Dear Lee,

Is the antiques and collectibles business changing? Of course. Experts in tracking trends and dealers with open minds have found that “language counts.” The 2003 shop must have the antiques wanted today. Oops! The word “antiques” conjures up images of Grandma’s castoffs. Better to be cool and describe something as “vintage” or “retro”-the popular words used by the under-50 set. And, sure, the Internet is a good place to sell some things, but most buyers want to shop where they can have some fun. “Do not touch” signs or a lack of price tags keep buyers, including us, away. “New” collectibles seem to appear each month. The newest is “pumpkin” or “green” yellowware. The colored glazes were used on molded mixing bowls, pitchers, and pie plates made by Nelson McCoy Pottery and other Ohio yellowware potteries from the 1920s into the 1940s. During the past few weeks, we read two national magazine articles about the wares, got a letter asking about them, and noticed a new set of the bowls in a mail-order catalog.

We mentioned last month that we are constantly hearing complaints that there are no new young collectors buying at the shows. The National Red Wing Collectors Society is doing something about it. At their national convention, they held special events for young members. For example, kids attended meetings where, with help, they researched and wrote about a piece of Red Wing stoneware. Eventually, the research will be compiled into a published book. Kids could also take a class on auction etiquette and then bid and buy at a special kids’ auction. We have been at a bottle show where bottles with the price tag “free” on the bottom are “sold” to new, young collectors. And many dealers give very special attention to young children who are looking and trying to buy. So don’t worry. Collecting is in good hands.