We are approaching the political season, and I think this will be one of the most interesting times in our political history. The President’s numbers are below forty, and the Congress has approval numbers even lower than the President’s. There are already scandals, and up for grabs is a presidency that could be won by the first woman or minority candidate in history. We also have a gentleman running that is of the Mormon faith. The reason this is important is that I can remember when John F Kennedy ran as a Catholic, and how big a deal was made of that. We could have a first gentleman and the first couple to both be elected president in the White House.

This is going to be a hay day for political collectors, and you should get a head start on the market. Political memorabilia has always commanded high prices for the rare pieces, and as this season begins, you should stock your shelves with as much of it as you can. Most of it will be free, so you have nothing to lose. I would visit the campaign headquarters of all the candidates running for office — national, state, and local because you don’t know what is going to happen in the future. Try to get, at least, duplicates of each item you acquire and if possible, even more.

As the season progress the value of these items will go up, and as they do, sell off some of the items that you have amassed until your goal is reached. Then it is okay to store the rest for a later day. If I were going to start a new collection and was younger, I think it would be the Political Memorabilia. There are pieces from past campaigns that command hundreds of thousands of dollars. It really doesn’t matter what side of the fence you are on politically — there will be a lot of money on the line this election. Just for the record, I would like to say that I am on the side of Pro Life. In my younger years, I was for a woman’s right to choose, but later, my conscience told me the unborn child should have a say. I am not campaigning but just sharing myself with you so that the decision will be yours to join me in this endeavor or not.

You can find older campaign items at most garage and house sales. There are guides for these collectibles, and you may find them on www.abebooks.com or on ebay. If you have pieces of political memorabilia that you would like to share with us please do. As I stated in the title, we should all vote, but if you don’t there is still money to be made during this political season.

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?

Have you done the training necessary for our big race?

First, you should let everyone that you know in on your secret. That you are in the business of buying and selling antiques & collectibles.

Second, have you posted flyers that say you are a buyer? Usually you can do this at places like Pet Stores, City Hall, Grocery Stores and many other places.

Third I hope you have spent some time in the library or book store just brushing up on things to look for in your search. Visiting antique shops, malls and going to as many auctions as you can will get you in racing condition.

I very seldom show up where everyone else is hanging out, like the estate sales that have been advertised for months. For me, my time is better spent looking where others my not have been. I go to garage sales and estate sales that have only a brief listing. This elimates most dealers from visiting them.

Also be prepared to travel to areas that aren’t covered by the normal gang of dealers that play follow the leader. I have found some of my best finds at thrift stores. But you must check them frequently because if there is something good there, it won’t be there long. Flea markets are great and you should always start outside were the dealers set up just to sell what they have bought that week. Inside the building you will find dealers that are trying to get retail for their items and they tend to be more knowledgeable. Always go through the buildings however, because I have found bargains even among these dealers.

I hope that you are beginning to feel empowered and, as your knowledge grows, your self confidence will also. I am waiting for those exciting stories that are sure to come from you as members of the 31 Club. Don’t forget to email us with any question at info@31corp.com. This club is growing ever day. You soon will be getting the blanket of roses for winning your race. I bet you can tell that I am from Kentucky, right?

I am so amazed at the reaction that our blog has received today.

I knew that people could be encouraged and that they would take action if they believed in something, but never to this extent. I have been busy all day answering emails from people that are ready to go. We are going to have participants of all ages in this race from elementary school students to senior citizens. I am already worried that I may not be able to keep up, but I said it didn’t matter, right. I am very competitive so I may have to eat my own words.

We are working on the members only section of the website - www.31corp.com. You should be sure to view it every day for information that will be needed for this race. You, the members of the 31 Club, have gotten me so excited that I will have to rein my thoughts back in. I will get back to sharing informatiom with you that is necessary to assure your success.

I have been viewing the Maine Antique Digest, Antique Weekly and the Antique Trader today, finding that this is the best time in history to begin this race. Record prices are being recorded everyday for paintings, pottery, art glass, furniture and collectibles in general.

The quicker each one of us can come up to speed in our knowledge of the rarities in this market, the sooner our successes will show. Over the next few months I hope to provide the information you will need plus other resources for you to use. This will keep you at the head of the pack. Be sure to get plenty of rest because this isn’t just a sprint but more like the Kentucky Derby! Please share your thoughts about the race with us.

This is going to be the start of THE MILLION DOLLAR RACE this week, and it’s going to start right here.

In my book 31 Steps to Your Millions that can be found at www.31corp.com, you will find how to enter this race and perhaps become the winner.

It won’t be the easiest thing you have ever done but, unlike most races, there won’t be any losers if you enter. The book also can be purchased at Amazon, Bookhitch, Theonlineauction and eBay. Daryle, Cindy, Clarke and Chris, the 31 Gang, will be starting in this race before this week ends. We hope to see you at the starting line, where many lives are going to be changed.

We will be documenting each step we take in our blogs and a chart of our progress will be posted in the Members Only section of the website. As we hear from you about where you are in the race, your information will be posted also. A list of the first ten leaders will be kept current, and any other wonderful stories that you share with us will be featured.

We will be looking for you to be a Super Star- but in our race, it is okay just to be an “also ran.” The only way you won’t win in this race is to not enter it.

This blog will continue to provide information that will allow you to swoop pass the other contenders as you head to the finish line. We will be answering all the emails and phone calls for information you might need, and will be waiting for reports of your successes, so they can be posted.

I hope we have to hire a person just to stay in contact with you as the money rolls in. We have told many about my successes, but they keep asking, “Can it be done now?” Hang on, because this trip around the track is going to be exciting. We look for you to be right beside us, as we take this challenge. I have already heard from some that say we will have to get out of their way or get run over. Always remember, a race starts with that first step.

I have been interested in Silver from a very young age.

As many of you know from my book, I was influenced by the book Treasure Island. All those stacks of Silver coins in a treasure chest have never been erased from my mind. Coins have been minted from silver for many, many years. Even in Christ’s day there were gold and silver coins.

Perhaps the best known use of silver was when the Czars of Russia commissioned Faberge to create the Easter eggs made of gold, platinum, silver and precious stones. We hear about these quite often.

The Faberge Eggs began in 1884 by the Czar of Russia as a gift to his wife Czarina Maria. Easter was celebrated by exchanging eggs and three kisses. The Czar had Faberge to make one of these special eggs each year, and when presented and opened, there was always a surprise inside.

This continued for 12 years until the death of Alexander the III. Then, his son, Nicholas the II, picked it up and it was continued. Faberge then began to make eggs for coronations, anniveraries and special events. These eggs contained precious gemstones, wonderful enameling and valueable metals.

Fifty six eggs were made for the Czars collection, and each one is worth millions of dollars today. If you search on the internet, I am sure that you will find pictures of some of the eggs, and they are exquisite. Faberge made many other pieces and some can be found today. The quality of the workmanship by this company will never be surppassed.

There have been many fakes made over the years so be aware. True Faberge artwork will have the metalsmiths mark as well as the Russian assay mark showing its purity. There will also be a mark for the city or region. You can find these marks on the internet also. There are many small pieces of Faberge, and if you are at a estate sale or garage sale, always be looking for silver items that have Russian writing and other marks on the bottom. Watch to see if the mark is too clear, because the real ones were applied before the piece was finished, so often the marks are faint or partially missing.

Not all Faberge is worth thousands of dollars, but its value will always surppass that of ordinary pieces. In this country, silver companies started about 1842. However, in the USA we didn’t have any offical stamps or date letters. There also was no guild hall to keep records. Coin silver, especially American, has become very collectible and you still can find a piece of it in your search. Coin silver is 900/1000 fine with 100/1000 copper.

This was silver that the early silversmiths used when they could not find sterling. Often with coin silver, there will only be the city of origin or silversmiths mark. America had some of the best silversmiths that ever worked because they were fleeing horrible conditions in their home countries. You will often find pieces marked Boston or Massachusetts. Coin silver is sought after in the south because of the war, and you will find a lot of it was made in Kentucky. Silver can be polished without damaging the value like most antiques. Silverplate should be passed by, unless it is super rare and I do mean super. Can you share srories with us about your silver finds?

You may remember that I have told you in the past there is always a right time to buy and a right time to sell.

I was once one of the largest collectors of Royal Doulton in the Midwest. But as the company paid less and less attention to the collector and decided that quality wasn’t important, I decided that it was a great time to sell my collections.

Wow was I correct.

First went my 500 lady figurines, followed by one of the best animal collections that could be found anywhere. I now could, over time, replace my enter collection for about 25 to 30 percent of what I sold them for! The pieces that I sold are still available, and I am beginning to think that it might be a good time to step back into that market.

Figurines that were selling for $1200 now may be purchased for as little as $350.00. Aand the Doulton dogs that I sold for $600 to $700 surface today at prices as low as $2oo. They may have been discounted enough… what do you think?

I would suggest that you obtain a Ruth Pollard Doulton Price Guide on eBay or Abe’s books because it is out of print. Start to watch this market. It will be best to stay with the upper end pieces. In Pollard’s book you will find all the information that you will require to spot these.

In todays market, because of the drop in prices, it seems that the the market is just throwing all of Doulton to the curb. They are throwing the baby out with the bath water and it may be time to step in. Even the mugs look attractive at these levels.

So you will have much to choose from. You will have to stand firm and not get swayed by the few that are still over pricing pieces just because thay say Doulton on them. Most of the Doulton pieces that are earlier than 1970 will still have the quality that Doulton was know for. But I would still shy away from the later pieces. You may even find Doulton Lambeth and Burslem that are under priced today. Hannah Barlow pieces have drop noticeably.

You be the judge but the bottom may have been put in for this collectible. If you have any great Doulton stories please share them with us!

I am writing this at twelve o’clock this evening and I just wanted to thank you for giving me this day of rest. I attended the Chicago Antique Market again today and I again was impressed with the excitement that was generated there. I have many stories to tell about the week but they will have to start tomorrow. The tip for tonite is to buy Russian Silver and we will talk more about that. See you on Monday.