I have 30 years of resale experience and am the go-to person when a friend needs a quick appraisal. I’ve noticed a recurring phenomenon over the years: antique items that most people consider valuable usually aren’t, while the things they want to get rid of are often popular collectibles.
Here’s why: Many of us learn what is valuable from our parents. But the market is changing, and new collectors have different tastes.
What overlooked treasures are hiding in your home right now? The answer may surprise you. In this series, we’ll explore popular collectibles you probably already own.
1. Pottery by Rose Cabat
Born in 1914, Rose Cabat is a self-taught studio potter working in pottery and porcelain. nickname “emotion” Her clay pots are usually small enough (usually less than 8 inches tall) to fit in a person’s hand and have a silky glaze that can be touched.
Cabat specializes in blending ornate styling with sophisticated structure. Her ovoid weed pots (a generally unacceptable shape for vases designed to hold a single stem) feature slender necks and glass technology that allows natural dripping to become part of the design.
this Kabat word mark Simple yet unique. looking for CABAT Engraved on the bottom of her piece are numbers in all caps, along with a three-digit production number and a two-digit year.
Ross Kabart pieces are extremely rare in the wild, although a dealer friend of mine pulled one out of a dingy basement in the Midwest last month. Recently on eBay, this Rose Cabat 3-Inch Weed Pot On sale for $600; also has this 5.5-inch gourd-shaped pot Priced at $400.
Interested in learning more about Rose Cabat’s work? look at this Antiques Roadshow Appraisal Clip.
2. Dennis Vibert lamp
Denis Vibert is a regional ceramicist from Maine Born in 1919. In 1941, Wibbert escaped the German occupation of England’s Channel Islands and arrived in Canada in 1943.
In 1950, Vibert and his wife, Ruth, moved to Sullivan, Maine and opened the Pine Tree Kiln near their home. Since then, the couple has experimented with different types of kiln firings, glazes, colors and textures.
Today, Vibert’s pottery—particularly his lamps—are highly sought after by collectors. Vibert succeeds in capturing the essence of medieval aesthetics with sparse but complex forms. You can find the manufacturer’s markings on the underside of the lamp base. Find words Vibert (with V extending upward) and maine (with an M extending downward) inside the rectangular lock.
On Etsy, this Early Vibert lamp List price is $999. On eBay, this one is slightly more Contemporary examples of Vibert Priced at $266.
3. Bill Moss Tent
Now let’s look at something completely different: a tent!
Born in 1923Bob Moss attended Cranbrook Academy of Art and worked as an artist ford timesis a monthly lifestyle and leisure magazine published by Ford Motor Company.
Moss co-founded with his wife Marilyn Moss tent project The company was founded in 1975 in Camden, Maine.
Bill Moss tents were popular with consumers in their day and are now as prized by collectors as old Coleman lanterns and vintage Filson jackets. Recently on eBay, this Four-person “Big Dipper” tent On sale for $1,200; also has this Two-person “Starlett” model Listing price is $425.
Where are the buyers?
This is one of my most common questions: Where is the best place to sell an old _________? This makes perfect sense. Not everything should be sold at a yard sale, and not everyone has enough accumulated stuff to warrant an auction or estate sale.
If you want to liquidate a family fortune, finding the right person (no matter where they live) is key. I’ve found that the best way is through online sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Etsy, or through well-connected shippers.
Pro tip: Marketplace isn’t the only way to sell on Facebook. Many special interest groups allow enthusiasts to share photos of items for sale. Working out the details and sealing the deal often happens informally through direct messaging.
Curious about the wonderful world of antique collectibles? Check out my collection Hidden treasures in the second-hand market.
