Comments for Fiske & Freeman's Weblog http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com Just another WordPress.com weblog Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:52:10 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Hello world! by Eric http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/hello-world/#comment-21 Eric Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:52:10 +0000 #comment-21 As I am almost as old as the furniture you sell - or so it seems when technology rears its head -this is an experiment. If it registers I will bore you with more at a later date. In any event I was assisted yesterday by a student of 'The Philosophy of Decorative Arts' whilst Christmas shopping and the conversation elicited the circumstance that she had just quoted an article written by John in a paper she had submitted to her Univ. I ocmmended his books to her (as I would to anyone). Have a Merry and a Happy Eric As I am almost as old as the furniture you sell – or so it seems when technology rears its head -this is an experiment. If it registers I will bore you with more at a later date.

In any event I was assisted yesterday by a student of ‘The Philosophy of Decorative Arts’ whilst Christmas shopping and the conversation elicited the circumstance that she had just quoted an article written by John in a paper she had submitted to her Univ. I ocmmended his books to her (as I would to anyone).

Have a Merry and a Happy

Eric

]]> Comment on Online shopping for antiques by Merryanna Swartz http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/online-shopping-for-antiques/#comment-16 Merryanna Swartz Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:42:26 +0000 http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/online-shopping-for-antiques/#comment-16 Here's some thoughts from an online customer: First, I've been going to shows for years and recently have begun more ernest collecting/buying. Since antique shops have begun going online, coupled with my particular collecting ( I consider myself a person who buys antiques and enjoys them vs being a "Collector"), I love browsing sites to study and learn. Also to price shop so I know what's what at the shows and shops I frequent. My first big purchase actually was online. I made the decision online, took months to decide to buy, and when ready, arranged to buy it contingent on actually seeing it at the next intown show the vendor was coming to. Note my hesitation; it was my first buy. The minute I saw the object and touched it, it was a done deal. Now I would (and am) buying online. So, I am just one person, this is just what I do. I have about 15 websites bookmarked and use them to learn as mentioned above. I must admit, even when I see something I am interested in, I want to see it first hand. Thus I might call myself the 'online preview, then show shopper.' I just lost one opportunity to purchase something online when I hesitated. I lost that antique to another customer, but I just needed to see it first. Oh well...(I found a like object at another show I just frequented!! So guess that validates my 'online preview, then show shopper' model). Tips to consider: I appreciate multiple pictures of all angles of the object online. I appreciate getting extra pics and information sent when requested too. Maybe the sellers can view their sites in multiple ways other than direct sales. Show buyers (me) love it when you say you have a web site. That helps sustain the customer relationship after the show and may make a sale at the next show. I love your sites! Here’s some thoughts from an online customer:

First, I’ve been going to shows for years and recently have begun more ernest collecting/buying. Since antique shops have begun going online, coupled with my particular collecting ( I consider myself a person who buys antiques and enjoys them vs being a “Collector”), I love browsing sites to study and learn. Also to price shop so I know what’s what at the shows and shops I frequent.

My first big purchase actually was online. I made the decision online, took months to decide to buy, and when ready, arranged to buy it contingent on actually seeing it at the next intown show the vendor was coming to. Note my hesitation; it was my first buy. The minute I saw the object and touched it, it was a done deal. Now I would (and am) buying online.

So, I am just one person, this is just what I do. I have about 15 websites bookmarked and use them to learn as mentioned above. I must admit, even when I see something I am interested in, I want to see it first hand. Thus I might call myself the ‘online preview, then show shopper.’ I just lost one opportunity to purchase something online when I hesitated. I lost that antique to another customer, but I just needed to see it first. Oh well…(I found a like object at another show I just frequented!! So guess that validates my ‘online preview, then show shopper’ model).

Tips to consider:
I appreciate multiple pictures of all angles of the object online. I appreciate getting extra pics and information sent when requested too. Maybe the sellers can view their sites in multiple ways other than direct sales. Show buyers (me) love it when you say you have a web site. That helps sustain the customer relationship after the show and may make a sale at the next show.

I love your sites!

]]> Comment on Hello world! by gloriana1 http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/hello-world/#comment-15 gloriana1 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:49:28 +0000 #comment-15 Hello, I am a new collector ( I only have 2 pieces!). I bought your book when I acquired my first piece and loved it. It is enjoyable reading and a fantastic resource for someone like me who is so new. I also appreciate your website having so many educational aspects along with items for sale. I wasn't going to post in the blog as I don't have any expertise to share, just a quickly growing interest, but as not many people are yet I thought I might as well! I would like you to know how much I appreciate your sharing your wisdom and that people are reading both your newsletter and the blog. I have a strong interest in Tudor history, especially Elizabeth, which led to my interest in oak. However, it has always seemed like something that should be in a museum, not my home! When I was in England a few years ago I looked at many pieces but the shipping was so high I decided it just wasn't meant to be. Then, at a local auction house (in Virginia) I got ( I think) a great buy on a coffer. I had to leave an absentee bid and could not believe it when they called to tell me I got it for the low end of the estimate. It is beautiful and seems to be all original and my interest started to turn to obsession. My second piece was at a second hand furniture store and I happened to see it as I was driving by. It is a mule chest but someone cut the front panels into 2 doors. They also added a skirt that looks very Victorian. We are going to try and pull it off without damaging the piece. Also, sadly the interior and back must have been badly damaged and were very, very poorly replaced by someone with no skill who did not care at all about its history. However, that's why it cost next to nothing! The facade is in excellent shape and is beautiful and I am really enjoying it despite its injuries. If there is a way to post pictures in the blog it might be fun to post pictures and share insights into each other's collections. I LOVE to look at it all and enjoy looking at it online anywhere possible and would love to hear how, where and when people acquired their pieces. Thanks again for sharing your love and knowledge of early oak! Hello, I am a new collector ( I only have 2 pieces!). I bought your book when I acquired my first piece and loved it. It is enjoyable reading and a fantastic resource for someone like me who is so new. I also appreciate your website having so many educational aspects along with items for sale. I wasn’t going to post in the blog as I don’t have any expertise to share, just a quickly growing interest, but as not many people are yet I thought I might as well! I would like you to know how much I appreciate your sharing your wisdom and that people are reading both your newsletter and the blog.
I have a strong interest in Tudor history, especially Elizabeth, which led to my interest in oak. However, it has always seemed like something that should be in a museum, not my home! When I was in England a few years ago I looked at many pieces but the shipping was so high I decided it just wasn’t meant to be. Then, at a local auction house (in Virginia) I got ( I think) a great buy on a coffer. I had to leave an absentee bid and could not believe it when they called to tell me I got it for the low end of the estimate. It is beautiful and seems to be all original and my interest started to turn to obsession. My second piece was at a second hand furniture store and I happened to see it as I was driving by. It is a mule chest but someone cut the front panels into 2 doors. They also added a skirt that looks very Victorian. We are going to try and pull it off without damaging the piece. Also, sadly the interior and back must have been badly damaged and were very, very poorly replaced by someone with no skill who did not care at all about its history. However, that’s why it cost next to nothing! The facade is in excellent shape and is beautiful and I am really enjoying it despite its injuries. If there is a way to post pictures in the blog it might be fun to post pictures and share insights into each other’s collections. I LOVE to look at it all and enjoy looking at it online anywhere possible and would love to hear how, where and when people acquired their pieces.
Thanks again for sharing your love and knowledge of early oak!

]]> Comment on Online shopping for antiques by John Andrews http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/online-shopping-for-antiques/#comment-6 John Andrews Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:08:34 +0000 http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/online-shopping-for-antiques/#comment-6 The fact is that people buying from catalogues or used to modern selling controls are entitled to expect that the goods are in very good condition. Photographs of antiques are generally rather flattering, particularly of furniture. There is therefore a strong incentive to make sure that pieces offered on line are in impeccable shape and this perpetuates Robert Rodgers' correct observation about the effect of this way of buying. If you go into a shop and see a piece that it attractive but has a few flaws, your love of the period/style overcomes the detrimental flaws you can see before you. If you buy from a photograph you are not prepared for defects. The fact is that people buying from catalogues or used to modern selling controls are entitled to expect that the goods are in very good condition. Photographs of antiques are generally rather flattering, particularly of furniture. There is therefore a strong incentive to make sure that pieces offered on line are in impeccable shape and this perpetuates Robert Rodgers’ correct observation about the effect of this way of buying. If you go into a shop and see a piece that it attractive but has a few flaws, your love of the period/style overcomes the detrimental flaws you can see before you. If you buy from a photograph you are not prepared for defects.

]]> Comment on Online shopping for antiques by Robert Rodgers http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/online-shopping-for-antiques/#comment-4 Robert Rodgers Wed, 19 Sep 2007 23:41:09 +0000 http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/online-shopping-for-antiques/#comment-4 I'm not to sure that this observation is really because of on-line buying. My experience says that it has more to do with the modern collector. In the "old days" collectors looked for the best to be sure but still looked in out of the way places for that surprise find. Perfection was never the over riding factor when buying. The more history shown the better in our view. But today's collector wants everything to be perfect - their house, their car, their coffee and their antiques. In my opinion this can lead to more fakes coming on the market. Let's admit it, perfection is easier to fake than is a truly old surface. If they want perfection I'm sure they will find it. As for me, I'll take the time worn piece that proudly shows its history and its imperfections. I’m not to sure that this observation is really because of on-line buying. My experience says that it has more to do with the modern collector. In the “old days” collectors looked for the best to be sure but still looked in out of the way places for that surprise find. Perfection was never the over riding factor when buying. The more history shown the better in our view. But today’s collector wants everything to be perfect – their house, their car, their coffee and their antiques.

In my opinion this can lead to more fakes coming on the market. Let’s admit it, perfection is easier to fake than is a truly old surface. If they want perfection I’m sure they will find it.

As for me, I’ll take the time worn piece that proudly shows its history and its imperfections.

]]> Comment on Hello world! by Lisa Freeman http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/hello-world/#comment-3 Lisa Freeman Sun, 26 Aug 2007 21:26:09 +0000 #comment-3 Me too, assuming we can figure out how the software works ;-). Me too, assuming we can figure out how the software works ;-) .

]]> Comment on Hello world! by John Fiske http://fiskeandfreeman.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/hello-world/#comment-2 John Fiske Sun, 26 Aug 2007 21:23:08 +0000 #comment-2 Should be fun -- I'm looking forward to it! Should be fun — I’m looking forward to it!

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