| Antiques, from floor to ceiling
They had nearly 200 chairs and no place to sit. More than 60 platters but rarely hosted guests. Above all, they had an obsession with antique Americana, a passion that defined their lives for more than 50 years. As compulsive collectors, Marie and the late Harold Futch spent a lifetime scouring flea markets and antiques malls, haunting auctions and estate sales. Ultimately, they packed their 2,000-square-foot home in Lancaster with so many collectibles that, according to their daughter, "there was a trail from the bedroom to the kitchen and that was it. You simply couldn't fit in the rest of the rooms." The spoils of a life on the prowl will be unveiled Thursday through Feb. 3 at the East Texas Fairgrounds in Tyler. John Sauls, longtime acquaintance of the couple and proprietor of the antique venue Marburger Farm in Round Top, has spent months cataloging the Futch collection.
American Icons: Harley and Mattel
By focusing on stocks that are buying back their own shares, David Fried has developed a model portfolio that has gained 184% since inception in August 2000, versus a loss of 1.2% in the S&P 500 over the same time period. In his The Buyback Letter, he looks at two of his newest holdings, both of which are American icons – Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) and Mattel (NYSE: MAT). In addition to having one of the most recognizable brand names in the world, he notes Harley-Davidson's less-recognized but equally strong asset is its Harley Owners Group -- or H.O.G. - with over 1 million members around the globe. Further, he notes, even those who can't or don't ride Harley's still own the accessories, collectibles and sport the Harley brand clothing. Fried explains, "With two decades of uninterrupted growth, year 2006 looked breezy.
MEMBER EXCHANGE: License plates drive local collector
THE PLAINS, Ohio — What's worth $10,000 and has more mileage on it than an '87 Honda? The wallpaper in Bill Omen's garage. The walls of Omen's garage in The Plains area are decked out with some 3,000 license plates. All 50 states are represented — some very colorfully, some hardened in rust. One wall of Ohio plates is arranged to replicate the American flag. Some plates date back to the turn of the 20th century. Some are licensed for state vehicles, a rare find, according to Omen. The collector started stockpiling plates in 1980 when his son was born. He found an antique plate at a flea market, and then decided he needed all 50 states. Many flea markets and antique shops later, Omen is now the proud owner of more than 3,000 license plates. He makes money selling the Ohio plates to anyone interested in putting a vintage plate on their car.
San Diego County Estate Hits Auction Block
[ClickPress, Sun Jan 14 2007] Nestled 50 miles northeast of San Diego, a secluded country estate located in Pauma Valley will hit the auction block on January 27, according to Kim Paytas of Surf and Country Real Estate.
The secluded country club estate occupies 3.4 acres in a guarded/gated community, which offers the Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf country club, a private 2,900 foot jet landing strip, equestrian center, along with many other amenities and social activities.
Nearly 8,500 square feet of improvements on the property include: a 3,897 square foot Weir Brothers Adobe main house with an attached 2 car garage, detached 1,260 square foot, two bedroom guesthouse/studio, helps quarters, greenhouse, pool house with kitchenette, inviting pool and spa, separate three-car garage suitable for RVs or boats, fountain, two hand-made gazebos, atrium, koi pond and a babbling brook running through the property.
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