Depression Glass – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Back to the basics.

Depression Glass - Thanks to countrypourch.com

I often wonder if all this knowledge that I have collected over the years will ever pay off again. I have watched as items that were selling for the big bucks became almost worthless and wondered if the prices for them would ever rise again. But you know the older I get, the more I see the cycles repeat themselves over and over again as times change.

When will cookie jars, cut glass, lunch boxes and so many other things become popular again? I can't tell you the date that those pieces will come back in favor but I can guarantee that they will. This is why you should never stop learning and cataloging the rare and unusual in your mind so that you will be prepared when the prices for an out of favor item become favorable again.

Let's take Depression Glass as an example. Twenty years ago, back in Kentucky, I was asked to visit a couple that had a large collection of Depression Glass. After driving for several hours, I arrived at the couple's house and they instructed me to follow them. We pulled up in front of a very old wooden slat house that was falling down. Even the steps leading up to it had rotted away. In the back of my mind I was asking what are we doing here. But that thought didn't last long because as we entered I could see that every room was filled with Depression Glass. There were thousands of pieces. Only in the country could this happen. There were no locks on the doors. I started looking through the stacks of glass but soon became overcome by the sheer number of items. There were the rarest of the rare which included every color of depression ever made, plus all the patterns, several containing animals. I asked what the price was and they said $25,000. I asked if it would be okay to give them an answer the next day to which they said that would be okay. I thought about it overnight and called with my offer which was yes to the $25,000, but I would only give them half until I had taken the pieces to my home in Owensboro, Kentucky and looked to see how much damage there was. If there wasn't any, I would give them the other half of the money. We never made a deal but if I had those pieces today I am sure that they would easily bring over $100,000.

My other great buy of Depression glass was when Warner and I visited Baltimore to buy Rookwood pottery and returned with 500 to 1000 pieces of Depression. We were so tired after the trip that it was consigned to Bunte Auction where I am sure it didn't bring 10% of its value because the pieces were sold in box lots, but we still made great money.

The reason I chose Depression Glass was I noticed a great article in Antique Trader about Depression and the fakes that are still showing up, so be careful. It also showed some values and they looked to me to be on the up trend. If you buy “The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass” by Gene Florence you can judge for yourself. There is another book that also might help you, “Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years.” Look for these books on Amazon or Abebooks. The year really doesn't matter.

Here are just a few examples of current prices : Pink Sharon Cabbage Rose Covered Cheese Dish $2000, American Sweet Heart , Monax, Cream Soup Bowl $490, McKee Sugar Canister Jar, Robins egg Blue $395 and two Sharon Cabbage Rose Tumblers, Green $216.51. Buying these for $2 to $10 would make me smile and I hope that it would you also.


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.


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Halloween – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Frankenstein, but which one?

Curt Frankenstein

I can feel it in the air. Halloween is almost here. Witches and goblins and even a few monsters may be sneaking around, so be on guard. This is truly a time to be enjoyed with your kids because carving jack-o-lanterns and making costumes will bond you together forever. I still remember being out most of the night with my pillow case collecting ever type of goody known to man. Yes, there are some very special monsters on the loose and Frankenstein is one of the best, but not so fast.

Today we will be talking about Frankenstein, not the monster, but Curt Frankenstein, the artist. I once bought a print signed Curt Frankenstein and listed it on eBay because I couldn't find anything on him after searching several of the artist websites such as Ask Art and Artnet. To my surprise, I almost immediately started to get bids. I believe that the first one ended at around $300 and this definitely got my attention. Since that time I have had several of Frankenstein's pieces and have done well with everyone of them. You see there are very few dealers around the country that know the name and when they search their usual places, Curt's name doesn't appear there. In fact I have only found three or four of Curt's prints listed on eBay.

Often there are items that don't find their way into the regular channels of information that we count on but that doesn't mean that they don't have value and Curt Frankenstein's works fall into that category. If you are fortunate enough to find prints by this surrealist, count your blessings because they will bring you several hundred dollars and I have purchased several at $5.00 or less. I fact the last one I received was given to me because I purchased so many other items at the sale. See more about us at www.31corp.com.

I did find a website of his and this seems to be the proper place to list it for you.

CURT FRANKENSTEIN

Sad news: Curt Frankenstein passed away January 4th 2009. If you have any questions please call: 847.256.4764 Curt Frankenstein is a well known painter and a printmaker, who came to the Chicago area from Germany when he was 25. He attended the American Academy of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Otis Art institute of Los Angeles. Subsequently he took courses in Lithography under Max Kahn at the Art Institute and in Etching under Hedi Bak at Studio 22 in Chicago. He now resides in Wilmette, IL, where he has a studio and print shop with his own etching press. Curt Frankenstein first succeeded in selling his paintings in 1954 at the 57th Street Art Fair. He has continued to participate in art fairs ever since, still attending about six each year. A Surrealist Painter: It was during the 1950s when abstract art was the attraction that Frankenstein found his calling. He was devoted to representational art, and after viewing surrealist paintings at the Art Institute, it was clear where his passion lied. Frankensteins's paintings tell a story. Paradoxes and Mysteries, he likes the tension between fantasy and reality. He uses familiar images in unfamiliar surprising ways. His paintings are realistic, but at the same time not real. His aim is to break up accustomed views of the world and to suggest that there is more to reality than meets the eye.

eBay Now – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Find Treasures

Thanks to EBAY

I have been both positive and negative on eBay over the years but now might be the time to search there for treasures. I received an email from one of my favorite readers, Vicki, and she asked my opinion of two items listed on eBay. It didn't take long for me to answer that both items met the rules for buying that are in our book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles." If these two items can be purchased close to the price they're listed for now, it should be an easy double of that price when they are resold.

How can that be, you must be asking. The first piece that I was asked to look at was a vase where the signature on the bottom was very hard to read. However, because of the script on its bottom there was no doubt who made it. This vase could easily bring $250 if its identity was known, so upon relisting this piece and attaching the company's name in the description, this vase should do quite well. I can't divulge the name of the piece because the auction is still running. The second piece was a glass figural lamp and I found where one just like it had sold a short time ago for much more in the completed listings on eBay. If Vicki is fortunate enough to purchase these two items, her return should be at least 100% of her investment. That would mean she had taken one step forward in her "Million Dollar Race" on that money.

I am beginning to see a pattern where people who are listing their items on eBay are taking very little time to describe them properly. In some cases this can be attributed to not being able to identify the piece because the name can't be read on the bottom or simply because it isn't signed. A knowledgeable dealer, however, still can identify it. Yes, this is where all those hours of pouring over auction catalogs and visiting antiques shows begin to pay off.

Here is a suggestion that might help you find a treasure on eBay. Enter "art glass" in eBay's search engine and as you skim through the listings, which should be many, watch for items that aren't properly identified. Next do the same with art pottery, paintings and porcelain. If you can find one piece each night, this could create that opportunity that you have been searching for to turn your life around. Other people's mistakes can be your good fortune and it costs you nothing but time. I will be more than glad to help you identify the pieces that you spot and hopefully, working together, this will put money in your pocket as it does Vicki's.

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.

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Surprise Surprise Curran – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Call from an old friend.

Charles Courtney Curran

Today, as I was planning my next strategy for winning the “Million Dollar Race” that members of our club are participating in, I received a call from an old friend of mine. The conversation started something like this "Daryle, I just found the greatest painting that I have seen in many years on the Internet." You know me, that is when I had to ask who it was by and what was it about.

Before I could even get the words out of my mouth about the artist, my friend said in an almost gushing manner, "The painting is by Charles Courtney Curran and it is a beautiful portrait of a lady". He also shared with me that it was being sold at Shannon's Auction, which is one that I often recommend to our members as an excellent place to sell their paintings.

Not wanting to stop him from this excitement that he was exhibiting, but wanting to know the pre-sale estimate for the painting, I asked and he quickly quoted $50,000 to $70,000. This proved very interesting to me because I have been trying to sell two of Curran's paintings on our site and eBay for quite some time. There is a lesson to be learned from this. The current offering of Curran's is possibly one of the best portraits that I have ever seen and this confirms William's judgment of the painting. Because this painting is so exquisite, the price of $70,000 may not even be the top bid when the hammer falls. Unlike the lady's portrait, my offerings are two fairly simple landscapes that have very little to distinguish them and so I have been unable to get $5000 for the pair, even though they are well worth that amount. So you ask me, what is the lesson? Just because you find a painting by an artist that has very high posted auction results, it doesn't mean that there is an active market for every piece they did. Here is an example where you need to be comparing apples to apples.

I would highly recommend that you visit Shannon's home page and view the wonderful selection of paintings that are being offered on October the 29^th. Here is the site Shannon's Auction.

I have to congratulate William for his excellent eye for fine paintings. He also shared with me that the last several months have been rather slow for him in this business but he has taken this period and religiously spent several hours each day in accumulating knowledge of the rare and unusual pieces of pottery, fine art, art glass and other antiques that have been mentioned in previous blogs. You can bet somewhere in the future you will be seeing blogs about the success of William in Houston.

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!

Early's October Auction – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – The season for the best.

" New England Plater Amberina "

We are quickly coming into the prime time for antiques and fine art auctions. The best sales and prices usually come in the last three months of the year and I believe if you had the records available to you, the facts would bear it out. This is why I say that most high auction records are set in this time frame.

However, it is important to know how this fact can help us make money. There are several ways. First, by studying the catalogs from the major auction houses, you will have an excellent frame of reference in your treasure hunting because you will know what collectors are searching for. Second, by examining the sales results you will have an excellent idea what an item will sell for if you happen upon a similar one. But perhaps the most important thing that can be gleaned from these end of year sales, is the names of collectors that are looking to buy the best of the best and how you can contact them later. I spend more time talking to the audience at a sale than I do actually participating in the sale itself. By the end of each sale, I will have accumulated a list of buyers and what their specialties are so that I can contact them later. During the sale you shouldn't have to spend time studying what is being sold because you have already previewed the sales offerings.

Upcoming on October 30th is the Early Auction Company's “Fall Art Glass Auction” and I hope to be in attendance. The reason for this is because I want to hook up with old friends and make a few new ones.

Warner, one of the "Daryle Lambert Antique and Collectible Club", members and I have made a friend at a past Early's auction and now we know that this gentleman is one of the premier art glass collectors in the entire country. Why is this important you ask? Here is your answer. He is a wealth of information. We get to know what he is looking for and he can educate us on finding just the right pieces for him.

At this Early's sale there are two pieces of New England Plated Amberina that may be the top items at the sale and guess what, if I am correct our friend will be in on the bidding for both pieces. To show you how quality counts, neither one of these items are large, one being a toothpick holder and the other a sugar bowl. With estimates of $8,000 to $12,000 for each of these items, I can assure you I want to get to know their purchaser. Here is where you can see the upcoming Early's catalog www.earlyauctionco.com.

This is our time of year to make money and by the way, as others are saying that sales are slow, guess what? The three sculptures that I mentioned in a previous blog are all sold and the buyer is tremendously happy with the investment as well as the beauty of the pieces. I have seen the bronze that has been placed in a position of prominence in the living room of the buyer and it appears as if it were made for that location. Happy customers make happy dealers.

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!

Harding Black – Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Now I get homework.

Harding Black - Thanks to www.lifeofrilecollectiques.net

I have been asked to blog on the potter, Harding Black, by Cecil, one of the members of the "Daryle Lambert Antique and Collectible Club". This is the result of blogs I have written asking if anyone would like information on a particular person or item. I would be more than glad to share that information with our members.

Cecil informed me that he had found a piece by Mr. Black but knew little about him so he listed it on eBay. To his surprise, this small piece sold for several hundred dollars and now he wants to know more about the potter. I checked Askart and there wasn't anything but I did find a site that was quite interesting and I believe you will too. I hope that you will copy this site for future reference. This site is extensive so I thought rather than write a lot this morning I would just let you enjoy the information on this site. Please check it out thoroughly.

Harding Black Site.

Thanks Cecil and I hope this gives you the information you are looking for and that the other readers will enjoy it to.

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!

Rene Buthaud – Daryle Lambert’s Antique and Collectible Blog – Lets try for three in a row.

Rene Buthaud

I feel like a kid with a new toy as I search for artist that can make money for our club members. I hope that you have enjoyed the last two blogs, but today I am going to share with you another, yet less known artist. In fact, it was difficult to even find a small bio on him but be assured his pieces bring excellent money and have a ready market if something he produced comes to market.

Rene Buthaud was born in 1886 and died in 1996 which meant he had a long life span and produced many wonderful pieces. Here is a small bio that was put together by the company, “Whiteford Fine Art” London.

BUTHAUD, RENÉ (French, 1886-1986)
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION click for works
back to artist list


An important Art Deco Artist, Buthaud trained at the École des Beaux Arts in Bordeaux. He designed simple stoneware forms, made for him by local potters, and used crackle glazes with which to decorate them. He was also influenced by African, tribal art, evident in those pieces where he used lusters or what he called ‘peau de serpent’ (snakeskin). Many of his best-known pieces are painted with supine female nudes. After 1940, he concentrated on images of women, in the form of stylized odalisques, idealized female figures, and mythological goddesses. Under contract to Galerie Rouard in Paris, he exhibited there from 1928 to 1965. During this period, he often signed his works "J. Doris

Believe it or not this was all of the information that I could find on the internet about Rene Buthaud but it is enough if you are fortunate enough to find a piece of his work. In the records it says that most of his pieces are signed so from the information above I would be looking for items signed “ J. Doris “ or his full name. He also used his monogram which I would assume would be his initials.

If any of our readers can find more information on Buthaud’s signature or monogram please share it with the other members of the “ Daryle Lambert Antique and Collectible Club “ in an email.

There has been a book written about Mr. Buthaud but it may be very difficult to obtain. The only copy that I could find was listed at $127.00.

What I am finding is that to push the envelope you may have to search for artist that most dealers haven’t heard of but rest assured that this knowledge will put you ahead of the class in making money in this business. Everyone is searching for the common names we hear everyday but those obscure artists that have built a reputation in the art world may be passed by if the dealers haven’t spent their time in the books or on the internet. This is where you come in and I will list just a few of Buthaud’s works to wet your appetite.

1. Buste de femme – Terracotta – 2.60 “ – Paris auction 12/07/2007 $13,300 signed with monogram

2. Femme a la Gazelle 43 by 70 inches silver and glass 12/13/1999 – Paris - $24,600.

3. Peon – de – Serpent – Glazed stoneware 12 ½ “ – Vase – Christie’s - $15,000.

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!