Fine Estate Liquidation, Inc.

I just finished reading Jon Sutter’s post titled, “Contemporary Craft: Non-Functional or Dysfunctional?”, and I was immediately set to pondering. In his brief essay, he discusses the all but dead state of craft in our society. He notes, “The California Academy of Craft” dropping the “Craft” from their title, and the “American Craft Museum’s” complete name change to “Museum of Art and Design,” as examples of craft’s death. What happened? How did craft get a bad rap? When did the term “Fine craftsmanship” get replaced by “superior design?”

Sutter argues that “…Aesthetic choices in art are wholly suffused with the economic circumstances of life.” This truth is easy to explain. “Craft” defined as objects made by hand, blood and sweat, cannot easily compete with those that are mass produced and cost effective. An exquisite dress hand sewn with love cannot compete with a major clothier producing similar items. A gorgeous hand detailed picture book is unlikely to be sold at Taschen’s prices. Production is what makes or breaks the crafter. What we desire most of all, the elegantly hand touched details, are what we can not afford.

What I make is rarely for sale. Craft for me is a creative way to spice up my house, wardrobe, bookshelves, and day to day life. So for me this discussion has been (gratefully) an engagement in intellect and emotion rather than pocketbook. Thank You

Our San Francisco estate sale at 2370 North Point, was a smashing success, and we thank you our loyal shoppers for making this happen.

As an estate liquidator I am curious about the following:

1. How is the economy affecting your purchasing decisions?

2. What is it that I, or my fellow estate liquidators just don’t get?

3. Whether you are an antique dealer or a regular shopper - let us know what’s great about estate sales, or what’s not so great?

Three Web Sites I like:

Paris Hotel Boutique

History Detectives

Modern Mechanix

Tool collector guy’s want to find tools like these at estate sales in San Francisco, or anywhere for that matter!

Estate Sales Thought…

Those of us who conduct estate sales, as well as those of us who shop at estate sales, are essentially modern day treasure hunters. And there are few better ways to accomplish finding the equivalent of a treasure, than to look for one, at a local estate sale.

Union Hill Antique Tools

This site is one of the original antique tools websites on the internet.

Here you will find an extensive variety of antique tools which you can purchase, or if you are a dealer, you can use this site to research the tools that you picked up from an estate sale.

If you don’t find your tool here, then you can send them a picture, and for a fee they will appraise it.

Keen Kutter Miterbox

Excellent and scarce cast iron Keen Kutter miter box, complete with original saw. $900.00

More From Union Hill Antique Tools

Estate Sales Thoughts…

One of the things I hear grumbled about from time to time by dealers who come to my estate sales is that all the good deals are gone, that “The good old days are over.” My thoughts on the matter are that today it’s just different. There are all the deals that there ever were, but to find them you have to be more creative.

Here is something else that I have noticed: when I shop the estate sales of other San Francisco estate sales companies, I sometimes find deals. What this tells me is that no estate liquidator knows everything, not me, not anyone. Find your niche, and you will prosper.

Falcon Wood

Not only does this site offer many fine antique tools for sale you can also use the information you find their to help you value the tools that you purchased from an estate sale.

If you want to sell your antique tools, they also have a buying service. I can say that from my experience, it’s sometimes better to deal with a dealer such as these guys, than it is to try and sell everything you find at an estate sale on eBay.

Norris No 1, C1935. Very rare

Norris No 1, C1935. Very rare and early, rosewood filled, dovetailed sole, 16 1/2″ Panel Plane. Has 1 5/8″ remaining of the original iron (the iron is stamped with the number 7 to match the number 7 stamped in the wood infill. Both the iron and chip breaker are marked Norris). This rare size plane is also marked “Murray, Liverpool” the plane dealer who originally sold the plane. RARE,Good ++ $4,500.00

More From Falcon Wood

Estate Sales Thoughts…

If you are doing your own estate sale, take some care when it comes to tools, most of the tools that you’ll find in a garage really won’t be all that valuable - but every once in a while you will find a winner.

One of my approaches when it comes to setting up an estate sale is to make sure that I pick up each and every tool and examine it - I look for the unusual, ones that are old, and then I look them up on one of the sites I have provided links for you to.

Hans Brunner Tools

Hay Trolley

These slot into a track/rail in a loft or a barn. It measures approximately 400 mm x 300mm x 1500 mm and will run on a 75mm track.  Price$350 or make an offer.

More From Hans Brunner Tools

The Do It Yourself Estate Sales Guide

Upcoming San Francisco Estate Sale

Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21

2370 North Point St. S.F.

10:00am till 5:00pm

Join Our Mailing List

Martin and Andrea Swinton own Take-A-Boo Emporium, an antique shop located in Toronto, Canada.

They’re more than antique dealers though. This couple understands how to use the internet in a way that provides free, highly useful and relevant information; while letting the public know all about their wonderful antique store, and antique related services.

Here is just a bit of what you will find there.

Radio Show

Cleaning Silver

Types of Silver

Flea Market Do’s and Don’ts

Fake Tiffany Buckles

My name is Martin Codina and I am an estate liquidator who loves his job.

The Do it Yourself Estate Sales Guide

Here is a resource: It’s called weekendtreasure.com

This site is loaded with a ton of information about where garage and yard sales in your area are.

Do you want to conduct your own yard sale or garage sale? Then visit this site and click on their “Tips and Tricks” and “Links” tabs - and get loads of useful information about how to set up and conduct a successful sale. You can also post your sale on their site.

These guys are fun. Check out their videos.

http://www.youtube.com/weekendtreasure

My name is Martin Codina and I am an estate liquidator who sometimes goes to garage sales and yard sales.

The Do it Yourself Estate Sales Guide

When you have questions about the estate sales process, why not ask an expert?

I will answer as many questions about estate liquidation as time permits.

My name is Martin Codina and I am an estate liquidator who loves his job.

415-235-7238

http://www.finesf.com/

The Do it Yourself Estate Sales Guide