Collecting Stuff: What About It All ...

2006-03-27T14:09:00.000-05:00

Antennas and Ghost Towns in Good Ol' Brooklyn, USA.

Strolling. This morning the weather's type-lovely. Decided to take a hike down to the furthest of three libraries around my way to check out some stuff on the internet. Decided to take a route I haven't taken in a while. Down Blake Ave.

Many years ago, during the very early to around the mid 70's, I remember, a good stretch of Blake Ave was fitted with a variety of stores -- clothing stores, shoe stores, a variety of food markets, and other offerings to a mainly African American population. Around this time White Americans were migrating from the neighborhood in unprecedented numbers.

Shortly afterwards virtually all the stores spookily vanished. (I remember a few fish markets left standing, plus a bodega on the corner of Blake Ave and Cleveland Street that my moms used to frequently send me for a gallon of milk.) The vanishing of Blake Ave was like a now you see now you don't type scenario a magician might pull out his bag of tricks. The stretch soon gave way to desolation: vacant lots and a multitude of adjoined shuttered buildings. Literally a ghost town. Blake Ave was like an inner-city version of those ghost towns you see on classic westerns, where the climax usually takes place.

Years later, As quietly as Blake Ave's shopping center seemingly dissipated, quite nice, identically designed houses with ample frontyards and driveways soon materialized along the stretch of the old shopping area and several blocks beyond. Blake Ave looked better than it ever had but it was still like a ghost town. See, even after all the vacancies were filled, this particular stretch remained too quiet compared to avenues parallel and equidistant in both directions. Even today, 2006, this stretch of Blake Ave still maintains a sense of tranquility neighboring Avenues and streets don't.

(It would be many, many years before the rest of the neighborhood would see the same level of restoration bestowed Blake Avenue. I believe over a decade and some change… )

Anyway, walkin’ down Blake Ave this morning, my walkman began to act up. I knew the problem: Electromagnetic disturbance no doubt, or something like that (LOL) from the mosaic of antennas propped atop virtually every house.

I decided to detour. I wanted to continue enjoying my walk while listening to vibes from a dance music cassette I had recorded ten years ago. This tape came from a treasured collection of personally mixed master 90-minutes tapes from which I used to dub copies and sell on the street for a dime a pop ($10.00). (For insurance I usually keep masters home and travel with dubbed copies.)

HOLD UP - WAIT-A-MINUTE !!! : am I strayin' or what ???? (LOL) O.K. ...

... Antennas. That what I'm focused on from here on out.

So hearing my music competing with some type feedback and noting all the antennas, I thought about this column and this entry you're reading now. Right there and then I thought about the collectibility of antennas. Is there a collector’s market for these things. Particularly those huge satellite dish types that were so popular in the 80's around my way. To some in the hood these were kinda viewed as status symbols.

So, is their a market for these things? Am I gonna research this beyond e-bay? Hell naw. Just gonna go to my usual first stop researching any collectible. Yes, ebay. (Ebay founders inarguably got something grand with this worldwide and cultural phenomena.)

Enter "roof antennas" into ebay's search engine. Results: Nothing but modern antennas. No collectibles.
Enter “satellite roof antennas: Results: Again, modern stuff. Nothing.

Wow. Is further research necessary? Anyone? I get the feeling, although off the radar, a market exits somewhere for varied roof antennas models from, say, fifteen to twenty years ago and even further back … Anyone (LOL) ????

2006-03-24T14:03:00.000-05:00

Esther Hunt, I see you, girl … … … … … … … … …

A question to Lil Sis:
“What made you buy that Esther Hunt piece?”

Lil Sis' response:
“I thought it was unusual, it looked alright. [Plus] I thought it would look nice on top of any piece of furniture and decorate a room nicely … I would keep it but I’m gonna get rid of it if I can ...”

((( To each his/her own )))

Plugging “Esther Hunt,” the artist, into Google search engine reveals a good amount of data. Did I go through any of it. Actually, no. Just read a little bit of her upbringing. I did note her time on this plane, 1875 to 1951. Knowing the era from which an artist culled inspiration is something I’m interested in. Being privy to this usually known fact about artists obviously sheds light on why an artist creates as he/she does. I’ve always known this. But now, I’m plugging into this connection a little deeper as I enjoy (or dislike) artists' interpretations of both the world immediately around them and/or other worlds they might be privy to but actually beyond experiencing.

No I’m not trying to sound deep. …I’m basically just saying the world is big. Stay deaf dumb and blind to it all or learn and gain knowledge from the interaction of human beings beyond how this goes down in your own backyard. And the media is no way thorough with their feed of how a lot of what goes down actually goes down. Dig me???

You know what I realized? I’m finally enjoying history – now that I’m learning it my way (LOL). Always hated the shit out of history in school. Thoroughly hated it.

Well, I’m gonna conclude this write-up here. Detailed research on Esther Hunt collectibles will be necessitated accordingly.

Finally, the weekends here, People. Let’s enjoy it and be safe.

2006-03-23T12:24:00.000-05:00

Audio Cassettes: Esther will have to wait … …

I sat down originally intent on writing something about Esther Hunt collectible busts (let’s quickly peek ebay listing). Lil sis had acquired one and plans on eventually selling it. I figured I would do a little research into these items and simultaneously come away with something worth posting here. But all this will have to wait. All ‘cause of some squeaking I heard.

See, settled into writing this piece, a portable Panasonic tape player sat opposite me -- twirling the spokes of an audio cassette. Artist and title? Ronnie Laws “Classic Masters” (Capitol Records, 1984). A compilation of previously released jazz-fusion tunes, the playlist includes two cuts I always appreciate hearing, “Every Generation” and “Friends and Strangers.” Anyway, as the volume was very low, I noted a clear but not overly disturbing squeaking noise.

(Yeah, it’s the tape alright; my other tapes play squeak-free. And nope, the tape player isn’t one of those beautiful, original, old-school 1980’s boom boxes. This particular player has a CD player, definitely of the way-new-school variety)

As I was saying, this squeaking didn’t bother me too much. Rather, I got to thinking that I still can appreciate playing these 3”x 2” plastic devices with yards and yards of magnetic tape sealed inside.

I understand, to most people nowadays audio cassettes are antiquated and not worth fooling around with, but I can still appreciate the “… retro appeal and visceral aural aesthetic[s]” this relic offers. I don’t necessarily search for cassettes but if I come into a batch it’s a 50/50 shot that I would browse the titles for something worth purchasing.

Bottomline:
I think the enjoyment of analog cassettes will never completely fade, even so given the many clear benefits digital music offers (ever think maybe digitization translates into offering too much …) Plus many music dealers still sell cassettes, even on ebay. Like roaches, cassettes (including VCR tapes, 8-track tapes, etc.) will always be around and collected by someone, even if not zealously. Yeah these relics are collectible too. Alright cheap collectibles (LOL).

Reference: See last Paragraph of Steve Guttenberg’s article: this is where I pulled the quote “… retro appeal and visceral aural aesthetic[s]” from.
By Steve Guttenberg (February 23, 2006)
From C-NetVinyl rules: shopping for turntables in the digital age

And yes, I still love playing music on a pair of turntables.

2006-03-21T05:06:00.000-05:00

This exact moment my mind’s a blankspot.

Got nothin’ to say. But want y’all to know I’ll get back with the program shortly. Peace.

2006-03-17T14:04:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Blogspot, for clearing up the technical difficulties. …

… I’m just sitting here, now, relaxing and playing records, the focus on some fine jazz by Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, and Ruth Brown. I labeled these and albums by artists with similar sounding vibes “Smokey Jazz Club Tunes.” A prelude to hoping everyone has a safe & enjoyable weekend.

2006-03-16T15:07:00.000-05:00

Thrift Shops & A Collection’s Theme: Some Thoughts...

Just a fleeting thought flipped into a question for y’all: Do you think there is room for major innovations in the thrift shop business. I do.

I’ve always pictured the business of running a thrift shop(s) as one that could provide mostly meager to modest earnings -- exceptions to the rule relatively small in comparison. I believe that for the majority of people, especially those who own and single-handedly run thrift shop businesses, (for example) as a mom/pop-type operation, the money can’t be all that great. The money made by veteran dealers probably doesn’t even match the salary of a newly hired banker fresh out of grad school (and this guy’s MBA isn’t even Ivy League status, … please respond if I’m way off here …). Indeed, the business model of thrift shops has plenty of room for growth. (Franchise anyone?)
Perhaps because it’s such a down-to-earth-type business -- with a culture that’s too open, where anyone can jump onboard -- people with big money can’t see seriously investing in it all …

I think the possibility is such that the whole paradigm of thrift shops as a centralized business could be reworked to seriously interest even Wall Street. .

Even marketing and branding of the thrift stores is completely off the radar. Where are the brand name thrift shops, the marketing and advertising campaigns for thrift shops on our television and computer screens? Unexplored territory. Forget that the whole business is based on MOSTLY USED ITEMS. This is unchartered territory.

Nuff said on that …

A COLLECTION’S THEME:
I could appreciate a collection having a theme binding everything. Check out these items for sale on ebay. All these goods are celebrity-related items. The ebayers tag is “celebcollectible.” I’d pointed out in an earlier entry (Tuesday, February 21, 2006: “Collectible Musings: What makes something collectible? Why Collect? Who Collects? How to Collect? …”) that “a theme is usually the glue for any collection.” With so much stuff to collect and invest in, a point of focus is good. For one thing it seduces one into specializing instead of buying & selling in a scatterbout manner. You’ll find managing your business much easier the more you know about the items you sell … or, rather, the more you know your specialty.

2006-03-15T10:23:00.000-05:00

The Sopranos Franchise (Part 3)

Let’s check ebay for Sopranos collectibes right now.

“I’m Back” (Now who da hell said that? I think Jack Nicholson.)

Anyway, I took just a quick-minute to peek ebay’s Sopranos’ items. But that’s all the time I needed to corroborate what I (or anyone else for that matter) would probably surmise. And that is that the collectibles market for “Sopranos” related items matters.

I refrained from saying the market is "healthy," used the word “matters” instead. See, I’ve done zero research into “Sopranos” collectibles. But the ebay listing, sorted by “highest [price] first,” says quite enough.

Off on a tangent:

Question which franchise is making more money: “Sex And the City” or “The Sopranos?”

I remember, last year, seeing practically an entire multi-leveled train station on the lower East Side (I believe Broadway-Lafayette on the F-train line) decorated with “Sex And The City” advertisements. The hook-up wasn’t just plastered ads; you could tell a coordinated team came through with a pre-planned strategy and the funds to do what these guys did.

So, which of the two franchises do you believe makes more money for the players involved in each.

I think the “Sopranos” because it’s not just “sex.” It’s “sex and violence.” Gotta give fantasy-starved audiences what they want. In healthy dosages.

2006-03-14T09:36:00.000-05:00

The Sopranos Franchise (Part 2)

Today's entry is about the article "Blood Brothers" by David Amsden in the “Sopranoland” issue of “New York” magazine’s March 6, 2006 issue.

The author tries too hard to convey parallels between true mob culture and how the lead-thug characters on the “Sopranos” associate with each other away from camera lenses. But I understand having characters that unwaveringly authenticate the roles they play is crucial to superior film making. And so it’s no surprise the author notes “most everyone [of the Soprano’s cast] has roots in the tri-state area, with an especially healthy dose of Brooklyn pride among them.” According to one of the Soprano’s lead actors, Dan Grimaldi: “We grew up in neighborhoods with Italian doctors, Italian lawyers, and Italian Mafioso. We knew these people. We’ve been associated with this stuff all our lives.”

I guess the question I’m rhetorically asking is this: How associated? As an admirer? As a wannabe? As an actual player in da game? Low-level, mid-level?

Check this: it also seems the “Sopranos” crew also has some unspoken pact between themselves that seeks to exclude ANYONE NOT properly molded to play a “Sopranos’” gangsta: As James Gandolfini, the Soprano’s family top guy on & off the cameras puts it: “I remember one time, we had someone come in who wasn’t from the same background. We all knew it wasn’t going to work, and it didn’t.”

That’s all cool. Shooting for realism in a series of this nature is so key. I’m also aware that role playing could easily insinuate its way into an actor’s regular self. (I read sometime back in “Rolling Stone” magazine that it took an actor -- who played Johnny Nash, the country music Hall of Famer(???) -- almost or up to a year after the film’s completion for him to totally shed Johnny’s persona.).

But the Sopranos lead actors seem to have up the ante. Or it might be that the article’s author is pushing the envelope here. See, I’m not entirely sure of his conviction. I get the feeling the author is thoroughly hyped and enamored with the “Sopranos” program and the hype found its way into his article.

But I’m not excluding the very real possibility that an actor could’ve been a “bad man,” for real, before pursuing a stint at or a career in acting. Therein might lie the real intrigue – away from the storyline -- for True “Sopranos” fans.

Hey, question: are any books available discussing this stuff (I’m too lazy to check, Plus I’m not an ardent “Sopranos” fan. Just catch it on the fly from time to time. Must say, though, it is very entertaining programming… Yeah, I guess I can understand the hype.)

2006-03-13T13:03:00.000-05:00

The Sopranos Franchise (Part1)

(Just free-stylin,’ seeing where this piece takes me …)

I made a rather unlikely prediction in an earlier post that basically the antiques/collectibles market would eventually fold-in on itself, nevermind the veracity that the market is exponentially glutted now, probably moreso than ever prior to the information age. But Stuff will always be around that will be collected. Period.

( I guess I didn’t really believe the opposite when I wrote it, but it sounded good and fell lovingly in context to everything discussed in that blog entry. By the way, I’ll try my best to refrain from writing air-filled statements. )

But yes – the collectibles market will sustain itself as long as pop culture stays dangling in our faces. Prime example: the huge franchise we all know as “The Sopranos.”

I borrowed the March 6, 2006 issue of “New York” magazine from my local library. Inside contains 3 articles, fused by the issue’s “Sopranoland” theme. (And Yes, the cover depicted none other than TV’s most famous gangsters.)

To be continued tomorrow…

2006-03-10T08:15:00.000-05:00

A pure collector turned collector/investor: My advice? Hold on to the joy.

A once strict collector turns into a collector/investor. He soon starts researching the rarity, demand, and prices for stuff in his collection – which once upon a time ago he didn’t give a damn about. Scrutinizing the marketplace has become sort of addictive. He (solemnly) notices the most fundamental joys of collecting seem to be adrift.

I'm not implying that machinations of the collectible/antique market should be completely ignored or taken for granted if one's to maximize the enjoyment of collecting as a pure hobby. That would be ignorant. Just know wetting your feet as opposed to swimming, romping, and whatever else in the pool are two entirely different things.

Even as, say, a 98% collector / 2% investor, knowing the marketplace is wise. If anything this serves as a precautionary measure to avoid overpaying for rare pieces your collection might be missing. It might also serve as a platform and even impetus to intelligently deal-away x-tras you may have in your collection – procuring other sought-after valuable pieces in the process.

And then there is the hunt. Certainly, knowing the market will make the hunt more interesting. Why not seek out "treasure" rummaging through vintage goods? Why not make some money to offset the severe cases of dusty finger and minor colds from the dust, etc? Yeah I know this isn't always the case, but it is often enough. Especially for beginners in the game who rarely hunt beyond thrift shops, flea markets, and the likes. If getting valuable, rare, and sought-after pieces is a priority with you, this knowledge is invaluable.

Also, this business requires continuous researching. if you earn a living or expect to make substantial money as a collectibles/antiques dealer know this is pretty-much a fact. But this could also be an enjoyable thing, depends on the individual.

So, yeah, guess I AM saying know the marketplace. I think it is wise to know the monetary value of your possessions too.

But know, too, this will alter your perception if you're coming into all this as a pure collector.
Enjoying your collection as you did in the past will be lost.

In closing, just want to say enjoy your weekend, everybody.

2006-03-09T07:16:00.000-05:00

THE FOREMOST NEGATIVE OF THE COLLECTIBLES & ANTIQUES MARKETPLACE.

THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL OF THE JOYS OF COLLECTING GETS LOST SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE DABBLING OR SERIOUSLY IMMERSED IN THE MARKETPLACE (AND HERE IS THE KEY THING) TO EARN MONEY.

POINT (MUTHAFUCKIN’) BLANK !!!!!

HEY, THIS IS NO RANT, NOR AM I UPSET. THIS IS JUST AN OBSERVATION.

(Alright, let me use non-capitalized letters. I read somewhere that capital letters could be taken offensively when communicating through the written word; that it’s cyberspace’s equivalent to screaming or shouting at someone. … Hey, don’t get mad at me. I just began this piece in capital letters and said what the fuck does it really matters … So, I guess you’re wondering why the switch-up. My answer: …Yo, just look at 1st four paragraphs here: … I’m seeing exactly why people equate HUGE LETTERS to screaming.)

wELL WhAt AboUt thE LEtterINg uSeD HeRE ??? Translate this. Is this the work of a Lunatic ???? (Pssst … At least the spelling is correct.)

Alright, alright, I’m just jivin’ with you, People. See, this blog thing is fun but a little work at the same time if you’re trying to say something worthwhile and interesting with each entry.

Still, It’s all good. Oh yeah, I’ll try to speak on the original intent of this blog more seriously tomorrow. In the meantime be easy.

Peace, People.

HOLD, please, a few minutes, y'all !!! I got one more request: would like your translation of the word-group below. If using all caps is synonymous with shouting, what of the following writing sample:

tHE MoST FunNDAmENtAL OF ThE JoYs OF ColLeCTInG GeTS LOsT soMeWHErE doWn ThE LiNe … ( and don’t let me slip in random italicized letters and words… )

I wonder what a handwriting specialist with a Masters and PH.D in cyberletters from Lame University would make of this (LOL). Shit!!! … Now I’m sitting here asking myself why did I put together a spaced-out blog entry like this (LOL again). Am I headed toward geekdom (rhymes with freedom) too? Oh well …

Again: Peace, People.

2006-03-08T05:29:00.000-05:00

Quickly converting collectibles and antiques to cash in an emergency

You ever wonder about having to sell some or all of your collection for immediate cash?

Is quick conversion to cash a criteria you consider upfront in deciding what kind of STUFF to invest in? Notice I didn’t say “STUFF you collect.” That causes one to look at this hypothetical situation in a totally different light … .

NOTE TO MYSELF (and to you all, if interested …): The original quote from which the title of this blog entry was derived comes directly from David Holmes’ 3/4/06 blog entry titled “Thanks to nostalgic music fans, music memorabilia market is booming”. The exact quote reads “For one thing, the items might be difficult to quickly convert to cash in an emergency.” I marked this article here for personal reference-use AND to cheat off to jot down this very blog entry. Seriously(LOL). But Just as seriously let me add David Holmes’ piece is interesting too. Check it out.

2006-03-07T02:58:00.000-05:00

Priceless collection donated to julliard:

I came into this info crusin’ cyberspace. I’ve reprinted it here because I find it interesting and hope you will too.

Secret Trove of Music Donated to Juilliard

By MARTIN STEINBERG, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - One of the most famous phantoms of the auction circuit — the anonymous buyer — has unmasked himself.

He's a commodities trader, one of Forbes magazine's 400 richest people, and he just donated some of his trophies to the Juilliard School — an eye-popping trove of manuscripts of works by such immortal composers as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.

Bruce Kovner, who dropped out of a Harvard Ph.D. program and drove a New York taxi before starting Caxton Associates LLC, secretly amassed the priceless collection during the past decade of auction hunting.

"I started collecting just for the personal pleasure of being close to these icons of the greatest musical achievements in Western music," said Kovner, who is also chairman of Juilliard's board. "At a certain point I realized that it would be better to make this collection available to the rest of the world rather than to keep it under a mattress.

"The self-described music lover and amateur keyboard player who was once "absolutely terrorized" by a harmony professor at Juilliard's evening division announced the donation at a news conference Tuesday, two days after his 61st birthday.

It also was a perfect birthday gift for Juilliard, which is celebrating its 100th year.

Works in the Juilliard Manuscript Collection range from the 1680s — Purcell's opera "Dido and Aeneas" — to Schnittke compositions of the 1990s. Also included are works by Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, Wagner, Mahler, Copland and Stravinsky.

"It's a historic day at the Juilliard School," said Joseph W. Polisi, the conservatory's president. "The gift represents one of the finest collections of musical manuscripts to be amassed in modern times.

"It consists of sketches, editions prepared for the printer and original manuscripts. The neatly printed "Dido" is an 18th century volume that's one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of Purcell's opera. Other items appear as uncertain scribbles and include clarifications from the composer about how the music should sound. Such notations didn't always make it to the publisher, scholars at the news conference said.

Speaking of the collection's works by Beethoven, musicologist Maynard Solomon said: "They are reflections of his mind at moments of his supreme creative achievements. But sometimes they give us an unexpected portrait of a composer in the midst of doubt and uncertainty.

"Among Kovner's acquisitions was Beethoven's 80-page piano transcription of the "Grosse Fuge," discovered recently at a suburban Philadelphia seminary. Kovner, the now no-longer-anonymous buyer, purchased it for $1.95 million late last year at Sotheby's in London.

It also includes the first known sketches and manuscript prepared for the printer of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, with corrections handwritten by the composer, and the autograph score of the final scene of Mozart's opera "Le Nozze di Figaro.

"When I saw the scope of the collection I was speechless," said Michael Griffel, a Schubert expert and chairman of the music history department. "Suffice it to say that life at Juilliard will never be the same. It will be an expanded paradise for music scholars.

"Christoph Wolff, a Bach expert at Harvard University, noted that the collection includes works for a variety of genres and from many different European countries and America.

"What I find particularly striking is the richness and balance and the focus of this collection, which covers 300 years of musical history from the late 17th to the late 20th century," he said.

The collection will be housed at the school in September 2009, after construction of a climate-controlled reading room. It will be available to scholars, performers and the public by appointment. Until then, requests for access will be considered, said Juilliard librarian Jane Gottleib.

Every item will be microfilmed and digitized and eventually placed on a Web site, she said. Special care and white-glove handling will be needed because of the high acid content of the paper.

Kovner said he hopes the collection will help bridge the divide between scholars, performers and the public by providing common inspiration.

"I think that ... the Bach manuscript or the changes that Mozart made in the score or the markings absolutely unknown and authentic on Brahms' Opus 118 are going to inspire performers, are going to inspire a generation of students here," Kovner said. "If it inspires students and scholars and others to attend to the music, attend to these great achievements and help to bring them to life again, that's a practical purpose fused with what might be called the spiritual."

2006-03-06T15:26:00.000-05:00

What’s The Name of Your Antiques Business: Marketing/Branding Your Antiques Business

Servicing your customers in unprecedented ways they will truly appreciate beats out a flashy logo or store name. Especially if these services are sorely needed or truly innovative in the collectibles/antiques business. But the name of your antiques business counts for more than you might think.

Already got a name? (And logo?) Then ask yourself what is it saying, if anything, to your regular customers, loyal customers, and potential customers. Just as important, ask yourself just how am I branding my business to distinguish myself from the glut of antiques and collectibles dealers worldover and, perhaps, MORE IMPORTANTLY those physically within your own demographics

(Here I’m speakin’ about competition that could be just several storefronts away. Not even a full block away. Steps away. Plus the competition from several antiques shop all clogged-up on the same strip ... I know just a strip in good-ol’ Brooklyn, USA. )

Does your business name/logo hint at anything beyond the norm a shopper might experience?

Lets consider two names that might head an antiques/collectibles business storefront, website, or cyberspace ad banners:

NO FINE PRINT Antiques

I think NO FINE PRINT Antiques would be a fine name for an antiques/collectible business.

WHAT YOU SEE ...Antiques

WHAT YOU SEE…Antiques would be a fine name, too.

The first connotes you are upfront. Thrive on conducting business as honestly (and smartly) as possible. If you conduct business in an outright honest fashion plus showcase and have access to quality merchandise, expect repeat customers. No doubt, you will still seek the highest price possible for your goods. You’re honest but not stupid: business is, after all, business, which is about making worthwhile money.

Another incentitive to being honest??? I also think fusing honesty into your business practices takes additional work and a higher charge will be justified.

WHAT YOU SEE ...Antiques

What type of antiques dealer might use the tag WHAT YOU SEE ...Antiques

Not slick dealers. These guys wouldn’t be so bold as to hand over business cards that may recall the popular saying "what you see is what you get," which hints at some type of shadiness at work.

These are dealers with questionable guarantees backing-up the authenticity of their wares; dealers who offer shaky histories attesting to the originality of their wares (uninspired and doubtful provenance); dealers who knowingly try to shade-over the replacement of original parts or basic/subtle restoration efforts done on their wares.

You probably immediately thought WHAT YOU SEE ...Antiques is terrible name for an antique business. But is it really? Personally, I like the name.

Antique hunters go virtually anywhere for treasure, nevermind the spots’ names. When customers buy something and are either really happy or really unhappy with their purchase (even months down the line), only then will they become cognizant of the name of the business from whom they made their purchase to (that’s right) patronize them again or to seek satisfaction. Bottomline: in either case, customers will remember WHAT YOU SEE ...ANTIQUES more readily than BOB’S ANTIQUES

2006-03-03T10:41:00.000-05:00

Enjoy your weekend, People.

... WAIT !!!! ...

... Hold the presses!!!!: See, I had already published this blog entry, but here I am with more info to post.

This is actually a post to remind me to pass on an entry from Antique Diva’s blog to my lil’ sis. The post, dated 2/26/06, is titled ”Antiques Reproductions.” This is stuff lil’ sis needs to know. Perhaps, I should know this stuff too. She sometimes ask me to accompany her on her sporadic quests for antiques to give my opinion on items that caught her eye.

I usually advise her not ot buy unless she feels at least 90% certain the items are genuine, backed by dedicated research. Too often she tells me things she spots are genuine, but these conclusions are too often based on a hunch rather than studious research. I know if I go all out trying to make some decent money in the collectibles & antiques market, I have lots to learn (I’m basically a newborn in this industry). I hope she recognizes she has lots to learn as well – and until that time not to accumulate too much junk during the interim.

(see my 2nd post, ever, dated 2/21/06, for a little more about my little sister.)

Anyway, I’ll peruse the rest of Antique Diva’s blog as soon as I’m free to do so.

O.K., I’m out fo’ real this time, People. And again, enjoy your weekend.

2006-03-02T11:12:00.000-05:00

Things:

SOME FUNNY SHIT HERE !!!!! AND SOME CONTEMPLATIVE STUFF, TOO

Everybody needs things. To variable degrees, of course.

Think about it: people routinely, naturally, purposely, and even inadvertently replace interacting with others to spend time with things (i.e obsessive TV watching, playing video games, stabbing the keypad of a computer, wearing an ipod during your train commute to avoid conversation, etc., etc. ).

Seems with every generation the world gets more obsessed with things (And observe: more of the things we derive simple pleasures from today are based on technology that easily adapts to the internet.) But there is a big difference between now and then. Young people today (and, more likely than not, ensuing generations) are not holding on to things that are or may have been important to them. These things aren’t being viewed as stuff to keep simply for memory sake or as collectibles, for example discarding computers for laptops. According to Harry Rinker: “Old-timers thought the next generation would love their stuff the way they did,” he says. “Well guess what – it’s not happening.”

And this is so clear it's almost ridiculous. It's almost like we wouldn't be able to manage without the stuff we enjoy today yet routinely discard the second the next model becomes available (Hey, the V-5’s about to come out . I gotta get one; walking around with any of the previous four models won’t look to cool ).

Industries are nonchalantly rolling out the same product with so-called “improved features.” In doing so, it’s like each successive model is actually a prototype (think about it). Just buy it now, companys are saying … we’ll work out the kinks/problems you may experience together … just contact our official website or key into one of the hundreds user-based blogs or forums … Bullshit, just get the product as right as possible before you sell it.

WHAT ABOUT THE STUFF THAT REALLY MATTERS …
We would still be able to manage our hair if, for example, the world was suddenly minus combs. How well would we manage without cups, saucers, plates, etc. That, too, could be dealt with relatively easily if this is what it was. … Alright, I suppose these are bad examples but both point to my opinion that most essentials aren't really essential at all. Not having most of this stuff presents no major obstacle to our existence. But having this stuff does matters if we are to live or be perceived as living comfortably by mainstream standards.

But enjoying the things we accumulate/collect is one of reasons many of us look forward to each day. Argue that point if you will. Still, in my opinion that just the reality. And so it seems gathering stuff matters, to everybody to some extent.

But try to discern what of the stuff of today will be considered collectibles and antiques years down the line. That may not be so easy.

2006-03-01T05:33:00.000-05:00

Thanks Karen Kast-McBride ... But I don’t care for your rantings ..

Hey, readers:

Do yourself a favor (Especially new jacks to the collectibles market): stash in a folder somewhere Karen Kast-McBride’s excellent blog entry titled “Researching Items for Selling.” Essential stuff.

I looked a little further down Karen’s blog and noted she apparently has a gripe with Ebay. My Thoughts? To each his/her own. I am not really interested in why Ms. Kast-McBride feels this way and, so, didn’t read her blog thoroughly to find out.

I simply look at the whole Ebay scenario as follows: E-bay is actually a big corporation with a palpable monopoly on the collector’s market - plain and simple. Ebay is Corporate America at work. Just know this and manuever accordingly. Ranting incessantly through a blog is wasted energy in my humble opinion.

2006-02-28T12:40:00.000-05:00

The (Strange & Funny) Things people Say To Sell Collectibles

Below are two comments I’ve actually seen on ebay.

“I’m selling all of my youth due to pressure from my wife.”

“I am NOT a _______ dealer. I just came into this stuff at an estate and have to get rid of everything … “

I understand, though, this is all just people trying to make sales. Just don’t fall for the Okey-Doke. I say this because comments like these seem to allude that getting the highest price possible isn’t a concern for these sellers. And that’s just not true in almost 100% of the cases, in my opinion anyway.

If a person came into stuff worth selling and really wasn’t concerned with getting the highest price possible for the lot, this person most likely would have a yard sale, or sell to a local flea market. This person might even give the stuff to a local church – NOT POST ON EBAY. Setting up an account and posting digital photos doesn’t necessarily takes substantial time but a good-enough chunk of time. In my opinion a person would not go through this if they’re not concerned with making decent money.

I recommend not trying to discern sincerity in these types of remarks. Just do the necessary research and, BASED ON THESE RESULTS, buy or not as you normally would.

Please, feel free to add your favorites to the list.

2006-02-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

Is Spurring the Market in a Desired Direction For Profit Ethically Wrong or Just Smart Business Manuvering?

Whatever your take on this practice, it has always been a part of the collectibles and antiques market (moreso, actually, in the antiques world – where items are generally considered more valuable). Keep in mind, this is the one of the last industries not stringently regulated.

Here is an interesting article form Forbes Magazine (December 27, 2004) titled “Deco Raiders.” Joshua Levine is the author.

Oh, the article costs $2.00. (See preview directly below)

Deco Raiders
By Joshua Levine Dec 27 '04

How two French dealers contrived to put a little-known furniture master on the map.
In 1919 the death of his father forced a 17-year-old boy from Lyon named André Sornay to take over the family furniture-making business. He broke with the past and set his bold stamp on the firm's new models. By the time he showed a daring bedroom suite in macassar ebony at the seminal Paris exposition of modern decoration in 1925, Sornay was an acknowledged young master. It was this exposition that gave its name to the art deco style.

But instead of putting … (end of preview)

ARTICLE COSTS $2.00 @ https://www.keepmedia.com/Auth.do?extId=10022&uri=/archive/forbes/2004/1227/152.html

2006-02-24T07:17:00.000-05:00

Sucessfully selling antiques and stuff …

Check out Terry Gibbs thoughts on this matter at this website “about autographs and signed memorabilia.” The article opens with “Many people who decide to make a living selling collectibles on eBay soon fail.”

Also wanna add:

I think a major key to doing ANYTHING successfully is to genuinely enjoy doing what you do.

And so, I strongly feel, for example, that if you’re selling a cherished collection because of financial difficulties or obligations – even if you’re making plenty of money - this isn’t necessarily a successful move because you’re letting go something you would’ve preferred to keep. (I did this with a healthy chunk of my record collection. By the way, check out one of my favorite vintage records sites.)

Final Note (I think’s worthy of mentioning … ): I tend to place the term “antiques” under the umbrella of “collectibles.” I understand, though, both are generally viewed separately.

2006-02-23T18:15:00.000-05:00

Collectible Musings: How deep is your Obsession?

Lets retrace the steps that led to someone starting a collection. This usually leads back to some sort of fixation on some item (the term fixation is actually a euphemism for what this really is: namely an obsession). This item could be anything, really: 1980’s boom boxes, board games, crystal figurines, lamps, artwork, brass doorknobs, 8-track cassettes, movie posters, antique rocking chairs, 18th Century folding Screens, cereal boxes, vintage night table radios, … and the crazy-ass list of things collectors horde goes on and on and on.

The depth of this obsession is basically whatever one makes it. It could be mild or crazy-like-deep.

Two examples:

Example 1: A person with a fixation on some item without realizing it. For example: a person who had been buying board games for, say, from childhood into adulthood, and one day realizes he had inadvertently amassed a closet full. It’s really no big deal to this person. (All he said when he realized he had so many games was “damn, where all this sh*t come from.)

Example 2: A person for whom enjoyment and maintenance of his/her collection is central to everyday living. This person might regularly, for example, seek certain (rare) pieces to add to an already comprehensive collection. This is accomplished by a variety of ways, including policing auction sites, making inquiries and hobknobing with similarly-minded collectors on pertinent forums, and by attending conventions.

Most collectors fit somewhere between these two extremes. Where do you fit in?

2006-02-22T15:18:00.000-05:00

$6000 for a Mego Aquaman toy figurine

Remember Aquaman, the water-breathing super hero created by DC Comics? Seems his stock has risen considerably.

Megosteve writes: “I couldn't begin to guess what these will go for, but it looks like the Aquaman will break $6K …”

Details? Just hit-up Megosteve’s blog

P.S. – Megosteve also comments on an ethical issue in the collectibles marketplace. Quite interesting. In this same paragraph he writes something I fully agree with. (His views here also backs-up what I wrote in my first blog, that basically collectors and investors have to be more educated than “Syms” customers.)

His comment: “To me, it's in the dealer's best interest to know his products, and when he prices an item, it is his responsibility to know what he's selling …”

Do yourself a favor and read this blog entry in its entirety. Don’t worry: it’s a short read.

2006-02-22T09:53:00.000-05:00

Collectible Musings: Virtually Anything Is Collectible

The question then becomes: collectible to whom? Opinions on what makes something “collectible” are subjective, for the most part. When it’s determined that there is, indeed, a market for an item (WHATEVER it might be), almost instantly most everyone would agree the item is “collectible.”

Check out this collector’s site dedicated to conetop beer cans: A single beer can (and it doesn’t have to be unopened) could be valued at several hundred dollars. Woah !!!

Also check out these vintage concert tickets: http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/Static.aspx?Type=Category/Category_TK.htm&CategoryID=TK

2006-02-21T13:30:00.000-05:00

Collectible Musings: What makes something “collectible?” Why Collect? Who Collects? How to collect? Etc.

Mmmmm … … let’s see.

Well …

… the item is coveted or potentially so by a certain group of people. It’s usually part of a family of similar items. It’s usually aged, although not necessarily always the case.

When scavenging through flea markets and thrift markets most collectors usually look for items of yesteryears (which, I believe, in collector’s circles, could mean two years or a couple of centuries).

Aside from age, collectors are concerned with the aesthetics of the things they collect. Finding unique pieces is usually paramount, pieces that would coax gazes and further inspection from other collectors.

Once in a collector’s hands, anything collectible is usually handled with care. Items are preserved and sometimes even restored. The condition of collectibles weighs in heavily on its market value.

A theme is usually the glue for any collection.

Who collects? What are some traits of people who dabble or seriously immerse themselves in collecting and investing in stuff. A quirky lot, I think. Orderly. Usually intelligent or, at least, give off that type of air. Collectors, it seems to me, are often people who never felt the need to be a follower, but also never felt the need to really pursue being a leader, although the potential is usually there. These guys are usually independent, innovative thinkers. Outsiders to some extent. Even the rich banker(plugged into the matrix) or rich takeover bank robber (positioned outside the matrix, i.e. Robert Deniro in “Heat”) who – 100% on his own initiative – either collects art purely for adorning his mansion or solely for investment purposes fits snugly somewhere within this group in my opinion.

I’m relatively new to the game …

See, I used to be a serious record collector. Searching out old music always mattered to me. As a working DJ, being current mattered, too; this just never took precedence over having all the essential oldies. Most of my old records were found in 2nd hand stores.

From time to time, I still visit spots (flea markets, thrift shops, etc.) that house old records. I’ve been addicted to collecting records since 1984, but I’ve tone down tremendously since 1998.

Throughout 20+ years of seriously digging for old records in 2nd hand stores, I never had any interest in the other things these spots sold. I just wanted records.

I remember my first trip to a particular spot in Brooklyn. I remember my first trip, marveling at a basement literally full of records. Diggin’ there for years, I developed a severe case of dusty fingers.

I also collected comic books for years prior to collecting and spinning records.

Right from the start I innately knew to keep my comics as near to mint condition as possible. I even remember avoiding buying comics from newsstand where the counter guy would hand you the comics you wanted. Instead, I would go to stores where I could sift through all the copies available of a single title and pick the best-conditioned copy for each title I collected. I collected comics for about 6 years, from 13 to around 19 years of age. When my interest in comics started to fade, I remember properly storing my collection, and several years later gradually selling-off (piece by piece and, sometimes, lot by lot) to individual collectors and local comicbook specialty shops. This was my apprenticeship to understanding the collectibles/antique marketplace. (… damn, wish I still had that copy of X-Men #94 (LOL) ) Several years later I would start buying records and DJing. Just as with comicbooks, I soon became aware of the market for records.

I got a sister who also has an interest for vintage items. I wonder, though, just how genuine her passion is. She’s has been telling me a lot lately that she always had an eye and appreciation for unusual items. But she never collected anything. Until recently. It seems, to me, that she basically thinking along the line of the getting paid behind investing in and selling vintage items. Her chatter about her love for “antiques” I’m not so sure about. Still I wish her well in her pursuits in this regard. She knows she will always have me as a supporter. Perhaps the nuances of the collectibles marketplace I’ve learned from my experience as a passionate collector of first comics and then records could be helpful to her. We’ll see.

Ebayfever:
No doubt, I’ve (as have millions others) noticed Ebayfever is becoming a more notable part of our culture. Seems virtually everybody got symptoms or a full-blown case.

I watch all this and just say WOW. Almost indifferently, actually. (See, I’m basically from the “It is What It Is“ school of thinking.) Still, It’s all very interesting.

2006-02-18T04:19:00.000-05:00

This, my first blog entry, is a test blog but also an extension ...

of my blog's opening description:

Anyway, as I was saying ... this is also a spot to meet others with an interest in collecting oddities and stuff for profit or simply as a hobby. HEY, question: could collecting and investing be separated, especially nowadays??? My opinion. Yes but not 100% because both the novice and serious collector alike should know the marketplace at least somewhat to avoid exorbitantly overpaying for selected rare pieces. Anyone passingly or seriously involved in collectibles and antiques have to be more "educated" than Syms most educated customers EVER needed to be.

"What About It All," is also a space for random musings on just about anything. Afterall, who else – other than people with constant gibberish thoughts – fools around with blogs anyway (LOL).

Peace, People