“Hush Hush Could it be True?” : Daryle Lambert

Jan Brueghel the Elder - Thanks to AskArt

What a day yesterday was, disappointment for one of our members but possibly a bonanza for another. I enjoy waking up each day because I don't know what God has planned for me. Whenever a member of the “31 Club” asks me for information on something they have in their possession, it is like going on a treasure hunt with them.

I received an email from a young lady yesterday asking about a painting she had but that I knew very little about. After our talking about the painting for a while and looking it up on AskArt, I found that if it were truly a piece by the artist, as signed, its value would be from $5000 up. Unfortunately, after having her remove the panel on the back of the painting she discovered that it was a print, bummer. The great thing was her attitude. Without a moment’s hesitation she said, “ I will have to go out and find another one and hopefully it will be real. To that I said “Atta Girl”.

Not the way I hoped my day would start but I know that at least she had the information she needed. What I didn't know was what lay right around the corner on my next email. Checking my computer there was another email about a painting. This time I had my doubts but stranger things do happen so I answered it very promptly. You see this artist sells from $500,000 to $6,000,000.

Contacting the person on the phone it tuned out to be a wonderful lady who said she needed help but didn't know where to turn. I assured her she was at the right place. First, I warned her that the chances of her painting being a true example of the artist’s work were slim but that I needed to ask her some questions. I needed to know if it was signed. She informed me that she hadn't been able to find a signature. At first I assumed this to be a big negative. Next, I asked if she could see the back but was told it was covered by paper. I wasn't getting the answers that I had wished for but I knew not to give up.

Beginning to prepare myself to give her the bad news, I asked what I figured would be my last question, “Is there any writing on the back?” Now was when she caught my attention as she said “Yes there is a museum tag and a label that gives the artist’s name and that it is an oil on panel and the date when he lived.” Wow! This sent me back to the books and guess what I found? Most of his paintings were unsigned. The painting that we were discussing was of a vase of flowers which happens to be what he is known for. The good news is that a painting of flowers could bring in the millions!

I am trying to keep my composure but even the slightest possibility that this is a true work of art is so exciting that I have to pinch myself to stop from day dreaming. I now have the necessary information to track this painting from the museum tag and there should be records of it in their archives. So stay tuned because I am sure that you will be hearing more about this in the near future.

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Some Things that Shine - Can Really Sparkle Later

When buying good leaded crystal glass, you should have handled a lot of pieces before you invest in this field. You want to be able to recognize the weight and designs on the better pieces you encounter, because it is easy to get fooled today. Also, being acquainted with their marks will come from familiarity. I don’t know of a book that shows the marks, so if anyone does, write and let us know. Often, all clear glass looks alike, but it isn’t. In your search, these differences will become apparent. There has also been an influx of what I call copycat pieces that are coming into the market today.

It would seem easy to say, all that is necessary to recognize this glass is to look at the bottom of each piece, right? Wrong. I often have taken a piece from one room to another trying to get just the right light on it so that I could pick up that faintest piece of a mark, such as Lalique, Steuben, Baccarat, and even cut glass. Did you know that some of the best cut glass that was ever produced is marked? Most people don’t. These companies usually marked their pieces by acid etching the mark or by signing them with an electric marking process. Often these marks are almost invisible to the naked eye with out proper lighting or magnification.

Once, as I was attending an estate sale, and running very late I must add, there, on one of the card tables, was a huge frosted glass frog. I picked it up like probably 100's of other people during the day, but put it back down when I couldn’t find a mark on its bottom. After spending several minutes searching the rest of the sale and finding nothing, my mind wouldn’t let me forget that frog. I re-entered the room where it was located, picked the piece up again and examined it from top to bottom, but came to the same conclusion: Nothing special.

Going to the car and being ready to get out of there, I stopped in my tracks, re-entered the house, picked that darn frog up and said, I am going to find that mark or it's going to kill me. Believe it or not, there it was, as clear as day, and marked Lalique. I pick it up and went to the counter and asked the price. The answer almost made me start laughing right there. They told me $25.00. Paying very quickly and running out the door, I discovered in researching the piece that it was quite valuable. Putting that darn frog on eBay and waiting for the seven days was difficult but worth it, $650.00. Yahoo!

You will find most of this glass will be over-priced, and this is where the discipline comes in. Don’t ever over pay, even if you can make a small profit. We are waiting to make our money work for us, and that means at least doubling the price we pay for each item, if not more. However, there are a lot of people that don’t know the rare pieces made by these companies from the common ones. when you do, it will give you a tremendous advantage over them.

Stay with the best names in the clear glass, because the copycats, as I have called them, have very little value in the secondary markets.

If it sparkles, look at it carefully, because you just might find that special frog yourself.

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

Tis the Season - Getting Prepared

Believe it or not Christmas is right around the corner. This is the time to be watching for those special buys that will pay big rewards, and some of these buys can be collectibles of the Christmas season.

Post cards with the Old Santas on them can bring a couple of hundred dollars or more. You may find cards from as early as the 1900's, because the postal service approved post cards in the United States in 1872. What do I mean by Old Santas? They are usually skinny, and with a different beard than we are accustomed to seeing on Santa. Their suit is different, also.

I once was at a garage sale and came across a photo album that contained about 100 old Santa cards. Being new to these collectibles, I asked the price and the woman said $250. I thought that was too much so I passed on them. Returning home and doing my homework, I rushed to my car and headed back to the sale. So sad, yes, they were gone. I had missed a treasure, but learned in the process. I now know that the album could have been worth fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. I should have trusted my instincts and bought them on the spot. Oh well, at least I have a great story to tell.

It might be worth your while to study other post cards, because many of them can make you have a wonderful day of hunting if you find them. Go to eBay and enter post cards, then completed and last highest price. These pieces will become a part of your unconscious memory that will be called upon if you see them again.

I will follow up with other Christmas collectibles tomorrow. The whole family can get involved in the search for these wonderful collectibles that bring back past memories for all.

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

Not Where You Begin - But Where You End

The best advice that I have ever given someone is to deal in the areas where they felt comfortable. This means both in knowledge and price. Until you have the knowledge required to buy a $100,000 painting, you will never feel comfortable buying it. Also, if paying a $100,000 for something makes you uncomfortable, you aren’t ready to buy it, even if you have the money.

This doesn’t mean that if you come upon a bargain that you don’t act, it simple means at those time you seek help from someone that is comfortable at those levels. You won’t make all the profit, but you also won’t take all the risk when you're not prepared to do so. I have made friends that have been in the fine art business for nearly a hundred years, and I seek their advice often. They have assured me that they will be available if, and when, I find something that makes me nervous.

You should be finding these people before you discover something. By doing so, you will be prepared to act when the opportunity presents itself. One good way to find these people is at antique shows. The dealers will be more than happy to share information with you, and as your relationship with them grows, they will trust your judgement and then will become your partner if need be.

A second place to look for people to partner up with is the antique shops. Spend some time in your local shops and get to know the proprietors, so that if the time comes that you feel the need for information or money to help in the purchaser of some treasure, these people will be prepared to help you.

The third place I would explore would be personal friends that might like to make some extra money. They usually can’t help you with the knowledge, but they can be a great place to find help with financing. With these three avenues, you should never find a treasure that, combined with others, can’t be bought. Now all that is left to do is go out there and find your treasures. Hopefully, in the future, your 31 Club will be able to fill this need for you. Can you tell us of something you pass on because of price or lack of knowledge?

OUTSIDER WHAT? - Artist

What do Jessie LaVon, Mari Tirabassi and Doug Odom have in common? You guessed it. They are all Outsider Artists.

The story of Jessie is very interesting, and it can be found by putting her name in the Google search. She had a very serious accident, and this changed her approach to art. I think that her pieces might become as famous as Grandma Moses paintings in the future. I know a person that aquired two of her pieces at a garage sale for $75.00. The largest one should bring $500.00 today, and in the future, who knows?

Maria is a new friend of mine. I met her at the Chicago Antique Market where she was set up. As I passed her display, it stopped me in my tracks. Wow, this painter is something special, I thought. After I talked to her sister for awhile, Maria showed up, and what a pleasent surprise that was. She is a very down to earth lady that will never know a stranger. We talked for some time, and then I decided maybe I should let her get back to work. In my opinion, her work is priced very reasonably, and anyone that purchases it today will be well rewarded in the future. Be on the lookout for her paintings, because the world is going to hear about her. I will be listing some of her pieces on our site very soon. Be sure to visit her at the next two Chicago Antique Markets in September and October. If you wait till next year, I think the prices for her pieces will be much higher. You can visit her website at www.tirabassiart.com. She is presently represented by several Galleries in the Chicago area.

Last but not least, just being a gentlman, I will share my friendship that has developed between Doug Odom and me. I have talked about Doug in previoue blogs, but much has happened since then.

Doug is the best known Outsider Artist in the country. He was picked to spend several hours with the Bushes in their home. That's right, George and Laura as in President Bush. They also choose him to do the annual Christmas tree ornament.

Doug was in the Chicago area this past week doing a show in Highland Park, Illinios, and I helped him set up. Not being able to stay for the show because Josh and I were appearing at the Chicago Antique Market, I was only able to return to his show as he was tearing down. You know me, I just had to ask how he did. His answer was that the piece in the back of his booth, which was his center piece, had to be delivered and there were several other pieces missing from his display.

Doug no longer does cheap pieces. He ask me which one of the paintings I wanted, and of course, there before my eyes was this painting that said Churchill Downs on it. So guess what? It is hanging in my family room as I speak. Doug will be back in the Chicago area in December and will be staying in my home. I hope many of you will be able to visit with him then.

This blog has been rather long, but it will be well worth it to you. I will be keeping you up to date about these wonderful artists and hopefully, many more. I think this venue will serve us well in our pursuit of our goal. Please share with us your stories of local and outside artists you know.