Cause A Frockus

Vintage Expert | Eric Bradley

Aug 11, 2014 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns

Retro movements have the amazing ability to coexist in the trendy, pop culture world and also in the everyday life of devoted collectors. Vintage can come into your life at different stages and stay there, adjusting to your whim and personal style. As you grow, vintage grows with you. Our latest vintage expert, Eric Bradley, has devoted his life to antiques and empowers collectors everywhere with his books and guides. His latest project, “Mantiques: A Manly Guide to Cool Stuff,” speaks to one of the more under-represented groups in vintage culture: the male collector. We had a chance to talk with him about this work and get his top advice for channeling Indiana Jones in your day to day life.

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Eric Bradley
Dallas, Texas

“My parents were collectors and I’ve been collecting all my life. It started out with wheat pennies, rocks and minerals, and then it grew to comic books and typewriters. I like to say I’m a collector of collections: a collector of information. I love being a student of history.”

Follow the adventures of his Mantiques Guide on Facebook.

As the author of America’s #1 selling fine art and collectibles reference
guide, what are the key things you look for when determining a collectible’s value?

The first thing to do is look at the most reliable source of pricing so you can assess an item with confidence. We look to auction houses that specialize in that particular item/genre and create well-publicized sales to an educated audience. The biggest thing we consider before citing an auction firm in our guide is their track record for bringing quality pieces to the marketplace.

Working with the history of these kinds of sales gives collectors a solid baseline. Reputable auction houses will create strong descriptions of each item in the sale, educating their potential buyers along the way, and setting the stage for the most accurate, fair market prices. Keep in mind that pricing is a snapshot of what two people were willing to pay on that particular day. It’s a guide – not an absolute.

What are some of your top pieces of advice for collectors?

Manage your resources wisely. Set a collection budget that is separate from your household budget. Every collector should be a seller so you can work toward making your compilation more valuable and acquire more unusual/rare pieces.

Research what you’re into so you make better purchases. As you become more experienced, you can sell off early acquisitions and pool cash to buy bigger and better items. Being well informed is the best way to make sure you are protected as you pursue your passions. The time you dedicate to research makes you a better collector and breathes life into the pieces you add.

What are your favorite picks for people starting to collect mantiques?

If you’re buying a gift for a special man in your life, look first to their occupation for inspiration. In America careers are an integral part of our identities, so incorporating that into gift-giving is a great way to personalize your present. A vintage typewriter is a wonderful gift for a writer. If he is into the outdoors or is an engineer, look to antique tools. Other items were often career-focused in decoration. For example, early 20th century shaving mugs are made of fine porcelain and were hand-painted with work themes. You’ll find a great variety of interests represented as they were produced on commission.

Amazing gifts can be found regardless of your collecting background. You can take a cool item (like a hand plane) and display it at the workplace for a conversation starter. Vintage technology is an emerging collecting market. Old video games are a great collectible for today’s 20 somethings. The biggest thing to remember is that any guy can walk into a thrift store or flea market or antique shop and find some sort of collectible that speaks to his interests.

With man-focused antiques being such a growing market, how can shop owners cater to this expanding demographic?

For online shop owners, websites can be curated in a variety of different ways, but it’s great to group inventory together. Be conscious of your search terms and make it easy for shoppers to find male-related items with the click of one button.

Owners with a brick and mortar presence will want to go first for the basics: obscure tools, pin back buttons, fashion/jewelry, and ties. These are the staples that will bring men into the shop. But ties will require some extra attention, as you want to seek out fabrics or patterns that will still complement today’s contemporary clothes. Hermès ties are a great starting point because their designs are truly timeless.

Remember that as a shop owner, you’re a collector too, so invest in great reference guides to get an understanding of what’s unique, valuable, and trending. With this information in hand, you can take advantage of the diamonds in the rough you’ll find on your next buying trips.

When it comes to the mind of a male shopper, the weirder the item – the better. Anything odd, funky, or reminds them of their childhood will always be in demand. As you build your displays, keep diversity in mind.

Let’s talk about vintage barware! What makes a great foundation for a barware collection and how do you take care/store these items?

You can never go wrong with the golden age of “at home drinking.” We’re talking the 1930s-early 1970s, but especially the 50s and 60s. These two decades were known for copious amounts of at home entertaining. Most homes had wet bars built into the living room, establishing a luxurious party vibe. While barware may not be the highest level collectible, it is one of the best types of collectibles to start with. Also, it’s a very fun journey to embark on because you can buy what you like and find a lot of great deals on novelty cocktail shakers, tumblers with detailed graphics, and quirky bar accessories.

Keep in mind that these collectibles were developed before the dishwasher, so hand wash. (It’s even better to wash right after use). By the 1950s aluminum was highly popular and these treasures can still be used today! Once you curate your barware collection, you can expand to vintage movie posters and other conversation starters to create an entirely unique environment that your guests are sure to admire!

When it comes to vintage tools, what should collectors look for?

Mint condition is still the best as a bigger audience will find value in that kind of item. For example, one of the most expensive antiques tools sold at auction was a plane that went for over $100,000. It will always come down to condition and rarity. Everyone uses tools and so finding one in exceptional shape makes it stand out from the rest of the crowd. Handmade Amish tools or tools hand-crafted by East coast craftsmen are two great places to start.

Why do you recommend mid-century modern to the male vintage enthusiast looking to decorate his bachelor pad?

Mid-century modern is appealing to the male collector because of its clean lines and the powerful statement it creates. Eames-designed pieces combine efficiency with masculinity, making them a perfect addition to any home. This was also the era of the celebrity designer: Jacobsen, Eames, Herman Miller, etc. Furniture design generated a lot of excitement during these decades and, combining that with the enhanced power of a consumer culture, made for some innovative work.

Because of the awareness and appreciation for these designers, it’s easy for collectors to learn about the history of their individual pieces – making it all the more special. The key thing to keep in mind: let your eye be your guide. Do your research and determine if you lean more toward a Mediterranean flare or the crisp Scandinavian look – or maybe a combination of the two! Building your home environment with that kind of purpose ensures that nothing will feel out of place…

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Cause A Frockus would like to thank the amazing Eric Bradley for sharing his time and thoughts with us!

For our readers: Have a question about mantiques and want some expert advice? Ask in the comments!

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