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A FEW PERSONAL THOUGHTS FROM THE DIRECTOR, Charles Green.
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Charles Green Director of the A.I.A. |
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Thank you for taking the time to visit us. By viewing our online course prospectus, you are taking that first step towards a whole new world of interesting and profitable experiences.
Today’s business world actually offers many opportunities undreamed of a generation ago. Not only well-paid jobs with long-established firms, but also interesting professions away from the normal routine.
That is why I am so certain that antiques can open the doors of opportunity to you whatever your age and background-simply put you can prepare yourself for this wonderful and profitable profession without even leaving your own home.
Everyone knows that a home furnished in authentic antiques is an investment that will grow in value over the years. Therefore you are not only offering something of true value to yourself, but to others as well.
In today’s world of specialization, educational programs are becoming more and more specific, requiring individual expertise in almost every field of endeavor. At the A.I.A. we believe everyone should be given the opportunity to specialize and excel in today’s business community, regardless of age or previous academic accomplishments.
With these ideals in mind, the A.I.A. was created in 1966, offering a complete and comprehensive home study program to individuals interested in antiques. Today, the A.I.A. is the largest institution of its kind with students and graduates throughout the world.
Let me invite you to read through this online brochure carefully, and see what a few weeks of training can do for you. Many others have found this an incredibly profitable and interesting career, and one that you may have dreamed of doing. If you would like the hardcover version of this prospectus, contact us at the information at the bottom on the page, or e-mail us, and we would be more than happy to send you our FREE color prospectus booklet.
LEARNING ABOUT ANTIQUES:
HOW CAN I SECURE A THOROUGH AND COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING IN ANTIQUES DURING MY LEISURE HOURS?
Those in the profession are usually too busy to teach beginners who know nothing about it. They prefer men and women with some training or experience. Antiques is scarcely a business which takes in apprentices. Today it is a highly regarded profession and is developing into a business that requires thorough theoretical training if you are to be successful.
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English Regency Center Table (Rosewood). Circa,1830 |
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The authors of the A.I.A. plans are outstanding in their field and are highly respected within the antique community. The members of our teaching staff, too, are well qualified for their work, and the officers and executives of the school have had many years of experience in antiques.
You may feel free to write your instructor about any problem which you might have. We want each student to keep in close touch with his teacher and to consider him a friend and guide, one who is always eager to go that extra distance to make sure the student succeeds.
Your enrollment as a student in the Asheford Institute of Antiques entitles you to every consideration that it is possible for us to give you. Don’t waste it.
Return To The Top of the Page| THIS PLEDGE IS OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU | |
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1.Special assistance, criticism, and instruction, aimed to fit your specific requirements, are gladly given as your Examination Papers are graded and corrected. 2.The Education of every student is under the guidance and supervision of a qualified instructor. 3.Your training should give you a comprehensive as well as fundamental knowledge of antiques. 4.You may take as much time fore each assignment as needed. You are not rushed, nor held back, by other students. 5.The Study Plans are illustrated with hundreds of pictures, diagrams, and sketches, which make the instruction simple and clear. 6.While you might acquire a sound knowledge of antiques through years of research and study and perhaps by going from job to job, all this would take time. Our Plan should give you, within a comparatively short while, a comprehensive and thorough knowledge of this fascinating and profitable field that you might not otherwise secure during many years of undirected study. 7.If you are employed, you may study our lessons in your spare time, without giving up your present job. When you need special assistance or advice, help is no further away from you than your nearest telephone, mailbox, email or fax. 8.The AlA. puts before you the entire Plans in permanent form (hard copy) for future reference. You lose nothing. What cannot be studied and learned today, can be studied and learned tomorrow. When you have completed your course, you can review your Study Plans as often as you desire. Also, you will always have on hand a veritable reference library, one which should be very valuable to you in years to come. |
Certainly you will refer to it frequently whether you make a career of antiques or simply employ the knowledge you have gained for your own personal pleasure. 9.Our profit and pleasure plans give you sound training, based upon recognized sources and using the most modern day teaching methods and practices available today – including the Internet. 10.Asheford Institute of Antiques’ teaching is systematic. If you study without proper guidance even if you are working with antiques, your study is likely to be haphazard. Our Profit and Pleasure Plans have been carefully created to provide the student with a logical pace-by-pace training program, beginning with fundamentals of the profession and gradually and systematically working up to its more advanced branches and phases. When you have graduated and have received your Diploma, you will possess a deep and fundamental knowledge of antiques of which you can be justly proud. 11.Through the Research Service, both as a student and a graduate you will have the privilege of consulting the Institute at any time. 12.Our Study Plans are so arranged that even before you finish the course you should be able to buy and sell antiques successfully. In this way you will gain experience and self confidence, not to mention, seeing some great first profits . 13.The tuition fee for our home study teaching is very modest, especially in view of the excellent quality of instruction each student receives. Combine this with the fact that the course materials are freshly updated every six months, and you’ll see why the A.I.A. is constantly striving to give you the best product and service possible, with no additional cost to you. 14. Our commitment is one of excellence – to you and the services you’ll receive. |
6 REASONS WHY A.I.A. STANDS OUT IN A CROWD
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A Proven Track Record: The A.I.A. has helped put thousands of students into their own profitable antique businesses, as well as helping established antique businesses find new and trained individuals for employment. Whichever direction you choose-Think of what A.I.A. training can do for you! | ||
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Experience Counts: The A.I.A. has been training individuals about the world of antiques since 1966. In fact, we are the only internationally recognized antique correspondence school in the world today. So we know what works! | ||
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Satisfied Students: Over the past 25 years thousands of people worldwide have taken the A.I.A. course. We have one of the highest success rates of any correspondence school in business today. As an A.I.A. student we guarantee you will learn! | ||
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Career Line: We think your decision to join the A.I.A. is worth talking about. That's why our registrar's office is set-up to help answer any questions you might have about enrollment. In fact, we'll take your registration right over the phone to get your course materials on their way, right away. | ||
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Instructional Assistance: Each student has their own personal qualified instructor at the A.I.A. who grades, examines and comments on a students progress, every step of the way. You're not just a number here- We want you to succeed. | ||
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Quality:
The A.I.A. provides students with the best quality materials and services available. Students receive the latest trends and information in the marketplace
today, and our instruction and course materials are of the highest quality-from beginning to end. This is our promise to you. |
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MONEY BACK AGREEMENT
Order your A.I.A. Plan One with the understanding that you can examine it in your own home for 5 days (5) days after it has been
delivered. If for any reason you do not wish to keep the Plan, simply return it to us with your reason, and will will refund your
remittance in full. Please included dated return receipt from the Post Office to validate guarantee.
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| NOW YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF A MODERN UNIVERSITY BROUGHT INTO YOUR HOME! | |
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1. LECTURES 2. TEXT BOOKS 3. LIBRARY 4. APPRAISAL SERVICE |
5. RESEARCH SERVICE 6. INSTRUCTORS & EXAMINATIONS 7. INTERNET RESOURCES 8. DIPLOMA |
PREVIOUS TRAINING IN ANTIQUES NOT NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION OF OUR COURSE
You will be pleased to know that our entire study program has been prepared and arranged by experienced antique experts, editors, teachers, and text writers of outstanding ability. The Course Text Books number over a thousand pages alone!
Naturally our competent authorities and home study executives have constructed these study plans free from all red tape and entanglements - plans so simple and clear, that a great deal of knowledge can be gained by the student without any previous experience or training in antiques in a relatively short period of time.
REQUIREMENTS
While the school has no strict or rigid entrance requirements, all applications before acceptance, are carefully considered from the standpoints of age, and previous education*.
*Enrollments are accepted from those under sixteen years of age only with the written consent of their parents. The Institute keeps the right at all times to cancel the enrollment of a student whenever the instructor feels the student's work does not show the necessary aptitude for this training.
| OPPORTUNITIES IN ANTIQUES | |
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OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
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Early Soft-Paste Porcelain French Vase, Circa 1700 |
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ANTIQUE EXPERTS IN DEMAND
Today, there is a tremendous interest in antiques. Articles on antiques in magazines, newspapers, and the incredible explosive growth on the Internet have inspired people everywhere to make their homes more livable and attractive. Everywhere you look, someone is entering into the world of antiques and collectibles. As a result, far more antique experts are consulted now than ever before.
IMPORTANCE OF ANTIQUE DEALERS NOW RECOGNIZED
Yes, along with the growing interest in more artistic surroundings has come the recognition that the choosing and arrangement of antique furnishings calls for authoritative advice - for the kind of knowledge usually acquired only through practical, specialized training. People nowadays realize more and more the absolute need of getting sound guidance from those who are thoroughly trained and experienced in the field of antiques. So, today, when the client wants his home furnished harmoniously with antiques, or an Internet collector wants more information on how and what to sell at places like ebay, or Auction Universe, invariably the services of an antique expert are going to be sought after. With the millions of new homes being built annually, and the millions of people interested in antiques entering the online world, think what a wonderful future lies ahead for those who are trained to take advantage of those opportunities.
THE COMMERCIAL WORLD ALSO NEEDS ANTIQUE EXPERTS
Besides the decoration of home interiors, there is an ever-increasing need for the services of antique expert in the business world. Those who offer their services to stores, offices, hotels should be able to build up a steady and profitable clientele. For example, in an article in Business Week, an articles headlines, "Hotel Guests Go For Antiques," the Sheraton Hotel chain finds that people are willing to pay extra for rooms furnished in period style. In the prestige magazine Fortune, in an article entitled "The Pursuit of Antiques," such firms as U.S. Rubber and National Cash Register are using antiques to furnish their business offices. The importance of the antique expert in today's world is shown too by the number of articles by professional antique experts published in over 100 antique papers across the U.S. and Canada (with circulation's of over 120,000 on some papers.) And what about the Internet - there are literally thousands of Internet magazines, known as "Zines' who are looking for antique experts to help their businesses grow. This is indeed a vast new market of opportunity waiting to be tapped, that was undreamed of even
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Learn "how" and "where" to buy antiques... From Furniture To Porcelain And So Much More...and how to get the top discounts! |
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WONDERFUL FIELD FOR SELF-EXPRESSION
Certainly the happiest person is the one who achieves the fullest degree of self-expression. The antique expert has countless opportunities for interesting, creative work and satisfying creative self-expression. The creative work is indeed a joy, for it offers such real possibilities for the development of originality since each antique piece calls for its own individual treatment.
Instead of being tied down to routine household or business duties, instead of having ambition tied down and natural ability unused, the antique expert has the chance to gain a wonderful new interest in life,
as well as the chance to show his or her potentially untapped ability in this wonderfully expressive field.
WORKING WITH ANTIQUES IS ALWAYS EXCITING
Working with antiques is creative work - a source of limitless pleasure and self satisfaction. That is why "drudgery" and "boredom" are terms rarely ever mentioned when it comes to the world of antiques. You don't fall into a rut because of doing the same thing over and over again, day after day. In place of this, antiques offer the individual something exciting, something interesting, something new to explore...
The same is true of the Asheford program - for just as soon as you have finished one assignment, work begins on another, with new and interesting subject matters covered on virtually every page.
Very few professions offer such satisfying rewards in the way of increased creative ability, financial gain, artistic appreciation, and cultural advancement as that of a respected antique expert.
Also, you have the wonderful privilege and pleasure of daily contact and association with people of education and refinement. Furthermore, there is the opportunity to meet the public, to build a widening circle of acquaintances, and to make new friends - whether in person, or on the Internet.
| 11 COMPLETE COURSE VOLUMES PLUS 15 VALUABLE FREE TEACHING AIDS |
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ANTIQUE BUSINESS BOOMING
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English Tray, Circa 1815 |
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| The Internet |
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| The A.I.A. program will also show you the latest happenings on the Internet as they relate to antiques and collectibles - sections on why you might want to start your own Internet antique business, online auction sites, free web-pages to advertise your offline site, places to buy online and get information about antiques and collectibles, plus much, much more... |
OFTEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ONLY ONCE
If, as you so often hear, "opportunity knocks only once," you should also remember that when it does make its appearance only those who are qualified can hope to grasp it. The person who does not have complete and extensive training, is, in most cases, given but small consideration when applying for a commercial position. Now-a-days, sound, practical training, such as the Asheford program now offers you, is indeed a must for success.
| POSITIVE MONEY-BACK AGREEMENT |
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ARE ANTIQUE EXPERTS BORN OR MADE?
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Mahogany Veneered, Birch Bowfront Chest, Federal, Circa 1810 |
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DEVELOP YOUR TALENTS!
How long have you been interested in antiques? Do beautiful antiques thrill and delight you? Do you take pride in making your home attractive? In other words, do you like beauty?
If you answer yes to any of these questions you are probably creatively inclined towards antiques, which might also indicate that you may have a flair for antiques, and that you would find happiness and quite likely, financial reward in this profession.
| WE CAN SHOW YOU HOW… | |
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Your Free Book |
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Hepplewhite, Swell Front Chest, Circa 1795 |
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YOU CAN EARN WHILE YOUR LEARN
Perhaps your finances, as in the case of quite a few of our students, may be limited, and you may wish to start earning some money before you graduate. If so, you will be glad to know that you will have the encouragement and complete co-operation of your instructor.
The Institute always feels that any buying, selling and restoring a student may do, is exceedingly helpful - providing excellent training from step one. In this way, the student puts into practical use what has been learned, and valuable experience is thereby gained. This kind of work may also be the beginning of the development of an ongoing community clientele, and the foundation of an antique business right at home.
CLEAR, SIMPLIFIED TEACHING
The A.I.A. is proud of the simplicity and clarity of its step-by-step training. Every approach to the antique industry has been examined, and clearly illustrated in each of the lesson texts.
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Cherry Secretary, Connecticut, Circa, 1790 |
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COUNSEL ON STARTING YOUR OWN ANTIQUE BUSINESS
Text material not only covers the fundamentals and history of antiques in a very thorough manner, but also includes complete instructions in operating and managing a business. The Profit Plans deal with such important subjects as selecting the proper location, organizing a business, buying, selling from a shop or on the Internet, advertising, licenses, the appearance of the business space, formulating policies, and many other matters essential to the successful operation of an antique business.
The text books also cover in detail, how to work with the client. They take up such vital topics as creating a friendly relationship, using diplomacy and tact, asking the right questions, gaining the necessary information, learning prices, and figuring costs. Here you will find advice and counsel that is invaluable to the person preparing to enter the antique profession.
FAMILIARITY WITH ANTIQUES
What is meant by the various aspects of antiques with which you must be familiar? You must be familiar with glass, china and pottery, with brass, silver, pewter, copper. You must know antique furniture, English, Early American, Early Canadian and Victorian. You must know
something of furniture restoration and decorating with antiques. (these are only a few of the topics listed in the course, for a more detailed listing of what is covered in the A.I.A. Program click here to visit our Condensed Course Outline Page)
A.I.A. TRAINING EARNS DIVIDENDS
All this is not nearly as involved as it may first sound for it can be easily accomplished with the proper training, and study. While a flair for and a love of antiques is important, this alone will not bring success without trained skill and technical knowledge. It you are not well trained, you cannot express your ideas in a manner that produces satisfactory results. That is why our sound, extensive training should mean so much to you, why it should pay you dividends far beyond the modest amount invested.
Do not forget, too, that the training needed to secure skills in the field of antiques is not nearly so difficult to acquire, nor does it take so long to obtain, as that required for a lot of other professions. In painting or music, for example, many years of hard training are necessary. Doctors, lawyers, ministers, or other professionals spend a great amount of time and money on schooling before they are equipped and permitted to gain professional status
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17th Century English Tinglazed Earthenware |
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ACT NOW
In order to be a credit to the profession of antiques you need to learn what to do when encountering any problem pertaining to antiques. The A.l.A. course gives you the fundamentals which, when mastered, should equip you to solve these problems when they arise. You may rest assured, therefore, that you will be taking a wise step, a step forward, by enrolling with the Asheford Institute of Antiques. This first step will start you on the road toward securing the right kind of training, for success in this broad and interesting field.
| THIS IS YOUR DECISION... | ||
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NEW-PROFIT CONCEPT
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KNOWLEDGE OF ANTIQUES IN DEPTH
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RESEARCH SERVICE
The Research Service is another feature of our antique program. All unlikely problems that you might have in connection with your studies are referred to your qualified instructor. However, should you have additional questions, about items you may own, you can send them directly to our Research Department for free analysis and evaluation - this is truly a great asset for any student!
You are always welcome to write or call us about your lessons; and your letters and calls will be answered promptly. Every letter or email you send the Institute about your Study Plans training - every question you ask concerning your training - every request you make, is handled in a direct and personal way.
If there is anything in your Study Plan you do not understand, it need cause you no concern - write, or call us at once and we will explain it so that you will have the point clearly in mind and may proceed with your training without interruption.
The Research Service feature is emphasized, for it is a unique and valuable part of your Plan. Should you have any items that you'd like us to Research, simply send us your photos, of the item in question, and our Research Staff will immediately start searching for the answers to your questions .This feature of the Asheford program is extremely beneficial should you need to turn to the Institute for advice and information, whenever you may need it, not only while you are a student, but also after graduating.
We urge both the student and the graduate to take full advantage of this helpful advice and counsel. It is an assured fact that all students and graduates who avail themselves of our Research Service, are certain to benefit greatly.
| OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO YOU: |
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MEMBERSHIP CARD
Upon enrolling in AlA. you will receive a
Membership Card. This Membership Card
certifies that you are a student of the Asheford
Institute of Antiques, and entitled to all the
privileges of our training. You may also use this
Membership Card to show people, as concrete
evidence of the steps you have taken to acquire
a thorough knowledge of antiques.
This is only a tiny sample of what the A.I.A. has to offer… so if you’ve ever
wanted to be in the antique business or are just interested in antiques for the
sheer pleasure of it… then I recommend that you send away for our free booklet
which explains our entire program in detail. The Asheford program has helped
thousands of students over the past thirty years to get into the antique
business… and I'm sure if you look through our free prospectus, you’ll agree
that we can help you do the same… don’t let this opportunity slip away… send for
our free booklet now, and get on the road to that career you’ve always dreamed
about….
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YOUR DIPLOMA... ITS VALUE
Upon the successful completion of our training, the student is awarded a handsome diploma like the one shown below. This diploma, and all the prestige and benefits that accompany it, can be secured in only one way - through the successful completion of the Asheford Institute of Antiques course.
Perhaps no other step means so much to the graduate of the Asheford Institute of Antiques as the awarding of his or her diploma. And this is indeed an achievement of which one may justly be proud, for the standards of teaching and instruction at the A.I.A. are of the highest degree.
Yes, the graduate has every reason to be proud of this diploma, proud of what it signifies. It offers concrete proof - and should be a worthy testimonial all through life - that the student had not only the foresight to enroll for this thorough course in antiques, but also the aptitude and perseverance to follow it through to a successful completion.
If you are creatively inclined and possess a love of the beautiful and are quite sure that you have an interest in antiques, then decide today that this diploma will be yours! Make up your mind to take advantage of this splendid opportunity which may lead to a successful career. Enroll now for this training, and begin at once to position yourself for a better place in life.
The sooner you begin your training, the sooner you should be qualified to seek your goal in this field of ever-increasing opportunities. As the growth of antiques explodes throughout the world and on the Internet... it should leave no doubt in your mind that... the time to act... is now!
877-444-4508 Fax 705-645-2380 |
Asheford Institute of Antiques 981 Harbor Blvd, Ste. 3, Dept. 275 TIAS Destin, FL USA 32541-2525 |
Asheford Institute of Antiques 131 Bloor St. West.Suite 200, Dept. 124TIAS Toronto,Ont.CANADA M5S 1R8 705-645-5589 |
-LEARNING ABOUT ANTIQUES
