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Posts Tagged ‘Antiques’

One of the most recognizable Latin expressions is “caveat emptor.”  It translates to “buyer beware” and has been used in a variety of situations to express a simple idea–anyone making a purchase should be sure to be well-informed so that they suffer in a bad deal.

We often hear the expression used today to refer to situations where a great deal of money may be on the line with no real guarantee associated with it.  For instance, the purchase of a car or other expensive item on an “as is” basis may warrant a cry of “caveat emptor.”  Another area in which the old adage is well-suited is antique buying. Read the rest of this entry »

Some antique collectors are motivated simply by a connection to history and/or to particular items.  Others, however, are also spurred by a desire to make their hobby a revenue source.  Many antique collectors find themselves appreciating the pastime a great deal due to its potential financial benefit.
Antiques, after all, are a great commodity in which to invest.  The laws of supply and demand tilt heavily in favor of the antique.  One side of the equation, after all, is already solved for the antique collector.  Absent remarkable discoveries of buried loot, there is no chance for supply to increase.  As time passes, in fact, supply of any antique item is guaranteed to decline.  Even assuming demand holds steady, prices should increase.  In reality, however, demand tends to continue an upward climb, making the value of many antiques escalate at an impressive clip. Read the rest of this entry »

Most people are hobbyists.  They fill otherwise idle hours with activities designed to bring pleasure and to enrich their lives.  Some may become film aficionados.  Others may concentrate their efforts on building models and miniatures.  Some find rest and relaxation in reading.  There is a seemingly innate human desire to undertake a hobby or other long-lasting diversion.

Those who lack a quality of hobby and instead spend their precious free time doing little more than watching television or engaging in meaningless pursuits miss out on the opportunity to live a more well-rounded, informed and meaningful life.  It’s no wonder that even the couch potatoes among us often wish they could stumble upon an enjoyable hobby. Read the rest of this entry »