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Series 1; EP2 - From our Intelligent Collector Video Library - Experts from Heritage Auctions discuss how condition affects value in areas ranging from comic books, manuscripts, jewelry, collectibles, sports memorabilia, to coins and more. Find out how to preserve condition and properly store cherished belongings.

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Series 1: EP 1: Wine 101

Wine 101 is the first podcast/video in our new blog series, "The Intelligent Collector" that will give practical advice from top-level experts sharing their advice, lessons, and collecting strategies on the hottest collecting categories. 

Wine 101 - Is Investing in Wine a Good Idea?

In truth, most wine collectors become investors by pure accident. When their cellars become too crowded, they sell a few bottles and, in the process, often reap surprising gains.

One reason is that perhaps more than any other asset, the supply of fine wine is finite – when each bottle of any particular fine wine is consumed, its supply goes down. A perfect example of this is what is known as the “Lafite Phenomenon.” Because of its association with success, Chateau Lafite has recently become the number one status symbol in China, causing some vintages to go up nearly tenfold in value over the last decade. In China, the demand for blue chip investment grade wines has soared to the point where Unites States based auction houses achieve most of their turn over in Hong Kong.

If you are a collector of fine wine, perhaps you've spent years, even decades, putting your fine wine collection together, and maybe the time has come to have it appraised or sold. Or perhaps you've inherited some rare wines as part of an estate.

Whatever your situation, whatever your reason, www.auctionyourwine.com  provides a broad range of fine wine appraisal, advisory and auction services, that helps clients manage their wine cellars and portfolios.

If you want to know more about fine wine, pour yourself a glass, relax and listen to Caroline Ashleigh's podcast interview with Martin Willis of Antique Auction Forum for an in depth look at appraising, evaluating and auctioning fine wines. Bring cheese and crackers!

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Find Art Experts Editorial

Art forgery has a long and fascinating history from the Renaissance to today, and many novels have been written about the exploits of some of the most prolific forgers of all time - at least, those that we know of. 

One of the the most celebrated artists of all time, Michelangelo, had a proclivity for faking sculptures by artificially aging them to make them appear older, and copied other artist’s drawings, keeping the originals and returning copies in their place. Michelangelo even deceived a cardinal to whom he sold a faked work of art.

The beat still goes on in the 21st century. The posh Knoedler Gallery in New York sold forged paintings by a struggling Chinese immigrant, until the gallery was shuttered in 2011, stunning the art world.

Without question, the stories of art forgeries are fascinating, but art forgers defraud their clients and damage our culture's knowledge of art history.

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Is there a difference between "looking at" and "seeing" art? Is there a correct way to look at art? Working on the Docent Board of Education at one of our country's major museums, I was often asked these questions by visitors, students, friends and family members alike. 

I have observed people in museums approach art in many different ways. My own approach, or style, is to scan a gallery, and then to engage with particular works of art that speak to me. I allow the art to choose me, rather than the other way around. I walk up to them and just visually soak them in before moving on.  If I read the label on the wall next to the art, I only do so after I have spent time with the piece. 

Some museum visitors prefer to join a docent tour, rent an audio guide, and absorb the artist's whole bio. Perhaps due to the pitfalls of technology, however, many people seem to have decreased attention spans and/or time being present and undistracted in a museum setting.

Truthfully speaking, many visitors can be simply intimidated by art because they feel they don't understand it. Michael Findlay, in his new book entitled, Seeing Slowly - Looking at Modern Art,  the author makes the case that if they would just look at it for what it is, they would appreciate more than if they had known the whole artist's life story. The author argues that background knowledge is not only unnecessary but even hurtful, to truly appreciating works of art.

I don't think there is one right or wrong way to look at art and appreciate it, so long as we engage with what catches our eye and fascinates our imagination, aside from simply snapping a selfie with a masterpiece and moving on.

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We live in a time of great fascination and appreciation with mementos of the past.

Our new blog series, Ask An Expert, will address how to care for objects of value, whether sentimental or monetary, from a grandparent’s folk art painting, to your mother’s vintage wedding gown.

The Find Art Experts, Ask An Expert,  blog series will give you practical advice and provide guidelines on polishing silver and furniture, from preserving a wedding dress for future generations, to properly hanging and lighting works of art.

Ask An Expert  blogs are an invaluable guide chock full of down-to-earth tips on caring for and storing beloved family treasures. Enjoy the blog series!

How to Care for Your Paintings - Dos and Don'ts

• Store and display paintings in temperate settings, away from light sources, sun exposure, and heat sources
• Do not hang your art above a fireplace mantle, or other area of extreme heat, soot, or moisture
• Do not use picture lights directly over paintings as they cause hot spots on the painting surface
• Carry a framed painting with the art facing you, support the bottom with one hand, the side with the other
• Do not carry the painting by the top of the frame or stretcher
• Periodically check the surface for missing or loose paint, tears in the canvas, or discoloration and dirt
• Do not use a feather duster or cloth for dusting a painting

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The word itself, "re-solution," suggests we return to our shortcomings, chronically trying to solve ourselves again and again. But we'll never be perfect, so perhaps our re-solutions can involve being humble enough to shed light on our cracks -- and brave enough to repair them visibly. Here is how art can help shape our New Year's resolutions...

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The Christmas Eve That Changed Modern Art

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Naked and Afraid: Museum educators are grappling with the subject matter of art history's most iconic artworks

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