It has always been of interest to me to see a Collectible or Antiques value collapse. There is always a reason but often these reasons vary from one item to another. The Beanie Babies fell in value because there simply weren’t enough collectors for the numbers being manufactured. I have told the story before of a friend of mine whose sister had received several of each new production of the Babies

The sister called me to sell her Princess Di beanies. At the time of the call they were bringing over $500 on Ebay. She shipped them to me and after listing them I sold all the babies for about $375. The sister was very disappointed but should she have been? They now can be purchased for under $3. The question is will their value ever reach the highs that they once were? Probably not would be my answer because there were just too many produced.

There are other reasons, however, for values declining. One is that people no longer can identify with the items that were collectible by past generations. Good examples of this are Pressed Glass, Carnival Glass and many others. Often you will find that as a collectible seems to lose its collector value over time there is still a very select group of collectors that search for the rarest and best of that collectible. Carnival Glass is such collectible. While common pieces sit on the dealers’ shelves forever with no interest, a rare piece of Carnival can bring astronomical prices.

I think that some items get caught by events that aren’t necessarily about the items themselves and often the markets treat them unfairly for a while. One of these is Roseville Pottery. It has everything going for it as a collectible. There was enough of the Roseville produced to meet collectors’ needs but not too much to overwhelm the market. You have a wide range of items from the very common to the very rare to choose from and it is beautiful. Just what we are looking for as collectors, right? Well what happened with Roseville as we watched its values drop by as much as 75%? Reproductions–that is your answer. When several patterns of Roseville were reproduced the people fled from it like it was the plague. But were they right in doing this? In my opinion, no. The best of Roseville should not have fallen even though there were repros of the common patterns made because when they tried to copy the rarer patterns even an amateur can tell the difference.

This may be the time to take up the cause of Roseville and help put it back where it should be as a collectible. My belief is that you will be well rewarded for this.

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European Pottery - Early Amphora Stellmacher Teplitz Floral Pottery Vase. Priced at $450 through JustArtPottery.com

A few years back, if you paid too much for a good piece of Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb or even Roseville pottery, all you had to do was wait a week or so and it would prove to have been a bargain. Noting the results showing at auctions, as well as on eBay, I think those times have changed. In fact after discussing this with a very good friend of mine in the business, he agreed. Good pottery will always be good, but as I checked some of my price guides I found that the pieces were bringing only 50% or less of what they did two years ago. The top spot in the market has gone into other areas such as Paintings, Folk Art (Decoys), Antique Guns and so many other items that today, are commanding record prices.

This isn’t to discourage you from buying pottery but only a suggestion that before you do check current prices, and don’t depend on the price guide. If you have become adjusted to the old prices on pottery, it may take a while for you to get accustomed to offering the lower prices, but after a while it will seem normal again. One reason for this market adjustment is that American Art Pottery has primarily been for the American Market, and as the economy has softened, so have the desire of collectors.

For some reason the Art Glass Market doesn’t seem to have had this same result. I haven’t noticed the same decline in glass as I have in pottery. But still keep your eyes open to see if this trend will begin in glass as well. Over the last forty years, I have seen this type of cycling in the marketplace. Twenty some years ago, you couldn’t give paintings away, but today, they are setting records at every auction.

Years ago, in the basement of a home I was called to, were 500 or more pieces of Roseville pottery in all the valuable patterns. I did buy some of them, but if I wanted to, I could have filled my pickup for less than $1,000. At the peak of the Roseville market, I might have been able to reture on what that collection would have sold for, but today, that purchase might have been just an average day’s work.
It’s important to keep your eyes on the next great thing collectors are searching for. While many items have decreased over the last year, Lotton Glass, for example has more than doubled on the secondary market, and might just be getting started its rise.

Political Memorabilia is one collecting area that I’ve been sharing with you recently, and the next several years should be great area of focus. If you are a member of the 31 Club, (and if you’re not, why not?) you’ll notice that the same old standard items didn’t make my “What’s Hot List”. In fact, I’ll guess that there are even a few items on this list you’re not familiar with. . I do have a confession to make, however. I included Roseville on this list because I thought it might recover from the beating it’s taken over the last few years due to reproductions coming onto the market. I might have been a little early in my prediction.

You may want to widen your horizon and begin including Asian and European items in your search list. With the dollar so weak, it wouldn’t hurt to court the overseas market as part of your plan. Remember, the plan is to buy right. To do this, staying current with the markets is of the upmost importance.

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Roseville pottery is perhaps the best known of all the pottery companies in America. Every dealer is aware of the common patterns of this very decorative pottery, and even most of the more rare patterns. With the production of even their common designs being reproduced today, Roseville prices are on the skids. In fact, I seldom even pick up a piece of Roseville anymore because people that own it still think that all the production at the Roseville pottery is still in demand, and so their prices to sell are too high for me to make a profit on it.

One exception in Roseville, however, is called Della Robbia. Now we’re talking. If you come across a piece of this pottery produced by Roseville, you have something really special. This line began in 1906 and the designer was the world famous Frederick Hurten Rhead. They introduced seventy-two versions that year alone. Several years later, they brought out a new line of Della Robbia, but it was far inferior to the early pieces.

When you see a piece of Della Robbia, what really catches your eye is that it is deeply carved, sometimes as much as one eight of and inch deep, and then it’s finished in a polychrome enameling. These pieces are eye dazzlers.

Rhead worked for some of the best pottery companies in this country before going to Roseville. The first company that employed him when he immigrated to this county was the Avon Company, where he worked from 1902-1904. Then he worked with another well known company that you have heard me talk about — The Weller Company, before he moved on to Roseville.

His love of pottery seemed to keep him on the move, finally ending up in California with the Arequipa Company. He also had a brief stay with Jervis on his way out west.

I have to admit that I don’t have any great stories of finding a wonderful piece by Frederick Rhead, but I am still looking. I know that there is one out there that has my name on it. These can be the real sleepers. Yes, if you find one, the price might be rather expensive, but when you get to the place in the 31 Steps to Your Millions where you need high-end items to take you to the next step, I suggest you look for Frederick Rhead pieces. The sky is the limit for his better examples, and this is where some real money can be made for you. What would you think if I said $50,000 may be too little for the right piece.

If you should come across a piece of Frederick Rhead before the time comes when you can afford to buy it, don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us for assistance through our Associate Program.

As you can see, all Roseville isn’t alike. Even the common pieces have different price ranges. You can study which patterns and colors bring in the highest prices. By knowing these differences, you will have trained your mind and your eye to spot a real treasure.

Today’s Photo is a Roseville Della Robbia vase that sold for $38,850 and set a world record at the Pottery Lovers Auction in 1999.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to see what we’ve got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We’ve got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you’d like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

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UND is one of my favorite potteries. It was produced at the University of North Dakota starting in 1904, and had its first pottery display at the St. Louis Worlds Fair that year.

Years back, a very large deposit of natural clay was found in the area of the university, so it was natural that the school started art classes using this new found resource. Many teachers of potting joined the university, and their wares soon became the rage.

These pieces have a hand-made feel to them. They are heavy in weight, with thick walls, and typically have glazed muted colors of mostly earth tones, blues, and pinks.

All of the UND pieces are marked with a round cobalt blue seal, and most have the artist initials engraved in the wet clay.

There are four special ladies that came to the school to teach, and they are Margaret Kelly Cable, her sister Flora Cable Huckfield, Julia Edna Mattson and Hildegarde Fried. Any of these names on a piece will assure you that the price for it will be substantial. Margaret Cable my be the best known, but all their works are desirable.

The pieces of North Dakota pottery that I like best are the prairie motif pieces. This style might include a western theme with animals and western scenes. There are many pieces with cowboy decorations and some with stagecoaches. The first piece of UND pottery that I ever purchase was a plaque about four inches by 6 inches of a lady tennis player. This piece was given as a award for a tournament and the winners name was on the back of the plaque plus the artist initials. It had the proper stamped mark, so I knew it was going to be mine. I was able to purchase it for about $100. I sold it at auction it brought I think about $500.

As the popularity of the University of Dakota Pottery increased, so did their prices. For example a plaque by Hildegarde Fried may bring $2500 today while candlesticks marked, Mattson, could command a price of $3000. I have been fortunate enough to own several Margaret Cable pieces, and each time I sold one, the values kept going up. A deer vase may bring $2500 today even though its height may be only four inches. the common pieces bring much less, so study the rarities.

Generally, larger pieces of decorated pottery, 12″ and up, will be that rare piece many collectors look for.

There were many potteries in North Dakota, and a great book to learn more about them was written by Darlene Hurst Dommel. Some of the other North Dakota Potteries are Pine Ridge and Rosemeade. The more you learn about, the better your eyes will be skilled in spotting various pieces of UND pottery, as well as all the others we discuss.

You might find the average pottery dealer will not be as well versed on UND as they will be on Roseville, Weller or other more familiar works. Use this to your advantage.

When I find a great piece of North Dakota I have to admit it is hard for me to give it up. But my rule is that if someone wants something I own bad enough, it can be theirs.

Today’s Photo is courtesy of Just Art Pottery. You can get an excellent overview of what many of the art pottery pieces we discuss look like, all at one place by visiting their site.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to see what we’ve got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We’ve got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you’d like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

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Can you imagine getting up at 3:00 in the morning and leaving on a 24 hour trip? Well that is what Cindy and I did when we left for Evansville, Indiana yesterday morning.

Cindy arrived at my house at 4:00 am, and we took off under a a clear night sky, thankful for good weather. The van was already packed with the items we were bringing to Sohn’s Auction House in Evansville, Indiana including the Harvey Joiner portrait we have. We immediately became immersed in conversation knowing it was going to be a very long trip. We talked and talked, until I finally realized the gas gauge indicator was blinking. Neither one of us knew how long it had been on. We prayed for a gas station to appear, quickly, and what a sigh of relief for both of us when one finally did.

31 Club Member, Cecil, was waiting for us at Sohn’s Auction House in Evansville when we arrived there at 10:00 A.M. He’s the tall guy in Today’s Photos. We met with Don Sohn, and checked in our pieces for the January 2nd auction. After our paperwork was done, we browsed the current auction offerings that were on display, and what a great display it was. There was so many interesting pieces here of early farm life we could’ve spent hours going through it all. We also saw Teco, Rookwood, Roseville and Hull Pottery. “The auction houses in Chicago don’t have these kinds of things,” Cindy commented. She’s right, because starting Thursday, Don is going to have one terrific auction.

I saw the best coin collection that I personally have ever seen being sold, I believe, on Saturday. Glassware and China was on every table plus great antique toys, advertising signs and furniture. If you are in the Evansville area you wouldn’t want to miss this auction. What a great place for finding treasures.

I can hardly wait until our pieces sell on the second of January, and Don seems to think that he is going to have an even bigger sale that day. Yes, things are very different in the country, and our city girl now sees that very clearly.

We spent a good couple hours browsing at Sohn’s until our stomachs began to rumble. My daughter, Dana joined Cindy, Cecil and me for a fine lunch of the most delicious sea bass both Cindy and I ever had. Treasure hunting with Cecil was next, and we set out to look through all the little shops and malls in the area. All the shop owners knew Cecil, and unfortunately, we didn’t find much. Cindy and I are fairly certain Cecil picked the places clean days before, but it was a great deal of fun looking and spending time together.

We soon heard that the snow storm moving into the Chicago area was coming earlier than anticipated, and Cindy kept saying, “Don’t you think we should head home soon?” Cecil and I sped up our search and headed to the front door. When we got there, Cindy had disappeared on us. We waited and waited. Cecil finally had to go back and find her. Yes, she was combing through some box in a corner that was pretty well hidden, thinking she just might find something. I didn’t think we’d ever get her to come out of that store and head back for Chicago, but we finally did.

We hit snow about halfway home, and it wasn’t pretty. Slowing down to forty miles an hour the rest of the way home, we finally got back to my house at midnight, but Cindy still had another 45 minutes in the storm to get back to her house.

This morning, the snow is piled up about six or more inches. Joshua, his friend Ben and I waded though the snow over to my truck so I could drive them to school. I finally realized my wife, Vickie, never gave me back my keys when we traded vehicles for the Evansville trip. And she was already long gone. Let me tell you, after having been awake close to 24 hours with little sleep inbetween, that twenty minute trek through the snow with the boys a real lesson in having stamina. It’s good to be home now, and I just might even sneak in a cat nap.

Discover how our book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles can be the tool that helps you become financially free.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to see what we’ve got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We’ve got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you’d like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

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One of my first loves is American Art Pottery. It was easy to fall in love with the beauty of Rookwood Pottery, because these fantastic pieces were made in Cincinnati Ohio, only about two hours from my Kentucky Home. The same can be said for Roseville Pottery, because it, too, was made in Ohio. But how I got interested in Van Briggle Pottery, made in Colorado, makes for a good story. This will show you that studying and researching one thing might just lead you down a very different path from the one you thought you were traveling upon.

I was quickly becoming a serious Rookwood collector a few years back, studying everything I could get my hands on that mentioned Rookwood. One day, I came across the name of Artus Van Briggle listed as an artist for the Rookwood Pottery Company. I decided I should add a couple of his pieces to my collection. So, off I went like a old bird dog trying to track that special piece I had decided was waiting for me to discover.

Having very little luck finding a Van Briggle piece over the next several months, I went back to my books. I wanted to figure out why I was having so little success in my search. I soon found that Van Briggle started with Rookwood in 1887 but stayed there for a very short time before moving on to several other companies. For reasons of poor health, he returned to Cincinnati in 1897 and worked for Rookwood another three years before starting his own company in 1901. Because he was actually only at Roodwood for a few years, his production there was limited. Now I had my answer for why it was so difficult to find pieces of his work at Rookwood.

He never fully recovered his health, so instead of beginning his new business in Ohio, he traveled to Colorado where he set up shop. Within four years, Artus Van Briggle died. After I found out more of his history, I made the decision to see if I could find some of his earlier pieces for my collection rather than his Rookwood pots. You see what I mean? You can never guess where this business is going to lead you.

I was much more successful in finding the Van Briggle pieces than I was the Rookwood. I soon realized that if I was going to collect Van Briggle, it had to be pieces that were made while he was living.

The difference in price for pieces made in the three years he actually worked at his factory and the later pieces was astonishing to me. I’ll give you some examples. A piece made by the Van Briggle Pottery Co. after 1930 may bring less than one hundred dollars. But a piece made from 1910 to 1930 can fetch up to seven or eight thousand dollars. This was the period of time his wife, Ann, continued running the factory. But are you ready for this? A piece made by his factory while he was living, from 1901-1904, could bring $30,000 to $50,000! In fact, the piece shown in today’s photo sold at auction in March of 2007 for $42,000 through Craftsman Auctions.

The mark on most Van Briggle is two capital A’s side by side. There is a wonderful book printed on Van Briggle called, Colorado Pottery by Carol and Jim Carlton. If you find it, be sure to add one to your library. You can check for used books through our Amazon Link right from our recommended reading list page.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to see what we’ve got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We’ve got an Erte Bronze, Lotton Glass, and many many more high quality items priced reasonably with no buyer’s premiums. If you have a high quality piece you’d like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your piece to us. No high fees selling with us.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about it here!”The Guy in the Red Tie” — Daryle Lambert

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I will always do my best when it comes to satisfying a promise that I have made to you. Just a few days ago, I got a report about the great find one of our members made and his surprise when it sold at Cincinnati Art Galleries auction.

Here’s the great report: Cecil R bought a piece of pottery just from his experience of looking at quality pieces. It was totally unmarked, but there was something about it that said, “You be sure to buy me,” which he did.

This goes back to lessons that I have shared with you in the past. The more items you visually examine, the better your eye will become at detecting quality even if the piece isn’t marked. I am going to let Cecil’s words speak for themselves. Here is a E-mail I received from Cecil yesterday.

“Daryle: Perfect timing on the article about knowing quality. I recently bought a vase at auction that was not signed and I thought it may be a rare piece of Camark Pottery (which was made in Arkansas). However, when I got home I found that it was similar, but not Camark. After a few days of it sitting there, I had to put my “research cap” on and find out who made the piece. To my amazement, I found out it was made by Owens Pottery of Zanesville, Ohio and that it is one of the rarest patterns made by Owens! The pattern is called “Opalescent Inlaid” and was only made in the last year and one-half that Owens was in business, which was from 1896 to 1907.

The vase was not marked in any way, but I knew it to be a quality piece when I saw it at auction, just by examining the craftsmanship of the vase. I bid the piece to $25.00 and the auctioneer almost said the magic word “Sold!”, when another bidder decided he like it too. I won the bidding at $80.00. Even though I did not know at the time who made it, I was certain that I would make a reasonable profit. Last week, the vase sold at auction in Cincinnati. The price: $2,400.00! Not bad for a piece that was unmarked and unsigned! CECIL”

Quite a story, wouldn’t you say? With in a year, I know we will be publishing several stories a week like this from our members. I am sure that your name will be among the ones we list. I would like for the ones writing the obituary for this business to tell Cecil that these aren’t the greatest times in history to be selling Antiques and Collectibles.

It won’t take long before you will begin to develop the eye necessary to spot these unmarked treasures. You see, Cecil didn’t have any idea who made that vase. He only knew that it might have looked like a piece that he had seen previously by another company and was a piece of quality craftsmanship. It turned out to be even better than he thought.

Great guns! Just four more steps in Cecil’s race to his millions from this sell. You bet I am sure that Cecil has read my book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques and Collectibles. The only worry I have is that he might beat me to the finish line! I am looking back every day to see which one of you is gaining on me and the 31 Gang.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club and start your own race to your millions! Read more about it here!”The Guy in the Red Tie” — Daryle Lambert

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The first 90 days in the life of our company have been exciting and encouraging, and we’re off to a great start. Now is the time to start thinking about giving a 31 Club Membership to your friends and family for Christmas. There would be no better gift than the gift of membership to this unique club. We will be keeping the Charter Membership Program open through December 31, 2007. All charter members will have no future fees to stay active with us. So, for about the price of a really good pizza, your friends and family can have access to us, plus a copy of our book, “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles” for your help in getting us started.

Those of you who keep in contact with us truly know that I am dedicated to helping you succeed in ascending the 31 Steps and reaching the financial goal you have set for yourself. With that said, the staff and I have voted to extend another great benefit: The Associate Program. You can use this program should you come upon an item that is a good buy, but you might not be in a position to purchase just yet. The company can buy this piece, provide for it being sold, and give the member a generous percentage of the net profit for finding it. Call or E-mail us for the details.

We are in this together, and we will not leave any stone unturned to assure your financial success. Your club is providing you opportunities to get you moving forward by blazing a new trail. PASS THE WORD!

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club and start your own race to your millions! Read more about it here!”The Guy in the Red Tie” — Daryle Lambert

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Can you believe that another month has come and gone? The 31 Club is approaching its three month anniversary and the excitement within the club is amazing. It is hard to get on the internet today and not come across something about our club and the new vision for the Antique and Collectible industry that it is presenting to the world.

Our members are making money and learning at the same time. Their input is so important to our future, that we ask every day if they know of ways that we can improve the club on behalf of its members. Your staff of Cindy, Chris and Clarke are tireless workers that will stop at nothing to provide the members with the best.

This weekend you will be represented at the Chicago Antique Market by Cindy, Joshua and myself, and we will be getting the message out about the 31 Club to all that attend. We will be sharing the new vision with as many people that will listen, and there will be a table where people can sign up. Come and visit with us either Saturday or Sunday.

There will be qualified buyers present if you have something to sell. Also, I will be appraising items that guests bring to me. This will be a wonderful time spent shopping, looking, eating, or listening to fabulous music.

A new feature this month will be the exclusive area where only the finest will be shown , on stage. This will be conducted by Boris Yovanovich. His twenty plus years in this business will provide a wealth of information for all that enter his space. There will be some of the best Art that has been presented at the market ever, and many other quality items. Boris specializes in one-of-a-kind items that are unique and desirable.

There will be a full mix of dealers with an unlimited array of choices for those with discriminating taste. This will range from high quality art to fabulous jewelry and vintage clothing. Also, you will find the best Art Pottery and Art Glass that can be found anywhere. Not to leave out high quality Posters, Oriental Rugs, Lighting, Prints and so. So many other things that you will find desirable in the many booths.

One of the dealers happens to be a friend of mine for over fifteen years. Can you imagine my surprise when I ran into them at the Market. Doris and Mike have the most wonderful array of items that you can find anywhere. Unbelievable Bakelite jewelry, Rookwood and Roseville pottery, and Native American items can found adorning their fabulous booth.

One of my favorite people at the Chicago Antique market is Maria Tirabassi. She is an artist that I think will rise to the top of the heap in the future. Her paintings are light and airy with an almost childish quality. I was passing her booth when her paintings caught my eye, and I stopped in my tracks to admire them. Asking the lady there if she was the painter, the answer was no, but she told me her sister was. I found out she would be in her booth later. I returned and found Maria to be a delightful person and definitely the one that had created all of these wonderful pieces of art. If you go to our website, you will find several of her canvases there.

I am so excited to be invited back to the market by Sally, and I can tell you that her enthusiasm is contagious, and I am infected.

Hope to see you at the market, and keep those letters coming!

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club and start your own race to your millions! Read more about it here!”The Guy in the Red Tie” — Daryle Lambert

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