A few weeks ago I was helping someone in their booth during an antiques show. In the course of the afternoon, a young couple came along and expressed interest in an item for sale, and so, ever the dutiful salesman, I helped show the piece and explain its history and nuance. They did not buy it, but I harbored hope that they would return or email later. The item was expensive, but not over-priced, and in superb condition. Later, I realized they had gone to another booth and purchased a related example of this type of antique that was far cheaper in price. Now, the market will dictate what someone will pay, but the difference in this case was that the other item was worn, damaged, and missing elements. It got me to thinking about the old adage about buying the best of something even if it is a stretch. In the fantasy world that my brain lives in sometimes, I would have loved to have gone up to the couple and pointed out the flaws in what they bought compared to the impeccable condition of the item my friend offered. I would not, and did not, but it would have been great to try. Stretching to buy quality is a challenge in our world, especially for new collectors. Going out and beating the bushes for hours to look for something can wear your brain and eye down to the point where you pull the trigger on something that is a wreck. Its the mental grind that can come from having money in your pocket to spend and not the right option. It is also about not knowing what you are buying. I have to be cautious in writing this, as to me there is a differentiation between collecting antiques and buying antiques to decorate with in your home. Both, of course, should exist together, but if you are only shopping for a lamp to fill a space, then perhaps doing your homework is not as critical as it is for the lamp collector. I say that having witnessed many a buyer forking over money for something that they know is not period or complete but it fits into the dcor of their home. In this case, the young couple wanted to start collecting this category of items and saw this as an opportunity to make their first purchase. We all have items in our collections that are the first purchase in that category or maybe of antiques in general. For some, that first purchase turns out to be a masterpiece in hiding and inspires them to keep hunting for the next treasure. More often than not, the first purchase is often an example of something that has damage, repairs or huge amounts of wear. It comes into the collection as the first purchase, but then in a few years is discarded for hopefully better items. I would have loved to have sold this item for my friend and thought for sure it was in the bag. But their fear of the price tag and the lure of cheaper offerings several booths away is ultimately what drove the sale. Maybe they will come back to us someday and purchase the item. It can then be the basis of a new collection. I hope! Born to collect should be the motto of Peter Seiberts family. Raised in Central Pennsylvania, Seibert has been collecting and writing about antiques for more than three decades. By day, he is a museum director and has worked in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Virginia and New Mexico. In addition, he advises and consults with auction houses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly about American furniture and decorative arts. Seiberts writings include books on photography, American fraternal societies and paintings. He and his family are restoring a 1905 arts and crafts house filled with years worth of antique treasures found in shops, co-ops and at auctions.