Mexican Silver and Malachite Parrot Center Piece is offered at the 31 Club Gallery

Being in California this week has given me the opportunity to talk with many citizens of Mexican decent. Their friendliness has allowed me to ask them about the art and antiques produced south of our border, and to my amazement, they were very open, and their knowledge of rare items surprised and educated me.

I was aware of the silver from the Taxco region and the art of Diego Rivera, but very little else of what I might be looking for from Mexico. From our conversations, I now know that my education in Mexican treasures is very limited, and I am determined to change this as soon as I return to Chicago.

I learned from the people I met that quality items from Mexico are spread throughout this country and can be found in just about every state. Jewelry of coin silver has been produced in Mexico for hundreds of years, and some of the most beautiful pieces in the world had their beginning in the Taxco region. Some of the best goldsmiths ever to work with this precious metal came from this area, and their pieces can be found throughout Mexico and the States. Women from around the world have treasured their collections representing different types of pins, bracelets, and necklaces that often are adorned with precious stones.

Collections of pottery and textiles made by the native people of Mexico adorn the most prestigious collections throughout the world. Dealers often make the mistake of thinking that the only items that come across our borders from Mexico are the cheap commercial items that sell in the tourist shops, but I can guarantee you that there are great opportunities to profit by having the necessary knowledge to distinguish what are rare and common items from Mexico.

I also learned about the abundance of quality art produced by Mexican artists. I knew Diego Rivera’s work could bring up to a million and a half dollars, but past him, I’ve had very little knowledge of other artists. Since I know there must be more of these fine artists, when I returned back to our base, I got on the computer to do some research. I found several artists’ works I’d like to bring to your attention.

From 1932, a little pencil drawing, just 9 x 11 inches by Kahlo, sold for $13,000 while paintings by Francisco Zunigo and Luis Lopez each brought in thousands. I would suggest that you use your computer to find even more Mexican artist that will pay you handsomely, if you find them in your search.

Page from a Rare 17th Century German Midwivery Book.

How often have you visited a garage or house sale and seen shelves stuffed with books you never took the time to look through? Probably, more times than you can count. I know I have. Books have always been a very secret collectible that few knew the value of. By not taking a look at the books at these sales, we might be making one of the biggest mistakes we can make in the antique business, and we just might be passing up some good solid money.

You won’t find the book dealers very talkative at house sales and estate sales, and for good reason. They can quietly enter a sale like a shadow, walk out with a fortune, and no one will be the wiser.

Granted, most books are worth very little, but not if you find medical books. Certain kinds of medical books. If you should find an old medical book, know that many of these can bring you huge profits, and you should know which ones. There are books listed on eBay for $5,000 and more, and I’m sure if you check AbesBooks, you will find many more, perhaps more expensive than this. There may have been a medical book at that last sale you attended, just sitting there, but you were in a big hurry to get into another room with all the overpriced items, while that book dealer who was standing in line behind you, breezed in and out in no time flat.

The seller of the book, “Primer of Hygiene,” listed on eBay, is asking $5,000 for his copy. I wonder what it will sell for. “Beck’s Medical Jurisprudence,” 1823, sold for $547 on eBay, and a 17th Century German Obstetrics/Midwifery book, sold on eBay for $750 early this month. “Medical Essay on Drunkenness” by Trotter, 1813, is listed for $1,250 on eBay. Given the topic, it will be interesting to see what this one sells for as well. These are they the types of books we could be keeping our eyes opened for.

It seems that the most valuable medical books are those from the early 1800’s or before, so this will give you a starting point. Interesting subject matter is usually a requirement, if we expect the books we find to have the values we’re looking for. When I realized the amount of money I could make if I found the right books, my interest in reading picked up noticeably. And that’s not all bad, is it?

By sheer chance, I had been watching an episode of the Antique Road Show, and they happened to have a woman looking for an appraisal of a very old religious book. She seemed like she would have been satisfied if they told her it was worth $100. When they gave her a price of $45,000 to $55,000 she seemed to pass into a trance. Wouldn’t you like to have that happen to you some day? Why couldn’t it?

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Rookwood Lamp by Margaret McDonald is offered at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.