NAC

I just came back from the store.  My habit is to empty my pocket of change and place it in a container on my dresser.  This I did, without thinking, adding it to the mixture of coins already piling up from a couple of weeks worth of unloading pockets.  Soon I’ll have to empty it at the supermarket at one of those coin counters, providing some extra cash for an unplanned dinner or surprise.  Isn’t it nice to have a pile of extra cash? 

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Perhaps the most commonly asked question I hear is; "So, what's it worth?" The question may pertain to a four language ship's paper signed by James Madison and James Monroe, a signed photograph of movie star and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, or a hand-written letter by Union General (posthumously promoted) Samuel K. Zook....

One of the greatest American painters of our area was born in Newburg, New York in 1825. After a short time his parents moved to Newark, New Jersey, where he learned drawing and painting with oil. He showed artistic talent at a young age, but was pushed into running the local family grocery. He was a failure.

Some people look at adversity and crumple. Others see it as a slight hurdle and leap. Margarete Steiff was a leaper. Born in the town of Giegen-on-the-Brenz, Germany in 1847, she was afflicted from the start with polio. She spent the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

Sooner or later, particularly as one gets older with gray hair (or lack thereof- in my case) the necessity of having a tax appraisal performed becomes more likely. There are three main reasons for having one executed. One is for estate or probate. It is the valuation of all one's property at the time of death. Usually the deceased doesn't care too much, but survivors and heirs certainly do!

Before Beanie Babies - Before baseball cards -- Before Barbies -- There were stamps and coins. Stamps and coins still represent the largest collecting interest in the world. Everyone has seen, held, and used stamps and coins, but few of us know what makes them collectible and valuable. Perhaps you have slipped a valuable silver quarter into a Coke machine or licked a rare stamp to send a letter to a friend. Knowing what to look for can keep those valuable collectibles from being used for soda pop and postage.

Will a piece of soccer memorabilia soon reach the million-dollar mark? Will the US sports collectibles market embrace soccer? Must one have big bucks to play this game?

There probably isn't any one that doesn't know "Barbie." The most famous doll in the world was introduced by Mattel in 1959. An untouched, 1959 Barbie in her original, undamaged box sells for about $6,000.00. Those "figures" (both Barbie's and the dollars) have created a major interest in doll collecting...

Some of us are fortunate enough to have lived long and well. Upon disposing or downsizing lifelong treasures, one has the possibility of selling them, giving them to children or heirs, or donating them to a worthwhile charity or museum. Although it is a fairly straightforward procedure to donate items to a reputable institution, one must consider the rules and regulations set up by the IRS if one seeks to claim a tax deduction in the following year.

Although not as well known as other Victorian craftsman or even later turn of the century arts and crafts furniture makers like Gustav Stickley, Charles Eastlake made his mark in the world of design by publishing a book entitled "Hints on Household Taste." First published in England, it appeared in America in 1872. After seven consecutive printings, its styles had become popular and soon replaced the more elaborate and fanciful Victorian (even though it, too is considered Victorian).

Appraisals satisfy a variety of needs and legal requirements. At some point in our lives (or at perhaps at the end of it) we will all need the services of an appraiser. How well this appraiser provides his or her service will directly impact your financial status, tax liability, insurance needs, buying decisions, and perhaps how much time you spend trying to correct the mistakes of an unqualified appraiser. This article will cover the very basics of appraising, appraisals and appraiser qualifications for personal property.

We are in the process of auctioning a collection that has been "in the making" for over thirty years. I'm sure it started out as a whim-perhaps buying something similar to one that mother had on her shelf or maybe it was based on a memory from early marriage or a special occasion. In any case, the one solitary piece doubled to two of the same and then three and soon into a dozen.

Almost everyone, without exception, automatically thinks that any antique rises in value. The words appreciate and antique go together like horse and buggy. Unfortunately it's not true. Antiques do NOT always go up in value. In fact, they are subject to the whims of the economy and consumer likes and dislikes just like everything else. It just seems like they always go up in value.

I learned early on that collectibles and pets don't usually mix. Oh, don't get me wrong-they certainly love each other (dogs and Oriental carpets, cats and fringed Victorian sofas, and bulls and china closets), but they often don't cohabitate well (just like their owners).

A few years ago a transmission shop advertised by suggesting that if one planned ahead and used their services now, it would save an incredible amount in the future by eliminating potentially catastrophic problems. Whether or not that actually happened is unknown, but the premise seems sound-whether it be cars or selling your house and its contents.

Many letters from Presidents, statesmen, and popular celebrities are not really signed at all. They may have been signed with a rubber stamp, or written on pre-printed stationery. Your ability to spot these letters can save you time, aggravation, and money.

Thank goodness we don’t call our radio show “The Value This Roadshow.”  If we did, we’d be in for big trouble, and at least one lawsuit if not two.

On Feb. 25 a lawsuit was filed by WGBH Educational Foundation, producers of PBS’s The Antiques Roadshow (1)against Treasure Hunters Roadshow(2), an Illinois based variation of the popular antiques television show.  The suit claims that Treasure Hunters Roadshow is infringing on the goodwill, trademark, and logo of the Antiques Roadshow.

The Treasure Hunter’s Roadshow is decidedly different in scope.  The name of their game is buy.  Their “appraisers” or dealers examine items and offer a price to the owners. Take it or leave it.  Who cares what the item might bring elsewhere, auction or otherwise.  It’s cash on the barrel, the oldest antiques game in town.

Terminator III? No.... R2D2 turned crook? No... Robocop gone bad? No... This mechanical forger goes by the name of "Autopen." It has become a modern technological wonder for busy VIP's, celebrities, and politicians, but has become a headache for autograph collectors.

If your an autograph collector you have probably wandered thorough your share of antique shops and paper shows. If you are like me you are always looking for that overlooked "bargain" that the dealer missed. Autographed sheet music may be one of those items you "discovered." Almost all the sheet music we see is signed in facsimile and not genuine.

Collecting autographed books is an interesting and growing segment of the rare book market. Signed books have a special appeal to many collectors. Most signed books contain an inscription or dedication accompanied by the autograph of the author, or notable person associated with the subject matter. Naturally, the more significant the person and the more direct the association, the more desirable, and more valuable the item may be.

The nice things about antiques is that one can imagine all kinds of stories about the items, such as who made it, who owned it originally, what did they use it for, and when and why was it discarded or passed down to another generation. Your imagination allows you to stimulate the old gray cells (a very healthy activity), and travel to places, events, and times without leaving your armchair.

It seems hard to believe, but there are still many people out there, and you may be one of them, who still can't master the computer. While others are running their fingers over keyboards surfing the web for oceans of knowledge, you're still in your easy chair looking out the picture window watching the birds.

"Just use your common sense" my Dad always said. He's right! Common sense can save you from many costly errors in life. It can also help you to avoid making antiques and collectibles buying mistakes. Unfortunately, I am learning that common sense "just ain't so common." Knowing a little about American history and using your common sense can save you from buying non-genuine items. So here's a little quiz to test you common sense and knowledge of history. Some of the questions are pretty tricky, and some are fairly easy. You may have to do some research. All the answers to these questions are easily found in the encyclopedia.

I used to like the world of antiques and collectibles. It was worthwhile, educational, and fun. It was also my profession. Unfortunately, it is fast becoming none of those things, partly due to the stupidity and excess wealth exhibited by those in the marketplace-people with no sense of ascetic, ethic, or common sense.

It seems the older one gets the more one struggles with the "problem" of earthly possessions. The urge to build bigger and more magnificent houses, develop stronger and more protective safes and vaults, and gather more expensive and rare antiques and collectibles for personal satisfaction drives us to do many foolish things.

Wallace Nutting was a nationally known printmaker and furniture expert of the 1900-30's era. His work is highly collectible and now recognized by most antique lovers. Decorators particularly love his simple and somewhat romantic view of the American Colonial era. Museums as well as collectors avidly seek his furniture, which copied early pieces of historic Pilgrim and Federal examples. His work was detailed, careful, and of high quality.

People are collecting old vinyl records for one of three reasons:

• A. They are reliving their youth (nostalgia)
• B. They weren't around and are trying to capture some of the old time charisma
• C. They see a chance to make money