Morning Reading: Finding Antique Auctions & Market Insight Online

online auction newsSteeped in an industry that covets the antiquated and obsolete, I’m fascinated with how new technologies and antiques not only coexist, but how auction houses, antiques dealers and museums can use 21st century innovation to validate & promote the products of the 18th, 19th & 20th centuries. In the 19th century the Industrial Revolution brought new technologies and a vast numbers of new consumers. What similarities are there in today’s world?

I try to keep an ear to the ground, whether that means chatting with local dealers at a preview or trolling online for web-based versions of familiar magazines and trade papers, or more and more newer resources with unique angles. Here are just a few of the sites that I frequent to gather varied views of the antiques trade, the changing landscape of collecting art & antiques and market trends:

http://artfixdaily.com — A good place to start for top stories spanning topics ranging from record-setting auction results, to upcoming exhibitions and reviews.

http://rarevictorian.com — A blend of informative resource for Victorian furniture, furniture makers & forums.

http://youngantiquescollectors.blogspot.com — Addressing the issues we’re all thinking about–There must be young collectors out there, whether they know it now or not.

http://www.antiquestradegazette.com — International news on auctions, the art market, and trends.

I recently enjoyed an article by Maryland antiques dealer J. Michael Flanigan for the Antiques Roadshow Insider on his impressions of the market and where it’s headed.

Learning the market from those with an insider’s perspective is your best bet for staying on top of auction trends and finding great values at auction.  Then just follow your taste—let your eye and your heart be your guide.

2 thoughts on “Morning Reading: Finding Antique Auctions & Market Insight Online

  1. I have enjoyed your new blog–good selection of topics. Especially enjoyed checking out the sites Kerry Shrives mentioned.
    Thanks.

  2. Thank you for bringing these interesting articles to my attention. I know a lot of dealers are reporting doom & gloom out there. Perhaps the level of consumer confidence is higher here in Canada (90% vs 45%), but I find that if one chooses their merchandise carefully, prices it competitively & avoids the dreary out of fashion objects (mourning jewelry being a particularly egregious example), then one can do OK. Changing times require a more careful approach. Avoid the dross, merchandise your items attractively, invest some time & money in quality displays, & you will survive, & possibly even thrive. Just some random thoughts from the Great White North.

Leave a Reply to Andre Wagner Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*