Judith Miller Quotes

The 19th-century Continental porcelain plaques that are worth the most money are the pretty ones.

I think there’s a bargain in every garage sale – not as much as there used to be, but they’re still there.

You become an expert by working hard. We’ve got fantastic museums, collections and antique shows. You can go and just start looking. That’s the great thing about knowledge. If you collect Doulton figures, you know about the rare ones.

Perfume has a long and fascinating history and the beautifully crafted bottles used to store it over the centuries demonstrate its importance. Each has mirrored the latest tastes in fashion technology, design and art.

Dealers always like to sell chairs in sets of four, six, or eight. And they charge a premium for supplying the whole set. Individual chairs, though, go for much lower prices, and if you carry around a reference photo of the chairs you want, you may be able to build up a cut-price collection, chair by chair.

Reporters, even flawed reporters, should not be jailed for protecting even flawed sources.

I started buying bits of broken porcelain. I furnished our first flat with pieces of ‘junk.’ Some of that ‘junk’ is now worth an awful lot of money. What I was calling ‘junk’ in the ’60s people wouldn’t call ‘junk’ now.

When I did my first price guide in 1979, publications weren’t interested in mentioning it. Now I get phone calls weekly if not daily from publications and television shows who want to know what’s hot, how to get started in antiques, and the best way to buy antiques.

When you’re visiting an antiques fair, turn left once you’ve passed through the entrance. Everyone else will turn right, which means you can get to the bargains before them.

The first sign of a ‘smoking gun,’ they argue, may be a mushroom cloud.

The great thing about costume jewelry is that there’s something for everyone – there are very humorous pieces and very extravagant and outrageous pieces.

The modern designers are quite showy, and a lot of the young people really like it. Costume jewelry has always been about being noticed and not discreet.

I used to say, ‘Are you kidding?’ about some prices for collectibles. I don’t anymore because anything that screams its era is collectible.

If you’re at an antiques fair, and have been unable to beat the dealer down earlier in the day, pay a return visit at the end. They may be more inclined to accept your offer, rather than having to pack the piece up and take it home.

Although eBay is a fantastic tool for collectors who want to buy or sell, you really have to have knowledge of items before you embark.