Fans Value Collectibles from Sopranos Garage

Fans of the Sopranos might want to head out to West Palm Beach this March for the 6th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event. Eight vehicles from the show are going to be auctioned with no reserve, including the 2003 Escalade ESV. The net proceeds will benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles. What better reason to buy yourself a new collector car? I can just imagine the person who ends up with Tony's car driving around listening to the theme song like in the video below.



I think it is wonderful that the Sopranos' popularity is going to help such a worthy cause. I've done some volunteer work at a Children Hospital and it was a really special experience. The extremely high value collectibles from popular TV shows have will really help children who need it.

If antique collectible cars are more your speed, you won't be let down. There is a lovely 1934 Custom Cabriolet Roadster on the docket as well as a 1937 Custom Fire truck. Who doesn't want a fire truck in their collection? That isn't an item you probably won't find at your local antique dealer but who knows.

by Jamie.

Antique Roadshow Recap San Antonio Hour 2

This week the Roadshow was in San Antonio, Texas! In my opinion, it is always more fun to watch shows when they were shot in your home state. I love that the show tours so we can see an antique collectible from almost anywhere. Another fun part of the show is seeing how hopeful people are when they first start the interview. The antique appraisers never let them down, items are usually worth more than they think.

One of my favorite items this week was a vintage diamond, sapphire and emerald jewelry set. It was appraised by Peter Shemonsky. Peter did a great job telling the history of the jewelry's creator, Oscar Heyman and identifying the types of gemstones used. I imagine the owner was very pleased to hear that her fifty-three year old piece of jewelry was worth between $30,000 and $70,000. You can see in the photograph below from Antiques Roadshow's official site how beautiful the set is.



Another great item this week was an antique child's desk. I found this particularly interesting because my mother has something a little similar. The appraiser was Leslie Keno. He explained that the top portion of the desk was authentic and rare, but the bottom frame was faked. He valued the item at between $1500, and $2,000 which is much lower than the $30,000 it would have been worth if it was entirely authentic. The owner didn't seem too disappointed since he'd only paid around $200 for the desk at an estate sale. The picture below from Antiques Roadshow's official site shows how easy it can be to be fooled by antiques. The whole thing looks amazing to me.

Even though it wasn't a huge amount of money, the item was still a large profit for the owner. What a lucky find. I feel inspired to go see what I can find at my local antique dealer.

Due to the popularity of my last Antique Roadshow recap blog, I'm going to be doing it weekly. If I miss something good be sure to comment on my blog or message me so I can include it next time.

By Jamie.

Free Antique Appraisals!

If you collect antique duck and goose decoys, have I got news for you. Stephen O’Brien, The CEO of Copley Fine Arts Auctions is giving away free antique appraisals on decoys at this year’s Ohio Decoy and Wildlife Show in Westlake, Ohio in mid March.

Apparently O’Brien is no stranger to decoys. Not only has he written books about them, but he has even brokered deals on them for over a million dollars. That must have been some decoy. I know I’ve seen a few decoys on display at family member’s houses, I’m tempted to grab them and take a road trip to Ohio. You never really know the value of antiques unless you get them appraised. Even an old hunter’s tool like a decoy could be your ticket to millions.

Luckily, finding out antiques prices is easier than a cross country trip. I can just use iTaggit.com like as my antiques price guide. Of course, there are other reasons to attend the Decoy and Wildlife show. You can meet other collectors and see all the works of Elmer Crowell that are going to be displayed. Even people who aren’t interested in decoys have to take notice of a Crowell piece. They are not only worth hundreds of thousands, they are beautiful. Just take a look at this photo from Guyette & Schmidt Decoy Auction Firm, a beautiful decoy and for less than one hundred thousand, seems like a steal to me! What do you think?




By Jamie.

Total Eclipse of the Moon

For those of you who don’t know, last night was a total lunar eclipse. According to wikipedia, a total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes completely through the earth's shadow. This is called the umbral shadow. The moon took about an hour and 20 minutes to pass through the penumbral shadow before and after the total eclipse, during which the otherwise full moon may be mistaken as having a phase.

Apparently, the eclipse was visible in most parts of the world. Due to clouds and rain, it wasn’t visible from my house. There won’t be another one until December of 2010 but don’t worry. You can see the whole thing in the following video.

I don’t know about you, but I love eclipses and other similar events in space. I still remember the first one I saw when I was a child. I just couldn’t get enough of it. Luckily for me, we’re having another eclipse this year. August 1st we’ll have a total solar eclipse. I’m crossing my fingers for clear skies.

I wonder what kind of collectibles can be found relating to space. People have been interested in the cosmos since man first gazed at the sky. I’m sure some antique dealer out there has loads of telescopes from over the years. I bet I could even find some moon rocks for sale if I searched hard enough. It must be difficult to determine these antiques value though. I imagine moon rocks aren’t usually listed in an antique price guide. Some items are best left to the experts.

All of this space talk has gotten me in the mood for a good space movie. iTaggit user Sleeplessdave has a collectible copy of Apollo 13, which is my favorite space movie. What are your favorite movies concerning outer space?

by Jamie

JFK Memorabilia Controversy

I’m sure you’ve all heard the news that a transcript concerning John F. Kennedy’s assassination was recently discovered among boxes of memorabilia. Apparently, all the items were in an old safe in the county courthouse in Dallas. Some articles call the boxes lost, some call them hidden. Personally, I think they were lost. It doesn’t make sense to me that all of the items would be hidden. Hiding or even destroying a transcript would have been so much easier than hiding all of these items.

Conspiracy theorists are salivating over the transcript, which seems to be a conversation between Oswald and Ruby where they discuss killing President Kennedy. The validity of the document has not been verified, from what I’ve read it seems a bit far-fetched.

I don’t really see what the big fuss is about the transcript. I think people have pretty much agreed to disagree about JFK’s killer(s) years ago. What I’m excited about is the rest of the memorabilia. Letters to and from Henry Wade, the prosecutor in Ruby’s trial, letters to Ruby, a gun holster and clothing that belonged to Ruby and Oswald. These are the real treasures locked in that safe.

These aren’t items you will find in an antique price guide. I’d even venture to say that these antiques prices can hardly be determined at all. They are pieces of our Nation’s history, a particularly dark portion of history, but still our history. How can you really appraise antiques that are so important? I don’t envy the person who has that job.
I’m interested to see what they will end up doing with the memorabilia. They could put it directly into a museum, or it could end up at auction. I think things like these belong in a museum where everyone can see them. Do you think private collectors should have a chance at buying them?

Although this discovery stirs up many feelings among people, we should all try to focus on what he had to say instead of who killed him and why. Check out his inaugural address below.

Antique Bottles, Collecting or Bootlegging

Collecting antique bottles might be a little more difficult than you thought depending on where you live. Several states and counties have laws concerning items for sale or trade that contain alcohol. According to this article, a Tennessee man was recently arrested for bootlegging because he sold a collectible signed Jack Daniels bottle without a license.

The man, Randy Piper, was released on a $25,000 bond. He was indicted on four counts of illegally possessing and selling liquor. Over two-thousand bottles were confiscated from his collection and are valued at nearly one million dollars. The value collections like this truly hold can be hard to determine and Piper and his lawyer are still in the discovery phase, but one early 20th century bottle is known to be worth $12,000 alone.

The worst part is that the police were going to pour his entire collection down the drain before they decided to keep it for a museum. Can you believe that here in America they can just take a person's belongings like this for no good reason? I think it is outrageous. If his collection is so dangerous and illegal they shouldn't be allowed to keep it for themselves and profit from outdated laws.

Due to the confusion these laws cause, online auction sites like eBay have policies about how an antique collectible containing alcohol like Piper's can be listed. The seller must note eBay's official policy on the auction stating:

• The value of the item is in the collectible container, not its contents. Bottles of wine are *not* permitted because their value is often based on the wine, not the bottle.


• The container has not been opened and any incidental contents are not intended for consumption.


• The item is not available at any retail outlet, and the container has a value that substantially exceeds the current retail price of the alcohol in the container.


• The bidder must be at least 21 years of age and by placing a bid, you are stating that you are over the age of 21 and assuming all risks.


• Both the buyers and the sellers ensure that the sale complies with all applicable laws and shipping regulations.

One way to avoid the confusion is to collect empty bottles exclusively. iTaggit user TheHammondHouse has an empty bottle of Dr. Thacher's Liver and Blood Syrup from the 1900's worth around $25.00. Prices of bottles can range from less than a dollar to well over $500.00 and several different kinds are widely available. You can choose soda bottles, household products, medicine and even poison bottles for your collection. I personally find the poison bottles most interesting because of color and detail but any bottle has the potential to be interesting. I'd be interested to know if any of my readers has a particularly interesting or valuable bottle.

To find antique bottles, check the web, your local antique dealer, or you can even dig for them like the people in the video below. I can't imagine digging through decades of "out house dirt" for any collectible but if someone else is willing to do it, then good for them! I'd love to hear from anyone who has experienced one of these digs to see if it really as bad as I think.

That is all I have to say for now about antique bottles but remember, whatever you do, be careful... who knows what crazy law they'll come after you with.

Valentine's Day Gift Panic?

If you haven't found that perfect Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie, don't worry there is still time! I know we've all gotten a gift that looks like the person picked it up on the way home. It is the thought that counts but sometimes you just
can't imagine what they were thinking. Waiting until the last minute doesn't have to mean a bad gift. If you don't know where to begin, try thinking outside the box this year, instead of candy, flowers or dinner check out the ideas I've compiled for you.
For Him:

• If your man is messy why not hire someone to clean his apartment? Coming home to a fresh clean home will be just what he needs to focus on a romantic evening for the two of you. If he is pretty clean on his own maybe he just needs someone to organize collections that he hasn't had time to focus on. I know my fiance has a collection of baseball cards that really needs to be organized and displayed properly. He'd love it if I took care of that for him.
• Maybe your guy's passion is comic books. If he already has an extensive collection of graphic novels, you can look into finding out the worthof comics he owns through comic book appraisals. If he doesn't have a collection, find out which books or characters he loved the most growing up, and start one for him. Check the Marvel Comics website for popular titles.
• If your boyfriend loves working with his hands, look in to getting him a tool set. It is the perfect gift to help him complete all of his projects. If you can't fit an entire set into your budget, get him a single high quality tool and get it engraved with his initials. For future holidays, you can buy him additional tools and eventually he'll have a high quality personalized set. This one works out for you too since he might become Mr. Handyman.
• For the sports nut in your life, why not try sports card memorabilia? Every sport has a set of cards these days, so it won't be hard to find something he'll love. Budget won't be a problem on this gift, you can easily find baseball cards worth hundreds, or if that is too pricey you can find cards for less than a dollar. Maybe your boyfriend doesn't really value baseball cards, don't worry! There are tons of other kinds of sports memorabilia out there. An autographed jersey or maybe even just a shirt with his favorite team's logo would make him happy and sports stuff is just so easy to find.

For Her:

• If your girlfriend is the sentimental type, why not find out what her favorite childhood toy was and buy it for her. A vintage toy is a sweet way to show her how well you know her. They are easy to find in antique stores and on the web. When I was a little girl, I had a my little pony named Ember. It would melt my heart if a guy bought that for me.
• If you are on a tight budget a sweet and inexpensive gift is a photo collage of the two of you. You can print the photos yourself and put them in a discount frame, or if you have the means, you can have it put together at a frame shop or by a local artist. Either way, your lady will be impressed by your thoughtful gift!
• Jewelry is usually a safe bet for Valentine's day, but it doesn't have to be brand new or cost two months salary for your girl to love it. Interesting and beautiful jewelry can be found easily in antique stores. Don't be afraid that the antiques prices will be too high, jewelry from several eras can be found at inexpensive prices. Some of the most fashionable periods right now are Edwardian, Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
• A gift that would be perfect for any lady in your life is an outing with you. Personalize the trip to her interests. If she likes drama, buy two tickets to a play. If music is her thing, why not a concert? If she loves animals take her to the zoo, just get creative and think of a place where the two of you can spend time together doing something fun and interesting. There is no greater gift than time with someone you love!

Hopefully this list has given you some ideas for treating your loved one this holiday. You don't have to roam the aisles full of candy boxes and singing stuffed animals, find something he or she can really treasure forever! They'll never know you waited until the last minute if you put real thought into your gift.

That is my take on great Valentine's day gifts, but I could be wrong about all of this. Maybe diamonds really are a girls best friend. Maybe a giant teddy bear balloon is what you were dreaming of. Let me know if I'm a genius, or if my ideas are crazy. I'd also love to hear the best and worst gifts given to you by your sweetie.

Ebay Cutting Fees and Rating System

eBay has recently announced that it will be cutting listing fees up to 50 percent this month. The company, which was started in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar, has been facing tough competition from other online merchants like Amazon.com, resulting in flattening growth. To balance the fee cut, eBay will also be raising commissions on items for sale or trade.The largest commission increase will be on items listed for under twenty-five dollars. eBay will now collect 8.75 percent of the final sell price. With changes like this, you’ll want to be careful how you value collectibles you are looking to sell.

Another change the site is making is removing the ability of sellers to rate buyers. This has caused quite a stir, because sellers feel that they no longer have a voice against unscrupulous buyers. eBay has responded by making it easier for sellers to take action against buyers who do not pay, and feels that removing the possible negativity of bickering buyers and sellers will improve the site for all involved.


eBay, UK and Germany will also soon have pricing changes. Hopefully, eBay’s new system and new CEO will make the site even better for people looking to buy an antique toy, or research the latest comic prices.

Barbie, Our Favorite Vintage Toy

Barbie was launched in 1959, when Ruth Handler suggested the idea for an adult-bodied doll for children to her husband Elliot who was a co-founder of Mattel.  Barbie entered the toy scene as a teen-aged fashion model, and since then has held as many jobs as you can think of. She was originally blonde or brunette, but has now had as many hair colors as outfits. Over a billion Barbie Dolls have been sold worldwide and Mattel claims that three are sold every second.



If you are looking for a vintage toy to collect, Barbie is your girl.  There are so many Barbie products, any collector can find what they are looking for. Before you know it, you’ll need a way to organize collections of dolls, shoes, and clothes online. There is no need to buy software for collecting, just use iTaggit.com. You can upload photos, information and videos to showcase your collectibles.



The value collections of vintage Barbies hold is extremely high. One original doll can sell for over $3000.00 at auction. One of the most sought after items is a Barbie in Midnight Red from 1965 who sold for $17,000 at auction.

If your collecting budget is lower don’t worry, you can still find really inexpensive Barbie collectibles out there, check the web, garage sales and maybe even an antique store in your area.

If your collecting budget is lower don’t worry, you can still find really inexpensive Barbie collectibles out there, check the web, garage sales and maybe even an antique store in your area. 

Myott Antique China

Myott, Son & CO. Limited started as a family run business in 1898. Originally, it operated from the Alexander Pottery in Stoke, Staffordshire, which is in Northern England. Two brothers, Ashley and Sydney Myott moved the company to Brownfield’s Works in Cobridge. Because of growing demand, the company was expanded again to Upper Hanley Potter in 1925 which was adjacent to Brownfield’s Works.

In addition to antique china, Myott produced hand painted Art Deco wares. Some of the most popular Myott products are geometric shaped vases and jugs from this era. Vital pattern info and office files were lost in a fire at the factory in 1949, and the company was eventually taken over by the Churchill Group in 1976.

If you are asking yourself “How do I value antiques like Myott,” don’t worry there are several ways. You can check an antiques price guide, or an auction site and find a wide variety of prices for Myott wares. Depending on the era of your item, which you can tell by the different crown marks the company used, the price can range from around ten dollars to over two hundred dollars.

If you think you have a rare piece, it would definitely be in your best interest to look into antique appraisals. These days, you can find the worth and history of your item easily and very inexpensively on websites like iTaggit. iTaggit user Caryjaysells has a beautiful three-piece tea set by Myott, Son & CO. Limited. If you like the look and history that comes with Myott check your local antique dealer today for a piece of your very own.

Antique Road Show Recap

Antique Roadshow is one of the most popular shows on PBS these days. It isn’t hard to understand why; watching people find the value of their mysterious family heirlooms, or thrift shop finds is interesting and fun. This weeks’ show was shot in Orlando Florida. As usual, there were many amazingly valuable items featured, but the most valuable antique collectible was a 1936 Frank Schoonover Illustration valued at up to $75,000.

The illustration was given to the owner’s mother during the Second World War by the artist himself. Schoonover was born in the late 19th century, and it widely considered to be the great master of American illustration. The appraiser, Colleene Fesko explained that Schoonover was set apart from other American illustrators because he liked action and activity.

The value of antiques can’t always be determined by their purchase prices. The owner of a collection of Victorian gold jewelry knew that all of the pieces had been bought for $50 or less. Her father, a butcher, had given the jewelry to her mother. Boy was she surprised when the antique appraisers told her the collection was worth over $37,000.

These two examples just go to show you that you never know what you have until you have it appraised.

Fall in love with Blythe

If you are looking for a great new vintage toy to add to your collection, you should consider a Blythe doll. Blythe was created in 1972 by Allison Katzman and produced by Kenner. The dolls are known for their large heads and large eyes that change color and direction with a pull string in the back.

Though Blythe dolls were only sold for one year here in the United States, they started regaining popularity thirty years later in 1997. The value collectibles like these have, has been growing daily by leaps and bounds.Today the dolls have a huge cult following on the web. Collectors not only modify the dolls faces, hair and clothing, but they also enjoy photographing the dolls in all sorts of surroundings. If you are interested in getting involved with Blythe just search the web, you’ll find a lovely doll for your collection right away.

If you buy one Blythe, chances are you’ll be hooked in no time. Before you know it you’ll need a way to organize collections of Blythe dolls, shoes, and clothes online. You don’t need to buy software for collecting, just use iTaggit.com. You can upload photos, information and videos to showcase your collectibles.

Appraising Antiques with iTaggit

If you find yourself wondering “How do I value antiques?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many Collectors today want to know exactly how much their investment is worth. You may have antique china, or maybe several pieces of furniture, but If you ever want to sell the items individually or if you want to auction off your entire collection, you’ll need to know the fair market value. With such a wide variety of items, it can be hard to know enough to guess the value of your items. Luckily, the answer is simple. The only way to find accurate antiques value is to have them appraised.

Getting an appraisal is easier than ever. Upload your collection on to iTaggit.com, fill in the fields and upload some pictures. Click on the piece you’d like to value, hit the “Item Actions” button and then select “Appraise This Item” at the bottom of the list. Make your selection and follow the remaining steps. Before you know it, you’ll know the worth of your antique from a real antique appraisal.