The best way is to take out a one month subscription to various search services which have the widest coverage of forthcoming auction lots anywhere on the web. However, if you want to take a short cut, stay tuned to this blog for a few tips! We will be pointing you in the right direction twice a week over the next six weeks with some terrific ideas, thus enhancing your reputation as a savvy and imaginative gift buyer!



In an online world, people often forget the simple pleasure of writing in longhand! It is even more pleasurable to respond to the numerous gifts and invitations received over the Christmas period with an antique pen. There are some wonderful old pens available at auction, frequently modestly priced, and they combine the fact that they look good, feel good and write good!

Some are truly collectors items and their distinctiveness or rarity may be reflected in their prices. Their desirability may, however, be determined by either your budget or the degree to which you care for the recipient! The broadest coverage of all comes from QxBid though there is an array of other options as this glimpse into an online 'auction search' database indicates.