Dear Lee,

We cleaned our desk and found all sorts of unrelated ideas too good not to pass on:

The New England Antiques Journal writes that a successful antiques show needs 50 to 60 visitors for every dealer.

Don’t rely on Internet prices. Sales are based on descriptions by sellers who may not be experts. Dealers and auction houses weed out most fakes, spot restorations, and set prices that reflect quality.

There is much moaning among collectibles dealers and writers that there are too few young buyers-that large collections are being sold, not formed. We think the moaning is a reflection of the age of the moaners. Young buyers furnishing a house have little extra money to form huge collections. Any big collection is the result of a few purchases made every year for 25 years, with splurges for the best when family demands decrease. Collectors over 50 are the ones who buy high-priced toys, paintings, art glass, and ’50s furniture. Dealers may see fewer buyers because they’re still selling collectibles popular 30 years ago. Times and tastes change. Roseville pottery outsells English 18th-century porcelains in this country.

A recent editorial in House and Garden magazine reminded us about the problem of “name-brand decorating.” Ever visit a home where the family gives you the name of every item? “This is an original Eames,” “Belter made this,” “My lamp is a Tiffany.” Do they like what they have or do they buy for status?

Decorating magazines suggest we limit clutter. Put a few pieces from a collection on view. Store the others to be shown later. Are they kidding???