About.com Antiques

Vintage Necklace in Poor Condition Sells for $63,000

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:17:15 +0000

A vintage necklace in poor condition sold for the formidable price of $63,000 by Julien's Auctions in Las Vegas last weekend. What made it special? The necklace, along with a number of other vintage accessories and garments sold during the 2-day auction, was formerly owned and worn by the legendary actress Marilyn Monroe.

Michael Jackson Memorabilia Sells at Auction

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:15 +0000

By chance, Julien's Auctions had a number of pieces of Michael Jackson Memorabilia consigned for its summer sale held in Las Vegas last weekend. These collectibles were expected to sell for far less than they fetched due to Jackson's death just a day before they were auctioned. Find out how much these items were expected to bring at auction, and what they actually sold for, in this post-auction report.

O is for Ohr Pottery

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:56:31 +0000

When it comes to pottery crafted by George Ohr, the Mad Potter of Biloxi, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. In fact, some people find this "art" pottery made more than a century ago to be downright ugly. While it's not for everyone, Ohr's works do command attention from both pottery aficionados and museum curators, and the prices can be formidable. To learn more about how much a typical piece of Ohr pottery sells for at auction, take a look at my new George Ohr Pottery Price Guide.

Vintage Patriotic Postcard Gallery - Happy 4th of July!

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:44:38 +0000

What better way to celebrate our nation's independence than with a gallery filled with, if I do say so myself, fantastic Vintage Patriotic Postcards. The color, the sentiment, the prose -- I love it all, and hope you will too. They can even be used as clip art, if you wish. Enjoy, and have a wonderful July 4th!

N is for Negotiating Prices

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:38:21 +0000

Antique shoppers are notorious for bargaining. Why pay the asking price if you don't have to, right? Some people haven't quite gotten the knack of negotiating at garage sales, flea markets and antique shows down to a fine art yet and they don't realize different tactics work best in different situations, but that's not a problem. I'm offering some suggestions for negotiating your best price in a variety of venues, and I threw in a few reminders even seasoned hagglers will want to review.

Fifteen Facts About Hall China

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:15:21 +0000

Think you know a thing or two about Hall China? Or, maybe you're just learning about Hall's interesting and varied wares. Whether this feature serves as a brief overview for you or an introduction to a totally new branch of collecting, I think you'll find this list of facts to be interesting if not downright enlightening. In fact, I learned a few things myself when I was putting it together! Read Fifteen Facts About Hall China to find out more.

Collectible Aluminum Hammers Out a Niche

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:49:59 +0000

Aluminum giftware has garnered a following in collecting circles, finally. For many years it languished on antique shop shelves without much interest. It's still affordable, but prices have climbed some during the past 10 years or so, and hard to find pieces can sell for several hundred dollars in the right market. To learn more about collectible aluminum along with the marks and motifs to look for when you're out shopping this summer, read Collectible Aluminum Hammers Out a Niche.

M is for Mechanical Banks

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:22:31 +0000

A few weeks ago when I covered the Hubley Manufacturing Company as we made our way through the ABCs of antiques, I touched on the topic of mechanical banks. I mentioned then how outrageously expensive they can be. Well, this week we're delving into that topic more deeply with a new Mechanical Banks Identification and Price Guide to peruse. Every bank in this guide sold at auction within the past year for more than $10,000, including this really cool magician bank from the early 1900s in remarkable condition.

The Unsurpassed Quality of Cambridge Glass

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:55:04 +0000

Cambridge glass holds special appeal for collectors and dealers interested in "elegant" glassware patterns. I mean, what's not to love? The colors, patterns and beautiful etchings all epitomize quality and, well, elegance. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy these pieces with today's casual lifestyles, however. To learn more about this gorgeous glass and get a few out-of-the-box ideas for ways to use it in your home, read The Unsurpassed Quality of Cambridge Glass.

Amazing Antique Jewelry, Amazing Prices at Christie's London Auction

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:48:41 +0000

Sometimes you just have to live vicariously through others blessed enough to be able to bid on fantastic antique jewelry. Last week one of those occasions came about through The London Sale: Jewels by Christie's. Take a look at this report I did for Examiner.com highlighting several beautiful pieces from this auction, including the 44 carat diamond in an Art Deco setting shown here. Remarkable!