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If a beautiful home is like a work of art, then Bob Curbelo has completed a masterpiece. He's on a mission to decorate his recently renovated house with bargain buys from estate sales and antique shops. Collector Inspector Harry Rinker pays Curbelo a visit to determine if he's been getting good deals.

This wooden stereopticon is the predecessor of the View-Master. The idea was to look through the lens at a card, which displayed 3-D images. Viewers like this one are fairly common. In good condition, Rinker values it at $65 to $85. Card value depends mostly on subject matter, but a general rule of thumb is about 50 cents per card. Some subjects, however, can go as high as $8 to $12. Altogether, Curbelo's collection is worth $125 to $150.

Curbelo got a real deal on this little statue from an antique store when he bought it for less than $50. Stamped "Hutschenreutre" on the bottom, the maker's name is very telling. Rinker recognizes the maker as a high-end German porcelain company. The statue probably cost $200 to $300 when new.

Curbelo purchased an art portfolio from an estate sale for a bargain price of $25. It contained religious prints, some of which Curbelo had framed at a cost of $75 to $95 each. According to Rinker, the value of each framed print would be much higher if purchased from a frame shop. This purchase was a real bargain, too, since Curbelo purchased the prints as a unit and split them apart.

This unsigned piece is largely decorative. The wood of the Renaissance-style decoration has a natural patina, and Rinker figures it to belong to the late 19th or early 20th century. The value is $300 to $400.

Also in this Episode

Collector Inspector : Episode CTI-112
•	Basement Treasures
•	Decorative Collectibles
•	Family Heirlooms
•	Seasonal Collectibles

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