Drop Within - Antiques Guide

The old doll you found while cleaning out your grandmothers basement may bring in a good four or five dollars at a yard sale, or it may sell for four or five hundred dollars to an antique dealer. The only way to know for sure if you have treasure or trash is to have the item appraised.

Finding a professional appraiser can be intimidating for the inexperienced. There is no such thing as an appraiser’s license so anyone can place an ad in the paper claiming to be an appraiser. However, there are ways to avoid being taken by a fake.

Never under any circumstances should you sell your antiques to the appraiser. This is what is known as a conflict of interest. You are sure to be ripped off.

Stay away from appraisals from the Internet. A good appraiser needs to handle the item to determine its true worth.

Be sure to get references for any appraiser with whom you plan to do business. Check with experienced professionals who deal with appraisers all of the time such as a trust manager or an estate attorney. Stay away from dealers as well as auction houses.

As my daughter says, “Once you’ve seen one antique shop, you’ve seen them all!” But, I’m quick to correct her by explaining that there are those shops out there that are truly special. Depending on the type of antique buyer you are, certain types of shops may suit your needs better than others.
For instance, I’ve found it most satisfying when I have made a personal connection with a store owner or manager. Not unlike you, these individuals are usually in the antique business because they enjoy it. Each has their own story and each has a different level of expertise and connections to other dealers. So, most importantly speak with someone at the store. Learn about them, they will become invested in you and may begin to contact you with items they think you may like.
Maybe you’re the “bargain hunter” type. In which case, frequent trips to the same shop are not uncommon. In this instance, find a shop that turns over its inventory often. Then, each time you stop by there will be new treasures to find.
It doesn’t matter what type of antique buyer you are. What matters is that you identify what you need from an antique store; then find a group of stores that meet those needs.

Great care needs to be taken in handling and moving your antiques. It has to be given priority over the dispensable domestic items in regular use in your home. You should consider the delicacy of the object and the risks it could be subjected to before handling or moving your antiques.

Be it moving within the house, or transporting it short or long distances, the following precautions should be taken.

Tip 1: Make plans and determine the risk, man power, equipment, protection to be used and the distance to be covered during moving.

Tip 2: If the objects are vulnerable, you should ensure they are not picked up by the edges or handles which are the most delicate parts of an object. You should be careful in supporting the weight of the object.

Tip 3: Always wear gloves, as there could be stains and smudges from skin contact. Also, fingerprints could be imprinted into polished surfaces.

Tip 4: Use good quality packing and storage material. Be prepared for changes in weather, pests, structural damage, steep changes in temperature and humidity.

Tip 5: Ensure there is no other distraction or hurry when moving. Also, do not smoke, eat or drink in the area.

Tip 6: If your antiques are susceptible to loss, theft or damage, it is necessary to provide adequate security and insurance cover.

Tip 7: If you are unsure of how go about doing it yourself, it is best to use the services of a specialist movers and fine art transporters. They take care of handling, transport packing and storage.

You have decided to collect antique furniture, now what? Start by visiting different types of antique stores as well as auction houses. Pay attention as more experienced people look at a piece, watch as they examine it. This is a good way to learn what pieces are worth adding to your collection.

One of the most common ways people become interested in antique furniture is inheriting it from an older person whose furniture has been passed on to relatives. Usually, these items are not high quality antiques, but sometimes outstanding pieces are acquired this way.

The best way to feed your interest in furniture antiquing is when you find a piece with a reasonable price, buy it. Most people are nervous about that first purchase, but getting it out of the way , speeds up the learning process making the way to the next piece clearer. Make purchases you enjoy. In most cases, if you like a piece, someone else will if you decide to sell.

Once you are ready to begin collecting, check your area for auctions, junk shops, fairs, flea markets and classified ads. Don’t forget eBay and other online points of purchase. When purchasing online, pay close attention to shipping methods and cost. Local pick up is usually best for antique furniture.

Furniture antiquing is fun and educational, so get your whole family involved and start today!

Good antiques are difficult to come by, so it is best if you know what you are looking for to find your treasure.

The most important thing to consider when shopping for antiques is time. A genuine antique is 100 years old or older. The next ones on the list will be at least 75 years old, as these will be antiques soon. Then there are the vintage items that are 25 years and older.

An important factor when looking for antiques is to find something you like and then look at the overall condition of the piece you wish to purchase. You can find antiques in your family and friend’s attics and basements. Yard sales, flea markets, and auction houses are good places to start as well.

Before you hand over the money, be sure you ask a few questions. Always check to see if the item has ever been repaired or had anything added to it. Any changes or refinishing may take away from the value of antiques. You always want to find out as much as you can about the history of the piece. This will be the most interesting part of your search.

Once you have found that perfect piece, take care of it. Be sure to check antique books and websites for the best way to clean and care for your particular piece. A well cared for antique will give you pleasure for years to come.

The first thing you need to know about book collecting is where to start looking. You can find some of the best deals on antique books at yard sales and flea markets. Sometimes you can find deals at a thrift store or secondhand shop. The Internet can also be a good place for buying and selling your books.

The next thing you need to know is what to look for when shopping. Keep and eye out for first editions. Old textbooks are good as well. Old science books, medical books and home remedies are good finds. An old history book would be a fantastic find. If you are just getting started and don’t know where to begin, try starting with something you are interested in like a book collection you remember reading in your childhood. Then expand on that. If you like the Popular Science books, then you may want to start with a set of Handyman’s Handbooks.

Pay close attention to the condition of the books you are purchasing. Watch out for excessive “yellowing” of the pages. Check the binding is not broke. Look of pen marks or other blemishes within the pages and cover of the book. Books that have been kept in their jacket are usually in good condition. The type of cover is important as well. An old leatherback book, or hard cover is worth more than a paperback.

Once you have started collecting, it will hard to stop!

We all know you can find antiques on eBay. It is the place if you are looking for an old R2-D2 PEZ dispenser to match the C3PO you just picked up at a local yard sale. But how do you find a good deal? One of the best ways to find a deal is by finding the wrong ads. By that I mean the ads that are listed in the wrong category, by the wrong name or spelled the wrong way, etc. You get the idea.

So often someone will find an old doll when cleaning out grandma’s attic and not know that it is a one of a kind by a famous artist. In a hurry to clear out some space, they list am item worth hundreds of dollars for $0.99.

There is always the guy selling the antique Jon Deer Ten that’s not selling for as much as the John Deere Tin you just saw.

One of the best is the seller of little knowledge. Often a seller has an item they know nothing about, but is exactly what you are looking for to complete your collection.

Be sure to check items and descriptions when searching and with a little patience you’ll find the wrong ad that’s just right for you!

So, you and your family are at the local antique festival and you spot an antique tractor. You look at it and decide you would like to become the proud owner of one of these beautiful machines.

The first thing you want to do is decide which type of a tractor you would like to own. Maybe you have a particular make of tractor in mind. There are many to choose from like Farmall, Ford, and Massey-Harris, etc. You may want to check out your local library for some books covering different manufacturers. “The Encyclopedia of American Farm Tractors” by C. H. Wendal is a good one with lots of pictures to help you decide.

The next thing you need to know is the value of the machine you want. One John Deere 1010 Crawler from 1966 could be worth as much as $3000, but a 1010 Special from the same year may only be valued at $500. The sales price of an antique tractor is often largely influenced by the state or county in which the machine is being sold.

Last but not least, you are going to want to know the proper terms and terminology when you are “talking tractor”. If you know the difference between a Bush Hog and a Butterfly, you stand a greater chance of getting a good deal. If you plan on restoring your tractor, you will need an understanding of the lingo in order to use the repair manual.

The best antique buff is an informed one, so study up at you local library before you head out with your pockets full and you should be fine.