Observations from a new silver collector

SM Publications

Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.

SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales

The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!

General Silver Forum

Silver Salon internal search
or

REGISTER (click here)

How to Post Photos

SMP Silver Salon Forums
tline

General Silver Forum
tline3

Observations from a new silver collector

profile | register | preferences | faq | search

SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone!

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: Observations from a new silver collector
cbc58 Posts: 333 Registered: Aug 2008	posted 04-27-2018 10:34 AM Some observations from a relatively new collector: Objects in pictures may appear larger than in real life No quantity of pictures can replace holding a piece in your hand There are some serious collectors out there who get what they want Some "experts" who are supposed to know what they are doing - don't Some reference books have incorrect information in them Some makers are over-rated, some under-rated Hester Bateman got around... Styles change, but quality craftsmanship never goes out of style Never pass up a good opportunity to shut up when inquiring about an item Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I've come to appreciate all the work WEV has put into his list Teaspoons were much smaller back in the 18th century Auction houses charge far too much in commissions and shipping Some experienced collectors will bend over backwards to help you out - others not so much There is A LOT of silver out there Actual silver content is generally a tad lower than advertised I should have started collecting 30 years ago Some people are emotionally attached to pieces Fakes and replicas abound The thrill is in the hunt and acquisition History and provenance add dimension/value to items I don't expect ever to be able to know every maker It is easier to buy basic mainstream pieces than sell them It is easier to sell rare pieces than buy them You can spend a considerable sum on reference books / guides Understanding how a piece was made allows for greater appreciation of the item Some repairs / damage / modifications are very hard to notice unless you look for them A good clear hallmark makes a big difference Items without hallmarks or attribution require some faith Collecting can get addicting My wife is going to kill me if I buy any more silver The skill and labor put into some pieces is amazing A little bit of knowledge can be dangerous - but also rewarding The more I learn, the more I learn that I have a lot to learn ONC makes nice stuff You know your hooked when you research the cost of anti-tarnish fabric by the yard... Anyone else have other observations or insight on collecting silver ?? IP: Logged
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 Registered: Apr 93	posted 04-27-2018 12:56 PM I love your observations! IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 04-27-2018 04:18 PM Good fun list with great insight. Number 17 may be true true for some, but I it is also true that it is never too late to start collecting. IP: Logged
seaduck Posts: 350 Registered: Dec 2006	posted 04-27-2018 05:36 PM If you're a "relatively new" collector, you can take pride in being a fast learner! I love your list. A few additions: 1. Learn to recognize the glazed-over expression that indicates you've been babbling to someone too long about silver. 2. Treasure collector friends -- they never glaze over! 3. Resist the hints of non collecting friends in possession of tarnished pieces when they learn that you actually enjoy polishing silver. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 04-27-2018 08:58 PM Excellent list. 37. Pickiness increases as a function of experience and knowledge. IP: Logged
cbc58 Posts: 333 Registered: Aug 2008	posted 04-28-2018 02:18 PM quote: Originally posted by Polly: Excellent list. 37. Pickiness increases as a function of experience and knowledge. This is very true. Another one would be: at least 15% of items are misidentified. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 04-28-2018 08:04 PM That 15% is the reason I'm sometimes able to afford treasures. As long as you get good at identifying things yourself, it can be a good thing for a collector. IP: Logged
chicagosilver Posts: 227 Registered: Aug 2005	posted 04-29-2018 01:05 PM GREAT list. A few more: 38. After doing it for years, you'll look at the first few pieces you ever bought and say "What was I thinking?" 39. The little black spots will never come off. 40. When sellers say "Great Antique Patina" they mean they were too lazy to polish things. 41. Today's younger generation just doesn't appreciate handmade silver as much as they should. 42. A LOT of pieces have had repairs that sellers don't mention or know about. 43. Watching a gleaming piece emerge from two hours of polishing that was black and crusty when you got it is like seeing a beautiful baby be born. 44. It's really shocking that masterful makers such as Oakes and Hale didn't sign all their work. 45. It's also shocking when you read glowing reviews of silversmiths and jewelers in turn of the century magazines but have never seen a single piece of their work, even on line. 46. You know you're in trouble when the boxes you store your silver in are almost too heavy to lift. 47. It's a shame that most early Arts & Crafts metalsmiths never advertised or produced catalogs. 48. It's also a shame that most Arts & Crafts metalsmiths' papers and tools were lost. 49. Shows are great, and there are a few dealers left, but can you imagine collecting silver without the internet? 50. No silver collection is ever complete. IP: Logged
June Martin Forum Master Posts: 1326 Registered: Apr 93	posted 04-29-2018 01:33 PM I especially like #43 although I admit that Scott is the expert polisher in our household. IP: Logged
agleopar Posts: 850 Registered: Jun 2004	posted 04-29-2018 09:53 PM Cbc58, if you are new to this you are a quick study! Great observations, love #7. Here are a few more. The collecting bug can lay dormant but will never go away. Collections may start with limits but eventually they will deviate and transform into other areas not anticipated. It is much easier to collect what no one else does. [This message has been edited by agleopar (edited 04-29-2018).] IP: Logged
asheland Posts: 935 Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-30-2018 10:27 AM Great thread! Some real wisdom in here. A lot of great points mentioned. IP: Logged
Polly Posts: 1970 Registered: Nov 2004	posted 04-30-2018 04:37 PM 39 is sad but true. So many good observations! IP: Logged
ringboxlady Posts: 95 Registered: Mar 2002	posted 07-06-2018 02:11 PM I love this thread!!! Polishing silver is great therapy. Finding silver that no one has ever seen or heard of! IP: Logged

All times are ET	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a

^1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

^2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

^3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.

| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver