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 Helpful hints to new silver colectors
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| Author | Topic: Helpful hints to new silver colectors |
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Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 10-19-2010 04:29 PM
  
A New Members' post has me wondering whether members would care to suggest to a new silver collector some hints, tips, suggestions and guidance. If you do please include relevant SSF posts. Depending on how (or if) this thread develops, I may eventual make it a stand alone web page. IP: Logged |
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Dale Posts: 2132 |
posted 10-19-2010 07:52 PM
Never ever use rubber bands on silver. Rubber bands will stain and eat away at silver. IP: Logged |
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FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 10-19-2010 09:34 PM
Collect what appeals to you. Buy the best you can afford. Better to have fewer quality pieces than to have many pieces that take up space and that don't make you smile when you see them. Fred IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 10-19-2010 10:10 PM
I echo what has already been posted and would add: Record absolutely everything you can about a piece no matter how trivial it may seem. Pester the seller, pester the auctioneer, pester the family; note down any other pieces from the same source. Sometimes the barest scrap can lead to a wealth of history, while a single break in the chain can cut off the trail forever. IP: Logged |
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doc Posts: 728 |
posted 10-20-2010 07:39 AM
1. Go to shows and shops and talk with dealers who specialize in silver and ask as many questions as possible. Almost always, they are more than willing to share knowledge with anyone who expresses interest in silver. 2. Don't be scared to make a mistake. The great thing about silver is that it is made into useable forms, so even if you find that what you bought isn't what you thought, you can still use it! IP: Logged |
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Hose_dk Posts: 400 |
posted 10-20-2010 12:42 PM
Buy a lot to get familiar with pieces. Don't mind buying wrong because your specific interest will narrow your view as you go along. Research what you bought - get more knowledge - and you will do better bargains as you gain knowledge. Borrow books and read them - books about silver but also literature of art and style. Books of metal - get to know as much as possible. Then focus on a period - a artist - a country/region, a style think what do I fancy. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. That is impossible to avoid. Show you findings to those interested. And here - when I write that you bought scrap - then ask yourself why is he not impressed. Afterwards ask me why - open your mind to hash critic - thereby you gain knowledge. We do not have to agree, but think why does others think that? Do they have a point? IP: Logged |
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swarter Moderator Posts: 2920 |
posted 10-20-2010 02:00 PM
Read books - collect as much pertinent literature as you can, but realize that older literature may have been superseded by newer research. Do not rely on the internet alone - many postings are not vetted and may not be reliable. IP: Logged |
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wev Moderator Posts: 4121 |
posted 10-20-2010 03:43 PM
And don't stay too focused in your reading -- if your interest is Victorian flatware, for example, look into books on the manners, customs, and etiquette of the times; even cookbooks can lead to interesting discoveries. IP: Logged |
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Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 10-26-2010 01:33 PM
When I was in my teens and starting to collect silver, I browsed through all of the online auction site listings of silver. Now that there are thumbnails, it is even easier. You can view 1000s of items an hour. This will help develop your eye and become more adept at differentiating between common items and the standout pieces. Yes it can be tedious but it helped me a lot. Also it helps to go on (window) shopping excursions with somebody who is already knowledgeable about the subject. IMO nothing teaches better than visuals. IP: Logged |
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agleopar Posts: 850 |
posted 11-14-2010 10:54 PM
Look at as much great silver in museums and shops and handle as much as possible in shops or auction previews. you may not collect at that level but it will develop your eye and teach you what the top is. IP: Logged |
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