Gold and Silver Sellers Beware!

I was speaking with a client who attended an event, at a local hotel, where out-of-towners were offering to buy your gold and silver. She only had silver to sell, and was offered $7.00 per ounce!

Take a look at silver prices today: $33.38 per ounce. Now sterling silver is 92.5% silver, and a dealer will pay you less than market value, but don't get ripped off. Reputable silver dealers are paying up to 75 and 90% of silver value.

Don't be afraid to sell, just be cautious and educated.

What Was Outdated is New Again!

by Miriam Randazzo

We recently held a Mid-Century and Retro Auction at the auction gallery where I work. The auction was filled with over 200 lots of merchandise from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s, including 1970s psychedelic polyester shirts, life sized robots, Herman Miller bent wood chairs, and 1960s movie posters and lobby cards.

The auction screamed, "Funky Retro!" and was the first time we conducted a specialty auction of this sort. Truth be told, we questioned whether or not the auction would fly here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where change is something people like in their pocket and avoid in all other facets of life.

As it turned out, the crowd was big, the bidding swift and the results super!

The highlight of the evening was a 1980s life sized robot that sold for $1100, including buyer's premium. The robot, zoomed and spun about the gallery, bringing us a grinning, laughing audience. Is there anything more pleasing?

Its good to reinvent your business, every now and then. It brings a renewed curiosity from past customers, excitement from a new clientele, and a staff satisfaction second to none. You may have to endure a few remarks in exchange, but it is definitely worth it.

Antique Appraisal Tea at the Stegmaier Mansion

How exciting! An afternoon tea and antique appraisal set at the Stegmaier Mansion in downtown Wilkes-Barre! If you haven't had the opportunity to visit this extraordinary Victorian delight, let me encourage you!


Mr. Joe Matteo, owner of the bed and breakfast, painstakingly restored the 19th century building, previously owned by Frederick Stegmaier, whose family owned and operated the the Stegmaier Brewing Company. The building dates back to the 1870s, and from its detailed entry foyer to opulent dining room, is Victorian splendor at its finest.


Hostess for the afternoon will be the always entertaining, Ms. Lisa Griffiths-Lewis, a professional Victorian Era living history actress. Ms. Griffiths-Lewis is the owner of Victoriana Lady, a traveling museum of Victorian clothing and accessories.


Food will be prepared by award-winning executive chef, Mr. Jody Klocko, who's food and presentation is second to none.


Antique appraisals will be conducted by Miriam Randazzo, owner of Tillie's Antiques & Trinkets. Mrs. Randazzo has been engaged in the antique industry for over fifteen years and completed appraisal training with the Institute of Appraisal of Personal Property, in 2003. She conducts estate sales in the Luzerne county area and displays at a variety of notable antique shows in the state of Pennsylvania. She also works as a research and technical analyst and appraiser for Cook and Cook Auctions of Plains, PA and as an auction consultant with White Rose Auctions of Boiling Springs, PA.



For reservations, please contact Lisa Lewis, The Victoriana Lady, at 570.655.8392 or at Lisa@VictorianaLady.com.

Valentine's Day Cards

of the

Late 1800s and Early 1900s

by Miriam Randazzo

Valentine's Day greetings have been exchanged for hundreds of years, beginning as hand written notes and gradually giving way to printed cards, during the early 1800s. By the mid 1800s, Valentine's Day cards were mass produced and exchanged in much greater numbers. Some of the prettiest antique, Valentine's Day cards date to the Victorian Era, are die cut and made in Germany.

Three dimensional Valentine's Day cards from the Victorian Era were quite popular for their beautiful colors and design detail. The cardboard die cut designs opened from a flat greeting to a three dimensional shape, like the one shown to the left. Some of the Valentine's Day cards combined cardboard with tissue paper. It is the three dimensional cards that remain most popular among collectors today.

Not all Victorian Valentine's Day cards were three dimensional, some were simpler flat cards, like the German dog example shown to the right. This example is also die cut.

Another popular style of Valentine's Day greetings was the postcard. Postcards were sent in mass quantities during the late 1800s and early 1900s and can still be found in abundance at most antique shows and shops. Richly adorned with embossed roses, cherubs, doves, hearts and arrows, these cards epitomize romance.

Although the message wasn't private, postcards did have the advantage of being less expensive to purchase and to mail.

The most popular Valentine's Day postcards include those made in Germany and those that are artist signed. Many collectors decorate their homes for the holiday with these pretty antique postcards. They are simply works of art.

As the Victorian Era ended, the style of Valentine's Day cards became simpler, but remained aesthetically pleasing, even by contemporary standards.

As the 1920s approached, mechanical cards surged in popularity. Notice how the young girl's eyes move and the swing moves back and forth on the card below.

For a period of time during the late 1980s and early 1990s, the value of antique Valentine's increased dramatically, due to an increased demand and limited local availability. With the introduction of the online market place, availability increased and prices dropped significantly. Lucky for today's collectors, antique Valentine's Day cards can be readily found and for a reasonable price.

If you decide to collect antique Valentine's Day cards, recognize their fragile nature and always ask a dealer for permission to open a card or work a mechanical card. Inspect cards for tiny tears, spotting and paper break down.

Victorian Dining

by Miriam R. Randazzo

During the Victorian Era, society's elite filled their dining tables with beautiful porcelain dishes and serving implements. Nine course meals ranging from soup and savory ramekins to sorbet intermezzos and desserts, were elaborately served to impress guests.

Oysters were served on oyster plates; eggs, served on egg dishes; and cocoa poured from chocolate pots. Perhaps the most unusual porcelain oddity I've discovered from this time period is the soup bowl shown here.

Made in France, this Limoges dish was manufactured and decorated by the Charles Field Haviland, makers and purveyors of some of the prettiest porcelain dinnerware used during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The soup bowl is non-traditional in form, which at first glance could easily be overlooked.

Careful inspection of the bowl's rim reveals the head, tail and four legs of turtle. Fascinatingly enough, the dish was designed for serving of all things, turtle soup!

Collectors of porcelain rarities search for these strange little oddities and it my pleasure to present this one for you to enjoy.

Victorian Chocolate Pots

Melt chocolate shavings into piping hot milk with a bit of sugar to create that delectable drink we all love on a cold winter’s day, cocoa. During the Victorian Era, this sweet smoothness was served from a special pot designed specifically for pouring cocoa. The pot, called a chocolate or cocoa pot, was typically made of porcelain and often decorated with roses or other floral arrangements.

The pot stood about ten to twelve inches tall and could be purchased in slender and bulbous shapes. The most defining feature of the chocolate pot would be its short spout, wider where it attaches to the body of the pot and narrower at the pouring lip. This design feature allowed the cocoa to flow more readily from the pot, in the event that the chocolate hadn’t completely melted. Porcelain manufacturers knew their job required the making of a design not only a beautiful in form, but also function.

The short spout design helped to made washing the pot an easier chore too. Imagine congealed cocoa adhering along the sides of a long narrow spout, the type we usually associate with a coffee or tea pot. The short spout of a chocolate pot made cleaning a breeze!

Some of the most beautiful examples of antique chocolate pots include those made in Prussia, Germany and France. I’ve included a few examples for your review.

If you decide to buy an old chocolate pot, be aware that reproductions have flooded the market. Before you buy, be sure to know your merchandise and know your dealer.

Thanks for reading!

How to Liquidate an Estate, Simplified

Deciding how to liquidate your personal or family member’s estate can quickly become an overwhelming experience. With so many decisions to make and so many people often advising you, the choices can become limitless and quite confusing. What should I keep? What should I give away? What should I sell and to whom should I sell it? What is a tag sale? What is an antique? What is valuable? Who can I trust to help me? Your questions and concerns can seem endless. The best place to start is by breaking the overwhelming task into smaller, more manageable pieces. As with any decision making process, take your time and consider your options in a well thought out manner. Below is a list steps and recommendations to help you with the process. Step 1: EVALUATING THE CONTENTS Begin the process of liquidating an estate by evaluating the contents of the home. It is important to prepare yourself for questions a buyer and/or professional estate liquidator may ask you. Spend some time exploring and assessing the estate contents. Try not to focus on how much there is to do or how in the world you are going to take care of it all, just get a basic feel for what you have. Be able to answer some simple questions, to the best of your ability. How old is the estate? Do most of the belongings look relatively new, bought or acquired between the 1990s and early 2000s? Are things really old, so old that you couldn’t begin to guess when they were from? Are you looking at a mid-century estate with items that look like they belong in a 1950’s I Love Lucy show or a retro era estate, that looks more like 1970’s Brady Bunch episode? Do you have a combination of eras represented in the home? How big or small is the estate? When you sell a house, the number of rooms, including attic, basement, garage and storage space are important to the buyer. When you are planning to liquate an estate, it is important to know how many furnished and storage rooms will need to be emptied. Be able to tell a professional, “I am looking to liquidate an estate that consists of about eight furnished rooms, a large attic and small basement.” Does the property contain any special collections? Many people have a collection or two of some sort. A collection may can be of a more typical variety, like coins, antiques, jewelry, stamps, teacups or baseball cards. A collection may, however, be bit more unusual like fishing tackle, 1950’s kitchenware, vintage handkerchiefs or handbags. It may consist of a modest number of paintings, pocket watches or vintage radios; or an extensive collection of baseball cards, Christmas ornaments or silver spoons. Be able to tell a professional what types of collections are included in the estate. 　 What should you throw away while you are evaluating the contents? Most experts will tell you to throw nothing away, until a professional advises you otherwise. We’ve all watched the television programs showing the appraisal of an item of excessive value that was picked out of the trash. Don’t be that person who tossed out a priceless treasure. If you feel you must throw something away, limit yourself to the tossing away open food stuffs that you find in the refrigerator, breadbox and cupboards. That’s all. Nothing more. 　 Step 2: ORGANIZING IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEMENTOS While you are exploring the home, you may come across important documents, photographs, letters and family mementos. Place these items aside, ideally in containers appropriately marked. You don’t have to divide and conquer every letter and photograph at this time, just organize things into more manageable groups. Box similar things together and most importantly label the boxes with the items contained within, like “photographs” or “bank statements.” Step 3: CONTACTING PROFESSIONALS You hire a doctor to cure your ills and a mechanic to fix your car; hiring a professional to liquidate your estate should get the job done in the most efficient manner possible. Talk with friends, family, colleagues, perhaps a real estate agent; ask them for names of reputable estate liquidation companies, auctioneers or tag sale consultants. Check your local yellow pages for names. Professional estate liquidators fall under several different categories in the yellow pages section of your phone book, including "Antique Dealers," "Auctioneers," "Estate Liquidators," and "Estate Sales." A professional estate liquidator will evaluate, organize, research, advertise and provide the necessary staff; they will directly purchase or sell the contents of the estate and provide you with payment for the items sold. Which should you choose? The one that best suits your needs. An auctioneer is a professional, licensed by your state to sell items to the highest bidder at auction. The auctioneer should be knowledgeable about antiques, general household goods and special collections. He may transport the estate contents to his auction house or conduct the auction on-site, which means on your property. An antique dealer is an individual who specializes in the buying and selling antiques, although many expand into the vintage and collectible markets. Some antique dealers conduct estate sales. An estate or tag sale consultant is an individual who conducts on-premise, one, two or three day sales, where each item is individually priced at a fixed amount and sold to customers who attend the sale. There are pros and cons to utilizing the services of each of the aforementioned professionals. At auction, you do not control the price. Bidding may bring the price of an item much higher or lower than you’d prefer. At a tag sale, however, you may affix a fair price on a valuable item that may not sell. If you sell to an antique dealer, she may wish to buy only certain items, leaving you with the most of the household contents to deal with. Be aware that the professionals you contact will advise you of the benefits of selecting their service while quoting the disadvantages of a different method of estate liquidation. Plan to listen to the lists of pros and cons, and consider how they may impact your unique situation. Now it is time to select three or four companies and schedule appointments with their representative. If time permits, schedule these appointments on different days. Expect the appointment to last between an hour or two. 　 STEP 4: INTERVIEWING THE PROFESSIONALS Prepare a list of questions or concerns you wish to address and be certain to have paper and pens available for note taking. Jotting down information and observations during each of the interviews will assist you in keeping your opinions and evaluations clear. When a candidate arrives, you should first give him a tour of the estate. Encourage the him to open cupboards, drawers and closets. Don’t feel embarrassed if a room is messy or dirty. Estate liquidators have seen it all; dust, dirt and grime are part of the job. Ask each professional what services they will provide for you. State your expectations. Ideally the companies you contact will take care of all you estate liquidation needs from set up, through trash removal. If this is you objective, be sure to state you expectations up front. If you expect the property to be broom swept and empty, let it be known.

You should ask if the liquidator if she is certified or licensed. Ask about prior education and past experience. How many years has she been working in this line of business. Ask for references. You can ask about insurance, but realize that an insured professional protects the professional against claims. An insured professional does not protect you against injuries sustained on the estate property during a sale. Only an owner can get insurance for their real estate property. Most estate liquidators work on a commission basis, ask what your commission rate will be. Rates tend to run between 25% and 35%, depending on the work involved and the value of the contents. Ask about advertising. Where will the items or sale be advertised and who is responsible for the costs. If you are responsible for the advertising fees, ask for an estimate. Do not commit selling anything to the first person who walks in the door. Be wary of an individual who wants to cherry pick through the estate, selecting only the most interesting and often valuable items. Stand your ground. Complete your interviews first. Step 5: SELECTING A PROFESSIONAL: Subsequent to the interview process, review your notes. Which candidate best meets your needs and objectives. Your gut may already be telling you, but reviewing your notes will help confirm your decision. Write a list of pros and cons related to each candidate and their estate liquidation method. Carefully review these lists, make your decision. You may decide to utilize the services of two or more individuals. Only you will know what is best for you, as every situation is different. FINAL DISCUSSION: When you have made your decision, follow through with a phone call. Be sure to tell the candidate you chose that you appreciate their help and are always available for questions or concerns. This simple courtesy will help facilitate a good business relationship. In future blogs, we will discuss in further detail the various estate liquidation processes from tag sale to auction, with the goal of making the businesses a bit less intimidating to the novice. Thanks for reading!