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How to Collect Tramp Art

Many people that enjoy folk art also find that they like to collect tramp art. This style of woodworking was popular from the 1870s to the 1930s. The wood from cigar boxes and packing crates were the most common materials used in the creation of beautiful furniture, boxes, frames and other pieces of tramp art.

Instructions

- 1
  Become familiar with tramp art by reading articles or books on the subject. Folk Artisans website has detailed information and photographs of various tramp art styles. (See link in Resources.)
- 2
  Decide if there is a specific type of tramp art that you'd like to collect. Some collectors specialize in only boxes or frames, while others collect a variety of tramp art pieces.
- 3
  Browse online auction websites and antique stores searching for tramp art pieces.
- 4
  Scour garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets with hopes of finding a piece of tramp art that has been stored away.
- 5
  Visit local antique stores looking for a piece of tramp art. Make sure to let the owners of the antique stores know that you collect tramp art so they will look for items for your collection when they are on buying trips or visiting other antique dealers.
- 6
  Attend local auctions hoping to find a piece to add to your collection.
- 7
  Join an antique collectors group to share your interests and collecting stories with others.

Antiques