Ask ADAM: The Expert Advice
Q&A
What
makes a good antique?
Hi
all,
I have a question. What makes a good antique? My best friend
and I are always in thrift shops and antiques places but
most of the stuff I see just looks really old and worn.
I just want to know what makes good antique versus just
someone else's old stuff?
Thanks for your time, Ms. Miller
Hi
Ms. Miller,
In my travels to find inventory for my business I find the
same situation that you and your friend are finding. Many,
so called Antiques Shops are no more than second hand shops.
I'm not saying that you can't find a good buy now and then
from these shops, but you need to remember the old saying,
Buyer Beware. When I'm on vacation or if I have a little
time to kill, these shops can be fun. But, they usually
don't produce much in the way of good "antiques".
For
my business, I look for the single owner shops that advertise
in the antiques trade papers and I also look for shops that
are affiliated with antiques dealers associations. Advertising
and joining these associations, shows the consumer that
"they are here to stay and you can trust their merchandise".
And most association have a Code of Ethics that the dealers
in that association stand by, just as ADAM does.
Group
shops and malls are becoming the major players in the Collectables
markets. It is easy, now days, for basically anyone to open
a showcase or booth at a group shop. You put your items
in the shop and hope they sell; you don't even have to be
there to make sure that happens. And the big shops with
multiply dealers can put a lot of money into advertising
to bring the people in. But, I feel, you as a buyer can't
talk to the person who is selling that item, to be assured
of their expertise.
My
feelings about the word antique - in order for an item to
be an antique it must be 100 years or older. This is a very
United States definition, in Europe the item must have been
produced before 1832 - the beginning of the Industrial Revolution
when machines started to be used to make goods. Items newer
than 100 years can be called: Vintage, Period, Estate or
Collectable. Items that are newer than 30 years can be in
the Collectable term, only if there is a market for the
item as a collectable and the value of the item has appreciated
from the time it was purchased.
A
"quality" antique or vintage item will stand the
test of time, just like a quality item made today and the
key word is quality. If you buy a new piece of furniture
at a discount store, you get a discount item. If you purchase
a name brand at a better furniture store, you get the quality
befitting the name. But, also understand that a quality
item will be priced accordingly. Like with any purchase
"you get what you pay for".
When
looking for a true antique - the best advice I can give
is to do the research needed to feel comfortable in your
purchase or to form a friendship with several Antiques Dealers
in your area that you trust. Trust can go a long way in
this world and the Dealers that you form a friendship with
can be some of your best teachers. I have always found that
antiques dealers are passionate about the items in their
expertise and are more than happy to pass this passion on
to anyone who will listen.
How
to buy with confidence? Select with care dealers
deserving of your confidence on the basis of an established
reputation. ADAM members follow the ADAM "Code of Ethics"
- Shop with confidence at Antiques Shops displaying the
ADAM logo.
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