Free Updates

Let us tell you when new posts are added!

Email:

Navigation

Categories

Search

Archives

<April 2009>
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
2930311234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293012
3456789

More Links


# Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Brand new issue of Antique Trader headed to press
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Another great issue of Antique Trader that we're really excited about.

Here's a peek:



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Learn more about Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your free online ads HERE.


Antique News | Antiques News | Antiques publications | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles | Vintage Fashion
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 4:55:44 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Reyne Haines on CBS Early Show each month
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Here's her April 18 appearance on the CBS Early Show:







You can read the accompanying article, "Trash or Treasure?" on the CBS Web site by clicking HERE.

Reyne Haines (in case you missed it earlier this month) launched her own blog at http://www.threeormore.net/.

We encourage you to check it out when you get the chance for valuable antiques and collecting information.

—Posted by Karen

Antique Blog | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:41:59 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Bonanzle passes 1.7 million items & 50,000 users
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

A few weeks ago, Antique Trader signed up on Twitter. You can follow us at http://twitter.com/antiquetrader and see "the man behind the curtain" and check out what we're up to ;)

Many of our followers and followees, if you will, list in the Bonanzle (www.bonanzle.com) marketplace.

Bonanzle published a press release on April 26 touting excellent growth and success (considering it's going head-to-head with the ever-present 700-pound online marketplace gorilla eBay):

BONANZLE GOING VIRAL

Seven months out of Beta, Bonanzle surges past 50,000 registered users and becomes the second largest eBay alternative marketplace – in the same week

Kirkland, WA, April 26, 2009 – Just seven months out of beta, Bonanzle has continued to climb the ranks as one of the brightest stars of ecommerce, surpassing 50,000 registered users and 1.7 million unique items in the same week. 

Innovative tools, simplicity, and an emphasis on non-generic inventory have attracted over 13,000 sellers to Bonanzle since its September 2008 launch.  These sellers have taken it upon themselves to spread the word about Bonanzle amongst their friends and fellow sellers, intent on building Bonanzle into the largest marketplace for finding “everything but the ordinary.”  Thanks to their efforts, Powersellersunite now shows Bonanzle to be the second largest eBay alternative marketplace, with more than 1.7 million unique items available for purchase.

Despite the success of the site in building out inventory, Bonanzle’s team insists that the focus of the site remains on providing the best experience for buyers looking to purchase non-generic items.  Says Founder Bill Harding:

“We continue to be stunned at the support our selling community has given us, and what they continue to achieve in terms of building inventory and traffic.  For our part, we’re intent on reciprocating their efforts by adding new features to the site every week, many of which are aimed at improving the buying experience so buyers remember Bonanzle as the easiest site to find the rare, unique, or otherwise non-generic item they’re looking for.”

“Our latest effort on this front will debut at the end of this week, and will allow buyers to browse our 1.7 million item inventory on a variety of new dimensions.  For example, if you were shopping for soccer shin guards, and you wanted to see only those made with fiberglass protection, we would provide that option. When combined with our site-wide chat system, which facilitates real time answers to buyer questions, we believe our reputation as the best marketplace to find everything but the ordinary will continue to grow.”

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Bill Harding, please call Mark Dorsey at 206-396-7321 or email Mark at mark@bonanzle.com.

How about you readers? Have you experience buying and/or selling on Bonanzle? Has it been a good experience?


Antique News | Antiques News | eBay | green living
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 10:20:31 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Monday, April 27, 2009
Weekend do-over?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Is it possible to request a do-over for the weekend? I think I could have done better.

I really wanted to get out and visit one of the "local" flea markets (local for me is within 100 miles), but the weather and my schedule didn't co-operate.

How far will you travel to attend a one-day show or flea market - or auction, for that matter - as a buyer, browser or spectator?

If I travel any great distance, I certainly want to make the trip worth my while and soak it ALL in ...

How about you?

— Posted by Karen


Antique Blog | Antiques Auction | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques Show | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles
Monday, April 27, 2009 8:23:04 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Friday, April 24, 2009
Shortcuts to antiques and collectibles features
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Do you have little patience for looking for feature stories?

I have a treat for you: here are some quick links to Antique Trader feature articles right here on the Antique Trader blog!

Pardon me, but do you have the time? (Collecting vintage watches)

PEZ: 92 years and counting

Charlie Chan, international man of mystery

The game is afoot! Who is Arthur Conan Doyle?

Take these postcards with a grain of salt

How about a little history? The Quad Cities’ quirks

Modern art movements relegated the queen’s paintings to the attic

Ask Antique Trader: How to fix an old cane seat

Exploring the whalers’ art: Scrimshaw enthusiasts from around the world gather in Massachusetts



As always, feel free to contact us and let us know what you think and what you would like to see more (or less) of!

One of my personal favorites in this week's issue is the Charlie Chan feature. (I never knew he was based on a real person.) It took me back to watching the Saturday afternoon movies on TV as a kid (and my Mom saying "It's nice out! Go play outside!" ... I think so she could watch it in peace by herself ...)

I also enjoyed this week's Art Markets column. It was nice to get a glimpse of Queen Victoria the woman as opposed to Queen Victoria the monarch.

Sandy's favorite article in this issue is "Who is Arthur Conan Doyle?" She said once she was too old for the Hardy Boys, she turned to Arthur Conan Doyle ...

— Posted by Karen


antique | Antique Blog | Antiques | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques publications | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles | Ephemera | fine art | Historic Preservation | Modern | Modernism | Postcards
Friday, April 24, 2009 12:14:44 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Latest issue of Antique Trader
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Here's a sneak peek at the cover of this week's Antique Trader:



As you can see, this week's cover features are PEZ (which I had no idea was soooo old) and vintage watches

— Posted by Karen

Antique News | Antiques | Antiques News | Antiques publications | Antiques, Atlantique City, Antiques Show, Antique Trader, Collectibles | pop art
Friday, April 24, 2009 10:39:54 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Great Unknown: Wood bunny
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Every week, “Ask Antique Trader” receives scores of inquiries from readers, seeking more information about a recent find, a gift from a friend or relative, or an oddity that’s been sitting on a shelf for years.

We pass all of these questions along to our panel of experts, but once in awhile, we get a question about an object that stops us in our tracks. We want to share these unusual treasures with readers in the hope that they’ll offer their opinions and perhaps enlighten us all.

“Ask Antique Trader” will feature these oddities on a regular basis in the print and online editions of the magazine. Send your comments to AskAT@fwmedia.com or post a reply here on the Antique Trader blog.

AT 5-6 DSCN1993.jpgAT 5-6 DSCN1994.jpg
"I bought this little box in the form of a rabbit several years ago in Illinois. It’s about 6 inches by 6 inches and all hand carved, with a small storage area hollowed out. At first I thought it was walnut, but now I’m not sure. Can’t seem to find any information about it. It appears to have some age."


Antique Mystery Item
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:47:50 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [2]
Worth more than a thousand words
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” but not just a thousand words. A picture is worth so much more, as they can cause the viewer empathetic pain, pleasure, sadness, joy. They can make you sit and ponder their intricacies and nuances for time that you don’t have to spare.

These are significant moments frozen in time.

One nice thing about the art of photography is that the artists can produce such prolific bodies of work, providing an eager collecting community plenty of opportunities to expand their collections.

Jeff_Vallee_001.jpgJeff Vallee “Harvey” from the series “ This time tomorrow, where will we be?” Courtesy iGavel.com.

Currently, iGavel is holding an online photography auction celebrating American photographers and benefiting the Americans for the Arts organization.

The show features the work of more than 40 artists, including Jock Sturges, Les Krims, Ben Watts, Cass Bird, Jason Nocito, and Vincent Laforet. Opening bids are $300.

This auction is going on through April 30, 2009. (Click here to learn more about the online photography auction benefiting Americans for the Arts.)


HL3.jpgEduard Steichen, Lilac Buds, Mrs S., 1906. Courtesy iGavel.com. 

Also, through May 13, is the Spring Online Auction of Photographs presented by Daniel Cooney Fine Art.

(Click here to learn more about this online photography auction opportunity.)

— Posted by Karen

Antiques Auction | Auction | Ephemera | Historic Preservation | Modern | pop art
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 2:45:36 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Falling in love with old paint
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

A few years ago I had the chance to pick up a set of three painted cupboards. I remember thinking $400 was a lot to spend on these three less-than-perfect pieces. But I thought about it for a few days and ended up buying them.

Two of the cupboards (I know some of you will cringe at this ... I do myself!) I repainted. They were painted a light green color and they had the original green glass pulls. I simply cleaned the two smaller cupboards up, sanded them, and painted them white. They are striking with the green glass knobs too.

dining room table painted hoosier.jpgThey look nice, and they're very functional. But sometimes I think I should have left them wearing their green paint.

The largest piece is a Hoosier-type cupboard with a base cabinet and a hutch. I didn't do anything with that one right away because I didn't have a place for it in my house. Recently we finished our dining room, which is the room I earmarked as the home for this cupboard. All I did with this piece was clean it with a weak detergent/bleach solution and painted the insides of the drawers in the base cabinet. I couldn't bring myself to paint over the green paint with the scrapes and character marks.

And I'm glad I did.

I think it lends my dining room charm and warmth. Granted, the room is still quite empty - I have to go through my treasure storage to properly fill it - but I like my cupboard in its "as-found" state.

What do you think?

I even found my 5-gallon Red Wing sippin' jug!

— Posted by Karen Knapstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Visit the Antique Trader Web site HERE. Sign up for our FREE newsletters!
• If you really like what you see, get your own subscription to Antique Trader HERE.
• Reference books available about your favorite collectibles HERE
• Antique Trader message boards HERE.
• Browse the Antique Trader Classifieds or place your FREE online ads HERE.
• Find us on Twitter HERE.





Antique Blog | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | green living | kitchen antiques
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:49:49 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Monday, April 20, 2009
Antiques Roadshow - time well spent
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

I usually try to catch the Antiques Roadshow on Monday nights. (I'm watching right now—Grand Rapids, Mich. ... I missed about half of the show, but I'm enjoying what I am seeing ...) I admit it, I'm a "Roadshow junkie" ...

A bit ago, a group of Mather work incentive posters made it on the air. I have to say the only time I've seen them is in auction previews and reviews. It was nice to see them in the hands of a collector.

The Roadshow collector purchased the posters at a show, and they were rolled up under a table. What struck me was he paid $1,500-$1,700 for these posters that he didn't know exactly what they were.

He must have a really good eye, because the group ended up being valued at $13,000-$19,500!

I get excited for the folks on the Roadshow when I see them get excited. I guess I'm happy they're happy!

What was your favorite item on the Roadshow tonight? Did I miss anything really good?

Jasper Cropsey painting $300,000-$350,000! Get a chair under that lady before she collapses!

—Posted by Karen


Antique Blog | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs
Monday, April 20, 2009 7:48:19 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Friday, April 17, 2009
Mitchell Museum focuses on Native American jewelry and beadwork
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

Check it out:

Old Native Jewelry and Beadwork To Be Focus of Events April 25-26 at Mitchell Museum
 
EVANSTON, Ill. —  Special events for seasoned and novice collectors of old Native American jewelry and beadwork — and anyone curious about these genres  — are scheduled for Saturday, April 25,  and Sunday, April 26, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston.

Tom and Deborah Begner, of Turkey Mountain Traders, Scottsdale, Ariz., will make presentations, conduct an informal appraisal session, and exhibit a diverse collection of items for sale. Ten percent of sales proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Mitchell Museum.

The Begners will give a presentation on “Antique Eastern Woodlands Beadwork” at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, focusing largely on beadwork made by members of the various Iroquois tribes from about 1800 to 1930.

At 2:15 p.m., they will offer informal identifications and appraisals of old Native American jewelry and Eastern beadwork brought in by the public.

They will speak on “The Top 10 Things to Look for in Old Indian Jewelry” at 3:15 p.m.

The Begners, who founded Turkey Mountain Traders 20 years ago, will stage an exhibition and sale of old jewelry and antique Eastern beadwork from 4-7 p.m. Items for sale include beadwork items priced from about $100 to $3,000, including beaded bags, souvenir “whimseys,” and hats from the late 1800s.  The jewelry is principally of Navajo and Zuni Pueblo origin, with items priced from $125. A noteworthy piece is a $12,000 Zuni fetish necklace made of shell and stone by the celebrated carver Leekya, who worked in the 1940s and 1950s.

Antique Indian beadwork and old jewelry also will be exhibited and sold from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26.
 
Admission to the events is included with museum admission. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, students, teachers (with valid school ID), and children. Maximum suggested admission per family is $10. For information, phone (847) 475-1030. On the Net: www.mitchellmuseum.org.

Looks like an interesting opportunity ...


Antiquities | Historic Preservation
Friday, April 17, 2009 2:20:00 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
This week's Antique Trader comin' at ya
Posted by Antique Trader Staff


Antique Blog | Antique News | Antique Show | Antiques | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques News | Antiques publications | Antiques Show | Historic Preservation
Friday, April 17, 2009 1:11:50 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
There's a lot in a name
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

The other day, I blogged about "What's in a name?"

This morning I read an article that moved me to comment because it ties in with that "name" question. The article is about a Florida antique shop named "Wish You Were Here."

'Wish You Were Here' antique shop named for lost son

If you're a "sensitive type" and a parent like me, you may want to have a tissue ready before you read it.

It's a great way to commemorate a lost loved one ...

— Posted by Karen


Antique Blog | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs
Friday, April 17, 2009 9:23:23 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Question of the Week: Automobile memories anyone?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

My first car, Nelly Belle, was a 1953 Chevrolet. She went on to become a dirt track race car, but never won a single race!

Did our automobilia features remind you of your favorite car? Did it have a name? Was it involved in a memorable incident?

Post a reply here, on the Question of the Week thread in the Antique Trader message boards, or send your response to Sandra.Sparks@fwmedia.com.

--Posted by Sandy


antique | Antique Blog | Antiques | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Antiques, blog, question of the week
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 8:44:18 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
New and improved eBay seller experience?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

EBay is rolling out more changes for eBay sellers to aid in both the seller and buyer experience... From the eBay announcement:
Seller Update: Overview

Keeping eBay a thriving marketplace requires a close partnership between sellers and eBay to give buyers the experience they expect. We continue to invest in driving traffic and buyer loyalty, and we need your help to make buyers happy and keep them coming back. For our part, we're also taking steps to make it easier and more profitable for you to sell.

Easier, more visual shopping and buyer incentives to drive more sales

Key information to set buyer expectations and help reduce your costs

Other updates to make selling on eBay more efficient


The changes roll out in June. What do you think?

Here's a link to the full post


eBay
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 12:58:26 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
Added benefits of collecting
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

When I was in college (which is more years ago than I like to admit), I used to get together with a few friends and play Trivial Pursuit (the original Genus edition). Fun times, fun times!

another piece of the pie.jpgOccasionally my cousin John would join us. John is a stamp collector. He caught the bug from our grandfather (whose birthday is today, in fact — Happy Birthday Grandpa! ... he's 90 today). But I digress ...

John never went on to school after high school. He's a regular blue-collar kind of guy. But I tell you what: John kicks my butt at geography and 20th century history. And I went on to college to get a degree in history!

I believe my dear cousin is so good in those areas because of his stamp collecting hobby. Holding an item in your hand from another country, another time, piques your curiosity so you have a reason to learn more about whatever it is. And it doesn't really matter what it is. It could be a matchbook, a postcard, a piece of furniture or treen — it really doesn't matter.

I think these old items we tend to collect give us a reason to learn more.

What do you think? How much more to collecting is there than just gathering? Is the acquisition of a piece the starting block for you? Or is it the finish line?

Post a reply here and let us know what you think.

(By the way, I usually came out ahead on the Science & Nature and Arts & Literature questions.)

— Posted by Karen


Antique Blog | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs | Ephemera | Postcards
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:10:15 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
# Monday, April 13, 2009
Haines Launches Blog to Connect Enthusiasts with Trends, Tips
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

LOS ANGELES – Reyne Haines, a national media fixture in her role as an expert appraiser in 20th Century Decorative Arts—including on PBS’s popular, long-running series Antiques Roadshow—has launched a blog for antiques and collectibles enthusiasts at www.ThreeOrMore.net. The weekly-updated blog also documents her trips around the country and throughout the antiques industry; tracks auction results and collecting trends, and provides show information.
 
“ThreeOrMore is a personal online guide through which I’ll share my insights into the world of antiques and a hip, current perspective on the collectibles industry,” said Haines. “Despite the economy, the business of collecting is resilient. We are an industry all about investing in the things that we cherish and will increase in value—rather than consumerism—and this is something that’s timeless.”
 
The blog also allows for comments, and subscription to the blog’s feed.

Most recently, in addition to Antiques Roadshow, Haines has appeared as a special guest on CBS’s The Early Show and on CBS 2 News This Morning in New York; and in The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Time Out NY, Worth Magazine and The Collectors Weekly. She contributed the section on Tiffany lamps to Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles 2010 Price Guide and is currently at work on a book for Krause Publications on collecting wristwatches. Haines will reappear on CBS’s The Early Show on April 18 and has a feature article upcoming in The Los Angeles Times.

Reyne’s personal Web site is www.reynehaines.com. For more information, contact Aaron Henry, Found Agency, 310-245-8218, aaron@found-agency.com.



Antique Blog | Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs
Monday, April 13, 2009 4:18:41 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [0]
What's in a name?
Posted by Antique Trader Staff

I paid more attention to usernames while perusing Twitter this morning (by the way, you can follow Antique Trader on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AntiqueTrader), catching up on all kinds of news and happenings.

And it occurred to me that I don't put any effort into my usernames when I open a new online account somewhere, whether it's for a forum or a merchant site. People with businesses, however, have to put a bit of effort into naming their "brand."

I would imagine the first thing you need from your business name is you need it to be memorable.

But what else do you consider when you pick a name? Do you just pick something that sounds good?

What do you think? Can you help out and answer this question for me? How did you come up with your business name, or how do you come up with your user names?

By the way, some Twitter names that I really like because they seem to say it all and are memorable: gypsytrading, bookbrowzers, fleapirates, thepickerpages, oldpixels.

— Posted by Karen


Antiques Blog | Antiques Blogs
Monday, April 13, 2009 8:47:34 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)  #  Comments [2]