About

Buying Antiques

Antiques are objects, which have reached an age that makes them a witness of a previous era in human society. The item is generally a collectible or other item, which is old (at least 100 years old) and is collected or desirable because of its rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features.

Of course, newer items can also be quite valuable; if you know how to define them. What you must beware of is ‘counterfeit’ pieces. However, the last defining feature of an antique or collectible item is that it has value for someone, somewhere, who wants very much to buy it.

You may already know what you want to start collecting. Perhaps you have one or two pieces, but finding your antique specialty means doing the appropriate research first. It is vitally important that you understand that for every item, whether it is furniture, clothing, books, or other odd collectibles, there is a general code of discernment as to their value. Checking for sites online is exciting and I found a fabulous site called carters.com.au, where you can see over 8,000 antique items, fully described, with photos and prices.

In order to be a successful antique collector you must learn about the era in which your item was made, and what this means about its value. Take into account the manufacturer, or artisan who made the piece. OzFreeOnline.com has a section on antiques and collectibles, which has been categorised so that the items you are searching for are easy to find. Just join, log in, and begin searching.

Whether you are interested in building a collection of French furniture or Carlton Ware, one of the best places to start is the Internet. Use the search engine of your choice to begin researching your antique specialty from the comfort of your own armchair.

Once you get an idea of what is available, how people buy and how much people are willing to pay for an item, you may like to head off to antique auctions, markets, antique stores and shows where you can engage other enthusiasts or shop owners into discussion.

Choosing the type of antique or collectible really is more about what interests you; it also depends on how much money you are willing to spend for an item. Try to budget a certain amount of your income per month to see how much you can spend.