Looking for something interesting, beautiful and low cost to collect, then try antique insulators. Insulators have been used ever since Samuel Morse transmitted the first telegraph message over a short telegraph line along a railroad between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD in 1844. Glass insulators were first manufactured in the 1850s for use with telegraph lines that were rapidly expanding across America. In the 1920s electricity and telephone signals moved over open copper wire. At each pole glass insulators were used starting this popular hobby of insulator collecting.
Insulators come in many sizes, shapes and colors. They were made of many different types materials including rubber, porcelain, pottery, glass, composition, fiberglass, metal, wood and mica. Glass and porcelain insulators are extensively collected by manufacturer and color.
Glass insulators are usually found marked with a manufacturer or users name embossed on the insulator such as Hemingray No.9. made by the Hemingray Glass Company that was located in Muncie, Indiana. The American Telephone and Telegraph Co. embossed their insulators with AM TEL & TEL Co. Most insulators were marked on their crown or skirt. Armstrong's, Brookfield, California, Diamond, Dominion, Hemingray, Kerr, Lynchburg, Maydwell, NEGM and Whitall Tatum are some of the more common names found on glass insulators.
There are a wide variety of insulators made of porcelain, ceramic, stoneware and other related materials. Collectors primarily focus on pin-types and insulators used on early radio receiver antennas. Manufacturer names to look for are Cook, Jobson Bros., Johns-Manville, Fred M Locke, New Westminster and Varley.
You can determine the age of an antique insulator by looking for any marking stamped or embossed on its surface. Sometimes the approximate age can be determined by a patent date on the insulator. The last glass insulator manufacturer in the United States was Kerr, located in Millville, NJ. Kerr stopped producing insulators in 1979. Value is determined by many factors such as condition, manufacturer, quantity made, color, age and demand by collectors. The best place to buy antique insulators is eBay.
Glyn Farber has published a catalog of all known Hickey Brother Cigar Store Tokens and co-authored a book about Louisiana Trade Tokens. In addition he wrote several articles for The Token and Medal Society (TAMS) and The National Token Collectors Association (NTCA). Glyn has been a devoted collector of Louisiana Trade Tokens, Louisiana collectibles and Lake Charles, LA postcards for almost 40 years.
Find out more information about Antique Insulators and tokens at his web sites
http://www.most-popular-collectibles-at-auction.com and
http://www.louisiana-trade-tokens.com
Joing Online Antique Forums
For you antique collectors out there, it is time for you to take advantage of your internet services by joining different antique collection forums that will take your hobby to a whole new level. The internet provides you with forums focused on your particular type of antique collection. Joining in will give you the benefits of being able to communicate with other collectors and share insights, tips and opinions. You can actually gain friends from all over the world who share the same interests as you. The forum services are usually free. There are forums for practically any kind of antique collection. Separate forums can be found that deal with coins, dolls, old bottles, clocks, books, fabrics, marbles, porcelain, pottery, records, silver, etc. You name it, they have it all. Learning the history of your collection can be an adventure. It will give you an even-deeper love for the items you have already gathered. It is knowing the story behind each item. Forums can give you information on this. Believe it or not, many collectors are doing the same thing, and they may know more about your items than you do, so it would be great to get to know them. Forums also deal with the identification, dating, maintenance, displaying and finding collectible items. You may also find that there are activities on antique collections that you may want to attend like antique shows, auctions and even sales. You may also want to share what you know by posting pictures of your collection and contributing your views and tips in the different forum sections. You may also find other websites that link to your common interest. You can share all these things with the others, your expert knowledge may be just what they need. Forums can also provide a venue for you to tell your unique stories on your finds. Surprisingly, other enthusiasts will find your stories on how you found those rare items very interesting. Dedication in antique collections can be found among fellow collectors. Joining a forum may find you a home that will give a heart to your collection. You can share everything with others of the same interest. The most knowledgeable collectors are oftentimes members of forums such as these. Their wide-range collection can be a feast to your eyes and soul. The years of experience of seasoned collectors will naturally rub off on the novice, deepening the passion for collection.
Visit the About Animals website to learn about bot fly and how to get rid of fruit flies.
An Antique Perfume Bottle is a Much Treasured Possession
The numbers of diverse types of perfumes is quite huge which means that It is necessary to have at least those many different perfume bottles as well. Basically, these bottles function to appeal to the customer into buying the perfume and as a result have got to be pleasant and sure to catch the eye; so, it really should not shock everybody that perfume bottling business is enormous and amongst the many manufacturers of such bottles, the label of Pochet SA that is a French company stands out.
Pochet SA Is The Most Famous Bottle Maker
If you have yet bought a bottle of Givenchy, Coty, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein or some other equally famous brand of perfume, odds are that the perfume bottle has been made by Pochet which nowadays is a company which descended from Verreries du Courval and also Pochet DeRoche that both have many years of experience in making glass and pottery items. In fact, the initial perfume bottle that contained designer perfume that was commissioned by Empress Eugenie in the year 1858 and was the production of Verreries du Courval.
The way of making a perfume bottle altered and during the thirties they began to be made by machine and most of the inspiration for such bottles seemed to come from Hollywood, while a company named Lalique that was subsequently bought by Pochet had an outstanding bottle that contained the 1932 classic fragrance named Je Reviens that basically resembled a skyscraper from New York and the whole thing came in a package in a chrome finished box.
One more interesting feature of the perfume bottle is that long after the odor has been used up and the fragrances are gone, the bottles, especially those from past days are items that are treasured even more than the scents that Was inside many years ago. In fact, if you are fortunate enough to own an antique perfume bottle, you could well be the owner of a minor treasure that will Get a good price and which is much sought after by bottle collectors.
So, the next time you go overseas makes sure to check out the many antique shops that may have an antique perfume bottle for you to purchase. However, that is easier said than done as many of these bottles have an asking price in thousands of dollars, and so before you acquire one of these bottles, you should not spend on something that is not to your liking, and if you must gather these bottles, do so with those that You like so that you can get pleasure from them for many more years to come.
You can even get hold of antique perfume bottles in places other than antique shops, and fine places to Find them include estate and yard sales, flea markets and also thrift stores as well as Internet auctions.
Pochet SA Is The Most Famous Bottle Maker
If you have yet bought a bottle of Givenchy, Coty, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein or some other equally famous brand of perfume, odds are that the perfume bottle has been made by Pochet which nowadays is a company which descended from Verreries du Courval and also Pochet DeRoche that both have many years of experience in making glass and pottery items. In fact, the initial perfume bottle that contained designer perfume that was commissioned by Empress Eugenie in the year 1858 and was the production of Verreries du Courval.
The way of making a perfume bottle altered and during the thirties they began to be made by machine and most of the inspiration for such bottles seemed to come from Hollywood, while a company named Lalique that was subsequently bought by Pochet had an outstanding bottle that contained the 1932 classic fragrance named Je Reviens that basically resembled a skyscraper from New York and the whole thing came in a package in a chrome finished box.
One more interesting feature of the perfume bottle is that long after the odor has been used up and the fragrances are gone, the bottles, especially those from past days are items that are treasured even more than the scents that Was inside many years ago. In fact, if you are fortunate enough to own an antique perfume bottle, you could well be the owner of a minor treasure that will Get a good price and which is much sought after by bottle collectors.
So, the next time you go overseas makes sure to check out the many antique shops that may have an antique perfume bottle for you to purchase. However, that is easier said than done as many of these bottles have an asking price in thousands of dollars, and so before you acquire one of these bottles, you should not spend on something that is not to your liking, and if you must gather these bottles, do so with those that You like so that you can get pleasure from them for many more years to come.
You can even get hold of antique perfume bottles in places other than antique shops, and fine places to Find them include estate and yard sales, flea markets and also thrift stores as well as Internet auctions.
There are more information on perfume and you can discover those information in great details in http://www.bestdiscountperfume.com
Antiques - Business Idea of the Month
Antique dealing is always a friendly business, with endless
opportunities to learn something new, great prospects and always
that golden dream of hitting the jackpot. This month I will look
at the structure of the antiques game, and give some advice on
the smarter ways to set up.
Every city and most towns in the land, have established traders
mostly making quite a decent living in the antiques business.
The Skills Required In order to know what any given object is
worth to a dealer, or a private collector, you need very good
knowledge of that area, and the ability to check out the details
before you buy.
Many dealers develop an "eye" for quality and sales appea, and
buy all kinds of goods, thriving on variety. This can be a big
disadvantage.
In my view, specializing always pays off in the long run.
Firstly, you can get a reputation as an expert in just a few
years, and secondly, you can "plug in" to your own little
network of suppliers, dealers, collectors and speciality
auctions. Thirdly, you will quickly learn where to go for
research.
The largest sectors of the trade, deal in furniture, fine art
(paintings and prints) and ceramics (pottery and porcelain).
Competition is fierce, and you really must know your stuff if
you want to avoid buying stock which nobody else wants, for some
good but unobvious reason.
Other smaller sectors include the horologists (clocks and
watches), silverware dealers, jewellers, glassware dealers and
the sale of early weapons, armour or guns. In recent years,
oriental carpets have had a great revival, and have joined the
ranks of firmly established specialities.
Then there are the mini-specialities, all of them competitive
areas in their own right: dolls and nursery furnishings; pipes
and smokers' requisites; old postcards and greetings cards;
buttons; small wooden articles of every description, old
mechanical items from musical boxes to balance scales; lace and
early clothing. War items are also in great demand.
WINNERS AND LOSERS The antique trade is run on very informal
lines but it's organized into armies, in which all the dealers
are highly independent mercenaries. Here are some guidelines to
help you use the system:
* COLLECTOR/DEALERS All dealers tend to hoard some of their best
finds, but the dedicated collectors are compulsively hooked into
a particular area. They usually work from home, buying their
stocks by placing small ads in local papers, and attending house
clearance sales, or auction rooms.
A collector/dealer will be very tight with his or her money, and
know the precise value of anything they want to buy. If you get
to know local characters and seriously want to sell items to
them, you need to equip yourself with as many good sale room
catalogues as possible, so you know the value of everything you
sell to them.
* EXHIBITORS Other dealers plan their year's trading around the
top-class antiques fairs and tradeshows. The more valuable their
stock, the fewer sales they need to make in a year to make a
good profit. Some run shops which only open one or two days a
week. Finding top-quality stock is very time-consuming, so they
all depend to some extent on runners (see below).
* ANTIQUE SHOPS In the larger towns there's a large array of
shop-based businesses. But remember, you're talking about larger
overheads, for the shop, heating, lighting, security, theft and
fire insurance and an assistant to hold the fort while you're
away on buying expeditions. For this reason I do not recommend
you to rush into shop premises until you've had a few years'
thorough grounding, but it is an attractive option for future
expansion.
* MARKET TRADERS There are a great many indoor markets opening
up, and can be very prestigious affairs indeed. Other mixed
markets (indoor and outdoor stalls) may look very cheerful and
picturesque, but the best dealers there, are equal to anyone in
the country. Easier to set up, usually with a local licence.
Everyone in the antiques business is very careful about buying
from strangers because of the sheer volume of stolen goods on
the market. When you're buying you must be prepared to insist on
a name, address, some form of identification and a signed
declaration to the effect that the item is the seller's
property. If you want to sell to shops and stall-holders you
must be prepared to give this information as a matter of course.
* RUNNERS These are agents, who on behalf of shop owners, go out
buying on their behalf. The knack of success is to buy stock at
very competitive prices so that the dealers will give you a good
profit buying at your "trade price", and still make a good
profit themselves. One good way to start up is to combine
dealing from home with "running", but only if you're prepared to
be always out on the road hunting. Buying is definitely the
hardest area of the antiques business, and the runners thrive on
the challenge. They build up a small network of dealers and get
to know their tastes intimately
* RESTORERS The entire antiques trade relies crucially on
skilled craftsmen and women to repair and restore items, either
at public request, or to enhance the value of recently acquired
stock. There are some very good businesses around based on
picture restoration, clock or porcelain repair etc. In the
furniture trade alone there are polishers, veneerers, turners,
joiners, rush and cane workers, and carvers.
WAYS TO START UP
You can set yourself up as a dealer working from home, and go on
to be a runner for other dealers. So long as you're careful to
read up on the stocks you handle, and allow for all your
travelling expenses, there's a good living to be made. Always
plough back your profits into better and larger stocks.
Restoration is another good way to acquire knowledge, and to
cater for a strong market demand. For the young it can be a good
stepping-stone to becoming a successful specialist dealer. For
the over50s it will provide a good standard of living, but not a
business you can sell off on retirement, except to people you've
trained or other restorers with the same skills. There is a
third way, and that is to work as an assistant to an established
dealer with a shop. You don't get much pay, but you have great
opportunities to learn the trade, and develop your own selling
style with the customers.
Dealers won't allow assistants to buy on their behalf, but you
may have a chance to go alone to the auction rooms, to view
items and report back, or you may be given research work to do
in the local library. After a period of time, you can normally
arrange to sell some of your own stock in the shop, and build up
your own sales until you are ready to go it alone.
At this stage, I have not talked about the auction houses
online, but they can be another avenue, where you can start up
small, and learn the trade, before moving onto bigger things.
opportunities to learn something new, great prospects and always
that golden dream of hitting the jackpot. This month I will look
at the structure of the antiques game, and give some advice on
the smarter ways to set up.
Every city and most towns in the land, have established traders
mostly making quite a decent living in the antiques business.
The Skills Required In order to know what any given object is
worth to a dealer, or a private collector, you need very good
knowledge of that area, and the ability to check out the details
before you buy.
Many dealers develop an "eye" for quality and sales appea, and
buy all kinds of goods, thriving on variety. This can be a big
disadvantage.
In my view, specializing always pays off in the long run.
Firstly, you can get a reputation as an expert in just a few
years, and secondly, you can "plug in" to your own little
network of suppliers, dealers, collectors and speciality
auctions. Thirdly, you will quickly learn where to go for
research.
The largest sectors of the trade, deal in furniture, fine art
(paintings and prints) and ceramics (pottery and porcelain).
Competition is fierce, and you really must know your stuff if
you want to avoid buying stock which nobody else wants, for some
good but unobvious reason.
Other smaller sectors include the horologists (clocks and
watches), silverware dealers, jewellers, glassware dealers and
the sale of early weapons, armour or guns. In recent years,
oriental carpets have had a great revival, and have joined the
ranks of firmly established specialities.
Then there are the mini-specialities, all of them competitive
areas in their own right: dolls and nursery furnishings; pipes
and smokers' requisites; old postcards and greetings cards;
buttons; small wooden articles of every description, old
mechanical items from musical boxes to balance scales; lace and
early clothing. War items are also in great demand.
WINNERS AND LOSERS The antique trade is run on very informal
lines but it's organized into armies, in which all the dealers
are highly independent mercenaries. Here are some guidelines to
help you use the system:
* COLLECTOR/DEALERS All dealers tend to hoard some of their best
finds, but the dedicated collectors are compulsively hooked into
a particular area. They usually work from home, buying their
stocks by placing small ads in local papers, and attending house
clearance sales, or auction rooms.
A collector/dealer will be very tight with his or her money, and
know the precise value of anything they want to buy. If you get
to know local characters and seriously want to sell items to
them, you need to equip yourself with as many good sale room
catalogues as possible, so you know the value of everything you
sell to them.
* EXHIBITORS Other dealers plan their year's trading around the
top-class antiques fairs and tradeshows. The more valuable their
stock, the fewer sales they need to make in a year to make a
good profit. Some run shops which only open one or two days a
week. Finding top-quality stock is very time-consuming, so they
all depend to some extent on runners (see below).
* ANTIQUE SHOPS In the larger towns there's a large array of
shop-based businesses. But remember, you're talking about larger
overheads, for the shop, heating, lighting, security, theft and
fire insurance and an assistant to hold the fort while you're
away on buying expeditions. For this reason I do not recommend
you to rush into shop premises until you've had a few years'
thorough grounding, but it is an attractive option for future
expansion.
* MARKET TRADERS There are a great many indoor markets opening
up, and can be very prestigious affairs indeed. Other mixed
markets (indoor and outdoor stalls) may look very cheerful and
picturesque, but the best dealers there, are equal to anyone in
the country. Easier to set up, usually with a local licence.
Everyone in the antiques business is very careful about buying
from strangers because of the sheer volume of stolen goods on
the market. When you're buying you must be prepared to insist on
a name, address, some form of identification and a signed
declaration to the effect that the item is the seller's
property. If you want to sell to shops and stall-holders you
must be prepared to give this information as a matter of course.
* RUNNERS These are agents, who on behalf of shop owners, go out
buying on their behalf. The knack of success is to buy stock at
very competitive prices so that the dealers will give you a good
profit buying at your "trade price", and still make a good
profit themselves. One good way to start up is to combine
dealing from home with "running", but only if you're prepared to
be always out on the road hunting. Buying is definitely the
hardest area of the antiques business, and the runners thrive on
the challenge. They build up a small network of dealers and get
to know their tastes intimately
* RESTORERS The entire antiques trade relies crucially on
skilled craftsmen and women to repair and restore items, either
at public request, or to enhance the value of recently acquired
stock. There are some very good businesses around based on
picture restoration, clock or porcelain repair etc. In the
furniture trade alone there are polishers, veneerers, turners,
joiners, rush and cane workers, and carvers.
WAYS TO START UP
You can set yourself up as a dealer working from home, and go on
to be a runner for other dealers. So long as you're careful to
read up on the stocks you handle, and allow for all your
travelling expenses, there's a good living to be made. Always
plough back your profits into better and larger stocks.
Restoration is another good way to acquire knowledge, and to
cater for a strong market demand. For the young it can be a good
stepping-stone to becoming a successful specialist dealer. For
the over50s it will provide a good standard of living, but not a
business you can sell off on retirement, except to people you've
trained or other restorers with the same skills. There is a
third way, and that is to work as an assistant to an established
dealer with a shop. You don't get much pay, but you have great
opportunities to learn the trade, and develop your own selling
style with the customers.
Dealers won't allow assistants to buy on their behalf, but you
may have a chance to go alone to the auction rooms, to view
items and report back, or you may be given research work to do
in the local library. After a period of time, you can normally
arrange to sell some of your own stock in the shop, and build up
your own sales until you are ready to go it alone.
At this stage, I have not talked about the auction houses
online, but they can be another avenue, where you can start up
small, and learn the trade, before moving onto bigger things.
Taking Care Of Your Antiques
Have you just started collecting antiques or have you been given some beautiful heirlooms and haven't a clue how to care of them?
Antiques can be a wonderful reminder of our family, history or even an exotic touch from another place and time. Caring for these special items makes sure they can be passed down to another generation or sold at the greatest value.
Sites such as the BBC and Antiques-UK provide all kinds of information on caring for antiques. If you are in doubt contact a professional conservator. Following will provide further help in caring for your antiques.
With glass, pottery and porcelain, avoid extremes and handle carefully. Wash individually in a padded washing basin to prevent chips. Use warm water - never hot or cold - and a gentle cleanser with a soft bristled brush. Don't ever put antique glasses or dishes in the dishwasher. The extreme heat and harsh detergent can be harmful. Carefully wipe glasses dry and allow dishes to air dry. Liquids left in glassware can stain so avoid leaving cut flowers for example in contact with the glass if the water starts to turn or the leaves start to dry out.
Store or display glass and dishes in a safe place. Avoid displaying on an open shelf, rail or on the wall if your home is subject to vibrations from nearby trains or is busy with people passing by.
Both rugs and textiles require very gentle handling when moving, storing or cleaning. Moving should be done slowly and carefully as antique fabrics are delicate and can easily tear or pull apart. Rugs should be rolled with the pile facing outwards to prevent crushing or damage. Garments should be hung on sturdy hangers and covered in white cotton or rolled with acid free paper and tied closed on either end. Rugs and textiles can be cleaned gently with a vacuum on a low setting. Be very careful with textiles as the suction can pull fibers apart. For spills it is recommended by BBC antiques to put white paper towels under the rug and above, replacing them until no more liquid comes out. Any other cleaning should be done by an expert. Avoid exposure to sun or humidity.
Dusting of furniture should be done with a soft, lint-free cloth and wooden furniture only waxed with quality beeswax. Avoid placing furnishings in bright light or in rooms which have great changes in temperature or humidity. When moving antique furniture, always lift and never drag.
Antiques have a wow factor with most everyone, so proper care will help your investment increase in value or enable you to pass them on for the enjoyment of your family.
Antiques can be a wonderful reminder of our family, history or even an exotic touch from another place and time. Caring for these special items makes sure they can be passed down to another generation or sold at the greatest value.
Sites such as the BBC and Antiques-UK provide all kinds of information on caring for antiques. If you are in doubt contact a professional conservator. Following will provide further help in caring for your antiques.
With glass, pottery and porcelain, avoid extremes and handle carefully. Wash individually in a padded washing basin to prevent chips. Use warm water - never hot or cold - and a gentle cleanser with a soft bristled brush. Don't ever put antique glasses or dishes in the dishwasher. The extreme heat and harsh detergent can be harmful. Carefully wipe glasses dry and allow dishes to air dry. Liquids left in glassware can stain so avoid leaving cut flowers for example in contact with the glass if the water starts to turn or the leaves start to dry out.
Store or display glass and dishes in a safe place. Avoid displaying on an open shelf, rail or on the wall if your home is subject to vibrations from nearby trains or is busy with people passing by.
Both rugs and textiles require very gentle handling when moving, storing or cleaning. Moving should be done slowly and carefully as antique fabrics are delicate and can easily tear or pull apart. Rugs should be rolled with the pile facing outwards to prevent crushing or damage. Garments should be hung on sturdy hangers and covered in white cotton or rolled with acid free paper and tied closed on either end. Rugs and textiles can be cleaned gently with a vacuum on a low setting. Be very careful with textiles as the suction can pull fibers apart. For spills it is recommended by BBC antiques to put white paper towels under the rug and above, replacing them until no more liquid comes out. Any other cleaning should be done by an expert. Avoid exposure to sun or humidity.
Dusting of furniture should be done with a soft, lint-free cloth and wooden furniture only waxed with quality beeswax. Avoid placing furnishings in bright light or in rooms which have great changes in temperature or humidity. When moving antique furniture, always lift and never drag.
Antiques have a wow factor with most everyone, so proper care will help your investment increase in value or enable you to pass them on for the enjoyment of your family.
Taking Care Of Your Vintage And Antique Collectibles
Antiques can be a great reminder of our family, history, or even an exotic touch from another place and time. Caring for these items properly ensures that they can be passed down to another generation or sold for their highest value.
The following is a brief overview of caring for your vintage and antique collectibles. Sites such as the BBC and Antiques-UK provide detailed information on caring for various antiques. If you are in doubt you can contact a professional conservator that specializes in your type of antique.
PAPER:
Paper needs to be stored properly to preserve its value. Use acid-free and archival quality storage.
If you have a book that needs to be cleaned, use air to blow off dust and particles. Never wipe a book with a rag.
Don't store books and papers in sunlight - it will cause fading.
GLASS, POTTERY and PORCELAIN:
Wash individually in a padded washing basin to prevent chips. Use warm water - never hot or cold - and a gentle cleanser with a soft bristled brush. Never wash antique glass or dishes in the dishwasher since the extreme heat and harsh detergent may be harmful. Gently wipe glasses dry or allow dishes to air dry.
Store and display glass and dishes in a safe place away from heavy traffic. Avoid displaying on an open shelf, rail or on the wall, especially if there is heavy traffic through that area.
RUGS and TEXTILES:
Rugs and textiles require extremely gentle handling when moving, storing and cleaning.
Moving should be done slowly and carefully as antique fabrics are delicate and can easily tear or pull apart.
Rugs should be rolled with the pile facing outwards to prevent crushing or damage.
Garments should be hung on sturdy hangers and covered in white cotton or rolled with acid free paper and tied closed on either end.
Rugs and textiles can be cleaned gently with a vacuum on a low setting. Be very careful with textiles as the suction can pull fibers apart. For spills it is recommended by BBC Antiques to put white paper towels under the rug and above, replacing them until no more liquid comes out. Any other cleaning should be done by an expert. Avoid exposure to sun or humidity.
FURNITURE:
Dusting should be done with a soft, lint-free cloth. Wood furniture should only be waxed with quality beeswax. Avoid placing furnishings in bright light or in rooms which experience great changes in temperature or humidity. Be very cautious when moving antique furniture, always lifting and never dragging.
JEWELRY:
Clean with a soft brush, like a makeup brush, to remove dust. Next use windex, or other window type cleaner, and a very soft toothbrush to polish and clean. Do not use soap, or harsh abrasive.
It is a great privilege to own antiques and proper care will help your investment increase in value or enable you to pass them on for the enjoyment of your family.
The following is a brief overview of caring for your vintage and antique collectibles. Sites such as the BBC and Antiques-UK provide detailed information on caring for various antiques. If you are in doubt you can contact a professional conservator that specializes in your type of antique.
PAPER:
Paper needs to be stored properly to preserve its value. Use acid-free and archival quality storage.
If you have a book that needs to be cleaned, use air to blow off dust and particles. Never wipe a book with a rag.
Don't store books and papers in sunlight - it will cause fading.
GLASS, POTTERY and PORCELAIN:
Wash individually in a padded washing basin to prevent chips. Use warm water - never hot or cold - and a gentle cleanser with a soft bristled brush. Never wash antique glass or dishes in the dishwasher since the extreme heat and harsh detergent may be harmful. Gently wipe glasses dry or allow dishes to air dry.
Store and display glass and dishes in a safe place away from heavy traffic. Avoid displaying on an open shelf, rail or on the wall, especially if there is heavy traffic through that area.
RUGS and TEXTILES:
Rugs and textiles require extremely gentle handling when moving, storing and cleaning.
Moving should be done slowly and carefully as antique fabrics are delicate and can easily tear or pull apart.
Rugs should be rolled with the pile facing outwards to prevent crushing or damage.
Garments should be hung on sturdy hangers and covered in white cotton or rolled with acid free paper and tied closed on either end.
Rugs and textiles can be cleaned gently with a vacuum on a low setting. Be very careful with textiles as the suction can pull fibers apart. For spills it is recommended by BBC Antiques to put white paper towels under the rug and above, replacing them until no more liquid comes out. Any other cleaning should be done by an expert. Avoid exposure to sun or humidity.
FURNITURE:
Dusting should be done with a soft, lint-free cloth. Wood furniture should only be waxed with quality beeswax. Avoid placing furnishings in bright light or in rooms which experience great changes in temperature or humidity. Be very cautious when moving antique furniture, always lifting and never dragging.
JEWELRY:
Clean with a soft brush, like a makeup brush, to remove dust. Next use windex, or other window type cleaner, and a very soft toothbrush to polish and clean. Do not use soap, or harsh abrasive.
It is a great privilege to own antiques and proper care will help your investment increase in value or enable you to pass them on for the enjoyment of your family.
Appraisal, Valuation and Inspired Guesswork or the Rise of TV Antique Shows and the Collecting Bug
The Price is Right.
Once upon a time you knew precisely where you stood. You were, metaphorically speaking, peering over the shoulder of the venerable Arthur Negus, denizen of that epitome of middle class culture, The Antiques Roadshow. Now, however, you're turning this way and that, amidst a plethora of antiques discovery programmes, as you seek to satisfy your voyeuristic craving and perhaps learn a little something as you go.
Life used to be very simple in the antique firmament on TV. Its first airing was Going for a Song in 1965, so ancient a time that England had yet to win the World Cup and I was still in short trousers, in a programme memorably described as a
"Pooterish pottery riddleathon, chaired in its glory days by Max Robertson with Arthur Negus stapled to one side for a bit of gossip. Max would then proffer a vaguely familiar looking antique loom at teams of experts and a clueless public, demanding both date and asking price. Points were awarded for the closest bid."
That won't ring too many bells with today's protagonists, by all accounts. This was an age in which most educated people were expected to have a routine general knowledge of art, antiques and collecting because it suggested some hint of engagement and appreciation of the world around them. Of course, the clueless public were a convenient prop to the cardsharps around them but the scenario hasn't deviated too far over the last forty years. Having said that, presenters could always be relied upon in yesteryear to wear a jacket and tie and a sensible haircut - this was the BBC after all - so one wasn't confronted, as is our current misfortune, by a bunch of D listers swathed in Hawaiian tee shirts and an all over tan.
Yet the extraordinary thing is that these programmes - and, believe me, there are plenty of them - have such enduring appeal. The antiques themselves obviously play their part but the real key is the human dimension and, without exception, it is a feature of all the latter day productions that the viewing public are encouraged to make contact and tell their stories. However, whereas The Antiques Roadshow was deliberately more formal in its approach, more recent entrants are positively gushing. The three best examples of this new genre are Flog It, Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic, each of which, like The Antiques Roadshow, have spawned some very ugly American hatchlings. More of that anon.
Back here, we have David Dickinson, full of grandiloquent gestures and gravelly tones, hosting Bargain Hunt. Dickinson, notwithstanding that he loves the sound of his own voice, has certainly done the rounds and knows his stuff unlike the motley crew from Cash in the Attic who look like cast offs from a lifestyle channel. Bargain Hunt is not designed to be too successful but just give a taste of what could be achieved with a good eye and a judicious approach though, as ever, it is most watchable when confronted by the unexpected. One contestant so successfully bought and sold a copper log box that Dickinson, momentarily speechless, had to dispatch a crew member to an ATM to cough up enough cash when he ran short. Priceless!
Howard Lewis Chairman
http://www.invaluable.com
Only Invaluable gives you unrivalled access to pre-sale and post-sale information for auction houses and salerooms across the globe.
Find art, antiques and collectables. Try our Keyword search, register at http://www.invaluable.com for a free 14 day trial.
Once upon a time you knew precisely where you stood. You were, metaphorically speaking, peering over the shoulder of the venerable Arthur Negus, denizen of that epitome of middle class culture, The Antiques Roadshow. Now, however, you're turning this way and that, amidst a plethora of antiques discovery programmes, as you seek to satisfy your voyeuristic craving and perhaps learn a little something as you go.
Life used to be very simple in the antique firmament on TV. Its first airing was Going for a Song in 1965, so ancient a time that England had yet to win the World Cup and I was still in short trousers, in a programme memorably described as a
"Pooterish pottery riddleathon, chaired in its glory days by Max Robertson with Arthur Negus stapled to one side for a bit of gossip. Max would then proffer a vaguely familiar looking antique loom at teams of experts and a clueless public, demanding both date and asking price. Points were awarded for the closest bid."
That won't ring too many bells with today's protagonists, by all accounts. This was an age in which most educated people were expected to have a routine general knowledge of art, antiques and collecting because it suggested some hint of engagement and appreciation of the world around them. Of course, the clueless public were a convenient prop to the cardsharps around them but the scenario hasn't deviated too far over the last forty years. Having said that, presenters could always be relied upon in yesteryear to wear a jacket and tie and a sensible haircut - this was the BBC after all - so one wasn't confronted, as is our current misfortune, by a bunch of D listers swathed in Hawaiian tee shirts and an all over tan.
Yet the extraordinary thing is that these programmes - and, believe me, there are plenty of them - have such enduring appeal. The antiques themselves obviously play their part but the real key is the human dimension and, without exception, it is a feature of all the latter day productions that the viewing public are encouraged to make contact and tell their stories. However, whereas The Antiques Roadshow was deliberately more formal in its approach, more recent entrants are positively gushing. The three best examples of this new genre are Flog It, Bargain Hunt and Cash in the Attic, each of which, like The Antiques Roadshow, have spawned some very ugly American hatchlings. More of that anon.
Back here, we have David Dickinson, full of grandiloquent gestures and gravelly tones, hosting Bargain Hunt. Dickinson, notwithstanding that he loves the sound of his own voice, has certainly done the rounds and knows his stuff unlike the motley crew from Cash in the Attic who look like cast offs from a lifestyle channel. Bargain Hunt is not designed to be too successful but just give a taste of what could be achieved with a good eye and a judicious approach though, as ever, it is most watchable when confronted by the unexpected. One contestant so successfully bought and sold a copper log box that Dickinson, momentarily speechless, had to dispatch a crew member to an ATM to cough up enough cash when he ran short. Priceless!
Howard Lewis Chairman
http://www.invaluable.com
Only Invaluable gives you unrivalled access to pre-sale and post-sale information for auction houses and salerooms across the globe.
Find art, antiques and collectables. Try our Keyword search, register at http://www.invaluable.com for a free 14 day trial.
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