Past Times Newsletter - May 2000

In this Special Father's Day June issue:

• The Latest Tips on Collecting Glass
• June HOT SHOP: Don't miss Bennett Antiques
• Let Ruby Lane help you find the perfect Father's Day Gift
• New Advanced Search from Ruby Lane
• For Our International Members: New Currency Conversion Services

TIPS FOR BUYING AND COLLECTING GLASS by Reyne Hogan of Reyne Hogan Antiques

Whether you're buying glass as a collector or a dealer, remember these three words: Condition, condition, condition. Nothing turns off a potential customer faster than a chip, crack, scratch or repair. Likewise, the value of your collection is directly related to the condition of your glass. Of course, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Should the piece be one of a kind, a special order or exhibition piece, or an example of a rare technique, less than perfect is accepted. However, you should expect to pay a small percentage - 10 to 15% - of the price it would sell for if it were mint. Common items rarely sell in damaged condition, as there are an abundance of mint condition pieces readily available.

Often times, beginning collectors make the mistake of buying "everything in sight" in their collecting interests early on. Only later do they discover their tastes have changed and begin to look for more elusive pieces. Less is more! The best way to create a serious collection is to buy the best examples your collecting budget can afford - even if this means you have to stretch that budget a little. Remember: Quality vs. Quantity. Instead of 10 low-end items, buy one or two better examples. They'll hold their value better and chances are good that you won't see another anytime soon.

How do you know which items are more common? Buy the books. Reference books are available that focus on specific glass manufactures. Read up on which shapes are uncommon, or which colors were produced in the smallest quantities. Also watch for information on one of a kinds or sample (experimental) items. Remember: one of the first glass purchases you make should be a book. Take your books with you to the shows so you don't miss any bargains.

Another good idea is to make a list of pieces you would like to acquire. While you're at the shows, give your list to dealers that sell similar items and ask them to contact you should they find anything on your want list. It may take a while, but in time your phone will start ringing.

Finally, the Internet has paved the way for collectors to expand their collections, as you are no longer limited to the shows and shops in your area. By taking advantage of regional markets, you can often locate hard to find items - usually for less than you'd pay locally. What might be easy to find on the East Coast might be hard to find on the West Coast. Make sure to use the search engines such as Ruby Lane to do a daily search for the key pieces you are searching for. You never know what might turn up.

Reyne Hogan Antiques specializes in 20th century decorative arts with an emphasis on Tiffany Studios. Visit her shop at RHA or her auction site Just Glass.

June "HOT SHOP" Introducing BENNETT ANTIQUES

With two locations in Fort Collins, Colorado, owner Kathleen Bennett has been selling antiques for many years. Her specialties include a fine and unique selection of Victorian furniture, lighting, china, porcelain, crystal and silver.

Ms. Bennett is an interior designer with a background of wide experience who can guide you to that perfect antique for your home. Since her large inventory is constantly changing, feel free to call the store to inquire about that special item that you're seeking and feel free to look in their new shop and see the many "antiques unique" that they have for sale! They try very hard to research and authenticate every item sold in their shops.

We invite you to visit them online at Bennett and their collectibles shop at Bennett Collectibles.

SHOPPING FOR DAD

Happy Father's Day to all. If you're stumped as to what to get Dad, we suggest you check out:

Daddy's Coffee and Toast Cup and Saucer $15 http://www.rubylane.com/shops/kmiller/item/DaddysCupx2fSaucer

TV Time runner of Dad $20 http://www.rubylane.com/shops/chezmarianne/item/RLx20100150

Father's Fishing Basket $48 http://www.rubylane.com/shops/simplybaskets/item/R118

Abbott Graves - "Maine Fisherman in Dory" Original Oil on Canvas $3,950 http://www.rubylane.com/shops/cctmarart/item/GH-0004

F. Nicholson Wide Molding Plane $5,999 http://www.rubylane.com/shops/tooltimer/item/11

Don't have time for a gift? How about sending Dad a Vintage Postcard? Check our Ruby Lane's antique postcards and choose form several different designs for a truly unique AND FREE Father's Day card. We have one for you here:

http://www.rubylane.com/en/court/topic/postcard?code=tmnjooxlty

NEW ADVANCED SEARCH

We recently added a real timesaver to Ruby Lane - Advanced Search. After doing a regular search, there is a link to the right of the search button that says "Advanced". By clicking on "Advanced", you will be able to select only items that are in a certain price range, select only auction or "buy now" items, only items with pictures, or only items that are on sale. And by the way, there are nearly 2000 items on sale today at Ruby Lane, so give it a try!

NEW CURRENCY CONVERSION

To help our ever-growing community of international customers, we recently added currency conversion. Click on the small currency icon alternating between the dollar sign, Euro, English pound, and Japanese Yen to perform a currency conversion.

ABOUT RUBY LANE

We are one of the largest and hottest Internet-only web sites for collectors. We have a community of over 500 shops from all over the world offering both fine antiques and collectibles. Our site indexes an inventory of over 2 million items in over 2,000 categories. We also feature a Global Search Engine, which searches all inventories in a particular category from Ruby Lane shops and various online auctions and malls. Visit us at http://www.rubylane.com

CONTACT US

If you have a suggestion on how Ruby Lane can better serve you, or if you have an article you'd like to submit or a subject you'd like us to cover in an upcoming issue, contact us at newsletter@rubylane.com

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