Fine Art Buyers Hunting for Pop Art

Searching for unique memorabilia and valuable metals since 1996, Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR), one of the premier dealers of gold, silver, militaria, guitars and fine arts in the world, has trekked all across North America and even Europe. Among this crew, however, is a focused team of art specialists who travel alongside their THR counterparts to nearly 100 shows a week in an effort to locate the lost and forgotten works of America’s best artists.

In recent times, the “pop art” culture, guided by trendsetter Roy Lichtenstein, has demonstrated an increase in reputation with collectors although typical landscape pieces by artists such as Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran maintain their high appeal.

At the events the specialists evaluate all types of artwork, and if verified to be authentic and valuable, an offer is made and, if accepted, a check is presented to the seller. With the Treasure Hunters Roadshow Tv show gearing up for yet another season, these artwork enthusiasts are eager to see what other great paintings they will be able to uncover this time around.

A lot of art collectors are inclined to shell out huge amounts of money in order to finish their compilations, and the Treasure Hunters Roadshow specialists have discovered that Roy Lichtenstein’s artwork produced in the 1960s is in high demand and fetching higher selling prices. Lichtenstein became popular for his works that were inspired by graphic novels and ads, revealing a whimsical humor and pop culture satire that seemed to define the pop art movement.

Roy Lichtenstein grew up in New York City in an upper-middle class family but was not a student of the arts. He did, on the other hand, paint and design, but primarily just for fun. As a kid, he would frequent jazz concerts at the Appollo Theatre and sketch portraits of the artists. His higher education at Ohio State University was interrupted by a stint in WWII, but Lichtenstein ultimately returned to complete his Master’s of Fine Arts degree.

It was at this time that he started experimenting with expressionism and cubism and would afterwards be a part of the abstract expressionism school, despite the fact that he did so much later than other artists. Right after a dare from his son, who said, “Hey, dad, bet you can’t paint as good as this,” and displayed a Mickey Mouse comic book, Lichtenstein completed his first work entitled “Look Mickey” in 1961. This first work was so coveted that every piece was purchased by investors before his exhibit opened at the Castelli gallery in 1962.

However, having used subjects from other forms of mass media, many critics began to question Lichtenstein’s originality. He was most identified for his artwork of popular comic book panels, but by 1965 had moved on to other subject matter. Discouraged by his patronizing take on comic book art, noted comic book artist Art Spiegelman commented that “Lichtenstein did no more or less for comics than Andy Warhol did for soup.”

Responding to his critics, in the late 1970s Lichtenstein began to use a much more bizarre style in his art with plastic and metal sculptures and several hundred screen-printed pieces. It is rumored that quite a few of his works are still in the possession of unidentified collectors, even though, in 1996, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. was on file as possessing the most significant assortment of Roy Lichtenstein pieces.

Do you think you may have some contempory art that is worth something? Go to the Treasure Hunters Roadshow events web site to find out when the fine arts professionals will be in your area to evaluate and potentially acquire your collection. A piece of paper that appears like a comic book in your attic just may well be a Roy Lichtenstein original well worth thousands of dollars!

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Treasure Hunters Roadshow Finds Traditional American Art to be Big Hit Among its Network of Collectors

As one of the premier buyers of precious metals, musical instruments, militaria and jewelry in the world, Treasure Hunters Roadshow has become accustomed to unearthing a variety of long-lost treasures and restoring them to their rightful glory within their network of global collectors.

A particular crew of art specialists will be joining the treasure-hunting crew as they hit the road this week and they will be keeping their eyes peeled for the forgotten works of great American painters, photographers, sculptors and comic artists. The THR associates will continue their quest for these fine art collectibles as Treasure Hunters Roadshow TV gears up for yet another season.

American artwork encompasses an assortment of mediums and spans a handful of centuries, but what continues to be a lasting legacy among collectors is the desire for vintage pieces by the masters such as Edward Hopper, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Cole. All of these great artists were involved with landscape painting but found notoriety and fame in their distinctive styles.

Landscape painting as a genre can be traced back to the Dutch Golden Age of the 16th century, when the Protestant Revolution caused religious artwork to give way to a a lot more secular subject matter. Intricate landscapes had long been a background staple of the portraits commissioned by wealthy European businessmen in Europe. Romantic painters of the 18th and 19th centuries sought to depict a mythical side of nature, in immediate contrast to the Scientific Revolution that was lurching ahead.

When news of the vast and unspoiled landscapes found in the American West started to spread, so too did the documentation of it via photographs and paintings. Some industrial tycoons commissioned them to depict the rising presence of modern-day life in the West, while other paintings served as a harsh reminder of the sacrifice of progress.

The works of the Hudson River School artists are of special interest to the Treasure Hunters Roadshow authorities. Thomas Moran’s work was influential in persuading Congress to establish the first nationwide park to protect the natural beauty for future generations, while Thomas Cole painted his pieces on larger-than-life canvasses to capture the epic magnitude of the wilderness and Albert Bierstadt concentrated his work on the humbling powers of nature.

Landscape painting faded away at the beginning of the 19th century, as scenes of gritty city and urban life began to take hold in place of lush natural views. Abstract expressionism and cubism were European influences on the contemporary landscape painters. Edward Hopper, an iconic American painter who captured scenes of mundane life through vivid lighting and soft brushstrokes, is also of interest to the THR artwork specialists.

Paintings of street life in the inner city and other results of the Industrial Revolution would later gain other American artists worldwide recognition. Documenting the struggle of daily Americans for the duration of the Great Depression allowed photographers to establish themselves. A slew of American artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, made a splash on the world stage with their influential styles when the modern art revolution hit.

Anyone looking to sell paintings that may be the works of these or other great American artists are encouraged to check out the Treasure Hunters Roadshow events web page to find an event coming to their region for a free evaluation by one of the company’s fine arts professionals.

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Vintage Barbie Dolls Making a Scene at Treasure Hunters Roadshow Events

Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) has been traveling the nation in search of precious metals, watches, old coins, antiques and classic toys since 1996. The company has lately expanded their search of treasures into Spain and the United Kingdom. Their international hunt for treasures provides THR with an opportunity to buy gold, silver and all varieties of collectibles for their international network of potential buyers and collectors.

Rare and exclusive toys are fun to play with and collect. While mainly a childhood hobby, collecting toys is also common with adults, who get pleasure from reminiscing with toys they used to play with in their early years. As the desire for vintage toys, especially classic Barbie dolls in good condition continues to rise, these traditional toys can deliver a fantastic paycheck at a Treasure Hunters Roadshow function. Their buyers have been instructed to give top-dollar for vintage mint-condition Barbie dolls.

The very first Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. Mattel debuted the doll after co-founder Elliot Handler’s wife, Ruth, came up with a design for a new doll for her daughter, Barbara. Although hesitant to launch the doll at first because Mattel did not feel young girls wanted an grownup-looking toy, Barbie went on to become one of America’s most treasured toys of all time.

Ruth Handler came up with the Barbie doll concept during a family vacation to Europe, where she came across specifically what she envisioned for her daughter – Bild Lilli. Bild Lilli was a doll sold in Germany in the 1950s. She was inspired by a comic strip, in which she was a really self-empowered woman who, at times, was very controversial. Barbie, or Barbra Millicent Roberts as her fictitious biography reads, has also had her share of controversies throughout the decades. Criticized by health specialists and child psychologists for her unrealistic and unachievable body shape, Barbie has undergone quite a few alterations through the years, but remains a toy icon all over the globe.

Classic Barbie dolls can be valued at hundreds to serious collectors. First released as a series, number one coming in 1959, Barbie actually had inserts in her feet to help her stand on her very own. This original Barbie is the only one to contain this copper insert and is extremely valuable if in very good condition. In the Barbie series, dolls one through three, and a few in the fourth, ended up being created with a solid torso and solid legs. Each and every Barbie made after these has a hollow body.

Classic Barbie dolls still in mint condition, which includes ones that have remained in the box for more than 5 decades, are a toy collector’s dream. The buyers at THR are looking to buy these rare, collectible items and all vintage toys on behalf of their network of buyers and collectors. A list of items that the Treasure Hunters Roadshow buyers are seeking can be observed on the company’s web page.

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Bobblehead Prices Turning Heads at Treasure Hunters Roadshow Events

Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) is a vendor of vintage collectibles and precious metals. Teams of treasure hunters have been hosting thousands of exhibits a year all throughout the continent since 1996. A couple of teams have lately expanded across the Atlantic Ocean to the United Kingdom and Spain. THR buys antiques, collectibles, gold, silver, jewelry, classic comic books and sports memorabilia, specifically bobbleheads, at events on behalf of their global network of collectors.

Sports memorabilia is thrilling to the Treasure Hunters Roadshow sports professionals as they see many uncommon and one-of-a-kind products. Baseball items are most common, but the treasure hunters are all set to acquire classic or rare memorabilia from any sport.

One of the popular products in the arena of sports memorabilia is the athlete, coach or mascot bobblehead. The bobblehead entered the sports world nearly 100 years ago in the 1920s. The New York Knicks launched a bobblehead of a player for their enthusiasts to obtain and collect. The sports bobblehead grew to become a fan favorite in the 1960s. To start off the 1960 baseball season, Major League Baseball produced a collection of papier-mâché bobbleheads for every team. These collectibles had every teams’ jersey on them but the numbers and the faces were all the exact same.

Bobbleheads with specific players’ names were introduced for the New York Yankees in the World Series in 1960. The four players, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roger Maris and Roberto Clemente, each had their individual number on the bobblehead, but the heads remained the exact same. Because of the fragility of the product, many of these papier-mâché bobbleheads did not last long.

As bobblehead acceptance continued to grow, companies began to use ceramic instead of papier-mâché so that they would not chip or crack as easily. Baseball teams went on to release bobbleheads of their star players for followers to acquire and several of the other major sports, which include basketball and football, followed. Teams loved the concept of offering more souvenirs and supporters loved to have comical collectible objects from their preferred team that they could display at work or in their car.

Bobbleheads became really popular in late 1990s due to the fact suppliers decided to start creating them out of plastic, which made the bobbleheads more cost-effective. As the decade ended, major league sports teams realized that not as many followers had been buying the bobbleheads, so they made the decision to give them away as a promotional item. The San Francisco Giants were the first team to do this in 1999. They handed out 35,000 Willie Mays bobbleheads to followers at a game. This fad caught on and teams began making bobbleheads for their players, mascots and even coaches.

The sports memorabilia experts at THR stress that condition is very essential when buying and selling any type of collectible item, and this is accurate with bobbleheads as well. The classic ceramic and papier-mâché bobbleheads are going to be a lot more valuable if they are in superior condition. Plastic bobbleheads are more recent and mass produced, so they are not as valuable as the others. However, the uncommon ones can still bring in a good paycheck.

All aged, scarce and abnormal sports memorabilia can be brought to the experts at Treasure Hunters Roadshow for a free evaluation and perhaps even an offer to buy.

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Shedding Light on Three Behind-the-Scenes Precious Metals

The authorities at Treasure Hunters Roadshow see a wide assortment of precious metals during their adventures around the planet. While gold and silver may be worth great money, there are a few other precious metal heavy hitters which the THR experts want the public to know a lot more about: platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Platinum has been called the “choice precious metal of the stars” due to its hefty cost. Its charge is double that of 18kt white gold of the identical weight. It is generally used in men’s and women’s wedding rings as well as women’s engagement rings. The steep price keeps it from being used in a wider array of jewelry, the exception being the bling of the rich and famous. Platinum is a white metal that, not like gold, is used in jewelry in an nearly pure form (close to 95%). Its capacity to retain its luster over time makes it possible for it to forgo the rhodium plating that other metals like white gold should go through. And Treasure Hunters Roadshow professionals really like jewelry with shine.

Palladium is another metal that strays from the spotlight. This precious metal is similar to white gold in pricing but carries the long-lasting elegance of platinum. At one-third the price tag of platinum, palladium is produced with the identical purity level (close to 95%) and keeps its shiny white coloring for a lifetime. Due to the fact it is a naturally white precious metal, there is no need for palladium jewelry to be rhodium-plated.

So what is this rhodium?

Rhodium is not found in its pure form. Rather, it must be derived from platinum or nickel ores. About 20 tons of rhodium are produced a year, 80% of which is sourced from South Africa. The price of rhodium is all around 50% more than gold by weight. Its main use is as a strengthening agent against tarnish, specifically for jewelry manufactured from white gold. When electroplated onto other precious metals, a coat of rhodium produces a reflective white surface known in the business as “rhodium flashing.”

Its high melting point, very poor malleability and substantial price tag make rhodium a weak option from which to produce full pieces of jewelry; it is best utilized as an addition to other metals. The professional medical field is a big purchaser of rhodium-plated devices, such as filters for mammography devices and optical instruments.

The pricey metal is also used in commemorating distinctive honors. In 1979, Paul McCartney was awarded a rhodium-plated disc by the Guinness Book of World Records for becoming the best-selling songwriter and recording artist of all time.

Though platinum, palladium and rhodium may well not be sitting around the home, the THR experts believe that knowledge is power and knowing a lot more about precious metals keeps potential buyers and sellers on an even surface, keeping the world of jewelry purchasing enjoyable and exhilarating. THR is constantly on the hunt for new jewelry of all sorts throughout their weekly trips across the U.S., Canada and Europe and they pay out on the spot for any items they purchase. Check out out the Treasure Hunters Roadshow web site for additional details and a comprehensive listing of forthcoming cities.

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Soccer Jerseys Earn Big Bucks for Sellers at Treasure Hunters Roadshow Events

Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) is one of the top buyers of precious metals, comic books, toys and other antiques. Since 1996, teams of treasure hunters have traveled to over 1,000 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe, seeking some of the most unique and rarest treasures.

Even though THR is a buyer of all antiques, a specific team of treasure hunters is dedicated to finding sports’ best collectibles. While signed autographs, gear and cards are all common items, sellers are encouraged to bring their exceptional or one-of-a-kind game-worn jerseys to the THR events.

If the sports experts at Treasure Hunters Roadshow, quite a few of whom are sports enthusiasts with comprehensive collections themselves, deem that the jerseys are authentic and valuable, and are of interest to their international network of buyers, they will make an offer to buy the item on the spot.

Although football, basketball and baseball jerseys continue to be popular in the United States, there is a significant international market place for soccer jerseys from around the planet. As the popularity of soccer has continued to climb internationally, so has the interest in jerseys worn and signed by its largest stars.

Soccer (or football, as it is known in the vast majority of the world) got its humble beginnings in the English countryside in the mid-19th century. Although the very first recorded soccer match took place in 1860, it was far from the neat and rigid game we know nowadays. Most notably, teams had no regular uniforms. Instead, they generally wore bulky knickerbockers and inconvenient colored sashes to distinguish teams.

To minimize the confusion, teams in the 1870s started to ask their players to wear similar colors. Even so, there were no policies governing that a team had to use the same color for each and every game, nor a way of distinguishing players from one another.

As the game began to develop all through the world at the turn of the 20th century, so did the list of rules governing it. Many teams began to adopt a single color or style, most of them based on the designs of clubs that had taken shape in England.

Following WWII, a lot of teams began using a lot less complicated uniforms due to financial restrictions. These resembled the present day v-neck shirts made of natural fibers. In order to boost income for their club, Real Madrid became the first team to design and market a replica jersey sold to fans beginning in the 1970s.

Seeing the results of these replica jerseys, other teams started to design more complex jerseys for both their players and to sell to followers. Manchester United made international headlines in 1996 when their coach, at halftime of a game, declared that his team was losing because of the gray-colored jerseys they had been wearing (which had been purposely chosen to be worn with jeans) due to the fact the players could not see each other on the field.

Jerseys continued to climb in popularity as fans eagerly scooped them up in order to display their team loyalties. Today, fans continue to shell out big bucks for athletes’ jerseys, specifically those worn in games. Not long ago, a World Cup-worn jersey sold at auction for over $800.

A lot of of these authentic jerseys continue to make their way to THR events, where sellers are eager to cash in on their most precious sports objects. A list of upcoming Treasure Hunters Roadshow events can be found on the company’s web page.

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Celebrities Outshine the Bank with Pricey Bling

The jewelry professionals at Treasure Hunters Roadshow can never get enough of that shiny stuff. When not offering the best purchase prices feasible at their shows, the experts are admiring other collections of precious metals and jewels. And where better to look for the most high-priced and flawless pieces of jewelry than mainstream celebrities?

When it comes to expensive jewelry, R&B singer Beyoncé is at the top of the list. Her wedding ring from hubby Jay-Z is valued at more than $5 million. Produced by the famous celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz, Beyoncé’s ring contains an 18k flawless diamond. Other purchasers of Schwartz include Jennifer Lopez, Barbara Streisand and Heidi Klum. Kim Kardashian is also amongst the list of stars sporting jewelry by Schwartz. Her 20.5-carat ring carries a selling price of $2 million and has attracted considerable attention by celebrity media resources.

Actor Tom Cruise also has a spot near the top of the list for celebrity jewelry. The 5-carat engagement ring he bought for Katie Holmes set him back a cool $1.5 million. Cruise said he purchased it after his first date with Holmes. The Treasure Hunters Roadshow experts ask, “When you have acquired that much cash, why not?”

Although motion picture stars and singers might go big on their jewelry purchases, no other group of celebrities outshines rappers in their public exhibit of bling. With collections of gold and jewels amassed all-around their necks, it’s a wonder some rappers haven’t popularized back braces. Lil John is a good instance of this showmanship by way of hordes of jewelry. Along with his ever-altering collection of necklaces, rings, bracelets and diamond-encrusted chalices, he is also known to sport large pendants. His “Crunk Ain’t Dead” pendant got him in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for possessing the biggest diamond pendant ever manufactured. The $500,000 piece stands seven and a half inches tall and weighs in at a hefty 12 lbs. It contains 3,756 round-cut white diamonds totaling 73 carats, all rooted in 18k yellow and white gold. How’s that for staying shiny?

However the THR professionals enjoy the sight of a multi-million dollar necklace, their real enthusiasm lies in smaller sized items. The company is always treasure hunting for all kinds of precious metals and jewels, big or modest, as well as antiques, fine art and collectibles on behalf of their international network of buyers.

Items are bought on the spot at the THR events, which are held throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe each week. A full listing of events can be found on the Treasure Hunters Roadshow web site.

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The Inspirations in the Genesis of Superman

The comic book authorities at Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) routinely run across a vast selection of superheroes. But none catches their eyes more than Superman. With his signature red cape and “S” logo splayed proudly across his chest, he is one of the most recognizable superheroes ever created, let alone a globally-renowned American pop culture icon. But from where did the Man of Steel’s creators draw their inspiration?

Before Superman was born, his creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were hammering out the mold from which he would ultimately be created. In 1933, they published a short story by the name of “The Reign of the Super -Man,” which featured a telepathic villain determined to dominate the earth. Later that year, Siegel rewrote the character as a hero, stripping away just about all of his earlier characteristics, including a bald head. The hero was given a full head of hair, one of many characteristics Siegel derived from the well known film actor, director, producer and screenwriter, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. Known best for his roles in the silent films “The Mark of Zorro” and “Robin Hood,” Fairbanks had a specific quality of strength and morality Siegel found highly favorable for a superhero. For Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, Siegel looked to the infamous film actor Harold Lloyd. His soft, unsuspecting demeanor was great for the mild-mannered Daily Planet reporter. (Treasure Hunters Roadshow trivia bonus: the Daily Planet newspaper for which Clark worked was originally named Daily Star.) Clark Kent’s name was derived from actors Clark Gable and Kent Taylor.

Throughout the early years, Superman took an aggressive method to fighting scrappy villains. He would throw bad guys around with superhuman strength, exhibiting little worry for the consequences. In late 1940, editor Whitney Ellsworth designed a code of conduct for Superman to follow. One particular aspect of the code stated that Superman was to under no circumstances kill a human being, which had a great impact on the violent, animalistic nature of his original nature. Changes were made, and the new Man of Tomorrow took on a more controlled, Herculean strategy to crime fighting, including his previous destructive style of combat.

Even kryptonite can’t keep the THR specialists away from their beloved vintage Superman comics, which are highly sought after by collectors all around the globe. THR desires to buy old 10- and twelve-cent comic books, precious metals, antiques and collectibles on behalf of their global network of buyers.

Items are bought on the spot at the THR events, which are held all through the U.S., Canada and Europe every single week. A complete listing of events can be found on the Treasure Hunters Roadshow site.

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Baseball Cards Rack Up, Register, Earn, Score Big at Treasure Hunters Roadshow Events

Treasure Hunters Roadshow (THR) is a premier dealer of valuable metals and vintage collectibles based in the United States, with branches in Canada and Europe. Though the treasure hunters are passionate about gold, silver, guitars and rare books, among other things, they have a particular affinity for sports memorabilia. At practically every THR event, which have taken place in almost 1,000 metropolitan areas internationally, fans line up to have a treasure hunter assess their boxes of baseball cards, vintage autographed photographs, game-used equipment and championship trophies and rings. Objects that are old, unusual or strange typically have the best appeal.

When sports enthusiasts have one of a kind sports-related collectibles they want to sell, they are encouraged to bring the items to their nearest Treasure Hunters Roadshow event for a free of charge evaluation by an expert in the industry. Several of the THR staff members are passionate sports junkies who have personal substantial collections. If the THR industry experts deem an item to have worth and be of interest to their worldwide network of consumers, they will make an offer to purchase the item on the spot.

Some of the precious sports memorabilia purchased by THR consists of game-worn jerseys, rare cards, equipment used and signed by athletes, and autographed vintage pictures, such as a signed Babe Ruth photograph that was quite a treasure. Similar Babe Ruth signed photos have sold for as much as $8,000 at auction.

Among sports enthusiasts, baseball cards are one of the most popular items to be collected. Baseball cards became particularly common in the United States throughout the mid-twentieth century, when tobacco businesses began to incorporate, in their products, cards featuring pictures and information about some of baseball’s greatest heroes. This marketing and advertising scheme quickly took hold among American youth, and soon, baseball card collections became a bragging point.

Baseball card collecting enjoyed its prime in the 1930s, soon after chewing gum companies decided to mimic what the tobacco companies had so successfully done. When economic priorities shifted at the beginning of the Second World War, baseball card printing halted until soon after the 1950s. After 1950, as interest in great baseball legends peaked once again, autographed caps and baseballs became an integral aspect of the ballpark experience. In the modern age, sports collectors have shifted their emphasis to things owned and used by athletes in actual competition. Game-worn jerseys have proven to be especially popular things.

When assessing sports memorabilia objects, condition is usually the single-most important factor. To keep the items in mint condition, they ought to be placed out of the reach of dust, sunlight or other harmful factors, such as in an acid-free exhibit case or frame.

Nowadays, quite a few of the very well-preserved vintage cards, jerseys and balls make their way to the roadshow events, where they bring delight to on-lookers, sellers and treasure hunters alike. A listing of upcoming Treasure Hunters Roadshow events can be found on the company internet site.

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