Read This Before Cleaning Your Antiques

June 1, 2010

Cleanliness may sometimes be close to Godliness and, for the collector, this can present a dilemma. When it comes to antiques and collectibles, caution should be exercised before cleaning. Many a fine antique has been ruined by an amateur restorer who has an over-zealous need to achieve that “just like new” look. I have seen [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

Antiques Are More Than “Old”

May 18, 2010

Back in the 1960s (when I was but a mere boy) it was said that for something to be an antique it had to be made prior to 1860. In other words it became generally accepted that all antiques were at least 100 years old. However, time marches on and the hundred year old rule [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Big-Box Savings Can Come with Hidden Costs

May 11, 2010

What makes anything worth something? Well, you do! That is to say, if there is something that you don’t want; then to you, that “something” has no value. Alternatively, if there is an item that you really do want then the value which you place upon that thing increases in a way that directly corresponds [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

The Silver Lining of Second Hand

April 28, 2010

Quick, for ten points, what’s the difference between new and second-hand? Answer, often around 80 percent. The difference in price between something that is new compared to second-hand has always been quite extensive. Second-hand has also been regarded as somewhat inferior, something for the “less well-off.” However, now that the wordsmiths have come up with [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Is it Worth Appraising: How You Know!

March 22, 2010

Going back the previous article (Inventory Your Home), many times my clients are unsure of what to do regarding getting an initial appraisal for their treasures. Often the main question they ask is, “How do I know if my item is worth anything and should I have a formal appraisal? What if the cost of [...]

0 comments Read the full article →