When you're collecting antiques professionally, as an investment, or simply to furnish your home your first question is probably, "What's it worth?"
If you watched roadshow-style programs on TV, you've seen professional antiques dealers admit that they're sometimes fooled by a piece's value. But, with a little practice, you can accurately guess the value of an antique most of the time.
As a beginner, it's most important to narrow your focus. If you're buying antique furniture, start by learning about one specific era that appeals to you. Choose one style, one kind of wood, and perhaps even one manufacturer or designer. Learn what establishes the value of each piece, whether it's the finish, the joints, the detailing, or even a genuine signature hidden on the back or bottom of the piece.
Also learn to spot fakes and copies. In furniture, you'll examine the nails or other joining techniques, as well as the grain of the wood and the finish used. Sometimes an imitation can be convincing; often, the faux aging is easy to recognize.
Today, the most convincing fakes are in glass, ceramics, and printed items. Cast iron is another area in which you need to be especially careful. Tiffany lamps have been copied since they were first created; watch for old fakes, not just modern reproductions.
Authenticity isn't your only concern. The item's condition is just as important.
Often, previous owners refinished antique furniture. Maybe they painted it to match the room where the piece was used. The legs on a sewing table may have been cut to transform it into a coffee table. It was routine for women to motorize their treadle sewing machines when electricity became popular. If a home handyman did the work, the piece may be merely interesting, not valuable.
It's vital to know which changes and damage can be reversed to restore an item to its original appearance.
For example, some antiques have been painted or refinished by a previous owner. When that owner stripped the piece of its earlier finish, if he used the wrong technique--especially some paint-removing dips--the grain of the wood can be damaged beyond repair. Even a priceless Chippendale can be ruined if it's cheaply "dipped" to remove old varnish or paint.
At the other end of the spectrum, if the original hardware was replaced but the rest of the item is in original condition, that's usually easy to reverse.
It's also important to learn exactly what makes a piece valuable. Two nearly identical items--whether they're music boxes, photographs, or armoires--can vary widely in price. A signed print by a famous artist may be worth hundreds of dollars more than an original painting "attributed to" that same artist.
Trends are also important. A cookie jar or "tramp art" table can soar in value if a similar item was featured in a recent decorating magazine. Six months later, its value can plummet when the fad has passed.
No matter which area of antiques you collect, keep your focus very narrow at first. In more modern collectibles, a fake Rolex watch can look absolutely identical to a real one, with the exception of the sweep of the second hand. Telling valuable antiques from trash can be just as difficult. Specialize in a very narrow range of antiques, and expand your expertise from there.
You can get a quick education in values by visiting antiques shops and attending auctions. But, the cliché is true: An item is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it.
When you're at an auction, the bidders include dealers and collectors. A dealer will bid as high as he or she can, and still expect to resell the item at a profit. An individual will often bid beyond the value of the individual item, if it completes his or her collection.
Most collectors and dealers recommend owning a large collection of price guides for the items that you're buying. Store them in your car, so that you can refer to them easily when you're shopping or at an auction. If you're just buying a few pieces and don't want to invest in price guides, your public library probably has a few good reference books that will guide you as you shop.
But, if you want to stay very current on prices, there are newspapers, newsletters, and magazines that report selling prices of significant antiques. Some of these publications specialize in one category of antiques and collectibles, such as pens or paperweights. And, some websites update weekly with an extensive list of prices; expect to pay a small subscription fee for the best of these.
Roadshow and collectors' TV shows can provide additional insights.
You can also survey prices online by searching popular auctions and dealers' websites. Keep in mind that it's hard to use a photograph to determine a piece's condition, authenticity, and value.
With experience and careful study, you'll gain confidence in your favorite area of antiques. As you expand your collection, you'll learn about related antiques. Before long, you'll become an expert in eras, materials, designers and--most importantly--the values of antiques.
Antiques are a fascinating field, whether this is your hobby or profession. There's always something new to learn, and another wonderful piece to add to your collection.
