Rare Victorian Est. 2008 · The Curator's Archive
eBay Antiques No. 430

Are You Tempering Your Antique Purchases In This Economic Downturn?

Originally published

AntiquesBuying AntiquesEconomic Downturn

Are You Tempering Your Antique Purchases In This Economic Downturn?
Are You Tempering Your Antique Purchases In This Economic Downturn?

I had to resist signing a check and handing it over the the dealer who was displaying this birdseye Maple bedroom suite. I am in need of a bedroom set badly and my wife reminds me regularly about the bare mattress in one of our spare bedrooms. I took Sunday as an antiquing day and ran into the three-piece Renaissance Revival bedroom suite above. The camera phone image does not do it justice. It was quite beautiful and imposing in it's size when seen in person.

The reality is, my house is basically overflowing with Victorian furniture at the moment, aside from the need for a bedroom set. Couple the economic downturn with a "full house" and I know I have cut my antique purchasing at least slightly. Spring is bringing my household some other large financial responsibilities that I need to be thinking ahead on as well.

So, I turn the question to you:

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9 comments

  1. zeke
    Hey John, I find that it's just a great time to buy, especially in the mid-end. That bedroom set is amazing! Looks very much like the Henkels set in the Packer Museum, especially the bed. That set is also in birdseye maple. If you have a copy of "Philadelphia Furniture" by Antiques Magazine, it's in there. If you can afford it, jump on it!
  2. Robert Jones
    I lived throu the 70's slow down and understand that we are now in our 2nd depression, guess what? People manage and thing get better. The antiques world and its markets are still here and strives. More people are aware of the possibilities that lie with choosing the right antique and other factors add to logic of continued purchase. If a ship was sinking, You might approach this event by going into shock or you could select the appropiate gear and try your hand at staying in the living realm, most would choose to do what they can and as soon as possible to ensure a favorable outcome. The people buying antiques are far too busy with doing the right things to get caught up in fear and failure. I suggest that you do as I continue to do---keep on shopping antiques, selling antique and reaping the rewards!
  3. Charles
    I would have to say that we are not tempering our purchases, but have stopped purchasing "cold turkey". By the way John, we have a similar situation to you, the house is overflowing with Victorian antiques EXCEPT that we too need to get a bedroom suit! LOL! Anyway, working for a company that is a supplier to the US auto industry is a sobering and depressing experience at this time, so no, we aren't buying, in fact, we may start selling some things soon.
  4. RareVictorian
    Zeke, it does resemble the Henkels bedroom set. If I get to see it again, I will to see if that is Rosewood trim. I wouldn't be surprised if it is Henkels considering I found it near Philly and the seller makes a lot of his finds in Philly estates. Rick Ponder wrote me and pointed out that this exact bedroom set sold at Neal's for $11,000+ in Feb 2008 - http://www.nealauction.com/archive/0208/index.html The tag on this set, above, is much lower than that ...
  5. RareVictorian
    Robert, I still continue to buy. Just not in the same pace as when the house was empty! However, I have a weekend house springing from the ground in May which will be devoid of furniture ... but it was designed in bungalow style. Charles, I can't imagine working in anything touching the auto industry at the moment. Hang in there.
  6. RareVictorian
    I'm about 95% sure this is the set sold feb '08 Neal sale. The dealer confirmed the price paid by the person he bought from, which was the same as the Neal price. Plus, how many 3pc maple bedroom sets that are identical in this design exist?
  7. Hardwood
    It looks as if this bedroom suite also sold at Alderfer Auction Company in Hatfield PA on December 11, 2008 for $4,500.00 Maybe it didn't make the reserve price? http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5979927 Hardwood Flint, MI
    1. RareVictorian
      Good catch. Person who bought it at Neal might have been trying to unload it for cash and didn't sell and then sold to this dealer who currently has it.
  8. michael cass
    It seems as though I'm selling more than I'm buying. Making room for different things. I have a killer birdseye maple aesthetic movement matching bed and dresser I'm unable to identify. Any help from anybody would be much appreciated. Let me know via email ([email protected]) and I'll send pics. Thanks, Michael

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