The money trickeleth downward

A few weeks ago I was invited into a private estate. I saw some beautiful things and not for the first time I wished I was John Bly, or John Bly's wife, or John Bly's girlfriend, or whatever. Among the items offered me where a fabulous early 19th century secretary. a french (ormula?) sofa, and an incredible writing desk. Oh sure, I could borrow even MORE money from my patient and indulgent husband....but I decided not to. The most amazing item I was shown was a fireplace piece from hammered copper. It was dated and signed 1919 and was Arts and crafts. It was fabulous. It was not a mantle, but rather a molded chimney shape that must have been in a cottage at one time. I have never seen anything like it and I suppose I may never again. If I could only get in to take a snapshot for you...I would love to share this treasure and hear your comments. The house, although run-down, was filled with museum quality artwork....(I am not just saying that....family artists have paintings in National Museums). The books were absolutely exquisite. Just goes to show that there really and truly are real and valuable antiques in America. Fayette, Little Fairy, Missy Marie.

The mantle you describe, I think I saw one similar to it here in the UK about a year ago. Hammered copper, it looked like something that would sit over an open fire, except that the back was open; it would replace the mantle, or perhaps rest beneath a high mantle.

I badly wanted to buy it, but didn't really have a use for it at the time. My thought was to store it, take it back to the states and find a use for it then. However, I have LOADS of what my wife calls 'junk' that I call 'resting in a waiting state'.

Anyway, I went home & told Kim about it, and suprisingly, she wanted to go back to take a look for herself. She was pretty interested in it (probably becasuse I was so enthusiastic about it). Anyway, when we got back to the shop (only a few hours later) it had been sold. =^(

-dave

In rec.antiques, the Little Fairy pined:

Interesting that. You know I would never do that in a million years, just leave stuff, and walk away, even if I hadn't two cents to rub together at the time. Didn't know the true worth but knew what I was looking at was indeed good stuff, didn't have my own high end clientele. I think it's essential in this business to have someone like a John Bly waiting in the wings, someone you can depend on and of course trust, someone that deals and serves that higher clientele and just love all that real good gear.

So if one is not in the financial position to close the deal, then at least one can act as a go between, or pass the call to someone better heeled and then simply take a commission on the deal. Well 10-15% commission for laying out no money isn't a bad day's pay, and the higher end the better. I have always made a point to have some trusted contacts in the trade that I can (for whatever reason) pass a call onto. Not just at the high end, but in the out and out second-hand market. With the understanding, as written on mahogany in the antique dealer copy of the Ten Commandments, 'scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.' ;>

Yes, I do not doubt that this is also the way things are handled here. But you forget that I have not been in the business all that long in this area. I am still trying to break into the 'Old Boy's Club' of Antique dealers....and it is actually not that easy. Even in this NG there is a sense that you need to earn your place in the hierarchy. No problem, you guys keep scratching each other's backs. If it feels good, do it. Now about that estate. It was the father of a dear friend of mine and as far as I know the items are still available to me. I have been considering purchasing these items (with personal funds) and just squirrelling them away in my own mansion. (HA, love that.) Then when I have built my business up where I have that kind of clientele I will be all ready. If the paintings were for sale, which they are not, I would take out a second mortgage to purchase them. They are that fantastic. Bye!

In rec.antiques, the Little Fairy barked back:

It's as easy as pie. The 'Old Boy's Club' is no different to the ragamuffins den. Geez half these B I G boy's runners probably don't have to ha'pennies to call their own. The easiest way to crack the pack is to offer them something real good, if you only just break even it will be money well spent. And they in return, hoping for more pay-dirt, will give you the breaks as well. The John Blys of this world aren't really interested in the shite most of peddle. Shite to them but paradise to us, not the mention bread and butter.

So (and I promise you) when they have residue, the stuff they wouldn't be seen dead with, but know there's a bob or two in (hey they aren't stupid) and it might keep someone sweet, they'll pass it along. I tell ya, it's like falling of a log, provided you play the game and don't try and become the smarty pants too quickly and kill the goose that lay the golden eggs. I told you before, the only real difference between me and someone like Mr. Bly and his associates is the working capital employed and his/their clientele list. You can always remove the bottom end from this business, but when you remove the top end, it will all fall down like a pack of cards.

There's no answer to that. )

Well, I make a pretty good pie and I'm going to make it here (in this small town) or die trying. And I understand your philosophy and I will try to apply it. But before we are finished with all of this I just want to add this: As a youngish to middle aged woman I am *first* perceived as being a bored housewife who is doing this as a hobby. Lord knows there are enough of them out there. So from the very start I need to disprove that preconception. Youngish to middle aged men perhaps don't carry the same stigma on that count. Add to this the fact that I do not have many years of experience. Admit it, not every day do you take a newbie under your wing and teach them the tricks of the trade. Now I am not complaining. No sir, I am just stating fact. I actually enjoy the game, the strategies, the alliances. And I believe I have developed many in a short period of time. I have connections with other dealers who specialize in A & C, Linens, Books, Sterling,even Art. I get a big kick out of connecting the right item with the right person. I am totally and completely aware that my merchandise is not high end....and my goal would be to continously upgrade until everything I have in this little shop is something I would be proud to put in my own home. It is a matter of growth, isn't it? See ya! Fayette PS That estate I mentioned belonged to the father of a good friend...and the items have been valued by an appraiser (for estate purposes) so I have a couple of problems. I'd like for my friend to get as much as possible for his items and I already feel that the prices are rather close to retail. Having said all that....I am seriously wondering if I should make the investment, anyway.

If the items are already close to retail for your area then you probably aren't going to want to make the investment. However this could be a great opportunity for you. If the items being offered to you could be sold to an influential dealer in a major outlet for what you could purchase them for, you would gain a great contact for the future without loosing any money. Another tact would be to explain to your friend that you think the appraisal is pretty close to retail and you would rather help him find a buyer for his

I've cited this one so many times I am thinking of putting it as my greeting on my answering machine. Don't know if I told you about the 'War of the Green Sofa.' Not too long ago I brought in a green sofa. Nothing all that spectacular except that it was ready to go, had nice carved legs, arms, back, etc. I put it in the front window and knew right away it would sell quickly. I had someone ask if they could put it on hold and I waived my usual 24 hour courtesy hold period and told him I could only hold it through the end of the day because of it's popularity. He did not come back that day but he did call and put it on his credit card. He loved it. I put a honkin' big red SOLD sign on it. I was closed the next day but when I came in on Tuesday I had an urgent message from someone else who wanted THAT sofa. She had seen it but didn't buy it because she wanted to 'think' about it. She asked me to ask the first buyer if he would consider reselling it to her. I was embarrassed to do this but after several nagging calls from her I did call him. He said no, he really loved the sofa.

Next thing you know there is a notice on the bulletin board at the post office. My customers came in and told me about it. It read 'To the owner of the green sofa in Faye's window, would you please consider selling it to me?' People were coming in and saying...'is this the famous sofa?' How many times that week did I say, 'If you like it, buy it. It won't be there when you come back. '? :-D See ya! Fayette Mice meat maker

Yea, write on Charleen ... now that's a bit of bloody common sense, even from a WOMAN!! ;>)

I agree Ronnie. And not just amongst dealers, but auctioneers as well. I used to attend a local auction where the local auctioneer had 'London contacts' and most weeks, included amongst the local 2-up, 2-down terraced house clearances, there was a vanload of 'London Rubbish' that was solid gold in the provinces. It was there that I worked hard to identify the gold from the crap and enabled me to deal in the occasional item that was otherwise way out of my league.

PS I also maintained a 'favourites' list of well-heeled private customers and better-end dealers that I could phone quickly, because I needed to move the items on fast before my bank manager knew what I had done (grin).

Roy

Educated customers are better customers

message

things are handled here. But all that long in this area. I Club' of Antique dealers....and it runners probably don't easiest way to crack the pack only just break even it will for more pay-dirt, will this world aren't really them but paradise to us, the stuff they wouldn't be (hey they aren't stupid) along. I tell ya, it's game and don't try and difference between me and working capital employed remove the bottom end from it will all fall down

Me too!! I fell in love with your friend just readding that much of her story.