Hi!
A former boss (and mentor) observed that although many people go out into the country to look for Victorian antiques (with some success), the best pieces he bought were at estate sales in major metropolitan areas. His theory is that the major population centers are where the vast majority of antiques are and were because the greater number of people lived in those areas and moved to and from those areas. My experience has shown his theory to be true.
Let me add my theory to his: as the generation that first collected Victorian in the 1950's downsize their households (or sadly pass away), many pieces that have not seen the light of day since Eisenhower and Kennedy served as presidents are going to become available. This is happening now and has been happening. Pieces migrating from the estates of older collectors to those of younger collectors has been the story of the art and antiques business since its beginning.
Just some thoughts!
Finding Victorian Antiques: Two Theories
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General Discussion thread on victorianforum.com · started May 23, 2008 by drew49 · 2 posts · discussion in 2008.
Hi! A former boss (and mentor) observed that although many people go out into the country to look for Victorian antiques (with some success), the best pieces he bought were at estate sales in major metropolitan areas. His theory is that the major population centers are where…
I agree with the metropolitan theory - it makes sense due to the distance factor as well as the concentration of wealth being there. Somehow Herter pieces don't seem to look as good in a Folk Victorian home ;-)
I'm hoping the quality Victorian antique supply is going to ramp but according to what I've read, the boomer retirements won't ramp until 2010. Save your furniture budget up for then!
I'm hoping the quality Victorian antique supply is going to ramp but according to what I've read, the boomer retirements won't ramp until 2010. Save your furniture budget up for then!