So far it seems that the boards we have in this forum are fairly good high-level delineations for the topics that we are all posting (Auction Watch, General Discussion, Victorian Furniture, etc.). Let me know if anyone thinks that there's one missing that would have some meaningful message volume. I wouldn't want to add something like "Rubber Caster Discussion" board, but maybe we're missing something that would be of benefit. Any other suggestions?
Thanks for all the participation. It takes time for new message boards to get critical mass, but I think for our small niche of Victorian Furniture, the amount of activity we have thus far is good. It's also kinda nice to see the same names over-and-over as we get to know one another better that way. If there were 1,000 members I'm not sure that we'd have that feeling, but in a few years we might find ourselves in that position.
Thanks,
John
Need Any New Boards?
Archive summary
General Discussion thread on victorianforum.com · started January 30, 2008 by rarevictorian · 4 posts · discussion in 2008.
So far it seems that the boards we have in this forum are fairly good high-level delineations for the topics that we are all posting (Auction Watch, General Discussion, Victorian Furniture, etc.). Let me know if anyone thinks that there's one missing that would have some…
Hey John,
I think it would be really nice if we had a forum for members of Rare Victorian to post pictures of their finds. We come from many different economic levels but our hearts are all in the same place. For myself and my wife, Helen, our passion for 19th century American furniture is very high, yet we are on a somewhat modest budget as I'm sure many of the members here are. We love going to the Metropolitan museum of art and drool over the period rooms, but we also love our own home and our own collection. We have a Belter slipper chair and a P&S center table as well as a lot of Good Victorian furniture that is unatributable. We also have some not so fancy pieces but we have grown to love them all. I love so much what you are doing here and I think more participation by the members will only make this blog grow. I think we all would love to own a Herter piece but there is that young couple that found an eastlake marble top washstand at a local auction for $250 that just happens to be their first Victorian piece and they bring it home and cherish and love it and learn what all of this is about.
One of the big problems with blogs is that many read and so few write. Encouraging people to write is our obligation and I believe showing that person that just cannot afford a Bembe and Kimble etegere does not mean that they shouldn't post here nor offer the knowledge they have gathered for us all to learn from. I personally find my interest in Victorian furniture only rivals my passion for owning it.
Great Job "Rare Victorian"... may our community grow and grow
Zeke Feldhaus
I think it would be really nice if we had a forum for members of Rare Victorian to post pictures of their finds. We come from many different economic levels but our hearts are all in the same place. For myself and my wife, Helen, our passion for 19th century American furniture is very high, yet we are on a somewhat modest budget as I'm sure many of the members here are. We love going to the Metropolitan museum of art and drool over the period rooms, but we also love our own home and our own collection. We have a Belter slipper chair and a P&S center table as well as a lot of Good Victorian furniture that is unatributable. We also have some not so fancy pieces but we have grown to love them all. I love so much what you are doing here and I think more participation by the members will only make this blog grow. I think we all would love to own a Herter piece but there is that young couple that found an eastlake marble top washstand at a local auction for $250 that just happens to be their first Victorian piece and they bring it home and cherish and love it and learn what all of this is about.
One of the big problems with blogs is that many read and so few write. Encouraging people to write is our obligation and I believe showing that person that just cannot afford a Bembe and Kimble etegere does not mean that they shouldn't post here nor offer the knowledge they have gathered for us all to learn from. I personally find my interest in Victorian furniture only rivals my passion for owning it.
Great Job "Rare Victorian"... may our community grow and grow
Zeke Feldhaus
Zeke,
Thanks for the feedback and your active participation in the forum - that's the key to building this community and everyone getting something useful out of it. The contest that I'm running this time around is geared toward driving active participation in the forum as I am keenly aware that participation by all is what this is all about.
The "Victorian Furniture" board in this forum in particular was initially added to encourage people to post their finds, but over time I think I genericized it so that it could be used for anything furniture related. I've updated the description on the main page to encourage people to post their finds.
I am sensitive to the various economic levels that Rare Victorian visitors have and consider myself to be in the modest level as well. I don't really own anything considered to be too rare; this site is just a reflection of my journey to get there someday. One of the main drivers for me to research Victorian Furniture was so that I could spot "finds" that nobody else saw but me at a local shop or antique mall, which hopefully would equate to a lower price. I also want to know enough so as not to get "taken". As a result of the knowledge I've gained over the years, I have spotted a few "finds" and purchased them. I am aware of a few readers that have written me and stated that due to Rare Victorian, they were able to identify a piece that they had purchased.
I ran a survey some months back and one of the questions was to see if people thought the blog was focused too much on the high-end and only 11% responded saying that was the case. I think that we all enjoy seeing and learning about the really good stuff, regardless if they're realistic purchases for us or not.
I wrote this in the FAQ when I started the forum:
"There is no formality to this forum and it should be a collective stream of consciousness of our questions, thoughts, views and ideas. No posts are trivial nor thoughts considered more or less important - so please feel free to participate."
I truly hope that everyone feels comfortable posting regardless of their knowledge or furniture budget. Everyone here has been very helpful to one another and I enjoy interacting with all the other like-minded collectors out there.
Thanks for the feedback and your active participation in the forum - that's the key to building this community and everyone getting something useful out of it. The contest that I'm running this time around is geared toward driving active participation in the forum as I am keenly aware that participation by all is what this is all about.
The "Victorian Furniture" board in this forum in particular was initially added to encourage people to post their finds, but over time I think I genericized it so that it could be used for anything furniture related. I've updated the description on the main page to encourage people to post their finds.
I am sensitive to the various economic levels that Rare Victorian visitors have and consider myself to be in the modest level as well. I don't really own anything considered to be too rare; this site is just a reflection of my journey to get there someday. One of the main drivers for me to research Victorian Furniture was so that I could spot "finds" that nobody else saw but me at a local shop or antique mall, which hopefully would equate to a lower price. I also want to know enough so as not to get "taken". As a result of the knowledge I've gained over the years, I have spotted a few "finds" and purchased them. I am aware of a few readers that have written me and stated that due to Rare Victorian, they were able to identify a piece that they had purchased.
I ran a survey some months back and one of the questions was to see if people thought the blog was focused too much on the high-end and only 11% responded saying that was the case. I think that we all enjoy seeing and learning about the really good stuff, regardless if they're realistic purchases for us or not.
I wrote this in the FAQ when I started the forum:
"There is no formality to this forum and it should be a collective stream of consciousness of our questions, thoughts, views and ideas. No posts are trivial nor thoughts considered more or less important - so please feel free to participate."
I truly hope that everyone feels comfortable posting regardless of their knowledge or furniture budget. Everyone here has been very helpful to one another and I enjoy interacting with all the other like-minded collectors out there.
"I ran a survey some months back and one of the questions was to see if people thought the blog was focused too much on the high-end and only 11% responded saying that was the case. I think that we all enjoy seeing and learning about the really good stuff, regardless if they're realistic purchases for us or not.".........good discussion,i feel that the study of the best examples of whatever style or period your furniture interest, is well worth the effort. by examining masterpieces one gets a feel for the "good,better,best" that really helps when it comes to individual purchases no matter what level one buys at. additionally, its not a big secret that the "10s" or masterpieces of the market comprise about 1% or less of all sales. the 10s may get the media headlines ( as they should) but most of us are happy collecting in the middle market, i know i am.