The Next Generation of Antique Dealer

PHILADELPHIA - May 28, 2013 - PRLog -- By HubuMedia Staff Writer

May 27, 2013 Philadelphia, PA – Kurt Costello has been a collector since stamps and coins at the age of 12. At the age of 33, Kurt may be the next generation of antique dealer. Some speculate that there are no antiques left, however Kurt thinks there is another way to look at it. Seeing value even when an item may not be worth anything substantial in the marketplace is important. Kurt is most interested in educating others about their valuables. The internet allows for a new and interesting market, not only a virtual interface but also affiliate vendor sales allow for Kurt to engage in multiple market opportunities. Experience and reliability are an important part of any endeavor, however gaining experience to become an antique dealer isn’t easy. Kurt’s grandfather passed down some antiques and he can only remember how interesting it was to find out where they came from, read about the maker and the history. Kurt returned to school to enhance his knowledge of antiques and to improve his skills even more, he began to evaluate a family collection.  The Talley’s of the Brandywine Valley have in most things been considered modest, but they have been accredited with knowing a good thing at sight. Antiques is certainly one of them. The Talley Family Collection has pieces that date back to the late 1700’s. Kurt noted that he was more than thankful for the opportunity to gain experience while researching a rare family collection.  He said “there were many occasions that we would sit and read the Talley History Book’s kept on file in the family library and conversation would somehow wonder back to the original antiques and what they might be worth”.  No sale of any family heirlooms would ever take place, but again Kurt re-discovered an old interest. The primary purpose of tracing the provenance of an object or entity is to provide contextual and circumstantial evidence for its original production or discovery.This practice has particular value in helping authenticate antique objects. The Philadelphia man has also restored a few pieces of furniture from the Talley Family Collection as part of their effort to bring some of the antiques from the old farm house back to historically accurate life. All the pieces were between 50 and 100 years old, and the family wanted each restored for preservation purposes. When he’s eating and breathing antiques, though, Kurt loves the job. “There really isn’t any formal education, so I went back to school and have a lot to learn on my own so there can be some frustrating days,” he said. “Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, Kurt’s philosophy is to be patient. Kurt has been excited to see some of the public begin to shift away from buying manufactured/ new furniture and toward the antiques they may have inherited or are now viewing as investment pieces.“People are becoming very value-conscious today,” he said. “A chair that is all broken apart and sitting in a corner somewhere is worth nothing, but if it’s restored correctly, it can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.” Not every piece is intrinsically worth restoring, but there can also be sentimental value that would make the process worthwhile for its owner. Whether furniture is valuable or not, restoration will lengthen its life, Kurt said, and bring it back to its original — or near-original — glory. Whether a piece is new or antique, proper care can also keep it looking good and functioning well for years. Seeing the glow of the wood grain emerge through hand-polished layers of finish is satisfying, but it’s also the glow in his clients’ eyes that he said will keep him searching for art and antiques well into what should be his retirement. Visit the website: breadnbutterantiques.com

About
Bread n Butter Antiques, LLC.
BnB Antiques opened in Philadelphia in 2013 and is owned by Kurt R. Costello.