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By: Jennifer Smith
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| Thursday, 7-Jul-2011 16:04 |
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Pop Art Continues to be Major Draw for Fine Art Collectors
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Seeking exclusive memorabilia and valuable metals since 1996, Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR), one of the premier dealers of gold, silver, militaria, guitars and fine arts in the entire world, has trekked all across North America and even Europe. Traveling as part of the THR teams, who host about 100 shows each and every week, is an elite group of art specialists who are hunting for America’s lost artwork.
In recent decades, the “pop art” culture, guided by trendsetter Roy Lichtenstein, has demonstrated a boost in popularity with collectors even though typical landscape pieces by artists such as Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran sustain their high appeal.
At the events the professionals evaluate all varieties of artwork, and if established to be authentic and valuable, an offer is made and, if accepted, a check is offered to the seller. With the Treasure Hunters Roadshow Tv show gearing up for yet another season, these art fanatics are eager to see what other great paintings they will be able to uncover this time around.
Several art collectors are prepared to pay significant amounts of money in order to complete their compilations, and the Treasure Hunters Roadshow professionals have found that Roy Lichtenstein’s art made in the 1960s is in higher demand and fetching higher prices. Lichtenstein grew to become well-known for his works that were inspired by graphic novels and ads, revealing a whimsical humor and pop culture satire that seemed to define the pop art movement.
Roy Lichtenstein grew up in New York City in an upper-middle class family but was not a student of the arts. He did, on the other hand, paint and design, but mainly just for entertainment. As a child, he would frequent jazz concerts at the Appollo Theatre and sketch portraits of the artists. He went on to earn his Master’s of Fine Arts degree from Ohio State University following a tour of duty through WWII.
It was at this time that he started experimenting with expressionism and cubism and would afterwards join the abstract expressionism school, though he did so much later than other artists. Right after a dare from his son, who said, “Hey, dad, bet you can’t paint as good as this,” and displayed a Mickey Mouse comic book, Lichtenstein finished his first work entitled “Look Mickey” in 1961. His work was shown for the first time at the Castelli gallery in 1962, where each piece was bought by investors before the display even opened.
However, having used subjects from other forms of mass media, a lot of critics started to question Lichtenstein’s originality. He was most recognized for his artwork of well-known comic book panels, but by 1965 had moved on to other subject matter. Graphic novelist, Art Spiegelman, became annoyed with Lichtenstein stating, “Lichtenstein did no more or less comics than Andy Warhol did for soup.”
In the late 1970s, Lichtenstein began to integrate a more surreal style and also created metal and plastic sculptures and several hundred screen-printed works. In 1996, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. came to own the largest selection of Roy Lichtenstein items, though it is thought that a large quantity of his work continues to be in personal collections.
Do you believe you could have some contempory artwork that is worth something? Stop by the Treasure Hunters Roadshow activities page to discover a show close to you and the fine art gurus will be ready to evaluate it for no charge. A piece of paper that seems like a comic book in your attic just may be a Roy Lichtenstein original worth thousands of bucks!
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| Tuesday, 28-Jun-2011 21:46 |
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Treasure Hunters Roadshow Finds Classic American Artwork to be M
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Treasure Hunters Roadshow has become accustomed to unearthing a range of long-lost treasures and restoring them to their rightful glory within their network of worldwide potential buyers after years of being one of the premier buyers of precious metals, musical instruments, militaria and jewelry in the world.
But when the treasure-hunting crew hits the road yet again this week, a unique crew of fine art gurus will be keeping their eyes peeled for the forgotten works of great American painters, photographers, sculptors and comic artists. As Treasure Hunters Roadshow TV gears up for another season, the THR associates will continue their quest for these fine art collectibles.
What continues to be a lasting legacy among collectors is the wish for vintage pieces by masters such as Edward Hopper, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Cole, in spite of American artwork encompassing a selection of mediums and spanning a handful of centuries. Gaining notoriety and fame for their unique styles, these artists were all involved with landscape painting.
Landscape painting as a genre can be traced back to the Dutch Golden Age of the 16th century, when the Protestant Revolution caused religious art to give way to a a lot more secular subject matter. Affluent European businessmen would commission portraits of themselves, and these generally incorporated intricate nature scenes as the backdrop. Romantic painters of the 18th and 19th centuries sought to depict a mythical side of nature, in direct contrast to the Scientific Revolution that was lurching forward.
Documentation by means of photographs and paintings started to spread in the United States as news of the vast and unspoiled landscapes of the West spread. These had been either commissioned by industrial tycoons who wanted to depict the rising presence of contemporary life in the West or served as reminder of the sacrifice needed for this progress.
The works of the Hudson River School artists are of specific interest to the Treasure Hunters Roadshow experts. Thomas Cole’s works were painted on enormous canvases in an attempt to capture the epic magnitude of the vast wilderness. Albert Bierdstat focused his works on the humbling powers of nature while Thomas Moran’s works compelled Congress to create national parks in order to protect the natural beauty for future generations.
As painters began to depict gritty scenes of city and urban daily life at the beginning of the 19th century, landscape painting faded away. Abstract expressionism and cubism were European influences on the modern-day landscape painters. Also of interest to THR art experts are the works of Edward Hopper, an iconic American painter who captured scenes of mundane daily life through vivid lighting and soft brushstrokes.
Paintings of street life in the inner city and other effects of the Industrial Revolution would later gain other American artists global recognition. The Great Depression also allowed for photographers to establish themselves via the documentation of the struggle of everyday Americans. A slew of American artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, made a splash on the world stage with their influential styles when the modern art revolution hit.
Anyone seeking to sell paintings that could be the works of these or other great American artists are encouraged to check out the Treasure Hunters Roadshow events web page to find an event coming to their region for a cost-free evaluation by one of the company’s fine arts authorities.
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| Wednesday, 22-Jun-2011 19:39 |
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Vintage Barbie Dolls Making a Scene at Treasure Hunters Roadshow
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Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) has been traveling the country in search of precious metals, watches, old coins, antiques and classic toys since 1996. The company has lately expanded their search of treasures into Spain and the United Kingdom. Their worldwide hunt for treasures supplies THR with an opportunity to purchase gold, silver and all kinds of collectibles for their global network of buyers and collectors.
Scarce and unique toys are enjoyable to play with and collect. While mainly a childhood hobby, collecting toys is also popular with grown ups, who appreciate reminiscing with toys they used to play with in their early years. As the demand for vintage toys, especially classic Barbie dolls in great condition continues to rise, these traditional toys can provide a excellent paycheck at a Treasure Hunters Roadshow function. Their buyers have been instructed to give top-dollar for vintage mint-condition Barbie dolls.
The very first Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. Mattel debuted the doll soon after co-founder Elliot Handler’s wife, Ruth, came up with a design for a new doll for her daughter, Barbara. Although hesitant to release the doll at first due to the fact that Mattel did not feel young girls wanted an adult-looking toy, Barbie went on to become one of America’s most treasured toys of all time.
Ruth Handler came up with the Barbie doll idea during a family trip to Europe, where she came across just what she envisioned for her daughter – Bild Lilli. Bild Lilli was a doll sold in Germany in the 1950s. She was inspired by a comic strip, in which she was a very self-empowered female who, at times, was fairly controversial. Barbie, or Barbra Millicent Roberts as her fictitious biography reads, has also had her share of controversies throughout the many years. Criticized by health professionals and child psychologists for her unrealistic and unachievable body shape, Barbie has undergone a lot of modifications over the many years, but remains a toy icon all over the world.
Classic Barbie dolls can be worth hundreds to significant collectors. Initially launched as a series, number one coming in 1959, Barbie actually had inserts in her feet to help her stand on her own. This original Barbie is the only one to contain this copper insert and is very valuable if in very good condition. In the Barbie collection, dolls one through three, and a handful of the fourth, ended up being created with a solid torso and solid legs. Each and every Barbie made after these has a hollow body.
Classic Barbie dolls still in mint condition, including ones that have remained in the box for over 5 decades, are a toy collector’s dream. The potential buyers at THR are seeking to purchase these scarce, collectible items and all vintage toys on behalf of their network of buyers and collectors. A list of items that the Treasure Hunters Roadshow buyers are seeking can be found on the company’s web site.
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| Tuesday, 21-Jun-2011 16:04 |
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Bobblehead Selling prices Turning Heads at Treasure Hunters Road
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Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) is a dealer of vintage collectibles and precious metals. Groups of treasure hunters have been hosting thousands of exhibits a year all throughout the continent since 1996. Several groups have not long ago expanded across the Atlantic Ocean to the United Kingdom and Spain. THR buys antiques, collectibles, gold, silver, jewelry, vintage comic books and sports memorabilia, especially bobbleheads, at events on behalf of their worldwide network of collectors.
Sports memorabilia is enjoyable to the Treasure Hunters Roadshow sports professionals as they see many uncommon and one-of-a-kind items. Baseball objects are most popular, but the treasure hunters are prepared to acquire vintage or rare memorabilia from any sport.
One of the favorite objects in the arena of sports memorabilia is the athlete, coach or mascot bobblehead. The bobblehead entered the sports world nearly 100 years ago in the 1920s. The New York Knicks launched a bobblehead of a player for their enthusiasts to obtain and collect. The sports bobblehead became a fan favorite in the 1960s. To start the 1960 baseball season, Major League Baseball created a collection of papier-mâché bobbleheads for every team. These collectibles had each teams’ jersey on them but the numbers and the faces were all the exact same.
Bobbleheads with particular players’ names were introduced for the New York Yankees in the World Series in 1960. The four players, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roger Maris and Roberto Clemente, each had their personal number on the bobblehead, but the heads remained the very same. Because of the fragility of the material, a lot of of these papier-mâché bobbleheads did not last very long.
As bobblehead recognition continued to increase, companies began to use ceramic as an alternative to papier-mâché so that they would not chip or crack as quickly. Baseball teams went on to release bobbleheads of their star players for enthusiasts to obtain and several of the other major sports, including basketball and football, followed. Teams loved the concept of selling more souvenirs and enthusiasts loved to have comical collectible items from their preferred team that they could display at work or in their car.
Bobbleheads became particularly well-known in late 1990s due to the fact suppliers made a decision to begin making them out of plastic, which made the bobbleheads a lot more affordable. As the decade ended, major league sports teams realized that not as many fans were purchasing the bobbleheads, so they made a decision to give them away as a promotional item. The San Francisco Giants were the first team to do this in 1999. They handed out 35,000 Willie Mays bobbleheads to followers at a game. This fad caught on and teams began creating bobbleheads for their players, mascots and even coaches.
The sports memorabilia experts at THR stress that condition is extremely critical when buying and selling any type of collectible item, and this is true with bobbleheads as well. The classic ceramic and papier-mâché bobbleheads are likely to be far more valuable if they are in superior condition. Plastic bobbleheads are more recent and mass produced, so they are not as valuable as the others. Nonetheless, the unusual ones can still deliver a great paycheck.
All aged, scarce and abnormal sports memorabilia can be brought to the specialists at Treasure Hunters Roadshow for a cost-free evaluation and possibly even an offer to purchase.
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| Tuesday, 14-Jun-2011 16:37 |
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Shedding Light on Three Behind-the-Scenes Precious Metals
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The professionals at Treasure Hunters Roadshow see a broad variety of precious metals throughout their adventures around the world. Though gold and silver might be worth very good money, there are three other precious metal heavy hitters which the THR specialists want the public to know more about: platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Platinum has been termed the “choice precious metal of the stars” due to its hefty price tag. Its cost is double that of 18kt white gold of the exact same weight. It is largely used in men’s and women’s wedding rings as well as women’s engagement rings. The steep cost keeps it from being used in a wider array of jewelry, the exception being the bling of the wealthy and famous. Platinum is a white metal that, in contrast to gold, is used in jewelry in an almost pure form (around 95%). Its capability to retain its luster over time permits it to forgo the rhodium plating that other metals like white gold have to go through. And Treasure Hunters Roadshow specialists appreciate jewelry with shine.
Palladium is one more metal that strays from the spotlight. This precious metal is equivalent to white gold in pricing but carries the long-lasting beauty of platinum. At one-third the price of platinum, palladium is made with the identical purity level (close to 95%) and keeps its shiny white coloring for a lifetime. Because it is a naturally white precious metal, there is no need for palladium jewelry to be rhodium-plated.
So what is this rhodium?
Rhodium is not found in its pure form. Instead, it must be derived from platinum or nickel ores. About 20 tons of rhodium are generated a year, 80% of which is sourced from South Africa. The cost of rhodium is about 50% more than gold by weight. Its major use is as a strengthening agent against tarnish, especially for jewelry made from white gold. When electroplated onto other precious metals, a coat of rhodium provides a reflective white surface known in the business as “rhodium flashing.”
Its high melting point, poor malleability and substantial price make rhodium a weak option from which to generate entire pieces of jewelry; it is best utilized as an addition to other metals. The professional medical field is a big buyer of rhodium-plated products, such as filters for mammography devices and optical instruments.
The pricey metal is also utilized in commemorating special honors. In 1979, Paul McCartney was awarded a rhodium-plated disc by the Guinness Book of World Records for becoming the highest-selling songwriter and recording artist of all time.
Though platinum, palladium and rhodium may well not be sitting around the house, the THR industry experts think that information is power and understanding far more about precious metals keeps customers and sellers on an even playing field, keeping the world of jewelry purchasing fun and fascinating. THR is always on the hunt for new jewelry of all kinds in the course of their weekly trips across the U.S., Canada and Europe and they pay on the spot for any goods they purchase. Check out the Treasure Hunters Roadshow web page for more info and a full listing of forthcoming cities.
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| Friday, 10-Jun-2011 21:55 |
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Soccer Jerseys Earn Big Bucks for Sellers at THR
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Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) is one of the major buyers of valuable metals, comic books, toys and other antiques. Since 1996, teams of treasure hunters have traveled to over 1,000 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe, in search of some of the most distinctive and rarest treasures.
Despite the fact that THR is a buyer of all antiques, a special team of treasure hunters is devoted to finding sports’ greatest collectibles. Even though signed autographs, gear and cards are all common products, sellers are encouraged to bring their distinctive or one-of-a-kind game-worn jerseys to the THR events.
If the sports specialists at Treasure Hunters Roadshow, a lot of of whom are sports enthusiasts with considerable collections themselves, deem that the jerseys are genuine and valuable, and are of interest to their international network of buyers, they will make an offer to buy the item on the spot.
Though football, basketball and baseball jerseys continue to be popular in the United States, there is a large worldwide market place for soccer jerseys from around the globe. As the popularity of soccer has continued to climb internationally, so has the interest in jerseys worn and signed by its greatest stars.
Soccer (or football, as it is known in the majority of the world) got its humble beginnings in the English countryside in the mid-19th century. While the very first recorded soccer match took place in 1860, it was far from the neat and rigid game we know these days. Most notably, teams had no standard uniforms. Alternatively, they frequently wore bulky knickerbockers and inconvenient colored sashes to distinguish teams.
To reduce the confusion, teams in the 1870s started to ask their players to have on similar colors. However, there were no guidelines governing that a team must wear the same color for each game, nor a way of distinguishing players from one another.
As the game started to grow all through the globe at the turn of the 20th century, so did the list of guidelines governing it. Many teams began to adopt a single color or style, most of them based on the styles of clubs that had taken shape in England.
Following WWII, a lot of teams started using substantially less complicated uniforms because of to financial restrictions. These resembled the modern-day v-neck shirts made of natural fibers. In order to boost earnings for their club, Real Madrid became the first team to design and market a replica jersey sold to fans starting in the 1970s.
Seeing the success of these replica jerseys, other teams began to design more complex jerseys for both their players and to sell to supporters. Manchester United made global headlines in 1996 when their coach, at halftime of a game, declared that his team was losing because of the gray-colored jerseys they had been wearing (which had been purposely selected to be worn with jeans) because the players could not see each other on the field.
Jerseys continued to climb in popularity as fans eagerly scooped them up in order to show their team loyalties. Currently, followers continue to shell out big bucks for athletes’ jerseys, particularly those worn in games. Not too long ago, a World Cup-worn jersey sold at auction for more than $800.
A lot of of these genuine jerseys continue to make their way to THR events, where sellers are eager to cash in on their most precious sports items. A list of upcoming Treasure Hunters Roadshow events can be located on the company’s site.
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| Friday, 10-Jun-2011 15:51 |
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Celebrities Outshine the Bank with Pricey Bling
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The jewelry professionals at Treasure Hunters Roadshow can never get enough of that shiny stuff. When not offering the very best purchase prices feasible at their shows, the specialists are admiring other collections of treasured metals and jewels. And where better to find the most expensive and flawless pieces of jewelry than mainstream celebrities?
When it comes to expensive jewelry, R&B singer Beyoncé is at the top of the list. Her wedding ring from hubby Jay-Z is valued at more than $5 million. Designed by the famed celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz, Beyoncé’s ring contains an 18k flawless diamond. Other customers of Schwartz include Jennifer Lopez, Barbara Streisand and Heidi Klum. Kim Kardashian is also amongst the list of stars sporting jewelry by Schwartz. Her 20.5-carat ring carries a selling price of $2 million and has attracted much attention by celebrity media resources.
Actor Tom Cruise also has a spot near the top of the list for celebrity jewelry. The 5-carat engagement ring he purchased for Katie Holmes set him back a cool $1.5 million. Cruise stated he purchased it following his very first date with Holmes. The Treasure Hunters Roadshow industry experts ask, “When you have got that much cash, why not?”
Though motion picture stars and singers may go big on their jewelry purchases, no other group of celebrities outshines rappers in their public display of bling. With collections of gold and jewels amassed around their necks, it’s a wonder some rappers have not popularized back braces. Lil John is a great example of this showmanship through hordes of jewelry. Along with his ever-modifying collection of necklaces, rings, bracelets and diamond-encrusted chalices, he is also known to sport substantial pendants. His “Crunk Ain’t Dead” pendant got him in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for possessing the largest diamond pendant ever built. The $500,000 piece stands seven and a half inches tall and weighs in at a hefty 12 pounds. It includes 3,756 round-cut white diamonds totaling 73 carats, all rooted in 18k yellow and white gold. How’s that for staying shiny?
While the THR professionals love the sight of a multi-million dollar necklace, their real enthusiasm lies in smaller sized items. The company is always treasure hunting for all varieties of precious metals and jewels, large or small, as well as antiques, fine art and collectibles on behalf of their international network of purchasers.
Items are bought on the spot at the THR events, which are held throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe every week. A comprehensive listing of events can be found on the Treasure Hunters Roadshow site.
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| Friday, 10-Jun-2011 13:21 |
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The Inspirations in the Conception of Superman
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The comic book experts at Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) routinely run across a broad selection of superheroes. But none catches their eyes more than Superman. With his signature red cape and “S” logo splayed proudly across his chest, he is one of the most recognizable superheroes ever created, let alone a world renowned American pop culture icon. But from where did the Man of Steel’s creators draw their inspiration?
Before Superman was born, his creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were hammering out the mold from which he would eventually be made. In 1933, they published a short story named “The Reign of the Super -Man,” which featured a telepathic villain determined to dominate the world. Later on that year, Siegel rewrote the character as a hero, stripping away just about all of his previous qualities, including a bald head. The hero was given a full head of hair, one of many characteristics Siegel derived from the well known film actor, director, producer and screenwriter, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. Known best for his roles in the silent films “The Mark of Zorro” and “Robin Hood,” Fairbanks had a certain quality of strength and morality Siegel found very favorable for a superhero. For Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, Siegel looked to the infamous film actor Harold Lloyd. His soft, unsuspecting demeanor was perfect for the gentle-mannered Daily Planet reporter. (Treasure Hunters Roadshow trivia bonus: the Daily Planet newspaper where Clark worked was originally named Daily Star.) Clark Kent’s name was derived from actors Clark Gable and Kent Taylor.
For the duration of the early years, Superman took an aggressive method to fighting scrappy villains. He would throw bad guys about with superhuman strength, exhibiting little worry for the consequences. In late 1940, editor Whitney Ellsworth created a code of conduct for Superman to stick to. One particular facet of the code stated that Superman was to under no circumstances kill a human being, which had a great impact on the violent, animalistic nature of his original nature. Alterations were made, and the new Man of Tomorrow took on a much more controlled, Herculean tactic to crime fighting, including his old destructive model of combat.
Even kryptonite cannot keep the THR professionals away from their beloved vintage Superman comics, which are highly desired by collectors about the globe. THR desires to purchase aged 10- and twelve-cent comic books, valuable metals, antiques and collectibles on behalf of their international network of buyers.
Items are purchased on the spot at the THR events, which are held throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe each and every week. A complete listing of events can be found on the Treasure Hunters Roadshow site.
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| Wednesday, 8-Jun-2011 19:14 |
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Baseball Cards Rack Up, Register at Treasure Huters Roadshow
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Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) is a premier vendor of valuable metals and vintage collectibles based in the United States, with branches in Canada and Europe. Although the treasure hunters are passionate about gold, silver, guitars and unusual books, among other things, they have a special affinity for sports memorabilia. At almost every THR event, which have taken place in almost 1,000 cities internationally, enthusiasts line up to have a treasure hunter examine their boxes of baseball cards, vintage autographed images, game-used gear and championship trophies and rings. Goods that are old, uncommon or uncommon generally have the best appeal.
When sports enthusiasts have distinctive sports-related collectibles they want to sell, they are encouraged to bring the objects to their nearest Treasure Hunters Roadshow event for a cost-free evaluation by an specialist in the business. Many of the THR team members are passionate sports junkies who have their own substantial collections. If the THR professionals deem an item to have worth and be of interest to their worldwide network of consumers, they will make an offer to purchase the item on the spot.
Some of the valuable sports memorabilia bought by THR consists of game-worn jerseys, uncommon cards, equipment used and signed by athletes, and autographed vintage images, such as a signed Babe Ruth photograph that was quite a treasure. Comparable Babe Ruth signed pictures have sold for as much as $8,000 at auction.
Among sports enthusiasts, baseball cards are one of the most popular things to be collected. Baseball cards became particularly popular in the United States throughout the mid-twentieth century, when tobacco businesses began to incorporate, in their merchandise, cards featuring images and data about some of baseball's greatest heroes. This marketing scheme rapidly took hold among American youth, and soon, baseball card collections became a bragging point.
Baseball card collecting enjoyed its prime in the 1930s, after chewing gum companies made the decision to mimic what the tobacco companies had so effectively done. When economic priorities shifted at the beginning of the Second World War, baseball card printing halted till soon after the 1950s. Soon after 1950, as interest in great baseball legends peaked once again, autographed caps and baseballs became an integral element of the ballpark experience. In the modern age, sports collectors have shifted their emphasis to items owned and used by athletes in actual competition. Game-worn jerseys have proven to be particularly well-liked objects.
When assessing sports memorabilia objects, condition is often the single-most important element. To keep the objects in mint condition, they ought to be put out of the reach of dust, sunlight or other damaging elements, such as in an acid-free display case or frame.
These days, many of the well-preserved vintage cards, jerseys and balls make their way to the roadshow events, where they provide delight to on-lookers, sellers and treasure hunters alike. A listing of upcoming Treasure Hunters Roadshow events can be found on the business web page.
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