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The Collectors Newsletter #862 -- August 2011

The Collectors Newsletter #862 -- August 2011

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1. Work from home selling antiques & collectibles
2. This Week's Survey
3. Stories From our readers
4. This Week's Antique News
5. Your Classifieds
6. Newly listed items
7. Funny Old Stuff
8. Wanted ads. Can you help?
9. A Vintage Recipe
10. A Vintage Recipe Request from a Reader
11. New On line Merchants
12. Helpful Resources For Collectors
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Visit our facebook page today to view photos, special offers, sales and the latest antiques & collectibles news. See: http://www.facebook.com/TIASAntiques
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SUMMER SALES & SPECIAL OFFERS !

See: http://www.tias.com/news/indexSummer.shtml
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1. Need extra cash?
Work from home selling antiques & collectibles online. You can test and start building an online store fro FREE .Since 1995 TIAS.com has been helping dealers and collectors just like you to sell their antiques and collectibles online. It costs you nothing to kick the tires and see if an online store is right for you. Give TIAS a try today at: http://www.MakeAShop.com
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2. This Week's Survey
Every week we post a new survey question and the results from the previous week's survey. Survey questions are about anything related to antiques & collectibles. If you have a suggestion for a survey question, email it to me at phil@tias.com and we might use it in the next newsletter.
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Come and visit us on Facebook where you can post comments and photos - see us at http://www.facebook.com/TIASAntiques
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This weeks survey question is ....

"While attending a yard sale, you notice that the seller has a large collection of reproduction carnival glass for sale. You know for a fact that the glass collection is all repro, but he has it all marked as authentic, vintage, carnival glass. What do you do?"

It takes just a few seconds to give us your answer to this questions at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H28GGNR
We'll tabulate the results and comments and publish them in next week's newsletter.
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The Last Survey Question Was....

"Recently on the Antiques Roadshow a set of 5 Chinese tea cups carved from Rhino horn were appraised for $1.5 million. Do you feel that appraisal programs like the Antiques Roadshow have had a positive or negative affect on the antiques & collectibles trade?"

55.1% - said "A positive affect"
44.9% - said "A negative affect."

Here are some written replies that were included with the results from our last survey
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a) Some people will start getting their hopes up that things they already own are worth much more money and will be extremely disappointed when they're not. Also, some people will go "treasure hunting" buying all sorts of things that they mistakenly think they can re-sell for mega bucks.

b) It's made many people aware of their old possessions.

c) Appraisal programs are genuinely entertaining and can potentially expose more people to the antiques industry, therefore increasing the number of potential buyers and sellers, which in turn will result in more activity for existing members of the industry. Television is a more accessible format than word of mouth/fairs as well, so the potential target audience (particularly young people) is increased substantially - which will ensure the continuation of the industry into the future. Trent, 21, Australia.

d) Because of Antiques Road Show type programs people think their junk pieces are worth a fortune.

e) I sometimes feel that they give higher prices than could be realized..One has to have a buyer in order to make a sale.

f) Anyone who has a similar item "thinks" theirs is of that value also. auction/selling prices start at the appraised value and not a reasonable starting point.

g) I think they provide a valuable service in showcasing and educating the public on items from our past

h) These shows serve to overly excite the average person by not clarifying the difference between resale, replacement, and retail values. As estate liquidators, it is sometimes difficult to meet the expectations of clients in this economy who feel their "treasures" are much more valuable than they can actually be resold for.

i) The increased exposure combined with commentary from experts serves to enlighten and entice those who may not otherwise have developed an interest in buyng/selling/collecting antiques.

j) I marked positive because I think these shows have made people more aware of collectibles so there is a better chance items of the past will be treated with some respect and reverence; but on the flip side, shows like these can lead to some pretty serious mis-markings and inflation of items where there just isn't the justification of cause. The Rhino horn cups are only worth that if someone pays that...other wise it's just a 'pie in the sky' kind of valuation.

k) I think it stimulates interest in a wonderful hobby and also allows people to dream about a "valuable treasure".

l) Value of objects depends upon their rarity. Too often people seeing objects appraised on television realize 'Hey! Aunt Maude gave us one of those.' Suddenly the item is no longer rare. The bottom has fallen out of a lot of markets. Alternately, everyone is certain that their 'Tiffany lamp' is the one which is worth a million and don't realize the difference between wholesale and retail prices. Appraisal programs need to educate people on the different prices of objects such as insurance value, wholesale, retail, and auction values.

m) Granted, while many of the appraisal values are "over the top", the Antiques Roadshow has done a great job of bringing antiques and collecting into the mainstream - educating the public in the process, while enhancing an appreciation for antiques overall

n) It has been positive and adds fun and color to collecting. I wish there were more events out there where people could show off their collections to the public.

o) Makes it hard to get good buy's people now want a lot more for there things

p) Two concerns: Rhino Horn? Isn't this a protected animal. Shouldn't the value have been "Not legally saleable and therefore commercially worthless"? The other: There are several types of appraisal. Is the $1.5 million what a dealer would charge for it? Is it the price in public auction ? (Lower because dealers are buying for resale at auction) Is it the tax deduction value for donation to a museum? Unless it is clearly stated which the show gives an unrealistic picture of values. The appraiser should be saying" Any dealer would give you $750,000 for it" or "In auction, it might go for $1.5 million" or "Insure it for $1.5 million" or as above. "Interesting but commercially worthless because it cannot be legally sold".

r) Antiques Roadshow generates a lot of interest, which is good. However, on occasion it gives people a false sense of value that the people interpret in relation to their own items. I have seen market trends change due to items being showcased on the show. An example from a few years back is snuff bottles, which were typically quite common and priced cheaply. After one appeared on the Roadshow that was worth a large sum, within a very short time snuff bottles on the secondary market just "disappeared", and the ones that remained were priced far higher than they had been, in many cases unrealistically. After 6 months or so the marketplace returned to normal. Same thing happened with Van Briggle pottery - after the show spotlighted a very rare piece worth thousands of dollars, the price of virtually ALL Van Briggle went up for about a year, then returned to normal prices. I do feel that the show does stimulate interest in people who have previously not had any interest in antiques, and that's a good thing!

s) Shows like Antiques Roadshow have a positive effect in that knowledgeable people show viewers the various marks, construction and materials that give value to items. Revealing fakes is as interesting as high value items. Some new "reality" shows offer little knowledge to viewers.

t) I have noticed even at yard sales, people expect really high prices for their "grandma's things", of course most folks expect too much for too little anymore.

u) I think some of the appraisals exaggerate the value of some of the items the people bring in the program. The people who operate antique stores, websites, etc see this stuff and over price their merchandise. I don't mind paying a fair price for what I buy, but some of this stuff is over the top, especially in light of today's economy.

v) The ordinary man watching Antiques Roadshow and other shows of its ilk are more than likely to get the wrong idea on values for collectibles. I go to many yard sales where people are literally trying to sell junk at premium prices because they saw something very similar on the Roadshow, and therefore this must be worth nearly as much. I pity the fool who believes that tripe, and pays maybe $200.00 for an item that is only worth $50.00 tops. Instead of bringing more people into the family of "Antiques Collectors," they are being driven away because they eventually discover that they got burned, and lose interest. The seller's perverted beliefs are further reinforced by making that sale, and they shaft even more people down the line.

w) Initially, Antiques Roadshow fostered great interest in antiques, which caused a boom in sales. Unfortunately, the flagging economy slowed antique sales and consequently prices and values have dropped. I do feel that appraisal programs help keep people informed and interested in antiques, but until the economy improves, there probably won't be an increase in sales or an upswing in values. I hope the situation improves, as I would like to begin selling antiques sometime in the future.

x) Positive for the owner of course but there are many that don't research and study enough to know the difference. Those appraisers on the Roadshow spend a lifetime knowing the difference. Appraisals are educated guesses. Knowledge is the difference between $1.5 million Chinese carved rhino teacups and $1.50 China carved resin teacups..........Miles

y) Auction value should not be confused with retail value. The first starts low and on any given day can reach extreme prices, while the second is in a store or shop at a fixed price. It is good to know what your things are worth, for insurance value, yet a third price. Keep track and keep learning...

z) I am seeing more young people shopping and buying vintage things at the flea market in our area. They are more aware of the cool old stuff because of the road show, pickers and pawn stars. The prices of some items have gone up.
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3. Stories from our readers
We collect interesting stories about collecting. Things like your best find, unusual collections, bizarre collectibles even things that bug you. Anything and everything that is interesting that has to do with antiques & collectibles. We may publish it here. Send your story to Phil@tias.com
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When I was growing up my sister and I shared a bedroom so space was an issue. I was in my late teens when I first saw an advertisement in House & Garden magazine for "a sterling silver owl thimble". Well, I thought that was about as small a collectible item as I could get so I ordered it. When I had gotten a few more thimbles I bought my first holder; an lucite wall hanging piece with holders for 12 thimbles. This was in the early '70's and now my collection numbers around 400-450 thimbles and has taken over a nice corner of my living room. I have hanging holders, vitrines, an antique glass rolling pin and my favorite - an old washboard that a friend cleaned up and put shelves and an acrylic cover on for my thimbles. Whenever anyone goes on vacation they bring back a thimble for me (the only problem is they sometimes get lost in the luggage because they are so small!). My collection has thimbles from all over the world and it constantly growing - some start from a "small item".
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WE NEED YOUR STORY ABOUT COLLECTING. DO YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY TO TELL? SEND IT TO PHIL@TIAS.COM
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4. This week's Antique News
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If you want to tell the world about your antiques & collectibles business, auction, club or upcoming event related to the antiques and collectibles trade, you can post it for free at http://www.News-Antique.com the #1 listing on Google for "Antique News" Your news release will get published online and will also appear in this newsletter so that 16,000 people can read it. To post a release, go to http://www.News-Antique.com
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1. Prominent old Mississippi estates will cross the block Aug. 20 in Aberdeen
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799478

2. RAGO’S HOLDS NO RESERVE DISCOVERY AUCTION ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 WITH OVER 1000 LOTS OF ART, FURNI
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799477

3. Bids Soar for 'Missing' Ferrari Manual l Top eBay Auction
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799476

4. Ancient Egyptian Necklaces and other Fine Antiques and Collectibles to be Auctioned Online on Proxib
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799473

5. 1942 Oscar statuette brings $89,625 to lead Heritage Auctions’ Music & Entertainment memorabilia
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799472

6. Cowan's to Host Inaugural Asian Art Auction on August 26-27
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799470

7. Cowan's to Host Third Annual World at War Auction on August 10
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799469

8. Three-day monster sales planned for Sept. and Oct. by Philip Weiss Auctions
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799460

9. Porcelain, artwork, jewelry to cross the block Aug. 27 in Boynton Beach, Fla.
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799459

10. FOUND in Ithaca - The Gallery @ FOUND present MARY REYNOLDS: Shapeshifters
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799453

11. Certified Genuine Autograph & Memorabilia Dealer Since 2003
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799447

12. Country store, advertising and toy auction set for Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Mich.
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799441

13. 9-consignor estate sale slated for Aug. 27 in Panama City, Fla.
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799440

14. RAGO'S ANNOUNCES FALL 2011 AUCTION SCHEDULE AND HIGHLIGHTS
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799439

15. John Moran Auctioneers’ July 19th Antiques Auction Concludes Successful Spring / Summer Season
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799429

16. Albert Bierstadt Captures Vanishing 19th Century Wilderness This Week at LiveAuctionTalk.com
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799427

17. When The Gloves Are Off, These Are The Ultimate Joe Louis Mementos
Click here: http://news-antique.com/?id=799426

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Check the latest news headlines about antiques and collectibles at http://www.News-Antique.com
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MANY more stories are added several times a day. You can read the latest news about antiques & collectibles now at:
http://www.news-antique.com
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5, Your Classifieds...
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Latest Trinkets and Treasures
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1356466/PictPage/3923912620.html

China and Pottery on Petticoat Lane Collectibles
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1410506/PictPage/3923911444.html

green cased glass mushroom shaded desk lamp c 1915
http://pages.tiasexchange.com/1417432/PictPage/3923911440.html

Do you have antiques or collectibles you are just itching to sell? A simple classified ad in this newsletter might just be your answer. Over 15,000 readers subscribe to this newsletter. One of them just might be able to help you out. Place your ad today at: http://tinyurl.com/39eulu

Want to know what our advertisers think? Check out the testimonials at: http://tinyurl.com/8xqyw
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6. Newly listed items for your online shopping pleasure for Friday August 05, 2011 Stop by and check out today's fresh inventory at:
TIAS.com - http://www.tias.com/showcase
CollectorOnline - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=7
AntiqueArts - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=3
Earthling - http://cgi.tias.com/showcase/?groupKey=6
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7, Funny Old Stuff
This is our humor section. These are humorous family stories and comments that are sent in by readers. If you have a submission you would like to share, please send it to newsletter@tias.com and we may run it in the next issue.
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The story about the exploding eggs reminded me of my sister's experience with cooking an artichoke. She put it in a pan and covered it with water, and put it on her electric stove to cook. While she was waiting for it to get done, a friend dropped in. The two them each grabbed a beer and went out on the patio to chat. Naturally, the artichoke was completely forgotten! When her friend bade her good-bye, sis wandered back into the house to find the kitchen full of smoke! Her artichoke not only had boiled dry, it was charcoal clear through! The pan had melted and left a puddle of metal on the stove under the burner, it got so hot! It truly is a wonder the house didn't burn completely down; what's even stranger is that the smoke alarm didn't even go off! (She bought a new one after that!) She still has both the pan and the charcoal artichoke, just because the whole experience was so remarkable! She even kept the puddle of metal!

Thanks for a great venue. I love reading about everyone's experiences. Carol
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Do you have a funny family story you would like to share? Make someone feel good by sharing it with us. Send it to newsletter@tias.com and we may publish it here.
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8. Wanted ads. Can you help?
Here are the latest wanted ads from the TIAS Exchange. Can you help someone out?
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GET YOUR WANTED AD HERE! Just $10 and we'll send it out to 15,000 people who get this newsletter. Go to http://www.tias.com/cgi-bin/submitClassified.cgi
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Looking for something? Place a "Wanted" ad in this newsletter. Over 16,000 subscribers will see it. It's easy, go to: http://www.tias.com/cgi-bin/submitClassified.cgi
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9. A Vintage Recipe
Be sure to check out our vintage recipe archive online at: http://www.tias.com/newsletter/topics/A%20Vintage%20Recipe.html Over 1200 wonderful vintage recipes are listed.

In the last issue a reader requested a recipe for poppyseed cake. We received the following...
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I hadn't sent in a recipe for shrimp gumbo when it was requested as I thought you'd get more than you could handle, but had to when the one you printed turned out not to be a proper Louisiana gumbo. Here's the classic recipe from River Road Recipes:

2 pounds shrimp
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons flour
3 cups okra, chopped or 1 tablespoon file'
2 onions, chopped
2 more tablespoons oil
1 can tomatoes
2 quarts water
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
3 pods garlic (optional)
red pepper (optional)

Peel shrimp uncooked and de-vein. Make roux (dark) of flour and oil. Add shrimp to this for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside. Smother okra and onions in oil. Add tomatoes when okra is nearly cooked. Then add water, bay leaf, garlic, salt and pepper. Add shrimp and roux to this. Cover and cook slowly for 30 minutes. If okra is not used, add gumbo file' after turning off heat. Serve with rice. Serves 6 to 8.

For those who don't know what roux is, or maybe just not how to make it, also from River Road Recipes:
2 tablespoons butter, shortening or bacon drippings
2 tablespoons flour

Melt the better, shortening or bacon drippings in a thick pot or skillet. Ad the flour and stir constantly until *dark* brown, being careful not to burn. If there is the slightest indication of over-browning, dispose of the roux and start over. Even a slightly burned sauce will ruin a savory dish.

Happy cooking, southern style!...Beth in Northridge

--Another Recipe--

Poppy Seed Cake

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
13 fluid ounces evaporated milk
1/4 cup poppy seeds

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan.
In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and add eggs, vanilla, oil and milk. Mix well and fold in the poppy seeds. Pour into a 10 inch tube pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Carol Thomas—Cullman,AL
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Buy a Vintage Kitchen collectible from us. We've got lots of them here: http://www.tias.com/kitchen
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10. A vintage recipe request from a reader
As with collectibles, people also have very strong feelings about foods from their past. Sometimes these special recipes get lost. This section is to help people who are looking for lost recipes from their past. If you submit a request, please include the geographical region where you had this recipe.
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I'm looking for a recipe my mom made in the 40's/50's... Chop Suey... the modern recipes don't hold a candle to hers... please/thnx, Babs
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If you can help this reader with this recipe, please forward it to recipes@tias.com . If you have a vintage recipe request send it to recipes@tias.com and we might just publish it here.
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Be sure to check out our vintage kitchen collectibles section online at: http://www.tias.com/kitchen
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11. New Online Merchants
Be sure to check out all of the fresh inventory offered by these new merchants at TIAS.
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Witsend Shops
http://tias.com/stores/witsendshops
Featuring a wide assortment of fine vintage and collectible items including glassware, pottery, jewelry, ephemera, books, toys, holiday items and much, much more! New items added regularly, so feel free to stop and browse anytime.

Old Charm Inn
http://www.tias.com/stores/collectorplease
Welcome to Old Charm Inn. I have been a collector for 30 years. My shop sells, costume jewelry, china, collector's plates, art, books, photos, dolls, gifts. I provide a 7-day money back guarantee. We accept checks and money orders.

COT Gallery
http://www.tias.com/stores/treasuregallery
Our store offers antique pictures, chromolithographs, engravings, delightful rarities, botanical and animal prints, artistic sceneries, also miracles of natural history from the 19th-20th century. Please feel free to ask any question if it seems necessary. Don't miss our collection!

Precious Peddler
http://tias.com/stores/preciousstore
Welcome to Precious Peddler! We feature vintage china and glass pieces, as well as many collectible items. New treasures are added daily, so be sure to check our store often. No sale is ever "final" - we guarantee your satisfaction.

Pieces of the Past
http://tias.com/stores/piecespast
Quality collectibles & antiques at fair prices! We pledge customer satisfaction and service for every item that you purchase from our store.
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12. Helpful Resources:
1. Find an antiques or collectibles club. Nearly 2000 different clubs listed. Take a look at: http://www.tias.com/cgi-bin/clubs.cgi
2. What's it worth? Try Kovels' free online price guide to over 600,000 antiques and collectibles. It can be found online at http://www.kovels.com
3. Make money with your Web site. Join the TIAS.com affiliate program today. Go to http://www.tias.com/affiliates/
4. Get an online appraisal. For just $9.95 from "What's It Worth To You?" http://www.whatsitworthtoyou.com/tias.htm (Not affiliated with Kovels.com)
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Thanks for reading. Feel free to forward this to a friend. To subscribe to this newsletter go to: http://www.tias.com/subscribe Please note that stories and recipes from readers are not checked for accuracy. They may be edited prior to publication. For questions or comments, you can reach us at newsletter@TIAS.com ©1995-2011 TIAS.com Inc.

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