The troubles in the antiques trade have not spared the OK state. The Oklahoman recently reported that shop dealers throughout the state are failing. “Antique stores are struggling”, says one. “You just can’t make a living off them anymore.

While some of the state”s dealers think the problems are no worse than those faced by all retailers, many believe the problems run deeper. The Oklahoman sums up the situation aptly. “Something significant is happening to the industry. Several experts claim we have moved into a new era–one that now includes the purchasing of antiques online at Web sites such as eBay. They argue that fewer people have the need to walk into an antiques store when they can find what they want while sitting in their pajamas at a home computer.”

But perhaps for a handful of dealers, who’s surprised e-retailing, unprecedented in its ability to provide shoppers convenience and selection–has spelled the end of the antiques shop? E-retailing has that power. Remember when, not long ago, there was a mom-and-pop video store at every corner?

I think 2010 will be the year the antiques trade sees a sales turnaround for dealers who take advantage of the “dynamic duo,” e-retailing and antiques shows. Like Batman and Robin, these two sales channels, if properly paired, can be a team of superheroes.

So how should they be paired? Here are three suggestions:

Every dealer should promote her presence at antiques shows on her Website. She should write about the events she’s participating in, because useful and interesting content will entice customers to attend. Content like this also includes keywords that will help prospects find the dealer’s Website.

Every dealer should also consider an online advertising campaign to promote each appearance at a show. An online campaign will help in the same way that pre-show mailers boost visits to a booth.

Every dealer should use social media to connect with customers before, during and after shows. Sales can be increased by sending tweets on Twitter, posting on Facebook, adding show photos to Flickr and publishing blog posts.

In this initial blog, I will first introduce myself, and then discuss a little about the state of the collectibles industry. In addition, I do encourage anyone to keep in contact with me at: colllectingwithjeff@sbcglobal.net.

Whenever I am asked about how and when I got started collecting sports memorabilia, I quickly respond by saying that I have been doing so all my life. True story. The fact is that my Mother never threw away my baseball cards. My Mother, who is ninety years old and still going strong, is quick to say that she knew that they would be valuable one day. I don’t mind giving her the credit. Many, many people wish that their mothers had the same “insight”. My collection, and subsequently my museum, started with those cards, as well as from two other sets of circumstances.

First, having been born and raised in St. Louis, my Father was friends with Bob Pettit, the St. Louis Hawks basketball player, and one of the all-time NBA greats. Pettit gave me some items which are now part of my collection. Second, my museum, which consists of not only sports memorabilia, but presidential/historical, and pop culture memorabilia, was helped by the fact that my cousin Marshall Leib was a founding member of the music group The Teddy Bears (“To Know Him Is To Love Him”), and I have some items from that group. And oh, by the way, another of the founding members was Phil Spector.

My column on sports collecting is carried by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In addition, I write for several publications on sports collecting. I am also a syndicated talk host on the Sports Byline Radio Network, and can be heard every weekday on nearly 700 stations worldwide. In addition, I have the pleasure of giving presentations aboard cruise ships and groups on sports collecting.

Whew! So what is the state of the sports collectibles industry? Strong. Just to give one example, the baseball that Yankee Alex Rodriguez hit for his 500^th homerun was recently auctioned for $103,000. Sure, Tiger Woods’ memorabilia has declined in value, but overall the state of the industry is strong.

I welcome any readers to stay in contact with me. I will also be glad to give you my opinion as to the value of an item you may have.

Tammy answers a viewer question on how to go about finding a piece of Disney artwork to complete his collection. Reyne Haines and Jonathan Novack have an entertaining segment on comic book collecting. Lastly, Tammy has a great interview with Joanne Victorie Wiertella of JewelBoxBook.com. Joanne collects jewel boxes from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s and has researched and written a book on these lovely metal pieces. She is a wealth of information on this beautiful collectible.

Tammy Kahn Fennell is the host of CollectiblesCornerTV.com and runs VintageRareStuff.com. When she isn’t dealing in antiques and collectibles she’s busy developing applications that help people increase their brand awareness on social networks (marketmetweet.com)

Tammy is all about selling in this episode and begins with some great tips on selling your collections as a whole. She then moves on to AuctionHotLister.com with another helpful hint to sell your wares. In our Seller Spotlight, Tammy interviews Sierra from Tennessee Antique Shack, who sells on Tias.com. She talks about how she got into collectible selling and what items have a soft spot in her heart.

Tammy Kahn Fennell is the host of CollectiblesCornerTV.com and runs VintageRareStuff.com. When she isn’t dealing in antiques and collectibles she’s busy developing applications that help people increase their brand awareness on social networks (marketmetweet.com)

To start off this episode, Tammy fields a viewer question about a Victorian dress and where to find more information on this antique piece of clothing. Our Treasure Hunter Tip is Avcosa.com, another great resource in your search for that precious treasure. Plus, Reyne Haines and Jonathan Novack talk to a pinball machine collector. Then, Tammy talks to Mike O’Reilly from, Scott Antique Radio, who plays antique radio shows. These are the old time shows in the pre TV era that grandma used to listen to, now you can too.

Tammy Kahn Fennell is the host of CollectiblesCornerTV.com and runs VintageRareStuff.com. When she isn’t dealing in antiques and collectibles she’s busy developing applications that help people increase their brand awareness on social networks (marketmetweet.com)

Tammy starts off answering a viewer question about Norman Rockwell 1970’s plates and has some information on their worth or lack thereof.  Reyne Haines and Jonathan Novack are out and about taking a look at Boulle furniture, find out what it is and a little history on these ornate pieces. Tammy goes out to play with Tim Walsh of Playmakers.com, an author and toy inventor, who focuses on the unsung inventors of some of the most loved timeless toys.

Tammy Kahn Fennell is the host of CollectiblesCornerTV.com and runs VintageRareStuff.com. When she isn’t dealing in antiques and collectibles she’s busy developing applications that help people increase their brand awareness on social networks (marketmetweet.com)

February 26th-28th

Fri. 12-6pm, Sat. 9-5pm, Sun. 9-3pm

Use the “Community Appraisal” to post items that you would like the public at large to value. You can’t use such valuations for insurance purposes but it will give you an idea of what you would receive if you put your items up for sale.

Reyne and Jonathan stop by LR Antiques to talk about furniture. Jonathan makes himself comfortable in a Gothic chair until Reyne rustles him up to take a look at a French Provincial cabinet and a Louis XVI marble table. Coming into more modern times we take a look at some Art Deco and 50’s pieces, which work together nicely.

Includes propertyfrom numerous southern estates and private collections, showcasing 18th and 19th century furniture, silver, jewelry, fine art and decorative objects. featured is the ethnograpic art and jewelry for the estate of Luba Glade of New Orleans, Louisiana. the auction contains over 1,000 lots and begins January 30 at 10:00 am