Monday, October 20, 2008

Value of Antique

Many things go into determining the value of antiques. Popularity, manufacturer, quality, age are just some of the factors when it comes to pricing antiques. Auctions are a great source of information for pricing and popularity. Online auctions like eBay provide good indicators as to the value of antique. Other ways to determine antique value are estate sales and the typical brick and mortar auction houses.

One of the things to look for if you've found a piece that would look great in your collection are identifying marks. The manufacturers logo, the date, where made, are things that might be stamped into the piece you're studying. A bit of study is required to make full use of this information but, you're probably aware of that. Naturally, condition of the piece in question plays a big role in antique value. Coins and sports cards have a huge swing in price based on condition.

Other antique pieces might be repairable depending on how badly damaged and the availability of parts. Antique american clocks such as Seth Thomas antique clocks, Ansonia antique clocks just to name a couple, are very popular with collectors due to repair parts being available.

When it comes to adding to your antique collectibles, patience and timing is very important. If your body language tells the seller you are eager to add to your collection with what ever he's selling you are setting yourself up to pay top dollar. Getting in on the latest craze at it's highest popularity will empty your bank account in a hurry. When searching for antiques for your collection spend 80 per cent of your time on research; 20 per cent on the actual shopping and purchasing. Following this guideline will enhance the value of antiques in your collection and save you a few dollars as well.