Lenox dealer gives tips on antiquing

PITTSFIELD – More than three dozen people, many of them baby boomers, came to “Antiquing 101,” a lecture by Charles Flint on antiques at the Berkshire Athenaeum.

He gave tips on starting antiquing as a hobby or personal interest, told the audience which antiques are currently “healthy” (meaning popular), where to find them and shared stories about his 48 years in the business.

The informative presentation was part of “Boom! Next Chapter” special programming for those born between 1946 and 1964, widely known as “baby boomers.”

It is sponsored by the Berkshire Athenaeum, in collaboration with the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum, the Ralph J. Froio  Senior Center and Berkshire Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Mr. Flint, whose antiques business is located at 52 Housatonic St. in Lenox, said it is currently a difficult time to deal in antiques because of the economy.

Some items, such as some types of glass and china, have gone down in value. However, there are exceptions to every rule in the business.

Knowledge is power

“Knowledge is power in this business,” he said. People buying antiques, particularly for resale, have to be savvy and not overpay for items.

He worked as an antiques “picker” for a total of 11 years and also taught himself the art of proper restoration.

“Learn your field very well,” he said.

For instance, in selecting an old piece of furniture, pay close attention to the patina, which is “a gift from the gods.” It shows the natural aging process.

Wood shrinks, moves and has a personality, he said.

“If it doesn’t feel right, don’t touch it,” he added.

If a buyer replaces a leg on a piece of furniture, it de-values it.

“Most people today are very knowledgeable [about antiques],” he said.

“Buying antiques is an art, “ the dealer added.  “It’s very complicated and not easy to do.”

So where does one find antiques?

Good deals at taggies

“Tag sales are the best places in the world to find bargains,” Mr. Flint said.

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Also, flea markets, particularly the huge, well-known one in Brimfield, and auctions also yield potential treasures.

“You can buy antiques much cheaper than you can buy new furniture,” he said.

It’s important to know what’s hot and what’s not in the antiques world, particularly if a person has resale in mind.

Right now, Victorian items have lost their appeal, but folk art is healthy.

Some strange things are still very healthy, such as antique toys and “outsider art” in the style of, for example, Grandma Moses.

Mr. Flint said early American glass pieces in different colors are in demand.

“Don’t be afraid to buy reference books by scholars,” he said.

Old records give descriptions and terminology of things from the past.

He suggested people do research and subscribe to online auctions. He said a person can choose to be an antiques collector, dealer or picker. The latter selects antiques to sell to dealers. There is a need for all three.

Antiques shops in private homes

He predicted people will start to open up antique shops in their homes again.

“You can make enough to pay your mortgage,” he said.

One can also sell antiques on eBay or sell to dealers for quick cash.

“Become friends with the pickers,” he said.

Networking is important in the antiques trade. There are people who are very knowledgeable about certain items.

For instance, there are subtle differences between old and new Depression glass. Mr. Flint takes a magnifying glass with him everywhere to examine the surfaces of items. This can help to determine whether an item is really old.

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Point of contact important

The point of contact where a glass piece, such as a vase or creamer, sits on a table can reveal if the piece is old or not.

“If there’s wear there, it’s old,” he said.

The patina on the sides of glass cannot be reproduced.

The beginning or “first” of anything usually commands a good price. For instance, National Geographic Magazines in and of themselves are practically worthless. But the first edition that was issued would be worth $6,000 or $7,000, which is quite a bit of money, he said.

“You can be sitting on an incredible investment,” he said.

The first editions of magazines, and so on, must be in the best possible condition to interest collectors.

Collectors are passionate

“Serious collectors have a passion [for the things they collect],” Mr. Flint said. He told the audience to buy the very best they can afford.

Photography is a healthy market. People are interested in early photos as well as cameras.

Items from the Civil and Revolutionary Wars are “very hot,” he said.

He held up a wooden object and asked the audience what they thought it might be. It was a rope bed key.  Prior to 1850, before mattresses, beds contained ropes.

The key helped to tighten them. That’s where the expression “Good night, sleep tight” originated.

An antique is anything made before industrialization, so prior to 1850.

A collection for free

One collection a person could begin without spending a penny is antique bottles.

“You can dig up antique bottles for free,” he said. “There are still tons and tons of treasures to be found.”

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Mr. Flint said Native American items, such as baskets, especially those from the west coast, are healthy, as well as First Nation or Eskimo items.

“I like learning about stuff,” he said. “I love research.”

He added exercising one’s brain is good.

“There’s so much to know. You can’t know it all,” he said.