The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying and Selling Collectibles

by Rozakis, Laurie

• ISBN13: 9780028615950
• ISBN10: 0028615956
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-03-01
• Publisher: Macmillan Distribution

Summary

You're no idiot, of course. You negotiate like a pit bull on the job, organize your household budget with your computer, and even manage to coax your kids to finish their homework. But when it comes to plunking down your money to buy a crystal vase, you're not sure whether you'll be getting trash or treasure. Don't hand over the cash yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying and Selling Collectibles helps you build the skills you need to become a savvy, satisfied collector. Feel confident about buying the collectible you want, even when the seller is playing hardball. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Table of Contents

Part 1: Why Is There a Boom in Collectibles?	1	(86)
1 It's Mine...I Saw It First! The Mania to Collect Learn the history of modern collecting, find out what makes a "thing" become a collectible, and more.	3	(12)
2 If Someone Makes It, Someone Else Collects It Discover if you're a collector or an investor and get the inside skinny on hot collectibles.	15	(10)
3 Shop 'Till You Drop Find out how to be a smooth shopper and learn the best places to find collectibles (including during your vacation).	25	(12)
4 Hey, Big Spender... Buying Like an Expert Determine the fair price for a collectible that you want to buy and find out how to bargain easily and effectively.	37	(14)
5 Treasures and Turnips: Selling Your Collectibles See how to appraise your collectibles like a pro and get the inside skinny on the best markets for collectible sales.	51	(14)
6 Guarding the Family Jewels: Your Collection Discover how to display, store, clean and insure your collection.	65	(22)
Part 2: All in the Family: Ephemera, Stamps, Coins, and Paper Money	87	(68)
7 Pulp (Non) fiction Learn about baseball cards, sports cards, bookplates, playing cards, postcards, and other ephemera.	89	(16)
8 Truth, Jutice, and the American Way: Comic Books Find out the history of comic books and find out how to start your own comics collection.	105	(12)
9 Lick That: Stamps Discover the different types of postal stamps and stamp-like things you can collect.	117	(16)
10 Gilt Trip: Collecting Coins Learn the history of coin collecting and discover what you need to start your own coin collection.	133	(10)
11 Money Makes the World Go 'Round Find out how to start and maintain a paper money collection.	143	(12)
Part 3: Hot Stuff	155	(68)
12 Book Learnin' Learn the history of books and discover which books make the best collectibles.	157	(12)
13 The China Syndrome Discover which china is collectible--and which is not.	169	(14)
14 Fun and Games Find out why kid's toys aren't for kids anymore.	183	(14)
15 Home Sweet Collectible See what household items, quilts, radios, and tools make collectors faint with anticipation.	197	(12)
16 As Clear as Crystal Discover which types of glass people are collecting now--and which ones are likely to be popular in the future.	209	(14)
Part 4: Master of Arts: Furniture and Art	223	(58)
17 Different Strokes for Different Folks: Collecting Paintings Find out how to buy paintings and drawing with confidence and skill.	225	(12)
18 Say Cheese, Please: Photographs Find out how to build a collection of photographs that suits your taste--and pocketbook.	237	(10)
19 Pretty as a Picture: Drawings Survey different kinds of collectibles drawings, including Fractura, silhouette, paper cutting, and caricatures.	247	(10)
20 Some Day My Print Will Come: Prints and Lithographs Learn how prints are made and find out which prints send collectors into a frenzy of acquisition.	257	(10)
21 Feathering the Nest: Furniture and Rugs Find out which types and styles of furniture are most collectible.	267	(14)
Part 5: All that Glitters Isn't Gold--but It's Probably Collectible	281	(28)
22 Are Diamonds a Collector's Best Friend? Collecting Jewelry Learn about collecting antique jewelry, precious gemstones, gold, and Native American jewelry.	283	(14)
23 Heavy Metal Acquaint yourself with silver, pewter, copper, brass, bronze, iron, and steel collectibles.	297	(12)
Appendix A Future Collectibles Find out what you should be saving now--in hopes of it being worth big bucks later!	309	(6)
Appendix B Further Reading Where to turn for more advice on pricing your finds.	315	(8)
Index	323