Antiques and collectables are generally rare and ancient items sought for their investment values. To be classified as an antique, an item must be at least 100 years old. The term vintage and collectables can be used for rare limited-edition items from the 60s and 70s that haven’t yet reached their antique status. The valuation of an antique piece depends on the rarity, condition and demand. The valuation may vary depending on whether the object was signed or once used by a celebrity, or manufactured by a famous brand in a limited quantity as collectables. Some popular celebrity collectables sold at auctions for unbelievably high prices are Abraham Lincolns Glasses, Michael Jackson’s Fedora, Elvis Presley’s Shirt, Audrey Hepburn’s script of Breakfast at Tiffany’s etc. Some of the most expensive antique items to be ever sold include Pinner Qing Dynasty Vase, Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester, Olyphant that dates back to the 11th century, Ming Dynasty Gold Tripod Vessel, Sword that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte etc.
If you have stumbled upon something old, it is worth looking into its origins. Some common antique items are dishes, glassware and porcelain items that were common during the early 1900s. Some other items to look out for are Vinyl Records, Limited edition or original copies of Comic books, Old Furniture, Coins that are no longer in use, Fine Art and Jewelry, Dolls or Toys, Trading Cards, Stamps etc. There have also been instances when perishables like food items used by celebrities or old wine have fetched huge amounts in auctions. If you are cleaning out your attic, looking out for grandma’s old silverware, barware, etc., is beneficial. You might also look out for old clocks, gadgets, posters or postcards in your collection. If you have decided to store your collectables for longer, keep them in dry, cool, dark places. Subjecting your items to harsh sunlight can wash out their colours, and humidity causes precious items to rust or form mould.
It is not easy to identify whether you have a real antique in your collection. The best strategy is to get educated and familiar with the signs and patterns that make an item qualified as collectables or antique pieces. If the item in your collection is silverware, furniture, or artwork, it might have a label indicating the year in which it was manufactured. If you are planning on selling your valuable pieces, the best course of action would be to sell them online or find a local dealer who can connect you with collectors. Many online marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, and Ruby Lane. Ruby Lane is a dedicated marketplace just for antiques, and it can be hard to sell your collectables if they are not classified as antiques. Another strategy is to partner with an auction house and let them do the valuation, cataloguing, and marketing. However, you might have to incur an additional fee for their services.
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