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From: Ron
Remote Name: 199.174.148.133
Date: 11/16/2003
Time: 02:41:58 PM
Jim,
There are quite a few antique (over 100 years old) steins available in the U.S. Look at the two U.S. auction sites listed in the Links section. Each has 5-6 auctions a year listing around 500 items in each auction. Most qualify as antiques. There are also antique steins sold on eBay. Whether you ship from Europe or the U.S., it is wise to insure your shipment to protect your investment.
My comment did not bash contemporary stein collectors. I have some myself. I said most, not all, persons posting here were more interested in the antique steins rather than the contemporary steins. There have been questions about contemporary steins on this site. Saying they have modest value, when someone asks about their value they are looking for today's value, is not bashing. While tomorrow's antiques may be made today, not everything made today will be considered a collectible. Not many of the contemporay collectibles have risen in price since their issue price (Corona character steins, Schierholz reproductions and Mettlach are good examples). On the other hand, some of the Budweiser membership steins have increased in value. Telling people to hang on to any contemporary stein because it may be worth something in the future is anybody's guess and sometimes subject to a person's bias. A dealer in new steins will obviously have a more optimistic view of their future value.
There are more quality answers on contemporary steins on this site than on the other sites I have visited.
Ron