Drooling over these auction results

[grasswire]

The site linked below is about all things colonial American. The section about auctions of furniture and fixings from the earliest days is filled with all manner of wonderful, wonderful items. I noted that auction prices realized were usually higher than the estimate -- sometimes dramatically higher.


http://www.colonialsense.com/Antiques/Auction_Results/Main.php

[Vinca]

1. It's nice to know there's still hope for bona fide antiques.

Where I sell it seems my nice antique stuff sits for months while Grateful Dead collectibles sell over night.

[safeinOhio]

2. High end items go higher and higher,

while common low end items go lower and lower.

The rich have been getting richer and the poor, poorer.

I've noticed that magazines seem to spur runs on items at the mall. An article about garden art means a run on old farm machine parts. Articles in wedding mags mean runs on Ball jars for center pieces and one about hair styles means big buyers of paste brooches. If one could get these articles a month or two ahead of time, they could become rich.

[grasswire]

5. well, Martha Stewart used to be a trend-setter in that regard.

Whatever she featured drove a segment of the popular market. (Jadeite, for example -- she drove that into the stratosphere.) I haven't looked at her magazines lately -- perhaps one of her publications for younger people (younger than those who read Martha Stewart Living) would provide some clues to upcoming trends. There's a popular magazine called "Mary Jane's Farm" that highlights vintage pieces each month.

[safeinOhio]

7. I owned a shop back in the mid

90s. One day a lady came in and bought 6 door knobs. I had a box full and sold very few. Later tha day another lady came in and bought 4 more. This went on for a few days and then I asked one what was going on. She said there was an article in Martha Stewards mag about making coat hooks out of vintage door knobs.

[Paper Roses]

3. Oh well, there is always the silver thimble I found last week....

What a fantastic site. Went through some of the results and will study the rest another time. Sure wish we could all find goodies like these and also find the right auctioneer to market them at these prices.
Still looking for the Faberge egg.

[grasswire]

4. oh, how are you, PR??

I've been thinking about you and your winter weather there. I hope all is well.

[Paper Roses]

6. Hi grasswire and other friends in this group.

I've been fine, still scrounging around for goodies and finding---not much.
My volunteer job 2 days a week is great, the other 5 days are not much to brag about.
I miss the business so much and still stop at every shop, thrift, flea, whatever. Never seem to find anything to get excited about. Maybe in the spring. It has been a long, awful winter in these parts(as Vinca will attest). Heating and electric bill through the roof. Must wait for my great kids to shovel me out. My bad back keeps me from that job. Another storm coming tonight.

Thinking about selling the house but cannot seem to justify the cost of an apartment as opposed to the living costs now. The outside of my house took a beating this winter, need to paint again. Doubt if it will happen unless I win the lottery. I think I have to buy a ticket for that.

Took a beating with the things I gave to the eBay agent.
His pictures were great, as well as the descriptions.---not many bids. So much for that idea.
I've been in contact with several consignment shops too. They are chock-a-block full of stock right now.

This stuff we accumulated through the years seems to be hard to sell. Anyone else have this problem?

I hope things are going well for you.

Tomorrow----Happy first day of spring to all, as we in NE shovel out from another 12 inches of white stuff. I'm done with that!!!!!