Antique Trader Blog

Changing times call for a changed Antique Trader

Karen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:19:17 GMT

Redesigning a magazine is a lot like planning a large holiday dinner: It takes a lot of planning, you want to serve up your favorites, offer something fresh and everyone should be comfortable.

With a new era of the hobby upon us, collectors are looking for new ways to interact with their precious objects. Coming off a 25-year collecting binge, an increasing number of collectors are shifting into new lifestyles and downsizing their investments. The Internet has broken down any walls that remained to collecting and it’s changed how we embark on the most thrilling aspect of the hobby: the hunt. Collectors were quick to follow these changes. The result is a growing number of auction houses and a shrinking number of traditional mom-and-pop run antiques stores and shows.

So it’s appropriate that the trade magazine you read reflect these changes, not only in the news we report but also in the way we deliver the information to you each week and online. Here are some of the changes you can expect to see:

A new size – The dimensions of Antique Trader magazine will actually be similar to traditional magazines you see on your local newsstands. The new size will be 8 inches wide by 10 3/4 inches high. The new size also helps us fits our “magazine” moniker. Most importantly also helps us solve chronic delivery problems. The new size no longer needs special handling in shipping and can now be bundled with standard-sized magazines for faster service. A sample of the cover is shown at right using the March 17 cover story.

More pages – Average issues will have 50 percent more pages than before. We will also feature more color pages, which helps us show off unique items that can be adequately presented in full color.

Pictures and prices – Collectors are visual people who want to see new and interesting things. We will be adopting a “pictures and prices” philosophy that helps expose you to new discoveries, favorite finds and latest market prices.

Among the new features and returning favorites:

Postcard Album – Barbara Andrews has written for Antique Trader for more than 30 years. Her background in postcard collecting has made her one of the most popular columnists in the nation.

Collecting Jewelry –Author Kathy Flood will share her love of antique and vintage jewelry on a regular basis. The owner of an online antique jewelry shop, Flood will speak to the market for jewelry, popular styles and trends. She is the author of numerous books on the subject, most recent of which is Warman’s Jewelry, 4th Edition.

Speaking of Dolls – Sherry Minton’s monthly column is the only column that regularly reports the latest auction prices for dolls traded on the open market. Her pricing analysis puts her work second to none. She is president of three clubs belonging to the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc. She is a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers with a Designated Specialty in Dolls and Toys.

More research from new voices – You will see new voices and experts share what they’ve learned. From coin-ops to Moriage, we will offer you the latest knowledge by those who have collected or worked professionally in these areas.

Online sales results – Hundreds of items are traded online every minute on both auction sites and dealers’ new online shops. These results aren’t generally published, however, we are developing a system at www.AntiqueTrader.com that will allow dealers and auction houses to submit sales results. This will offer readers a broad view of what’s selling and for what prices.

No changes will be made to the number of issues you get each year. Thanks to a change in the production process, we will be delivering the new format two weeks earlier than we reported in the last issue. The new Antique Trader will start with the April 21 edition.

I’d love to hear what you want to see with this change. Drop me a note at eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or call 800-726-9966, ext. 13233 and let’s talk.

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Moran joining Antiques Roadshow 2010 tour

Karen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:51:41 GMT

IOLA, Wis. — Author Mark F. Moran will be among the appraisers on the Antiques Roadshow tour across the U.S. this year.

Moran will be part of the appraisal team at the collectibles table when the popular PBS show, produced by WGBH in Boston, visits Billings, Mont., on June 26; Biloxi, Miss., on July 24; and Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 7. The 2010 Tour kicks off in San Diego on June 12, and also stops in Miami Beach, Fla., on July 10, before wrapping up in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 21. This is the program’s 15th season.

"Feels like I’ve been called up to the majors," said Moran, 57. "It’s a genuine thrill to be part of the show."

A former newspaper reporter, editor and columnist, Moran was also an antique dealer in Rochester, Minn., in the 1980s and ‘90s. He is the author of more than 25 books on antiques and collectibles. For the last two years, he has been editor of the 800-page Warman’s Guide to Antiques & Collectibles, which this year is in its 45th edition.

Moran is Senior Editor, Antiques and Collectibles Books, for Krause Publications (a division of F+W Media) in Iola, Wis., and has been a contributing editor for Antique Trader magazine. He has also served as editor of Antique Review East magazine; was producer of the antiques megashow Atlantique City, an was editorial director of F+W Media’s Antiques Group.

He has been active as an appraiser of antiques and fine art for more than 20 years, and is currently associated with Landmarks Gallery and Restoration Studio in Milwaukee.

For tickets, visit http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/tickets.html

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Collectors keep Quimper market vibrant

Karen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:47:00 GMT

This week’s cover story on Quimper pottery illustrates what’s best about collectors.

Collectors are those people who, when they develop an affinity for a particular item, read and research everything there is on that topic. They stick with their appreciation no matter the obstacles. The hobby is more about personal enjoyment than it is about dollars and cents. So it is, evidently, with Quimper collectors. Chriss Swaney’s article shows demand is still strong for Quimper pieces even though skilled faience makers in France create new pieces every year.

Dealers say they are experiencing this demand at shows as well. Noted Quimper expert Joan Datesman told me that she continues to make her strongest sales and meet the most engaged customers at shows. Although the market is more sophisticated than it was 30 years ago, the market is still vibrant with new people inquiring about the pottery every month. She said many of these inquiries are from those who are just now inheriting collections; it will truly be exciting during the course of the next few years to see these fantastic items come to market.

On page 14 we highlight a spectacular family collection coming to market. The Tom Gray collection has the makings of becoming a part of North Carolina history. Every object in the sale has a personal story directly connected to Gray, his mother, cousin, great-uncle or the Moravians who settled in Forsyth County, N.C. The 560-lot sale is a rare opportunity for North Carolinians to enjoy their heritage on a new level.

Elsewhere in this issue, as seen on page 6, I was glad Anne Gilbert sent along a value on old barn cupolas. These structures are everywhere where we live and many are pretty additions. I have often wondered myself what the stately provincial additions would be worth on the open market. Now that everyone will know they can be worth up to $800 apiece, I wonder how many will stay on the tops of barns and how many will find a home inside an urban loft somewhere.

On page 18 we offer you a sneak preview of our newly-designed Antique Trader. The issue will offer more pages, more color photos and more coverage on online sales and auctions. We will be keeping many of our popular features and adding new ones, and I think you’ll really be pleased with the final result.

This week’s guest column by dealer/picker Doug Singleton is the last contribution to our coverage on The History Channel’s “American Pickers” show. Rumor has it that a second season has been ordered. Stay tuned.

Eric Bradley
Editor

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Antique Trader columns cover a wide variety of antiques

Karen — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:36:58 GMT

Tips on finding good antique furniture; Q & A's on what your antiques and collectibles might be worth; antique dolls; art market analysis - you'll find it all on www.antiquetrader.com.

Here are some of our recent antiques, art, and collectibles columns:

Furniture Detective: Avoiding phony mahogany

Ask Antique Trader: Water cooler found at yard sale worth $400 to $500

Art Markets: LeRoy Neiman prints gaining momentum

Guest Column: How I paid my rent by thrifting - a favorite among Antique Trader readers

Postcard Album: Messages on humanitarian postcards still ring true

Furniture Detective: Veneer fact and fiction: Appreciating an age-old process

Speaking of Dolls: After 100 years, Bleuette still attracting new fans

Furniture Detective: Veneer fact and fiction: Appreciating an age-old process

This is a minute fraction of the wealth of information you will find on the Antique Trader Web site.

If you would like to see a specific topic covered, let us know: e-mail us at ATNews@fwmedia.com.

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Antique occupational shaving mug brings $8,500

Karen — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:17:10 GMT

Here's an interesting hobby that doesn't seem to get much attention but nevertheless brings respectable prices at auction: antique occupational shaving mugs.

We wrote on this topic a few years ago, but a major collection is being sold by W. Yoder Auctions of Wisconsin over the last year or so. The second installment is taking place RIGHT NOW over at Proxibid. It is the first day of a two-day sale that has some sweet finds.

The occupational shaving mugs were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and added a touch of individuality to a gentleman's daily shaving routine. The barber shop collectible is much sought after by collectors across many different areas.

The mug shown here represents a Civil War soldier/ veterinarian and was sold for $8,500 this morning. Click the image for a link to the auction catalog online.

The auction takes place online today here. Part two starts tomorrow morning and is carried live via Proxibid.

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Antique Trader cover feature: A history of Steuben glass

Karen — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:49:10 GMT

Beautiful, isn't it?

CLICK HERE to read the cover feature: A history of Steuben glass

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Free Antique Trader Traveler ready for download

Eric Bradley, editor — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:07:06 GMT

The Spring 2010 edition of Antique Trader Traveler, a free online supplement, is ready for download here.

Traveler is a special section we produce every quarter. It's a benefit for collectors who travel across the country in search of antiques or fine museums that exhibit precious objects. This season's Traveler reaches across the four corners of the United States.

Among the features:

MC Presents lets you shop in the shadow of the Rockies
All roads lead to the Brimfield Antiques Shows
Zurko Shows are turning up the heat in the Heartland
Los Angeles Museum celebrates America’s Everyday Life
A wealth of history waiting at Scott Antique Markets

Get out ... and download your Spring Traveler today!

JFK love letters bring $115,000

Eric Bradley, editor — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:46:57 GMT

In an age of seemingly constant political scandals, there's one celebrity whose exploits have captivated collectors and historians: John F. Kennedy.

Legendary Auctions announced today it has sold the collection of personal letters and telegrams exchanged between then-U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy and a young Swedish woman, Gunilla von Post, for more than $115,000.

The auction of the letters attracted bidders from around the globe. The winning bidder, a West Coast collector, wishes to remain anonymous.

The fourteen correspondence pieces -- eleven letters and three telegrams -- recount the long-distance relationship as it ignites and unfolds between March, 1954 and the late summer of 1956.

The story of the letters began in August, 1953. Just a few weeks before a 35-year-old Senator Kennedy was to wed Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, he vacationed on the French Riviera. While there, Kennedy met von Post, 21, a Swedish woman with aristocratic roots. The two shared a romantic evening capped by a passionate kiss.

Obviously, the evening had a lasting impact on Kennedy. Six months after becoming acquainted with von Post, despite his marriage to Jackie and increasing immersion in politics, Kennedy went to the trouble of locating the Swedish beauty in Stockholm. For the next eighteen months, the two traded intimate communications with each other, ultimately reuniting for a week-long holiday in Sweden during August, 1955.

After he returned to the U.S., Kennedy and von Post continued to converse over the phone. In her book, Love, Jack, von Post recounts how Kennedy attempted to persuade her to move to the U.S. Ultimately, Kennedy told von Post he had confided his love for her to his father and sought counsel in considering a divorce. In no uncertain terms, the elder Kennedy told Jack that divorce was impossible.

Not long after this call, Kennedy reached out to von Post again and informed her that his wife was pregnant. It was then that von Post decided it was time to move on with her life, eventually marrying on July 18, 1956. A chance encounter in New York City almost two years later was the last time the two saw each other.

The rest, as they say, is history ... and evidently worth $115,000.

Big changes to Antique Trader

Eric Bradley, editor — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:41:58 GMT

As all of our readers — be they collectors or dealers — have changed with the evolution of antiques trade, so have the publications that cover the hobby.

Our goal has always been to create a resource that is valuable and useful for all types of buyers and sellers. For the last few months we have been working behind the scenes to revamp and update Antique Trader into a publication that’s even more useful for antiques lovers. This includes a batch of new features, popular favorites, more pages, a new physical format and a closer association with our Web site for those of you on the go.

Did I mention more pages?

In the coming weeks we will introduce you to the new features and format, with the new Trader starting with the April 21 cover dated issue. Rest assured, all subscribers will continue to receive the same number of copies of the magazines each year. We just want to make them the best copies they can be.

I’d love to hear what you want to see with this change. Want more pictures and prices? More auction coverage? What do you need to be a better collector or dealer? Drop me a note at eric.bradley@fwmedia.com or call 800-726-9966, ext. 13233 and let’s talk.

We will, however, be making one change starting in the next issue. We will no longer be focusing on the North, East and West regions of the country. Instead we will concentrate more on photos, prices realized and shows. Once a month we will still focus on the South thanks to its popularity among readers.

American Pickers still a hot topic

In this issue we wind down the feedback from our March 3 cover story on The History Channel’s American Pickers television program. There is no doubt this show has struck a nerve. Next week’s issue will include a column by a professional picker who says there’s two sides to every transaction, but integrity looms large no matter what you’re selling.

We have a winner

A hearty congratulations is bestowed to Dennis Kluthe of Swansea, Ill., for winning the February Antique Trader Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes. Kluthe wins a four-volume set of hardcover books on historic postcards published by England’s Bodleian Library. The titles include Postcards from Utopia, Postcards of Lost Royals, Postcards from Checkpoint Charlie and Postcards of Political Icons. A special tip of the hat goes out to the thousands of people who entered for a chance to win. Thank you. The sweepstakes for March is for a copy of the newly updated Antique Trader Tools Price Guide, 3rd Edition by Clarence Blanchard, Krause Publications, 2010.

— Posted by Eric Bradley

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McCoy art pottery keeps Cabin Fever at bay

Eric Bradley, editor — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:55:58 GMT

Every so often a line from Pixar's Ratatouille pops in my head: "The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations ... the new needs friends."

So whenever a new shop opens up I try to be the first in line. Such was the case with a local shop that specializes in Art Deco and Mid Century Modern antiques and vintage furniture. It's a nice little shop tucked inside a two-story, brick building nestled in an aging downtown. Inside is a great assortment of consigned items and those resold by the shop owners.

On the first floor one can find Danish modern furniture and teak candlesticks, handsomely matched with Atomic 50s lamps and snack trays that are too cool for a thrift store but too new for an antiques shop.

I took my time and made sure to visit the basement. There on a shelf were two sleek green spheres peeking out from underneath shocks of dusty, dried eucalyptus stems poorly paired with clumps of burgandy silk flowers.

A closer look showed the bent stalks were crammed into a piece of florists foam that had been glued to the bottom of a nice pair of Nelson McCoy Art Deco vases from the 1940s. A quick rub of the thumb revealed their shiny glaze and the famous NM mark on the bottom.

The price sticker on the side said the pair were marked 75 percent off - about $5. The vases have a new home on our bookshelf - minus the eucalyptus.

Take some time to explore someplace new this weekend. We'd love to hear what you discovered.

Unusual antique and vintage table lamps - Separated at birth?

Karen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:23:30 GMT

Those of you who visit this blog may get a little tired of me chatting about cool vintage lighting. Well, here's one more post on vintage table lamps you'll have to suffer through.

On my morning run around the Internet, I came across this neat little rusty vintage lamp. It's one of those odd items that makes you wonder about its original use.

The vintage metal table lamp features a scroll design and a pivoting bowl shade. It would look perfect in an industrial modern office, juxtaposed next to a sleek, chrome laptop.

In fact, this morning's little discovery reminded me of a French Art Deco lamp sold in January. I still haven't gotten enough of the vintage lighting offered at a recent 20th century decorative arts auction.

Although the rusty noggin found at Goodwill will probably end up selling for around $50, this gorgeous French nickeled brass and shagreen version brought brought $1,586 at Rago Auction.

Seeing them side-by-side it still makes me wonder: Separated at birth?

-posted by Eric Bradley

Antique Trader annual to the rescue

Karen — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:30:26 GMT

A couple of weeks ago, my family headed to Wisconsin Dells, a popular play-place in Central Wisconsin, to celebrate my daughter's birthday.

Of course, what's a trip anywhere without heading into some local antique shops and antique malls. We managed to make it to three shops before the child's feet gave out. Of course, I was paranoid with her touching everything she could ... "you break it - you buy it" was reverberating through my head.

I breathed a bit easier when she decided to stick to my husband's side rather than mine. You see, my husband and I don't walk through shops and flea markets together - we separate and each look on our own. It works for us.

Anyway, my family was waiting for me at the front of the mall, my daughter sitting pathetically on the floor because her feet and legs were tired, my husband waiting patiently, and I finally found something that "grabbed" me.

An Antique Trader Weekly annual. And at half price, too! From long before my time with the magazine started - 1982-1983 ... (let's see, I was a freshman in high school ... back then I wasn't the slightest bit interested in antiques) ... but now I want to go back through and read all the great features bound within its pages.

I could sit and read through it for hours: the evolution of the ice cream dipper; sewing machines; pie-making tools; Fostoria lamps; Staffordshire toy ware; Christmas seals; collecting washboards; the list of fabulous antique features goes on and on ...

Perhaps as I read through it I'll be inspired to start a new collection, or maybe revisit a subject or two in an upcoming issue of Antique Trader.

I guess even the Antique Trader is collectible now ...

The really great thing, the very next week, a collectibles club contacted Antique Trader inquiring about an old article on Christmas tree ornaments that was published back in 1982. Fate was watching out for all of us, because we found the article in the annual that I had just picked up. I get goosebumps thinking about it ...

Happy Hunting everyone!

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

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Chattanooga antiques market sees some promise

Eric Bradley, editor — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:10:56 GMT

I had the fortune to be interviewed by the Chattanooga Times Free Press last week for an article on the region's antiques trade. You can see the full article here. There is even a little audio on the definition of an antique.

The reporter, Tamara Best, did a great job in summarizing the businesses' ups and downs and even went the extra mile to add a few helpful hints from local shop owners and auctioneers. Some of the hints:

antique silver and oriental rugs are selling particularly well
utilize the Internet to sell
capitalize on social media
enhance their customer service, and
have a moderate rate of turnover

Each week I see more and more shop owners pop up on Facebook. This is a great way to generate some free publicity for your business.

What are some of the methods you are using to generate traffic, virtual or otherwise, into your shop? Feel free to share below.

-posted by Eric Bradley