2008 Seminars
American Flint Glass
Ancient Coins and Early Crusader Artifacts
Antique and Vintage Tools
Appraising Automobiles 101
The Art and Charm of Needlework Samplers
Authenticating Betty Boop from 30s and 40s
Autographs and Hollywood Memorabilia
Bakelite Baubles
Czechoslovakian Jewelry
Collecting Sascha Brastoff
Collecting the Old West
eBay Snares and Frauds: A Roundtable Forum
Hard Boiled Detective Fiction - LA Style
Indian and Western Book-Ends
Issues for Appraisers, Sellers and Collectors: Ethics and Legal Issues
Let's Talk about Auctions
LusterWare
Mexican and Spanish Silver
Mexican Festival Costumes
Mining Collectibles
The Mysteries of Clocks and Time Pieces
Negro League Memorabilia
Old Books, Old Paper
Print ID 103: Identifying Icart Prints
Restore or Not?
Vintage Phonographs and Early Recordings
Western Clothing
The Wonderful Wizard of Baum
American Flint Glass
Presented by Tom Ahern
Ancient Coins and Early Crusader Artifacts
Presented by David Brownlee
David Brownlee has a lifelong interest in antiquities and specializes in old coins. This seminar features excellent examples of historic coins and artifacts dating back to Rome and Medieval Europe.
Antique and Vintage Tools
Presented by Mischa Dobrotin
This is a fascinating presentation that provides a fascinating look at the history of American tools and the people who used them. Audience participation is invited and seminar attendees are invited to bring items to discuss.
Appraising Automobiles 101
Presented by Roger Cook
Roger Cook presents a seminar on Auto Appraisal and Restoration. Roger has been fascinated by cars for over 55 years and an appraiser for over 35. He has made award winning documentary films on automobiles and training videos on all aspects of classic cars.
The Art and Charm of Needlework Samplers
Presented by Belinda Belisle
Belinda Belisle brings her love of collecting textiles to Collectors Conference XV with an informative and eye opening presentation on “The Art & Charm Of Needlework Samplers: Determining Their History, Technique, Age and Value.” At a time when reproductions are flooding the market and making it hard to tell what is new and what is old, Belinda’s presentation is a must see for collectors and appraisers. Belinda’s hands on style uses her collection as a backdrop. This seminar will be a treat
Autographs and Hollywood Memorabilia
Presented by Myron Ross
Authentication Betty Boop from 30s ad 40s
Presented by Denise Hagopian
History of Fleischer Family and how Betty changed America. How to tell the difference between Betty & kewpies. Betty's Face, Eyes & Figure. Explain markings over the years and lack of markings. What is rare and how not to be fooled. Vintage items to look for.
Bakelite Baubles
Presented by Sally Shishmanian
Talk will focus on the three plastic materials most used in jewelry in the first half of the 20th
century, namely celluloid, casein, and Bakelite. Will demonstrate the differences in these plastics,
and why their different properties are important in pricing, care and testing. Will perform simple
tests and show how style, manufacture date, and inclusion of other materials can determine which
plastic a piece is made of.
Sally will bring part of her over 1,000 piece collection of early plastic jewelry to share, including European "Machine Age" casein, teens celluloid, deep carved Bakelite, various accessories, and magazine advertisements and articles featuring early plastics. She will also bring new pieces on the market that could fool a novice or even a seasoned collector.
Czechoslovakian Jewelry
Presented by Leigh Leshner
Leigh Leshner has been collecting jewelry since she was 11, and has a special love for Czech jewelry. This presentation is richly supported with wonderful examples – special emphasis on history and spotting “marriages” and reproductions. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and informative seminar.
Collecting of Sascha Brastoff
Presented by Steve Conti
Steve Conti has literally written the book on Brastoff. He brings his expertise and personal knowledge of this unique and very collectible eclectic California Artist. In this thoroughly informative seminar you will learn what is the most desirable and collectible.. See rare pieces and personal anecdotes from the great Brastoff.
Collecting the Old West
Presented by Dr. David Goff
eBay Snares and Frauds: A Roundtable Forum
Presented by Denise Hagoian
This session will be great to protect yourself from the common snares and pitfalls. Denise Hagopian and others lead an open discussion on the latest frauds to be showing up on eBay –from the untold numbers of newly found “hidden warehouses” from everywhere around the world-- to knock-offs to worse.
Hard Boiled Detective Fiction - LA Style
Presented by Charles Kelly
Charles has a special love of detective fiction – and of LA’s own detectivesand authors. From The Big Sleep to Devil in a Blue Dress, he shares important “how to” information-including how to recognize real first editions and their values.
Indian and Western Book-Ends
Presented by Donna Seecof and Dr. Robert Seecof
This year Donna and Dr. Robbert Seecof are presenting Indian and Western book-ends including animals and subjects associated with the Old West and Mexico and California Missions.
Issues for Appraisers, Sellers and Collectors: Ethics & New Legal Issues
Presented by William Novotny
William Novotny will be presenting “Ethics & New Legal Issues”. Bill makes this topic easy to understand and interesting. A must for any Appraiser, Estate Seller or Collector. A wide-ranging session covering issues from dealing with clients, expert witnessing, and the new tax regulations.
Let's Talk about Auctions
Presented by Little John Gangle
Lusterware
Presented by Tom Ahern
Mexican and Spanish Silver
Presented by Dr. David Goff
Mexican Festival Costumes
Presented by Theodore Thedosus Gonsales
Charles has a special love of detective fiction – and of LA’s own detectives and authors. From The Big Sleep to Devil in a Blue Dress, he shares important “how to” information-including how to recognize real first editions and their values.
Mining Collectables
Presented by Richard Lightfoot
Richard Lightfoot will be presenting the delightful artifact filled hour. Here is information to help you strike gold when purchasing or appraising these highly sought after peices of history
The Mysteries of Clocks and Time Pieces
Presented by "Tick Tock" Tony Baker
Tick Tock Tony Baker unravels the mysteries of long case clocks and time pieces of all sorts. Whether you are an appreciator of these great works of art and engineering or want to find out how to recognize and value these very collectible items, Tony will make the process clear and enjoyable. Many beautiful samples.
Negro League Memorabilia
Presented by Oran Z
Oran will also give valuable tips on recognizing reproductions and frauds. He is awonderful presenter with passion and humor.
Old Books, Old Paper
Presented by Suki Hilger
Suki Hilger is remarkable willing to share the wisdom of her years of collecting and selling experience have developed, and offers a concise and up to date seminar on how to recognize and value. If you want to learn to purchase without fear her program is for you.
Print ID 103: Identifying Icart Prints
Presented by Bill Belisle
Bill Belisle brings his enthusiasm and expertise to the Collectors Conference with a brand new seminar, Print ID 103: Identifying Icart Prints. Bill points out what you need to know to identify the real from the mechanically reproduced prints of this very collected artist —you’ll learn a lot about prints in general along the way.
Restore or Not?
Presented by Eric Finzi
Eric Finzi returns this year with his ever timely “Restore or Not?”. This fascinating presentation gives tips on deciding to restore or not and assess repairs.
Bring any item you want to discuss repairing or restoring –or a photo will do – Eric will give expert “how to” advice for repair or restoration!
Vintage Phonographs and Early Recordings
Presented by James Constantian
James will start about 1900 and end in the 1920's. He will explain about each of the phonographs and the cost when new. He will also play records as samples and talk about what to look out for when buying or selling.
Western Clothing
Presented by Elizabeth Wallenius
Elizabeth Wallenius will take you back in time to when cowboys were the kins of the silverscreen and everybody wanted to dress western. Using garments from her collection, you’ll learn what’s old and what’s new, how to tell modern machine embroidery from the genuine classic bonaz. Even if you’re not interested in cowboys, come by to see some wonderful examples of clothing that they just don’t make like that anymore.
The Wonderful Wizard of Baum
Presented by Mark Shapiro
L. Frank Baum is without question one of the greatest children's book writers of all time. And here are his books to prove it, still alive and well after all these years. For those who wish to have a fantasy come true, with a pinch of history thrown in for good measure, this is the place. All of Mark's books are in very good or better condition and complete. He has over 300 first edition-first state Baum books, and invites you to come and enjoy. "Follow the yellow brick road" to this fun and highly informative lecture-discussion.