What makes something valuable? What makes an item valuable is a difficult question to answer simply as there are many things that factor into what makes one item more valuable than another. Let’s see if we can make some sense out of this. Scarcity – Simply put, how many did they produce and how many […]

People collect all manner of items. From the small to large, from the inane to the sublime, people’s passions for things run deep. I have run into people who collect playing cards, zippo lighters, Pez dispensers, fire fighting gear, thimbles, Beany Babies, snowmen, comic books, advertising, magazines, salt & pepper shakers, tractors, porcelain signs, cars […]

Antique malls are not in the business of antiques. Okay, let that sink in. Wait, what are you saying? What I said was antique malls are not in the antiques business. How can you say that Ed? I go to one all the time and it is jammed with antiques. Yes, but let me explain. […]

There are a myriad of things to collect. If someone made more than one of an item, you can bet there is a collection of them somewhere. I myself have about 5 different collections going at any one time, much to the chagrin of my family members. My children are especially hopeful that I dispose […]

As a general rule I don’t usually frequent thrift type stores searching for inventory. That being said, I will occasionally visit one in search of music CDs and the odd item for myself. On these rare occasions, sometimes I will spot something that speaks to me, and if I like it enough, I will purchase […]

It is usually a many faceted answer. Today I found out that to order a replacement carafe for my coffee maker was more expensive than buying an entirely new coffee maker. So out the old one went. I mean, I am saving money, right? Helping people keep their jobs? Well yes and no. In my […]

I collect many things. Foo Dogs, Glass Angelfish, Vinyl Albums, Nikon equipment. The list seems to get longer all the time. One thing I don’t seem able to collect by collecting all this stuff is dollars. I collect it because I love it, not for investment. My advice to prospective collectors boils down to this. […]

Sometimes a benign hobby such as collecting antiques can be a risky business. Just how in the world can that be? Easy. There are several types of antiques and collectibles that unless you are an expert, they might just be best to avoid. Some items can get their owner into serious hot water with any […]

The difference between selling antiques and collectibles online, and selling them in a brick and mortar store are as numerous as there are types of items to sell. Let’s compare and contrast the two types of selling experiences. There are some fundamental differences between online and in person sales, and then there are categories that […]

Joep Nicolas (1897-1972), a third-generation stained-glass artist, was born in the Netherlands. In 1855, his grandfather, Frans Nicolas (1826-1894), established the Nicolas Studio in Roermond, Holland in order to meet the building boom following that country’s restoration of the Catholic Church. A window by Frans Nicolas can be seen in Philadelphia’s Samuel S. Fleischer Art […]