Sunday, May 15, 2011

Successful Antique Buying

I have written this article because I am aware of the interest that people have in antiques, both buying and selling, and I hope that it will provide some helpful information which will make the process smoother.

One of the most recognizable Latin expressions is caveat emptor. It translates to buyer beware, and has been used in a variety of situations to express a simple idea, that anyone making a purchase should be sure to be well informed so that they do not suffer in a bad deal.

We often hear the expression used today to refer to situations where a great deal of money may be on the line with no real guarantee associated with it. For instance, the purchase of a car or other expensive item on an as is basis may warrant a cry of caveat emptor. Another area in which the old adage is well suited is antique buying.

When one buys an antique, they generally make the purchase on an as is basis. This means they are making the purchase with no opportunity for exchange or return. The item is handed over in its existing condition and no additional guarantee or warranty is offered. This puts an exceptional burden on the buyer to make sure he or she understands exactly what is being acquired.

Why is this uniquely applicable to antiques? There are a few reasons.

First, in the realm of antique collectibles, condition is a primary factor in determining an items value. Thus, a chipped, dented or scratched antique may be worth considerably less than a model in better condition. Buyers must closely examine the antique to make sure its condition is sufficient to justify the asking price.

Second, originality is a highly valued characteristic of antiques. Thus, items that have been repaired or refinished may not carry nearly the value of a wholly original piece. Buyers must inspect antique buys carefully to make sure that nothing has been done to modify the original. If signs of repair or renovation are apparent, the buyer must know how those actions will impact the pieces value.

Third, although the antique world is populated primarily by honest and trustworthy people, there is always a risk of receiving a phony or otherwise non-genuine item. Sometimes the sale of a bogus piece is an intentional act by a nefarious vendor. More often, however, it happens as the result of ignorance. Many reproductions can be quite compelling to the untrained eye, for instance. Buyers need to be knowledgeable about the kinds of antiques for which they are shopping and should be trained to spot imitations when possible.

Now before you read any further I just want to say that I really do hope that you are finding this helpful, because I have written this as I believe that we need to know more about this subject, so, having said that, lets continue.

The three elements of antique buying which I have previously mentioned make the caveat emptor mantra an apt warning for collectors. With so much risk in the marketplace, what can an antique collector do?

First, they must learn techniques for spotting repair work and imitation products. Buyers should understand how to use long wave black lights and other tools to spot bad products.

Second, buyers should learn all they can about grading the quality of an antiques condition. They should not take a vendors word that the antique in front of them is in great shape. They must, instead, know what kind of wear is acceptable and what types of damage will destroy a particular antiques value.

Third, buyers should seek all available information about the antiques in which they are interested. They should strive to become experts on the antiques. A strong knowledge base will prevent many poor purchasing decisions. As an added benefit, those who are learning more about antiques in which they are truly interested generally find the research and learning process enjoyable.

This is a great advantage to the antique collecting hobby, the work involved can be perceived by the collector as a fun and enjoyable part of the hobby experience.

Even expert museum curators are occasionally fooled by clever reproductions. The most astute collectors sometimes make buying errors or fail to notice something about an antique they should have. Buying antique collectibles is never a completely foolproof enterprise. Although there is no way to completely protect oneself in the marketplace, by following a few basic guidelines an antique collector can heed the warning of buyer beware in a way that will significantly reduce the likelihood of bad decision making.

Let me end this article by saying that there is a lot of information out there in books, on the internet, on video on the subject of antique collecting, buying, and selling, you just need to apply your mind to research in a methodical manner.

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Taking The Risk Out Of Online Antique Auctions

Online antique auction sites abound like daisies in the vastness of the Internet. And who would not want to graciously get rid of that old piano which is taking up too much dust? Or any of those antique thingamajigs which get accumulated over the years? You can never take too much junk in this lifetime. And just like what the old saying emphasizes: one man's garbage may actually be another man's treasure. Somewhere in the other parts of the world, there must be that person looking for that very antique object you are craving to discard to free up some space for your home. Since you can't literally go from house to house searching for that person, you could just post your object on online antique auctions. Problem solved? Not quite. Just like any other online endeavors, you must be well-seasoned with the tricks of the trade of online antique auctions.

Given the fact that it's online, transactions are much trickier. Watch out, lest you might end up risking more than you are ready to bargain for. Online antique auctions are really convenient, but they come with a catch of increased risk. One good way of learning the ropes of the machinations of your selected online antique auction site is by really experiencing buying from there before you make any of your flying saucers open for public bidding. Once you get acquainted with the buying process, you will gain much more confidence in selling your antiques. In case you find something iffy with the process, you could always bail out and not have much to lose.

In the line of talking about the iffy feel of some websites, it might do you a lot of good if you trust your instincts. True, the site may look good and there may be no known casualties to the transactions made in the website, but if you don't feel too good about it, don't go for it. You can never be too careful when it comes to things like these. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Privacy policies, no matter how long and tedious they are to the eyes, are your best allies should any legal problems arise in the midst of the transaction. It is best to be well-prepared for possible risks and difficulties which investing in online antique auctions entail.

Ratings are also good ways to gauge how good a website is when it comes to marketing your antiques. Be wary also of deceptive bidders who are not really bent on buying your antique. Frequently shortlist and evaluate your available bid lists, so that you will not be piled up in time and to give ample time to evaluate each bid carefully and meticulously.

Communication with companies is also important when it comes to making the sale. Contact the concerned credit card companies regarding the account of the person involved in your sale, and get as much background check as legally possible. It is not enough that you know yourself and what you want in the business. It is equally important to know who you are doing business with and what specific terms is he or she willing to agree to.

Always, always check validity of each message. Do not allow identity theft to victimize you and put your entire life on a leash. Be very careful of your personal information. Do not just divulge them to anybody. Screen your email messages carefully. And do not allow any third party to have access to your business accounts online. If it's possible, access only a single PC with which you do all your business transactions. This way, there will be no accidental leakage with multiple users who are able to tamper with your business files with a single click.

It will also do you a lot of good if you study the style of many good online antique auction sellers and bidders. Observe from a distance and see what makes good sellers sell well and secure their earnings amidst the very competitive nature of the online business.

And in any transaction, never make an impulsive decision. At the very least, give yourself at least an entire day before you concretize any decision.

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Antique Books. Worth the Reading

An antique book is more than a collection of pages by your favorite author. It is a piece of history, a glimpse into the past. One in which the binding was done by hand the paper often likewise and if far back enough in time, the pen was a quill.

There are many factors which influence the value of an antique book, as in all antiques. First there is the condition of the book. The binding, the pages, whether dog-eared or torn, or God forbid, missing. The pages may have notes written on them. (Which can often be valuable in themselves if penned by a famous person or under unusual circumstances) or they may be damaged or stained or any number of factors which will affect their desirability. In the same way if a book is signed by it's author this usually increases it's price, although in the modern world not necessarily as "book signings" are all too common as a marketing tool and have helped to downplay the importance of a signed edition. All of these factors contribute to the overall value of your antique book.

The overall availability is a factor in price but is not necessarily the main factor as a book may be hard to find but not desirable. In other words it may be rare but nobody wants it! Confusing? Yes it can be. It is prudent to consult a dealer to appraise your antique book whether for insurance purposes or because you are attempting to sell it. In the final analysis, antiques are always only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it.

Appraisals Dealers usually need to see the book itself in order to identify and appraise it. You may submit photographs if you cannot see the dealer in person due to distance or time. They will require usually a photograph of the title page, the back side of the title page (also called the copyright page), the first and last pages of text, and the outer covers and spine in order to evaluate an individual copy. It is best to have very close up, quality photographs if you must go this route. If you are not proficient with a digital camera, ask one of your friends to do it for you. The popularity of digital cameras today makes quality photos easy to accomplish. Do not try and photocopy the book! This produces very poor results and may in fact damage the book due to the pressure exerted upon the spine in this process.

You often hear the phrase "first edition" in reference to books and this can influence the price of the book if there were, in fact more than one edition! Many times there were not. Be careful when someone touts the first edition status of an antique book and attempt to determine for yourself if there were indeed subsequent editions. Again remember to use all of the resources online and elsewhere to obtain valuable and often free information on your antique book. There are several national societies of book dealers, "antiquarians" and of course appraisers that you may take advantage of in the search for information. There are also book collecting societies that you may investigate. Take your time and learn all you can before you buy or sell your antique book.

The Fascinating World of Antique Chairs

This article has been written because of a growing interest that people have in all things old.

There is more than one way to create a chair. And if we are talking about antique chairs that date far back into human existence, then we can expect to be faced with styles and designs from more than just a measly number.

The concept of chairs was first introduced in the late 1600s, during which the Pilgrims from Holland created a sort of joint stool that was reserved only for special and esteemed people. Yes, at that time, not everybody had the opportunity to sit on chairs. Chairs were a privilege then, not the common household furniture we all have (and often take for granted) today.

History tells us that, perhaps, the first antique chair style was the Wainscot chair, which stories say was brought around by Governor Carver, who then brought it on the Mayflower. While the existence of the Wainscot chair at the time has already been verified, the real story behind it remains obscure. Whatever it was and whoever made it first happen, we are forever grateful. Imagine, if nobody had thought of making a chair in the first place, we would all be sitting on the ground until now.

From then on, as artistry advanced and other royals started to have chairs made to suit their particular style and ergonomic needs, a lot of antique chair styles and designs were born.

The Goddard Townsends of Newport, for instance, came up with chairs that were inspired by the Chippendale and Queen Anne traditions, while Benjamin Randolph made the Chippendale all the more in demand and popular when he brought them to Philadelphia.

But, perhaps, the most popular antique chair style was the Windsor chair, which came to be in the early 1700s also in Philadelphia. The first Windsor antique chair styles were meant to satisfy the lower class citizens only. In fact, they were priced so low that most households had one. And in the more affluent houses, the Windsor style chair was placed in the less intricately garbed rooms.

However, because of its popularity at the time and also due to the improvements that have been made with wood quality and carvings, and the history that went with it, the Windsor chair style is one of the most sought after pieces of antique furniture nowadays, with its value hitting impressive levels. It is amazing how much age can do to make a certain piece of object become more expensive.

There are many other antique chair styles that have been developed over the past centuries. These include the Carver chair, the Bainster Back chair, the Hepplewhite chair, the Sheraton chair, the Maple Fancy chair, and the Hitchcock chair, just to name a few.

Each style is unique, with their prices varying according to carving and design, age, maker, and historical background. As with any other antique, antique chairs are also appraised based on these four factors.

Antique chair styles have evolved through the years. What was once a symbol of authority or affluence has now become a commonplace implement in all households all over the world. No matter the style and make, chairs will definitely hold their value based on their ergonomic function. However, if you are referring to antique chair styles, then their value resides not just on their use, but also on the stories they tell.

Finally let me say that you may be surprised to know that there is a lot more information out there on this subject in such places as your local bookstore and library, and there are also a number of very helpful Blogs written on Antiques in general.

The Joys of Collecting Antique Toys

You may have your favorite childhood toy. Like your favorite toy train that you kept near your bed. These items nowadays can bring back the old memories of your childhood and the happy moments when you were still a kid playing your favorite toy.

These days, you will find antique toy collectors converting his entire basement, room, garage or a part of the living room into a miniature train set with complete resemblance of trees, bridges, and streams.

However, this hobby could be expensive because of the set up you will need. Fortunately, an expensive train set can offer lucrative profits in return. Because of its antiqueness and the memory it evokes, it can be sold at a more expensive price for toy train collectors.

In fact, a pre-World War 2 Mickey Mouse collection set was auctioned for the amount of $1500.00. Usually, a person may purchase a toy because he wants his children to play with toys. Another reason could be collecting and preserving a particular time manufactured only for a limited time.

Enthusiasm is one key element when you are collecting antique toys. You may come to a point where you are more than willing to pay any amount for the last piece needed to complete your toy collection.

Others also opt to purchase a particular antique toy that has defined its formative years of existence. For example, the first ever Batman comic book has an auctioned price of approximately $10,000.00. Factors that you have to look at when you prefer collecting antique toys is the condition and years of existence of the toy you will purchase.

A particular antique toy that is still in good condition will certainly become scarce and may have a high asking price in some point in time. Toys that are still sealed in their original boxes are the most expensive. These are called toys which are in their mint condition.

Toys that were already opened and used could be less valuable because they may have lost their quality. Storing toys in a dust free environment is highly recommended.

But if you prefer to handle, clean and display them outside their storage area. Make sure that you use cotton gloves in transferring your toys. This is to prevent any dirt or oil from your hands to tarnish or damage the surface portion of the toys.

Toys that are widely popular and well recognized are safer purchases compared to the items that are only recognized for a limited time. The shortages and fads that made the toys appealing and popular for short periods may not have the same appeal and attraction when you talk about long term.

Those popular Tickle Me Elmo Dolls that were really in demand were selling with an added thousand dollars of its original selling price right before Christmas. The best way to invest on toys, such as in cases like this, is to purchase directly to the manufacturer of these toys.

If you are really into antique toy collecting, you may search web sites for informative guides on the current auction prices of the more widely popular antique toys. The internet is also a great place for sellers and buyers in this kind of market.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Antique Collecting a Great Hobby and a Money Maker

Some antique collectors are motivated simply by a connection to history and or to particular items. Others, however, are also spurred by a desire to make their hobby a revenue source. Many antique collectors find themselves appreciating their pastime even more due to its potential financial benefit.

Antiques, after all, are a great commodity in which to invest. The laws of supply and demand tilt heavily in favor of the antique. One side of the equation, after all, is already solved for the antique collector. Because there is a very limited amount of new discoveries being made, there is no chance for supply to increase. As time passes, in fact, supply of any antique item is guaranteed to decline. Even assuming demand holds steady, prices should increase. In reality, however, demand tends to continue an upward climb, making the value of many antiques escalate at an impressive clip.

The cards definitely do seem to be stacked in favor of the collector! If you can simply acquire a popular item and hold on to it, then you are likely to eventually realize a profit. In the meantime, you will get all of the pleasure and enrichment attendant to owning the antique in question!

Of course, profiting from antiques requires an ability to discern which items will retain their overall demand. For many antique investors, this means finding items that already have strong and distinguished fan bases and loyal followings. Chippendale furniture, Tiffany lamps and other blue chip collectibles tend to consistently grow in value, making them impressive investments.

Those who want to use antiques as something akin to an investment are often best served by selecting already popular items with long traditions and enviable track records. You can profit from heavy investment in a lesser known item, hoping that it eventually becomes more coveted, but this strategy is less steady than selecting antiques that are already universally recognized for their appeal.

These antiques come with a relatively steep price tag and not all collectors are able to secure these items. However, if a name brand antique is beyond your means, does that mean that you cannot profit as a collector?

Fortunately, the answer to that query is definitely no. Those who approach the overall antique market with a well trained brokers eye will find undervalued antiques for sale and will nab them at low prices. They can then turn around and sell these items to others at a profit.

This buy low, sell high strategy does require a certain level of skill, however. One must be sufficiently knowledgeable to recognize a bargain. One must also know where to look for under priced items. The antique trader must also be able to find buyers after securing a bargain purchase. The quick decision making often required when in pursuit of a cheaply priced antique requires that those embarking on this profit making route be well educated about a variety of antiques.

Many hobbyist antique collectors enjoy the challenge of being an antique trader. They enjoy the gaming aspect of searching out bargains at flea markets, garage sales, estate auctions and other locations. They appreciate the challenge of profiting from their keen eye. Even though their gains may be modest and some efforts may fall short, they still enjoy the process and it adds another dimension to their hobby.

Antiques are one of the few hobbies that create an opportunity for profit. Most hobbies can be characterized as money pits. You spend and spend in pursuit of a hobby. It is a revenue stream that inevitably runs away from the hobbyist. Antique collecting, on the other hand, is different. It actually creates a situation in which the hobbyist can profit.

Whether you approach antiques as a blue chip investor or as an aggressive antique trader, you may be able to make antique collecting a financially (as well as personally) rewarding diversion! Thousands of antique collectors have found ways to turn their hobby and passion into a real legitimate moneymaker. It may not be a foolproof investment strategy, but it is a great way to add some extra value to your hobby endeavors

Careers in Antiques

Pursuing a career in the exotic world of antiques can be a highly enriching and satisfying experience. To many people, dealing in antiques is an experience akin to nirvana. If you are considering pursuing a career in antique dealing, there are many different types of people you will come across and they will all have different roles to play.

Dealing in Antiques

Dealing in antiques is very simple in some ways, but on the other hand, it can be very tough. To become an antiques dealer you are required to have good knowledge in this field, in order to deal profitably. Before buying a particular item ask yourself whether it is authentic, is it too expensive, was it restored, will you be able to resell it at a profit? Working for an experienced dealer who can guide and instruct you properly is the only way to learn more.

However, jobs with antiques dealers are few if not extinct. Many dealers are struggling to sustain their practice and can hardly afford to take on a trainee. These days, dealers prefer to trade at antiques fairs and centers rather than to start their own shops. This helps reduce their overall expenses. Sometimes dealers who have shops advertise for an assistant in the Antiques Trade Gazette. But, they generally require people with relevant experience.

Other Related Careers

If you are clueless about antiquing, then here is the general idea about the professions related to this field:

-Collectors: professional collectors have vast knowledge about antiques and collectibles, but can be a very choosy lot to deal with. Most collectors look out for particular items in a certain condition. Collectors generally work within a budget. Most serious collectors do not run shops, as they prefer to keep these antique items for their own personal pleasure.
-Traders: traders do not have their own shops but prefer to trade at antiques fairs and markets that are open year round. In addition, some traders sell their items at flea markets. However, when you are dealing with these traders, ensure that you make a paper trail on the item to protect your customers as well as yourself.
-Exhibitors: those people who own shops that are open for a specific amount of hours are known as exhibitors. Sometimes they hold exhibitions for a short period of time. Exhibitions are generally held at large venues. These exhibitions generally display items that are rich in quality. Due to this reason, exhibitions are not held regularly because it takes time for these exhibitors to find suitable antiques.
-Runners: those people who purchase antiques on behalf of their dealers are known as runners. The name was given to them because that is precisely what they do; they are constantly on the run looking out for great pieces. The dealer gives the runner a fixed price and it is his job to get that particular item within his budget.
If you wish to pursue a career in antiques, you could consider taking up any of these professions or you could be dealing with any of these people. Most people start off by becoming a runner and then they move on to becoming an exhibitor or a market trader. This career can be both lucrative and exciting.

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Learn How to Restore and Preserve Antique Photos

There are millions of old photographs that may have been over through the years. They were lost and destroyed because of natural disasters, fires and wars.

In some way, there could be some antique photos that may have survived and do exist as of today.

There is something unique about every antique photograph that still exists nowadays. Some antique photo collectors may have decided to restore it, or sell it and others keep it over the years.

If you are into collecting antique photographs, it is important to preserve and protect the classic images you value.

You may have a treasured family album or you are into searching and collecting antique pictures, it is important to know how to take care of these valuable items.

Fortunately, nowadays, with the technological advancements on photo preservation and restoration, there are many ways and information on what you should do or what to avoid with your antique photo collections.

Here are some tips and advices on what to do with antique photographs.

1. Antique photos should be kept properly. Sunlight can severely damage the photographs original settings.

It is advisable that you store them to a secure place. Do not store them at your attic, basement, or in garages.

It is recommended to secure them specifically designed for long term storage and stability. Use archival products that are specifically designed to keep and secure antique photographs.

These products can keep your collections from extreme sunlight, changing humidity and temperature that can trigger deterioration to your antique photos.

2. Use clear plastic sleeves with the right sizes for your photographic postcards, cabinet cards, and stereo views to store them properly.

Archival materials are very efficient in keeping antique photos to maintain its original settings.

Archival materials that are used for these items have polyester and polypropylene that are efficient for long term storing.

Cabinet cards are also inserted to antique file albums for extra protection for antique photos from dust and fingerprints.

3. Old family albums photograph collections should be well organized and secured by placing them to a loose leaf album.

This album is great in organizing old photos. If the photographs vary from small to large pictures, the photographs can be arranged using an archival paper pages.

You may purchase a Mylar or a polypropylene archival album with three ring binders to protect and keep them from sunlight and rodents.

4. Use a polyetheline bag for large antique pictures. Although it is quite expensive, its use is very efficient in keeping light impressions on larger antique photo collections.

For best preservation on the original settings and colors, each picture should be attached to pure rag acid free mat board.

Use acid free linen to hold the mats together. Some experts also recommend non buffed pure rag materials for those albumen prints.

Avoid exposing antique photos to any components that contain sulfur dioxide, fumes, fresh paint, and fumes that exist from cleaning oxidants.

Store antique photos in proper secured enclosures made of good clean plastic preferably archival materials that are free from sulfuric acids that can damage original colors of old photos.

Antique Bracelets Information and Caring Tips

Since the gold discoveries in the early and mid 1800s, the United States introduced the Cape Diamond Bracelet in the market in the late 1800s.

It is considered as one of the most expensive antique jewelries and had to be remounted because of its limited supply.

The Georgian jewelry collections have brought with it the feel of true romanticism, symbolism and sentiment.

The antique Cape Diamond bracelet exhibits the splendid work exhibiting chased borders and encrusted detailed floral motif set with flower cut diamonds to the beads of the bracelet.

The Antique Pearl Bracelet with diamonds in white gold is very popular for jewelry collectors and buyers. This bracelet portrays elegance and a unique style. It weighs 15.2 grams and has a total length of 8 inches, 17mm wide and 3 mm deep.

It is also mounted in five strands that are measured 2.88 white elegant pearls which are 18k elongated bead sets with a distinctive cut of diamonds. The Antique Pearl Bracelet is originally priced at around $3000.00.

The antique Georgian Bracelet Rose-cut diamonds pearls in platinum-topped is 18k yellow gold. This bracelet weighs 11.0 grams its length is measured 7.25 inches and has a width of 7mm and 6mm deep.

It is designed with rose-cuts diamonds that also ensembles a foliate motif silhouettes with a total of 60 stones that are interspersed between 12 beautifully splendid cuts of natural seed pearls graded with a platinum look.

This bracelet is really enchanting and fascinating with a market value of $3400.00

With the high price value of these antique bracelets, you have to maintain the original condition of such valuable items. For antique jewelries to look elegant and as fascinating, you have to take care of it properly to keep the way it should be. Here are some tips on how you to take proper care with bracelets and other jewelries.

1. To maintain the original external features of your jewelry, you have to clean your bracelet regularly by polishing using a non abrasive soft cloth.

2. Use soap and water to clean your jewelries. This will keep your bracelet look good and shine new as ever.

3. Remember not to dry your jewelry off with paper towels or tissues. Always use a smooth soft cloth to remove wet portions. You can also use toothpaste and a toothbrush to remove tarnish from the beads of the bracelet.

4. Store bracelets and other jewelry from a cool dry place when it is not used. You can also use a locker bag to prevent any scratches and tarnishes. It is recommended that you keep your jewelry in a proper storage place when it is not used.

5. Never dip jewelries on water with Chlorine. It may cause discoloration on the jewelry.

6. If your antique bracelet has gemstones or pearls, do not immerse it in water. It can loosen some of its original settings. Avoid abrasives in cleaning pearls and gemstones.

Proper care can preserve the original settings of antique bracelets especially those with pearl beads. Over cleaning can also be damaging.

Make sure that you maintain the quality of the beads so that the elegance and beauty of the antique bracelet will be sustained.

What are Antiques?

There was a time when saucers without handles, Betty lamps, and cow shaped pitchers with black and white spots on it were fashionable to use at home. The next time guests come over to your place, try serving them tea in a saucer without handles. They would definitely raise brows, appalled at where to hold the saucer from. However, they now hold value as antiques. If such a cow shaped pitcher, with black and white spots on it is visible in a showcase, then it serves as an object of decoration, and symbolizes the olden times.

Is it the age of the object which defines its antiqueness? Yes, and No. Most certainly, if an object is more than 50 to 60 years old, and is in good condition, it is labeled as antique. An official definition of an antique is stated in the Tariff Act of 1930. According to Paragraph 1811 of that Act, antiques are works of art except rugs and carpets made after the year 1700, collections in illustration of the progress of the arts, works in bronze, marble, terra cotta, parian, pottery or porcelain, artistic antiquities and objects of ornamental character or educational value which shall have been produced prior to the year 1830.

Every day, one comes across many things which are old. Some belong to grandparents, others you see in shops. And most of the times, people take old items to be as junk, and fail to recognize them as antiques. For instance, how many young women identify a sewing bird correctly when they see one, and how to make use of it? They are liable to be perplexed even when a miniature velvet pincushion is attached. The sewing bird, generally of metal, is a decorative clamp to be fixed firmly to a table. It grips the material in its beak to smooth the progress of hemming, and was an excellent aid when all sewing was done at abode.

Once the antique has been identified as truly antique, then its worth has to be calculated. The age, quality, present condition, value, uniqueness are all factors which have a direct impact on the worth of the item in discussion. Many times, the item can be repaired if it is in a condition which needs improvement, other times it can be restored. Both these processes require craftspeople with excellent skills, so that they modify the item without making it lose its worth.

Is there any relation between an antique and a collectible? Antiques are rated by their worth as per the definition above while collectibles may be any item which may or may not have any worth, no matter how old it is, but add to the collection of the collector. So next time you think you have an antique, evaluate its worth. If there is any, then its an antique. Otherwise, it would be better to sell it at the best price to any collector, who would value it as a part of his collection, but not as an antique.

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How To Find And Buy Antique Jewelry Wholesale Jewelry

Vintage or antique jewelry is worth a lot of money in most cases and it can get really expensive trying to acquire a collection. Actually with a little research and effort you can find antique jewelry wholesale just like any other product if you are willing to invest a little time.

The majority of the population would probably tell you to look on eBay or other online auction sites but the fact of the matter is that these really aren't good sources for finding antique jewelry wholesale because the sellers at the sites usually know the value of what they are offering up for sale. There are other ways to find vintage jewelry at or even below wholesale so let's take a look.

One very easy no cost way of finding antique jewelry wholesale is checking your local paper for garage sales, estate sales, and even divorce sales. In a lot of cases these people may have items that they don't know the value of and your chances of finding something are great. It is very possible for you to pick up items worth thousands just buy rummaging through sales like these on a weekend.

When you are trying to pick up jewelry in this way don't study the items too hard, you don't want to give the hint to the owner that it may be worth a lot of money. The best thing to do is kind of glance over the items. Don't feel bad about getting a good deal or feel like you are taking advantage of someone. If it was truly important to them they would have taken the time to have the item appraised. If all they want for something you are looking at is a quarter, give it to them and get out of there before the look of surprise and joy on your face gives it away!

Looking for jewelry in this way is a lot of fun, almost like being on a treasure hunt. You never know what you will find on these weekend excursions. I have found very valuable items in this way. I once found a vintage cedar hope chest worth hundreds of dollars that I paid $30 for! You can also give eBay a try, just bear in mind there thousands and thousands of other people doing the same thing!

Try misspellings to lessen the competition and have a better chance at getting the jewelry you are looking for at the lowest price possible

How Antique Binoculars Arouse Enormous Interest From Collectors

Is it possible to fix antique scopes or binoculars so that they can be used today? Antiques command great respect, but modern appliances offer advantages that old models do not have. Collectors are aware of antiques coming on the market. They hunt for old optics and they find them in pawnshops, at garage sales, swap meets, camera shows, utilizing every possible opportunity. Collections of antique telescopes, binoculars, lenses, and old tools and equipment are a bold reminder of yesterday. This is the "show and tell" of history; preserved collectors are professional people, as well as amateur astronomers. Librarians and researchers record this history in museums and journal publications.

An Antique Telescope Society was formed just over a decade ago. This international organization of more than 200 collectors and antique dealers has established ongoing support for maintenance, restoration, and preservation of antique instruments. Some of the members own an antique instrument, but others do not. All share an avid interest in the preservation of antique instruments, and they have a strong commitment to education. Preservation techniques are made available through scheduled workshops and journal articles, as well. In an effort to preserve the accumulated information of this optic society, members have collaborated in writing biographies of persons who have made significant contributions in the development of telescopes and binoculars. As this research is shared, the benefits are enjoyed on a global scare.

The Antique Telescope Society does not assign monetary values to antique instruments. Individual members and dealers provide price information for buying or selling items. Seasoned collectors/dealers often discuss or trade information on the antique instruments. Collecting is expensive. A person, who is a member of the Antique Telescope Society, may own an antique instrument, or they may not. A member who has a genuine interest in the history of telescopes and the preservation of these antique instruments will be an asset to the organization and they will benefit from membership.

How old must a telescope be to be considered antique? Age is a factor, but a real antique must be complete and in good condition. Perfect items are rare. Research of the history of telescopes will show comparative examples. Recording the life of the instrument using oral history will establish its viability.

Antique binoculars and telescopes are attractive buys for collectors, while a vintage spyglass has its own unique appeal. With the fine art of restoration, a greater number of artifacts are salvaged. The historical roots of telescopes present exciting challenges for collectors and dealers, as well. Research is most relevant, when recorded in a timely manner, as sage members of the Antique Telescope Society hold the technical knowledge that is critical. This knowledge must be compiled for the good of collectors and dealers. The value of antique binoculars and their counterparts has increased while the inventory of these antiques in circulation has also grown.

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Your Guide to Antique Box Collections

Have you ever seen or touched an antique small box? You will surely feel the thrill of holding or touching the object which were once touch or used by ancient set of hands.

You will also be amazed by just looking on the rare and ancient boxes made from a hundred year old wood. It could be made of amboina, satin wood, coromandel, or burled yews that were mostly used hundred years ago to make boxes and other furniture.

An antique box can be irresistible for many people who are into antique collections. Collecting antique boxes made in the 18th and 19th centuries will make you feel the history of the box.

The woodwork that is primarily seen on the surface clearly indicates the broad spectrum of the craftsmanship. You will see most antique boxes that are designed with inlay or lacquers.

Details on how these antique boxes were made can be seen on the designed elements that were used. If you are into collecting antique boxes, you will be fascinated with the different types and designs that display the antiqueness and royalty of the box.

Many antique boxes are said to have been popularized since the rise of cabinet making is recognized as a professional craft.

Most boxes are painted with a nice picture of life and exquisite design for those who are in the higher classes of the society.

In those times especially in the 18th and 19th century periods, boxes were basic things and they function to unlimited variations. It depends on the person using the box and the needs of time.

Boxes are said to be art objects in the 16th century. One of the most famous craftsmen to be recognized during this period was Chippendale.

He was so popular in making state of the art cabinets and with his unique designs of small boxes such as the jewelry box. Since then, boxes were made with decorative designs and styles.

For antique box collectors, taking good care of these valuable items is important. There are also some who may have inherited antiques boxes but they do not know how to maintain their condition.

Caring for antique items properly has many benefits to offer you in the future. It ensures the owner that it can be passed to their loved ones and may also be sold with a higher value.

Here are some tips on how you can take care and restore your antiques and other collectible items.

1. Place your items on a proper display storage area. You have to keep such valuable items out of the reach of children.

2. When cleaning an antique box, make sure to use lint free cloth to get rid of the dust.

3. Wooden boxes should only be waxed with quality beeswax.

4. Always remember to avoid placing furnishings in bright light and avoid over exposure to sunlight.

5. Place your items on an average temperature area. Secure them in a place to keep them protected from moisture. Temperature and humidity changes can damage the wooden surfaces of the box.

Owning valuable collection of antique boxes and other collectible items is a privilege. It is important to take proper care on your antique boxes.

This will not only help you to increase their current values but you may also pass its history to many generations to come.

Tips for Buying an Antique Accordion

Thinking about a purchase of an antique accordion? If so, then you should note first that there are some helpful steps to consider when buying an antique accordion. Few of them are mentioned below.

Examine the Carrying Case

When you purchase an antique accordion, don't forget to check the condition of the carrying case. Look for broken or missing hardware as possible. Note that a musty smelling case or bellows is one of the many indications that the accordion or other instrument may have been improperly cared for and stored, probably in damp basement. A musty case may also cause damage to the wood and leathers in the interior of the instrument. With this, its not impossible that the reeds may be rusted.

Check the Body of the Instrument

When we say antique, we are referring to something old, thus a certain defect is possible, unless the thing is really properly cared for. So, in terms of buying an antique accordion, looking for chips missing from the corners, cracks in the celluloid, scratch marks indicating abuse, and others is a pretty nice move to take. If possible, check the condition of all the leather straps, especially the ends that go through the metal holding brackets on the accordion, both top and bottom. If you find that the straps are much worn, then I think it is safer if you remove them entirely than risk their breaking while you are wearing the antique accordion.

Eyeball the Bellows

When you consider buying an antique accordion, try looking for signs of wear, especially on the folds at the base, as well as on the belt buckle wear (facing the chest of the player). Aside from this, check the corners of the bellows and look for corners that are missing or coming loose. Also make sure that in an antique accordion, all the bellows pins are still present and they are not folded or frozen in place with rust. Also note that in a piano accordion, for instance, the air release button is found poking through the bass cover at the left hand side towards the top of the instrument when held in playing position. So, if your antique accordion doesnt have one, then this is a serious design flaw.

Look at the Keyboard

When checking the antique accordion, try looking at the keyboard edge on, especially the white keys. Note that a properly labeled keyboard is unusual in a very old instrument, unless it has been well cared for. So, check for keys that are out of level as the irregularity of the keys will impede performance in general.

Play It Yourself

It is often said that the best to check the performance of an instrument is to play it yourself. Try listening for the intonation, overall tone, dynamic range, volume, balance between the left and right sides, and the action of the antique accordion. Or, let another person play it, and listen to the sound.

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How to Find the Best Antique Coffee Grinder

Finding an antique coffee grinder is the best thing you can do to create a special coffee or espresso. The taste and flavor of coffee initially dissipates after the coffee beans were grinded. So it is much enticing tasting a coffee or an espresso if you were the one who grinded the coffee beans.

A coffee grinder plays a big role because the machine is essential on how the coffee beans would look like after they were ground. Espresso grinders tend to be very sensitive about the type of grind it can work best on. On the other hand, a drift coffee machine is a little more forgiving because of the quality of grinds they give.

There are many options to choose from when buying coffee grinders. You may just want to keep your antique coffee grinder and place it on your collectible items and keep save it for special coffee grinding sessions. Here are some other antique selections of grinders that are recommended for your coffee making sessions.

1. The Antique Burr Grinder can crush beans to a more uniform size. You can find Burr grinders that are conical and flat in shape. The grind setting on this type of grinder can create the similar and almost perfect grind on the beans. With their convincing accuracy, these grinders are recommended for use with any type of coffee brewing sessions.

Nonetheless, you should pay attention on the grinder setting when grinding large amount of coffee beans. Some grinders may not perform well as an antique burr grinder especially when making Turkish coffee or French press coffee.

2. The Antique Blade Grinders use only a single blade that can rotate at very high speed to grind beans. The perfection of the chops is mainly controlled for how long the blade will spin at fast mode. It is better to let longer run for the blades to create a perfect grind. The Blade grinders are appropriately matched in making drift coffee. It can actually compensate the type of grinds of drift coffee filters of the Antique Blade Grinders.

3. There are also those Bodum products for the coffee maker enthusiasts. They have impressive coffee grinder designs with timeless classics like the antique Bodum Chambord coffee grinder that keeps old and new coffee customers to come back and drink the finest grind coffee around. As their slogan says "nothing makes your day better than a perfect grind cup of coffee." They know this even better, which is why they created the best coffee grinders in the business. Two of their popular best sellers are the Bodum Antigua Grinder and the Bodum C-Mill Grinder.

Even if you are new to the coffee world or you are a seasoned coffee lover, it is still recommended that you know how to find the best purchases of coffee grinders. There are many types of grinders you can choose from that can satisfy to your coffee making needs.

Always remember to take care of the grinder that you bought and always keep it clean so that it can last for more and tasteful coffee making sessions.

Antique Flooring. One Foot in the Past, One in the Present

When renovating a home, or when building a new one, antique flooring may be considered as an option or the preferred alternative to carpet or rugs. Some people consider antique flooring both from the standpoint of reusing materials that would otherwise go to waste and from an ascetic perspective. It can also be a sentimental feeling to preserve a part of the old house in the construction of a new one.

Antique wood flooring
If you are re-doing your existing home you may be lucky enough to already be in possession of antique flooring. If not, you may look around at older homes being redone or even demolished. Often you can pick up the antique flooring you need for a song or even free! Sometimes the wood you want may be destined for the scrap heap! If you go with your own tools and offer to tear it out and carry it away, you can be assured your offer will be at least considered, if not happily accepted. They do not know what they are losing, but you do. Also be sure to check the local shops in the area, ask contractors, look at the classifieds, and do not forget the internet, although you may have to keep your search local as you may be unwilling or unable to travel to bring your flooring back home.

Measure twice, cut once.
Be sure and know the dimensions you require and keep a tape measure with you always. If you are sure of your dimensions, you can always ask the contractor present to cut something for you while you are there, he may be so happy that you are taking away the "scrap" he will be glad to oblige. If not at least you will know what size pieces you are most in need of and which ones you cannot use. This will save some time.

Refinishing?
If you are handy at the art of refinishing you can save some time and money there as well. Nothing is quite as satisfying as saying "I pried it out the old house, refinished it and installed it!"

antique tile flooring
Tile floors are also an option you may want to consider, particularly if you are in a hot climate. Stones and tile are cool in the hot summer time and offer an alternative to wood. They may also be more available in your area. Ceramic tile has been made by man for 4000 years and is very durable. Tiles may be glazed, painted, inlaid or carved. Beautiful tiled surfaces have been found in the oldest pyramids and the ruins of the worlds most ancient cities. Interestingly enough, Persia also brought tile to a high art as well as the Persian rugs they are most famous for. You may also incorporate a few antique tiles into a floor of modern tiles for a unique perspective on this most ancient art.

So whether you are considering antique flooring of ancient redwoods or antique flooring of tiles from the palaces of Pompeii, be prepared for a journey of discovery and adventure. Consider antique flooring.

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Collecting Antique Watches - Hobby For A Select Few

Antique watches generally refer to mechanical watches that were made more than fifty years ago or more. They are not very useful in keeping accurate track of time, and instead make good gifts or a nice piece of decoration.

The antique watch business is a multi-billion dollar business. However there are a lot of fakes out there so buying an antique watch requires careful research.

A Brief History of Time
Some knowledge of mechanical watches will help a lot in judging the approximate date of manufacture of the antique watch:

1500s Peter Henlein of Germany created the first pocket watch
1660s Christian Huygens invented the remontoire
1680s Repeating mechanism for bells and sounds patented
1700s Rubies used in watch movements
1750s Enamel used on watch dials
1760s Lever escapement invented
1800s First self winding watch invented
1840s First watch to have winding and setting through crown
1914 World War I popularizes the wrist watch
1914 First wrist watch with alarm
1926 First water proof wrist watch
1956 First watch to display day and date
1960 First watch to have scratch-proof dial

Sources of Antique Watch
Antique watches of many established companies are available such as Rolex, Omega, Universal Geneve, Angelus, Vacheron & Constantin, Seiko, Benrus, Breitling, Gruen, Zodiac, IWC, Movado, TAG Heuer, Hamilton, Ingersoll, Shakosha (Citizen watch company of Japan) Gallet, Wittnauer, Bulova etc. There are a lot of sources on the internet selling watches online. Good buys can be found at auctions and second hand markets but the authenticity of these antique watches are doubtful.

Maintenance of Antique Watch
Maintenance of the watch is very difficult. The parts are not easily available and antique watches cannot be repaired at all watch shops. So do make sure that the seller also guarantees their repair if the need arises. Most antique watch sellers also provide maintenance and care manuals for the antique watch. Be sure to follow the instructions.

Cost of Antique Watch
These watches are available anywhere between $300 to millions of dollars depending upon the make, the date of manufacture, the history of the watch and the jewels in the watch. The market price of the antique watch is determined by its snob appeal and social acceptance.

Antique watches make wonderful gifts and give the wearer a distinct and artistic look. Owning one allows the owner to combine artistic appeal and nostalgic charm. However, they are rather costly in general and need a lot of maintenance and care.

Antique Wedding Gowns, A Blast From the Past!

Antique wedding gowns give brides the opportunity to enjoy the same stunning, sophisticated wedding gowns as their parents, grand parents or even great-grand parents. Whether they are wearing an antique wedding gown that was passed down from generation to generation or they are buying one to be worn for the first time, these stunning gowns help a bride shine on her wedding day.

Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day and for some brides that means a gorgeous, antique wedding gown. Since many people believe "they don't make them the way they used to" they are the perfect solution.

Vintage and antique gowns are gaining increased popularity as many brides focus on style and sophistication. Wearing an antique wedding gown can give the bride a sense of history and sense of style that sets her apart from every other bride and when it comes to their wedding day, every bride wants to stand out.

When selecting one, a bride should make sure that the fabric is solid and the stitching is strong. It is a good idea to bring the gown to a seamstress who can check the gown to make sure it will hold up to some wear and tear. Though many of these wedding gowns will stand the test of time, some of the more delicate gowns may require some alterations or enhancements.

When you walk down the aisle in an antique wedding gown your family and friends will immediately see your sense of style and nostalgia. Perhaps they will note that it is the same gown worn by your mother or grandmother, or it is a gown that reminds them of days long gone by.

Many wedding dress hops offer antique wedding gowns, however, brides are finding greater success finding these gowns online. Buying a gown from a reputable establishment will eliminate risk as you enjoy you stunning antique wedding gown.

With the right vintage jewelry and a great hairstyle you can be a throwback to decades ago when fashion was everything and women enjoyed stunning creations by some of the best designers in history.

A new antique wedding gown will satisfy the need for something old and something new, all you need to do is borrow something blue and you have all the bases covered as you enjoy the most important day of your life in your beautify antique wedding gown.

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Antique Music Boxes - Buying Tips

Looking for a unique music box? What about an antique music box? You can find many antique music boxes that are still playing. Here are some tips on how to get a vintage music box.

First thing you need to worry about is if the box in a working condition or does it need repairs. Of course it is easier to buy a working music box, but you will pay more for it. If the box is not working, don't get discouraged. A music box is a delicate mechanism that can be easily damaged, but most damages usually can be repaired as well. You can actually find very good deals buying damaged antique music boxes and repairing them.

Types of antique music boxes

There are two types of old music boxes - disc and cylinder boxes. Cylinder boxes appeared on the market in the middle of 19th century, a little bit after musical watches. Majority of them were produced in Switzerland, so many people call them Swiss boxes. They were very rare and expensive items. Some cylinder music boxes were made in Czechoslovakia and France.

Then a disc music box came to the market. They were cheaper to manufacture, which significantly affected the price and made them very popular items. First company to release disc boxes was Symphonion. Other popular brands of antique music boxes are Polyphon and Regina.

Quite interesting items are antique music jewelry boxes. Since these can be used to store your jewelry, it would be a great pleasure to open your little box often and to hear a beautiful tune.

How much would it cost to repair an antique music box?

Actually, quite a lot. The problem is that people who can do a good job repairing an old music box are difficult to find. There are very few professionals. Another problem can be parts, most of them have to be handmade. Fixing an antique box would require getting different items often including comb work, cylinder repining, dampers, governors and mainsprings. So be prepared to pay a lot for the repair of your antique box. But on the bright side, after the it is repaired, its value will dramatically increase.

Best places to buy vintage music boxes

It is amazing how many antiques you can find online. There are online antique auctions and stores. And of course there is Ebay. That is probably the best place to look for deals on antique and vintage boxes. You can find very interesting items and get them at a very good price. When buying antiques on Ebay, look for sellers feedback score. Only buy from people that have a lot of feedbacks, most of them positive.

A Guide to Antique Lamps

Antique lamps are a great look for any home or office. People appreciate the style of them and they can instantly add interest to any room. Antique lamps and reproductions of these can fit into many different style rooms.

When you buy these lamps you will want to know whether you are buying an authentic antique or a replica. Though for some consumers, whether it is an authentic antique or a replica is of little consequence, the distinction will impact the price you may want to pay.

Obviously, the most important thing when choosing these lamps is you want to find lamps you truly like. The look and feel of a lamp should match your style and taste, as well as the overall style of the room you plan to use the antique lamps in.

They can add a rustic feel, a classic feel, elegance, charm or whimsy depending on the room you are putting the lamps in and the style of the lamps you choose. These lamps can also be a good investment as they appreciate in value.

When shopping for antique lamps you can look online, at auctions and even at garage sales and yard sales to find the right lamps for your needs. If you plan to use the lamps, you will want to make sure they are up to standard in order to eliminate any safety concerns. You can bring antique lamps to an electrician to be looked at.

When you have the lamps looked at you will also want to find out what wattage light bulbs you should use in the lamp. Though many consumers do not think it is important to do this, you will find that it is safer and wiser to take the extra step and ensure you are using the right bulbs with your lamps.

If you are buying hanging lamps, make sure you place them in a safe place, and if buying floor lamps or table lamps you will want to make sure that there is a solid base and a flat surface so the lamp does not tip over and break.

Whether you are decorating a room for the first time or redecorating the room, antique lamps are a great addition that can be an instant focal point to any room. Light naturally captures attention and with the right lamps you can make a great statement about your room and your style.

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Buying Tips for Antique Autos for Sale

There are hundreds of car companies and links to auto insurances, price quotes, car dealers, car loans and other resources that involve antique cars, roadsters and classic collectible cars. However, you may find it difficult in determining where to find the best deal an antique automobile.

It is important to research and know about the antique auto dealer. The Internet provides a wide coverage of hundreds of antique auto dealers that can offer you the best price and the classic models you are looking for. Some people consider purchasing antique cars as a form of their investment.

The main purpose of buying an antique car could be for possible future profits. You may enjoy the sale and not the drive or doing restoration works on the antique auto. The market of antique autos is overwhelming and can be good sales investment for you as the years go by.

Antique autos may be expensive. The restoration itself can also be heavy in the pockets, since parts are limited only. You should also allot extra finances for the maintenance and for your antique auto insurance. Getting the right antique auto insurance is an important aspect in protecting your investment.

Purchasing a new car, used car or even an antique car could be the second biggest investment next to a house and lot purchase. There is something that you can not explain in buying a car or a collectible car, usually you buy it because you desire for it. You may select the car you prefer according to your taste or to your lifestyle.

However, there are instances that you make the wrong purchases for the right car that you want. Here are some antique auto buying tips that will help you purchase the right antique auto for you for you want.

1. Make a thorough check on the automobile you are buying. Bring with you a mechanic to inspect and check whether there are flooded parts on the car.

2. Try to shop around when buying an antique car. Compare price quotes and look for the car dealer that offers the lowest car price.

3. Make a test drive on the car. It is important to make a feel on the car if it is according to your driving needs.

4. Purchase an automobile that will match your lifestyle. Consider your finances when buying a car. You may have the option of looking for a used car if you do not have enough finances to purchase a new one.


5. If you bought an antique car, you may ask the owner to sign an agreement or what they call as the Due Bill to ensure that you can return the car in case there are flaws or damages discovered on the car.

There are also insurance policies available for antique cars. Get one to ensure your protection when you purchase an antique car. Policies that are covered in auto insurances include restriction rights, stated or agreed value of the car and parking and storage restrictions. These are important things to remember when you purchase a new or antique car.

Guide To Purchasing Antiques

Antiques are a great way to adorn your rooms. But there are several things to consider before you buy that rare antique item that you have been looking for so long.

Antiques can be any collectible item that has aesthetic value and is approximately 100 years old or even more. Grand clocks, pianos, jewelry items, vintage fashion, silverware, ivory or Faberge eggs are just some examples of desirable antiques. People have their own particular preference for different antique pieces, such as antique clock or antique Chinese porcelain etc.

The first thing to consider is the originality and history of the antique you intend to buy. As rare antiques come at higher prices, you would not want to be fooled by fake replicas. Many antique sellers often put up retouched items for sale. But antiques look best when they are not refurbished though you should not buy items with defects. It is the originality that makes an antique item precious.

Before buying you must do proper research on the antique item. The internet is the best place to do research on antique items as it can provide valuable information regarding global antique prices and the history of antique items. You should also be careful about antique reproductions. If you are new and have not done proper research, it will be difficult to tell the difference between a reproduction from the original. Antique pieces should show some wear and tear and these small details are something to look out for. If the item looks flawless than it probably is not an authentic antique.

The best places to buy antiques are at antique auctions. Buying from a reputable auction house or an antique store will ensure that the antique collectible is genuine, as it should also come with certificates of originality. To get that coveted item you should visit the antique auctions regularly. Garage sales are also a good place to buy as you may often get rare antiques at a very cheap price, but do make sure that it is original. Though the internet is a useful source of information, this is not the case when buying antiques online. A first hand look at the antique product is not possible on the internet and the website photos often hide the defects and deficiencies.

Proper care and maintenance should be taken to preserve antique items for ages. When buying an item, gather information about proper antique storage and antique preservation methods. Items should be kept in moderately humid and cool places. Direct sunlight should be avoided. The antiques should be handled carefully. Excessive cleaning sometimes ruins the originality of the antique.

First-time buyers can also buy general antique guides for research and guidance on starting their antique collection. Guides on specific antique items are also available.

The International Affiliate Program of EBay

eBay trades in more than 33 international countries with over 157 registered users worldwide with 75 million based in the USA and 10 million in the UK.

eBay's affiliate program must be the mother of all affiliate programs as far as size and potential scope for earning an income through promoting other peoples items. Essentially this is what the program is, an affiliate program which works no differently to any other affiliate program.

The only thing that is slightly different is the angle of things. Normally a company offers a product for sale and you sign up to their affiliate program to promote the item for which you get paid a commission for each sale.

Essentially eBay's affiliate program is no different except that with eBay, instead of having one or two items to promote you actually have 55 million items to choose from at any one time as this is the number of auctions running on eBay continuously.

So, the trick of this game and to make some money out of it is to choose the category that you wish to promote, maybe you belong to a forum that deals in antiques for example. With eBay's affiliate tool box you can set your affiliate link to send your targeted visitors from the forum you post in to the top level category, and second level category or even a specific item.

There are easy and simple ways on which to create your affiliate link to take visitors to any category or indeed any specific page on any eBay worldwide site.

To secret to making money out of this is, as always, a targeted audience. No one is going to follow a link that leads them to a product page which is of no interest to them but by offering antique collectors a link directly to a page full of items that are of interest to them or indeed a specific item then you are more likely to get more click through. All the visitor needs to so then to earn you money is to either place a bid, use the buy it now option or the bigger money maker, register with eBay before they can bid or buy.

eBay pays varying commissions according to the number of people that join, bid or buy in a one month period. They also pay different amounts according to the country of the affiliate program you are promoting. The UK and USA has some big differences in price structure and volumes.

As you can see, making an income from eBay's affiliate program is not hard or really any different from any other affiliate program except that it's actually easier.

Author: Michael Sherriff
http://auctionaffiliatesecrets.com

This article may be republished but the copyright notice must be left in place and the article must NOT be altered in any way.

Copyright 2005 Michael Sherriff
http://auctionaffiliatesecrets.com

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The Popularity of Antique Cabinets Over the Years

Ever since collectors have been hoarding pieces of value and interest, antique cabinets have been around to house and show off these precious items. However, the cabinets themselves are also treasures in their own right and over many hundreds of years have been dressed to impress to provide a taster of the glories to be viewed inside. From the Italian Renaissance, to Louis Quatorze and throughout the multifaceted styling of the Georgian period, whether large and enclosed, glazed or put on a stand, antique cabinets retain their popularity and still remain as useful pieces of storage today.

One version of the Renaissance antique cabinet was basically a large and square piece of architecturally built furniture with solid doors. It is from this piece of early furniture that the modern wardrobe derives. Although not commonly made in Britain during the 16th century, it became a standard piece of furniture in Spain, Germany and particularly in France where the large armoire has always been popular. Later 17th century country made Baroque armoires often incorporated some Gothic elements into their styling.

The Italian Renaissance antique cabinets on the other hand were smaller and more of what we consider the cabinet to be, with large numbers of drawers set within a carcass and the whole thing placed upon a stand. These cabinets with pediments, pilasters and mini front doors were again architectural in design, and the stands often had columns in the style of female statues or caryatids. The stand itself was usually around two and a half feet high and the cabinet was raised up in this way.

The popularity of the multi drawer antique cabinet on a stand reached its height in Britain with the return of Charles II from exile in France in 1660. Chinese cabinets had already been finding their way to Britain since Elizabethan times. However the fashion was for these heavily lacquered and gilded eastern cabinets to be displayed in the Louis Quatorze style, which meant they were placed on a distinctly European stand. These stands, minus their Chinese cabinets, turn up from time to time converted to marble topped side tables. Some may consider their value less because of this conversion from their original use.

The English glass fronted antique china cabinet came into being during the reign of William and Mary (1689-1702). Much blue and white porcelain was being imported from China at this time. European influences, via Huguenot cabinet makers, all added to create what became an essentially English china cabinet. By the middle of the 18th century any number of bureau and breakfront bookcases, china cabinets and corner cabinets were being constructed and during the Georgian period these now standard pieces of case furniture were adopting the varying styles and features of Rococo and later Neoclassical themes. This 18th century English styling was revived many times during the Victorian era, throughout the 20th century and right up to modern day.

Whether for personal treasures and objet d’art, china, books, or general household storage, there are a wealth of different ages and styles of both period and revival antique cabinets on the market.

Christian Davies is a second generation antiques dealer and owner of Christian Davies Antiques, a family based antiques business based in Preston, Lancashire. Christian has over 23 years experience in the antiques business and has a passion for genuine, high quality antiques furniture, such as antique cabinets, which he sources from the UK and Europe.

Optimus Prime Action Figures: Famous and Clearly Loved

When the Transformers aired in 1984, who could have guessed we would be still talking about a cartoon about humanoid robots that can transform into cars and planes in order to save our world? However what began as a Saturday morning childs cartoon expanded into a multi-million dollar franchise over the years. You might say that the success of Transformers may be tracked through the progression of the franchise’s most recognizable personality, Optimus Prime.

Prime In The Beginning

Action figures are nothing new to the gadget industry, and there’s little sign today of the trend slowing down in the near future. Optimus Prime toys together with other products along those lines, have continued to stay a staple in the toy boxes and Christmas dream lists of little kids since the early eighties.

The first Optimus Prime action figure included its own trailer to hitch onto it when Prime was in his truck mode. The rigs front grill plate has since then become synonymous with the good transformers of the series, the Autobots. Casual admirers may well not be aware that the original title for the Prime toy was “battle convoy”, but in due course the name was altered by comic book writer/editor Dennis O’Neil. The standard was now set for the subsequent line of Prime figures.

Pre-Millennium Prime

Transformers began to change throughout the 90s after a decade-long run at the head of the group. If you were to look back at the Optimus Prime items, this shift gets to be slight yet visible. The action figures by themselves began to sell as non-transformable gadgets strangely enough. Many came with gear like fight platforms and other special features, literally. One model of Prime in 1993 included an LED pulsating fist.

Prime additionally went through what you could refer to as a makeover in the early 90s. One line of toys modified the head of the Autobots regular red, white and blue appearance in favor of a red-black splash of paint. The shift proved to be short lived however given that by this time Prime’s image had become associated with the Transformers franchise. The series would even spin off different off shoots of different transformers so that they can keep up with the times and capture new followers.

Prime According to Hollywood

Michael Bays reinvention of the Transformers series came out in 2007, initiating another generation of youth to the adventures of Prime and his Autobots versus Megatron as well as the devious Decepticons. Other transformers may have altered their forms, but Prime remained essentially the same Prime that lasted the test of time. Other Autobots progressed into the latest designs of sports and utility autos, but Bays Prime kept his big rig transforming same at it has been since the 1980s, albeit with the newest CGI special effects.

To read more about Optimus Prime, pay a visit to our site at OptimusPrimeStore.com. You will be able to examine prices and see the giant collection of Optimus Prime action figures.

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The Value of Coins: A Fantastic Hobby Which Educate People

Hobbies are those activities done by people during their leisure time. Everybody will be having a hobby. Hobbies will help them to get rid of boredom. Some of the common hobbies practiced by people are stamp collection, coin collection, painting, listening to music, cooking, dancing and so on. If you check out the list it will be never ending. Stamp collection and coin collection are the two main hobbies practiced by children and very few of them continue as they grow up. Majority of them drop these hobbies by the time they reach college.

The art of coin collection is called numismatics. This can be considered as a study on this apart from a hobby. Usually the person who has large number of coins as a part of collection is called numismatist. There are different types. Some these are belong to the currency of different countries; other are belong to old currency which is not used at present. The person who is having this collection will definitely know about all of these in his possession and its value.

Apart from these types of coins, there is gold coin. This is called a coin because it is made of gold. India is a country where the wealth of the nation is determined by the amount of gold reserves. These are made of 24 karat gold and this is considered as an asset. Many people are now buying gold coins and whenever required these are replaced by any gold ornament or to cash. All the nationalized financial bodies are keeping gold coins as the part of their stock for customers.

Also there are some value coins that are used in the olden days and are not present now. All these are with the archeological department of the respective countries. By chance if you come across any such valuable old coins you can exchange with the archeological department for very high value where in return you can get money. Also there is some numismatist that is on constant search for valuable and they will be ready to buy from anyone at the rate decided by them. In fact coin collection provides lot of values and also educates people in many ways.

Learn the value of old coins in the world of coins and coin collecting. The value of your coin collection might be worth more than you think. The value of coins goes up and down. We are guaranteed to be of the best value of coins available such as Gold Coin Value, gold dollars, indian head penny and many more.

How To Display Your Medieval Sword

Whether you originally bought your medieval sword for fighting, as a stage prop, or as part of a costume, it can be a great display item for you. Medieval fighting swords are crafted with such beauty that it would be a crime not to have them proudly displayed. I wrote this page to show you just how to go about displaying your medieval sword. Read through the next seven paragraphs and you will be fully prepared to proudly put your sword up for show.

The first issue we need to cover is safety. Highly sharpened swords and even heavy unsharpened swords can be hazardous to your health. Homes with children need to take special precautions to secure and display the sword with care.

Wall displays can be great, but be careful not to place them in homes where pets or children may rip them down and become hurt by them. Wall mounted display stands can be crafted or purchased depending on your inclination and skills. When putting up your display, be sure to use your wall studs as anchors or you may have trouble in the future.

Use a sturdy drill and a stud finder to properly mount the sword. Use a good level and an accurate tape measure to place your desired wall stand into the wall at the proper height and angle. Line tools may also be used to form a solid measuring line on your wall.

Washing the medieval sword you have mounted on your wall needs to be done with caution. Remember that the edges may be sharp and you do not want to knock a sharpened sword down on your head. Use a duster or a soft broom to knock off any dust that may accumulate. Additionally you may decide to polish your sword to make it extra shiny.

Display cases may be used instead of a more open wall mount. These cases can be purchased with locks to keep your children safe and your sword safe. Cases can be made with large glass tops and fronts so that you will always have a great view of your sword.

Washing a sword that has been enshrined in a glass case is not something that will need to be done often since it will not be exposed to the outside. Although you will not need to clean the sword, you may have to wash the glass on the case to keep your viewing area clear. Use dry rags and cleaners for glass to keep the case nice and bright.