I confess: I was a »new be« too!
Hello all
Yes, I confess, that I was a »new be« too! A »new be« as all the other 14,250 members of »925-1000« were once, when they’ve started be interested in objects made from precious materials, or be plated.
My start 27 years ago was in a time span when »internet« and »925-1000« wasn’t available — but well available were in that time always: To be gifted with a sense of touch, sense of vision, sense of hearing, and last but not least an always curious capacity of brain and memory. So my “scanner”, my “software” and my “hard disc” was always available where I was — “in house”, and on the “hot spots” as well.
From late childhood on a furious reader, especially text of scientific reports accustomed the public libraries as my first beloved area of to be a silver novice.
A »Rosenberg«, “secret” of the “top secrets” of Antiquities dealers and Auction houses I’ve met there too — with hand written remarks in pen and in ink by a former researcher, some generations ago.
And »Marcas de Contrastes e Ourives Portugueses« second edition? An International Bookseller’s answer: Out of print and stock. So a titles copy was tens of years my remembering companion during my tens of travels through the Iberian Peninsula. No luck — it was too rare. And from Spanish items I wasn’t fascinated — accept the sculptured ones of »Modernismo« in Barcelona.
»Russian« items I saw in the Auction houses I frequented. They were like as I’m, »new be« - for an age of three quarter of a century, and the economical “downs” and “ups” very »virgin«, too much »virgin«. Maybe made in the first Soviet period, to catch money? The professionals, I imagined then, were maybe only a few, who had survived the WWI and the October Revolution. But a really professional remain a professional; and each object be made by him, enlarges his knowledge.
In that time of to be a »new be«, my costs were high and my Applied Art budget scarce — so the risk to buy a Russian remake was, by luck of circumstances, scarce too.
I was in general a lucky man — then guided by restrictions of budget, knowledge, and last but not least, by concentration on only a few signals, my »Pawlow Dog« was sensible for.
Today I observe, that the psychological pressure, of several origins source, like e.g. gender, to be member of a »peer group«, “recommended” tactics of investment … switch on in others brain more then ten signals of »Pawlow Dog«; and very seldom, one or more contrary signals were received or respected, like a quick quality test e.g. of the marks.
The already before published »925-1000« pages often remain unknown or respected too — until you’re sick of doubts by yours collectibles. Because in between you are a “patient”; maybe ready for an »emergency unit«?
But »925-1000« isn’t an appraisal institution.
Why novices and semi novices don’t spend sufficient time for enlarge their basic knowledge? Some pay hundred’s of €, after have already pay some hundreds of €, after have already pay some hundreds of € - and don’t spend some € for to travel to a specialised bibliotheca; or buy a reliable guide.
Please look here:
http://www.925-1000.com/bibliography.html
http://www.925-1000.com/bookstore.html
Start with a few and not so expensive items, as »Postnikov« advises: viewtopic.php?f=46&t=21486
Also act as like e.g. »dragonflywink« Cheryl, and »ValkyrieVixen«: Does I like the appearance …?
Look on marks like »Buckler« does — details of marks in relation to their composition. Some are missing?
The French marks system is one of the globes complicated assay systems — detailed, until where marks had to be struck too.
If you like exotic items, souvenirs of yours journeys, remember that there fore most often you must get own knowledge. A little help is »925-1000« page of »World Marks« - but don’t wait days or weeks, until you are upset, because nobody answer on yours neglect: http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks.html
Please let be visible yours pictures, as long as ever possible. Thank you!
Maybe on one future day, you write yours first contribution too?
Welcome, and good luck in yours time to be a »new be«!
Kind regards silverport