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.

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High Profit Day - Adventures in the Antique Business

I am reporting to you from the back-seat of a 2001 Ford Wind star. This is our last ski trip of the season, and we are traveling with three adults and three kids. The last trip like this that I took ended in one of my better days for treasure hunting. Here's what happened:

While everyone else did their own thing, I decided to venture out to see what I could find. Believe it or not, at the first place I stopped, there were some great Royal Doulton figurines from the 1940s. I soon began to bargain with the owner and used the technique that I have taught you in past blogs. I put about twenty figurines in a group and calculated the average price per piece I wanted to pay, then made the offer. At first there was a negative response, but as I started to walk away, the woman ask if I would pay any more than my offer. I explained why that was my best offer. You see asking if I would pay more, she told me that we were very close to closing the deal. Sure enough, after a few minutes she agreed to sell them to me for my original offer.

Putting that many figurines together meant that the total offer was rather substantial. Sometimes that's hard to refuse. Money talks, and the higher the amount of money offered, the harder it is for the seller to turn it down. If I had tried to bargain on the figurines one at a time, I would have probably left the shop empty handed.

Since I had spent over $5000 with the woman, she knew that I was a serious buyer. So, when I reached for the door she asked if I was interested in any other figurines. I thought that she was probably talking about Hummels or Lladros, but still I said “sure." The rule is not to ever stop a person from telling you of other things they have for sale, even if you have a doubt that there will be any interest.

The next thing that I knew she was locking up her shop, and we were headed to her home. Arriving at a rather modest home, I have to admit I wasn’t too excited. Walking through her living room, I did see some Early American furniture, but nothing that really caught my eye. Then we entered the family room and my eyes almost popped out of my head. There in front of me was one of the largest collections of Meissen figurines I had ever seen. I was looking at a good $100,000 worth of Meissen. I had to get a hold of myself because I didn't want to show the excitement I was feeling inside.

Looking over the collection and trying to conceal my unbelievable desire to purchase each every one of the pieces, I ask how many of the figurines were for sale. Her answer almost knocked me down. "All of them for the right price." I was like a child in a candy shop, but I had to control myself. I proceeded to pick the pieces that interested me most. I knew without a doubt I had selected over $20,000 worth of figurines at the price that I was willing to pay. I made the offer, and this time, without hesitation, she said that seems fair to me. You see, I had established credibility with her on the first trade. Now she accepted me as the expert.

I treated her fairly and purchase the pieces at a price that fit my standard rule for buying, so you know that this was one profitable day for me. There are many great lessons to be gleaned from this experience, but perhaps the greatest is that you must always keep your emotions under control when you are trying to make a purchase. Also, you must appear as the person who has all the facts at his fingertips.

Do you need college funds, retirement funds, or want a larger stash of cash for you lifestyle? The 31 Club uses a wealth building plan that can help you accumulate enough funds to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, collectibles, and fine art. Join the 31 Club. Learn about Art, Antiques & Collectibles. Learn How to Invest in Art, Antiques & Collectibles and build lifetime wealth. The plan is in my book. When you join today, you'll receive my 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles, FREE, plus MENTORING from me whenever call me. Or, order 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles and your membership is FREE and you still get mentoring. Either way, you're in. I know it sounds crazy to get all this for about $20, but I assure you, I'm offering this. If you've read this far, why not hop aboard.

"...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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"It has been a great pleasure knowing Daryle for more than
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a man of his word."
Riley Humler, Cincinnati Art Galleries
Consultant, Antique RoadShow

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Lotton Art Glass Bandwagon Begins to Roll, As Predicted

John Lotton Vase. Photo from Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago.

I have been writing that the day was soon coming, when buying a quality piece of Lotton Art Glass would rank up there with the names of Tiffany, Steuben and others. Yesterday, January 21, 2008, just might mark the day that Lotton Glass began to take its place among the notable glasses of the ages, when a rather common 1995 John Lotton twelve inch vase sold at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers of Chicago for $2,800 plus the buyers premium, bringing a total of approximately $3,360. I believe the bandwagon has started to roll now on the best contemporary art glass of our day: Lotton Art Glass.

When common pieces of anything begin to reach levels in their pricing that better pieces brought only a short time ago, then watch out when you see exceptional pieces come to market. I believe that Glass produced by both Charles Lotton and John Lotton will see record prices this year.

The John Lotton piece, sold at Leslie Hindman, with white flowers and a clear crystal background, in my opinion, was a far cry from his better work. Better pieces of John Lotton's glass, which I have personally observed, have reached eighteen inches in height and had well-formed realistic, multicolored flowers. When you compare the piece sold at Hindman's to the really fine pieces that weigh in at close to 50 pounds, with up to four colors in the flowers, one might ask if these pieces might bring in $25,000. Indeed! The best is yet to come.

This move in price in Lotton Glass is of no surprise to me. In my book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles," released in May, 2007, I made the prediction that Lotton Glass would become the next Tiffany, predicted it in a June 12, 2007 news release, and have been writing about Lotton Glass on my Blog for the past six months. I've heard auctioneers speak about the value that will be found in Lotton Glass whenever a Lotton item becomes available for auction. Many of the Charles Lotton items we've had in our 31 Market Place & Gallery flew off the shelf before we formally announced their arrival or posted photographs. Yes, the bandwagon is starting to roll on the best contemporary glass of our day. I just had a visitor in my home that is one of the foremost authorities on glass in this county, and he agreed that nothing is going to keep Lotton out of the top tier of all glass that has ever been produced.

In a generation there may only be a few Painters, Glass Blowers or Potters that reach this elevated level of excellence, and I believe you will see that the Lottons will be propelled to these heights. If you already own some of their work, congratulations! If you don't, it's still not too late for you to participate in this amazing glass, at what I think, are still very reasonable prices, before their value escalates to heights that will make it only available to the very wealthy.

While we are at it, I would like to re-enforce my suggestion that it's time to sell all of your ungraded silver at these levels. Over the next few weeks, I think there is an excellent chance that the silver market will begin to slide, and this is a time to be on the side lines in the metal markets.

It is one thing to just give you fact that exists today, but it is quite another to find people who are willing to stick their necks on the line by making predictions for you when there is no monetary interest in it for them. That's what I do. The most important value you will receive from the 31 Club, is my willingness to stick my neck out there for you and call things as I see them. We are here to serve you. If there are topics you would like us to give an opinion on or questions you have, please e-mail us at info@31corp.com. And why not join the only Club that learns to build wealth trading in antiques, art, and collectibles. Join Today, here.

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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.

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Author Predicts Lotton Glass to be the Next Tiffany

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Daryle Lambert: The Underdog Can Win in Antiques, Collectibles, & Fine Art

Last night I got a lift from watching the election returns. It didn't matter who you were rooting for, which candidate had the most campaign money or endorsements by notable institutions. In the end, the "little man" won on both sides. It was like reading the story of David and Goliath. And this is what our 31 Club is all about. Do you think you're the underdog in this market? Do you want to take advantage of the sizzling hot antique, collectible and fine art markets but think you don't have the money or knowledge to do it? If you have as little as $100 and the willingness to study and learn, the 31 Club can help you turn that $100, over time, into a figure with many more zeros. Can you wrap your mind around that?

You can become educated with the help and direction offered through joining the 31 Club and in time, be trading in the higher-end of these markets reaping the financial gains that, right now, you see others reaping. And you don't have to leave your present employment to do it.

If you can commit yourself to actively participating in expanding your knowledge through further education with us and study on your part, you will blossom and flourish. Ask yourself if watching TV in the evenings or chatting on the Internet is adding any money to your bank account or improving the conditions of your life.

I run across people at every stop I make who have enough money to buy anything they desire, but they pass by the greatest treasures that can be found in this marketplace because they can't recognize a treasure when they see one staring right at them. Wouldn't you like to be the one who can recognize a treasure, have the funds to buy it at the right price, then sell it for great profit? Then, ask yourself how many times a year you'd have to make a trade like that before you'd have enough money to get you through your life.

The 31 Club is dedicated to shaping a new breed of dealers. And it doesn't require you to leave your present job, borrow a dime to buy, nor invest funds to set up a shop. In the 21st century, we work differently. Separating ourselves from the herd in the way we approach this business is the key to our prosperity. And it can be the key for you, too, if you let it by learning with us.

Do you know the difference between a production piece of Royal Doulton and a one of a kind piece? The difference can mean several thousand dollars in your pocket. Is it an old mark or a new one on that Zsolnay vase? If you know, you just might have a month or two's worth of upper class wages to add to your account. Who is the artist with the initials DMR that you happened to find in a second hand shop? Do you know how to find out? Is there anyone you can call for help? If you knew the initials DMR, you might find that the painting in that shop is by a listed artist worth over $50,000. And the shop owner doesn't even know it.

I could go on and on, but this I promise you, the members of the 31 Club will stand out whenever you attend any event where knowledge of the Antique and Fine Art markets is required.

Acquire the knowledge needed to win. Surround yourself with the like-minded people of the 31 Club so you won't be alone. Deal in the high-end markets with confidence. Our members are diligently spending their time acquiring knowledge while they experience the marketplace. Each time they buy and sell, they move to more valuable items. They are learning to be the most informed people around, succeeding by their knowledge and dealing with others in a fair and upright manner. Will you be one of them?

Learn to work this marketplace the 21st century way with the 31 Club. When the last votes are counted, like last night, I'll be betting on you. –Daryle

If you're looking for the pathway to reach your goals with antiques, collectibles and fine art, the 31 Club can be the venue that will give you the nuts and bolts for successfully buying, selling and profiting in the 21st Century Marketplace. Join us today and rub shoulders with like-minded people.

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