August 7, 2009

There is quite a demand in today’s market for antique items of all types, and so learning how to conduct antique appraisal is becoming increasingly important. Antique items are supplied to customers by way of the market that buys goods in both unrestored and restored conditions. The process of the antique appraisal will enable the supplier as well as the consumer to arrive at a single number for price at the time of the antique’s sale. Antique appraisal gives us all of the information that we need pertaining to the manufacturer and the manufacture of the antique. Antique appraisals are largely judged on the look and feel of the antique and any other details that can be provided.

Antique appraisals are legal documents that are designed to describe the state of property, clarifying the value of the property following a strict pricing standard when it comes to addressing antiques. Some of the things that are included in this appraisal process include:

• A description of the property that is being appraised,
• An analysis of the current marketplace for the item in question,
• A notation of the donate that the antique was evaluated on,
• The value that the antique item was perceived to have,
• Information on the evaluator’s adherence to an ethical code,
• A report pertaining to the fee policy of the antique appraisal,
• An appraisal certificate stating pertinent facts about the appraisal process,

The value and the portrayal that is conducted by an experienced antique appraiser will assure in the insurance of such an antique. Many take these evaluations and use them to obtain loans from the bank or from another financial institution. Assessing an antique for price and value is a process that is time consuming, and as a result it can easily take between two weeks and four weeks. The antique will be appraised based on its condition, where and when it is from and how unique it is. Once the antique has been properly evaluated, the appraisal document is sent to the owner of the item, and the appraiser keeps a copy on hand for their own records as well.

Most appraisers of antiques are quite knowledgeable and experienced because there are a number of different factors that have to come into play when it comes to placing a value on the antique. These include condition, regional difference, the market value and rarity of the item in question.

Here is a word of caution to keep in mind: You should never make a trade with an appraiser, because you could potentially be taken for a ride. You also should never get your antique appraised over the internet. If you want an accurate evaluation, you need to go to a real appraiser because he or she will need to handle the item in order to make an accurate decision about the item.

Photo Credits: R. Motti

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What is it about the Art Deco styling that so attracts buyers of today. After all, we’re talking about the designs that were popular in the 30’s and 40’s. And yet, if there’s one style or period of jewelry that sells well from our SHOP AT RUBY LANE, it’s Art Deco. We just recently sold a superb art deco diamond bracelet to a gentleman in the Netherlands. He purchased it for his wife who is expecting twins in November. As he wrote to me, this gift is more than just about the dollars it has cost him …the bracelet appraised for over $10,000 … it’s about buying jewelry that will be loved and cherished by his wife and their children as the years go by because of the significance it bears as a gift on this joyous occasion.

And yes, that’s what the better pieces of jewelry are all about: something that is timeless, something that gains value both dollar-wise and as a family heirloom over the years. Perhaps that was why someone years ago purchased the gorgeous Hallmark Art Deco Watch we now have for sale in our Ruby Lane shop. This magnificent watch with its 21 jewel movement is still ticking away perfectly although it’s a good 60 years or more old, thanks to its Incabloc movement which is guaranteed for a lifetime. This particular watch, is fully 14k gold and has over one carat of top quality diamonds, not just around the watch face but also throughout the entire band. It’s in marvellous shape with a very secure clasp. But what I love best about it is its slightly ornate, totally art deco design. This is more than just a watch: it’s a bracelet!

Sadly, we purchased this one for one of our customers. However, times have been rough economically as we all know and she’s now not able to proceed with this purchase. So we’ve put it back in our shop. We’ve priced it by comparing it to others available online, at Ruby Lane, on eBay and elsewhere and feel it’s very competitively priced. We hope you’ll slip over and take a closer look at this glorious watch. We are receptive to offers and yes, you can put it on layaway.

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One of the more affordable vintage designer pieces has always been Weiss. Over the past year, I’ve had some beautiful jewelry from Weiss and sold most of it very quickly, probably because it’s so pretty and so inexpensive compared to Sherman, Schiaparelli and others I could name.

At this point, I have very little Weiss left. Shown above is one of them which I’ve just listed in my SHOP AT RUBY LANE at a ridiculously low price since I’ve decided to get out of costume jewelry altogether. Click on the photo to see more and read all about this one, which I’m giving away for only $59 + shipping. That pink color is gorgeous, and always popular whichever designer it comes from. So here’s your chance to add a truly lovely Weiss necklace to your wardrobe at a truly reasonable price.

So while I have you, if you haven’t read about it on my Sherman blog, as I said above, I’m liquidating my vintage costume jewelry stock, both signed and unsigned. My signed items include pieces by Sherman, Schiaparelli, Alice Caviness, Miriam Haskell, Kramer and more. Most are shown in OUR SHOP AT RUBY LANE and have been marked down already. But we’re also running a true clearance sale on this stuff, in that we’re giving you the chance to buy these pieces at our cost.

We’re inviting you to MAKE AN OFFER on any vintage costume jewelry … necklaces, bracelets, sets. IF YOUR OFFER MATCHES OR BETTERS WHAT WE PAID FOR THE PIECE, IT’S YOURS! You have nothing to lose. All you have to do is email us from the page of that item in our Ruby Lane shop and tell us what you’d like to pay for it. Make us an offer on this incredible Schiaparelli set shown below:

You might be surprised what you can get it for but you won’t know if you don’t MAKE AN OFFER! Or what about this lovely JULIANA bracelet set on the bottom left?

It has large amethyst colored cabochons and is in beautiful condition. Our price on this one is already only a few dollars above our cost, but if you match our cost, it’s yours. MAKE AN OFFER!

There’s also a lovely multi-colored JULIANA brooch that is the ants pants. Check it out here.

Or maybe you’d like the elegant set of Miriam Haskell beads shown below. We’ve listed them at our cost already so we can’t take offers. But Miriam Haskell in superb condition for $135? Wow!

Well there’s lots more. You’ll just have to go over to our SHOP AT RUBY LANE and poke around. Don’t be shy. MAKE AN OFFER. You won’t insult us. And yes, there are still some Shermans left too!

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Stamps -> WorldWide

The first Cuba stamps were made available in April of 1855, 15 years after the first postage stamps were printed in Great Britain. Before the advent of the postage stamp in Cuba, letters were often delivered to the addressee requiring him or her to pay the postage. Even though stamps were not yet used, in the early 1800s letters were often marked with a postmark, an ink stamp signifying they had been through the postal system. Many collectors enjoy collecting envelopes and letters marked with these early postmarks as much as they enjoy collecting the stamps.

Some of the postmarks used before and after Cuba stamps were also used could read Mantanza, Esperanza, Puerto Principe, Batabano, Guines and Habana. International mail during the 1830s can often be identified by things like slits in the front of envelope that were placed there so that the letter could be fumigated. Cholera was rampant at the time and no one knew exactly how it was spread—many believed it to be airborne. So letters were taken to disinfectant stations before their departure where either slitting and fumigation, soaking in vinegar or other crude methods were used that were believed to kill dangerous germs.

The earliest Cuba stamps were sometimes placed at the bottom left-hand corner of the envelopes, rather than the upper right as we place stamps today. The stamps and markings decreased on most envelopes shortly after the advent of postage stamps because all postage was prepaid, so there was no need for postage due stamps and markings. Many letters that made it to different countries without postage stamps did so because they were given directly to captains of ships to take with them on their travels.

Collecting Cuba stamps was difficult during the 20th century because of the US embargo against all things Cuban that was put in place in 1963. Cigars, stamps and every product from the island of Cuba could not be imported legally into the United States, because that would mean Cuba profited from the sale, and the US at the time was interested in stripping power from Cuba on the world stage.

It wasn’t until 2001 when the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, declared that used and cancelled Cuba stamps were informational materials and began allowing them to be imported and sold. OFAC also agreed to grant certain licenses to collectors to import new and unused stamps from Cuba as long as they were for personal use and not for resale.

Soon after, used Cuba stamps began being sold and traded among stamp collectors, but because of the long embargo, many collectors have few if any stamps from Cuba. The stamps show the country’s history, and sometimes its rebellion against US power in the world, and can provide an insight to Cuban events and culture. Auctions like eBay are a great place to find Cuban stamps. Most will be cancelled, so ask about the gumming on the back and the general condition of the stamp.

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Collectables -> Vintage, Retro, Mid-Century -> 1970s

While vintage punk clothes are a popular item today, they didn’t even exist until the 1970s. The punk movement began in the 1970s in London with a small group of about 200 youth who wanted to go against the current trend. The movements was considered aggressive and promoting anarchy, and a music movement that went by the term punk emerged at the same time.

Because of the punk movement and their idea of themselves as anti-fashion and anti-convention, a popular form of punk clothing was that of holey, torn and ripped clothing. It was popular for “punks” to buy clothes from thrift and charity stores, cut them up and reform them into something different entirely, representing limited cash flow, unemployment and the lack of opportunity for those who leave school early, which was considered anti-society and a punk thing to do. Vintage punk clothes are eye-catching and were designed to attract attention and stand out in a crowd.

Vintage punk clothes were shocking in the 1970s, but they’re less noteworthy today with tears, frays and other fashion statements like that as normal as they are. But when punkers began wearing these clothes in the 1970s, it was new, as clothes were always seen as something to keep clean and neat. They were also seen as indicators of character, breeding, education and class.

A popular look was heavy Doc Martens boot, which was rare to see on women at the time, and torn trousers that were open to show tights that were so holey they looked more like ladders. With vintage punk clothes almost anything goes, the more outrageous, torn or even dirty-looking, the better. Safety pins, chains, locks and even sharp razors were used in the clothing either to hold it together in places or as pendants.

Vintage punk clothes aren’t the only holdover from this period, as body piercing became popular among those who considered themselves punk. While piercings had always been limited to the ear lobes for the most part, now punkers began piercing themselves with studs and pins in their eyebrows, cheeks, noses and lips, something rarely seen. Fashion and piercings were unisex, with as many males sporting pierced ears and faces as women. These things that were seen as anti-establishment in the 1970s are all fairly common now, with people of all ages sporting body piercings and tattoos.

Vintage punk clothes can be found in regular vintage and thrift stores, online stores specializing in punk clothes, and online auctions like eBay. While vintage clothes still exist, a popular way to outfit yourself in punk styles that were new in the 70s but are less so today is with reproductions. Many shops specialize in making punk clothing that looks vintage and authentic to order. Or they use vintage fabrics to create new styles that hint at the punk era. Because these styles are still popular in some circles, many stores that cater to the offbeat feature new clothing that resembles, and basically celebrates, vintage punk clothes.

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If you are a stamp collector, one of the considerations you may end up making pertains to selling stamp collections. If you are interested in selling stamp collections, you are going to need to keep this in mind at all times and with every stamp that you buy. Stamp collectors tend to spend a huge amount of time collecting different stamps, and the majority of them will spend much of their lives in the act of collecting. There are some collectors that collect primarily with the intention of selling their stamps and stamp collections.

People with stamp collections tend to spend a significant amount of time, money and effort acquiring the stamps that they put into their collection, however many of these collectors make a vital mistake in that they are not selling their stamps when they become more valuable in order to make an income. The knowledge of where, how and when they should actually sell their stamps is a truly important part of the entire stamp collection process.

Here is something to consider: If you fill your stamp collections until the day that you die, what will become of your stamp collections once you have passed away? Your family may not appreciate the effort that has to go into selling your stamp collections for you. The collection, as a result, may not bring about the profit that you intended for it, so you should aim to sell your stamp collections yourself so that your family does not have to try to deal with it themselves. You need to take responsibility for your stamp collections by gaining the best possible profits that you can come the collection.

Many people with stamp collections decide to sell their collections to specialized dealers, but there are disadvantages to this method of selling because dealers typically give the lowest possible price for the stamps that they purchase, especially when they are buying a large quantity of stamps at a time.

Before you sell your stamp collection you need to determine what its market value is. Many collectors, unfortunately, do not have the necessary knowledge to determine what the true condition is for a stamp, and so it may be vital to see a professional for proper stamp collection evaluation.

A collection of stamps is also capable of being sold through private treaty, meaning that you are selling your collection to another stamp collector with a private agent acting as a go between. The agent would act as a middle man, and the middle man would also be a stamp dealer or a private auction house. The agent will make sure that the sale is fair regardless of whether you are selling an entire collection or a single stamp. The private agent should also receive a percentage of the sale, so this is a slightly more costly option but still worthwhile for you to consider.

Photo Credits: kevindooley

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Coin collecting is an industry that has grown to encompass billions of dollars in sales. The earliest hobby of coin collecting is capable of being traced as far back as 1300 AD, which is when an Italian scholar known by the name of Fracesco Petrarca began to save coins and realized that his hobby collecting coins was growing in value. Collecting coins differs from the concept of numismatics in that numismatics specifically focuses on the study of currency like coins, monetary objects and notes, while coin collecting focuses on collecting those types of money for fun as well as profit.

People who make hobbies out of collecting coins tend to specialize in different specific types of collections. This is often determined by their financial resources and whatever they can invest, as well as the ease of availability for the type of coins. Collections can vary significantly including coin collections that focus on specific countries, coin collections that focus on certain eras and so on.

• Coin collections focusing on a certain country are the most common type of coin collection because accumulating coins from a single country is generally a lot easier and more straight forward.
• Coin collections that focus on a certain era in history may include Russian Revolutionary coins, United States Colonial coins and so on.
• There are other obscure types of coin collections including collecting exonumia or error coins that are created improperly as a result die errors, designs that are uneven and double strikes, as these coins are generally in a high amount of demand. Another specialized form of coin collection is to focus on coins that come from one specialized civilization such as Roman coins, Aryan coins, Celtic coins or coins from the Goth era.

People who are interested in collecting coins can find hundreds of different coin collecting groups and clubs around the United States and around the world. Here, people who are serious about coin collecting gather so that they can discuss trends in coin collecting as well as numismatics. In the United States, a good option worth checking out is the American Numismatic Association which has a constantly growing roster of collectors that are all over the country. This organization was founded in 1891 and highly encourages the research and the collection of a myriad of different types of coins and currencies.

The American Numismatic association brings out a magazine every month that is known as the Numismatist. This is a virtual treasure trove of information for any collector, regardless of whether they are new to the art of have been collecting for years. If you are interested in collecting coins, it would be wise to check out the publication offered by this group of coin collectors, as it is a great place to jump start your understanding of the subject.

Photo Credits: Roger Smith

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Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Collector Plates

One of the most common types of memorabilia for the entertainment world are collector plates. These decorative items adorn the homes of many, but they may not be aware of just how valuable these small collectibles are. While there are plenty of collector plates that have only sentimental value, you can find some that are actually worth quite a lot of money.

1. Gone With the Wind

This much loved movie produced numerous memorabilia items and collector plates are very valuable. Look for plates that were produced back when the film was released. Although you can find brand new ones today, they are not as valuable as the limited editions that were produced in 1939. The most valuable collector plates will be in perfect condition and may also contain a matching stand.

2. The Wizard of Oz Collector Plates

It is ironic that two of the most collectible types of plates are dedicated to movies that were released in the same year. The Wizard of Oz collectible plates are also incredibly valuable, especially if you can find originals that were put out right after the movie was released. These may be a bit old and the colors may have faded a bit, but many of these plates will sell for more than a few hundred dollars, if not even more, at auction.

3. Sports Heroes

Collectible plates that are dedicated to big sport’s heroes are also very popular and may hold extra value. These plates are usually released at the height of an athlete’s career or right after they accomplish something extraordinary. It is best to try to get these when they are first produced, as later issues may not be as valuable. There are thousands of different collectible plates for sports heroes and chances are you’ll be able to find the one you admire the most.

4. Disney Collector Plates

Once again, the older the collector plate, the more valuable it will be. This is certainly true of Disney plates and you can actually find many incredible deals, if you pay attention. Look for plates that were produced during the 1930’s to the 1950’s for the most valuable items. Today’s plates however may be worth something in the future, so it is best to take good care of them now.

If you are interested in getting into collector plates, there are some great resources to find them. The first place to look is at a local flea market, or even a garage sale. You’ll be surprised at just how many top dollar collector plates are actually discovered this way. Your next option is to visit an antique dealer, as they frequently carry these popular items.

You can also find great collector plates at online auction sites and the variety is usually quite large. However, you’ll need to make sure that the plate comes with a certificate of authenticity, especially since you won’t be able to examine the plate in person, before you make your purchase. This will help to ensure that you are getting an actual collector’s item.

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Sports Memorabilis -> Autographs -> Golf-LPGA

LPGA photos are a hot collectible item for a variety of collectors, from golf buffs to those who admire the strides women have made in what used to be typically men’s arenas. The LPGA or Ladies Professional Golf Association was only founded in 1950 by 13 women to be the official American organization for women professional golfers. They run the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, which is a series of weekly tournaments exclusively for professional female golfers around the world, from February to December each year.

It’s no wonder LPGA photos are becoming increasingly popular as collectibles, considering that the sports has gotten much more attention in recent years, and this year, 2008, prize money for winning golfers has been more than $58 million dollars.

Other countries have their own versions of the United States’ Ladies Professional Golf Association, but the Us LPGA is the largest and most well-known of them all. It’s the oldest female professional sporting association in the country. LPGA photos are popular collectibles just based on that distinction alone.

But to celebrate the sport of golf, LPGA photos are popular with fans, especially when the photos are autographed in person by the golfers. While not all of us are lucky enough to meet our sports heroes and idols in person, many people each year have the thrill of meeting their favorite female golfers and having photographs signed. The rest of us have to purchase signed photographs from autograph dealers in stores and online.

LPGA photos are popular items in online auctions and among online autograph dealers. Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall victim to a less than scrupulous person who might be passing off autographed photos that have never even come near the person who supposedly signed them. This is a large problem online among all autograph dealers, especially those who sell the most expensive and highly sought after autographs of celebrities and sports stars. Autographed photos and items, particularly those that were allegedly autographs by stars and legends who have died, command hundreds and thousands of dollars, or more, so it’s easy to see why some less than ethical people will try to sell unauthentic autographs.

When purchasing LPGA photos, be sure that first of all it’s an actual photo and not something printed on a laser or ink jet printer. Ask. At least you have it in writing that it’s not, should you ever need to try for a refund. Autographs are also commonly printed right into the picture. These are known as pre-prints, and while some fans still enjoy them because they’re inexpensive and more likely to contain an authentic autograph, at least know whether you’re buying a pre-print or a one-time original signature.

For those that claim the signatures are original, compare them to pre-prints for similarities, and search for the autograph in other places online. If the signature is exactly the same, you should be just as wary as if it’s wildly different because no one signs exactly the same each time.

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Collectables -> Casino -> Chips

Casino chips, also known as casino tokens or checks, are the small round pieces that are similar to coins but only used as money inside casinos. They’re usually made from molded plastic, clay or metal are are used at the table games inside a casino, not in the slot machines where metal token coins are used. Casino chip collecting is a part of coin collecting, and a very popular hobby among coin fans, though some people who don’t collect any other type of coin collect chips because of their variety of designs and colors.

When people go into a casino to play, they exchange money for casino chips. Though these chips have no value outside the casinos (except from collectors who might want them) they’re the only currency valuable inside the casino itself. The chips can be stacked and quickly counted, and a stack takes up much less than room than paper money would. They’re also more difficult to counterfeit than regular money.

A few other reasons gamblers have to use casino chips instead of money are that the dealers are less likely to make a mistake because of the uniform size of the chips and the ease of counting stacks. This uniform size and weight (in early chips, modern ones vary by weight) also allowed them to be measured in bulk without counting individual chips. The size allows “chip trays” to be used for quick counting, where the chips are pushed into grooves in bulk to measure large amounts. And finally, our nature allows us to more easily gamble with and lose a representative of our money, like casino chips, than we would with real money. It’s a psychological truth that greatly benefits the casinos.

For collectors, casinos often sell custom-made sets of their casino chips, along with one or two card decks bearing the casino stamp in a small collector’s box. The Casino Chips & Gaming Tokens Collectors Club was founded in 1988 as a central meeting place and club for those who make chip collecting a hobby.

Online auctions like eBay are great places to find collectible casino chips. The older harder-to-find chips are of course worth more, like some of the mostly clay composition poker chips used by casinos from 1880 to the late 1930s. These are worth more than the current ABS plastic chips used today. Ceramic chips were introduced in the 1980s are still used throughout casinos today, as well.

The inlay, or the printed graphics on casino chips, is one of the appeals for collectors, because of the variety of the beautiful designs available. It’s often very high-resolution and detailed artwork, a feature which not only adds to the visual appeal of the chips, but makes counterfeiting almost impossible. Some designs are actually inlaid coins of some type, which add to the weight of the chips. Some casinos even used plaques rather than round chips for higher value dollar amounts, and these are more rare than round chips and popular with collectors.

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