topic Re: Antiques? in Community Chat

Antiques?

Shorty2U — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 05:45:45 GMT

Does anyone here know a lot about antiques?

I have my parents antiques since my dad passed away 3 plus years ago.

I am going to go through things and see if my grown children want anything first.

I have pieces from a pocket watch and some coins to a couple of pieces of furniture, to various glassware pieces and so on and so on.

Is it best to look up their value online? Does anyone know of a special website? Or is it best to call a dealer? How do you know who to trust? Are there books to buy on certain pieces?

PS) Some of the pieces I don't know the name of them TO look up. Like there are some antique chocolate type dishes and so on.

I have been putting this off. I keep hearing my dad's voice (not literally) saying that's worth money don't get rid of that. He treasured his things (especially after my Mom died many years ago), because they collected these pieces together or some were my great grandparents.

But I want my children to have what they want now while I'm here, and then maybe sell the rest. I do not think my children are going to want much of anything because they are more into modern type décor for the most part. I think they may want some. And I DO have pieces displayed that I am keeping (for now).

Re: Antiques?

sfnative — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 07:15:20 GMT

Hi Shorty,

Sounds like you have your hands full trying to discover what you have and whether it's worth anything. Of course, it'll always be worth something to you because it's family. That's the most important thing to remember.

With regard to the watch, my DH told me that if the watch is in pieces and can be put back together by a watchmaker who can then authenticate it as being such-and-such brand worth $$$, it may turn out good or maybe just so-so. Most watches that our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers had were copper or silver. If lucky, you may have a high end one. But first start out by finding out who is the go-to watchmater in your community.

You mentioned a coin then furniture. That was a bit confusing, but will tell you that if you do have some coins, you may likewise find a reputable coin dealer in your area who can let you know how much they are worth. Regarding the furniture, if you believe them to be "antique," e.g. over 100 years old, there may very well be some worth. If it were me, I would take some photos with an digital camera, then go to an antique furniture store and run the photos by one of the sales associates. I don't think this look see will cost you anything, but if they want to come out to your place to quote you, you may incur a fee and/or they may take it off your hands for X amount of dollars or suggest that it's not yet worthy of antique status.

Regarding dishes, pottery and the like, turn each piece over and look for a factory mark. You can look these identifying marks up on the internet. In some instances, there will be an additional mark which will, with research, tell you what year the piece was made. If you see no marking whatsoever, then the piece(s) are "plainware" and probably not worth too very much, unless very old (17th, 18th, 19th centuries). This type of domestic ware is much easier to identify than glassware, as most glassware is not marked. You may, however, be able to tell how old a piece of glassware is by its design. If you don't have an eye for this, then a common antique store owner will be able to help you.

Sorry I can't offer more help. Without hands-on, it's rather difficult. Good luck in your quest.

Re: Antiques?

qualitygal — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:23:58 GMT

There are a number of books. Check your local library and you'll be surprised.

Not sure but places that sell on line, may have similar items. Your plan to pass things on to the kids is a good one. But yes your dad's voice was correct on $$$.

Re: Antiques?

pattypeep — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:13:31 GMT

We called a reputable dealer and put many things on consignment. They all sold.

Re: Antiques?

terrier3 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:16:54 GMT

Have an estate sale dealer come over and take a look.

They not only can tell you what you have, they can tell you if the items are popular (and selling) now.

They can sell what you have at a larger sale or an auction (for a percentage) or you can then try on your own.

Items are only worth what a buyer is willing to offer!

What was popular and in style a few years ago may not be worth anything now.

My neighbors are estate and antique dealers. One couple specializes in Colonial American paintings and very old, expensive items. The other couple has a lot of things from the 30s-70s - especially kitchen items.

Both do a lot of business now online - since they say the market is so much larger and they can get better prices.

Re: Antiques?

VioletEyes — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:58:40 GMT

Check ebay for what things actually sell for. In addition, in order for something to be truly an antique it should be 100 years old or older.. Good Luck!!

Re: Antiques?

ahoymate — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:35:53 GMT

Antiques are considered "antiques" when they R 100 years old. Everything else, vintage with little value.

Re: Antiques?

adelle38 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:45:08 GMT

On 10/30/2014 Skylands said:
Antiques are considered "antiques" when they R 100 years old. Everything else, vintage with little value.

Today "vintage" items from the 1950's can be more valuable than what people consider to be "antiques". The marker for Victorian and Edwardian furniture has all but disappeared but prices on mid century modern pictures have skyrocketed.

Re: Antiques?

Burnsite — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:07:24 GMT

Hi, Shorty,

I agree with soft raindrops. When I am interested in book prices (I sometimes sell and buy rare books), my first stop is Ebay.

Identifying marks of any kind can be your keywords for an Ebay search. Books are easy: author, title and publisher/year of your edition. China, if it has no marks, can still be searched approximately by decade or decorative pattern.

Or try "furniture, oak, Mission" (or whatever the style of your antique furniture is). Then you might be able to get some idea of the going rate right now. An estate evaluator will charge for appraisal, but if you search ebay first you'll have a better idea of whether it's worth it to hire an appraiser.

In my area, charities sometimes sponsor events where for a flat fee of $30, one can bring in an item for appraisal (as on Antiques Road Show). I've never done it b/c I have a fair idea just from ebay searches what my inherited stuff would sell for. (Its worth is a different matter--I wouldn't sell it anyway.)

Re: Antiques?

terrier3 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:17:32 GMT

On 10/30/2014 adelle38 said:
On 10/30/2014 Skylands said:
Antiques are considered "antiques" when they R 100 years old. Everything else, vintage with little value.

Today "vintage" items from the 1950's can be more valuable than what people consider to be "antiques". The marker for Victorian and Edwardian furniture has all but disappeared but prices on mid century modern pictures have skyrocketed.

That is very true!

Mid Century streamlined furniture is coming back in style.

Re: Antiques?

ahoymate — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:17:33 GMT

On 10/30/2014 adelle38 said:
On 10/30/2014 Skylands said:
Antiques are considered "antiques" when they R 100 years old. Everything else, vintage with little value.

Today "vintage" items from the 1950's can be more valuable than what people consider to be "antiques". The marker for Victorian and Edwardian furniture has all but disappeared but prices on mid century modern pictures have skyrocketed.

My most recent experience doing this research myself, is that most vintage has zero value today. Of course, there R always exceptions. But in general, antiques R valued most vintage = Goodwill or charity.

Re: Antiques?

Vamp — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:56:38 GMT

On 10/30/2014 adelle38 said:
On 10/30/2014 Skylands said:
Antiques are considered "antiques" when they R 100 years old. Everything else, vintage with little value.

Today "vintage" items from the 1950's can be more valuable than what people consider to be "antiques". The marker for Victorian and Edwardian furniture has all but disappeared but prices on mid century modern pictures have skyrocketed.

You are right on the money, adelle. Mid-century modern is all the rage right now.

To the OP, contact a dealer since you have a variety of stuff. I took a bunch of old coins that my husband had been saving since childhood (they were old then) into a coin dealer. Unless they are super rare, they aren't worth much. I got around $10--not much more than face value. Some of them were worth face value, and the dealer didn't even want them. It wasn't worth it to me to try to sell them myself or drag them all over town to get the best deal. A reputable dealer will tell you whether what you have is worth anything or not.

Re: Antiques?

moonstone dunes — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 17:04:04 GMT

Do your research. Ralph and Terry Kovel have published many books and they have a website: http://www.kovels.com/

I've used their book version guide to Antiques and Collectibles for more years that I admit - many years! I used to attend a lot of auctions back then and it was a huge learning experience!! I like golden oak and Victorian oak furniture and that stuff has now gone out of fashion. The young people don't want it. I still enjoy my Victorian furniture and will never sell it.

See about getting a 10x loupe - photography shops sell them - so you can examine the marks on china other pieces and there are many time incised letters and numbers. Its fascinating, I wish I lived nearby I would be more than willing to help!

One thing about dealers, they are very independent, they may try to discount the worth of an item.

Re: Antiques?

lulu2 — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 17:29:16 GMT

A few years ago the Antiques Roadshow was in the area so I went with a friends who had some furniture from the early 1800's. One large piece was worth about $20,000.

I learned quite a bit that day. Many think because things have been in the family for 3+ generations, it makes the items valuable. In reality unless they a collectible brands, most have next to no value. Most jewelry is only valuable if it has real stones and mounted in precious metal. Old watches and costume jewelry are a dime a dozen.

Only a professional can tell you the real monetary worth of old items.

Re: Antiques?

Linders Back — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:31:49 GMT

On 10/30/2014 Skylands said:
On 10/30/2014 adelle38 said:
On 10/30/2014 Skylands said:
Antiques are considered "antiques" when they R 100 years old. Everything else, vintage with little value.

Today "vintage" items from the 1950's can be more valuable than what people consider to be "antiques". The marker for Victorian and Edwardian furniture has all but disappeared but prices on mid century modern pictures have skyrocketed.

My most recent experience doing this research myself, is that most vintage has zero value today. Of course, there R always exceptions. But in general, antiques R valued most vintage =Goodwill or charity.

I think it sometimes depends on where you live, but here in the Northeast and in more urban areas, Mid-Century Classic pieces trump good antiques.

The market for Early American pieces (18th C.) is very soft unless the piece can be attributed to a named furniture maker. If a piece has been refinished (a common practice in the 1950's when painted surface were "out") the value will plummet, too. Shaker pieces are an exception but they have to be authenticated, not just "Shaker Style" . A New England highboy my Grandmother had appraised in 1980 was valued at $18K. If I wanted to buy it back today, I could get it for around $3K. (Less than an Ethan Allen repro.)

Antiqued dealers here won't even touch Victorian furniture or anything "Dark" like mahogany or dark oak. The trend is toward light Danish inspired furniture from the 1950's- 1980's. We just sold a Lane coffee table to a dealer for $400 and they put it in their shop @ $900 and it sold. They bought my Teak table lamp for $100. These were items my son picked up in GW for his dorm so we just took the money and ran.

Everything is cyclical. IF you do have a very nice old piece (in perfect condition) and it's not selling well now, hold on to it if you can cause it may come back into vogue.

If you do check ebay, be sure to do an "Advanced Search" and check items that actually sold rattan ones up for sale at unrealistic prices.

Re: Antiques?

raven-blackbird — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:40:41 GMT

vintage.......antique.............makes no difference...........what does is which of the two is popular NOW............6 months from now all that can change......................................raven

Re: Antiques?

Linders Back — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:50:18 GMT

On 10/30/2014 lulu2 said:
A few years ago the Antiques Roadshow was in the area so I went with a friends who had some furniture from the early 1800's. One large piece was worth about $20,000.

I learned quite a bit that day. Many think because things have been in the family for 3+ generations, it makes the items valuable. In reality unless they a collectible brands, most have next to no value. Most jewelry is only valuable if it has real stones and mounted in precious metal. Old watches and costume jewelry are a dime a dozen.

Only a professional can tell you the real monetary worth of old items.

This is another generalization and a misconception. Early named costume jewelry does command a good price and if you happen to have some early Lucite that is "real", you have some potential money makers. Again, it depends on the "Name" behind the item.

A lot of "real" gold and silver jewelry unless it is intricate or unusual in design, won't sell for more than the scrap weight. Caret weight of stones is important, too, as many dealers won't bother with small stones. There is just too much common stuff out there.

At a recent Boston auction, genuine Chanel bangles of Lucite sold for thousands while at the same auction, early gold and silver went begging.

Condition, provenance, and sadly "Fashion" are important.

Watch the "revisit" episodes of Antiques Roadshow to get an idea of how the market fluctuates.

Re: Antiques?

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 00:19:56 GMT

Be careful about the coins....silver goes up and down and you would want to sell when it's up. We also have/had a house full on antiques, some sold to dealers, where you get a lesser price because they also have to sell and make a profit and some sold thru ads in our paper. We did sell a large antique fireplace mantel and a dough box on ebay....those items went very quickly. Can you have a tag sale, after doing a bit of research on the value of your items. I would have to sell family pieces but not everyone loves antiques, good luck!

Re: Antiques?

Shorty2U — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 03:48:39 GMT

Ok thank you for all the information it is very helpful.

I am sorry I stated that wrong. I meant I have a lot of pieces (meaning antique pieces) one of them being a pocket watch. The watch is in tact (I typed that wrong therefore the meaning looked as though the watch was in pieces, sorry)

As far as antiques they are antiques, not vintage from the 50s.

Thank you all again.

Re: Antiques?

bells4me — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:44:50 GMT

On 10/30/2014 Skylands said:
Antiques are considered "antiques" when they R 100 years old. Everything else, vintage with little value.

Simply not true.