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.

Civil War Letters written by a Confederate Soldier, a Lot of 147, sold at 31 Club Gallery & Marketplace in September, 2008.

How does your bank account look today? If there’s money in your Antique & Fine Art Business Account, this is the time to be very patient with your buying. The economic winds are shifting and time is needed to see where these winds are headed. Wisely use the things you’ve learned and continue to learn through the 31 Club. Do not be too venturesome in your buying right now. Time is needed to see where these winds are headed.

The Economic Shift May Leave Only One “Out” For Many People.

I foresee a tremendous amount of merchandise coming to the market in the short term, as people find their portfolios decreasing in value while their expenses escalate. This may leave only one option open for many people — selling the items of value they have treasured.

A Likely Flood of New Treasures.

A likely flood of merchandise coming to market can cause the value of many things to suffer a temporary dip. You don’t want to get caught with items you can’t sell. Be willing to really do extra research before you buy during these periods of economic uncertainty. Your knowledge will lead you to items that will sell under any economic condition.

So what sells well during times of economic shifts?

The rare and the unusual will always be sought after regardless of economic conditions. But don’t kid yourself — the collectors of the rare and unusual are savvy. After all, while the rest of the nation might be experiencing tough times, they aren’t. They must know a thing or two, wouldn’t you say? In this economic shift, their investment savvy will tell them to take more time to search out the real treasures and purchase at a good price.

Restrict Your Buying to Keep Your Money Moving.

Now is the time to restrict your buying to items that are still trading on a regular basis today. During this time, the best buys you will ever make will be found in the short term. Buy it right, sell it quickly, keep your money moving.

A Real Example from 31 Club Sales.

The Civil War Letters that were just sold by the 31 Club sold very quickly. Why? Let’s begin by examining their value.

The information I was able to uncover through research showed me the largest lot of letters written by a Civil War soldier,sold publicly, was a little over 40 letters, written by a Union Soldier. The lot 31 Club sold was a lot of 147 letters written by a Confederate Soldier and are considered more rare and desirable than that of a Union Soldier.

The content of this Confederate Soldier’s letters contained much information about were he was during certain battles and mentioned the time when General Lee had to recruit “Negro soldiers” to fight for the South due to his dwindling troops. From the tone of this particular letter, one gleans that this event didn’t make the soldier very happy. This kind of historical and at-the-scene information is what you’re looking for in material from the war. I seriously believe that within a year or two, a book about these letters will find its way to the market.

I’m sure you now realize why this first hand historical information from a Confederate Soldier’s perspective has great value, regardless of what the economy is doing. This is the reason why they sold so quickly. It isn’t like a painting painted by a fairly good artist that a prospective buyer might consider waiting a bit for because the price might come down. The buyer of the Civil War letters knew there was one chance to buy. If they waited, someone else would own them.

So, What Should We Search For?

If you spend your money buying more common items you are unable to quickly turn, where will your funds come from when something rare comes your way? Be patient in your buying right now, and strike while the iron is hot.

Make a serious effort to search out the more rare and unusual that can be quickly sold. No, we may not be buying as much as we could when people are upbeat and when selling something doesn’t take as much time, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is the quality and rarity of what you purchase.

Remember the Purpose of Working the 31 Club’s Model Before You Buy.

Compounding Your Money!!!

If you can compound 31 times, all your financial desires will be beyond met. If you can even compound 15 times, I’m willing to guess your financial desires might still be met. If you’re buying items you can’t quickly turn, you eliminate the compounding factor and minimize your opportunity to progress and meet your financial and lifelong goals. Patience, perseverance, research, and smart buying will work in your favor in any economic climate. Take an offensive position against the shifting economic winds.

What To Do When You Find a Rare Item You Can’t Afford to Purchase Right Now

Contact me at 31 Club. Club Members can take advantage of the 31 Club Associates Program when they come across rare or unusual items but don’t have the money in their buying budget. We buy it, sell it, and the member makes 35% of the net sale. Questions? Ask me at info@31corp.com or call me at 847-784-8544.

Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members and put a turbo charge on your treasure hunting skills. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to make high profits and continue to grow your money buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership.