“Do as I Do” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club – Use Others' Information.

Josh and Daryle

Would you believe that 50% of my time is spent researching items that I think might make me money? Today I will give you the tips that I use for getting the answers about the possible treasures I find. It really is easy to get the information you need but often we overlook the obvious. Let's just take a few examples.

I received an email from a wonderful young lady inquiring about this beautiful vase she had found. After much research she said the pattern matched closely with one on consolidated glass. However, she still wasn't sure and what could I tell her? I wish that I had all the knowledge that seems to be attributed to me but guess what, I don't. Just like many of you I have to start from scratch.

In this case my first thought was maybe there is a collectors' club for consolidated pieces and off to Google I went. Sure enough there was a collectors' club for Phoenix and consolidated both so I sent her the consolidated website, because if anyone knows consolidated it would be the club and its members. This should always be your first bet and these clubs are happy to assist you.

Next, what should I do to try and find a current price for this treasure? Ebay, ebay, ebay. This is perhaps the greatest source of pricing that you will ever find. First, look at current auctions and then the completed ones. Over 50% of the time you will find an item like yours that has sold and this is current. No, you don't use one source to establish your price but with Ebay you are well on your way. If the piece is Art Glass go the Julia's glass auctions on their web page or Cincinnati Art Galleries site on their home page. Between these two houses you will find most of the great glass pieces that have been sold. But now how about pottery? Treadway, Cincinnati Art Galleries and Rago will cover you there. Yes, it will serve you well to find out what auction houses specialize in what and then stay current on their auctions. Remember that price guides are at lest a year old when they are published, so for me they have very little actual value.

There are other ways to get the information that you need to make intelligent decision but the rest often require you to leave the house, which isn't all that bad either. One way to get information is by going to antique and collectible shows. In one afternoon at a show you will pick up an unlimited amount of knowledge, plus there will be people there to answer any other questions that you may have. The same thing can be said of antique shops but there the information will be less because usually these shops are owned by what we call "moms and pops" and the inventory will be small compared to a show where you can have up to 500 dealers or more. The way that most people learn is by reading and this is a super way to accumulate knowledge. Unfortunately I am a visual learner and it is best if I see what I am learning about.

I hope that this little outline that I use to obtain information will help you. This business is so simple and easy to run if a person will just slow down and let his mind do the walking.

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

"The Baby was Delivered" - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – She is a Beauty.

Mr. Baumgartner

I know that some of you who haven't been following my blog will be confused but I will try my best to help you understand. A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to purchase several Kentucky paintings by Carl Brenner and Harvey Joiner. These paintings needed to be freshened up so I delivered them to Mr. Baumgartner of “Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration” on Michigan Avenue in Chicago to have his magic applied to them. In a blog I compared waiting to get these paintings back to waiting on my wife to deliver our first child. I have to admit that the excitement and anxiety were still with me as I took that long drive from the suburbs to downtown Chicago.

The first question that I asked upon entering the door of the restorer was "Are they all right?" and flashes from the past came streaming to my mind because that was the same question that I asked the doctors. Mr. Baumgartner assured me that everything was all right and then it was time to see for myself. First I approached the smaller of the paintings which was a scene from the mountains by Harvey Joiner. It was truly beautiful but I knew that I had left the best for last. As my eyes landed on the very large Carl Brenner it almost took my breath away. I am not sure that I have ever seen a more beautiful painting in my life plus the hand carved frame that encompassed the painting was gold gilded and approximately six inches wide. Nothing can really compare with the first time I saw my son but this came close.

Yes, this business is based on making money, but I have found that the side advantages you receive by buying antiques and collectibles often are more rewarding than the payout you receive when your treasures are sold. If you stay the course in this business there will be treasures that pass through your hands and the money made on them will warm your heart but there will be a few that you will never forget. I can think of two that fit that classification for me and they are the Fredrick Morgan painting I sold at Christie's for over $100,000 and the Carl Brenner that I just picked up today. Yes, I will be selling the Brenner but I promise you it will never be far from my mind when I am thinking of beautiful works of art.

There are several lessons to be learned from the above information. First, let me repeat that if you can buy several items at the same time usually the price for each will be reduced. This was true of the paintings I purchased. Being able to purchase six paintings and two other items, I was able to negotiate a favorable price for the lot which was much better than if I had purchased each piece separately. Second, quality is still king and if you can find quality items be sure to take advantage and buy them while they are in front of you. If I had waited I am sure that there would have been other individuals that would have bought this or that separate piece leaving me with nothing to purchase. But the best lesson is that you can't keep everything the tickles your eye. Yes, I am having a hard time separating myself from the Brenner painting but I am on a quest to win the million dollar race and if I keep all the great pieces I buy then the finish line will never be crossed. My rule for myself is that I never keep anything until the total price for the lot that I purchased has returned me 100% profit or more. Then I might pull a painting or vase aside to keep.

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

“Bolex isn't Bowflex” - Daryle Lambert's antique and collectible Blog – Film making is popular.

Bolex is the Best - Thanks to Flicker.com

Bowflex can make you muscles but Bolex will put money in your pocket. The title is rather catchy, don't you think? Up until recently I had very little interest in movie cameras but Cindy convinced me that we needed a camera to make films for the 31 Club [ Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club ] which could be posted on Youtube. After that my son, Joshua, began to show interest in movie making. I started to do a little research and I ran across an article on Bolex Cameras that I will share with you that said there was a small but very active group of collectors that were into movie cameras.

It seems that Bolex cameras are in a class by themselves and they have stayed popular since the early 30's. I didn't know but it must be a fact that during the 40's and 50's, movie making was as popular as still life photography. These cameras were spring operated. Can you imagine that? The duration of each shooting was limited, so often there were many slices done to make each movie. Bolex was considered expensive in its day but these cameras have proven to be worth every penny of their cost. They were meant for personal use but often found themselves being used commercially

It is a rare garage or house sale where I don't run across one or more movie cameras so it is only logical that almost everyone must have owned one at some time or another. Bell & Howell and Kodak also were in the camera business, however, their quality never seemed to match that of Bolex. It seems that watches weren't the only wonderful things made in Switzerland and cameras, even though they didn't receive an immediate acceptance here in the USA, didn't take long for their quality to steal the hearts of most photographers.

The great thing about movie cameras is that they don't seem to draw much interest at the sales, even if their price is reduced to nearly nothing. That is great for us because we know that there are collectors just waiting for the great cameras we find for them.

By checking on eBay you will find Bolex selling for starting on average $200 and then going up from there. You may find yourself turning $25-$50 into $500 pretty quickly. No Bolex will give you that Altas body like Bowflex, but at my age give me the Bolex.

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

“Where are the Markets”? - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – High or Low.

Tootsie Toys - Thanks to Flicker.com

We are in the strangest time for the Antique and Collectible market that I have ever seen. For almost two years I have shared the virtues of dealing in the rarest and best items that come to the market. This is still my preference, however, the number of these items and the frequency at which they appear make it very difficult to be patient enough to accumulate them at the present time. It isn't like it was five years ago when I could go anywhere in the country and find enough treasure to pay for my trip and then some. I still say that, since our goal is to compound our money at least twice a year, this is the best strategy to use in reaching the goal. Many times by waiting for that special piece, when it does show up, the reward is much greater than if you buy and sell a large number of common items. This weekend Cincinnati Art Galleries had their auction and it was very evident that the large and rare were the items that met or exceeded the estimates while the smaller and more common items were not even reaching their minimum estimates. So what does that tell you?

There is another end of the market that seems to be doing fairly well but I hesitate to even mention it because it will mean that over a period of time, if this is all you're doing, the burn out rate will be 100%. That market is the one where you buy items for partially nothing and just take a chance that there will be someone out there that thinks that they are cute or wants to collect items on a very limited budget. The amount of work involve is tremendous but if you are only doing these types of sales, be sure that you're still around when the antique and collectible markets turn. This is only another alternative. The way I would approach this is by purchasing large groups of items at one time. Also, when I say for very little money, that means to me less that a dollar. I can't imagine doing this myself, however, because it just represents too much work. But, with the many emails that are asking how to make money now, this could be a temporary solution.

The other thing that I must remind you of also is that this time you have for this business can be used to increase your studies and that additional knowledge will serve you well later. I try to be consistent in the advice I share with the members of the club but I am finding these are challenging times, especially for the beginners in these markets. Not in 45 years have I ever thought that I would encourage people to take this approach but after studying “Seeauctions” sales over the last few months I have come to the conclusion that 75 % of their sales are under $10. Also my opinion is that most of the items sold on “Seeauctions” return the seller more than double their investment, which is our goal. So it may not be all bad to try this for a period of time.

Times have changed and temporarily I have to be willing to change with them. When I lay my head down on my pillow each night and start to dream, I still see the treasures that will change my life for a period of time, like a Carl Brenner painting or that special Rookwood vase. This business has been fantastic for me over many years and I have no doubt about what it can mean to you if that is what you wish from it.

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

“I Feel Like a New Dad” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club Blog – It will soon be here.

It's the Best - Thanks to www.flicker.com

I was 18 years old and standing in a waiting room in Bowling Green, Kentucky, waiting for my wife to give birth to our first child and that feeling was almost indescribable. When I first saw my son the pride swelled up inside me but the longer I looked at him, all blue and wrinkled, I have to admit I asked myself what I had done. That question didn't last long, however, as I started to cry, knowing that I was holding God's greatest gift to me beside the gift of his son.

No doubt you as a member of the Daryle Lambert's antique and Collectible Club are asking what does this have to do with antiques and paintings, right? Well it does and I hope that soon you will have the opportunity to share in this feeling along with me. You see as you continue along in your journey to find those special antiques and paintings that we call treasures that are waiting to be found by you, often doubt creeps into your mind whether or not they are really out there. But one special day there it is, that once in a lifetime find and it is yours. Well that has happened to me and I have to share with you, the feeling that I am experiencing.

First the call came from Paducah, Kentucky about some local artwork and I was asked if I would be interested. It didn't take me much time to get that answer out of my mouth and the answer was affirmative. There were Harvey Joiners and Carl Brenners but not being able to see the paintings myself, I sent Cecil, my friend in Kentucky, to view them for me and after talking we decided to purchase them. I still hadn't seen them so do you get the parallel with waiting for a baby. They were brought to Chicago where a wonderful restorer was going to bring them back to their original condition, and even though I knew they were there I still couldn't imagine how they would look in the end. For me this wait has resembled the nine months that were the longest months of my life, the time waiting for the birth of my son.

Monday will be the delivery date because today I received the invoice saying the paintings were ready to be picked up. All of a sudden I felt both excitement and anxiety at the same time like in the hospital many years ago. What will the biggest one look like? Will I like it as much as I hoped? It may be too large to hold, however, by being five feet by six feet in size but I am sure that I won't be able to keep my hands off it. I can't tell you how this story is going to end but I assure you that this is a feeling that you should experience some day and I hope that it isn't that far in your future. Yes I will be give you the end of the story as Paul Harvey would say, later. But as I wait I will be having visions of the most beautiful paintings that were ever painted.

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

“Flora Danica Even Sounds Beautiful” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Club – China With a Cost.

Royal Cophenhagen Flora Danica - Thanks to jamerantik.dk

This week I have had several emails and calls on sets of china. The one that surprised me most was when a gentleman email me about a Bohemia Carlsbad set composed of 64 pieces. After corresponding with him he finally called and said that he had been told that several of the pieces were worth $2000 dollars or more. Since I have been in this business for over 45 years I have only encountered a few china sets that will sell in the secondary market for over $2000. My advice to him was to check with Replacements Limited and he shocked me when he said he had. I ask what they told him and his answer was $9.00 a plate. This was when as gently as I could I said ” I don't think the person saying that pieces sold for over $2000 was correct do you?”

When today you can buy complete sets of 12 plus serving pieces from companies like Doulton, Hutschenreuther and Wedgwood for $900 to $2500, it is hard to imagine many sets that would sell for $20,000 or more in the secondary market. Yes, if you go to the store to purchase these sets of china new, don't be surprised to see them marked up 500% or more from the prices I quoted here, but the secondary market is a totally different market just as it is in jewelry. Why anyone would buy china or jewelry at retail prices is beyond me.

This is when I think that old adage comes into play “ A fool and his money are easily separated ” and I concur. My wife has beautiful jewelry, if I have to say so myself, but it has been purchased wisely and for this I have been able to buy for her things that I could not have afforded at retail prices. This same can be said of china and sterling silver that are given for wedding presents. How many people have started their china and sterling patterns but because they are priced so high, never get them completed. I must confess I fall into that category and have an incomplete set of silver stored in my closet.

My purpose in writing this blog is to warn you about over paying but it is also to inform you of where you might find bargains when they are over looked by others. There is a company that makes a series of china that falls into the class and it is Royal Copenhagen's Flora Danica. This china isn't for the faint of heart. I noticed a small basket listed in the Cincinnati Art Galleries auction for this weekend with an estimate of $2000-$3000. It is only 3 1/2 inches tall and 9 inches across. Since this bowl is reticulated [ meaning it has perforated sides ], I can only think of one purpose for it and that is to hold napkins. Ha Ha. Pretty expensive napkin rack.

But not trying to be funny, there is money to be made if you run across pieces of this china in your search for treasure. I remember when Vicki or Lou Ann emailed me once about some Flora Danica that was selling and my advice was to purchase it if it were reasonable, but guess what, it wasn't. If you doubt me go to eBay to the completed section. There you will find where 12 plates were offered for $12,500 and the ad says that was 50% of the retail price. I once was told if a person had to ask the price of something they weren't rich and I believe this would differently apply to Flora Danica because the person buying it must never ask the price I'm sure. I don't think that I could eat off a $1000 plate because I would be shaking so hard I would drop my knife and chip the plate. Happy hunting.

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

“If It Is Too Good, Be Careful” - Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible Blog – Fakes abound.

Fakes Can Be Costly - Thanks to http://www.home.clf.rr.com/

You would think that in times of prosperity you would see the most fakes and reproductions but that isn't necessarily so. I am finding that the percentage of fakes that are being presented to me now is greater than at any time that I have been in the Antique and Collectible business. It really hurts me when I have to tell a person the treasure they thought was going to really set them on their way is a fake. I usually hear them say “Oh well” but I know the their heart has just aboutfallen through the floor.

Let's examine why this is happening. First, I think that the unscrupulous sellers know that in times when dealers are making very little money and often not breaking even, they can be open to getting hurt if they think that there is an opportunity to score big. Often, out of despair, they will forgo the lessons that they have learned through study. These buyers become easy prey for the rogues in this business. It is exactly these times that we as members of the Daryle Lambert's Antique and Collectible club want to be cautious because a big mistake now will be harder to overcome than in good times. If you have your money you're still in the game but if you get taken by fakes it may be game over. So take your time because time is on your side as long as you are still able to play.

This is a dog eat dog business on the outside so that is why we must stick together and share with one another to prevent us from getting taken. How do these people without a heart lure us in? One of the best ways of getting us is to put something out at a garage or house sale. When we ask if it is real they will tell us it has been in the family for 50 years or simply they don't know. This is when we should walk away because the seller knows we don't have time to do the research and they are hoping our greed will get the best of us. Another scam is when you go to a show or flea market and a dealer says, "I took this piece in on trade and I made my money on the piece I sold so I can offer you this piece at my cost." You should always be leery when someone offers to sell you something at cost. Here is another line to avoid, "I had a very well known dealer say that it was genuine." Sure they did.

I could go on and tell you about other ways people pass on fakes and reproduction but maybe it is time for me to help you avoid getting taken. Here is an almost fail safe way of finding out if the seller is trying to take you with a fake. Ask the seller to hold your check while you have a person that is an expert check it out and the response will almost be immediate. If the seller knows the piece is fake he will start making every excuse under the sun why he can't do that and this is when you don't want to walk away but run. If he says okay it will clear him from being purposely dishonest but it still could be a fake so check it out and hopefully it will be the real thing. Second, you can ask for a receipt that states that it is a real genuine item and that you can return it if it isn't.

Hopefully these little tips will help you stay safe but the best method to avoid fakes and reproductions is to take your time and realize that there will be another opportunity and if there is the slightest doubt about a piece being real, walk away. I am sure that I have missed my share of treasures in the past but believe me I am so glad I did because by not making many mistakes I have lived to fight another day.

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