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How to start an Old Master Drawings Collection

Drawings

written by Crispian Riley-Smith

Collecting Old Master Drawing is fascinating and very rewarding to the collector. Drawings are the often the first glimpses, the sketches of the first ideas of something that later could have become a masterpiece. Read more if you are interested in how to start collecting Old Master drawings, where to look for them and how to take care of your collection.

Buyers Guide to Collecting Photography

Photography

Annie Lebovitz, Cindy Sherman, Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange or David LaChapelle are just some of the biggest names to know when it comes to collecting photography. But what to look for when you are just starting your photography collection? Check out ValueMyStuff's Buyer's Guide to Collecting Photography!

Royal Connection. Amazing pieces of royal jewellery

Fine Jewelry

Written by Peter le Rossignol

What if you could enter a real treasure trove filled with the most amazing royal jewellery, glittering gems, diamonds and pearls, all in one place? Take a moment and let our Jewellery and Precious Stones Specialist guide you through the World’s most exquisite and famous pieces ever made!

Collecting Ritual Native Arts

African & Tribal Art

Written by Patrick Morgan

Genuine, fake or forgery?  In the field of tribal arts, these are by far, the most common questions asked of experts, whether a piece comes from Africa, Oceania or the Americas. Ultimately all tribal art artefacts will fall into one of these three categories and knowing the difference before buying is a crucial first step in building a respectable collection. Here are the expert tips on how to tell them apart!

5 Most Expensive Books Ever Sold At Auction

Books, Maps & Manuscripts

Written by Urszula Frick

For any book-lover a visit in an old antique bookstore is like a magical experience. Touching and looking through the old, dusty volumes, breathing in the specific sweet smell of old paper and ink, searching for old prints and finally finding one of the earliest editions of your favourite book is very exciting. But what would happen if you would find a book that is priceless? Read about 5 most expensive books ever sold!

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A Brief History of Chinese Art

Considering the title of this essay, you might wonder how on earth an article of just a few hundred words could possibly do justice to a subject as varied and complex as the history of Chinese Art. And it would be quite right to think this, because to encompass the artistic history of the largest nation on earth over a time span of shall we say 3522 years, is not actually possible at all. What an odd number that is and how is it arrived at, you might ask?  The answer is that if you start with the Shang Dynasty around the year 1500 BC and then count the years back down to zero, then add to that the period from zero right up to 2022 AD. Keeping in mind that we are compressing such a great span of time in this China Travelogue, I am going to try to show objects which encapsulate the period in question. 

Learn more about the History of Design! 5 chairs that revolutionised Modern Design.

Chair is probably one of the most popular pieces of furniture our Furniture Experts get to value at ValueMyStuff. We get chairs from across all possible centuries and styles. Chair is one of the most basic but simultaneously one of the most important furniture pieces, from a royal throne to a simple wooden stool. Learn with us about 5 iconic chairs that pushed forward the History of Design

Learn more about Muhammad Ali - a Renaissance man of the 20th Century

Muhammad Ali is best known for his amazing boxing career and is often related to as the greatest athlete of all time. But he truly was a Renaissance man of the 20th century, using his fame to make a mark in other important social areas, such as philanthropy and civil rights fight. He also was artistically talented, expressing himself in poetry, rap, acting and even painting.

Breakfast at Tiffany & Co.

It is really hard to find another company with such an iconic heritage as popular jewellery and luxury goods manufacturer as Tiffany & Co. With the brand celebrating its 185 years next year it is worth to take a closer look at its history.

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Learn About Oceanic Art

Pre-Columbian Art

Oceanic or Oceanian art is a term that refers to the artwork created by native populations of the Pacific Islands and Australia, including the regions of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.

How to Value Metals & Brassware

Metals & Brassware

Whether a metal is highly valued for its malleability, conductibility, durability, or any combination of these qualities, they all have their own unique and special qualities that are attractive to craftsmen as well as collectors.

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How to Value Lighting

Lighting

While antique chandeliers and silver candelabra have always been attractive items for homeowners to add to their collection, other less ostentatious but nonetheless artistically valuable lighting fixtures have tragically been melted down and lost, their owners unaware of their true market potential.

How to Value Royal & Political Memorabilia

Royal and political memorabilia has been collected since sovereignty became akin to riches, power, and celebrity. The individual behind the monarch or the government is attached to an iconic status, which lends to the value of the memorabilia. Rare clothing, coins, notes, statues, and/or plates are all seen as collectibles that reflect a country's economic and political history and can be sold on the market. 

Learn About Sports Cards

Sports Cards

Sports have been a major part of Western culture since ancient times, and since the rise of radio and television during the 20th century, they have become more influential in our culture of entertainment than ever.

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