Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Hidden beauty: Careful cleaning reveals beautiful color on this Chinese antique sideboard from Shanxi

You never really know what you will find when you start on restoration of an antique. Experience helps but its nevertheless often times more art then process. Since some customers, particularly those in the know, prefer to select antique pieces in un-restored form, which while exciting and educating, can present some tricky problems for the restorer, especially if what the customer is after is the color of the piece. So where does the problem lay? Well… what you are seeing is not color. That beautiful patina on the un-restored piece is actually dirt and grime built up over the years, as opposed to actual color. Like that rustic “limed finish look” on that un-restored antique table? Then know that its actually just gray dust and after restoration we will need to somehow recreate that effect. For the restorer, the challenge is to remove dirt and build up while retaining the patina. Other times though, this is all part of the fascinating and revealing process with at times, very pleasant surprises.


Take this antique sideboard from the Shanxi – Shandong region in northern China. Though a fairly common sideboard, the eight painted figures were remarkably well preserved and this alone makes this piece worthy of a purchase decision. The image above was taken at the time of purchase.


Note that this sort of sideboard would open across the top front in three half depth panels which lift up. Many of these antique Chinese sideboards seen on the market today have been in fact been modified for contemporary use and the doors are rarely original. In this case, the customer (wisely) choose to retain its original form and opted out for such modifications, which would have detracted from the value of such a wonderful cabinet. The next step is careful cleaning to remove the years of use in the countryside and in this case the results were better then expected.

Five of the size figures depicted separately on each panel are carrying swords. Before cleaning this was barely visible, so much that I neglected to even notice this and it was not apparent until after each panel was cleaned. I was also surprised to see vibrant red, blue and green hues spring forth in brilliant color, the kind often seen in antiques as most chinese antique reproductions today use commercially available synthetic colors which lack the richness the ones used in times past.

The next question: who are these figures, what do they symbolize and what story do they depict?

View the original article here

Monday, November 28, 2011

Retired chocolate factory worker discovers his blue and white vase is a rare 600 year old Ming dynasty moon flask worth millions!

Just a super quick update post since the folks at Chine Gallery in Hong Kong have been keeping me quite busy these days. Though with lots of cool things there to look into like this 18th century cinnabar lacquer box from Beijing can you blame me?


On to the latest “record price” headline, this one picked up from the BBC. Whats amazing is the guy walked in with the vase stuffed inside a cardboard box!!!

A blue and white Chinese Ming Dynasty vase that arrived at a Dorset auction house in a cardboard box is expected to sell for more than 1 million.

The 11.5in (29cm) vase is the largest ever recorded from a rare group of early Ming “moonflasks” from 1403-1424, Duke and Son auction house said.

The Dorchester-based firm said it was believed to be one of the most exciting works of art to come to light in years.

The seller, a retired Cadbury’s worker aged 79, does not wish to be named.

‘Spectacular find’

A Duke’s spokesperson said the man “lives modestly and has been interested in antiques for many years”.

Guy Schwinge, of Duke’s, said: “When my colleague initially showed me what had arrived in a cardboard box I could not believe my eyes.

“The vase is in perfect condition and it is amazing to think that it has survived unscathed for almost 600 years”.

Duke’s consultant for Chinese Works of Art is Anthony du Boulay, a scholar and author, who said the vase was “a spectacular find”.

View the original article here

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Traditional chinese houses – from the countryside into the city (with million dollar profits too)

Old houses in China's countryside are being dismantled and reassembled for the nation's new rich.
Very interesting article in the China daily talking about the resale market for Ming and Qing dynasty Chinese traditional homes which are disassembled, transported, repaired and then resold to restaurants, clubs or wealthy collectors.  Now this is an interesting topic which I could easily get lost in as it just touches on so many interesting elements from Hui Zhou architecture to Chinese antique restorations to wooden architectural carvings.


The article  is basically a slimmed down version of another Chinese language article floating around the net. Its not a bad article, though it leaves out some of the more interesting details like such as how the industry works.

For example, the middlemen buyers tend to be divided up amongst two categories: those with ample capital and those who as essentially un-financed. Essentially those who are “un-financed” will buy the house and resell it right away to recoup their investment at a 20 to 30% profit margin. “Financed sellers” are those who have enough spare capital to buy the house, undertake all the repair and restoration work and then resell it in restored form at a 40 to 50 % profit.

The other interesting aspect left out is detail on how much time and effort goes into the whole process.  One home took ten workers several weeks just to disassemble and haul away it away piece by piece in a dozen different large trucks. Quite a task considering each individual piece from support beams to wood carvings to stone had to be meticulously tagged and documented in order to be reassembled off-site. Before restoration can even start, a methodical checking of each piece had to be made to determine which wood must be replaced, which carvings repaired etc. Then there is the restoration and reassembly itself – a complex process involving carpentry, masonry, painters and wood carvers.

What’s interesting is the trade has moved online as well, with websites listing both complete homes (in restored and un-restored form) as well as individual salvaged components like ornate wooden architectural carvings, brick carvings, stone and even reclaimed wood.


The China daily version is below – still a fascinating read. For the brave, here is also the more complete Chinese language version of the article.

Old houses in the Yangtze River Delta’s countryside are being dismantled and reassembled for display in the gardens of the nation’s new rich. Xu Junqian reports.

At a hidden warehouse, on a vast expanse of open moorland in Dongyang, Zhejiang province (?(??)?????????), a group of middle-aged carpenters are busy working on a pile of pillars and corbels, beams and windows. Spread over the 10,000-square-meter clandestine locale that has no name or address – marked only by a muddy path – they have been carefully dismantled from century-old houses scattered throughout the Yangtze River Delta countryside.

Once reassembled, they will move into the gardens of the country’s nouveau riche.Tired of filling their working and living rooms with antique vases, ink paintings, calligraphy and 19th-century hardwood furniture, the emerging upper class is looking for something new to show off their wealth and cultural sensitivities.

And buying these quaint houses that date back to as early as the Ming (1368-1644) or Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, is becoming a popular choice.
The trend has been growing in the recent years, Zhang Zhu’an (???), co-owner of the nameless warehouse site, says. “More people, including the not-so-affluent, are seeing them as an investment.”
These ancient houses can range from 300 to 400 square meters, with some even reaching 1,000 square meters. While they rival the size of the buyers’ homes, these collectors’ items are mostly for display.
Zhang, a 61-year-old Dongyang native, and his partner, the main investor of the warehouse, started the business three years ago. Although the carpenter-turned-businessman sidesteps questions about how lucrative the business is, he acknowledges it has been “acceptable” from the beginning. Now, they sell one house every two or three months.

The older the house, the pricier it gets, Zhang says. “But the style of the house, its condition or the status of its former owner – say he is a famous political figure – can also add to the value.”

With a team of about 10 carpenters, who double as porters, Zhang’s warehouse is the biggest of its kind in Zhejiang and possibly in the country.

Over the past few years, more than 10 houses have been relocated from remote villages to be reassembled and refurbished in the warehouse and then dispatched to the properties of affluent buyers in Hangzhou, Shanghai and even as far away as Beijing.

Currently, there are nine houses here, some of which are ready to be “taken away”. Most are typical southern Chinese residences, featuring upturned eaves, elaborate woodcarvings and thick and straight pillars.

“This one is not that ancient. It dates from the end of the Qing Dynasty,” says a 49-year-old carpenter, surnamed Pan, referring to a door from a typical Anhui-style house, currently the most popular variety on the market, that he has been working on for five weeks.

“I heard the whole house was bought for several hundred thousands yuan. But this door alone can be sold for more than 10 million yuan ($1.55 million) after I’m done with polishing it,” Pan says.

There are about five or six similar warehouses in Dongyang, a city best known for its ancient craft of woodcarving, Zhang says. Just a few meters from his site is a similar, but much smaller, warehouse with four dismantled houses.


“People may think it is easy to start a business like this because of a huge supply of carpenters here,” Zhang says. “But good houses are becoming increasingly hard to find, as they have either been taken apart by collectors or demolished by their owners to make way for new modern buildings.”

Zhang says that while his special “hunting crew” travels the country looking for houses, he also networks with furniture recyclers and secondhand storeowners in the area.”If they come to know of someone who wants to sell his house, they will immediately call me,” Zhang says, adding that he only goes for structures that are at least 70 percent intact.

“For the province’s growing number of rich people, such houses represent the ultimate collectors’ item,” says Yu Feng, vice-chairman of Collection Association Club of Yiwu, the city neighboring Dongyang.

“After all, the vases, paintings and precious chairs need a place where they can be put. And what better choice than a heritage house,” Yu says.


The club, founded in 2005, has about 300 members in Yiwu. As the world’s largest small commodity center, it attracts hordes of the parvenus.

Every year, they host exhibitions to showcase their art collections. An antiques market that can accommodate 500 stalls also opened earlier this year.

“I can’t say how many people are doing this (collecting houses), as we don’t have such figures in the club,” says Yu, whose own collection includes five houses.

They occupy a 2,000-square-meter space that the logistics tycoon has specially rented.According to some industry insiders, a Yiwu businessman has 100 such homes from all over the country in his collection.”If you start early enough, you can get a house for no more than 50,000 yuan,” Yu says.But with more people entering the market, the average price has easily doubled.

The profit for middlemen like Zhang has dropped from 50 to about 30 percent of the price.For Yu and others like him, the biggest headache remains finding a place for their house collections. “After all, it’s not that easy to buy land. And once you move a house, it’s not likely you can do so again,” Yu says.

But even as some worry about where to put their gigantic collections, others have found ways to make money out of them.

Zhu Youfu, a retired local official in Yiwu’s Fotang village has turned his collection – worth millions of yuan – into a tourist attraction in his hometown.


With a nearly 1,000-square-meter house built at the beginning of the 1800s and several other smaller ones, the site has become a recreational complex that also offers dining, accommodation and sightseeing.

Yang Handong, meanwhile, is more generous with sharing his collection.Yang is the owner of Hujiang Group, the country’s biggest thread producer, which is also based in Yiwu.

Apart from an underground museum that is home to 300 old vases and paintings located below the teahouse he runs, the antiques aficionado has also built a park behind his factory for his seven heritage houses. Admission is free to the public.

Chen Rongjun, director of Dongyang Relic Protection Office, says that although it is legitimate to buy these houses not categorized as “relics under protection”, the houses, which are one of the few legacies of the local culture, become “dead” once they leave their original locations.

According to the local government, only 207 homes in the area are categorized as “relics under protection”, leaving 1,560 houses labeled as just “relics”, for not meeting one or another of the protection category standards.

“Homes with historical value are disappearing fast. More villagers are willing to exchange their homes for money to build new villas, and we are not there to stop them,” Chen says.But Zhang, the middleman, is defensive. “We are far more professional than the owners while dealing with these houses, which are usually in a seriously dilapidated state when they come to us,” he says.

“It’s true we are making money from them but not by tearing them down,” he adds. “Rather, we are restoring them to their former glory, which is definitely better than letting them suffer further wear and tear.”


View the original article here

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Antique Lamps - Kung Hei Fat Choi

"Kung Hei Fat Choi!" or "Happy New Year!" - the great festival of the Chinese speaking world. It is unknown exactly when and how this event began, except to say that with China's 5000 years of history, not being able to recall the beginnings of such celebrations can be well understood.

In contemporary China, the New Year celebration is known as the Spring Festival and is considered one of the most important events in China. This important occasion carries with it certain obligations for people preparing for the New Year. All disputes must be resolved, so that the New Year can begin with a clean slate. Spring cleaning is done, so that the house can greet the New Year clean and tidy & all clothes have to be cleaned and pressed.

The date of the Chinese New Year is established by the lunar calendar, so the first day of the lunar year marks the date of the Chinese New Year. This places the date of the New Year between late January and early February. Finally at midnight, on New Years Eve, the fun begins!

At the stroke of twelve the New Year is greeted by the explosion of fireworks, bells, drums and gongs. In traditional China, or, Imperial China, the midnight cannonade was designed to drive away evil spirits and so cleanse the infant New Year.

It is at this time, that every city witnesses one of China's most ancient cultural events, the dragon and lion dance. Through the streets of every town and village the dragon, to the sound of fireworks, drums and gongs, snakes his way across China.

The dragon is the most ancient of Chinese cultural symbols and is highly revered and honored by the Chinese people. Unlike in the West, the Chinese dragon is a totally benign creature, the deity of water, rivers and streams and offering assurance from the threat of drought. The lion, the symbol of power and courage, protects and wards off mischievous spirits.

With the tradition of New Years celebration so deeply embedded in the Chinese psyche, no effort is spared in traveling vast distances to bring gifts and spend this important holiday with the family. Known in China as the "Spring Movement", it is, in fact, the largest mass migration on the planet!

The week long holiday is filled with entertainments and special New Year dishes. House window frames and doors are freshly painted and the houses brightly decorated with lights and red lanterns, red being the symbolic colour for wealth and good fortune. Children receive the traditional red envelope, containing money, quickly spent on treats and sweets!

With a major tradition being the exchanging of gifts, the focus of this article is the traditional gift of "New Year" or "Cracked Ice" blue and white Chinese porcelain.

Oriental porcelain was introduced to the West as early as the mid 15th century, when precious examples appearing in Lisbon, Portugal being the first to acquire trading rights from Imperial China.

Prior to this, porcelain, both Chinese and Japanese, was seen in Europe as a mystical substance with almost magical properties, from a place that very few knew of, let alone, had been to. Most information was still based on the visit made by Marco Polo in 1275.

The "secret" of blue and white porcelain is cobalt, a natural mineral ore which gives the blue. Cobalt was then confined to Persia, today's modern Iran. This trade between China and Persia undoubtedly propelled the Chinese decoration of ceramics into a new direction, with the first truly blue and white porcelain made around 1290 AD.

The production of porcelain in China has had a history of thousands of years and is the very reason we call porcelain "China" because that's where it came from!

Not only porcelain, but all traditional Chinese art is filled with symbolic meaning and has always played a highly important role, as with gifts offered for auspicious occasions, like birthdays, births and weddings, with good wishes offered for long life and a comfortable old age.

If we randomly choose just four symbols and their meanings, symbols frequently found in Chinese art, these could be -:

Dragons - a symbol derived from ancient traditions. This celebrated symbol ranks first among all. The five-clawed dragon was reserved for the Emperor from ancient times until the end of the last dynasty. The four-clawed dragon associates with royalty and the three-clawed dragon with the Chinese people.

Bamboo - standing for longevity and courage in adversity. As bamboo is evergreen and because it grows straight, it was a popular symbol for an honest mandarin official.

Bats - the homonym "fu" stands for both "bat" and "happiness", hence the bat is a popular symbol. Five bats shown together signify the Five Blessings: longevity, health, wealth, virtue and a natural death.

Crane - the crane is another longevity symbol as the bird was thought to live for two thousand years. A bird flying or looking towards the sun represents a desire to rise high in the government hierarchy.

In traditional China, New Year, or, cracked ice decorated porcelain was a popular gift with its message of spring and new beginnings. The decoration consists of a rich blue ground to simulate ice, or, frozen water. This effect is produced, sometimes with heavy brush strokes, or fine white lines produced by exposing the underlying white porcelain. This frozen ice ground is broken up by branches of plum blossom flowering on old wood, again, the decoration achieved by exposing the underlying white porcelain. The symbolism here speaks of the winter's ice giving way to the welcome arrival of spring, with budding plum blossom about to break through.

Chinese traditional art is filled with symbolic meaning and has always played a highly important role as with gifts offered for auspicious occasions. The gift is one thing, the message is something else!

A pair of New Year accent lamps can be seen by going to -: http://www.antiquelampshop.com/commerce/search/products/?product_id=a042&merchant_id=2370 The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co ship lamps world wide.Please visit their web site at -: http://www.antiquelampshop.com/


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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Antique Lamps - Withstanding the Test of Time

Classic looks and style are one way to approach decorating your home. The advantage is, of course, that 'classic' means timeless - leaving you in no fear of the vagaries of fashion when it comes to your decor! In the twentieth century design often gave way to function and in the period following both world wars 'utilitarian' design was based on functionality not looks. Later in the century and at the start of the current century design and function have been re-combined as equals in the design process and after decades of bland, plain homes we have begun to look again at design as a key factor in our lifestyles. Classic interiors are a great choice for many homes - period homes suit the style well although many design schemes can be complemented by classic touches.

Authentic looks and style

Classic by definition means unaffected by the vagaries of style and changes in fashion and for this reason, classic is a great way to create a timeless look. As ever with design, detailing matters most to create a look of any type and classic interiors are no exception. Small features and furnishings used in decoration, such as vases and bowls, are excellent ways to add a touch of classic design and antique lamps can be great for creating lighting effects and adding a classic touch. Antiques in general will create a classic look to a home - they are also investments and unlike other furnishings may well increase in value over time. For period homes classic antique light fittings can be incorporated along with lamps to create an authentic look.

Finishing and function

Antique lamps are not only decorative features but are functional too. Using light to create atmosphere can be an effective way to set off the style and ambience of your living room. Lamps are also great features in offices and studies - as well as the library wing if you really want to create a classic home! No bedroom is complete without some low level lighting and antique lamps can work well in these rooms to create subtle, stylish finishing touches. The type and style of lamps available vary; Georgian lamp bases are often simple and elegant - the main features of design in that era. Victorian furnishings, hangings and light fittings are more ornate and highly patterned and decorated - a trend that continued well into the Edwardian era.

Simple adaptations

Modern homes - even the most sleek and stylish - can benefit from the use of antique elements in their design scheme. In fact this is one trick that many designers utilise - adding a single feature piece to a modern room to set off the elegance of both past and present. For those who love the sleek design of modern buildings and architecture, a vintage or retro design from the later twentieth century may well appeal. It is also worth looking at the range of antique lamps from Japan. Japan has long held Zen simplicity at the core of its design - both in architecture and interiors. Antique vases and even everyday vessels used for Sake can be sourced that have been transformed into innovatively designed lamp bases. This combination of old and new has created some incredible pieces that can complement many a sleek, stylish city living apartment.

Effortlessly fashionable

Whatever style of interior design you are embarking on consider using some classic elements in your design. Lighting and lamps are particularly useful for this type of decoration - fulfilling a functional role as well as a decorative one. Most pre-Edwardian antique lamps will not have been designed for use with electric fittings but can be adapted. Specialist firms can do this for you - most will stock lamps that are already converted or vases that have been adapted. Check that wires and electric fittings are well hidden for a truly authentic look and for specialist orders of rare items a specialist is the first place to call. Creating a classic look for your home will create a relaxing, stylish and elegant atmosphere - and one that, like many of its features, will withstand the changes in fashion for years to come.

The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co specialize in antique lamps with an exclusive on-line range of over 100 unique lamps. Lamps are shipped ready wired to the US, the UK and Australia. For further information you are invited to visit their web site at http://www.antiquelampshop.com/ © The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co 2011


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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

High Antique Furniture Values Are Big Business

Antique furniture values are the whole basis for pricing purpose within the antique furniture business. Old collectible items are considered antiques. The factors to be considered are the age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and other unique features of an item. Any antique object is a representative of the past, a period of human society. Antiques are valued for their worth. Everyday furniture of previous generations is antique now.

Furniture are movable pieces of objects humans used, and are continually being used, to support basic activities such as seating and sleeping. There are a number of furniture types. Movable objects at home and working areas are considered furniture. These are the tables, chairs, beds, desks, dressers, cupboards, and other similar items.

The antique furniture values refer to the worth of these pieces or objects when sold and bought. The business of buying and selling antiques is a very lucrative one. The proceeds in the buying and selling of old furniture are high. The antique furniture values are getting higher as time passes by. Most antique objects, not only furniture, are getting more valuable as time goes on.

Wealthy individuals have the resources to buy old furniture. They have the sole intention of buying the antique items and afterwards selling the same for higher prices. Other rich people who may have historical and sentimental notions are also bent on buying old furniture, as family possessions and not for resale. These are some reasons that antique furniture values are getting higher.

Investing in antique furniture is a good business move. Collecting of antique objects is a hobby at the start but can prove to be a good business decision in the end. If there is available capital to invest in the business of buying and selling old furniture, place the available resources with no hesitations. It can prove to be an excellent income earner.

The business involving antique items can be profitable in the future. Furniture is one of the movable objects included in the valuable business of antique buying and selling. Investors in the business of buying and selling old furniture are not risking their money. Investments are getting more valuable as times move on.

The antique pieces of furniture are getting more valuable as time passes. This is the case even if there are no buyers at the time of purchase or thereabout. The items for sale are gaining in value even if there are no takers. Unlike other items on sale that are getting less valuable as time passes. Antiques are getting more expensive instead of depreciating in their worth in monetary value as time goes on.

People with both historical perspective and financial resources are aware that investment in any antique is a potential big income earner. Collecting antique furniture requires an amount of money not available to all. The antique furniture values are being increased as time passes by. Those persons with financial resources are making big business in the antique furniture buy and sell transactions. A hobby is transformed into a business, not an ordinary kind of business.

Brian is an antiques publisher. For more great tips on antique furniture values, visit http://www.antiquinginformation.info/


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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Khotan Rugs - Weaving Traditions

The ancient oasis town of Khotan in the Tarim Basin was a crossroad on the southernmost branch of the fabled Silk Road, famous among merchant caravans for its fine jades and silks as well as for its beautiful rugs and carpets. Khotan is one of the places visited by the famous Venetian merchant traveler Marco Polo in the 13th century AD.

Khotan's carpet weaving traditions are very ancient. Archeologists have found pile carpet fragments at Buddhist sites that date back to the third century AD. By the ninth century, invading Turkic tribes from the west forced the local population's conversion from Buddhism to Islam, but the Buddhist-inspired carpet weaving tradition lived on. The carpets themselves became popular items of trade along the Silk Road.

In the 18th century, the Tarim Basin was invaded by China and trade to the west was officially cut off. Commercial carpets continued to make their way out of Khotan through the mountains into Russia, but by the time they reached the European markets, they were summarily renamed Samarkand carpets after the Central Asian city that was home to the world's largest carpet market. Many antique Khotan carpets, therefore, remain misidentified to this day.

Some Khotan rugs were made from silk, but the majority were wool pile knotted around a cotton warp. A characteristic trait of the Khotan rug or carpet is that for every row of knotted pile, two or three shoots of weft were typically added. These asymmetric knots give the pile on Khotan rugs and carpets a Far Eastern quality. The highest quality rugs and carpets have 1,200 knots per inch.

Designs and patterns reflected the motifs of many different cultures with Chinese, Tibetan, Mughal, Persian and Turkish influences predominating. Arabesques, diamonds and flowers were borrowed from the Indian Mughal carpet weavers to the south, while the popular repeating medallion motifs were reminiscent of the carpets of Anatolia, Iran and India. The dyes were mostly the yellow, brown and earth tones produced by locally available plants, supplemented occasionally with bright dyes imported from Kashmir.

Rugs and carpets were woven both in homes and in large workshops. Several women would work at one time on a carpet project, often taking as long as four months to complete a large piece.

Today, Khotan is called Hotan, and is a small town within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The carpet-weaving tradition still persists although many traditional carpet making techniques have been lost and synthetic dyes are used. Carpet makers work from Chinese and Uyghur designs. A large Khotan carpet measuring 50 by 65 feet hangs on the wall of the Beijing's Great Hall of the People, while others have begun making their way once again to the shops and emporiums of the west.


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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Learn And Compare Antique Book Prices

Ever wonder why of all vintage items, antique book prices may be one of the most challenging to evaluate? It is vital that books are not just old in order for it to be classified with significant value; it has to be at least the first edition to be published, has to be signed by the author, and possibly, has to have a remarkable layout. Getting rare and antique books would test collector's skill and knowledge because there are a lot of details to look into to avoid acquiring a book which has a poor value.

There is always a need to take into consideration the condition of the book before selling or buying it; in order to get the ones with the highest value, the collector needs to look for books that are clean, has crisp pages, and if achievable, the one closest in its original form. Antique book prices may not be as high as expected if there are scribbles on the pages or the pages are dirty and have been ripped off. If you have a collection of old books or you intend to make this your concentration area for antique hunting, might as well do some research to gather facts about values. This will help you to obtain a price that you can ask for in the area you wish to sell the book or a price that you can afford in places like antique stores or thrift shops.

You can also take another step in understanding antique book prices and that is to ask the help of an antique appraiser who specializes on the values of rare books; you can be oriented about the comparison of different costs once you are able to show your book/books to the appraiser in person. No one wants his or her collection of old books to go to waste and it is crucial that full attention is permanently given in preserving the books' condition because any form of damage would for sure decrease the value of the book. Keep your books in an area with a stable room temperature; ideally not too hot or too humid, make sure to handle books properly and have a table ready specifically if the books being carried are too heavy and be mindful to always clean the shelves to keep books from getting dust and dirt.

Just like other antique pieces, rare antique books are treasures in the eyes of the collector. It is very delicate and requires constant care because by doing so, there is a guarantee that the book will not lose its value and it will continue to appraise. Antique book prices are indeed within your grasp because information sources are available within your location or by browsing the internet. This is a great investment whether you already have antique books or just starting to collect because you can achieve a great deal of profit gained from antique book prices if you will decide to sell it and also gain self-fulfilment because once you are equipped with the right knowledge to identify rare books, you will surely have an exceptional collection.

Brian is an antiques publisher. For more information on antique book prices, visit http://www.antiquinginformation.info/


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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Some Reasons Why We Buy Antique Books

They say that everything in this world is finite. May it be wealth, popularity, love, or what not, everything will not last forever. One person may have all the riches in the world, but once he passes on to the next life, he will not be able to carry his wealth with him. In another context, a celebrity may be enjoying a period of immense popularity right now. He has to understand though that things will not always be this way, and one day people will start to forget him as well. In the same light, not all forms of love last forever. Even memories fade away, so there's no reason to believe that love will not.

Yes, all these are true, but no one really mentioned anything about the immortalizing ability of writing, and how books can leave a legacy that goes beyond the life of their author. This is the glory in which antique books bask, a certain kind of glory that surpasses their maker. And if you want to get your hands on these finds and buy antique books, all you have to do is keep reading.

People look to buy antique books for many reasons. The first reason that comes to mind is that they collect antique books as a hobby. For them, there is no greater thrill than finding a book that is hundreds of years old. The history that the book represents brings a certain excitement to them, and the fact that they now own the books makes the feeling even better.

Another reason why people buy antique books is for educational purposes. Old books contain old ideologies, concepts, and standards about anything under the sun that can prove to be beneficial even in today's setting. These ideologies may have been forgotten by this generation, so they books serve as a reminder for all of us.

A third possible reason why people love buying antique books is that they wish to earn a profit by reselling these awesome collectible items. Whether they do it through the good old garage sale, or through the use of the internet, many people will really spend money in order to find a good antique reading material.

There are so many garage sales out there where people can find books that were long forgotten in bookstores and libraries. You can easily find one near you. But what is even better here is that people can now turn to the internet for their need to buy antique books. The prowess of the internet can be used to find hard to spot titles and classic reading materials. From antique books to the most recent releases, these sites have a virtual catalog that users can conveniently search in.

The task of knowing where to buy antique books starts and ends online. Whether you collect them as a hobby, want to learn old concepts and ideologies, or want to earn a profit by reselling these books, these sites will be a good start for you.

Brian is an antiques publisher. For more information on how to buy antique books, visit http://www.antiquinginformation.info/


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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Ten Things About Antique Clock Care

Insuring

Always maintain adequate insurance on your clock. Photograph your clock and write a detailed description of it. Keep a copy of the photo, description, purchase records, and any other pertinent information in a safe place in case of fire, flood, burglary, etc. This will make it much easier to file an insurance claim.

that will increase the clock's value.

Have your clock appraised by several reputable dealers and average their values to arrive at a price.

Clocks can be sold through antique shows, antique shops, traditional and online auctions, clock conventions, collector periodicals, and newspaper advertisements. If you aren't selling in person, be sure to provide color photos that include multiple angles and close-ups of unique features. Also provide a detailed written description of the clock's features and flaws. Be sure to mention what you would consider minor or insignificant flaws. Potential buyers have a right to full disclosure.

As a courtesy (and an extra selling point), include repair history, if known, as well as instructions for operating and cleaning your clock.

Cleaning

Clean your clock every three to five years. For best results, have it cleaned professionally, but if you do it yourself, first remove the hands, dial, and works. Immerse the works in naptha or kerosene for about thirty minutes, then wipe with a soft cloth and dry with a hair dryer. Clean unpainted glass with glass cleaner to remove all streaks and fingerprints, and dust the case with a soft cloth. Oil the pivots with clock oil, which can be purchased at hobby shops. Apply small drops of oil using the tip of a long needle, then reassemble the clock.

Moving

Before moving a weight-driven or pendulum clock, remove the weight or pendulum to prevent damage.

Move a large clock carefully. Carry it by supporting its weight from underneath. Do not lift it by the top or by other fragile parts. Also, keep the clock as vertical as possible, as strain, twisting, or uneven weight distribution may cause cracking or other damage.

Displaying

Carefully select your clock's location. Keep it away from drafts, basements, outside walls, and heating and ventilating ducts because humidity and temperature extremes can warp wood and affect a clock's accuracy. Also avoid placing a clock in direct sunlight, which may cause the finish to fade or crack. Be sure your clock is firmly anchored. If placed on a antique wall clock, ensure that the support is heavy enough and is attached to a wall stud or a wall anchor.

To keep the clock as accurate as possible, be sure the clock is level front to back and side to side.

Maintaining

Leave all major clock repairs to a professional, but if you choose to work on your clock's movement, first remove weights or pendulum, and disengage springs.

Running

Dedicated clock collectors usually keep their clocks running, if possible. The springs and other moving parts will not wear out. If fact, keeping the moving parts running helps preserve them and maintains the clock's accuracy.

Winding

Because of a series of protective devices called Geneva Stops, you can't overwind your clock. Establish a regular shedule to wind your clock. Use your normal routine as a reminder. For example, you might want to wind your clock at the beginning of a weekly TV show.

Adjusting

If your clock runs too fast or slow, you can adjust its timing up to five minutes a week by raising or lowering the pendulum bob or adjusting its weights. Weight-driven clocks are generally more accurate than spring-driven models, so they may not require as much adjustment.

The phrase "Lower, slower, higher, sprier" provides a good way to remember how to adjust a pendulum clock. Raising the bob on the pendulum rod shortens the swing so the clock goes faster. Lowering the bob makes the arc longer, which slows the clock.

Learning

Beginning clock collectors can join the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) at 514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA 17512. Fellow members and club activities can be of great help.

Selling

Well-made and maintained antique clocks are valuable and in constant demand. If you prepare your clock for sale properly and ask a fair price, you should have little difficulty selling it. To receive the highest price within your clock's market value, follow the guidelines below:

Make sure your clock looks its best by having it cleaned (see instructions in the Clock Care section above).

Preserve any labels found on a clock case, as they may give horological and historical information.

Antique clock prices are an important resource for any clocks collector, you will find antique clock price guides and information in my website.


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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Convenience Of Antique Book Prices Online

The collection of written, printed and illustrated sheets is considered a book, even blank sheets fastened together in a way that everybody knows. The book is commonly made of paper, parchment and some other similar materials. Antique books are basically any that were printed one hundred or more years ago.

There are individuals who are very interested in collecting rare and old books. Collecting them is a hobby to many people. This hobby might prove to be a business later. Antique book prices tend to increase as time goes on and the objects get older. As in other antique objects, they can be good items to invest in.

Books are among the items that become categorized as antiques, and any collector, or bibliophile, has an interest in antique book prices. To a lot of people, books are considered rarities in this day and age. Many people are reading and researching online instead of referring to actual printed material.

Going to the world wide web is the best thing to do if looking for antique book prices. There is quite a number of sites offering listings of prices of rare and old manuscripts. One could easily access a price guide in the different websites. These various websites are a good basis for the comparison of book prices. Buyers and sellers alike will have a wide array of references for their antique items. Purchase and sales of old books usually have to start from these price guides.

One idea behind searching for online antique book prices guides is to have free information. The purpose is to have easy appraisals for collectible antiques. The actual market value of the items is usually shown in these various websites. It will be easier for book hobbyist and would-be investors to get information on these book prices. Especially the prices of old or rare books.

There are thousand and thousands of collectible books, rare, old and out of print copies. All these are listed in the price guides of the different websites. The list is still growing in size. The price guide is made concise and easy to use, but there are limitations in scope. There is a limitation on the condition of books. Book condition is a determining factor on the value of books. There are guides that can provide information on book condition. The various book price guides are complimenting each other on the information a potential book buyer or seller is looking for.

Going online is indeed the easiest method to try to calculate the value of any old books that may be considered antique. Available information about old books in the internet can provide the basis for decisions of book enthusiasts in buying or selling valued antique books. These various guides in the internet are an easy accessible means for prospective business transactions involving antique books.

Antique book prices are available in the internet for everyone to read and scrutinize. The prices listed can be used for future decisions whether for leisure buying or business buying.

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