Archive for September, 2005

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Looking for Treasures

Friday, September 30th, 2005

Johanna Maranto of The Hampton Union writes how people are looking at their family heirlooms and “treasures” a little differently:

You’ve lived with great-grandma’s gilded Victorian vases your whole life. They were a fixture in the living room of your childhood home, and when your parents downsized a few years ago, you found a spot for them amid the curios in your own corner cabinet. They’re tacky, sure, but you’ve kept them for sentimental reasons.

Until you visited the Antiques Appraisal event sponsored by Langdon Place and the Stratham Historical Society last week, that is. Now, these ornate vessels seem to have a new sheen as they sit proudly on your mantelpiece, for they’ve just been appraised at $500.

Posted in Appraisals | No Comments »

Greg Manning Auction Changing Name

Friday, September 30th, 2005

Rich Duprey of The Motley Fool reports that Greg Manning Auctions has changed its name and possibly its identity:

A name like Greg Manning Auctions could give the impression of a business that’s, well, small and parochial — and worse, it would be a false impression, when your auction-house operations are actually spread far across the globe. That must have been on the minds of the company’s board of directors when it decided to change the name of the leading collectibles company to Escala Group (Nasdaq: ESCL). Now that sounds impressive and, yes, worldly — whatever it actually means.

Posted in Auctions | No Comments »

Growing NASCAR Business

Friday, September 30th, 2005

Phill Trewyn of Milwaukee BizWomen.com writes about Kathy Kleman, who recently bought a racing memoribilia store and has decided capitilize on NASCAR’s popularity to help the business grow:

Kathy Kleman is a former purchasing manager and avid NASCAR fan who managed TC Racing Collectibles in South Milwaukee for three years before buying the business. She said she was seeking a career change and decided to buy the store because she believes there is opportunity for growth. The business experienced 20 percent revenue growth in 2004.

Posted in Shops | No Comments »

Cashing in on Ebay

Monday, September 19th, 2005

St. Paul Pioneer Press posts this article Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post reporting about a book that will help make anyone who wants to make money on Ebay:

As eBay has grown, it offers anything from CDs to collectibles to cameras to cars. While millions of people see eBay as a one-time opportunity to unload unwanted items, a growing number of people are using it as a chance to make a little extra cash or start a small business.

Posted in Books about Collecting, eBay | No Comments »

Collecting Old Kitchen Tools

Monday, September 19th, 2005

Jack Ready of The Brandon Sun writes this article about starting a collection of old kitchen tools:

For the collector who’s looking for a theme with lots of variety, fairly easy accessibility and lots of interest, consider old kitchen tools.

Quite often they present stumbling blocks as to identification, which makes the collecting even more attractive. Examples may include pickle pickers, cherry pitters, a device for removing stems from strawberries or maybe the illustrated item.

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Rare 1913 Nickel to be in Atlanta

Monday, September 19th, 2005

The Weekly reports that a rare 1913 Liberty Head nickel will be on display in Atlanta on October 6-8 at the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Atlanta Expo:

This super-rare coin has been exhibited only three other times since 2004-once in Florida and twice on the West coast. It is the finest of only five known 1913 nickels with the Liberty Head design.

Legend Numismatics purchased the nickel for the second-highest price ever paid for a rare coin. “We love the classic rarities, and owning a 1913 Liberty Head nickel is unlike owning any other coin in the world,” said Laura Sperber, one of the company’s partners.

Posted in Shows and Events | No Comments »

Backstage Auctions to Host Unique Rock Memorabilia Auction

Friday, September 16th, 2005

top40-charts.com posts this article on a rock memorabilia auction to be held by Backstage Auctions on Sunday, October 16th:

Following successful auctions for artists, managers, and producers, Backstage Auctions, Inc. is proud to put the spotlight on a group of renowned music industry professionals who have spent most of their career behind a camera, tape deck or control board for some of rock’s most legendary performers.

Among the items being offered in the auction are original stage blueprints and lighting designs for some of the most remembered rock concerts from the ’70s, never before published “limited edition of one” photos of some of rock’s royalty available only through the auction, signed set lists, slides & negatives, promo t-shirts and jackets, rare ephemera and original interview tapes containing unbelievable unscripted material from some of rock’s greatest musicians and industry professionals.

Posted in Auctions | No Comments »

Finding Treasures in Resale Shops

Friday, September 16th, 2005

Nicki Britton of The Houston Chronicle writes about a store that specializes in selling high-end used items at a fraction of “new” retail prices:

There are no couches with icky, stained upholstery. No insect-infested furniture with pet-chewed legs. No broken-down appliances. No unpleasant, you know, smell.

“It’s not a pawn shop, not a thrift store,” explains business manager Louise Symmes. Rather, the Guild Shop is a resale store that sells high-quality used goods at a fraction of the retail cost.

Check stereotypes and stigmas at the door. Resale shops are a great way to furnish a home on a shoestring budget.

Posted in Shops | No Comments »

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