The Key to Collectibles

“You have the most unique things in your car.” My husband said this to me today while unloading groceries. Among other things, today’s lot included an antique bricklayer sled, a vintage suitcase, and a gold paper-mache angel. To sell items for clients, I’ve forged relationships with several local buyers, and sell a good bit locally through online listings. More significant efforts involve experts across the country who help me place collectibles, unique items, and other valuables that have worth; these relationships are the benefit of being a collectibles advisor with The Keys Guild. Through partnerships with the online auction Everything But The House (EBTH), a national refinery, a top coin dealer, a jewelry/gemstone expert, and others, I connect clients to options for selling. (Sometimes, of course, I am the voice of reality — no, those Hummel figurines and Beenie Babies really don’t have much value.)

Earlier this summer a client entrusted me with a tub of silver, mostly sterling. I inspected every piece and sold the sterling to the refinery, which gives Keys top commission rates. I sold some of the silverplate pieces to a local vintage store and delivered an assortment of antique silver pieces to EBTH in Cincinnati to sell at auction (also with top Key commission rates). I was excited the client received over $4,300 for silver items that had been sitting in a box in her home for years. It’s great fun (and good for the brain!) to learn about collectibles and help clients find homes for what they no longer need.