Each day for me can be an adventure. My son was sick last night so I got little sleep. But waking up this morning I realized that I would get to spend the whole day with him and it became a blessing. I didn’t know what to write about today until I looked out the window at the snow and the trees with no leaves and tried to visualize what this view was like only a couple of months ago. There were potted plants on the patio and hanging ferns under the eves of the house, I then tried to create a picture in my mind of what it could look like next year with benches and fountains and new plantings. This brought on a warm feeling and a smile to my face. No, I haven’t lost my mind but it did make me think of another way for us to make money.

People are impatient by nature and when something is out of season they often sell it for a fraction of its real value. What could be more out of “season” than garden furnishings? You are probably thinking; is there any money in these items? After reading the next paragraph of this blog, you will never ask that question again. Just think back to the last house or garage sale you attended. Remember those sad looking garden pots setting at the back of the garage with the wilted plants still in them or the wrought iron benches setting in the backyard with no price tags. This could equate to big money for you and me.

I want to share a story about two large pots that were setting on a front porch where there was a sale being conducted. Hundreds of people visited that sale and most of them left with nothing in their hands, passing those pots as they entered and exited the house. Just one person took the time to examine these dark green pots and then their eyes lit up. Going back into the house and asking the price, it caught the sales conductor so off guard she said “I will have to check.” Coming back and she said “I’m not sure, but would you give $300?” The buyer quickly responded, “Yes.” These particular pots happened to be “Teco” pottery and worth several thousand dollars.

Let’s look at some garden items with value. If there happens to be a cast iron bench in a backyard with a fern shape design about 60 inches in length from the 19th century it could bring anywhere from $2,500 - $5,000 in today’s market. How many times have you seen figures used in a garden setting but paid no attention to them? Well, I hope you didn’t pass this one, a little girl and boy reading a book by M. Geiss, because it could be worth $5,000. Outdoor fountains may look fairly drab this time of year but in the spring they come to life again. A dolphin and boy cast iron and zinc 66″ X 70″ fountain may bring up to $10,000. That should create some sunshine for you. A few more to entice you; Majolica seat with molded birds, cattails, dragonflies and water lilies by George Jones, valued at $20,000 or how about this one; covered urn, baluster shaped, angels, cast iron,1880’s 71″ is valued at a whopping $25,000 or more.

I hope that this blog gets you out of those winter blues because just writing it has done that for me.

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This holiday season people will be looking for those special gifts for their loved ones, not just something to fill stockings. Gifts of value will command center stage this year and quality Antiques and Art can make this time special. Giving something that can increase in value rather than becoming worthless will be what I will focus on the coming weeks.

This feeling of doubt and uncertainty created by the falling stock market may keep people out of retail stores but you know they will purchase something for their loved ones this Christmas. Dollars will be used wisely so quality will reign supreme. Items purchased should bring a sense pleasure, not one of obligation.

I hope my readers have followed the suggestions from my blog about buying only the rarest and most unusual items for their inventories because now you will see the wisdom of that advice. When you are able to sell your choice pieces, the average dealer with common items will see his inventory sit much longer whereas your treasures will be eagerly sought after.

Great examples of Lalique, Steuben, Tiffany and Lotton will fly off your shelves during this Christmas season while lesser quality art glass items will be difficult to sell. I talked to Riley Humler at Cincinnati Gallery and he informed me that their last sale, just recently completed, exceeded their expectations. How did this happen in these uncertain times? The answer is simple: quality sells and Rookwood is quality. I hope that over the last few months you have been fortunate enough to pick up a piece of Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb. George Ohr or Doulton for your inventory. By selling it to an eager collector or someone buying a special gift for a collector can also make your Christmas much merrier.

Don’t forget about paintings because they will never let you down if they are purchased at the right price. I hope to report another great success story in the near future as I have a painting that I am offering at Christie’s in January. My phone is beginning to ring on a regular basis with inquiries about items in our Marketplace and I feel certain that many of these pieces will be sold over the next few weeks.

This is the time to put on your happy face and you will find it contagious. Often, the best you can give someone in times like this is a smile but that may be all that is needed to turn their day around. God gave us that smile so let’s pass it around.

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I am still amazed when I hear the sky has fallen. Just ask any Lotton collector if that is true? Even in this purported depression that the news media attempts to convince us that we’re in; Lotton Glass continues to increase in value.

Just a couple of weeks ago there was an auction in the Carolina’s which included a couple of fairly nice pieces of Lotton Glass. Warner Smith, the founder of the Lotton Glass Club, called and asked me what I thought they would bring? I went to the auction site and after examining them said “they should bring at least $400 each.” After the auction, I received another call from Warner and he was laughing. “You were a little low” he said, “they brought almost $2,000 each and that is very near, if not more than, retail.” Wow! I think others are beginning to see what I saw more than two years ago. This glass will be as well known as Tiffany in future years. Today’s prices will be a thing of the past and pieces that can be purchased today for a few hundred to a few thousand should be selling in the $10,000 to $50,000 range.

This story doesn’t end here. There was another auction of a fairly common piece of Lotton Glass that was just completed on eBay. Again, Warner and I discussed it and his feeling was that if he could buy it for $300, it would be a good buy (but not a great buy). Are you ready for this? The vase that I thought might bring $400, sold for an amazing $1,100. So what does this tell you? Lotton Glass will be, if it isn’t already, one of the world’s premiere art glasses. There are a lot of pieces of Lotton Glass out there and you may find a fertile field of them at garage sales and estates sales. Even flea markets may prove to be a place where these pieces can be found. Their value still isn’t fully understood and prices may still be available below the going market for collectors.

Our search, as 31 Club members, for the opportunities to make money should require us to pick the best items when we are searching. I think that Lotton Glass will qualify as one of “the” Art Glasses in the future and will be held up as a true treasure. In upcoming blogs, I plan to feature some of what I think qualifies as the “best of the best” items where you can help increase your bank account by finding these items to include in your inventory.

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This is a question that I am often asked and I have given much thought to my answer. The conclusion that I have come to is fairly simple. Are there paintings or other antiques that I would buy regardless of the economic conditions? The answer to that is a resounding yes! And, if I feel that way, then it only seems logical that others feel the same way. Very few people are in the business of Antiques and Fine Art solely for the money, you will find that most of them truly enjoy the items that they purchase. Most antique and are dealers are also collectors.

I can share my want list with you. These items remain constant regardless of other factors with the exception of price. First are paintings by Patty Thum, a Kentucky artist who painted around the turn of the century. You should add this to your list of things to watch for because I am obsessed with her work and so is my wife. We are also interested in other Kentucky artists such as Harvey Joiner, Carl Brenner and Paul Sawyier to a lesser degree.

But those aren’t the only items that stay on my want list. I am always looking for Doulton pieces by leading artists including: Hannah Barlow, George Tinworth, Eliza Simmance, Mark Marshall, Frank Butler and Emily Stormer. By having constant items on your wish list, it helps you begin to associate with other collectors of these items therefore letting those collectors know you are a buyer. In addition, it provides you with a sell list of customers for items that don’t meet the requirements for your personal collection.

It will subsequently become apparent to other people and they may consider you an expert in the area or items you choose to deal in. This provides you with a base of business and it will continue to expand as your name is shared with others. One of our first rules in the 31 Club is to let everyone we meet know what we’re doing and after we have become established, we tend to forget to continue to follow this rule.

Make your list of items that you are most interested in and share them with everyone you come in contact with. This is the best way to promote yourself and it costs you nothing. Save money and help make money - what could be better than that?

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I just read where a gentleman found a trove of ancient coins in a field and I’ll bet that will change his life. What else can you do after all the requirements of the family are met, that can change your financial well being the way antiques and collectibles can? The stories that I have shared about people that I know personally should be enough to inspire the most negative person to action. Where else can a person like Cecil find a drinking glass for $12.50 and two weeks later sell it for $12,500?

During these times of economic uncertainty, why don’t we look for treasure in places that normally wouldn’t be on our list of places to check? For example: have you attended any charity sales lately? At the last event I attended, I purchased a designer necklace for $5 that had a true value of $500 plus. Not a bad result from picking through a lot of uninteresting items. Just one item can make it all worth it. True junk shops can also prove to be rewarding. I found a set of andirons at a junk shop priced at $50 that I sold for more than $1,000. I’m not sure the entire value of the shop was worth much more. Yes, you could get a little dusty and dirty but even that can be fun once in a while,

Remember that old saying” When times get tough, the tough get going”. I hope all the members of the 31 Club take this saying to heart. During these difficult times there will be people who resign themselves to failure by simply thinking “Why should I go out today because there isn’t anything to find anyway?” I hope instead “today is a day to search for treasure because my competition may be reduced since they are discouraged.”

These are great times to run small ads in your local newspapers and publications stating that you are buy paintings, art glass and pottery. You can compose your ad as you please and if you keep it concise, the cost should be reasonable. This should bring you clients wanting to cash out belongings to raise cash and you can avoid competition by either visiting them at their home or asking them to bring their items to you. Phone calls are free! You may also want to call people you know and ask if they are aware of anyone wanting to dispose of items you may wish to purchase. Using your imagination can pay off big time and keep the cost minimal. This is certainly a better way to approach your search than sitting in a mall or a shop waiting for people to find you.

I miss receiving your notes on you searches and successes. Let me hear from you.

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William Horton - Marketplace

The markets are crashing, home values continue to drop and people are losing their jobs. Where can you find good news in this you may ask? Well, I have to admit it is difficult but I will try. The Antique and Fine Arts markets have become more difficult - but the upper end items still bring top money. That is certainly a plus. Secondly, I am seeing a definite increase in better artwork and antiques coming to the marketplace. This will allow us to restock our inventories at more reasonable prices than we were paying just a few short months ago.

The really good news is that if you have followed the program outlined in my book “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles”, all your invested money is represented by items that you will be selling. You haven’t incurred salaries, rent, insurance and other expenses that have been spent with no recovery in sight. This allows you to set back and be patient until this market reverses itself. Most people in business today are being killed by their fixed expenses so this means that if something doesn’t change quickly, they may not be able to survive. Fortunately, this doesn’t apply to you because your inventory isn’t costing you an arm and leg while waiting for it to sell.

During this slow economic time why not educate yourself until the markets break our way? Take time to read and study auction results and this will prove profitable later on in your hunt for treasure. Remember to buy only the best items because there will always be a market for rare and unusual items.

If you have items in our marketplace that haven’t sold yet, be patient. I will share one of my favorite rules for this business: “Never reduce your asking price for an item until the buyer has made an offer.” Why is this? If you reduce your asking price it only shows the prospective buyer that you are desperate and they will lower their offer even that much more. The negotiating only starts when you have received an offer (no matter what the offer is).

The Christmas season is speeding toward us and there is no better gift to give someone than our book, “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles.” Get your orders in soon so you won’t be left out.

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Thanks to dark-wraith.com

This should be a day that we take time to thank those who have kept this country safe for over 250 years. There has never been a group of people that have given more to this country than our veterans. I can still see my father’s uniform and remember the days when he would leave our house to serve this great country and how my mother would cry, not knowing if she would see him again. You see he served in the Merchant Marines and they took heavy casualties trying to equip our troops.

The military has produced perhaps more collectibles than any other group. For the serious collector, there are items that were used in combat such as weapons and uniforms. Many also collect items that recognize the bravery of our soldiers. Who could forget the posters that encouraged us to support our troops and to buy bonds? There are even some people that collect vehicles used in war - these people are unique because these collectibles take up huge amounts of space. Can you imagine having several planes or tanks in your yard?

However, the best known war collectibles are toys. Boxed sets of soldiers can bring in tens of thousands of dollars and even a few lead soldiers can fetch hundreds. There are people that reenact entire battles or display battle scenes set up similar to electric train displays. These can take up an entire basement to set up. There are different types of toy cars and other military vehicles with arm force’s insignias for the collector. If you remember your days of youth, we played with toy guns and other weapons blissfully ignorant of the damage the real thing could produce. These toys can bring big prices but there has been a huge price paid for us by our armed service’s men and women.

War is hell but our hats must go off to the ones that fight for our freedom. Their sacrifice can’t be measured and each one of us should show our gratitude whenever we see a soldier.

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History of Ronald Reagan Items

We know what items from past presidents such as Abe Lincoln and George Washington have commanded in the marketplace and the numbers are staggering. These items can make a man wealthy. I have also recently expressed what I believe will happen in the future to memorabilia from this year’s election of Barack Obama. However, have there been other Presidents that we could focus on and expect to reap financial rewards from our efforts? The answer to that is a definite yes!

Perhaps the best example of this is Ronald Reagan. During this last election campaign, the most talked about person other than the candidates themselves was Ronald Reagan. Why was this? The reason is that during his terms in office, he became known as the “Great Communicator.” People trusted him because he made the extra effort to keep them informed of his intentions. Who can forget his statement to the Russians “Take That Wall Down”?

There are still opportunities to profit from his Presidency. If you look in the marketplace of the 31 Club, you will find a photograph of Reagan that we are asking $650 for (which is a bargain). I am sure that all the true treasures from his time in office have not been found and may be lying in that old chest at the next house sale you attend.

It only takes a short trip to eBay to find what President Reagan items are selling for today. The most expensive item was an oak box containing six audio cassettes of the President’s most famous speeches and his signed book “Speaking My Mind” which recently brought $1,662. This was topped by a letter to Barry Goldwater, a past presidential candidate, which brought $1,800. There are many items that you may run across at sales such as a signed, first edition copy of his book “An American Life” which sold at auction for $900 or a Royal Doulton “Reagan” jug that sold for $599. Now at the lower end of the spectrum was a signed photo of Ronald and Nancy Reagan that drew a bid of $299.

I feel that these are just a few of the Reagan items that people are searching for and in the future you will see personal belongings from his estate bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am confident that museums have their buyers looking for items to add to their Presidential displays. If you are fortunate enough to find some of his memorabilia, they will pay top dollar.

Reagan will rank as one of our greatest Presidents so you can expect there to be collectors for his memorabilia. You should consider adding his memorabilia to your top ten list.
Learn to Grow Your Bank Account Trading in Antiques & Collectibles. Register for the 31 Club. Daryle’s 220 Page Book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
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Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

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Keep More of Your Money.

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There are several very special days in the year for me like Christmas and Thanksgiving where I am able to give thanks to God and also thanks for my country. But there are other days that mean a lot to me and I celebrated one yesterday and will celebrate another today. What are they you may ask? Well yesterday was my wife’s birthday and today is my youngest son’s birthday. My wife often says that Joshua was her birthday gift some ten years ago.

Why is this important to the members of the 31 Club? My answer leads to another question: where do collectibles come from? If we are going to place our financial future in the hands of collectors then we need to know why they collect what they collect and what periods of their life should we examine to see what the future holds for them as it relates to their collecting habits. I think that you would agree that Christmas and birthdays are two of the most important days of the year for most people as this is a time they receive gifts that bring them much pleasure. Then it only figures that the gifts received on these days will become future collectibles because they will bring back fond remembrances of past special days in their lives.

I must have been about four years old when my uncle Warren Dee bought me a box of marbles and a cast iron car for my birthday. I couldn’t wait to go outside and play with them but little did I know that you couldn’t play with marbles in the sand box. My dad had built this enormous sand box in the backyard for me but when I dumped the marbles in the sand they disappeared. I must have tried for an entire week to locate them all to no avail but I do remember crying each day as I continued to search for them.

Now that I am sixty-seven years young, I still remember those marbles and every time I run across a box of them, I can’t resist purchasing them if I have the money. Uncle Warren probable paid ten cents for the box of marbles he gave me, but today that same box may cost several thousand dollars. The cast iron car with the cast iron wheels is still in my possession and there is no price I can put on the sentimental value that can be put on it. What do you remember fondly from your past? Whatever it is, you can bet it has value today and should be something you search for when on your hunt.

Let me give you a list of items that was important to me over the years. After the marbles and car, there was a baseball glove and bat, then came sets of comic and adventure books. At the age of 10, I became interested in collecting coins and stamps. In high school, records by artists like Elvis and others filled my house. A 1955 Chevy hard top was my prized possession in high school (a gift from my parents) and after that I started my family and worked my way though college.

Does that sound like some of the items that collectors are searching for today? Items like those bring top dollar in today’s marketplace when they can be found. I have people everyday ask how they can get started in this business and perhaps your answer may come as you start a list from items from your past.

Learn to Grow Your Bank Account Trading in Antiques & Collectibles. Register for the 31 Club. Daryle’s 220 Page Book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.

Years ago when I went to auctions often, I would find spinning wheels and looms that were used to make cloth for clothing but I seldom see these today. But this doesn’t mean they never show up and there are still collectors searching for them everyday. The best examples of spinning wheels and looms can be valued at thousands of dollars. I purchased a very fine spinning wheel out of a barn once in Indiana and took it to a flea market to sell and before I could get it out of the truck, I had people fighting over who was first in line to purchase it. However, there are several types of collectibles that were used to make life enjoyable and more interesting. I will mention a few that may be helpful in your pursuit.

It is very seldom that I attend a house sale that I don’t see some type of food mold. There are candy, cake, ice cream, butter and other food molds that are eagerly sought after by the avid collector. I have seen candy molds sell for over $500 and they come in every shape, form and fashion. Santa candy molds should sell at a premium as we approach the Christmas season. Be sure to keep a close eye out for them and they can reward you handsomely when found.

Now, cake molds are a different thing. I was attending a farm sale once and there in the out building; you from the city won’t know what this is but thats okay, I found a Griswold Santa cake mold in the box. I asked the price and was told $50 and so it was added to my growing pile of items to purchase. Not really wanting to part with this piece, I entered my Santa mold in a sale with what I thought was an outrageous reserve of $550 just to see what its real value was. As you may have guessed, it exceeded my reserve and I knew that even though I personally collected Griswold at the time, I would probably never own another original Santa cake mold in the box. I haven’t found another one to this very day.

As for other molds, butter molds have always been a very desirable. They have been made using several different materials through the years, but the wooden ones seem to do the best in the market place. The better the design on the butter pad, the higher their value is. I once saw one with an Eagle pattern and dated, if I remember correctly, somewhere in the 1700 bring over $1,500.

I have just touch on a few of the collectible items that are available to you. It is a real tribute to the early woman that she wanted to pretty up the common things found in her house for her family. Taking pieces of colorful cloth to make wonderful quilts and homemade clothing, all the while cooking in the kitchen and making the food more appealing.

Remember this when you are out there hunting for those items that were used to make life better. These items were used and functional so few survived intact, making them rare and unusual. This is the reason the true collector is willing to pay large sums to acquire the true quality items from year’s past. No one every expected them to have the value they have to day.

Learn to Grow Your Bank Account Trading in Antiques & Collectibles. Register for the 31 Club. Daryle’s 220 Page Book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your Membership.
Plus You Get FREE MENTORING with Daryle.
Join Today!

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.
We Buy & Sell It.
You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sellers:

Sell Your High Quality Items for LOW FEES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.
Keep More of Your Money.

Buyers:

Buy High Quality Items for FAIR PRICES
at 31 Gallery & Marketplace.

Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Professionals
Making More Money than they Thought Possible.