Antiques, Collectables and boot sales

[Blownupdolly]

Before getting my electric wheelchair, I couldn't even contemplate going to boot sales or antique fairs. Now I have my freedom I would love to get involved in that scene. I have a problem though. I watch a lot of the tv shows like Real Deal. Bargain hunt and Antiques Roadshow, but whilst I have picked up a few names of top selling stuff like Moorcroft, Clarice Cliffe etc, I know there's a whole wealth of things I don't know.
Any of you out there do this kind of thing as a hobby?

I would love to get hold of some kind of guide in what to look out for, or some way of educating myself in this field. I don't want to do this as a big business kind of thing, just as a hobby that could make me a few pennies if I found the right thing.

[andy01424]

problem with Boot fairs now dealers get in there pdq,also with these progs most dont mention commission Auctioneers charge ,my partner has been keeping her eye out for a 1st edition of Mrs Beeton cookery book,she found a few later editions paid about 20p for them out of interest took them to a book dealer and got £50,also if you look at books medical ones old ones she snagged 1st and 2nd edition of a nurses book ,was surpised as it include a fully cut of the human body in both,paid £1 for em and sold then for £20

[Blownupdolly]

Yes, you are right Andy. I can remember going back about 30yrs ago I went as a seller with my neighbour to get rid of some of my unwanted stuff. Even back then the piranhas would descend on the back of your car before you had even got your stuff out. Never ceases to amaze me how many rude and greedy people there are out there.

As you say about your wife, it's knowing what to look for and that's where I fall down. I was hoping to find some sort of book or guide to markings on things that tell you if they are worth anything or not. In these times of the phone app it would also be good to have somewhere you could search online whilst there to see what's hot and what's not... Mind you, if there was everyone else would know too I guess!!

Hmmmm... Now there's an idea for an app developer to make money

[Jen]

Is this what you're looking for?

[Blownupdolly]

Jul 1, 2013 13:06:49 GMT Jen said:

Is this what you're looking for?

It looks great Jen although there's no reviews and to actually get the price of something sold you have to subscribe. It is saying you get one week free trial up to 7 items, but I don't want it sucking me into some monthly direct debit charge I can't get rid of. But yes, that is very much what I was thinking well done! Only thing is I have only found items that were listed on eBay so far. I typed in moorcroft vase, troika, and whitefriars glass.

[Jen]

Ah - I just googled it, I presume you can get other versions! I'm not a massive app user myself and don't own anything Apple How about:

www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/top-antiques-apps-for-your-tablet
www.millersantiquesguide.com/blog/2011/01/antiques-roadshow-app/

[Blownupdolly]

Jul 1, 2013 13:27:03 GMT Jen said:

Ah - I just googled it, I presume you can get other versions! I'm not a massive app user myself and don't own anything Apple How about:

www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/top-antiques-apps-for-your-tablet
www.millersantiquesguide.com/blog/2011/01/antiques-roadshow-app/

I must be useless at googling. How come this stuff never comes up for me? Lol

Good stuff again. I shall have a good read after my afternoon siesta thanks Jen zzzzzzzzzz

[Jen]

You're welcome! Just give me cut of the profits

[Deleted]

Was just gonna post the link for Miller's, but Jen has done it. Got a large collection of various Miller's Guides & they are the bees!

[dave]

The best advice I've heard is to find a particular type of thing you are interested in and find out as much as you can about that - the narrower the field the better, then just buy things that you like and build up a little collection with some kind of theme. Unless you are a real expert, buying as an investment is going to be very hit and miss and at least this way you get some things you like
Chances are that if you like your little collection, others will as well

[Blownupdolly]

Thanks dave my biggest love is art glass. Not just vases but sculpture. When I lived in Sydney there was an art gallery near where we lived that regularly had these huge exquisite glass abstract sculptures. Never seen them anywhere since, but they cost thousands of dollars. I also like ceramics. Lalique and Tiffany stuff I love too.
I did intend to do what you suggested but also want to sharpen up my eye for other treasures.

[lynwlt]

The Miller's guides are great, even if you don't have the most recent ones. Library will probably have them...
I have a few old ones you would be welcome to have.
Don't know how much the postage would be but I'm happy to find out if you think you might like them....

[Blownupdolly]

Jul 1, 2013 18:21:55 GMT lynwlt said:

The Miller's guides are great, even if you don't have the most recent ones. Library will probably have them...
I have a few old ones you would be welcome to have.
Don't know how much the postage would be but I'm happy to find out if you think you might like them....

Awe what a nice thought. Yes please lyn. I am happy to pay you for the books as well as postage. Just let me know how much.

Such kind people on this forum.

[lynwlt]

I don't want anything for the books, unless you find out they are 'collectables'....

I think I have 3 or 4.

They make interesting reading, especially when you see stuff that you and your family used to own and just threw away....

I'll investigate the cheapest way to get them to you and see if you still want them..

[womble]

Jul 1, 2013 15:32:33 GMT dave said:

The best advice I've heard is to find a particular type of thing you are interested in and find out as much as you can about that - the narrower the field the better, then just buy things that you like and build up a little collection with some kind of theme. Unless you are a real expert, buying as an investment is going to be very hit and miss and at least this way you get some things you like
Chances are that if you like your little collection, others will as well

This.

If you go to a huge boot sale where lots of people are unloading at the same time, you stand a chance, otherwise forget it. Unless you are rude and pushy like the dealers!

My skill was old computer games, but that skill is now outdated as there aren't any sold any more, or they are so rare it's not worth the hassle and everyone thinks they are worth a fortune, which they aren't.
We do still pick up bargains, but it's more now just for us and the kids everyday stuff, got some great ones yesterday.