The pursuit of an antiques hobby is a fascinating one. The variety of items available, as well as the different styles and ages of these antiques, can all make the hobby intimidating to many potential investors. However, with a bit of knowledge about how to value antiques and how to trade antiques you’ll soon find the passion that lies within this interesting and lucrative hobby. If you have been considering starting an antiques collection or you simply want to add value to your current collection, then the answers to these questions will help you with your choice of antiques and how to determine their value. There are many different areas that you can research when it comes to learning how to value antiques, but in this article, we’ll cover some of the more basic areas. As with any type of trading or purchasing, be sure to seek advice from a professional antiques dealer or collector before making any major purchases.
How to determine the value of antiques. One of the first things that you need to know about how to value antiques is that there are no written standards by which antiques are judged. Each collector has their own personal way of judging the value of an item and they should all be consulted for guidance. The value of an antique depends on such factors as rarity, condition (whether it’s been cared for properly and restored to near perfect condition), the quality of restoration ( Has the item had its edges sanded, repainted, or restored with coatings applied), and whether the piece is new or old ( Has the piece been cleaned, polished, waxed, restored, or restored in another way so as to bring it back to its former beauty). If you’re dealing with an antique dealer, be sure to ask for a certificate of appraisal so that the antiques are clearly not below the standard set by the local state board. Antiques dealers will often have brochures or books available that you can examine to better understand the value of the items you’re looking at.
Where to find antiques. There are many great places to purchase antiques from but perhaps the best place to start searching is at your local flea market, garage sales, estate sales, and antique shows. You can also often find antiques at local auctions.