Wayne Jordan says to avoid overpaying or underpaying your taxes, you need to control and track your antiques shop inventory. Since the IRS doesn’t accept Victorian rockers or Depression glass as payment for tax bills, here’s a look at how inventory and taxes are related. Read More +
The inventor of the pencil eraser and the first ink eradicator, H.T. Cushman, found his way into the furniture business after developing products to sell through mail order. Read More +
During the Civil War, Frank Bannerman began selling old rope and scrap iron that he salvaged from in and around the waterfront of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. At first a part-time business, it eventually led to what would become the Bannerman military surplus empire. Read More +
Vintage watches are suddenly claiming top lot honors at several auctions recently, says Expert Kathy Flood. A recent eBay sale of a circa-1870 gold pocket piece from Boston’s E. Howard & Co. Blew its $19.99 list price out of the water to sell for $18,766 after it was discovered in a forgotten drawer. Read More +
Antiques dealers want to find the best merchandise and negotiate a good price before their competitors show up. Browsing probate records could help a family in need and help you score some valuable inventory. Read More +
Sooner or later, most of us who hang out with antiques get the urge to do a little repair here or a touch up there – nothing major. But one thing usually leads to another and before we know it, we are in over our heads. Then we need the help of a professional restorer. Read More +
Antiques dealer Melanie Thomas makes the case for transforming our trade into one children dream about. It’s time to replace the stereotypical ‘little old man on the corner’ with ‘the entrepreneur’ who is tall, dark and handsome (or at least middle aged with a full head of hair) and rich. Read More +
The covers of popular science fiction and horror pulps of the 1930s and ’40s were meant to leap at the eye from their perches in dime store magazine racks; few of the artists working in this field have hung on to the attention of aficionados as much as Hannes Bok. Read More +
What I expected to be a pleasant way to kill an extra hour of travel time was actually an inspiring visit that will come to mind every time I’m in the area. I’m excited for the opportunity to visit again – soon. Read More +
Despite all the gloomy predictions for the antiques trade, this is the place to be says columnist Wayne Jordan. He explains why now is the time to open a brick and mortar antiques shop: Shop owners benefit from low rents, high gas prices and more flexibility than “big box” retailers. Read More +