Thanks to Lark Mason’s position as an expert, appraiser, author and television personality on the PBS series “The Antiques Roadshow,” the founder of iGavel Auctions anticipates the following collecting trends. Read More +
Commentary
History of Colby furniture company helps decipher date of desk
That means your desk was made after that since not much fancy furniture was made during the War. Colby’s was mostly a furniture retailer, having closed its factory in the 1920s. Read More +
Link between Eliel Saarinen and Irwin Furniture Co. dining room set sketchy
Twenty years ago I purchased an unusual Robert W. Irwin Art Deco dining room set which resembles Eliel Saarinen’s design. The link to Eliel Saarinen is tenuous at best. Read More +
Your collecting interests are covered between ‘Warman’s’ and ‘Antique Trader’ guides
From art glass to Victorian furniture, entry level to advanced, the full scope of antiques and collectibles information is covered when “Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles 2013” and “Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles 2013 Price Guide” are paired up. Read More +
Readers’ Letters: Collector looking for Midwest fork collecting clubs; Raggedy Ann and Andy dates clarified
One collector shares a couple of his collectible forks, while another reader provides clarification on the history of Raggedy Ann and Andy. Read More +
Amazon could change the antiques world; Editor steps down at Antique Trader
From the editor: Amazon stands to change the antiques landscape; California’s dreaded AB 391 passes; Editor steps down from Antique Trader. Read More +
Behind the Gavel: Two tips on improving an antiques customer’s retail shopping experience
Two simple tips can give antiques retail store owners an edge in improving a customer’s retail shopping experience. Columnist Wayne Jordan says antiques dealers must make shopping in your store a fun experience. Here are two techniques (one hi-tech, one low-tech) that other retailers use to ensure their customers enjoy shopping in their stores. Read More +
Why the antiques we pass up haunt us for years to come
Finding a hidden treasure at a yard sale or antiques show is always memorable but why are we haunted by the antiques we pass up, overlook or leave behind? Columnist Melaine Thomas shares her greatest hits (of mistakes) and the lessons she learned passing up a $25 Georg Jensen bowl. Read More +
Patience aids both seller and buyer when online deals go awry
Your collectible arrives from the latest online auction and you’re disappointed. There’s a problem. What do you do now? Try patience, courtesy and diplomacy, says guest columnist and military collector P.H. Tuttle. He writes, “In my own dealings as a buyer, nearly all of my bad experiences have resulted from deals where I thought I was somehow beating the system. I ignored all of my internal alarms because I thought I was ‘getting a Rolex for the price of a Timex.’” Read More +
Why are estate sales booming when antiques shops struggle to pay rent?
In almost every market, the number of traditional antiques stores continues to dwindle while other marketing channels — estate sale companies, auction companies, consignment stores and online venues — continue to grow. Read More +