“American is Cheap” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Don't get mad.

Words of Caution

What do I mean that “American is Cheap”? No it isn't that we as people don't spend money but that our dollar is at an all time low which allows other countries to benefit on an exchange basis. They can buy more in this country than they can in their own with the same amount of money. So your question should be, how do we sell in those foreign markets?

First, eBay might give you an edge because of their international exposure, plus by using their services you don't have to worry about exchange rates or getting your money. Second, you might want to be sure if you go the auction route that the auction house you choose has connections in the foreign markets. Local or regional auction houses usually don't command a large foreign following and this should be taken into account, especially on expensive items.

One method of selling pieces overseas is to list only one item and then, when it is sold, contact the purchaser to see if they might be interested in more pieces. Yes eBay might frown on this practice but they get the commission on what has been sold at their auction and that is what you have agreed to do. Always check the space that says you will sell your items internationally when these markets are your targets.

I am aware of one collector that has sold almost his entire collection of art glass to a German gentleman and the price was seldom discussed because with the exchange rate, these pieces were going there at a small percentage of what an American would have had to pay for them. My friend sets the price and the customer almost always says yes. Wouldn't be nice if it were always that way here? Usually we have to ask more than we really want for an item because the customer is looking for a bargain and tries to lowball us.

When I started in the Antique and Collectible business, the currency situation was reversed from what it is now and often I would buy a lot of my inventory from England, Germany and France. I believe this country is going in the wrong direction and if it continues the world will completely turn its back on the dollar. The "Greenback" as our money was known will not attract the foreign interest and soon our inflation will destroy our country.

Here is a little story I heard once upon a time. China's inflation was spiraling out of control so a gentleman there called the airport and asked how much money it would take to fly to the United States. The answer came rather swiftly; a suitcase full would do it. So he left his hotel with the suitcase of money and arrived at the ticket counter where he deposited the suitcase on the counter and asked for his ticket. "Oh I'm sorry, Sir", the clerk said, "it takes two suitcases of money now." That sound like a cute little story but if this country doesn't come to its senses, that will be us.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Foreign Coins” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – From the mouth of babes.

Foreign Coins - Thanks to www.salemathenaeum.org

It never fails to surprises me when Joshua, my son, gives me the perfect topic for a blog. If you have viewed our site www.31corp.com you will have seen the “Kids Connection” area where he gives other young people advice about their collecting. In his video that was prepared for the Jay Leno show, he talks about his collections, one of which is foreign coins.

It never occurred to me that this would make a wonderful blog even though I have sat at the Direct Auction for hours watching coin after coin sell for $50 - $200. I never showed any interest because they were foreign, right? Some of the time I have to check to see where my head is because this great area of collecting simply passed me by. But when Josh asked why I hadn't written a blog on his collection, I really didn't have a very good excuse. So here I go, There is some real money to be made with the coins that have been produced by almost every country in the world. Many of these countries have minted gold as well as silver coins that can be purchased at prices equal to less than their metal value.

Checking eBay I came across many coins that I have had the opportunity to purchase but didn't feel that I had the knowledge necessary to enter that market. Why I didn't buy a book on foreign coins I don't know but I am extremely sad that I didn't. After doing a little research I guarantee you that I will be giving some of my time in helping Josh expand his coin collection.

Here is a small example of what I found. These were all sold: 2 - 1976 Canadian gold coins 13.3375 gms - $487.09, 2 – French gold coins 12.8 gms - $382.35, 31 – Assorted foreign coins some silver - $201.50, 1 – 1851 gold coin foreign 6.3 gms - $195.61 and 11 – French Statue of Liberty coins - $153.62. As you can see, if these were purchase as scrap metal they would still be bargains.

On eBay you will find a foreign coin price guide by Thomas E. Hudgeons Jr. called The Blackbook Price Guide to Foreign coins, 2010 edition, that can be purchased new $8.99 or used $5.28. The 2009 edition can be owned for $1.15 and I highly recommend that you add one of these to your library. Be sure to watch the shipping cost and don't get ripped off there.

Here is an new and exciting venture for you to pursue. Who knows, you may come upon a gold doubloon.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Members Visit” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Gretchen.

Met Gretchen - She likes blue.

The most satisfying part of being the founder of our Club is the chance that I have to interact with the members of the Club. This weekend was especially satisfying to me because one of our members, Gretchen, planned a trip to Chicago and we worked together so that her time here wouldn't be wasted.

First, I have to share with you that Gretchen is one of our associates and, if you recall, we made a purchase together some weeks ago. She found five paintings that the club partnered with her to purchase and over the last couple of weeks she has researched them. Once this process was finished she asked “Now what do we do?”

Gretchen is from Paducah, Kentucky and there simply aren't many auction houses there so we decided that perhaps they should be sold here in Chicago. Once I had the dates that she could visit me, I made appointments for her at several auction houses. She was able to place all the paintings that we purchased together in auctions for the 20th of October at one auction house and even place one of her own works at another auction house. This should be of great benefit to Gretchen in the future because now she is acquainted with the owners of several of the houses here and in the future they will deal with her over the phone.

I hope that by sharing this story it will encourage more of our members to utilize the Associate's Program. That way I can help you prepare for future business and also use the Club's expertise to your advantage. Gretchen will have some time and effort invested, but her out of pocket expenditures are small while her chances of substantial profits are great. The education that she has received on this trip can't be valued but in years to come she will see the profits that are accrued from the knowledge she gained this weekend.

As a side bar, Gretchen was able to visit several art museums and galleries in the Chicago area and this is where her real passions lie. She could hardly contain her happiness with the chances she had to quiz the proprietors of these establishments. As a bonus, she was able to visit her mother who was in the area.

Remember our slogan "Fun and Profit with Antiques and Collectibles"? I usually include fine art in the category of antiques, if you are wondering. You won't be forced to take advantage of the help that is offered by the Club and its members, and there won't be any homework if you wait to jump in, but I will hate it for you if the stories of success continue to be published and one of them isn't yours. Waiting to Help.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Red Cross” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – The Image that Everyone Knows.

Your Red Cross in Action - Thanks to www.guitsrz-for-ever.c0m

During these days when we wonder if anyone cares, there is one symbol that is recognized by all people worldwide that show some do. Due to the great European wars, The International Red Cross came into existence in 1863 as a humanitarian group . The American chapter of the Red Cross began in 1881. There are 145 societies of the Red Cross around the world and wherever there is an emergency you will find the Red Cross there. The symbol that is so recognized by all was adopted in 1929, that being the cross. The Red Cross is not a government agency even though Congress approves of it.

Perhaps the greatest name associated with the Red Cross was Clara Barton and after her work during the Civil War she traveled to Europe to study the methods of the Red Cross. After she returned to America, the organization was formed here.

I can still see the World War I and World War II posters showing the Red Cross nurses helping injured soldiers returning from battle. There was never a better feeling for an injured soldier than being treated by one of the Red Cross nurses.

Red Cross memorabilia both honors the nurses' work but also pays respect for the compassion shown during some of the world's most tragic times. This organization is one of the few that has never had its reputation tarnished and it stands as a beacon of what we should be and feel.

Some of the most collected items are the pins from around the world. The Red Cross medal “Order of Estonia” sold for $510. Most all medals of the Red Cross are eagerly sought after and bring great money. Another medal, the GVR Royal 1st class nurse's medal brought $429. Posters that show the Red Cross nurse doing her duty helping a service man are very popular and can bring in $1000 or more. Even uniforms are searched for and their value is set by there uniqueness. But perhaps the number one item that most remember are the Red Cross Christmas stamps, which started in 1907. Groups of these can bring you hundreds of dollars. Don't we wish that all people had the spirit of the Red Cross.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Sarah Palin” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Love or Hate her.

Love Her or Hate Her - Thanks to news.yahoo.com

There are some people that demand either your love or hatred and Sarah Palin is just such a person. Little known until the Presidential election when she popped on the pubic scene as John McCain choose her as his running mate on the Republican ticket as vice president. Just a little sassy and with a quick wit, she soon captured the hearts of the conservative wing of the party. Good looks and a great family didn't hurt her either. Her husband, an athletic chap that loved to take dog sleds across the frozen tundra, and a special needs child made her a natural to run for the office of Vice President.

She had taken on the sitting Republican governor of Alaska and defeated him and her approval rating was in the 80's. Thinking that the women would flock to her side if she threw her hat into the ring, proved to be a mistake as the followers of Hillary Clinton move to Obama instead. The biggest problem with her candidacy was that she overshadowed her running mate John McCain and made him look like the old man he was. The jealousy soon spilled out and the infighting in the ranks soon doomed any chance for a Republican victory.

Now that Sarah has broken away from the strings of being Governor, she has began establishing herself for the run for President in 2012. Her new book "Sarah Palin Going Rogue" will soon be on the book stands and even before its release it is number one, with a first printing of 1.5 million copies.

I believe that anything pertaining to Sarah Palin will become valuable and our members should begin picking up anything that shows her image. If it is signed that will make it a treasure. I am going to list a few items that have sold on eBay and believe it or not I wish I had purchased them all. First, however, can you believe that someone paid $63,500 to have dinner with her? Not me but it was for a good cause. I could have purchased a Tampa Bay Rays Jersey signed by Sarah for $94 and that was a bargain. Then came the Governor's signed inauguration pass for $75, autographed Newsweek $75 and a USA signed hock puck also signed by Todd her husband $55.

Just think of all the possibilities: pins, photos, posters, letters, books and personal items that will soon command huge prices. If you remember, I said earlier the same things about Obama and have you seen what some of his items are now bringing? Buy while things are cheap because they won't stay that way. In my opinion she will have an uphill struggle to ever be President but that won't hamper the collectors from scrambling for her memorabilia. Be forewarned here first.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Men's Hats” – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Five Dollars into $100.

Top of the to you - Thanks to Flicker.com

I have always been fascinated with hats and over the years I have worn almost every style you can imagine. I was a fan of Humphrey Bogart and you may remember when he would pull that hat down over his eyes in the movies and people would listen to what he had to say. The women also seemed to like it and there was always a beauty nipping at his heels. Then there was coach Paul Bear Bryant of Alabama who was never seen without his plaid hat. Who could forget the Duke (John Wayne) with that ten gallon hat that never seemed to fly off no matter how fast he rode the horse. There is just something special about a man wearing a hat and most powerful men wear a hat that sets them apart from others.

Over the years styles have changed but not the dapper Dans that wanted to wear them. You all have seen pictures of the gentlemen in the exquisite beaver top hats escorting the ladies in the hoop shirts riding in the carriages of the day. How about the business men in the felt bowlers that they would gently tip your way as they passed, giving you a greeting. Perhaps my favorites are the cowboy hats because they represent another time and also a different life style than most people will ever experience.

You must be asking where my love for hats started and it was when Vickie, my wife, and I began going to a ranch in Sheridan, Wyoming where everyone wore a cowboy hat. We have gone to the ranch maybe 5 to 10 times and over those visits I purchased several different hats until I finally found one that made the statement I wished to express as I rode through the beautiful Big Horn Mountains. You know just wearing the right hat truly makes you feel like a cowboy but the boots and jeans add the final touch.

With the feeling that I receive from wearing a cowboy hat, it makes it possible for me to envision how others must have felt wearing hats at different times in our history. Hats through the ages have served in many ways, like the coonskin hats that were used for warmth and the Panama straw hats that were used to protect against the sun. Probably most hats were used to make a statement as to status. But the question is can we make money by finding vintage hats and the answer is yes. I was teaching one of my first pupils and on a buying trip in a second hand shop we found a vintage hat with its original box that was priced at $15.00. I soon explained to the clerk what we were doing and negotiated a purchase price of $5. If my memory serves me well, the pupil sold the hat on eBay for about $136.

Here are a few other examples from eBay: autographed Stetson cowboy hat $1000, Beaver Top Hat $250, a mink hat $200, Panama Straw Hat $129, Felt Bowler $100 and last but not least the old beaver hat for $75. For a purchase price of $5 to $10 dollars I would say that these make great purchases. I have seen even the best Beaver Top Hats for $25 at garage and house sales. Men's hats can be a way for you to start your journey up through the 31 Steps that we have set out to climb and there is a ready market, especially if the hat has its original box. Keep the sun out of your eyes by wearing the hat of your choice.

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com

“Sands Hotel and the Rat Pack” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Great Memories.

Las Vegas Sands - Thanks to Flicker.com

Those were the days I like to say. Las Vegas in all her splendor and yes, I spent many a week in her grasp. I look back on it today and realize that it wasn't a place where I should have spent so much time, but thankfully God saw fit to show me another way. Back then I was young and being young and full of myself, it sure brings back memories.

Vegas will never be what it was again because when the casinos were owned by individuals they wanted you to feel like family but today they are all corporate and the money is what they key in on. My favorite was always the Sands which was the seventh casino built on the strip. It started in 1952 and closed in 1996 but what a run it had. John F. Kennedy was the guest of Frank Sinatra many times at the Sands and the original “Rat Pack” started there. If you are too young to remember, that pack included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Lawford. Perhaps the most talented man I ever saw in my life was Sammy Davis, Jr. There wasn't a thing he couldn't do from singing and dancing to playing multiple instruments. A fact about Sammy that you may not be aware of is that just for fun he became the fast draw champion of the world. Pardon me for straying a little but I saw him every chance I got over the years.

Historically, however, the most important fact about the Sands was that it became the property of Howard Hughes in the mid 1960's. He lived in the penthouse as a recluse and if you saw his movie there was much of the film dedicated to his time at the Sands. The next in importance was the world famous Copa Room with stars like the aforementioned ones plus Judy Garland, Lena Horne and Jimmy Durante.

But why am I writing this blog you're asking. A friend of mine asked if I still had connections in Vegas because he wanted to take a short trip there. That is when all the memories started flooding in. But my job is to tell you how to make money from Vegas and it isn't from gambling but rather from the selling of Las Vegas memorabilia.

Please remember the items that I mention are all from the Sands but all the casinos have similar items that the collector is searching for. So here are just a few from the Sands: outfit made for Judy Garland by the Sands $3000, 1960 Dice layout $700, dealer's apron $295, rare room key $250 and a set of dice $75. You may think that these items will never come your way but do I have news for you. Almost everyone that visits Vegas brings home souvenirs. There are chips with the casino's name on them where the value can go into the thousands. In fact I still have a few of the chips myself. Happy Hunting

I hope that in the future we will be able to receive comments on the blog but that doesn't seem to be happening at the present time. I would appreciate if you would send all comment to www.31corp.com until I can solve this problem.

My 220 page book about how to make money buying and selling antiques & collectibles is FREE with your membership in the 31 Club. Join Us Today!
Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.

For more information, visit my web site at http://www.31corp.com