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Maria Longworth Nichols-Founder of The Rookwood Pottery When Maria Longworth Nichols' goal of artistic yet affordable pottery combined with her husband's deep pockets, The Rookwood Pottery was born. From its start in 1880 in an abandoned schoolhouse to its status as medal winning exhibitor at international expositions in Paris and Chicago, the Rookwood name became synonymous with excellence in art and innovation. For Nichols, the emphasis was art not business, so she hired William Watts Taylor to manage the pottery in 1883. Under Taylor's leadership, Rookwood achieved artistic and technical eminence, emerging as America's premiere art pottery. Top Decorators and Gold Medals In 1886, the company adopted the reversed R connected to a P logo as the official Rookwood pottery stamp. Later, individual flames were added surrounding the RP to provide production dates. More importantly, however, was the addition to the staff of decorators with national and international renown. Japanese artist Kataro Shirayamadani joined the pottery in 1887. In 1889, Rookwood was awarded the First Prize Gold medal at the Exhibition of American Art Industry in Philadelphia and a gold medal at the Exposition Universalle in Paris. Matte Glazes for Changing Tastes Rookwood continued to experiment to produce new products in line with the new aesthetic movement that emphasized simplicity in design. In 1904, the company unveiled its new line of matte glazes that had been in the works for eight years, glazes that emphasized form rather than the surface decoration abandoned during the Arts and Crafts movement. The company flourished until the 1920's, when the world's problem became the pottery's problems. The collapse of the stock market and the depression had a predictable effect on the pottery that produced luxury items. By World War II, Rookwood was declared a non-essential industry, and the raw materials for pottery were diverted to the war effort. Rookwood struggled on, finally closing its door in 1941. Rookwood-Preeminent American Art Pottery Arts & Crafts furnishings and accessories have been at the top of the market for almost ten years, and although prices have come down for some items, values for Rookwood Pottery continue to be strong. Examples in the most sought after glazes by the best decorators can go for thousands and thousands. Even the more plentiful smaller scale production pieces in plain glazes sell for hundreds. Rookwood made after 1886 is always marked, making it safer to both buy and sell without worry about authenticity or attribution errors.
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Daryle Lambert's 31 Club BlogDid you ever spot a painting but kept on walking because you couldn’t find out who the artist was? Sunday, at the Chicago Antique, I purchased a small oil painting in a wonderful gilded leaf frame for $120. Cindy asked if I knew the artist, and I told her I didn’t. She asked me why I bought it. Cindy isn’t afraid to ask questions because she wants to learn. I told her I bought it because it’s signed, so if I can figure out who the artist is, I might have found a treasure. Now, I didn’t buy just any signed painting. It was very well done, and it also had a wonderful gilded leaf frame that was worth more than I paid for the painting. I also purchased a very nice signed watercolor that was also very well done. I couldn’t pass it up for $30. I researched the name on the Internet and have e-mailed the artist to verify that it is her work. If the e-mail comes back positive, it could make my month. Did I start out looking for a $30 painting? Not at all. Truthfully, I had more like $5,000 on my mind, but this $30 painting could bring a couple thousand. That ain’t so bad, as this country boy would say. Go to our Fine Art Gallery and look at the painting by Jean Faurege. It just sold for $5000, because it has the quality of an Edouard Leon Cortes or an Antoine Blanchard. No, you won't find Faurege in Davenport’s or on AskArt.com, but his work is outstanding. True collectors can appreciate it for what it is. By the way, you did hear me correctly. This painting sold right here on our Marketplace for $5,000. This could have been your painting. A 31 Club Member called yesterday to ask me about several paintings they spotted, of which only one had any interest. It was what she called a “couch painting.” But, after hearing her describe it, I knew that it should be purchased at about $50, and that had been the price that was in her mind to offer. At $50, she couldn’t go wrong. I’m hoping she acquired it because it might turn out to be a real find. When you see a painting, you must judge the quality of the piece before you pass it by. No, you can’t pay $5,000 for an unidentified painting, but what about $100 or even $200. This may well be the best buy you make for a while. The secret is to be able to examine an item and make a quick decision on what to do next. Time can quickly pass by and indecision will cost you money. Even an occasional mistake can be quickly overcome by correct decisions made quickly before someone else beats you out. I have seen people pay hundreds of dollars for a potato that looks like some special person, knowing full well that the potato will shrivel up and rot after a short period of time. This makes me feel confident in buying items that I think are well worth the money, because I know they won't shrivel away. Thursday, I’ll be leaving for the Smokies for ten days, but I’ll have a cell phone and computer if you need me, and also Cindy will be there to serve your emails and calls. Put a Turbo Charge on your Antique & Collectible Treasure Hunting Skills. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club.
Get FREE MENTORING. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets that help you increase your profits. Then Learn to Grow Your Money Exponentially Buying and Selling only Antiques, Fine Art, and Collectibles with Daryle's Strategic Business Plan. Our Members are Newbies to Seasoned Dealers, making more money than they thought possible. Join Daryle Lambert's 31 Club, today.My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. Join Today!WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT! You can sign in "Anonymous." Check out the new Paintings and new items in our Gallery and Marketplace here.
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Hummel- the World’s Most Famous Collectible Mention the word Hummel, and almost everyone can conjure up a mental image of a rosy cheeked cherubic child involved in a homespun activity like herding chicks or playing a fiddle for a puppy. Possibly the most successful collectible of all times, Hummel figurines are produced by the Goebel Company based upon the drawings of Franciscan nun Berta Hummel (Sister Maria Innocenti). Introduced in 1935 by the company located in Bavaria, Germany, the figurines were an almost instant success. Endless Varieties of Hummels In the years since their introduction, over five hundred different models have been created. Popular figures are sometimes reissued in subsequent years, so will have different manufacturer’s marks. Factor in the various size options, and variations in colorways, and the collecting possibilities are practically unlimited. Early Hummels Have Highest Values The most valuable pieces in the Hummel universe tend to be the earlier releases, especially those issued in the 1930’s and 40’s. These include “Puppy Love”, “Strolling Along, and Merry Wanderer, and barring condition problems, can be worth as much as $500. As a general rule, figurines produced between 1935-1950 command the highest prices, but the problem with general rules is that they don’t allow for rare color and/or form variations that drive values even higher. Because so many examples exist, a wise buyer or seller makes use of a good Hummel reference. Hummel Factory Marks Provide a Timeline Fortunately for collectors, Goebel issued their figurines with a variety of marks that can be used for precise determination of vintage: 1935-1949: a crown with the initials GW underneath, OR a single line that reads: M.I. Hummel copyright symbol and GW. 1950-1955: the letter V with a bee inside OR an outlined V with bee OR same as previous with name W. Goebel in script above OR V with bee with copyright symbol to left and W.GOEBEL underneath. 1956: V with smaller Bee 1957: V with higher Bee 1958-59: V with tiny Bee 1967-60: V with Bee, both inside concentric circles 1960-63 V with Bee and words W. Germany on right 1964-72: V with Bee and 3 lines of type on right reading copyright by W. Goebel W. Germany 1977-79: 2 lines of type reading Goebel W. Germany Today: Goebel with Bee above e & b in Goebel
Today’s Hummels New Hummels are still being issued, and in the 4-6” size cost anywhere between $120-250 or so, although Goebel also periodically issues special, limited editions of figures which may have a production run or 1,200 only. These can cost $1,000 or more and only time will tell if they retain investment value. Hummel Value is Conditional The highest prices are paid only for those figurines in excellent condition. Collectors should check carefully for cracks, chips, missing fingers, or the like. And because the figures are so easily damaged, Hummels with lots of protruding parts in mint condition are eagerly sought and often bring the biggest money.
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Once considered “Poor man’s Tiffany”, carnival glass has its own enthusiastic following!  Tiffany Effects for Mass Market Prices
At the turn of the 20th century, Louis Comfort Tiffany was producing his popular but pricey iridescent glass for eager buyers. Production glass makers such as Imperial, Northwood, Fenton, Dugan/Diamond, and Brockwitz, (a German manufacturer) and others developed a method of spraying mass produced, pressed glass pieces with metallic salts to produce shimmering effects for the mass market.
How Carnival Glass Got its Name By 1905, glass manufacturers were cranking out inexpensive versions of iridescent glass, but the name carnival glass wasn’t used until 45 or so years later. The popular glass made in the U.S. Australia, Europe, and Argentina, was sold cheaply, and given away as prizes at carnivals. Colorful Carnival Glass The most popular colors of the carnival glass craze were marigold (orange) and amythist (purple). These were made in such large quantities, so today, pieces in these colors are easily found and go for lower sums. Harder to find are pieces in amber, grey-blue, or with a marbleized effect that looks like tortoiseshell. Fenton Glass produced red, the rarest color, in 1920. Fenton & Northwood The Fenton and Northwood companies, both of West Virginia, were the major U.S. manufacturers of carnival glass. Early Fenton carnival glass is unmarked, although the company reissued some pieces in the 1960’s using original molds. These are marked with a script Fenton inside an oval. Northwood marked most, but not all of its pieces on the bottom with an underlined N. Sometimes the N was inside a circles, and more rarely, inside a double circle. Collectible Carnival Glass Collectors with investment on their minds look for large or unusually shaped pieces in rare colors. Large bowls, or flat platters command the highest sums as they were harder to manufacture, and are now harder to find. Small, common, or badly executed pieces in common colors bring the lowest prices
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Next weekend will be a true test of the Lotton Art Glass secondary market. Early's Spring Art Glass Auction, in Cincinnati, will conduct a two day glass auction containing up to 40 pieces of Lotton Glass. I believe this is the largest consignment of the Lotton's glass that has come to auction since I’ve been following its market. Early’s catalog shows that a good cross section of the artists’ work will be represented.
Charles Lotton’s Art Glass could become the most expensive contemporary pieces being produced today. If it does, you will have a chance to profit from its rise. This auction might well indicate the market direction for the next five years for this glass. It’s my personal opinion that no other glass on the market compares with the Lottons’ work, and each piece is fashioned by the artist that signed the piece.
From Tiffany to Daum, Early’s Glass Auction will feature a wide range of fabulous pieces. In years past, this auction been a glass lover’s paradise and attended by the most important people in the Art Glass Industry today. Lot numbers 575 and 585 will be items I’ve personally entered into the sale. The first is a Daum Nancy French Cameo Lamp and the second is a very old Vase with some very slight damage. These have been a part of my personal collection for many years, and I am certain they will meet the buying criteria set forth in my book, “31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles.”
In conjuction with Early’s Auction, The Lotton Glass Club Annual Meeting will be held in Cincinnati Thursday, April 10th, prior to the auction and will once again, have the honor of Charles Lotton appearing to speak before the club. If it’s possible to attend this event, be sure to make your reservations. Warner Smith, President of Lotton Glass Club will make introductions and present some Lotton Glass from his own personal collection.
The auction season is just beginning, so be sure to check the Antique Trader and Antique Weekly for auctions in your area. There are bargains to be had at almost every auction. Several of the 31 Club members have sent me auction listings and I’ve given my opinion of what to watch for from these lists. Members who would like assistance can contact me with their list, so take advantage of the help offered. Going to the auction with the proper knowledge will assure that when no one else is finding treasures, you will.
Don’t just follow the daily Blog. Join with like-minded 31 Club Members. Turbo charge your treasure hunting. Learn Inside the Industry Secrets. Learn to build a bank account to last a lifetime, buying and selling antiques, fine art, and collectibles. My 220 page book, 31 Steps to Your Millions in Antiques & Collectibles is FREE with your membership. The book is also available on Amazon.com. If you buy the book on Amazon, then the membership is FREE.
Visit our Website, here.
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The
Blackpool Illuminations is an annual lights festival in the English
seaside resort of Blackpool on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire. Founded
in 1879, they run each year for 66 days, from late August until early
November, at a time when every other English seaside resort's season
is coming to an end. Dubbed as the
greatest free light show on earth,
the council has organized
collections
of lights that run six miles long and use over one million bulbs.
Every year there is also the Festival
of Light
which features interactive installations and is described as being “a
contemporary look at the concept of light and art working together to
create entertainment.”Some of the light-up figures that form
part of the famous Blackpool Illuminations are to go on sale January
30th
at the council's Rigby Road depot, and it is open to the trade and
members of the public. Genies with lamps,
seahorses and seashells, and a huge Thunderbird 3 aircraft are just
some of the items being sold off by Blackpool Council. A council
spokeswoman said it was a great opportunity “to own such an unusual
piece of memorabilia”.
“I am obviously very sad
to see these fabulous illuminations go,” said councilor Maxine
Callow.
“But at the
same time I am very pleased that the public as well as the trade are
being given the chance to own such an unusual piece of memorabilia.
 Blackpool is possibly best known for its illuminations display
and by owning one of the antique features it is possible to
own a piece of history while at the same time clearing the way for
new, more advanced items for visitors to enjoy.”
One of the seven horses
that used to light the Gynn Square roundabout carousel will also be
featured in the sale. The council believes some buyers
may want to use the old features as garden ornaments.
Prices for the famous
lights range from £50 to £350. For more history on the
Blackpool Illuminations, check out this page in Wikipedia where I found my information, and for more on the original article, click here.
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Ceramics: 
Incorporating porcelain and pottery makes ceramics. Porcelain however tends to be more highly
valued than pottery. Some of the more
sought after English ceramics come from the Chelsea factories. Worcester and Victorian Staffordshire
figures are among some of the sought after English pieces. 
The golden age for European ceramics (the 18th
century) saw factories in Germany, France and Italy produce beautiful
decorative and domestic wares. 
Oriental porcelain however continued to be very desirable
such as the Japanese Imari porcelain, noted for its distinctive blue coloring
and red gilding. And, the traditional
Chinese blue-and-white pattern pieces. 
Thank You for taking a moment reading my blog @ Worth antiques collectibles
emporium at iTaggit.com Enjoy your shopping trip at
Worth! 
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Does anyone have any idea what this might be? My mother brought it home from an estate tag sale. The inside is glazed, the hole isn't big enough to be a cookie jar and doesn't have a pouring spout for a decanter etc., it looks to me like the bottom of a skirt with ribbon bows for decoration. Has anyone seen one of these before? Only mark is a faint hand rendered letter M. I have it in my glassware collection under bubb1ette1959 if you would like to see a few pictures of it. Thanks for the input.
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Hello, I am trying to find out information on a vase that has been handed down in my family. It is about 4 inches tall, and handpainted with vines, one bird, one rabbit and a strange looking house with what looks like a castle tower in front of the house. The markings on the bottom read - 235, C. GOMIL, Hand Painted, SECIXVII, BELA. If you have any information it would be greatly appriciated. Thanks, Judy
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I have 2 pictures. One is Daniel in the loins den and the
other is The lion and the mouse. They are both signed piaud,a
a. They're both in wood frames. One has brown paper backing.
It has written on it Paid 55.00 Aug 1974. On Magnesium. The
pictures were sold at Joe Walsh Metal Etching, CA Design
GD-5-810. I can send pics if needed. Any info would be helpful. Thanks
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I have a door in my home that has an etched glass window of a woman on a horse. I am trying to find some history on this . My house is built in 1911 and this is the original door.
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I BOUGHT FROM A PERSON WHO SAID THEY GOT IT FROM A FRIEND OF THEIRS IN ENGLAND 20 YRS AGO. IT HAS AN ETCHING ON ONE ROCK OF SI OR ST. I HAVE SHOWN IT TO A FEW ANTIQUE POTTERY DEALERS AND ONE APPRAISER. THEY ALL HAVE SAID IT IS VERY BEAUTIFUL AND UNUSUAL, BUT CANNOT TELL ME WHERE, WHEN, WHO, OR VALUE OF PIECE. THE FISH APPEARS TO BE A GAR. CAN ANYBODY PLEASE HELP ME WITH ANYTHING THEY MIGHT KNOW ABOUT IT. PLEASE FORGIVE ME I AM BRAND NEW TO THIS. 
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I have an extensive collection of rare Mccoy and Hull pieces. I was looking for a contact who I may show some pieces and find out relevant information about them.
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Today I used iTaggit's awesome research feature to find out more about
a piece of pottery I purchased last year. It's a funky bowl from the
1950's with a gorgeous linnear design and a pretty glaze. I was able
to make out DITMAR URBACH on the mark, and found a website with a
history of this pottery online, as well as photos of their marks. 
It's a Czecheslovakian factory that has it's origins in the late 1800s, and was two factories combined into one. After going through several ownerships, it was confiscated by the Nazi's in 1938, and then nationalized in 1945. I found this info on the Collector's Circle website.
I was also able to find a matching piece online! I have contacted the owner of this vase to see about buying it, and used their selling price as a reference in valuing mine. Now - onto Texas Traditions. For those of you who don't know, Texas has a rich history of immigrants from Eastern Europe. One of the cultural groups that is thriving is that of Czech Descendants. Any Texan can swear by a homemade Kolache - yummy pastries with fruit (or many other) fillings that are sold all over the State.  I have fond memories of going to the Texas Folk Life Festival as a kid, eating Kolaches, and going 2-Steppin' at the local SPSJT Hall. In fact, no road trip from Austin to Dallas is complete without a stop in West, Texas - home of the best Kolaches around!
So you see - I was meant to own this piece of Czech Pottery - it's right at home here in Central Texas! Without iTaggit, I never would have learned all this info. One of the things I love so much about collecting is how it can enrich your life!
See my decorations collection here, and check out more of my blog posts here!
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