Fab Louis XIX Gold & Ivory Sewing Kit sold for $2050.00

Antique Sewing Collectibles are one of the hottest categories of collectibles simply because clothing and sewing have been around for many centuries and sewing items come from a long and varied history. Whether primitive bone or gold needles, plain simple steel or highly gilded decoration, from a Nanny brooch hiding needle and thread for emergency  or thimbles of ivory or gold, there is no doubt about the wide range of collectible items, from the most simple to the most elegenat, in the world of sewing. Below is an example of an item recently sold on eBay. It is a Louis the XIX (died 1844) Gold and Ivory sewing kit. The winning bid was $2505.00.

A Picker Success Story

Some of you have heard me say that anyone can become a "picker" and make some extra cash...or even make a new career out of it. As long as people have stuff, and people want stuff, there will be a market for almost everything. And, its nearly recession proof. But to make it work, like anything else, you've gotta have a heart for it.

Received a note today from an old friend I met at a meditation class several years back. He was an unemployed carpenter and needed an income fast. I shared with him how I had just traveled across the country buying and selling stuff on the internet all along the way. We had some long conversations, he picked my brain, figured out what his interests were and then ran with the ball.

He wrote:

Hi Rick, 

I had to write and say hi. Many things have changed in my life since we last spoke. I became a very successful picker...thanks to your advice a few years back. Mostly buying and selling BMW motorcycles, but also finding some incredible unique items. I left the carpentry gig because it just didn't nurture and support my soul anymore. 

David W.

With an eBay account  a PayPal ATM card, laptop and wireless internet, a few shipping supplies and any local Post Office, it is possible to hunt treasures in shops, flea markets and other places anywhere across the country, or the world for that matter, and sell them online.You could buy a California Pottery piece in Memphis, TN, sell it online while your traveling and drop it at the Post Office in Ft Worth, TX. But then again, you could do this without leaving your home area.

Happy Hunting.

Collectible Christmas Ornaments

For every category of collectible you can think of, and there are thousands, there is a cream of the crop. Tis the season so I am going to show you just one element of Christmas collectibles that can bring a lot of money. Christmas ornaments. This is a class unto itself. But so are things like those 1960's Aluminum Trees with color wheel lights. One pink aluminum tree recently sold on eBay for $2500. Yup, you read that right. But that's for another blog at another time. Today we look at Christmas ornaments.

Collectors Weekly says "Until the Victorian era, most Christmas trees were decorated with candles, cookies, and fruit, but in the mid-1800's German craftsmen began producing blown glass tree ornaments in shapes like stars, fruit, and angels, and the ornament tradition was born" And so it is. Below I am posting some recently sold antique and vintage ornaments sold on eBay. Bet you won't look at old Christmas ornaments in Aunties old attic, yard sales and church fairs the same way again!! Merry Christmas and Happy Treasure Hunting!!

$1200.00

$441.56

$466.99

$610.02

Another Yard Sale Find

Several years ago, when I was doing eBay consignments for folk, a lady brought me what turned out to be a first cast bronze horse statue she had purchased at a yard sale for $5.00. It would sell for over $7000.00 to her great surprise. Below is a photo of the identical horse. It still happens folks but knowledge is power. The second and later casts do not bring that kind of money but still are valuable. Modern reproductions are only good for boat anchors!

This is an original first cast Antoine Louis Barye, famous French Animalier Sculpture. 

It is called "Turkish Horse" and was originally cast in 1844.

Hampshire Pottery Works

In 1871 James Scolly Taft founded the famous Hampshire Pottery Works in Keene, NH. Here is another example of a home grown future antiques success story. Some of these pieces bring thousands of dollars and yes, they can still be found in New Hampshire old homes, barns, yard sales, shops, flea markets etc. But because they look so "plain jane" most people wouldn't give 'em a second glance. Read below for a bit more detail and some examples of recent auction sales.

Hampshire Pottery

June 3, 2010 By Donna McGill 1 Comment

It’s been said Hampshire Pottery is similar to Grueby Pottery in many ways; in fact, many say they’re imitations of Grueby.  Even the company itself said it was replicating Grueby’s efforts in a way to provide similar art pottery at lower prices.  Perhaps the one major difference in the Hampshire pottery pieces is the fact each was molded, versus the hand throwing techniques of the Grueby Pottery efforts.  Still, many experts insist there is enough that separates the two American art pottery wares that most people, certainly in contemporary day, can easily differentiate the two.  Indeed, Hampshire Pottery had some beautiful creations that weren’t inspired (or copied, as some insist) by Grueby.  We tend to agree.  So individual they were that many are bringing in impressive sums of money today. 

The original mill that was purchased by James Taft and his uncle in 1871 burned to the ground.  The duo wasted no time in rebuilding the warehouse and within a year, were up and running with their efforts of creating flower pots and “redware”.  All the while, they were also creating stoneware.  Ten years later, the company decided to enter into the art pottery sector.  It quickly became a family endeavor, as another brother in law was brought on board as a chemist who was responsible for creating more than 900 glaze “recipes” for use in the making of Hampshire Pottery.

A die stamp that reads “Hampshire Pottery” with a circled “M” can be found on nearly every Hampshire piece and the majority of these pieces are covered in a matte green glaze.  The majority of Hampshire Pottery can be found as vases, mugs, lamp bases and bowls.

After a few family deaths, ironically, the company was sold out to Grueby Pottery.  Grueby Pottery eventually closed the plant in 1923.  We’re left with some truly beautiful wares, courtesy of Hampshire Pottery and its successful bids of creating American art pottery.

Sold for $575.00

Sold for $273.92

Hampshire base, slag glass shade,
opening bid $2500

Maxfield Parrish - An American Illustrator

Maxfield Parrish is one of my favorite American artists. He lived to age 96 and enjoyed great commercial successful selling new works and living off the royalties of his older works. He lived most of his life in Plainfield, NH in the Upper Valley. His illustrations for books, calendars and posters were, and still are, highly sought after. New Hampshire is replete with his works and they can still be found in estate sales, antique shops and flea markets. An original 1923 20" x 20" Jack and the Bean Stalk print in original frame recently sold on eBay for $1350.00. (See below) 

Below re-printed from www.Parrish-House.com

Maxfield Parrish (1870 - 1966) was an American painter and illustrator. Born Frederick Maxfield Parrish in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he began drawing for his own amusement early in his life. He went on to pursue a career that was to last for many decades and effectively shape the Golden Age of Illustration, and the future of American visual art in general. Launched by a commission to illustrate Kenneth Grahame’s The Walls Were as of Jasper in 1897, his repertoire was to include many prestigious projects such as Eugene Field’s Poems of Childhood (1904) and the traditional Arabian Nights (1909).

Androgynous nudes in fantastical settings were an often-recurring theme. He continued in this venue for the rest of his life, living comfortably off the royalties brought in by the production of posters and calendars featuring his works.Parrish was famous for the dazzlingly luminous colors that marked much of his artwork; the shade “Parrish blue” was coined in acknowledgement. He achieved this result by means of a special technique involving several coats of oil and varnish applied to his paintings. It is impossible to categorize Parrish’s work, since he was part of no traditional movement or school, and developed a truly original style.

Maxfield Parrish was the most popular American artist from the turn of the century until Norman Rockwell succeeded him in the 1940’s. Of Parrish, Mr. Rockwell said, “Maxfield Parrish was certainly one of our most prominent illustrators and hardly a home in America existed that didn’t have a Maxfield Parrish print. I’m an illustrator. Maxfield Parrish was a painter-illustrator. He was in the Golden Age of Illustration. When I was in art school I admired him. He was one of my gods.”

Parrish continued painting until he was about 90 years old and died at age 96. Each new generation seems to rediscover the magic and romance of Parrish art and some of his prints now command prices that reach into many thousands of dollars. Fortunately, many images may still be obtained at modest cost.

All About Polishing Valuable Metals

By Dennis Gaffney

Ernest DuMouchelle, vice president of DuMouchelle Gallery in Detroit and an appraiser for ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, has seen more than his share of valuable metals ruined. Routinely, customers bring him their prized candlesticks, serving dishes, statues, coffee pots, and goblets made of brass, silver, bronze, or pewter. Often, the pieces arrive damaged not by time or the elements, but by ignorance. Some owners have scoured these objects with steel wool or Ajax. Others have ratcheted up the assault by plugging in their drills, attaching a round, metallic brush to it, and then assaulting their pieces with a gusto only a power tool can muster.

Learn how to polish your valuable metals without ruining them

"These methods put little grooves in your valuable metals," Ernest says. And such scratches, he says, are not a good thing, since they can usually only be repaired by a specialist—and that, of course, costs money. We asked Ernest to provide some advice on when and how to properly polish your silver, brass, bronze, and pewter valuables. Here's what he said.

Saving Your Silver
If there is a golden rule in caring for your silver, Ernest says, it's that the easiest way to polish it is not always the best. That's why the Detroit appraiser recommends avoiding "instant dips," those high-octane metal polishes that promise faster results with less elbow grease. Such polishes achieve their quick results by adding more acids and abrasives into the mix, which only strip more of the valuable metal off of your prized possession each time you polish it. With only a few uses of an instant dip, it's possible to rub away the silver plating or even its identifying marks. In both cases, your piece is devalued. While it's possible to re-plate silver that's been rubbed down to its base metal, its an extremely expensive process that can also muddy the clarity of a piece's designs. "Instant dip" cleaners also pose another problem: if not removed properly, the products can leave a milky finish on your silver. And not only is that ugly, notes the Detroit appraiser, it's also difficult to remove.

Ernest suggests using gentler polishes made by reputable companies such as Wright & Company or W.J. Hagerty & Sons. "Any good hardware store and a lot of the supermarkets will stock the good products," Ernest says. These milder polishes force you to rub your silver a little harder and for a longer period of time. Just as a labor-intensive French polishing brings out the natural beauty of wood, Ernest notes, a slow polish brings out the natural brilliance of silver and other metals.

"You get a rich patina by polishing your pieces slowly," Ernest says. "Silver polished properly looks beautiful."

Polishing the Brass
Brass was also meant for polishing. "The only problem with brass," says Ernest, "is that sometimes it has been lacquered."

Lacquer, usually absent on antique pieces, is often added to more modern brass to protect it from the elements and keep it from tarnishing. Sometimes an owner will rub the lacquer, which often looks yellowish, off of the piece of brass. But once the lacquer is removed, the brass is vulnerable to oxidation. If owners want to keep a piece shiny, they have to do what soldiers have long done with their brass belt buckles and pins: polish them regularly. In the home, that means a polish every few weeks—more than most people are willing to devote to brass candlesticks and doorknobs. The alternative is to learn to live with and love duller-looking brass.

Wash Your Bronzes
A finish is usually put on bronzes by an artist or at a foundry to give the metal a darker patina or to shade the metal to accentuate its three-dimensionality. Sometimes bronze is even coated with gold. That's why it's best to avoid polishing bronzes. Doing so is like vigorously scrubbing the surface of a masterpiece painting. In both cases, you're removing a layer of the piece that the artist intended to be there.

Such damage diminishes both the integrity of your piece and its value. Ernest recently sold a bronze fountain by the American sculptor Harriet Whitney Frishmuth that had a value that would have dropped by $50,000 if the sellers had rubbed the patina off. Ernest and his co-workers simply washed the piece, which is recommended because bronzes don't corrode in water as do many other metals.

Your Choice on Pewter
With pewter, there's a debate among experts as to whether you should polish it or just let it age naturally. The question is an aesthetic one. Those who prefer their metals shiny, polish their pewter. Unlike brass, polished pewter is slow to oxidize and therefore holds its shine for years.

But Ernest and many other antique dealers prefer the dull gray finish and the metallic freckles that time puts on pewter. "I'm just one of the people who like the way it looks without cleaning," Ernest says. "In my opinion, it was meant to look a little gnarly."

So the big lesson is: When in doubt about how to polish your metallic valuable, don't just wing it. "It's always good to get advice," Ernest says. "If it's an important piece, you should ask a reputable antiques dealer or a museum curator." 

More ANTIQUES ROADSHOW articles from the Metalwork & Sculpture category:

Vintage Bakelite Jewelry

Did you know that some plastic costume jewelry can be worth thousands of dollars? That's right, I said thousands of dollars. Check out the article below to learn how to spot this fabulous vintage costume jewelry that can still be found in antique stores to church sales.

What is Bakelite?

by Carly Wickell

Bakelite is a castable, fire resistant plastic that was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1909. It was originally used for industrial purposes, until jewelry makers found that its light weight made Bakelite a perfect choice for designing and manufacturing inexpensive bracelets, rings, pins and other jewelry.

Bakelite jewelry became especially popular in the 1930's and 1940's, after a wider assortment of colors was introduced. The new batch of Bakelite colors captured the imagination of more and more jewelry companies. Coco Chanel was one famous designer who offered Bakelite jewelry and accessories.

Do Other Materials Look Like Bakelite?

Bakelite is the trade name for the plastic product produced by the Bakelite Corporation, but materials made using the same formula were eventually sold under other trade names in the US and around the world. Celluloid and lucite are two other plastics used to make jewelry. They can resemble Bakelite, but Bakelite items of the same size are heavier.

How Can I Tell if My Jewelry is Genuine Bakelite?

Method #1: Some Bakelite collectors recommend the 409 Test. Here's how to do it:

Dip a cotton swab in 409 household cleaner and touch a small area of the piece, such as a back that won't be visible when worn. If the piece is vintage Bakelite, the accumulated patina will show up as a yellow stain on the cotton swab. Rinse the cleaner off the tested spot right away.

Method #2: Some collectors recommend you place the jewelry in hot water, then remove and sniff. Warmed Bakelite smells like camphor.

Are There Bakelite Imitations?

Yes, there are newly manufactured imitations out there, so beware. Linda Grossman, of Evelynne's Oldies But Goodies1, deals in vintage Bakelite and other collectible jewelry. Here's what she has to say about the fakes:

"We are dismayed that there is a cottage industry that has been created with the production of Fakelite, which has the appearance of Bakelite. On close examination, and to the trained eye, these items are not vintage Bakelite, but sometimes they have been treated in ways to make them pass the commonly used Bakelite tests (409 and hot water). We recommend that you purchase Bakelite only from a reputable, experienced dealer."

Sometimes Bakelite is New and Old

Some jewelry makers are creating new Bakelite jewelry out of larger pieces of vintage Bakelite, such as radios, which were very popular during Bakelite's heyday. Some of the pieces are quite attractive, and most of these craftspeople are honest about the jewelry's origins. If you pass the jewelry on to someone else, please be sure they know it is a newly handcrafted item made from vintage Bakelite.

How Much is Bakelite Jewelry Worth?

It depends on the piece, and the demand for specific collectibles is an everchanging thing. Search for Bakelite on ebay to get an idea of current pricing. Read the descriptions carefully--some are fakes. Don't be afraid to ask the seller for verification that the piece is truly Bakelite, and always check a seller's feedback rating before you bid.

Recently sold on eBay for $769.99

How Does an Antique Picker Spend a Workday?

I still stop at yard sales and keep an eye out for treasures on the side of the road. My most recent roadside find was a Kazak rug admittedly in rough condition. It needed cleaning and a bit of repair but it still brought me $240 after a bit of haggling with the rug dealer. Anywho, the article below will tell you about how someone might break into the buying and selling biz to make some extra cash...or even start a very fun  and profitable primary or side business.

By Linda Johnson, eHow Contributor

A Picker's Picks

An antique picker like Joe picks up antiques and old stuff wherever he can find it. He's the guy in the station wagon or pickup cruising the curbs on trash day, or doing some "alley picking" in old neighborhoods. He goes to flea markets, garage sales and auctions, too. He also checks out the ads in the paper, looking for antique sale items. He has a good eye, and knows how to buy things right, so he can sell them for more to the antique dealers he knows.

Joe Is on the Lookout for Treasures in Trash

Joe is doing some curb cruising and alley-picking today. He keeps an eye peeled for an assortment of stuff at the curb that indicates somebody might be moving. If he finds a treasure-trove outside your house, he might just knock on your door and ask if there is anything else you want to get rid of. If you advertise a garage sale and list "collectibles," he will probably show up.

Antique Shops Are on the Lookout for Joe

Antique dealers cannot always take time to go to auctions and sales. Or maybe they don't have a truck they can haul something big in. That's where Joe comes in. He is always out looking for good picks, and he knows which dealers are interested in what antiques. He brings his finds to antique shops and sells them at a profit because he knows what things are worth and what the traffic will bear. Without Joe, his antique dealers would be short on merchandise to sell.

Joe Develops Niches

Joe may have started out with $5 and a junk car, but over the years, he has become a specialist. That's why you'll see him at estate sales. He knows where to find the antiques he is most knowledgeable about. That royal blue Depression glass you see comes and goes in favor with antique aficionados. When it's out of favor, Joe buys it and holds it until it's popular again. He is also somewhat of an expert on old oak furniture. If he finds out you have an old oak secretary or icebox, he will want to buy it from you. Be prepared to come down in price, because shrewd haggling keeps Joe in business.

Advice from Joe

Joe would tell you that his success as a picker comes from his good eye and reputation. He goes around to antique shops, making a note of the kind of inventory they keep. He is good at small talk, and soon has dealers telling stories. He finds out how knowledgeable they are and how much they like to pay.The next time that dealer sees him, Joe will have something to offer that the dealer wants, and at a fair price.

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Howard's Vegetable Cancer and Canker Syrup Bottle 

Sold for $: (guess before you read below)

Old glass bottles can be found anywhere. Basements, cellar holes, old dumps, in the ground. Some are worth a ton of money. The photo is one sold by my friend Norm, ebay user name "bertaneye". His wife found it under a barn floor board shortly after moving into their new place in Essex, MA. He being a great ebayer thought it might bring a couple hundred dollars. Boy were they surprised when it sold for $10,901 on eBay. So the moral of the story is...if you don't know for sure, get it checked out. You just never know!

The Matchsafe...or Vesta

Match holders, also known as matchsafes or vesta cases, date to the mid-19th century, when friction matches were first introduced. While a boon to cigar-puffing fat cats and homemakers alike, early friction matches, which were also called vestas and Lucifers, almost did their job too well, sometimes bursting into flame in a user’s pocket. Matchsafes keep these hair-trigger fire sticks from rubbing together and combusting prematurely.

The golden age of matchsafes was around 1870 until the 1930s, when matchbooks and cigarette lighters obviated the need for most match holders. At home, wall and tabletop matchsafes were used, primarily by women for domestic uses such as lighting a stove. In fact, stove manufacturers often made cast-iron match holders, which were mounted to a wall in the kitchen to keep the matches handy. Other wall-mounted matchsafes were made of tin and featured lithographed advertisements for everything from soda pop to whiskey to sliced bread.

In the late 1900s, men carried matchsafes in their coat pockets. These accessories were often more ornately decorated than their pocket watches or their wives’ jewelry. Many were made of sterling silver, embossed or engraved with images of people smoking or abstract patterns resembling smoke. Others were wrought of gold and inlaid with enamel scenes or decorations, and a few matchsafes were carved from antler or ivory.

By the turn of the century, it was becoming more permissible for women to smoke in public, so matchsafes designed for this expanding new market came to the fore. The New York jeweler Tiffany & Company sold sterling silver matchsafes accented with copper and brass and decorated in the Art Nouveau style. Gorham, Bristol, and Whiting are among the many American silver manufacturers that produced matchsafes, while Cartier and Fabergé exported their products from overseas.

Beyond rectangles and ovals, whose lengths conformed nicely to the shapes of friction matches, matchesafes were made in the shapes of animals, shoes, boots, and even body parts, resembling charms on a bracelet. Other matchsafes were treated like canvases for tiny sporting, rural, or city scenes, rendered in warm, inviting enamels.

One category of matchsafes that also appeals to those who collect Asian antiques includes pieces in copper, lacquered metal, and brass that were made in China and Japan. These handsome objects were decorated withdragons, buddhas, and geishas, as well as bamboo foliage and other nature motifs.

Perhaps the most prevalent of all matchsafes were those used to carry advertising or commemorate a noteworthy event. Matchsafes invited their holders to use certain lawn mowers, wear particular brands of hats, and drink this or that brand of tea. Naturally many promoted cigars and cigarettes, as well as international expositions and world’s fairs.

Unusual 19th C Pocketknife/Pistol Combo

This is an interesting pocketknife/single shot pistol combo that came into the shop yesterday. It from the late 19th century, signed Stetter and likely made in Germany. It has two corkscrew levers (one you can see above) that unfold and act as pistol grip and trigger. A bit ingenious I would say. It has rather abused fit and finish seeing better days, but it is very cool none the less. You don't see these everyday. Not sure of the value of the antique but would guess it to start at about $250. 

Antiques Uncovered: Some Useful Tips

By Matt H Young

With the popularity of shows like Antiques Roadshow and Pawn Stars, the demand for antiques and value within the antiques market has been on the rise. Many of the pickers and hunters out there are searching for antiques in hopes of hitting it big financially while other collectors are simply doing it to enjoy the aesthetic beauty and the history of the items. For the individual new to the market, there are a few tips to consider when it comes to locating quality antique desks and furniture.

eBay is in fact a good resource, however there a few drawbacks to keep in mind when browsing the items available on the net. You cannot see the item in person. What this means is that you are putting your trust in the seller. There are very few ways of validating the claims of the seller when the object is not in front of you. Because of this you run the risk of buying reproductions or damaged items either because the seller is not knowledgeable about the item or is simply being dishonest. A sure-fire way to get your collecting days off to a good start is to go to garage sales and charity stores such as the Salvation Army.

When you go to places such as these you can inspect the antiques thoroughly. Before you venture out, it is also good to build up some background knowledge on the particular type of antique desk that you are looking for. The facts that you want to have in hand include working knowledge of designs from certain time periods that indicate it is an authentic antique and some idea of the current market value so that you do not end up paying an inflated price. In terms of out-of-pocket money, locating antique furniture at a garage sale is your best bet. In this setting owners many times are not aware of the value of their piece or if they are, they are much more willing to haggle on the price of the items as opposed to the store setting where the prices are generally fixed.

There are a few visual cues to let you know you are looking at antique desks, should you come across what you believe to be the perfect piece. There should be slight irregularity in proportions. The wood shrinks and warps over the years causing this effect. Wear on the wood and some discoloration of the stain should be present. You do not want to see much too much wear however because this will decrease the value of the item. You may also want to be able to identify the types of wood that were particular to a specific era or craftsman to assist in authenticating the piece.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_H_Young

Top 10 Most Valuable Baseball Cards

Every collection has its Holy Grail and within the Top 10 Most Valuable Baseball Cards, there are several candidates. Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner...the Hall of Fame roll call boasts several potential cardboard denizens who could claim the title of Most Valuable Baseball Card, yet only one can rise to the top of the cardboard heap. Below are ten cards that have achieved distinction as being listed among the world's most valuable baseball cards.
Read more at http://www.infobarrel.com/Top_10_Most_Valuable_Baseball_Cards#qqf1X7ImPhqt1fml.99 

Getting Started Collecting Coins

from the US Mint website:

It's easy to start a coin collection.  You can begin with coins that you already have on hand.  Check your pockets, wallet, desk drawers and under the sofa cushions.  Most people are surprised to discover the variety of coins hiding in their home's forgotten nooks.  Then, ask friends and relatives if they have any old or unusual coins to contribute.

To organize and display your collection, you may want to purchase one or more coin albums.  Some are custom-made for specific coins, such as Kennedy Half Dollars; other albums hold all denominations.  Additional storage and display options include paper envelopes, plastic tubes, slabs, flips and Mylar^® staple holders.  See "Storing and Displaying Coins" for more information.

Learning how to become a coin collector also means learning a new language.  Coin collectors use a common vocabulary to discuss coins.  Special terms are used to describe a coin's condition, value and what it looks like.  See "The Anatomy of a Coin" and the "Coin Term Glossary."

Tools of the Trade

Here are the basic tools you'll need to get started building and organizing your coin collection:

• A high-quality magnifying glass so you can look at a coin's tiny details.
• A padded jeweler's tray, plush towel, or some other soft cloth to set coins on when viewing them.
• A plastic ruler that measures in inches and millimeters.  Avoid hard, metal rulers that may scratch your coins.
• A good general coin reference book.  It should include information on dates, mint marks, major varieties, grading guidelines and prices.
• Good lighting, such as a halogen lamp.
• Soft, cotton gloves.
• Coin envelopes, holders or albums for storing your coins.