Friday, April 4, 2008

Selling Antique Lighting

If you have learnt the trades of selling and buying antique lighting, then you realize that you can make plenty of money especially for the buyers of collectors of antiques. I have some friends who make a fortune in this line. However, this does not mean that it will work for you. There are factors which you need to consider.

You should not quit your job yet. Just because you have sold a rare light and made a good profit, it does not mean that you will be successful. Any business will take time to grow and prosper. Take one step at a time. You may encounter some disappointments along the way. What happen if you are not working when misfortunes fall upon you? You have nothing to lay back on. When the business starts to show some good signs and prospects, then you can think about making it as your primary income. Selling vintage items is not going to make you rich overnight

When you sell your collectibles such as lamps, shades, wall mount or chandelier, you have many ways to market them. Carefully study the options. By choosing the right channel, you can ascertain that the business will flourish. Always stick with one that you are confident of. If you have been selling on eBay, then sell these vintage lights on eBay first before you try other options. Then slowly try the next channel such as consignment. Get as much experience as you can for these marketing channels. They will be your valuable asset.

There is no secret formula to be successful in antique lighting business. You need to try a few ways to sell them and find out which method is the most profitable. Through your own experience and your peers' mistake, you will have a better chance to succeed. Always stay update with the current trends of the industry and be alert with your deals.

Dan Johnson's Antique Lighting Museum

Antique lighting is the main attention item for Dan Johnson's antique lighting museum. You will see many kind of vintage items such chandeliers, mini pendants, sconces, table lamps, bulbs, glass or cranberry shades. Some of these can enhance the beauty of your furniture in your home or office.

Being an historical and classical person, I think by bringing the old collectibles of various illumination can return us to the past of life. Nowadays, I think it is difficult to find such as museum which can offer a wide range of rare lighting. Dan Johnson is one of the finest museums which has many selection of vintage lights and lamps. I bet you will enjoy the trip there.

You can view their antiques online at http://www.danjohnson.com or just visit the museum in 7 Route 28, Orleans, MA 02653. If you like these old lights, you can buy them also. I'm certain that they will treat you very personally and give the best service that they have been recognized for.

List of items that are available at the museum:

  • arts and crafts, deco, gas/electric, two and three arm/drop, four or more arm/drop, hanging domes, and very rare chandelier.
  • collectible lighting marked Chase.
  • nautical, whimsical, very rare antique ceiling mounts.
  • bird, deco, flower, holophane lead crystal, all white glass, etched, frosted and/or cut shade, opalescent colored shade, gas, kerosene and oil conversion electric, arts and crafts, interesting collectibles, and very rare antique pendants.
  • single arm, multiple or single arm holophane, holophane type shade, single, and very sconces.
  • hard to find direct wall mounts.
  • arts and crafts, deco, holophane, jeweler's, nautical, whimsical, and rare table lamps.
  • candelabra.
  • outdoor post.
  • porch lamps.
  • rare shades.

Dan Johnson's antique lighting museum is not limited to light but it also exhibit miscellaneous collectibles such as door stops and spoons. If you are looking for ideas for your dream house, then visit the place. I think you will able to find something there.

Antique Lighting for the Dining Room

During the old days, antique lighting was used for formal and informal social activities at home. Usually, families gathered around in the dining room at least thrice a day. Therefore, during that period, you will notice that the dining room is beautifully decorated with classical values.

Every dining room had a rare lighting. It was believed that it can enhance the taste of the food especially when the families have their breakfast, lunch and dinner. The carvings on the legs of the table along with the utensils contributed to the elegance of the illumination of the room. This had prompted many business owners to offer various type of lighting products.

Usually the dining room is large so that it can accommodate the vintage lights. The lighting comes from various models such as Victorian, Colonial, French, and Dutch. Victorian seemed to attract many people at that time. Rich families own different kinds of lights and fixture such as lamps chandeliers sconces, shades, ceiling mounts, and pendants. The high demand of this lighting style drove many craftsmen to create masterpiece for the lights and fixtures. The creative works used various materials such as pewter, alabaster, polychrome, and brass.

The Englishmen has a unique way of furnishing dining rooms during the Victoria period. They believed that using the vintage lighting would make your dining room more elegant. The flooring is also important. That is why you will see the polished or deep crimson or black oak floor in the old English homes. The Englishmen had the tendency to match their floors with Turkish rugs that have woven materials as edges. The ceiling must be in dark oak shade. They used antique table lamps, wall lights, gas lights, stained glass lanterns, sconces, lamp standards, gas lighting, chandeliers, vaseline shades, Victorian and Edwardian fixtures, Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau light fittings to compliment the dining room.

If you like this kind of dining room, then start looking for antique lighting. This will lighten up your families especially you have regular gatherings at the dining table.

Antique Lighting Repair

No matter how strong the antique lighting, there come a time when it will break or fade in color. You can still restore them instead of throwing them away. With some knowledge of restoration, you can use them again for your home. Since you have invested in these rare lights, why not keep them for your posterity.

Depending on the degree of damage, adhesives have proven itself in vintage lighting repair. When I say adhesives, the first thing that you think of is glue. Glue can put two broken parts together again. You also need to factor in the humidity especially if these fixtures are made of wood. As they age, the humidity will weaken the wooden structure.

Glue may not be a good solution if the materials used for the lights are made of other substances besides wood. Nevertheless, it does help in restoring rare lighting and fixture that are made of wood.

As far as vintage lighting repair is concerned, you also need to familiarize with different types of glues. Some does not need any pressure when in contact with the surfaces. Others may need a certain amount of pressure before they can bond the two surfaces completely. Never use brands that are unheard off. Established brands of glues are the ones you should use. Always read the instruction first before you apply them on your classical lamps or fixtures.

You may need to use slow-setting glues for some lighting repairs. This kind of glue require more time for the binding to take place. You may need to clamp both pieces together for a certain period of time.

Choosing the right glue for the repair can never be overlooked. For example, you don't use synthetic glues because they are very poor in lasting especially of the lighting items need to endure pressure when in display. For brass, you can use epoxy resins. They usually come in two tubes. You must mix both of them before using.

As you can see, knowing which adhesives to use for the antique lighting repair is important. Each material uses different kind of glue. You can't the same glue which you use on wood for alabaster. Therefore, don't assume if you don't know because it will make your rare possession in the worst shape than before. If you are not careful, then the whole piece will not able to be restored.

Antique Lighting Collecting for Newbies

Antique lighting collecting can be a satisfaction either as a hobby or a business. When you start as newbie in collecting these antiques, you need to learn about various aspects of rare light collection. In this post, I will address some tips that may be helpful for every newbie who want to collect these prized old lights as a hobby.

All vintages lights share a common attribute that is they are no longer in the production. Their value depend on how old the hardware are. Of course, the older the collectible, the more price it will fetch. As a newbie, you must know the age of the lighting items. This is the fundamental information that you must have. The same principle applies to furniture, coins and stamps.

You also need to find out the period of time the lighting fixtures exist. Most the of rare lamps, shades, astrals, argands, sinumbras, and chandeliers are made in the 19th century. So, you should start looking for the antiques that are found in this period. I'm saying that lighting that existed after 19th century is not valuable. Determination of the price also depends on other factors apart of the historical age.

When you are starting to collect them, always focus on one light. Let's assume that you are interested in classical lamps. Start collecting them first before you gather other lighting items such as chandeliers or candlebra. Focusing on lamp alone will benefit you because along the way you will learn so much about it such as the valuation and the description.

As a beginner you should also mingle with other experienced collectors. They are the ones who usually have the new items in their inventory. You can consult them for methods on securing new collection. They have the advantage of wide experience who can provide you with valuable tips that you may not get from books. Therefore, start associating with them and you will see that you will own a considerable collection of old lamps or sconces.

Instead of collecting them, you can light your rooms with renovated Victorians, Greek Revivals, Colonial Revivals, Arts and Crafts Bungalows and various other architectural styles. The imagination of what to do with antique lighting is up to you.

Antique Lighting Cleaning Tips

If you are collecting antique lighting whether for fun or profit, then you need to know how to maintain it by proper cleaning. Maintenance will protect the historical items from damage and help to increase its value. usually, a vintage light that is in good condition will fetch a better price than a similar one which is not properly maintained.

In this post, you will learn how to maintain the rare lighting such as lamps, shades, candlebra and chandeliers and keep them in good condition.

Do you know the right ways to care your collectibles? When you buy any old table lamps or sconces, always check with the sellers on the proper maintenance techniques. Request for a written instruction on how to clean them. You can check on the Internet for more advice. You also need to know that some of the rare possession may require constant cleaning to keep them burnished. Others may not need any cleaning at all but they will remain in good condition.

Antique lighting come in many groups. You will have lamps, chandeliers, candlebra, sconces, astrals, argands, sinumbras, and girandoles. Each of these items require different kinds of care. Moreover, they use different material for the construction. Having this knowledge will help you to use the right cleaning method for a particular masterpiece. In addition, you will also know how to keep them properly so that their value can increase.

If the classical lighting or fixture is made of ceramic, you can clean it with lukeware or warm water and a mild soap. For those that have painted features, you can wipe them with just a damp cloth.

For brass lighting, you can mix flour, vinegar and salt together and form them into a paste. Rub the mixture gently with a soft cloth on the items. Patina is another good choice.

On the wooden areas, clean them by making a solution of water, bleach, and detergent. This will prevent the growth of mildew. If you want to get rid of sticky stuff, apply hot water and a lemon juice on it.

Some rare lighting item are made of bronze. Never use patina as white spots will form on the surface and this will bring down the value of the prized items. Instead, clean them with a damp cloth that has been soaked in water and soap.

General knowledge such as categories and materials on the antique lighting proves to be very useful. Maintenance and cleaning procedures depends on how much you know about them. You can destroy their value if you use the wrong techniques.

Value Assessment of Antique Lighting

When it comes to collecting antique lighting, you need to know about this field as much as possible. As the determination of the value of these vintage hardware can only be done by someone who is trained to do so. Just because you are not an expert, it does not mean you that you cannot assess the value. With certain knowledge, you can know the value of the antiques be it a lamp, a shade, or a chandelier.

When you examine any antique, the first place you look at is its condition. Some of the rare object may be tainted or damaged. In such poor condition, they may not be of any value at all. Always check for flaws during your examination. Some of these defects include chips, dents, cracks, undue wear and tear, stains and missing parts on the merchandise in question. Even a small dent is enough to devalue the rare collection. If you have an classical lamp which is in mint condition, then you can be ascertained that you will get a premium price if you should decide to sell it.

However, in some artifacts even with defects are highly valuable. Probably because it is the only one left in the world. Therefore, if the your antique lighting is very rare and you have not kept it in good condition, there are people who are willing to pay high price for it. Rarity can also be included during your assessment.

You may be surprised that not all rare lighting hardware are assessed based on it age. The factor of demand comes in. Supposing if the item is very high in demand but low in supply, it will carry a high value even it is not that old. So, for a lighting collectible which is more than 100 years old may not be able to fetch a good price. On the other hand, uncommon items such as a 20-year baseball card which is difficult to find will bring more money than a 100-year French chandelier.

The assessment of valuation of antique lighting is not be neglected. As a serious collector, you must know how to assess the value. Improving the skill of assessing rare objects not make your prized historical possession more honorable in terms of value but it also help you to collect a larger mass of these old lighting objects.

Antique Lighting Dealers

When you think of antique lighting, they probably comes to you as old lamps or vintage bulbs. They have high value because of their historical background such as the Victorian. Some of these lights are very hard to find. Some will have higher price tags than the rest because they are much older.

Owning a prized artifact such as rare chandeliers may require the help of antique lighting dealers. They have the knowledge and expertise in dealing with antiques. They also provide valuation apart from selling and acquisition of these valued possession.

So the next time you plan to buy an old lighting fixture or conduct an antiquing, you start with the antique dealers. You can browse at what they and maybe you may find one that suit your style.

Sometimes, these dealers may request for professional opinions from their peers especially when they want to procure a certain rare lighting or after they have made the purchase. This is known as an upraising service.

Since they have been doing this trade for a living, you can safely assume that they know the old lights inside out. Today, many of them join the national trade association of the antique industry. One of them is known as CINOA. Many dealers join CINOA. It is an alliance of antique and art associations which comprise of members from 19 nations. It has more than 5,000 antique dealers.

The dealers know very well about different aspect of lights that existed during the nineteenth century. Each of them has a detailed expertise on different categories of vintage lighting. One may be an expert as Victorian lamps. Another may know so much about the rare Edwardian chandeliers.

Should you need professional opinion before you invest in any collectible light, you can always refer to them. As I mentioned earlier, they offer upraising services to their peers. You can ask for their service to verify your purchase. This will prevent you from paying higher that the market value. You will find these services helpful when you attend garage sales or auctions. You will have an advantage before the events start because you already have sought advice from the dealers.

Usually, if you buy any antique lighting from them, you can almost be certain that they are genuine. They can be considered as the safest source for your collectibles.

Antique lighting dealers can help in you in many ways. Seek for their help especially if this is the first time you buying rare items. If you want a safer purchase, then buy directly from them provided they have something that match your style.

Antique Lighting Collector

If you enjoy the sight of rare cranberry lamps, girandoles, or candlelabra and feel like to picking it up as a hobby, then you start by becoming an antique lighting collector. These days, many people have started to collect vintage lights as more homes are built for families. Because of the increasing demand for collectibles, we have seen the myriad reproduction of historical lamps, mini pendants, beaded flush mounts, outdoor lighting fixtures, and post lighting. So, you can why antique lights collecting is so popular.

Some vintage lights collectors begin the hobby for fun while others make profit through buying and selling. Whether you plan to make money or collect them for recreational purpose, you can gain knowledge on how to be a good collector of these rare items.

When you start your collection, you don't need many resources. The amount of money you plan to spend is up to you. Sometimes by looking hard enough you can get a few good and rare lamps for little money. For instance, you can find some good bargains in the garage sales, auctions, and flea market. Nevertheless, the rarer the piece the higher the price you have to pay.

Based on the experience of avid vintage light collectors, they suggest that you learn about the period of times when these lights existed. There are a few ones during the 19th century such as Czech, French, Dutch, Victorian, and Edwardian. Old brands such as Gasolier, Monkey, Pan, Corneilus & Co,, Art Nouveau, and Vaseline should be studied as well. Some uses electric, gas, kerosene for illumination. This information is important before you buy any rare lighting.

Equipped with this data, you will know what kind of collectible lights you want to buy. This will prevent rip off which is a common case when you are ignorant about antique hardware. You will know the estimated value of these old light so that you don't pay more than the market price. Just like stamp and coin collection, the value of the rare lighting depends on the condition of the items, the scarcity and the current market price. You can verify the contemporary values with other collectors. Internet is another resource for checking the price.

This can be an exciting and fun hobby besides studying the times of the 19th century. Make sure you seek for the knowledge on antique lighting if you want be an avid collector. Knowing these rare lighting is important whether you are keeping them for yourself or selling them for profit.

Antique Lighting

In the recent years, antique lighting has attracted a number people. Many are beginning to collect them for their own collection. Others buy them to decorate their home. When it comes antiquing, the process involves shopping, negotiating, identifying or simply bargaining for antiques.

Shopping for these rare lighting is usually done in estate sales, antiques districts, antiques conventions, antiques auction houses, antiques specialty shops and even in garage sales. You will be shocked if I tell you that if you are lucky, you can buy prized lights for a little cash at these garage sales. In other words, antiquing is to possess antiques either for hobby, business or gift giveaway.

The word antique is originated from the Latin word, antiquus. It means old. People collect them because of their rarity and high price. An antique should be more than 100 years old in age. Not all of them are practical to use. Of course, if you can find one that you can use, then it is worth the money spent. Each of this vintage lighting has its own history. Some of them appears to be classic which makes them unique and highy demandable.

You can say almost anything can be collectible. But most of them are the work of excellent craftsmanship. As a historical item, it represent a remnant of the past.

If you belong to a traditional family, your father may pass down some of the Victorian chandeliers or table lamps to you. However, in many circumstance these light fixtures end up in the hands of antique dealers. They will then sell these precious hardware to those who are willing to pay for them.

So, look around your home. Chances are you may find an antique lighting which you are not aware of. If you are interested in lights, then probably antiquing is the way to go. You will soon learn to appreciate these rare items. Who knows, you may decide to turn it into a business.