The enormous success that began with Antiques Roadshow, and was followed by the likes of History Detectives and most recently, American Pickers is about to be attempted again. The Discovery Channel is reportedly entering the fray with a new offering, ‘Auction King’, to be broadcast beginning in late Spring or early Summer of this year.

As evidenced by the phenomenal popularity of Antiques Roadshow, there seems to be a huge amount of public interest in the subjects of history, antiquing and collecting, both from the perspectives of those who are collectors and from those who are curious about collecting. Shedding light on the world of dim and dusty shops and snobbish high-end boutiques about what makes antiques valuable, how to search for and discover rare or unusual antiques, or the sometimes overzealous and obsessed behaviors of collectors appears to be attractive subject matter for television viewers.

Just as the name implies, Auction King reportedly will focus on auctions – more specifically about how auctions are organized, what goes on behind the scenes, how an auction house operates and more. The show will feature Paul Brown, son of the owner of the renowned Red Baron’s Antiques, and the activities of his very successful Gallery 63 in Atlanta, Georgia. Even though his gallery is a mere 3 years old, Brown has quickly built a reputation for acquiring one-of-a-kind collections including the acquisition several years ago of a substantial collection of tapes of Dr. Martin Luther King from the 1960’s.

While nearly a half-dozen major TV shows about antiques and collectibles may make you wonder about whether the television market in this genre is becoming saturated, so far it seems that viewers haven’t yet had enough. There seems to be a heightened interest these days, probably due at least in part to our country’s current economic climate, where people want to know the value of old things they may have laying around the house, tucked away in an attic or stored in the basement. Many are interested in their items as possible sources for extra cash or they’re interested in acquiring otherwise unaffordable furnishings and objects on the secondary market where they’re likely much less expensive, and possibly have a great story behind them to boot. Stay tuned!

In the hope that Spring will be here soon, I finally got out and on the road this weekend. I had an opportunity to visit Goss Avenue Antiques & Interiors, touted as Louisville’s largest antique mall, and located in a fantastic 120 year old historic cotton mill building on the southeast side of Louisville.

The business is under new ownership and in November 2009, its exhibit space was expanded by 15,000 square feet to include some 75,000 square feet total (Ladies, bring your walking shoes!).

When I visit someplace new and peruse the merchandise, I invariably look for out-of-the-ordinary items; things that make a new place stand out from other shops. And among the regular items of merchandise I found here – antique furniture, lamps, china, vintage clothing, rugs, silverware, antique and vintage glassware and the like, I found more than a few items of exception; a horsehair desk and chest, a museum-quality 19th century canopy bed, and a dresser purportedly from the home of “Devil Anse” Hatfield. Now those are not your run-of-the-mill items. And there was much, much more to see.

It is difficult for me to express the variety and selection of merchandise available at Goss Avenue; you really have to visit and experience it for yourself. However, from fabrics to furniture and jars to jewelry, I would arguably characterize it as the ultimate happy hunting ground for antiquers and collectors, and an interior decorator’s “dream come true”.

Last but not least, on the day that I visited when there were quite a number of shoppers in the antique mall, there seemed to be plenty courteous staff members available to assist customers with their purchases and to answer any questions.

If you do decide to visit, a word of caution; plan to spend at least a couple hours for your trip. It will take at least that long to browse through the many booths available to find what you want, or to let something find you. And as an added treat while you’re shopping, you may just want to take a break at Olivia’s inside the mall for a scrumptious lunch, then resume your antiques adventures.

If you go:

Goss Avenue Antiques & Interiors
946 Goss Avenue
Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 637 – 4878
Email: info@gossantiques.com

One mark of a well-heeled home is often that first thing you see on the entryway floor – a beautiful Persian rug. Since Persian rugs are such a valuable piece of art, it pays to ensure you are investing in the genuine article, rather than one of the many imitations that can be found in most showrooms.

Oriental Rug? Persian Rug? What’s the Difference?

An Oriental rug is one that has been hand-woven in cities, towns, and villages across Asia. Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and the areas near the Mediterranean Sea are all well-known for their beautiful Oriental Rugs. The Persian Rug, however, comes only from Iran, and is considered to be the finest of any rug in the world.

How to Spot a Good Quality Rug

Learning to spot a good quality Persian rug takes time and patience. When shopping, learn to study several rugs before you make a decision, and keep these tips in mind when you begin your search:

• True Persian rugs are made in Iran. Very fine reproductions can be made in other places with traditional methods, but they are not true Persian rugs.
• How does the rug move? If it folds like a blanket, it’s probably handmade, and that’s what you want to see.
• Check the knots at the sides of the rug. They should blend seamlessly with the design. An abrupt change in color indicates a machine-made rug.
• Look at the corners. Handmade rugs will not be perfect; their corners might not be entirely even, and the knots might have small imperfections.
• Measure the number of knots in one square inch of a synthetic rug, and then compare the number of knots to that in a Persian rug. The Persian rug will have twice as many knots, if not more. This attention to detail is what makes Persian rugs so special.
• The colors of the Persian rug should not fade dramatically, nor should they bleed. You can test for this by pressing a damp, white washcloth to the rug. If color leaches away, it is not a true Persian rug.

Ensuring a Sound Investment

To learn even more about your Persian rug, ask for the purchase history of the rug—though there might be some exceptions, most reputable and established dealers will have this in writing. Also ask for information about the pattern, and take the time to verify what the dealer says.

The pattern of a Persian rug is named after the city, town, tribe, or village where it was created. Bokhara, Kashan, and Turkeman patterns are rare and becoming more so as time goes on, so you can expect to find them priced in the upper ranges. However, they are also the most frequent targets of reproduction, so be doubly-sure what you are purchasing is the genuine article.

A good Persian rug is not only a beautiful, functional work of art, but a wise investment as well. As with anything worth your hard-earned money, learn about what you’re purchasing, take your time and invest wisely!

In a sale reported earlier today by the Washington Post, an Action Comics No. 1, which debuted in 1938 and is considered “rare air” in comics collectible circles, recently sold for a whopping $1 million, making it the highest priced sale of a comic book ever.

The sale, between private parties, was conducted by ComicConnect.com, and is reported as having been orchestrated by Stephen Fishler, owner of the website.

Fishler reportedly sold the same copy of the comic book, the first to feature Superman, 15 years ago for $150,000. The comic originally sold for 10 cents, and there are approximately 100 copies of the Action Comics No. 1 known to exist. This particular copy was graded 8.0 in very fine condition, one of only two copies graded so, and is unrestored, making it extremely rare and valuable to collectors.

The $1 million price tag is triple the previous record set for a comic book sale.

The sale took place in New York around 10:30 AM on Monday, both buyer and seller have remained anonymous.

The History Channel offers a look into intense picking on American Pickers, a new show dedicated to those who aren’t afraid of a little dust. Pickers Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz set out in search of history tucked away in attics and old barns, and often the stories they hear are better than any antiques they might find.

Meet the Pickers

Mike Wolfe has been an antique picker for over two decades. He has a good reputation as a picker with an eye for hidden treasure. Frank Fritz is the “bearded charmer” of the duo, a former fire and safety inspector with a passion for anything with an engine. Both men love picking but also love to make a bit of cash for their trouble, which often leads to heated but friendly competition.

Pickers serve as the crucial link between those who have the antiques and those collectors and dealers who want them. The pickers find the prize, negotiate the sale, and pocket a profit, while the dealers get the glory of selling the antique treasures to discerning clientele.

Picking Up Controversy

For all the interesting antiques picked up along the way — and yes, there are several “jackpot” finds — American Pickers has garnered its share of controversy. Message boards across the web are lit up with concern about the picking tactics displayed on the show, with many sounding a chorus of “Rip-off!” Many viewers feel that Wolfe and Fritz are taking advantage of the elderly, many of whom don’t realize what treasures they actually have.

In one case, a dusty old saddle was purchased by the pickers for $75. The elderly war veteran who sold it appears to have no idea that it was actually worth around $5,000; but in all fairness, neither did the Pickers until they consulted with an expert. In another instance, a frail man with a Phillip Morris sign was talked down from $900 to $750, only to find that the pickers made a tidy profit from the deal — that sign was actually worth $2,500.

While some supporters claim that finding treasures on the cheap is what a good antiquing trip is all about, and point out that the “profit” quoted on the show doesn’t take into account the costs involved in traveling to find pieces, or other associated costs like cleanup and restoration, detractors point out that many of the people approached by American Pickers in the episodes aired so far are elderly. They assume that in many cases, the people approached have no idea what their treasures might be worth. However some responders to the debate ,that have been involved with the American Pickers show, have come forward to dispute that they were in any way taken advantage of.

Picks for the Future

American Pickers debuted on Monday, January 18, and is scheduled for 10 initial episodes. The level of interest in the picking antics will determine whether additional episodes are ordered. Though some have called for boycotts of the show, the intense debate surrounding American Pickers is sure to have more viewers tuning in, if only to judge the picking for themselves.

American Pickers can currently be seen every Monday on The History Channel.

Looking to do a little “picking” of your own? Shop for antiques in Central Kentucky!