Collecting Methods and Investing in Historical Artifacts
< Continued from page 1
Another dark area in this hobby is the problem of dealers or individuals "sticking it to" the high-rollers who don't know what they are doing. It's almost a game for some people to see if they can get so and so to buy a repaint, a fake, or an over-priced item. Most of these transactions occur behind the scenes, so most people never know about it. The high-roller gets stuck and the seller laughs up his sleeve.
No one ever said this was easy. This problem is common in any antique area. It is why you have to develop relationships and not just buy at random. There is no sure fire way to protect yourself from a fake or an over-priced piece except by experience or by hiring a knowledgeable "buyer" to run interference.
Collector specific shows exist to assemble collectors so knowledge and friendship can be shared to the mutual benefit of one another. It also exists so collectors can make connections, friends, and ultimately buy something for their collection. With the advent of eBay and the Internet, the connections aspect is all but eliminated. Now, you just sit at the computer, place a bid and hope for the best. The question comes to mind: how will knowledge be accumulated if there are no friends to call? Who will closet collectors call to ask a question? What if there are no shows to attend to shop and compare values and condition? Is any hobby to become dominated by a host of closet collectors buying blindly on the Internet and basing their bids on past prices realized?
We know a strong economy drives the values of collectibles... be it fishing lures or art. Good times bring individuals with disposable cash and strong urges to collect. Bad times do just the opposite. What do we have to look forward to for the next ten years relative to collecting lures? With the habits of the baby boomers well documented, there can be no doubt that collecting of all kinds will increase, not decrease. It is my personal opinion that collecting will gain strength as more knowledge is disseminated via the Internet.
More lower-end collectors will migrate into older and more expensive material as they gain knowledge about what to collect and learn to appreciate the history of the early material. As older collectors sell their collections, prices will rise, bringing more interest and attention.
By example, I collect antique fishing lures and can use that area as an example. If you want to get started in collecting lures, my recommendation would be to start out slow and easy by attending as many shows as possible to look and learn. Don't buy when just starting out. Look long and buy later. There is no better way to start your education than by looking at massive numbers of lures and getting a feel for what is available.
Older collectors will usually not sell to someone they don't know. It's the "good old boy network" in its finest form. But, sometimes, money talks when an individual wants to move a large collection all at once. It happens and it's luck when you find out about it and are able to participate. Again, friends and connections are the key.
If in doubt about how and what to do about collecting in general, start by reading every book you can find on the topic. With all the on-line book stores, there is just no excuse for not owning all the books on the area you wish to collect.
Another dark area in this hobby is the problem of dealers or individuals "sticking it to" the high-rollers who don't know what they are doing. It's almost a game for some people to see if they can get so and so to buy a repaint, a fake, or an over-priced item. Most of these transactions occur behind the scenes, so most people never know about it. The high-roller gets stuck and the seller laughs up his sleeve.
No one ever said this was easy. This problem is common in any antique area. It is why you have to develop relationships and not just buy at random. There is no sure fire way to protect yourself from a fake or an over-priced piece except by experience or by hiring a knowledgeable "buyer" to run interference.
Collector specific shows exist to assemble collectors so knowledge and friendship can be shared to the mutual benefit of one another. It also exists so collectors can make connections, friends, and ultimately buy something for their collection. With the advent of eBay and the Internet, the connections aspect is all but eliminated. Now, you just sit at the computer, place a bid and hope for the best. The question comes to mind: how will knowledge be accumulated if there are no friends to call? Who will closet collectors call to ask a question? What if there are no shows to attend to shop and compare values and condition? Is any hobby to become dominated by a host of closet collectors buying blindly on the Internet and basing their bids on past prices realized?
We know a strong economy drives the values of collectibles... be it fishing lures or art. Good times bring individuals with disposable cash and strong urges to collect. Bad times do just the opposite. What do we have to look forward to for the next ten years relative to collecting lures? With the habits of the baby boomers well documented, there can be no doubt that collecting of all kinds will increase, not decrease. It is my personal opinion that collecting will gain strength as more knowledge is disseminated via the Internet.
More lower-end collectors will migrate into older and more expensive material as they gain knowledge about what to collect and learn to appreciate the history of the early material. As older collectors sell their collections, prices will rise, bringing more interest and attention.
By example, I collect antique fishing lures and can use that area as an example. If you want to get started in collecting lures, my recommendation would be to start out slow and easy by attending as many shows as possible to look and learn. Don't buy when just starting out. Look long and buy later. There is no better way to start your education than by looking at massive numbers of lures and getting a feel for what is available.
Older collectors will usually not sell to someone they don't know. It's the "good old boy network" in its finest form. But, sometimes, money talks when an individual wants to move a large collection all at once. It happens and it's luck when you find out about it and are able to participate. Again, friends and connections are the key.
If in doubt about how and what to do about collecting in general, start by reading every book you can find on the topic. With all the on-line book stores, there is just no excuse for not owning all the books on the area you wish to collect.