Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Collector, 79, 'disposes' of some advice


A LIFETIME of collecting antiques and art objects is behind this tip from a Wellington Point woman: Beswick appears to be coming into prominence among the collectable ceramics.
The English brand is already known to many collectors, thanks partly to the Beatrix Potter figures it started making half a century ago.
However, the firm of potter John Beswick had its origins in the late 1800s and has created a mountain of limited edition collectibles.
Our antique adviser, 79, has been advertising the "disposal" of some of her collection after moving to a smaller home.
Obviously, she is not selling Beswicks this time and only the direct inquiries get her list.
She is, however, free with advice that demand is rising and those wanting to start collections of something may look to Beswick's sculptures of animals and humorous characters from literature, film and television.
The site, www.john-beswick.co.uk, in a 2005 post, said John Sinclair, a Yorkshire business man, had bought the Beswick brand from Royal Doulton to save it from extinction.
Mr Sinclair planned not only top-range pieces made in England but editions of animals in the style of the originals and made overseas.
"Commercially, I recognise the pressures existing within UK manufacture today and, therefore, a second highly affordable range, intended as impulse buys or gift purchases ... will be made overseas," he said.
Novices should be wary of possible future confusion over old and new Beswicks.
Our adviser says: "Do your homework, read as much as you can, think long and hard before you buy and only buy things you like.
"If you buy something you don't really like, the chances are that others won't like it either, when you come to sell.
"Accept that, apart from the rare cases, you won't make money out of collecting. Very few things will realise more than what you paid for them, in comparative terms, even after about 60-odd years but the value is in the enjoyment they give you."

"TASSIE" has kayoed "Silky" in a title bout at Victoria Point where a retiree advertised his old desk for sale.
The two words "silky oak", when in fashion, are enough to make a prizefighter coo like a baby. But apparently not this year.
The ex-businessman wanted $250 for his silky desk, which he was told came from a school principal, but no one called, indicating the fashion-conscious crowds, prefer the look and feel of tassie oak, too.
(This column has appeared in the Redland Times, Cleveland, Queensland, Australia. Picture courtesy www.john-beswick.co.uk)

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