even larger investments.

There are certain artists whose memorabilia and music is worth more than others- typically artists that recently passed away, or artists that are known to have an extremely loyal fanbase (the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, or more recent artists of our younger generation such as 2Pac, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, or the Insane Clown Posse- believe it or not!). I have found that buying “promotional cd’s” (CD’s that were never intended for sale and were used as distributions to radio companies or at concerts to promote an upcoming album) and advance CD’s (another form of promotional CD given to radios and other people in the business) can often turn a profit. Getting these types of CD’s of artists who are new to the industry, and have not yet become popular can often turn a good profit once they do become huge. This is because their advance or promo CD’s are made in limited numbers because they have not built up the fame or respectability for the companies to heavily promote them.

If you have a good ear for music, you just might be able to catch the next big star before they blow up big-- if you do, get your hand on these CD’s while they are still available! Do your research and you can make yourself a very nice profit!

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Antiques & Collectibles: Buy What You Can Sell

"Casablanca" movie poster sold for $23,000 in March of 2006 through Heritage Auction Galleries (http://www.ha.com/)

What is the true value of an item? This is the most important question that can be answered for you in the Antique, Collectible and Fine Art business. Being able to understand what creates an item’s value will save you unlimited pain and loss in the future.

There are many areas within the collectible business and several of these areas you will want to avoid at all cost. So, before you get started, you’ll want to scratch them from your want list because they will likely not create profit for you, regardless of their price.

Franklin Mint items are tops on the list. I once saw a young man with Franklin Mint collectibles that he had paid over $30,000 for turn around and sell them to a dealer at $1500 – and the dealer still lost money. This is also true of the collector plates, most often sold on the Bradford exchange. Today, these plates are listed at ten cents on the dollar of their original selling price.

I’ve had to learn some valuable lessons in these area myself. I once attended a large auction in Louisville, and I couldn’t help myself when a set of twelve plates came to the block. I had researched them and found they had originally sold for $3,600. I won the plates with my bid of $400, and I was sure I had found a treasure that day. I kept them for many years, and after moving to Chicago, I thought I’d test the water on my great buy, so I listed them at a local auction. They sold for only $300. The only way I could justify my $100 loss was to tell myself that at least I hadn’t lost as much as the first buyer.

Another market that hasn't done so well for me is the Movie Poster Market. You can look in the Kovel's price guide for Movie Posters and find prices for many posters as high as $5,000 or more. However, I am very familiar with prices that reach tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands for the most rare posters. Heritage Auction Galleries auctions movie posters and recently, a Bride of Frankenstein poster sold in the high 300,000's. The movie poster market is a very controlled market, and a poster getting anywhere near the posted price is nearly impossible. Go to any dealer that specializes in Movie Posters and ask the price for a rather rare one they are showing. Return later to the booth and tell them you have one of those posters, and I will almost guarantee you they won’t give you a price. I do think that some movie posters are wonderful, but we are in the business of making money. If you buy something and can't sell it at a reasonable price, then you must go on to the next item.

For the consumer, Galleries selling works of unlisted artists might be the most unfair market that I know of. There isn't ever a secondary market for this type of art work that I can find, and after it’s bought, the paintings will only have a value similar to other decorative art items.

I once was call to a house by a woman who needed money for a surgery. She showed me a painting that her father-in-law had gifted to them, having paid over $18,000 for the painting at the time. Many phone calls later to auction houses and galleries, I was finally able to sell it for $1,000 to a buyer. (He did me a personal favor by buying it.) If the artist isn't listed or the painting doesn’t have a record of its history, pass on it and go to the next item.

The final area of items to stay away from is Limited Prints. If the prints aren't signed by the artist, I have no interest in them. Unsigned prints are a dime a dozen and are to be avoided at all cost. The framing will be more valuable usually than the print. Signed prints are a different story. Most of the prints you find will be signed within the print. But, what you’re looking for is where they have been signed after the print has been produced. So on most of these they will have a double signature and usually one will be in pencil.

While you’re on the lookout for valuable antique and collectible treasure, keep these three words in mind: Secondary, Secondary, and Secondary. I repeat it three times so you’ll not forget it – ever. If there’s an item you are considering and you don’t know if there is a secondary market for it, let someone else have it and save your money for a better buy.

Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Antique Business: Getting Leads for Antique Treasure

How many people have you told this week you’re in the Antique, Fine Art and Collectibles business? If that number isn't 25 or more, what are you waiting for? This is your future. Auctions and house sales are wonderful places to find treasure, but they don't compare with a lead from a personal contact.

I’ve had people call me five years after my first contact with them. Because I was still in business, they felt I could be trusted. There is no better feeling in the world when your phone rings and the person on the other end of the line says something like, ”Hello Daryle, I’m Jane. Anne said that I should call you, because I have some things to sell you might be interested in.” There’s a couple things going on in receiving this call. First you have a great friend in Anne. Second, Jane now trusts you because of Anne. This type of relationship will be where your true success will come from.

I just received a large box in the mail from a person I’ve done business with before, and you won't believe this. It was stuffed full with Indian artifacts. These included three Kachina's, two Apache arrows, six or eight pieces of bead work, two pieces of pottery (one a black on black pot), and some very nice coins including fifteen 1922 D pennies in near mint condition. So why did he send them to me? He trusted me. They were sent without discussing any price, knowing that I would be fair with him and know the value of these items. NO COMPETITION and NO TRAVEL TIME TO EVALUATE THE ITEMS. What could be better than this? So look for these in the future in our marketplace.

The best advertising you will ever have, is when you tell someone that you are in this business. And it’s free. You won't be getting that dreaded invoice in the mail. How many times have I had to pay a bill for advertising that was over $200 or and I didn't get a single response, let alone make enough money to pay for the ad. If you tell 1,000 people a year that you’re in the Antique and Fine Art business, it could easily be worth over $100,000 a year to you. Now that is something to think about.

People today are very leery of Antique Dealers in general, so if you can build a reputation for being honest, and have others recommend you, this will sit you at the head of the class in this field. People are looking for trustworthy people in their time of need. They might be retiring, have an estate to settle, have children entering college, or simply want to reduce their debt. There are so many wolves in sheep’s clothing out there in the world today, and this is when you can be the trustworthy person that they're looking for. So don’t forget we operate by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I hope a box full of treasures comes to you in the mail sometime soon, however it will only arrive if you tell others you are in the business. Make sure you go through all your boxes of business cards and have to order more. Set a daily goal for yourself. Will you tell 2 people, 10 people or 15 people a day. How many people do you want to have told by the end of the week? Does your mailman know you are in the business? Does your doctor? When your cable guy comes to make a repair, will he know what business you’re in? How about all the parents at your son’s baseball game? Do they know? Make certain each person you speak with gets your card. Do this consistently, and one day you just might get a box of treasure delivered to your own front door.

Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

Antiques & Collectibles: 31 Club on the Radio with Auctionwally.com

What an exciting time this is in the life of the 31 Club. I’ve been invited to do the Auctionwally BlogTalkRadio program on Monday, May 12th at 8PM EST. Auctionwally, a.k.a. Walt Kolenda, will interview me, and some of you will hear the many stories you’ve sent in to me and spoken to me about over the phone told to an Internet audience. An hour and a half of questions and answers about how we are turning the antique and collectibles industry on its head will be in store for you when you tune in. Anyone can call into the show and ask questions, so be sure to participate with us by calling 1-646-378-1561. Walt is a licensed auctioneer with 25 years in the antiques/auction business, as well as a Powerseller on eBay.

After getting the endorsement for our book, “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles” from Skip McGrath, perhaps the best known authority on eBay, things have escalated at lightening speed. You can find Skip’s eBay Instruction Products on our website, and I can assure you,if you use any of them, your business will benefit tremendously.

The Auctionwally radio program will expose our business approach to the antiques, collectible and fine art industries and how it can change lives. The vision we formed less than a year ago is now taking shape. It will require super strength by all, including our members, to reach the finish line, but I have no doubts we will. The stories of treasure found and sold according to our plan can make this venture something we will be telling our children about. Each time I receive an e-mail or a phone call from one of our members, I feel your excitement and have confidence that the principles I teach will work for you when applied. Keep the phone calls coming.

Jeremy and Cindy are busy at work reconstructing our site, and they ask you to send in any suggestions or ideas you have. They are eager to hear what our members think and want. I would be remiss if I didn’t give thanks where thanks is due. I prayed that if this plan that I envisioned wasn't from Him, then I wanted it to fail. But, if it was of Him, that he would place his blessing on it. God has shown that this is truly a way in which people’s lives can be changed while, at the same time, help many families in these days of economic stress.

I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN VISITING MY SON IN BALTIMORE TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY. THE BLOG WILL CONTINUE WHILE I’M AWAY BUT PHONE CALLS AND E-MAIL WILL BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY.


Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Resale Jewelry - Everything that Sparkles isn't a Diamond

Uncut Diamond, the Sierra Leonean Giant Sefadu, was found in 1970 weighing in at 620 carats. Photo from BBC News

Last week, I had the opportunity to buy some nice resale jewelry, some for trade and a few pieces for my wife. There is wonderful money to be made from buying and selling resale jewelry, but you must have an iron will and a few set rules when buying resale jewelry.

I have never been offered great items at reasonable prices, so there has to be a lot of negotiating before you find a bargain. Since you likely aren’t a gemologist, you will be guessing as to size, color, and quality of the stones mounted in that ring, broach or necklace. Even if the piece comes with an appraisal, be skeptical. These can be easily made.

The content of the metal mounting is one thing that helps to reassure you of quality. If it is 24 carat gold, there is a much better chance the stones are real, and the same can be said about a platinum mounting. Once you get down to 10 carat gold, these pieces might very well have artificial or semi precious stones.

The rule I use goes like this: I know what the gold or platinum is worth, and usually the offer I make is never more than twice the price I can get for the metal in the mounting. This way, I seldom get hurt, and often I end up with a bargain. Jewelry is one area that you should never feel guilty about your offer. To give you an example of what I'm talking about, I was once offered a tennis bracelet by a woman who showed me the receipt from when she bought it. She paid $3,500. Knowing the gold was worth close to $600, I offered her that, and she accepted it. To this day I don’t know what it’s worth, because I gave it to my wife. However, I do feel safe in saying that at today’s metals prices, I could at least double my money should I decide to sell it.

I’ve previously written a Blog about my friend Warner, who purchased a 24K designer gold watch for $200. One of the reasons he was able to do this was because it didn’t say 24K, but instead had a mark from France that indicated this was 24K gold. Today, this watch might bring as much as $10,000.

My grandfather was originally from Cuba, and when he came to this country he worked for the L & N Railroad all his life. Once when he was traveling though Kentucky, he stopped at our house, and before he left, he handed my mother three large stones that looked like common rocks. He told her they were diamonds. My mother stashed these away in a safe place for many years.

After my Grandfather’s death, my Dad suggested they check out whether or not these rocks were really diamonds. Louisville was the only city large enough to get this information, so off they went.

They shared the story with a store manager in Louisville and asked if they would be willing to cut the largest stone they could from one of the rocks. The store manager agreed to do that, so they left the rocks in his possession and returned home.

They soon received a letter stating that the diamond had been cut, so they returned to Louisville to a very suspicious and inquisitive greeting. Two men started to question my parents about the rocks, but after a lengthy period of time informed them that yes, the rocks were indeed diamonds, probably from Arkansas. The rock they were able to cut turned out to be about the size of a nickel, perhaps larger on its crown.

The manager handed them the bill for the work they’d done and told my folks that if they would allow the shop to keep the cuttings from this rock, they wouldn’t have to pay for the work. Being young and not having to pay out any money sounded like a good idea to them, so a deal was struck. They took their stone and other rocks home.
There is a sad chapter to this story, however. Over the many years and numerous moves, the other two rocks were lost. Boy, would I like to speak to my Grandfather and get the full story about where these stones came from and how they ended up in his possession.

The reason that I share this story with you is to state that everything that sparkles may not be a diamond, but everything that doesn’t sparkle may be a diamond in the rough.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Antique Soda Shop Items Have Stong Values Today

Antique Soda Fountain found at the Bryant House in Weston, Vermont. Photo from roadfood.com

As a young kid, I remember going to the Olde Soda Shop in Lewisport Kentucky with my Uncle Jim. He was my father’s youngest brother, yet only four years older than me. The town of Lewisport had a population of about 500 back then, and everyone, including the adults, seemed to congregate at this shop on the weekends. It was the most popular place in town for feasting on delicious homemade ice cream and sundaes.

Little did I know back then that almost everything in the store would become a real treasure in a few year’s time. One of the biggest tragedies to this little town was when the government closed the ice cream shop stating sanitary reasons. Most people thought that the real reason was because the larger company making ice cream in the city couldn't compete in quality with the homemade kind being made in Lewisport. I have to agree with this assessment.

Let’s take a look at some values of the items found in the Olde Soda Shop, like the ice cream scoop. The Gilchrist No. 34 Banana Split scoop was recently listed at $675.00. There are many that will bring even more than this, and if you’ve ever had a dip of homemade ice cream served from one of these, you’ll say it is worth every penny of that price. How about soda dispensers? Most of these were also advertising pieces of what they dispensed, like Hires Munimaker Syrup. Today, that dispenser would cost you $6,500. Today, a Scott’s Root Beer Barrel shape dispenser can be yours for the small sum of $4,500. These dispensers were in all kinds of soda shops, and you might find one at your next garage sale.

Advertising was what really caught your eye when you entered the shop in Lewisport. Coke Cola, Green River, Cherry Smash, Root Beer, and Grape Crush were just a few of the dispensers that you might see on the other side of the counter. Almost all of these dispensers today will bring over $500 and several will sell in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Not to be out done are the tin and cardboard signs that were sitting everywhere. This made it virtually impossible not to order something, and if you find one of these, their value will compare with the soda dispensers.

When I close my eyes, I can still catch the aroma of fresh fruit, candy, peanuts and chewing gum that filled the air. And there were dispensers and jars in which these items were contained, too. What stories these shops could share if they still existed today.

Ice Cream Parlor tables and chairs, stools, and benches will still bring a pretty penny today. Who says the old days weren’t worthwhile? Be sure to keep these in mind when you are on your search for treasures from yesteryear.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Get FREE Mentoring. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Antique Bookmarks

Cracker Jack Bookmark from SilverBookmarks.com

I was looking for a way to be lazy today and I found one. You see, my partner, Cindy, asked if I could do a simple blog today, because she has family in town and isn't going to have a lot of time to devote to it. Along came Howie. Howie Schechter is a collector of silver bookmarks and has a collection of over 1,000 antique and vintage bookmarks.

Bookmarks are items that have never caught my attention. I always thought there weren't enough different ones to have a real collection. Boy, was I wrong, as Howie has proven. If I ever find a very nice silver bookmark for a small amount of money, now I will add it to my inventory. I never paid much attention to them before.

Today's picture is of a bookmark that came in a box of Cracker Jack and is now part of Howie's collection. In addition to appealing to bookmark collectors, this would be of great appeal to Cracker Jack Collectors. While Howie's collection is mainly silver, he has many interesting book marks made of different materials such as brass, bronze, copper, lucite, enamel, pewter and many others. I encourage you to read the story of how Howie got started collecting book marks, and then take a tour through his very interesting site.

Here's Howie: Silver Bookmarks - The World's Largest Online Collection

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Collectible Knives - Big Boy Toys

7-1/4" Randall 40's Vintage Hunting & Fighting Knife and HH Heiser Sheath sold recently on eBay for $6,607

Mumblepeg was a game played with a knife that I played when I was a little boy of nine or ten. Knives in hand, two boys faced each other and took turns throwing the knife, aiming to land its point in the ground close to his opponent’s foot. The opponent would then move his foot to touch the knife. The object was to stretch your friend until he couldn’t reach the knife. When you stretched your opponent further than he could stretch, you won. As the winner you got to take a stick, the size of a match stick, pound it into the ground with five blows of the knife and then watch your opponent dig it out of the ground with his teeth. There are several versions of the game, but that’s how we played it.

Why did my mind take me back to these wonderful days? I was looking at some knives the other day, and I began to wonder what value my childhood knives would have today. In my day, no little boy would’ve been caught dead with out his pocket knife. How would he have whittled or dug things out of the ground, or fought the bears like Daniel Boone?

I had a Hopalong Cassidy knife, and my friends had Superman, Roy Rogers, Dick Tracey and many others styles and types of knives. I'm so glad to have grown up in the times I did. Today, I wonder if a father could even start a knife collection for his son and avoid ending up staring into the face of a judge after the authorities received an anonymous tip from a well intentioned neighbor.

But, big boys can still have their toys, and if you find any of these knives from yesteryear, you’ve found something of value to many collectors. And that means money to add to your growing stash of cash.

A search on eBay completed knife listings might just cause you to gasp when you see the results. You’ll find single items selling for thousands of dollars. It looks like the knife collectors are a hardy bunch and take their knife collecting quite seriously. I hadn’t realized there were so many famous makes of knives like Randall.

It will do you well to recognize some of the better knife makers, ( hint, hint) as these often turn up in box lots at local auctions. And, if you remember from a previous blog where I discussed box lots, you’ll know that it’s usually best to buy the whole box. There might be some great surprises in it and you’ll have purchased what you want a lot cheaper than if you purchased items individually.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting skills. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to build a bank account to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Daryle Lambert Blog: Valuable & Collectible Paper-Mache

Did you ever make paper-mache while you were a young school kid? I don't know about you, but this was always a favorite of mine. I liked it so much because I had absolutely no artistic talent, but with paper and glue it didn't matter. If you're like most parents, you might have paper-mache items at home that your children have made with great pride. I know I do.

But did you ever think that pieces like these could have value? This never occurred to me until I found a section in one of the guide books on paper-mache, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Most of this work is unmarked, but from what I have read, some fabulous artists used this medium to express themselves. The surprising thing about pricing paper-mache is that like most folk art, its beauty and value lies in the eye of the beholder.

It seems that this form of art came into its own in the 1800”s and was likely brought back into the country by soldiers and sailors. The best of these items usually combine other elements in their construction. This might give you a clue when you are in the field searching for these treasures. Pieces will often be decorated with mother of pearl, brass inlay and bamboo. The corners can be metal, and many of the most valuable pieces are lacquered inside and out. Many pieces have Victorian scenes or religious themes.

Boxes are much sought after by collectors, and a 13 inch box featuring three horses racing in carts is listed for $1,035. But this is just a start. A 6 inch 1880 egg, with one side showing the resurrection and the other side a view of the Kremlin might well bring you over $2,500. But I left the best for last. A tray stand, Regency, with black lacquer and Chinoiserie figures within a landscape is listed for $10,350.

This almost makes me want to pull out the old newspaper and glue and get busy. But seriously, I think that you'll agree that not many people will be out there looking for these pieces, but from what I can tell, there certainly is a ready market if the piece is exceptional.

If you'll go to a museum or antique show and examine this type of work and then examine the many Asian imports that have little value, you'll soon be able to distinguish between the valuable and the less expensive items.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to build a bank account to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Daryle Lambert Blog: Unexpected House and Estate Sale Treasures

When you go to house sale, where do you start? In the past, my suggestion would have been to start looking where the most valuable items were placed. Often this is in the living or dining rooms, but would I have been right?

How about the garage? Could this be the right place to start? Most of you know that the garage is where you run through after there is no other place left to look in the house, right? Well, you may have been wrong, and I may have been wrong, too.

Why didn't I see this before? It was right there before my eyes. Am I blind, or what?

Now I'm not taking about gardening or shop tools. But, what else could you find in a garage that might convince you that this is the place to look for treasure? It’s not automobiles, bicycles, sports equipment or fishing gear. But, is there anything else in that trash filled garage that the man of the house hasn't cleaned in years? They might be hanging on the wall in full view of everyone that enters the garage. Look closely, and you might see those little pieces of metal hanging there so neatly in rows. How about those old license plates? I’ve seen them at so many of the sales I’ve attended and never really gave them a thought.

Do me a big favor, and go to eBay and type in "license plate" in the search box. Then go to “completed items” and click for the results. Then arrange the listing to show from highest price to lowest. Can you believe it? I didn’t until I saw it with my own eyes.

I found a 1915 Tennessee license plate finishing at $17,119.15 with 30 bids. Closely followed by this was a 1933 inauguration D.C. Plate at $3,500. I had to go past 20 plates to find one that sold under $1,000 and a thousand plates to find one under $100. Does this make me sick? You bet it does because I can think back to the times I’ve been in garages and the walls were almost completely covered in license plates from before the second World War.

I BELIEVE I HAVE JUST ADDED THESE TO THE LIST OF ITEMS I WATCH FOR, AND MIGHT JUST HAVE COME ACROSS A NEW POSSIBLE COLLECTION IN MY FUTURE.

As a side bar -- I did complete my echo stress test yesterday, and even though my wife sometimes says I don't have a heart, I do. I’m waiting for the test results, but I think everything is going to be all right. It had been over four years since my last one, and the doctor thought it was about time to take another look. I ask you to keep me in your prayers and in God’s will.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to build a bank account to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Arlington Park Antique Show Finds

Roseville Falline

It’s Spring Time, and around here that means it’s time to visit the Arlington Park Antique Show. It was held this weekend, and I was very excited to get the ball rolling again. Cindy and I met to discuss our strategy before we entered the show, and while we waited for the gate to open, I talked to everyone within ear shot. The mood was upbeat, and the people were very eager to begin their shopping. Cindy and I did as we always do by following a pattern throughout the building to be sure we didn't miss anything of importance.

Whoa, were prices high! For the first four hours we drew a blank. Finally breaking for lunch we decided to retrace our steps, thinking that at the close of the sale, some dealers might be more willing to deal with us.

So after much disappointment, we approached a booth we’d looked at earlier. In fact, this was the same booth we ended up buying from last year. They seem to always be tempting us with their outstanding inventory of glass and pottery. Yesterday, they had a wonderful Weller Forest Jardinier and Pedestal we eyed earlier, along with several other pieces of really fine pottery. A huge Roseville vase in the Green Pinecone pattern was still there, as well as one of my favorites – a ten inch vase in the Falline pattern from 1933.

So, as closing time was creeping up closer, bingo! They significantly reduced the price of the Weller Forest Jardinier and Pedestal to meet our goal. It’s rather large and I’m certain they wouldn’t want to pack that up and lug it home. By closing time, we were able to come to an agreement on price for the huge Roseville Green Pinecone pattern vase as well as the Falline pattern vase.

Paul was so nice and even packed the pieces, and Jo Ann helped carry them to the car. You can be assured that we will never fail to visit their booths if they set up at a show we attend. This is what I mean by networking when I talk about networking. You should make an attempt to meet these folks. I have never had a problem with any item that I’ve purchased from them, but I feel certain if I did, they would be accommodating. Without these wonderful people, my entire day would have been wasted. You will soon see these pieces on our website, and I am sure you will appreciate them as much as Cindy and I did.

If you ever run across Joann Woodall and Paul Woolmer from Hampshire, Illinois, be sure to stop and say howdy. These folks are real home town and ready to deal. They can be reached at Wagon Wheel Antiques [ www.wagonwheelantiques.net ] Next to them you will also find some fine folks in their booth. Cindy Horvath and Mike Nickel have a store called A Nickel’s Worth out of Portland, Michigan. I’m not certain, but I think these two stores work as partners. Last year, they supplied us with some fine Lotton vases we listed on the 31 Club site. If you remember, those pieces didn’t last long.

Yesterday I promised a great story for today, and I don't want to disappoint you. However, you may get tired of hearing this name so often. Yes, it was Cecil R. again. He called me Saturday afternoon to ask if I was near my computer. It so happened that I was away from home. But, I couldn't help myself from asking what he had found. “Oh, nothing was his reply. Well I wasn't going to let him get away with that, so again I asked, “What did you find?”

He told me that it was just a small watercolor about 5x7 inches. I asked him who the artist was and when he told me, my hat almost flew off my head. I asked him if I could be his partner on that, but he wasn’t buying that one. I couldn’t wait to get home to research it, and as I expected, that small watercolor has a value of $6,000 to $8,000. Please don’t tell me there isn’t any great treasure out there to be found. Cecil asked me not to give the artist’s name yet, but hopefully I can do that at a later date.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to build a bank account to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Consolidated Glass - Ruba Rombic, Martele and The Valuable Lalique Look-Alike

Ruba Rombic Vase. Photo from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Have you ever seen something that your mind says you have seen before? This might have happen to you if you ran across a wonderful unmarked Deco glass vase, reasonably priced. You might have even passed it over, thinking the piece was a reproduction of Lalique, or some other Art Deco company’s work.

I am sure that this has happened to me, because I wasn't up to speed on the wares of The Consolidated Glass Company. Now I’m wondering just how much money I have left on the table by not knowing more about this company and some their outstanding patterns of glass.

This Pennsylvania company was formed in 1884, producing lamps, tableware, and art glass. Their earlier pieces don't seem to warrant much collector interest today, but their Art Deco lines produced after 1925 are the most sought after today. The company closed its doors in 1967.

Martele is a line they produced that resembles Lalique, using the same frosted effect Lalique used in their glass production during the same time period. When used along with the Deco designs of the day, the result was a creation that had great eye appeal, and today, has piqued the interest of sophisticated collectors. The geometric designs of Ruba Rombic, designed by Rueben Haley, are as modern today as they were when first manufactured, and is the ultimate in Consolidated Glass.

I have been fortune enough to buy and sell several pieces of this glass, however they have always been the large vases with molded animals or birds. Usually these pieces are decorated in green, blue or tan colors with an ivory background. The pieces I have purchase for under $50 have usually sold in the $150 to $250 range, still making it a very worthwhile purchase within our criteria. Consolidated Glass can easily be confused with Phoenix Glass. Look into these two glass companies. If you're in the early steps of your 31 Steps, you might run across these and it could be a buy for you.

Decades ago, Depression Glass Collectors also collected Consolidated, and what is written in books about Consolidated's Ruba Rombic and other patterns, is mostly found in books geared for Depression Glass Collectors. And by the way, if you ever run across a book at a garage or estate sale called Phoenix and Consolidated Art Glass: 1926-1980 by Jack D. Wilson, I'd buy it cheap. It's out of print, and today on Amazon, there's only 9 used copies starting at $69, while on Abesbooks, there's 5 from $140 to $155.00.

Consolidated’s better pieces bring a whole lot more than their common ones. A decanter set in the Ruba Rombic patters may bring $10,000 today, while a water set made in the same pattern might command $5,000. The Martele patterns might not bring as much as the Ruba Rombic pattern, but I guarantee if you find a large vase in this pattern, you have indeed found a treasure.

This is one time that “look a likes” can bring big money, so keep your eyes sharp.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting today and start building a bank account big enough to last a lifetime. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.

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Daryle Lambert: Vintage Comics Bring in Bucks

I heard from one of our most faithful members today, and she supplied me with a real story for you. Vicki H. has been communicating with me almost from the day we started our Blog. If there is still anyone out their that doesn't think treasures can be found today, they must not have run into Vicki H.

This latest story is even better than the ones she has shared in the past. We all have heard that Comics can be profitable, but do you know which ones are making Vicki jump for joy? You might be surprised that the funny books, as they were known as at the time, aren't the ones that are bringing the most money. Even I was caught off guard. It's the Horror Books that are moving to the head of the class. Vicki H. has just listed several lots of comics, and one listing is already standing out. This lot is for two Golden Age Comics from 1952-53 and titled "Tales of Terror." Having 13 bids, standing at over $400 for the two, with five days left to go their final price is anyone's guess.

Yes, Horror is where it's at, but why? Let's think about it together. First, parents might not have wanted their children to read those, so there might have been fewer printed. Second, the story lines were limited, so this could be another reason for their rarity. If you have any thoughts on this please comment.

I can check how Vicki's listings are doing, and so can you by going to zvicki40 on the advanced search under "sellers." If you aren't aware that you can look up individual sellers, then this is a great eBay tip for you. When you make a list of sellers who deal in items that interest you, you can checking their sites directly. This is a good way to find listings that can be purchased for your customers at prices that can meet our goals. This way you don't have to continually check all the listings on eBay to find what you want.

So often I have been at garage or estate sales and have seen boxes of comics that I passed by. I was so sure that if there had been anything rare, someone would have pulled it from the pile. Duh -- how dumb was I? By doing this I have probably passed by tens of thousands of dollars when I could have purchased the whole box lots for only a few dollars. You see, even though I have been in this business for over 40 years, I am still learning! That's what makes this business fun, as well as profitable.

As you can see, money in this business can come from all directions, and you will never run out of things to purchase that will put a smile on your face when they are sold. In this case, as I have mentioned in previous blogs, when you have the opportunity to buy multiple items at one time, usually the price is cheaper, and there is always the possibility that there could be a real treasure hidden in those boxes.

Way to go Vicki! Thanks for educating the rest of us. I will be waiting with bated breath for your next success story.

Learn about Antiques & Collectibles and Learn How to Invest in Antiques & Collectibles. We use a wealth building plan to get the most out of buying and selling. A plan that will help you accumulate enough wealth to last a lifetime. Join the 31 Club. When you join today, you'll receive my 200 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, FREE.

"...I spent about 15 years in the antiques and collectible field
and I can tell you this is one of the best books you will ever
read about making money with art, antiques and collectibles."
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Consultant, Antique RoadShow

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Daryle Lambert: It's Auction Time For Antiques & Art. Do You Know the Schedule?

In the auction world, the year is divided into time periods, and most of the larger auction houses have their sales spaced throughout the year. There is a reason for that. Customers have come to expect the better items to be auctioned during these months, so the auction houses accumulate the better items especially for these sales. This draws a larger interest in the auction and creates bidding competitions for the offerings.

With that in mind, I hope you have been filling your inventory with the treasures that will start this year off in the right direction.

The real auction time starts in the spring, after most sections of the country have gotten over the winter blues. March and April will be the time that most auction houses start to bring out their big guns, putting out their best merchandise for sale. Customers have been waiting to get back in the game, whether it is buying to further their own collection or increasing their inventories for later sale.

The second round of sales come in the summer months, May through July. But it is later in the year that the auction calendar really gets filled. September and October see their fair share of sales, and the calendar really gets loaded for the end of the year sales.

These schedules can be turned to your advantage. By buying on the off months at minor sales, cherry picking them, (buying the best out of each auction), then you will have merchandise to turn when the "real auction" starts. Don't listen to those that say you can't buy something and then sell it again sooner than five years time, because it won't be fresh on the market. This definitely isn't the case.

Jimmy, a dealer I know and I have written about in my book, purchased a painting for $40 at an auction house in Chicago this year and then took it to the other side of town to place it in another auction. You might have thought that putting this back in auction so soon wouldn't have produced any interest. That's what conventional wisdom would have told you. But, that painting brought Jimmy over $22,000. It saved him from waiting a long period of time and put his money to work that much earlier.

Years ago, I purchased a Rozenburg plaque from an auction in Florida for somewhere around $1500 and sold it within a few days for over $5,000. So much for waiting so that items are fresh on the market. if my memory s If you buy quality, it doesn't matter how long you keep it, a day, a week or five years. There will always be people wanting to buy it from you. If the Harvey Joiner painting I sold at auction last week wasn't purchased for a personal collection, I highly suspect it will be hitting the market again very soon. The buyer got an excellent price and can still double his money, at the very least.

Consigning an item for sale at an auction house is another area I'd like to give you some information about. When you consign an item for sale, be sure you feel confident that the reserve you have set is one you can live with and be satisfied, especially if it is an important piece. The reason I say this is because if your item doesn't sell at that auction, this doesn't mean that the value you established for it wasn't valid, it just means that on that particular day, at that particular auction there wasn't anyone who wanted to pay your price, or had an interest in it. So you gladly keep the piece for another time, and perhaps another place. Believe it or not, I've had this happen to me, only to receive twice what I thought the item would bring, originally, at another auction.

Too many times, I have seen people so disappointed that their treasures didn't sell at what they thought it would, they've discounted it by up to 50% to get rid of it, only to see the new purchaser resell it for several times their purchase price, leaving the original owner's self confidence destroyed.

Search out the local auction houses in your area and get their schedules. If you're not familiar with auctions, plan on attending the preview and look around. Make note of items that catch your eye. Then, attend the auction and see what certain items are sold for. The best way to learn is by experiencing things for yourself.

I recommend everyone have subscriptions to the trade papers. Antique Trader, AntiqueWeek, Maine Antique Digest, and AntiquesTrade Gazette for those of you in the UK. These are excellent papers to keep you abreast of the industry, auction results, and where the antique shows and auctions are being held.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth than you might have thought possible. And doing it in the Antiques, Collectibles, and Fine Art Markets rather than the traditional methods. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker!

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If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

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Daryle Lambert: Antiques, Collectibles & Fine Art the 21st Century Way

The number at the end of the year has changed, but have you changed? Perhaps changed the way you think? Yes, we want to make this a better year than last year, but are we willing to do anything different? Like how you go about making money in the Antique, Collectible and Fine Art Markets in the 21st Century?

I think we can all agree that there are no get rich quick schemes that work. And I think we can also agree that the way to prosper in this market has dramatically changed. With high-end items selling at record prices, why sit on the sidelines while others reap the benefits?

Prosperity in this market doesn't have to elude you. It's just a new game out there today, and it requires a new way of thinking, a new strategy and a new way of playing in it. If you're not flourishing in this market, could you grab hold of this: There's a way to work this industry that can change the quality of your life, as well as substantially increase your bank account. I'll shout it from the rooftops if I have to.

I hope you are getting the message, because this can be a different kind of year for you, if you'll let it.

My staff and I have presented a 21st century plan that can make this a truly stellar year for those working in the antiques, collectibles and fine art markets, as well as for those who want to be a part of this booming market. I believe 2008 can be the greatest year yet for those who have taken to mind and heart the message of our plan and have already joined our community, the 31 Club.

2008 can be the greatest year of our lives when we work together to fulfill the steps of our plan. I predict there will be several members of our 31 Club that will complete at least 11 steps this year, and in doing so, will have an account stashed away with over $200,000. Will you be one of them?

When you take the time to explore what we present and become part of our community of like-minded people, you'll see that financial success is not only possible, but probable.

Those who have already joined us have opened their minds to the possibility that just by changing their perspective and tweaking the way they work can make the breakthrough for them. They've now opened up the floodgates to their financial reward. And they won't be taking this journey alone.

Once you decide to join us, you won't have to conquer the mountain all by yourself. It's much easier if you are accompanied by others as you ascend to the summit. The knowledge necessary to fulfill the plan will be provided to you on a daily basis. Our phone and e-mail are accessible to all our members to answer questions or kick around some ideas. If you live in the Chicago area, you can even come and meet with me personally. Now, I imagine that in our current culture, it is hard to believe there's someone out there devoted to your success. I challenge you to believe differently. I want to see all active members of our club reach the top of the summit. Even if you fall back a little from time to time, the rope that holds us all together will help you to keep advancing until we all stand at the top. I promise that we at 31 Inc., aren't stopping until we've completed all the steps and have conquered all the naysayers by standing at the peak and looking down at all those who haven't even come to the base of the mountain yet. So, again, what's really holding you back?

You have already begun the journey to by regularly reading this Blog. The only other question unanswered is when are you going to join forces with us? Those who have already acquired the book that contains our plan and work closely with us are already on their way. So what's holding you back from becoming a member of the 31 Club? $19.95?
The Maine Antique Digest, AntiqueWeek, and the Antique Trader are filled with the new records being set in all the classifications of antiques, collectibles & fine art. I can assure you that our members will be finding some of these treasures this year. Our member Sally, didn't think that she would be written up in many of the publications this past year, but she was when her Pauline Palmer painting sold for a record price and changed her life. Will it be you this year? Join us today.

I have missed hearing from Cathy, Vickie, Cecil and others over this long holiday season, but I know that now that a new year has started, my phone will be ringing off the hook and the emails will overcome my computer. I just love it!

Cindy and I have been discussing the new year and I can state without any hesitation that the Members Only section of our website will become one of the greatest assets to your success as further development takes place. Do you believe that we have only been in business for six months? Wow! I can't sit still just thinking about what the next six months are going to be like. Everywhere I look I see money being made.

I am looking forward to a great 2008 and I don't know who I'd rather spend it with than all of you who want a better life for yourself and your family and friends.

Yes, God is good, and he has given so much. I am certain that we, as a group, will be giving back willingly as we succeed. -- Daryle
Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art the 21st century way.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

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Daryle Lambert: Noteworthy Watercolor Artist, Tom Barnes

As I move around from place to place and run upon what I consider noteworthy talent, I'll write about it. This way, even if it doesn't fit into our plans to make money today, you can keep it in your mind to watch for in the future. Some day, when others are saying, "I wish I had bought one of his paintings way back when," you won't be among them.

Tom Barnes, an artist from Chesapeake, Virginia is one of these noteworthy artists. He was the only other artist at Chicago's One Of A Kind Show that reached out and grabbed me, aside from the ones I've already written about in previous blogs.

Self-taught, Tom Barnes works primarily in watercolors. Immediately, you notice the intensity of his watercolors, and this sets him apart from most other watercolor artists. His landscapes capture the techniques of the Fauvists, stylized with mountains, hills, plains and lush foliage. Still life subject matter usually captures a moment of repose and reflection interrupted by something unknown. There is always a sense of a passing motion in his color renderings of figures and florals.

Over the past fifteen years, his works have found their way into collections in Mexico, Bolivia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, England, Nigeria, and Spain as well as many east coast and mountain states’ cities.

Five years ago, Tom and his wife, Gail, traveled to Abuja, Nigeria for a two-month mission trip where they taught painting techniques and interior faux finishing to twenty-four Nigerian artists as they designed and painted some 36,000 square feet of sanctuary and day care walls. They continue to travel there to work with orphans through Tattercoats, Ltd. a nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation established in 1975 to promote arts and well-being of children around the globe. They recently began work with HLIA School for the Deaf Tegucigalpa Honduras. Please contact Tom for more information on this effort.

Keep a eye out for news on Tom Barnes and you may be well advised to add one of his paintings to your personal collection, after turning a extremely successful transaction. If you can't wait, Tom has prints of some of his paintings available on his gallery website.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

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DARYLE LAMBERT - TIS THE SEASON

I am sitting here looking out my window and enjoying God's new cover for the earth. Some may say that snow is a bother, but to me it is beautiful, pure and a sign of things to come.

I now can feel the Christmas Spirit once the ground is blanketed with a deep cover of snow. My mind can wander to times past spent with my family. Dad would always receive fruit baskets and packages of nuts, and on days like this, I can see visions of him laughing as he built the fire in the fireplace. Yes, I miss you Dad, but these memories make the time that we are separated worth the wait.

I am looking forward to the trip to Kentucky in a couple of weeks where time will be spent with parents, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles and grandchildren. I hope that I will be able to keep my perspectives in order and realize that the true blessings will be the time we share together, not the presents.

My thoughts seem to keep taking me back to Andrew Slaw, the fifteen year old boy that has it so right. Living in the moment and finding joy in it is Andrew's path through life.

I have written about my meeting with this wonderful young man on several occasions, but today I want to bring you a message of hope that has been shared with me by Andrews Mom, Ann.

Ann tells me that Andrew isn't doing that great right now, and asked if we would keep him in our prayers. Andrew is one of our members, and his mother told me that he has completed our book and said to her, "I wish I could get everyone to do what's in here."

Andrews parents have started a foundation called FD NOW which is a group to help find a cure for the disease that Andrew suffers from. At this time, there isn't a cure for FD, but the research that is being done looks very promising. I am including a facts sheet on the blog and also a link where people can make donations to this cause.

If you go to the FD NOW site, you can find more information about the disease Andrew is afflicted with. Would you be willing to donate to help advance the search for a cure? Click here to help.

I am wishing Andrew and his family a Very Merry Christmas, and I extend this in the name of all our 31 Club Members.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

COMMUMITY IS WHERE IT’S AT - Can 31 Club Antiques & Collectibles Wealth Building Help? Let us know.

Your antiques & collectibles wealth building community is in action. I just received an E-mail from our members, Ann and her son, Andrew, asking if any of our members had a Microsoft Frontpage 2003 that they might donate to the program that has been set up for research to find the cure for the ailment Andrew suffers from.

You might remember my earlier blog about Andrew and the zest for life that he maintains. I will never forget the statement Andrew made to me when he and his mother came to visit me. He said, "I live in the moment." If this community can help, it would be so greatly appreciated.

This program is called FD NOW, an abbreviation for Familial Dysautonomia. What Andrew suffers from is a fatal neurological disease. To find out more about this you can call 1-847-913-0455.

We, the members of the 31 Club, are out front when it comes to researching and sharing our lives, our stories, and our information & knowledge with others. This is why I can say that, and this is just one recent discover we've made that won't be found in any book.

The couple we acquired three Charles Lotton Miniatures from shared this great story with us recently:

In 1972, when Charles Lotton was just getting started as a glass artist, he visited Lilian Nassau, a noted Tiffany dealer in New York who had an interest in his work. During that trip to New York, he happened to meet another couple, Howard & Paula Ellman, who right on the spot, purchased the very first Magnum Paper Weight Charles Lotton created. This wonderful, extremely large piece still adorns their home and as friends come by, they usually ask the Ellman's, "Where did you get that Tiffany?" The Ellmans also purchased several other pieces from Charles, three being the minatures.

Here's where the story gets most interesting. Upon looking at the paperweight, Mr. Ellman noticed that it wasn't signed. He told Charles that, one day, his work was going to be very famous, and he should sign and date each piece. Charles thought that this suggestion was a good one, so ever since, he has signed and dated each piece. I called Charles to ask him about this, and he confirmed this story.

Cindy is doing a wonderful job getting our message out and I think that you will be hearing more about Lotton Glass in the days ahead.

The Old Turkey is gobbling, and the apples are ripening, so that must mean we are approaching Thanksgiving. This Holiday doesn’t get as much attention as others, but there are still great pieces that advertised this Holiday, and they can bring you a pretty penny. Pre-1950 Pilgrim tin signs and cardboard stand ups could substantially fatten your wallet. Get the pun? Also, any original clothing would command a fairly healthy price.

Don’t forget Christmas is just around the corner, and you could be stocking up on items to sell for this Holiday. We encourage all our readers and members to consider our book/membership 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, as gifts for your friends and family members. It's not just a book, it's a living, breathing link into a community of like-minded people, willing to share their lives and resources year in and year out.

Over the next two months, this country will come together to celebrate the holidays. My hope is that all will give thanks to God for all that he has provided and continues to provide for us each and every day.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got an Erte Bronze, Lotton Glass, and many many more high quality items priced reasonably with no buyer's premiums. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your piece to us. No high fees selling with us.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about it here!"The Guy in the Red Tie" --- Daryle Lambert

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WOOD BLOCKS - This can be Confusing. Antique Prints

When I was a small child I played with wooden blocks that had the alphabet and numbers on them. It was great fun spelling words and adding up the numbers. People told me that wood blocks brought a lot of money at auction. This confused me, because I wondered how that could be. Yes, some of the block sets could bring several hundred dollars if they had beautiful graphics on them, but I didn’t think that was what they were talking about. I was right.

In the art world, there are a group of works called "Woodblocks" that are very special. These prints are made by first carving out patterns in wood then inking these blocks and placing the ink onto paper. Each color in this process is applied by its own block. Some pictures may require as many as ten or twenty blocks to complete the picture.

The Chinese did this type of work, first, a round 220 A. D. There are also records of the Japanese and even the Egyptians printing in this manner. Later, many artist from other countries started to produce these images, and they became very popular. Today it is not unusual to find Wood Blocks at auction that bring $10,000 or more.

Once you have seen several of these prints, it becomes easy to identify them. I have to admit, I personally enjoy looking at them. The work involved in producing these pieces require great artistry plus time. I think they should command great valve if they are well done.

If you have spent the time in your search to acquaint yourself with the names of the better artists that produced these "Wood Block" masterpieces, don’t be surprised that the asking prices may be rather low. This can play to your advantage. Why? Because there are very few people that have the knowledge to spot these items of value.

Let me give you a few examples: A Gustave Baumann, 11 by 10 inch print will commander prices of $7,000 to $15,000. A Helen Hyde 20 inch piece, $2,000 to $5,000. An Abraham Abramovitz 14 ½ by 10 inch print, $3,000. II could go on and on

Be sure to check every frame you see whether it is hung on the wall or not. You might find a real treasure sitting in someone's basement on the floor. Add these to your list of things you want to know. This just might prove to be wise judgement on your part.


Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club and start your own race to your millions! Read more about it here!"The Guy in the Red Tie" --- Daryle Lambert

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message.