What is the difference between antiques and collectibles

Determine comparable prices by viewing similar vintage items for sale at auction houses or flea markets. Online Etsy item listings may provide pricing details for some items. The 20th century featured numerous vintage furnishing styles, notably the Danish modern and mid-century modern designs.

Early American, futuristic, and minimalistic decorative styles also had their adherents. When evaluating a vintage piece, determine how well the item conforms to a certain period style. If you notice inaccuracies, the piece may be a reproduction. Cheap construction materials and shoddy craftsmanship can also be signs of a copy. Pieces proven to be originals often bring good prices.

Ask an accredited appraiser to evaluate the item. Getting your item identified is essential for determining its value. Consider these four local resources that may help you accomplish your goal. Consider adding an accredited antique appraiser to your RSS feed. Ask them if they offer free identification services.

Take your collectible to a local antique shop and ask them to identify the piece. Local and regional antique shows are great places to network with antique dealers. Take the item of interest, and ask several dealers if they can tell you more about the piece. Your local library may have a treasure trove of antique identification and price guides. Look for books about specific types of antiques. Some libraries even have a separate room for historical reference materials.

If you strike out, ask the librarian if the books are available through an inter-library loan. For the layman, it may be difficult to recognize the difference between antique, vintage, and retro items. But not for you. Before you go searching for the perfect collectible to add to your collection, be sure to do your due diligence. Then, go for it! Paul Williamson — September 3rd, Examples of Antique Items Antique accent pieces can add historical significance to your home.

Georgian Era: to Georgian-era antiques included Chippendale chairs and Oriental-style screens. Victorian Era: to approximate Victorian furniture featured ornate styling and embellishments. Common Definitions of the Term Vintage When comparing antique vs vintage pieces, the definition of vintage is more subjective than the meaning of an antique. Primary Definition of Vintage As Merriam Webster states, the primary definition of vintage has nothing to do with furniture or collectibles.

Examples of Vintage Items Popular vintage jewelry spans several different eras. Common Definition of the Word Retro In contrast to antique and vintage items, Merriam Webster notes that retro pieces revive previous styles and fashions. Retro vs Vintage Items Vintage and Retro pieces often get confused, especially because both are constantly changing. Examples of Retro Items Retro furniture includes tufted sectional sofas, flared desks, tapered chairs, and triangle coffee tables.

Tips for Identifying Antique Pieces Follow these four steps when identifying an antique. First, see if you can easily identify the item, such as a wooden hand plane. Next, ask yourself if the piece is still used today. Third, look for signs that the piece is handmade. Whether it is clothing or furniture or lighting, it should also be characteristic of a particular fashion from a specific year or decade and reflect the tastes of that era.

Vintage, mid-century furniture and lighting are highly coveted by those seeking to add a retro touch to their interior. A: Collectibles cannot be attributed to age. Collectibles can be anything from postage stamps to railway memorabilia, clothing or toys. A: Value of collectibles often depends on how sought after items are. The more in fashion and in demand, the more collectible; more so, if items are hard to come by. Trends and events can increase value; for example, music legends or royal wedding memorabilia.

Collectors place high value on items in good condition, whether antique, vintage or collectible. A: When it comes to buying, do as much research beforehand as you possibly can. It is important to ask the right questions regarding the age or period of an item, its rarity and condition. Buy from a reputable source.

A knowledge of how in demand something is will establish whether the piece is currently collectible. But trends change and items out of fashion today can become the collectibles of tomorrow. Westland London : St. But now, it has become a universal term for many […].

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There has been a debate over what an antique is for years. Some say an Antique is: An object of considerable age valued for its aesthetic or historical significance.

Comments Allen Taylor says:. Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road. Allen Taylor. Dava Kava says:. Matt says:. Jacqueline Harrison says:. Kylie says:. Corinne says:. William Ray says:. Gauri says:. LearnToRead says:. Tom says:.

Dea says:. Antique Diva says:. Randy Chorvack says:. Anonymous says:. Ernest More says:. Stuart says:. Randall Johnson says:. Trackbacks […] production an antique.