Harry Rinker celebrates 25 years as collectibles expert. Credit: harryrinker.com
Harry Rinker's 25th Anniversary
The January 6, 2012 issue of WorthPoint, an online newsletter and website for collectors and antiques enthusiasts, announced in its lead article that this week marked Harry Rinker’s 25th anniversary as a columnist on collecting. Harry Rinker has built his reputation as an iconoclast in the industry by being honest and blunt about his opinions. His mission over the course of his career has been to educate the non-experts so that they will avoid being cheated or misled by other so-called “experts” or will be intrigued enough by the information he gives to go even more deeply into the joy of collecting.
Several years ago when I was writing a weekly column for another website, I had the opportunity to interview Harry Rinker by telephone. Most of the questions I asked him were about his background, his life story and the television program he was doing for HGTV, “Collector Inspector”. Although much of that information can be found on his website or is no longer relevant, I did want to reprint here a couple of the questions and answers from the interview as a tribute to Harry’s 25 years as educator and myth-buster extraordinaire.
“Talking with Harry Rinker is like talking to an old friend, rather curmudgeonly in his opinions but honest and straightforward in his values. Harry does not suffer fools gladly, either. I found it difficult to stick to my pre-scripted questions because each of Harry's answers led to several other lines of thought.
There is a huge business in reproductions, both legal and illegal. Martha Stewart's productions of such things as Jadeite, stoneware, and Victoria Magazine's repros of chintz china come to mind. How do you feel these affect the antiques business?
Harry's not particularly concerned about such reproductions, because so many people buy them for "the look" in decorating their homes. The problems arise when dealers and others try to pass reproductions as genuine originals. It's too easy to remove labels to deceive the buyer. (Even Nippon went through this in the early 20th century.) Dealers have to know their business: "ignorance is no excuse". He doesn't agree with the dictum "Caveat Emptor" (buyer beware) because it is the dealer's job to know what he is selling and to convey it truthfully to the buyer.
You have written that the antiques industry does not have a cohesive lobby to fight for fair legislation or to combat the poor image of itself in the media. Why do you think antiques dealers associations and collectors' clubs don't organize to present a united front? How would you advise these groups to improve their political clout?
According to Harry, if you put 5 dealers in a room together they won't be able to agree on anything. Part of the problem is that most dealers are part-timers who don't consider antiques dealing a "profession". The typical antiques dealer came into the business from other careers (often after retiring) because he collected something passionately and believes he is now an expert. He did not come from a retail background and has little business experience as a retailer. Because each is a rugged individualist they are jealous of their "territory", but they have much more in common than they think! If they organized as professional associations as in other industries, it would raise the respectability of the business, and provide more influence over legislation and business ethics and standards.
He has great respect for Jim Tucker of the Antiques & Collectibles National Association, who tries to encourage that "professional" designation for its members. However, most organizations, clubs, associations are dedicated to the collecting of one type of object, not in providing political support for the industry. (Unlike, for example, AARP or airline pilots or teachers.)”
Please note that the answers given in 2003 may not reflect current issues or Harry Rinker’s opinions today, but were relevant at the time. I reprint them here because they illustrate both Harry’s no-nonsense approach to the antiques business and his concern for the consumer which continues unabated today.
I wish Harry Rinker great joy in his future years as he continues to write his columns on antiques and collectibles. He plans to retire in 15 years – when he is 85 – so there is much for us to anticipate!