They'll work with novice collectors or dealers.

This guide to furniture made between 1600 and the early 20th century is a terrific primer for the novice collector.

Many novice collectors have entered the market; and the art world, like so much of our culture, has increasingly come under the sway of brand names.

"This is an exhibition intended for novice collectors and new people coming into the field," he said.

This can be a major relief to novice collectors and the interested public alike, although certain dealers maintain imposing levels of hauteur in any environment.

Some novice collectors start purchasing items that appeal to them, and then slowly work at acquiring knowledge about how to build a collection.

More often than not, it is in this market that novice private collectors make their first purchases.

Eugene Garin is an artist who appeals to both the novice collector and the connoisseur.

Ms. Krieg recommended that novice collectors spend time shopping around and educating themselves before making even an initial purchase.

But the secret society is opening up this month, when several events have been organized to introduce great French antiques to novice collectors and the merely curious.