Antique Original

Antique Original

A Starters Guide for Finding Antique Bargains

When a novice enters the exciting realm of antiques, the experience can be just as intimidating as it is stimulating. You can read book after book about spotting the best deals at yard sales, negotiating for the best prices from dealers, or for a higher price with a buyer. Even after studying the subject at length you still may not feel you’re prepared to scour the market place for valuable antiques. And the truth of the matter is that online auctions can complicate it even more. Even the most experienced antique dealer will return to the basics when yard sailing or bidding at auctions. Examine the item and look for the following to determine a fair price.
Age: The general rule of thumb is that an item needs at least 100 years old before it can be considered an antique. Hallmarks or manufacturers labels are always helpful, as well older auction or dealer tags. Any kind of documentation establishes the age carries value to the antique.
Condition: The condition of an antique is EVERYTHING! Try to determine how closely it resembles the original manufactured product. Short of mint condition, it is of great importance to closely examine every inch and every surface to find any flaws or issues, making sure to jot down all of your impressions. For example, if the drawers of a desk were repaired or replaced, it detracts from the original condition. If porcelain or fine china has a repair, or a hairline crack or a chip, the value will be seriously diminished. If the wiring or any mechanical aspects are replaced on a mechanical antique it puts a dent in the value.
Quality: The quality of an item refers to how well it was originally made. This might refer to the type of material used or the way the piece was manufactured. It might refer to the construction or the decoration of an item. Higher quality antiques are generally worth more…but lower quality antiques also possess an intrinsic charm of their own. Never pass up an item without careful examination and thorough research. One mans garbage is another mans treasure, IMHO.
Rarity: This boils down to the simple law of supply and demand. For example, if a popular book had 4000 copies made on the first printing, those copies would be worth less than a popular book with only 1000 copies from the first printing. Using something mass produced isn't really the best example, however. Due to it's uniqueness and rarity, a one-of-a-kind object will always be more valuable.
Provenance: Provenance is the documented history of an item. When the provenance of an antique crosses with historically significant events or people, it turns an otherwise nice antique into a priceless piece of history. The more documentation you can find, and the more significant the history,the more valuable the antique.
Patina: Patina is the wear and tear to the finish, plus any nicks, chips, and/or other signs of use in an antique. Generally speaking, the less patina, the more valuable the antique. There are cases where patina adds charm, so don't panic. An antique over a hundred years old is bound to have some issues no matter how slight. The question is whether or not it adds character to the piece or makes it look worn.
Original Finish: Original finish (paint, enamel, varnish, veneer or whatever protective coating the manufacturer used at the time it was made) is always more valuable than something refinished.
Finding the right price for an antique can be difficult because there’s often nothing to which you can compare the piece…especially when something is extremely rare or has interesting provenance. If you have serious doubts about something as an investment, contact someone more knowledgeable than yourself. It might be a good idea to develop a relationship with a reputable local dealer, or better yet, an appraiser at Sotheby's or Christies (if at all possible). One technique I often use with collectibles is to do an ebay search, which at the very least will give you an idea as to how saturated the market may be for a particular item. As you learn more about antiques, the risks will shrink, and your rewards will grow!

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Acorn Antiques - Episode 1