Thanksgiving…When Families Reveal the Truth About Their Heirlooms
Thanksgiving does something funny: it exposes which heirlooms people actually care about — and which ones they absolutely don’t.
When the Things We Love Start to Weigh Us Down
I recently had an appointment on the North Shore of Long Island with a gentleman and his wife who owned one of the most beautiful collections I’ve seen in a while — art glass, porcelain, bronzes, jewelry, silver. Walking into their home felt like stepping into a private museum. Every shelf glimmered with pieces that had clearly been chosen with care.
The Strangest Thing We Ever Found — and Why Oddities Can Be Worth a Fortune
Every antique dealer has a story that makes even seasoned collectors stop and stare. For us, it was the day we opened a dusty cabinet and found… a human brain in a jar of formaldehyde.
How Selling at an Auction Really Works
Thinking of selling your fine art, antiques, collectibles, or jewelry at auction? Before you dive in, it’s essential to understand precisely how the process works—the costs, the risks, and the outcomes you might face.
Should You Use AI to Help You Price Your Antiques?
Whether you’re curious about the history of a family heirloom or trying to figure out what that market stall “treasure” might be worth, AI tools can give you fast, detailed answers. But like with any tool, it’s important to understand both the pros and the cons before relying on them.
Are Your Old Coins Silver? Here’s How to Tell (and Why It Matters)
Every week, we meet people who uncover a jar, bag, or box of old coins. Most of the time, the coins aren’t neatly displayed or in pristine condition. And yet, some of them could be worth far more than face value.
Thinking of Selling Art? Here’s What’s Worth Something and What’s Not
You’re on a cruise, you’ve had a few cocktails, the sun is shining. You wander into one of those onboard art auctions and suddenly you’re raising your paddle for a Picasso. It’s got a certificate! It must be worth something, right?
Burden or Blessing? The Truth About Being an Executor
Being named the executor of an estate sounds like an honor — a sign of trust from a loved one. But for many people, especially during emotional times, it becomes a complicated, time-consuming responsibility.
Why Gold Prices Rise When Stocks Fall: A Safe Haven in Uncertain Time
When the stock market takes a hit or inflation eats away at the value of the dollar, gold prices often surge. But why does this happen?
Turn Hidden Treasures into Opportunity by Selling Antiques for Cash and Peace of Mind
Finding creative ways to access additional funds can provide much-needed relief and even open doors to new opportunities.
Beware of “Buyer’s Remorse”
Purchasing something on a whim or with great deliberation can make us feel happy and content, at least for a short time. But that happiness may soon dissipate, and in its place, you may experience “buyer’s remorse.”
Beware of “Seller’s Remorse”
When you've made big or small decisions, remorse can creep in and undermine your satisfaction with your action. For instance, in our business, some sellers will regret that they sold an antique almost immediately after the sale has been completed.
It’s Summer and Time for Your Tag Sale or Yard Sale
Before you fill your leisure time with sun and surf, let’s not forget about yard sales and tag sales.
Finding Valuables in the Most Unusual Places
After more than 40 years in business, we can still be surprised at how and where we find antiques and other items of value.
Real Estate is HOT!
It’s not surprising that the real estate market in New York and Long Island is very hot. Correspondingly, the antiques market is also hot…
What To Do When You Inherit Family Heirlooms
The following steps can help you save time and money if you’ve been left potentially valuable antiques or heirlooms, as well as assist in avoiding disputes that can undermine your family bond forever.
Saying Thank You At This Time Of Year
I know I might be repeating myself, but I practically gasp each time I see that we are on the cusp of 2022, not that it’s a moment too soon, of course. I’m always excited and optimistic about the year ahead and this year, even more so.
Your Item Didn’t Sell at Auction. Now What?
What happens if you’ve put items up for auction and they didn’t sell? There can be several reasons that items you’ve put up for auction didn’t sell. It might be that the item was priced too high, the item was repaired, or in some situations, the item is a copy.
The Real Estate Rush Hasn’t Let Up
Are you planning a move? Here are some of the questions you should be asking yourself.
I Just Know It’s Worth A Lot of Money
What’s important is knowing the “provenance” or the background of an item. Has the item been passed down by a relative? Do you know the “history” of the item and is it verifiable?
Do It Yourself? Maybe, Not So Fast
While perhaps not as physically taxing as building a firepit, I can tell you many stories about the perils and pitfalls of DIY antique sales, because, in all honesty, it’s difficult to assess value by yourself and without training or experience.
Spring Cleaning (and Relocating) Can Reveal a Treasure Trove of Items to be Sold
It’s that time of year again when people’s thoughts turn to Spring cleaning, and while it might not be enjoyable when it is going on, the end results certainly bring pleasure.
Spring Cleaning
At Syl-Lee we also know that at the start of Spring, people begin to think seriously about organizing, donating or selling items they no longer need or want.
Is Moving on Your Mind?
Are you thinking about moving? People start to contemplate the thought of moving when the end of Winter is in their sightlines, and even though the flowers aren’t blooming yet in the Northeast, we hope that Spring will be here soon.
Antique and Collectibles — What’s Happening Now?
A New Year is here and many of us are evaluating the objects in our homes, the things we have collected over the years or were handed down by our parents and grandparents and asking ourselves what do I wish to keep and what do I wish to sell.
If You Don’t Feel Comfortable, Don’t Do It
For many of our customers, connecting with us is the very first time that they find themselves buying or selling an antique or collectible. There’s a bit of intimidation stepping into the unknown and, of course, they are concerned about money, as in spending too much or getting too little.
Things to Do Prior to Your Move
Anticipating a move often prompts stress and anxiety. Did I make the right decision, will I like my new place, or can I get everything organized in time for the big day are just some of the things that can make you feel uneasy.
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
I know, I know, I’m pushing the season way too soon, BUT, I must tell you that it’s time (or maybe “almost” time) to start thinking about holiday shopping. Sure, the holidays are going to be a lot different this year. Families and friends have to figure out how to gather safely and will probably have to curtail the number of people that are invited to any get-togethers.
Timing is Everything, Even in Selling Antiques
We all know the cliché “timing is everything” and it’s true even when you’re thinking about selling your antiques. Just because you’ve cleared out a closet, basement, drawer, or an entire room and have accumulated what you hope is a treasure trove of items to sell, doesn’t mean that you would want to do so all at once.
Help, My Kids Don’t Want My “Stuff”!
It’s a sensitive subject, isn’t it? You have “stuff” that you purchased with love and good intentions, or perhaps your “stuff” was handed down from beloved family members. In either case, there is significant sentimental value.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Antiques Market
Right now, yes, right now, we are starting to see some relief and positive changes as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic that pretty much changed everything in our personal and professional lives.
Thinking About the Valuables You Own?
Life as we formerly knew it just mere weeks ago has radically changed and a timeline for a return to “normal” is pretty much unknown. I’ve been receiving many calls and texts from people that are taking this time at home to take a better look at “what they have” with the thought that some of the items might be of value.
Answers to Questions I Get Asked ALL of the Time
Here are answers to some questions that I get asked quite a lot. Feel free to contact me if you have other questions that I might be able to answer for you!
What Do I Do With Grandma’s Stuff?
Maybe you’ve been collecting watches for years or have one special watch that you no longer want. Or perhaps you have inherited a single watch or a collection from a family member that has passed. In any case, you’ve decided that you are not interested in keeping the watch/es and are seeking to sell them.
Important Questions You Should Ask Your Antiques Dealer
Maybe you’ve been collecting watches for years or have one special watch that you no longer want. Or perhaps you have inherited a single watch or a collection from a family member that has passed. In any case, you’ve decided that you are not interested in keeping the watch/es and are seeking to sell them.
I Want To Sell My Watch Collection
Maybe you’ve been collecting watches for years or have one special watch that you no longer want. Or perhaps you have inherited a single watch or a collection from a family member that has passed. In any case, you’ve decided that you are not interested in keeping the watch(es) and are seeking to sell them.
What’s the Best Way to Find Out If My Antiques Are Valuable?
Does this sound familiar? Some years ago you bought some antiques, perhaps not as an investment but because you liked the idea of collecting and even more importantly, you liked the pieces themselves and enjoyed displaying them in your home. Or perhaps, you didn’t buy the antiques but instead, you inherited them from someone else. Can you relate?