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Antiques & Collectibles Q & A

© Barbara Bell

My next three articles will be an experiment: I will be soliciting questions from you, the reader, on just about any topic related to antiques, collectibles, and the avocation of collecting.

I receive questions each week from readers, but seldom in the public forum of the discussion feature here at Suite101. I enjoy answering your questions, but wish that everyone could benefit from the information I provide. Usually I must research the answer, so that I learn something new myself. Why should only two of us benefit from this process?

So, if you've got a piece of ceramic or furniture or whatever, that you just can't identify or want to know more about its background, please e-mail me your question. You will need to confirm that you permit the question and answer to be used in my next article.

Please just click on the little envelope next to my name, and your e-mail will come directly to me. If you have photos already scanned, go ahead and add them as attachments. Remember to save them as JPG files, so that the file size is as small as possible.

When you describe your piece, try to give the dimensions, how you acquired it, a manufacturer's mark or name, and its condition. I do not give dollar values for insurance or resale purposes, but I can and will tell you whether the item has significant value, and where you can find out more information.

Incidentally, I hope this spurs discussion from readers as well. We can all benefit from your opinions, experiences and comments!

I also need to let you all know that I will be leaving Alaska on August 1, 2001 to return to central New York State. My husband and I will be driving across Canada in a very leisurely fashion, to arrive in New York the first week of September. During the trip we will have a laptop computer and modem, and will try to find accommodations which provide Internet access. I should be able to answer e-mail at least once a week, but may not be quite as quick as usual.

But in the meantime, get those "cards and letters" in to me, so that I can begin researching the answers. This may become a regular feature of Antiques & Collectibles, if you think it has worked out well.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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