Antique : rookwood, appraisals, paintings, daryle lambert, collectible

Daryle Lambert - The Bitish are Coming - Clarice Cliff

darylelam — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:03:00 GMT

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Daryle Lambert: The British Are Coming – Clarice Cliff Art Deco Wares

You may not have heard of Clarice Cliff but you'll remember her after you read this Blog. In fact, I will be adding her works to our hot list for this year. There are many of her treasures to be found, but right now, most people wouldn't even recognize them as Treasures. But, isn't that precisely what we're looking for?

I will continue to guide our 31 Club Members to study the rare and unusual. That is where the real money is to be found, and that is what we are looking for. Clarice Cliff falls in to this class, and we are so thankful that it is off most people's radar.

This lady was way ahead of her time when she popped onto the scene in the early twenties. Clarice Cliff's colorful Art Deco wares were the hit of the town back then. She produced almost everything that could be used on the proper English Table. Over time, these wonderful pieces have been forgotten by most people, but now, they have arisen once again, lead by the tremendous demand for her Bizzarre Ware. Honolulu, Rudyard and Blue Firs are other patterns that also command extremely high prices.

It seems strange to me that more U.S. dealers aren't really acquainted with Clarice Cliff, but that can also be said about most things that are produced outside of this country. I'm guessing the reason why is that most U.S. dealers might feel that since it wasn't produced in this country, then their chances of finding a great piece are slim, so they don't bother researching these areas. It's the same old story. Buy what we can find the most of. What a mistake that is.

There is a wonderful site that I would like to direct you to: www.claricecliff.com. At this collector's club, I promise you that items can be seen here that you will fall in love with. They are as modern as today and can definitely dress up a rather dull table. This site provides you with all the patterns and designs for Cliff's work plus the marks you will be looking for.

Should you find a piece of Clarice Cliff ware, be sure to check for damage because this will reduce the price that someone is willing to pay by as much as 75%.

I once picked up a piece of Bizzare Ware from a grouping of items spread out on a table, and the lady at the sale told me that I can have anything there for five dollars. To tell the truth, I just liked the Deco look, so I bought it. I put it on eBay, and the first night the bid was already over $150. "Well, looky here," I said to myself. If I remember it correctly, it closed between $350-$500. Now that is the return I love to see.

If everyone is talking about certain items, then your chances of making a score are slim. But if you're the only one in the crowd that knows the value of the items being offered, then you are in a pear tree.

Find out more about my book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles. When you order, your membership in the 31 Club is Free.

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If you have any questions about the book or the club, e-mail me at info@31corp.com.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

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Daryle Lambert - WEBB 11

darylelam — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:24:00 GMT

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Daryle Lambert: The Continued Thomas Webb Glass Story

Example of a Thomas Webb Bronze Vase. Photo from Great.Glass.co.uk.

Cindy got after me today and told me that the Blog sounded like it came out of a book and that it was too boring. In the future, I will try to keep it personal, like she's asked me to. I am asking for your help in covering topics of interest to you, so please send me any ideas that you'd like written about in a Blog. I must finish this one on Webb class, as I promised I would.

The Webb factory continued and Mr. Webb assembled the greatest group of glass people in the world. Besides the Woodalls, there were names like John
Thomas Fereday, Daniel and Lionel Pearce, Frederick Englebert Kny and his three sons, and William Fritsche. There will never be another group of glass
masters like this assembled again. They won almost every award of their day for excellence.

In 1893, at the Chicago Colombian Worlds Fair, Webb exhibited Woodall's cameos and for years after that, most of the work coming from the factory was
shipped to the United States for sale. George Woodall retired in 1911 and died February 27, 1925. His brother, Thomas, died the next year in 1926.
This was the end of an era for excellence in glass. Since most of their work was shipped to this country, it gives us a greater chance of finding it than
even those in England.

I knew very little about Webb Glass, but a friend by the name of Jerry B. introduced me to it at Early's Auction in Cincinnati. I think he may be one
of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met when it comes it glass. I will be seeing him at the Early's April sale this year and also at the Lotton Collector's Club Annual Meeting that takes place at the same time in Cincinnati. I hope that I will be able to spend some time with him and become more knowledgeable on Webb. He also is very kind loves to share information, so if you ever have a question that I can't answer, I am sure that he would extend his knowledge to us.

Besides Cameo Glass, Webb produced several other types of glass. Bronze Glass is a glass made to imitate older glass from the Troy age. It had a slick mirror-like gold sheen with purple, blue and copper highlights. This effect was produced from the metallic chloride fumes that were used on the glass.

Another form of glass was one that became known as Peach Bloom glass, introduced in 1885. A porcelain vase that sold in New York for $18,000 was the inspiration for this glass, and one that American and British manufacturers tried to imitate in glass. This glass was two layered and began as pink at the base and progressively got more red until it reached the top. Either polished or in matte finish, today you can see many reproductions of this type of glass.

Webb's Queen's Burmese was another glass produced by Webb, under a license from Mount Washington Glass Company. This glass was a single layered glass with uranium oxide, fluorspar and feldspar added. It was often decorated with enameling, painting or gilding.

My hopes for you are that you will find a wonderful piece of Webb Glass before I do, but I assure you, I will be looking.

Discover how my book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles" can be the tool that helps you become financially free following the same simple financial principles that the wealthy follow -- all with antiques, fine art, and collectibles.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. Or, if you'd like to sell your item to us, contact us today.

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Daryle Lambert - THE BEST WEBB

darylelam — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:42:00 GMT

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Daryle Lambert: The Best. English Glass - Thomas Webb & Sons Glass

Stourbridge, Worcestershire England, was the center of the glass industry, producing many great glass works from many companies. Thomas Webb and Sons, formed in 1837, was probably the most famous glass producer, having been formed by Thomas Webb after his partnership with the Richardson Brothers dissolved in 1836.

Thomas Webb wasn't a man to be just content with having a great glass company. He wanted to be the best ever. I think he succeeded. While Thomas Webb died in 1896, Thomas Wilkes Webb, one of his three sons, led the company to becoming the most prominent English company.

Thomas Webb and Sons is mostly known best for their Cameo Glass, which is highly collected, and their Rock Crystal Glass. Queen’s Burmese Ware was a very popular, commercially successful glass produced by Webb and is considered more common.

Producing Cameo Glass is a process where a design is drawn on the glass with a acid resistance substance and then it is dipped into hydrofluoric acid to eat away the unprotected surface. Then it can be polished and tinted. Thomas took out a patent on Ivory Cameo in 1887. Cameo glass goes back thousands of years, and it is an interesting study you might want to look into further to see how the process evolved.

If you are ever fortune enough to find a piece of Webb glass you should hope that it was produced by the Woodall brothers, Thomas or George. They both joined Webb at about the same time in1874. There is so much to share with you about Webb Glass, I'll have to finish tomorrow. This just might be my favorite glass, even though I haven't been fortune enough to own a piece.

Discover how my book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles" can be the tool that helps you become financially free following the same simple financial principles that the wealthy follow -- all with antiques, fine art, and collectibles.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. Or, if you'd like to sell your item to us, contact us today.

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Daryle Lambert - EBAY CHANGES

darylelam — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:05:00 GMT

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Daryle Lambert - Ebay Changes. You Heard Them Here First.

Photo From T&J Powersellers on Ebay

Yes, there are many people writing about the up coming changes at eBay, but you heard them first in our blogs and press release on October the 4, 2007. In my opinion, the changes are going to be good for the customers and should strengthen eBay's position in the market.

It was no surprise to me that Meg Whitman decided to step aside. Why shouldn't she? What a ten year run! She took the company from one, that at times, didn't know if it could keep its doors open to a company that is known around the world as one of the most profitable enterprises on earth.

The timing is right for her departure, and I suppose becoming a billionaire might have given her an incentive to depart. Why risk her legacy on the changes that are about to take place?

She is a very smart lady and knew that the growth the company has experienced over the last ten years can't be sustained without dramatic changes. And these changes come with no guarantee that they will produce the desired results. So, yes, it's time to turn it over to someone else.

What does this mean for the company and it's competitors? First, as I wrote in October, if eBay does away with the listing fees, it will be a disaster to its competitors. They have been testing this plan for several months now, while at the same time raising other fees to see if that would offset the loss in listing fees. To the customer, this scenario could be a great bonus. They could list more items and not worry about having to pay fees if their item doesn't sell. I personally think that by eliminating competition and keeping more of their sellers listing more items would be a wise move.

There are a couple of things that can wreck the ship for Ebay. First, are the lawsuits that continue to come. Second, the possibility of foreign governments wanting to get involved, wanting part of the action. The road might become rocky for eBay, but I think the long term outlook for this company is very favorable.

Ebay will always play a very important part in the future of the 31 Club, in the Antique & Collectible business, as well as the Fine Arts business. In the last few months I have had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of some of the most knowledgeable people in the use of Ebay and other online auctions around the world. I'll be introducing them to you so your auction experience can be tremendously enhanced by their expert guidance. We've already featured the OnlineAuction.com and will continue to tell our members that presently, this company offers some great advantages if you are a seller.

The secret in this business is balance, and that means knowing our markets and where your items fit best. The Internet is just one component in the future success that you will achieve, but it is also a very important one.

The 31 Club aims to keep you ahead of the curve, both in information and in trends. Knowing when to buy items, such as Lotton Glass, and also when to sell items, such as prints, will prove to be invaluable to you. and this is the service that we will be providing our members.

Your destiny is in no one else's hands but your own. Go for the golden ring.

Join me and the rest of the 31 Club right here. You'll get my book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles" for FREE. Or, if you're not quite sure about joining and have some questions you'd like to ask me, or just want to talk with me, E-mail me at info@31corp.com. I'll personally see to it that we set up a time to talk with one another.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with my book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles" can be the tool that helps you begin building personal wealth using antiques, collectibles and fine art. Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Need to read more about the 31 Club? Read an article here.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

Go to Our Homepage.

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Daryle Lambert

darylelam — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:42:00 GMT

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Nothing is Too Large - Not Even a Classic Car

I have shared with you that for me, I am not usually interested in dealing with anything that is larger than a bread basket or a painting. But there are exceptions. No, I'm not interested in making furniture one of my primary items to deal with, but I might make an exception if the money is right.

I'm talking about cars today. Yesterday, a friend asked if I would buy or sell her daughter's car because she was away at college and didn't need it. My first inclination was to say no, but I appreciated that she had thought of me so I had second thoughts. Then I wondered what kind of car it was, so I asked. Turn out it's an early Cadillac convertible from 1968 in great shape.

Wow! I had just read where these convertibles from the 50s and 60s, with their huge tail fins and big headlights were in big demand. All of a sudden my thoughts changed. I could just envision that Cadillac being a mile long with those hugs fins as I took it for a drive down the highway. A real treasure was being dropped into my lap.

At this point, whether I bought the car or sold it on consignment, it was going to be a great find for me. You see if people know what your doing don't be surprised what happens. I just happened to be at church, and she approached me with this proposition. Keep in mind we are in the money growing business. I wouldn't want to become a used car salesman, but if I can purchase a real classic car or even sell it for someone, I would be a fool to turn it down.

Remember, it is always about what the item is. If I get a call on an old pump organ, I usually ask the person what they would pay me to move it, but if the call is about a Steinway piano, then that is a different story. The rare and expensive items will make all the extra work you might have to do worth it. Don't prejudge until you know what is being offered.

All the big name celebrities collect cars, and I am sure you've heard that Jay Leno has one of the biggest collections in the country. When I was a child, it was the Model A's and Model T's that people collected, but today, the muscle cars and the large touring cars are popular and in demand.

When I was interested in cars as a teen, I dreamed about Alburns, Packards, Cords and other cars of that vintage. Not collectors today. They want the Corvette, GTO, Mustang and other vintage muscle cars. Even if you find a car with a with a special engine, it can add thousands of dollars to its value today. Believe it or not, I have even seen cars that needed total restorations sell for thousands of dollars.

Get a car magazine and just list the cars that are in demand. Then keep your eyes open. There might be one sitting right in your neighborhood that could be a great treasure for you. There might be one sitting in the driveway of the next estate sale you attend. Or, browse the Internet for prices of these treasures.

Isn't this business great? Who says money doesn't grow on trees? I am so thankful I read that great book, “Treasure Island” as a kid, and I'm still experiencing the adventure today.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you begin building personal wealth using antiques, collectibles and fine art, rather than the conventional methods of using stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find results like these through your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in, here.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

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Daryle Lambertr - Lotton Glass

darylelam — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:18:00 GMT

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Lotton Art Glass Bandwagon Begins to Roll, As Predicted

John Lotton Vase. Photo from Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago.

I have been writing that the day was soon coming, when buying a quality piece of Lotton Art Glass would rank up there with the names of Tiffany, Steuben and others. Yesterday, January 21, 2008, just might mark the day that Lotton Glass began to take its place among the notable glasses of the ages, when a rather common 1995 John Lotton twelve inch vase sold at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers of Chicago for $2,800 plus the buyers premium, bringing a total of approximately $3,360. I believe the bandwagon has started to roll now on the best contemporary art glass of our day: Lotton Art Glass.

When common pieces of anything begin to reach levels in their pricing that better pieces brought only a short time ago, then watch out when you see exceptional pieces come to market. I believe that Glass produced by both Charles Lotton and John Lotton will see record prices this year.

The John Lotton piece, sold at Leslie Hindman, with white flowers and a clear crystal background, in my opinion, was a far cry from his better work. Better pieces of John Lotton's glass, which I have personally observed, have reached eighteen inches in height and had well-formed realistic, multicolored flowers. When you compare the piece sold at Hindman's to the really fine pieces that weigh in at close to 50 pounds, with up to four colors in the flowers, one might ask if these pieces might bring in $25,000. Indeed! The best is yet to come.

This move in price in Lotton Glass is of no surprise to me. In my book, "31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles," released in May, 2007, I made the prediction that Lotton Glass would become the next Tiffany, predicted it in a June 12, 2007 news release, and have been writing about Lotton Glass on my Blog for the past six months. I've heard auctioneers speak about the value that will be found in Lotton Glass whenever a Lotton item becomes available for auction. Many of the Charles Lotton items we've had in our 31 Market Place & Gallery flew off the shelf before we formally announced their arrival or posted photographs. Yes, the bandwagon is starting to roll on the best contemporary glass of our day. I just had a visitor in my home that is one of the foremost authorities on glass in this county, and he agreed that nothing is going to keep Lotton out of the top tier of all glass that has ever been produced.

In a generation there may only be a few Painters, Glass Blowers or Potters that reach this elevated level of excellence, and I believe you will see that the Lottons will be propelled to these heights. If you already own some of their work, congratulations! If you don't, it's still not too late for you to participate in this amazing glass, at what I think, are still very reasonable prices, before their value escalates to heights that will make it only available to the very wealthy.

While we are at it, I would like to re-enforce my suggestion that it's time to sell all of your ungraded silver at these levels. Over the next few weeks, I think there is an excellent chance that the silver market will begin to slide, and this is a time to be on the side lines in the metal markets.

It is one thing to just give you fact that exists today, but it is quite another to find people who are willing to stick their necks on the line by making predictions for you when there is no monetary interest in it for them. That's what I do. The most important value you will receive from the 31 Club, is my willingness to stick my neck out there for you and call things as I see them. We are here to serve you. If there are topics you would like us to give an opinion on or questions you have, please e-mail us at info@31corp.com. And why not join the only Club that learns to build wealth trading in antiques, art, and collectibles. Join Today, here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in, here.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

Links:
Author Predicts Lotton Glass to be the Next Tiffany

Daryle Lambert Published News Releases

Daryle Lambert Published Articles

Daryle lambert - A Word of Caution

darylelam — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:49:00 GMT

Sunday, January 20, 2008

A Word of Caution: Commercial Art Auctions

Marcus Glenn Painting.

I was privileged to have been invited to a charity art auction last night. Although knowing I would be accompanied by three fine ladies, my wife Vickie, approved of my going. You see, these ladies were all members of the 31 Club, and Marsha, whom I've mentioned in my previous blogs, is a member of my church.

I've had the pleasure of talking over lunch with these three ladies over the past few weeks, and I have helped them form a partnership where they will be committed to fulfilling the 31 Steps with us. I wish I had more of our members leaning on me for information and assistance, but I am sure that will be coming.

When we arrived at the auction, artwork was lined up along the walls as if it had just come off the truck. In fact, they didn't even take the ear pads off the paintings. I took a quick look around and could see that this was definitely a commercial sale where the artist's works had very little, if any, auction records available. I knew there wasn't anything of interest to me that would be auctioned, even though it was for charity. While there were works by Peter Max and a few other names you might recognize, most of these were works on paper and limited editions. I rarely buy anything on paper, as its value just isn't there.

While the gentleman conducting the sale gave it his all, and I would want him to work for me any time, there was limited interest in the auction, and it actually never got to be much of an auction, in my opinion. Usually the first bid was the last bid. While the auctioneer was both fun and well-informed when it came to art and the art world, he was working with a crowd that had little interest in what he was selling and did not participate much. So, why were we there?

Most of the people there had a strong interest in their community and wanted to help the charity, if they could. We were also served a great meal and free beverages. I also believe that some of the people would have bought, had the prices been more what they expected -- moderate. I am fairly certain the high prices caught many off guard.

If you are invited to this type of auction, often times held on cruise ships, it is fine to go. But be very cautious about what you buy, unless it is to decorate your home and you are willing to pay the price they are asking. Don't get caught up in the event, however. I consider what I saw last night mostly to be decorative art with no intrinsic value.

There was, however, a high point in the evening for me. An artist by the name of Marcus Glenn was invited to show his works and speak about himself and about what art means to him. His pieces immediately caught my eye, and I believe this young man has a tremendous talent and future. If I had a wall in my house to hang anything else, it would be one in his series called "Storm." One of the signature elements of his paintings definitely appealed to me. Each piece has a wooden flooring that is different colors. As he explained it to me, this is his way of thanking God for making us all different.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you begin building personal wealth using antiques, collectibles and fine art, rather than the conventional methods of using stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find results like these through your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in, here.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

LINK: Marcus Glenn

Daryle Lambert - Friendships in the Antique Business

darylelam — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:02:00 GMT

Friday, January 18, 2008

The Importance of Cultivating Friendships in Antiques Business

One of the points I've been trying to drive home to you in my book and in previous blog entries paid off for me today. Passing the word on about what you're doing no matter where you are is so very important to your success. If you tell people that you are interested in Antiques, Collectibles, and Paintings, you will find that almost all the time it will be a conversation starter and many times it will lead you to something.

This not only applies to friends and neighbors but to other professionals that are already collecting or in the business of buying and selling. A good percentage of the items I have had for sale have been sold to people that are already in the business, and the same can be said for items that I've bought.

I've previously written about a Frederick Morgan painting bought from a dealer I have been friendly with. I bought it for $16,000 and sold it at auction for $115,000. But I guarantee you that the dealer I bought it from made a good profit on it when he sold it to me. Remember, if we buy right, there will always be buyers, and often our buying price will make the seller just as happy as we are, depending upon what they paid for it.

But there is another side to this story, and it happened to me yesterday. I was home working at my computer when John from Direct Auction in Chicago called me. You see, I have been doing business with them for many years now,and over the years we've become friends. John and I often share conversations about the stock market and the metals market, and what we think it is going to do. He also knows some of the items I collect or deal in. So, I was really pleased yesterday when he called me, knowing I had an interest in Lotton Glass. One of Charles Lotton's vases had been up for auction at his place and didn't sell. John described the vase to me, and I bought it on his description. I'll be picking it up before the end of the week.

If you can form relationships with as many people as possible, most of your work might already be done for you. They'll spot items that you could very well be able to turn into a profit, if they can be purchased at the right price. They might even know someone looking for the very items that you have to sell. This has happened to me more than you would think possible. Showing gratitude to the people who help you is also very important. I believe that a 10% finders fee is fair whether they help you buy, or sell an item. Often they will say they don't want anything, but be sure you pay them anyway, and I think you will see them return time and time again.

This is a people business. I have seen some be successful who were very secretive, but I know many more that have become tremendously successful by being outgoing and friendly. When John called me about this vase, he showed me he cares and is willing to go out of his way to do the best for his customers on both ends. Thanks, John.

Yesterday something else special happened. I met with Marsha, one of our 31 Club members, over lunch so I could look at a painting she had just purchased. I think she might have bought a treasure, because she did manage to find the work of a listed artist. As I look further into it, we'll have a better idea, so keep your fingers crossed for Marsha.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you begin building personal wealth using antiques, collectibles and fine art, rather than the conventional methods of using stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find results like these through your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

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Daryle Lambert - LET'S ROLL

darylelam — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:30:00 GMT

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Let's Roll With the Only Antique, Collectible and Fine Art Wealth Building Club

We're busy as bees these days at the 31 Club, the industry's only Antiques, Collectible and Fine Art Wealth Building Club and Learning Site. You will begin to see the new face of our website starting to take shape very soon. Our Daily Blog, which has become the signature of our company, will now be available right on our homepage. So, come grow with us.

Over the coming days, every page of our site will be undergoing a face lift. We hope the new feel will be fresh, and easy to navigate. Our webmaster, Chris, is doing a great job, and he never seems to get ruffled no matter what we throw at him.

One of the things that is under discussion is a way it would be possible for members be able to communicate with one another, as well as buy and sell items to other members. Strictly an opt in feature, this will help members to network with one another, and in doing so, increase their contact base. If you have any suggestions or special knowledge on this, give us a call. We're all ears.

The next major project that Cindy has conjured up is to have more video on the sight. We might have to get a better looking stand in for that one! But seriously, if there is something special you want to see on video, please e-mail me your ideas.

We hope to soon announce the date of our free seminar here in the Chicago area. Cindy keeps assuring me that we will have enough energy for all this, but please keep us in your prayers.

With the help of Michael Hudson of Antiques-Collectibles-Auction-News.com, we are beginning a massive program to expose ourselves to many more people on the Internet. Michael's news site has set the Internet newswires on their heels, getting thousands of new hits each week after having just started in August. Be sure to take a look at his site. You will find that Cindy and I are contributing writers on it.

Great new stories to keep you abreast of the industry and its events are also available from Philip at News-antique.com. Philip sent out the first press release we ever wrote to media outlets all over. And we continue to release stories on his site. What a great help he is. Phil also runs BigNews.biz, a business news site with free press release distribution services. See if your business might benefit from this source.

Both Phil and Michael have been willing to offer their time and their help to us, and we consider them a member of our team. They are a living examples of what it means to help those in need. And believe me, when we started out, we were really in need of help. Still are. Thanks guys! That's what the 31 Club is all about. Helping one another.

Everyday I am getting more excited about what we are building together. Call your friends, tell your neighbors, and come on in. We're going to have fun together while we learn to build our wealth with antiques, collectibles and fine art, step-by-step.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth dealing in the rare and valuable upper end markets, rather than the conventional methods of stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

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DARYLE LAMBERT _ ANTIQUE WATCHES

darylelam — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:12:00 GMT

Monday, January 14, 2008

Daryle Lambert: Antique Watches and Time Pieces/ Vintage Watches

We can tell when shadows on the ground grow longer that time changes, but the easiest way is to look at our watches. And if you've got a watch or time piece passed down in your family, you might even discover you've got a valuable piece a collector might have interest in.

Collectors collect many different types of time pieces. There are pocket watches, waist watches, purse watches, and even watches that hang from your neck. These can be broken down into children's, ladies, and men's watches. Watches are made in America, Switzerland, Germany, France and many other countries. These pieces can be quite valuable. If you decide to deal in them, the added bonus is small enough that they don't take up much space in your home and are easy to ship. There are dealers who deal in nothing else but watches because it's highly profitable, and watches from the 1950's and 60's are quite collectible.

The most common collector watches are the cased watches, known as railroad watches. There is always interest in these when they come up for auction or are found at other sales. But you will find that there is a huge difference between the value of each time piece you see. Often, the ones that you come across are far overpriced, just because they are a pocket watch. On the other hand, because few are really knowledgeable about watches, they may price an expensive one at the same price as one that is very common. This is where your knowledge comes in to play. You will look at a huge number of common pieces for each rare and valuable piece you find.

What makes a watch valuable? First is rarity. Then, several other factors come into play such as the manufacturer, age, materials (platinum, gold, silver or other) condition, and whether or not it is all original or designer piece.

A friend of mine called once, looking for some help with a watch he wanted to buy. Since I don't generally deal in watches, but know a little, I was honest with him and told him so. I did ask what he had anyway and looked into it for him. He had a ladies watch, with a covered face and diamonds as decoration. He gave me some numbers off the piece, and I told him I'd call him back. I checked the best I could and discovered that the case was 22K Gold and the watch was made by a French company, and likely a designer piece. I promptly called him back and asked what they were asking for the watch. I got knocked off my chair when he told me $200. I told him to write the check. I think this watch could be worth well over $5000 today.

Although I don't deal in watches, I can still use my resources to gather information about something I'm not well versed in and still have some ability to make a wise decision. Based on the price of gold alone, this was a good buy.

With the price of gold and platinum where they are today, you must always figure in the value of the case, and then real money can be made just from the case alone, if it is 18K gold or higher. Any platinum watch will bring some money.

If you want to know more about collectible and valuable watches, start reading about the ones that appeal to you. These will be the ones you'll start with, and later, you'll be able to broaden your knowledge base. American Pocket Watches by Roy Ehrhardt & William Meggers, is a book I keep on hand for reference. This one is a great place to start. Time is on your side.

You might begin looking around at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Then do your own Internet search.

Today's Photo is from Farfo's Vintage Watches and is a 1960's Jaeger LeCoultre 18k Pink priced around $3800. When you look around the site you'll see some great examples and be able to read up on vintage watches.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth dealing in the rare and valuable upper end markets, rather than the conventional methods of stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

DARYLE LAMBERT - NO GREAT DEALS

darylelam — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:35:00 GMT

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Daryle Lambert: No Great Deals to be Made in Antiques & Art???

When I begin to think I have heard or seen everything, that is precisely the moment I get the biggest surprises. I've been sharing my views of the Antique and Art market with all that will listen for over six months now through this Blog and news articles. Not only have I stated where I stand, I have given examples to my readers of just how good this market is, where I see it going, and how it's better than ever before in history.

Yet, I am continually surprised to read "leaders" in the field of Antiques & Art say there are no great deals to still be made. Even though I share with them from time to time, my personal examples of transactions I make on a continual basis, negativity still rules. My heart aches for their readers who take this negativity into their mind and heart. I'm dizzy already, shaking my head from side to side.

I feel safe in saying that having an affinity for past eras is an integral part of each one of us who deals in this market. Even the furnishings in our homes and the items in our workplaces probably reflect the times of bygone eras. And, if we're really truthful with ourselves, we might even go so far as to say, in our quiet moments, we romanticize times long gone, especially when the present era can seem so difficult and uncertain. I admit, I do some of this myself from time to time. But when I do, I rarely let my mind stay there very long.

You see, I accept life is always in motion. That change happens. And whether we like it or not, there's not a lick of anything we can do to control that. If we can release the feelings of uncertainty and fear we might have when we notice a change coming on, we free ourselves to grasp the opportunity that lies underneath this change. Making this mind adjustment frees us to move forward, joyfully learning and striving for something better.

But, change is hard for most, and that's quite natural. We're creatures of habit. We like to cocoon ourselves with comfort and familiarity. Something or someone we can count on. This is a false security. It is also our human condition. But, the one who stays in the cocoon, fighting the inevitable forward movement of time, not growing or striving, eventually writes his own epitaph.

There is no question that the Antique market has changed. And if you're working the same way, selling the same middle to lower end items you've always sold, it's time to change. Every business market has changed. It's the nature of the beast. The last time I went to retrieve my car from a garage in Downtown Chicago, I put my claim ticket into a machine, slipped in my credit card, walked to my car, and got through the gate without ever once having to deal with an attendant. That business, too, has changed.

In our business, the opportunity is in the more rare and valuable items and in the upper end of the market. This is what sells like hotcakes. I've said that time and time again. I know it's hard to let go, but why would anyone want to continue to battle the trend trying to sell what people don't want to buy?

Know the trends. Know your customers. If they don't want what you sell, why are you still trying to sell it? If you can hardly sell items now for what you paid for them earlier, why are you still holding onto them? Sell them at a loss if you have to, and get your cash moving in what people want, that quickly sells. If you must deal in fewer items because they cost more to buy, so what? They sell faster, and at greater prices. When you re-circulate the money into buying even more valuable items the next time, you make even more money when you sell.

No one comes into your shop anymore? Higher end items are where it's at. Do you have any? Is your shop in an area that will attract high end customers? Do you even need a shop to sell high end items?

Many people have had to change their methods of doing business to take advantage of this upsurge in the upper end of this market. Those who have made the choice to change, prosper. Have you make that choice?

The book I've written is a step-by-step method of succeeding in the high end market. Have you read what it says inside? Does shifting into the higher end market take some work? Yes. Is it necessary to grow in knowledge. Yes. Are you willing?

I recently bought a painting for $240 and sold it at auction for $3,700. The average person trying to make a few extra dollars in this business would think that this return was exceptional. Even an old time dealer might agree. $500 just bought a friend of mine a painting, that by all the records, shows promise for selling for over $25,000. These examples aren't million dollar trades, but these are happening every day. How do you think all these records are being established? By people who’ve increased their knowledge to know a good piece when they see one, doing the research, and selling them to people who are ready, willing and able to buy. Do you think that the Warhol painting that sold this year for approximately $71,000,000 was purchased for $50,000,000? I doubt it. It could have very easily been purchased for under a million dollars.

I would like for all these negative writers to raise their collective heads to see and feel the sunlight. In fact, I would like to see our journalists interview some of the people who are experiencing these record sales, rather than quoting the doomsdayers. When I hear a baby cry, I pick him up and try to comfort him. If you, as a collector or dealer, hear someone complaining, why not share with them a positive message?

If you are a dealer who has fallen prey to this negativity, can you possibly see the glass as half full? Can you decide to adjust your thoughts. When you can, you’ll soon see yourself emerging out of that cocoon, the butterfly God intended for you to become.

We collectors and dealers are the luckiest people in the world. We meet wonderful people, our time is on our own schedule, and we have the opportunity to make unlimited amounts of money if we are wise enough to see it, take the action necessary to increase our knowledge, and go out there and do something about it.

I personally wake up each and every morning with a spirit of adventure in my heart, knowing this could be the day I have found a great painting bought well, or a painting I sell for over $100,000. Maybe even $500,000. Maybe higher.

Discover how the 31 Club together with our book can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth dealing in the rare and valuable upper end markets, rather than the conventional methods of stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

DARYLE LAMBERT - COLLECTIBLE RADIOS

darylelam — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:54:00 GMT

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Daryle Lambert: Collectible Radios

Top: Crosley "Mate" from 1931. Photo from Western Historic Radio Museum. Bottom: 1940 RCA Q-122A

While many of you are too young to remember the good old days of radio, I'm not. And today, radio collectors are a breed of their own.

The first radios I remember were large box type units made of wood. They occupied a prominent place in the living room, where the entire family would gather around and together listen to the news and to dramatic shows on the only radio in the home. Try telling your kids that at one time, the family gathered together by the radio, perhaps doing some handiwork or polishing their shoes after dinner, and see how they react. No television. Can you imagine that? How did we ever survive?

I often yearn for those special days of listening to The Green Hornet, The Shadow Knows and Fibber McGee and Molly. And who can forget Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Rudy Vallee, George Burns and Gracie Allen. Back then, these people were household names. In fact, though it was the depression years, many of them became very wealthy from their radio work. Their shows provided a much needed escape from hard times. These new dramatic and interesting shows kept the family clinging to every word that came out of those speakers, returning for each new episode. Unless you can acquire some old recordings of these shows, they will be lost from you forever. Some days, how I long to just sit around the radio with family and friends and listen to those long gone days.

Later, the size of these radios became smaller, and different materials were used in their construction. Bakelite and Catalin were used by the new designers to show that beauty could be added these units. Some of the most expensive models, the ones collectors search for, are even encased in mirrors.

In the early days radio played a key role in politics. Franklin Delano Roosevelt probably wouldn't have been elected over the incumbent, Herbert Hoover, if it hadn't been for radio.

Bringing Americans the war news was perhaps one of the greatest services of the radio. In those days, the networks wanted this country to prevail in war. Can you think that possible with what we hear on our newscasts today? In those days, it was Family, God, and Country. Today, the divorce rate is over fifty percent, we can't mention God, and the country is polarized. We have definitely taken in a wrong turn.

Evolution of the Radio is a guide put out by L&W Book Sales, and is a good starting point in your study of the radio, showing pictures and listing prices. Radio Advertising is also collected by many, and this book shows some of that as well.

Some of the models collectors look for are Atwater Kent, Philco, General Electric, RCA, Zenith, Emerson, DeForest, just to name a few.

When I am out on the hunt for items I like to look for, I often run across some of these great old radios of the past. While I might not personally collect radios, I know there are many collectors out there looking for what I've just stumbled upon. This just might be the special piece they'd been looking for to add to or complete their collection. If I could get it at a good price, why not buy it? These pieces can become real treasures for you and often picked up for a song. The collector looking for it will be glad you found it.

To view and learn more about collectible radios try taking a look around Western Historic Radio Museum, AntiqueRadios.com and RadioAttic.com. These sites have a world of information and fabulous examples of these treasures.

You just might discover many of the radios you grew up with are now highly valuable and collectible.

Aside from finding radios in people's basements, attics, and garage sales, often you can find radios at hamfests. Radio clubs, such as the Mid-Atlantic Radio Club, is a good place to meet collectors and learn more about what they collect.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth than you might have thought possible. And doing it in the Antiques, Collectibles, and Fine Art Markets rather than the traditional methods. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker!

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

DARYLE LAMBERT - ITS AUCTION TIME

darylelam — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:27:00 GMT

Friday, January 11, 2008

Daryle Lambert: It's Auction For Antiques & Art. Do You Know the Schedule?

In the auction world, the year is divided into time periods, and most of the larger auction houses have their sales spaced throughout the year. There is a reason for that. Customers have come to expect the better items to be auctioned during these months, so the auction houses accumulate the better items especially for these sales. This draws a larger interest in the auction and creates bidding competitions for the offerings.

With that in mind, I hope you have been filling your inventory with the treasures that will start this year off in the right direction.

The real auction time starts in the spring, after most sections of the country have gotten over the winter blues. March and April will be the time that most auction houses start to bring out their big guns, putting out their best merchandise for sale. Customers have been waiting to get back in the game, whether it is buying to further their own collection or increasing their inventories for later sale.

The second round of sales come in the summer months, May through July. But it is later in the year that the auction calendar really gets filled. September and October see their fair share of sales, and the calendar really gets loaded for the end of the year sales.

These schedules can be turned to your advantage. By buying on the off months at minor sales, cherry picking them, (buying the best out of each auction), then you will have merchandise to turn when the "real auction" starts. Don't listen to those that say you can't buy something and then sell it again sooner than five years time, because it won't be fresh on the market. This definitely isn't the case.

Jimmy, a dealer I know and I have written about in my book, purchased a painting for $40 at an auction house in Chicago this year and then took it to the other side of town to place it in another auction. You might have thought that putting this back in auction so soon wouldn't have produced any interest. That's what conventional wisdom would have told you. But, that painting brought Jimmy over $22,000. It saved him from waiting a long period of time and put his money to work that much earlier.

Years ago, I purchased a Rozenburg plaque from an auction in Florida for somewhere around $1500 and sold it within a few days for over $5,000. So much for waiting so that items are fresh on the market. if my memory s If you buy quality, it doesn't matter how long you keep it, a day, a week or five years. There will always be people wanting to buy it from you. If the Harvey Joiner painting I sold at auction last week wasn't purchased for a personal collection, I highly suspect it will be hitting the market again very soon. The buyer got an excellent price and can still double his money, at the very least.

Consigning an item for sale at an auction house is another area I'd like to give you some information about. When you consign an item for sale, be sure you feel confident that the reserve you have set is one you can live with and be satisfied, especially if it is an important piece. The reason I say this is because if your item doesn't sell at that auction, this doesn't mean that the value you established for it wasn't valid, it just means that on that particular day, at that particular auction there wasn't anyone who wanted to pay your price, or had an interest in it. So you gladly keep the piece for another time, and perhaps another place. Believe it or not, I've had this happen to me, only to receive twice what I thought the item would bring, originally, at another auction.

Too many times, I have seen people so disappointed that their treasures didn't sell at what they thought it would, they've discounted it by up to 50% to get rid of it, only to see the new purchaser resell it for several times their purchase price, leaving the original owner's self confidence destroyed.

Search out the local auction houses in your area and get their schedules. If you're not familiar with auctions, plan on attending the preview and look around. Make note of items that catch your eye. Then, attend the auction and see what certain items are sold for. The best way to learn is by experiencing things for yourself.

I recommend everyone have subscriptions to the trade papers. Antique Trader, AntiqueWeek, Maine Antique Digest, and AntiquesTrade Gazette for those of you in the UK. These are excellent papers to keep you abreast of the industry, auction results, and where the antique shows and auctions are being held.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth than you might have thought possible. And doing it in the Antiques, Collectibles, and Fine Art Markets rather than the traditional methods. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker!

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

DARYLE LAMBERT - wardrobe INDIAN ARTIFACTS

darylelam — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:40:00 GMT

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Daryle Lambert: INDIAN ARTIFACTS - Clothing & Wardrobe Not Many Can Afford Today

Lakota (Sioux) War Shirt (back), about 1875. Photo Courtesy of Minneapolis Institute of Art.

For several years now, I have traveled to South Dakota to a reservation to work with the children of the Lakota Tribe. At one time, this reservation covered 500,000 acres and touched four states. Today it is only about 45,000 acres. Amazingly enough, there aren't any Indian artifacts on the reservation, so you'd be wasting your time thinking you might find a treasure or two there. Judging by the way we treated our Native American brother, this is not surprising.

So where might we find these treasures? For one, they just might be in that old trunk you find a the next garage or estate sale. You see, these artifacts were brought back by people who traveled West from 1850 until the late 1930s. They were considered trinkets then. Those who brought them back thought they looked nice or perhaps, they might even create a good story back home. They weren't bringing them back for their monetary value.

This is definitely not true today. There are serious collectors that will pay almost anything for the right pieces of Indian artifacts, and these artifacts are very scarce. You probably won't find a nice piece of Indian clothing everyday, but when you do, the rewards can be handsome.

My reference and price guide by Lar Hothems is dated 1998, but in today's market, you can probably add three to four times the amount of money stated. You see, after the year 2000, Western items really took off, and the prices continue to soar. This book illustrates pieces ranging from $5,000 to $75,000, so do the math for the items I'm speaking of to get an idea of what 2008 values might be.

An example of some of these values is a woman's dress, from around 1880, owned by a member of the Shoshone tribe, made of buckskin with fringe and beautiful beading. The 1998 listing shows a value of $25,000. A war shirt by the Blackfoot tribe shows a value of $50,000. Today these items can bring many times that figure and are highly sought after. Another entry illustrates another war shirt, valued at $75,000. You'd be lucky to buy it today for $250,000.

There are less expensive pieces, such as Medicine Bundles, Martingales and Blanket Straps, but even these might bring $7,500 to $15,000 for the better pieces.

Will you be out there dealing in Indian Artifacts? Maybe not. But, tuck this knowledge into your head so it can come forward in your mind should you encounter something that looks like it could just be an Indian artifact. There's no telling where they might pop up.

Last year my family and I were invited to a church event in, and as always, I wanted to look around afterwards. When we came upon a sign that said, "Pow Wow tonight," only Joshua was brave enough to go. So, off the two of us went later that night.

As we approached the dance circle grounds and looked over the hillside, Joshua's eyes got as big as saucers. Five hundred dancing Native Americans, men, women and children, created swirling colors of motion of the most indescribable beauty my eyes have ever been witness to.

Yet, in being witness to this event, my heart felt bittersweet. You see, I knew all the clothing had been especially made today for these Pow Wows. I couldn't help but yearn to have been an observer to an event like this way back in time, when these tribes danced this dance with such joy and great pride.

Attending shows is the best way to an get up close look at authentic Native American Artifacts. Arrowheads.com has a very comprehensive list of North American Artifact society shows, dealer shows, educational events and upcoming auctions on their site. Click here to access the list.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth than you might have thought possible. And doing it in the Antiques, Collectibles, and Fine Art Markets rather than the traditional methods. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker!

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

DARYLE LAMBERT - INDIAN ARTIFACTS

darylelam — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:32:00 GMT

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Daryle Lambert: Indian Artifacts - Points and Blades from Antiquity

As you know probably know by now, I'm not one to sit around too long without trying to learn something new. And so, when I was visiting in Kentucky over the long Christmas holiday, there were only so many hours I could spend joining in on small talk about shopping and watching TV. I knew right when it was time for me to go on a field trip, so I soon headed out with my wife, Vickie, and my son, Joshua to meet up with my two other children, Dana and Lawson. Lawson brought his new bride, and so the six of us squeezed into a small sedan and headed out for a day in the country.

Our first stop was to the farm where I spent so many great days with my grandparents. I've written about some of those times in previous blogs, so I know you are aware of how special those days are in my memory. As we traveled down the roads, I pointed out to Joshua all the of places where there had been a particular milestone or memory in my life -- where I killed my first rabbit, the old family plot on the hill, and the pond where I caught that really big fish that should have been entered into the record books but somehow escaped notice.

Further down the roads, and after I shared most of the old war stories, we were approaching my Uncle's farm. I caught sight of a young man walking through the plowed field. I told Lawson to pull the car over, and then bet everyone that I already knew what this young man was doing there wandering the field. They all laughed, and then I asked them to follow me out into my Uncle's field. They looked suspiciously at me, but followed anyway.

I know the young man was wondering what I might call him on, and as I walked a bit ahead of the rest of my group, I called out to him saying, "I bet I can tell you what you're doing out here."

He smiled, relieved, and replied, "What am I doing?"

"You're looking for arrowheads, aren't you?" He was surprised I knew. I told him that in this same place, as a boy, I would patiently wait until the workers had finished plowing the fields on my Uncle's farm. Once they were gone, I would dash out into the fields with my gallon bucket and pick up arrowheads until my bucket overflowed. "Did you find anything good, " I asked him? He smiled and showed me one arrowhead, and then told me that he frequently came out here to look for Indian Artifacts, and had look all up and down the Ohio River banks. Although he was college age, turned out he was already an advanced collector.

Today I wish that I still had all the arrowheads I found back then. Their value could be considerable. If you want to know more about Indian Artifacts, the book I told you about yesterday, North American Indian Artifacts, by Lar Hothem, is not only good for learning about pots, but it also covers a variety of other artifacts. Click here for additional listings of books.

An eastern U.S. Lost Lake Sunfish Blade, from 9000-7500 B.C. had a value of $4,000 in 1998. I wonder what it would be now. An early Archaic Lost Lake Sunfish Blade, only 4-1/2 " long found in Kentucky was valued in 1998 at $6,000. Check out the book for yourself.

Today, those very fields I roamed so many years ago are still filled with treasures. It's just not possible for me to find the words to properly tell you what it feels like the first time you find an arrowhead in a farmers field that you know had been there since before the time of Christ. -- Daryle

There are a couple things to be aware of when dealing with Indian Artifacts. First, beware that fakes are being made to this day. Look at as many of the real ones as you can, and even after that -- consult an expert if you still have questions. Second, there are laws in place regarding Indian Artifacts, and you should become familiar with them before you become involved. Please look at these two sites for further information: Safely Collecting Indian Artifacts, Contemporary Issues about Native American Art.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth than you might have thought possible. And doing it in the Antiques, Collectibles, and Fine Art Markets rather than the traditional methods. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker!

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.