Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Vintage glass bottles sought by collectors

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:16:37 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Who can say why so many folks seem to have a fascination with something as ubiquitous and humble as the glass bottle? However, for some reason, almost everyone has at least one old glass bottle stashed away in the attic or basement, or displayed on a shelf or window sill.

Collectors track down model locomotives

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:39:22 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

The concept of rolling wagons on a track is actually quite old, dating back to the Greeks as early as 600 B.C. By the 1500s, countries throughout Europe began using man or animal drawn wagon ways for mining and other similar uses.

Dealers will purchase really cool pieces

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:04:34 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Perhaps the most common question that antique dealers hear is: “What is popular and selling in today’s market?” Of course, there is no simple answer because the range of items available today is so broad, but I’ve boiled it down to three simple questions that will rule out most of what doesn’t sell.

Bakelite and Lucite are valuable plastics

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 14:05:15 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Most folks equate plastic with being cheap or imitation, but plastic technology has improved our lives in ways too many to list. Plastics can be formed into virtually any shape, and they can be sterile, optically clear or able to withstand chemicals or tremendous abuse, depending on their formulation. More importantly for collectors, they can be beautiful as well.

Focusing on cameras can be waste of time

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 17:48:35 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

The camera obscura or “pinhole” camera dates back to ancient Greek and Chinese times, but it wasn’t until the early to mid-1800s until inventors started experimenting with actually capturing an image permanently on a glass or metal plate and then later onto film or paper.

Be apprised before hiring an appraiser

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:43:27 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Most folks have at least an object or two that they believe to be valuable, and for many, the time comes when for one reason or another they want to know just how valuable. Before you jump to have your items appraised, be sure you understand what the purpose of your appraisal is; otherwise having an appraisal can often do more harm than good.

Owners of rare coins can make big bucks

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:41:19 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Coins have been struck and used as currency worldwide since about 700 B.C. and people have been hoarding and collecting them ever since.

Message: Postcards can deliver big bucks

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 14:42:21 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Up till the advent of the Internet and camera phones, virtually everyone sent postcards as a quick way of sharing images and other information. They’ve been around since the 1840s in London and a few years later in the U.S. Postcards started out as an inexpensive way to send a brief message without the need for an envelope, but over time folks found many uses for them, including advertising, holiday greetings, invitations, and, of course, sharing travel experiences. Back in the day when taking pictures was a major production, postcards allowed folks to share professional images without having to lug and use their own camera equipment.

Most sewing machines have a thread of value

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:24:29 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Up until the Industrial Revolution, all clothing was made by hand. Less affluent families tended to make their own clothing while those with more money may have utilized the services of a tailor. In any event, the making of clothing was a tedious and time consuming endeavor.

Check your closets for vintage clothing

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:46:18 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

If you were born between the 1940s and 1960s, chances are that at some point in your youth you enjoyed wearing the fashion of the times. When looking at old photos of ourselves, it’s hard to imagine what we were thinking when we chose some of those outfits, but at the time they made us feel very “hip.” Of course, there were some beautiful styles as well.

Older structures house architectural treasures

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 12:35:21 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Architectural styles have continued to be created and developed in every region of the world since the first caveman figured out how to fashion a door for his cave. Since then, man has endeavored to not only make buildings work better as shelters but also to look better.

Top Spyder bicycles weave valuable deals

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:26:24 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

While early carriage builders were experimenting sooner, the first two-wheeled bicycles weren’t invented until the early 1800s, and those models lacked any mechanical propulsion. Instead, the rider would straddle the device and attempt to run with it.

It’s scary: Macabre items are now sought

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:43:05 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

As crazy as it sounds, humans have always had a fascination with the “dark side.” The term macabre as it relates to antiques and collectibles refers to disturbing objects, usually of a frightening or gruesome nature. Who among us has not partaken in the guilty pleasure of a good scary Vincent Price or Alfred Hitchcock movie, or marveled at the preserved specimen of a two-headed baby in a jar at the Museum of Natural History?

Collectors want dolls from 1800s to 1930s

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:25:13 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

It’s probably safe to say that almost every little girl in the world had many dolls over the course of her youth. More privileged children had elaborate dolls while less fortunate girls may have had a simple rag doll, but the quality or value of the doll rarely made a difference to the child. There is evidence that dolls were made and loved by children since well before recorded history. However, most dolls found today are no more than 60 years old. Most dolls were loved until they simply fell apart, so finding older ones (pre-1940) in good condition is tougher than you may think.

Automotive items are high-octane collectibles

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 01:36:18 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

While predecessors to what we know as today’s automobile were being developed as early as the 1600s, the first modern automobile with an internal combustion engine was produced by Karl Benz in 1888. Ever since that time, many folks have had a love affair with cars and just about everything related to them. We call that field of collecting “automobilia,”

Asking about lighting could brighten your day

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:57:13 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Prior to the invention of the electric light, most lighting was achieved using portable oil lamps and candles that lit a small area. Larger spaces needed to be lit by chandeliers and sconces that were mounted to ceilings and walls. Those fixtures could be fitted with multiple lamps or candles.

Some vintage lamps can fetch huge money

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:05:35 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Let’s start out with a question that you all likely believe you know the answer to: Who invented the light bulb and when was it invented? If your answer was Thomas Edison around 1880, then you’re off by a country mile. Actually, the first light bulb was invented in England in 1809, long before Edison’s birth, and Edison actually purchased the patent for the bulb that he later improved to be commercially viable. It then took another 25 years until the light bulb made it into portable lamps for residential use.

Even glass with class isn’t worth much cash

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:17:42 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

My wife and I do several estate or downsizing house calls per week and while each call is unique, one thing remains remarkably consistent: Almost without fail in preparation for our visit, virtually everyone covers their dining room table with dozens of pieces of unwanted glassware.

Make collectors happy with old holiday items

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:33:38 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

One of the big lures of antique hunting and ownership is the memories items help us to recall and recreate. For most of us, special holiday moments with family and friends are among our warmest and most cherished memories. Some-how, all of the reality of family fights, crying children, dry turkeys, unrequited gifts and Uncle Tony drinking too much quickly fade away and all that’s left are the images of beautiful holiday spreads, stuffed stockings, tinsel on the mantle and the joyful sparkle in our children’s eyes.

Few people possess antique best sellers

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:38:46 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

One of the most commonly misunderstood categories of antiques is books. Those who deal in antiques know that everything boils down to the law of supply and demand. Considering just how many books there are in the world (How many have you bought in your lifetime compared to any other durable item?), it shouldn’t be hard to understand that a book needs to be really special in some way in order to be valuable.

Old-time leisure items generate new interest

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:00:21 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

As the world gets more and more hectic, folks of all ages are becoming increasingly more nostalgic about the simpler things in life as they seek to find or create their own respites from 21st century life. For the wealthier among us, interest is again increasing in the ownership of beach houses, mountain cabins, lakefront properties, ski lodges and the like.

Lint may yield more than a vintage print

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:01:08 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

No doubt, virtually every reader of this column owns at least one framed print, and it’s likely many of you have more. I often write about the law of supply and demand and that too much supply can kill the value of even the most interesting items. With so many framed prints in the world, can any be valuable? The truth is that most aren’t; but read on to learn whether you have one of the desirable exceptions.

Don't be fooled again by collectible label

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:27:41 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

Generally speaking, collectibles are mass manufactured items that were made and marketed for the express purpose of being collected. Most often they serve no purpose aside from filling an otherwise empty china cabinet or curio, but that never seems to stop folks from buying them. What most collectors fail to understand is that collectibles are usually not antique, rare, valuable or good investments despite what makers may tell you.

Check values before tossing away trinkets

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:17:02 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

As a long time antiques dealer and estate liquidator, I’ve had the unique, if not humbling privilege, to dig through the very personal affects of many people both alive and deceased. Having done it so many times, I’ve come to see how similar folks tend to be in their personal lives despite how different they can seem outwardly. Regardless of how poor or rich, simple or educated, homely or beautiful people are, most folks tend to choose the same drawer for their socks and keep the same things in their nightstand. The same holds true for many other habits, but none seems to be as consistent as the presence and contents of virtually every gentleman’s trinket box or drawer.

Run up your score with sports collectibles

admin@change.me (Administrator Account) — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:19:57 GMT

Today's Antiques by Scott Davis

More than any other pastime, Americans love their sports. Whether it’s attending games, playing them or armchair quarterbacking, nearly half of all American consider themselves to be sports fans. Needless to say, with that many sports enthusiasts out there, sports related objects are among the most popular of all collectible items that are bought and sold. Furthermore, the odds are equally high that you have old sports related items in your possession that others would be willing to buy.