As one of the worlds leading brands of high-quality crystal products, Swarovski has acquired its fair share of copy cats and imitators. This can make it hard for people to distinguish the difference between a genuine Swarovski, and a deliberate, or misleading imposter. … [Read more...]
How to Tell If My Hummel is a Fake, Forgery, or Reproduction
Like with so many other successful brands in this world, M.I. Hummel has had its fair share of copycats and forgeries. If you have stumbled upon such a fake, don't despair. That little Hummel piece may actually still be worth something. Read on for information on how to spot a fake or a forgery. Some counterfeits may actually be sought after by enthusiastic collectors. After all they say "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery". … [Read more...]
Types of Collectibles that are No Longer Worth Collecting
Things that Could Have an Impact on A Collectible's Value Over the years there are many things that can cause a collectible's value to fluctuate. Sometimes these factors can increase its value, other times decreasing it instead. Some of the main factors that impact an items value could be: Supply and Demand - If the demand is high but the supply is low then buyers could be willing to pay more, but if the supply out paces the demand the seller will need to offer the better deals in … [Read more...]
Showcasing Your Antiques – Mixing New with Old
Showcasing Your Antiques: Whether you are a lover of antique art glass or porcelain dolls and have collected a few up to thousands of items, you will want to showcase your treasure in the most appropriate way. You will not want your items stored up in an attic collecting dust, but many times this is what happens when you don’t start off on the right foot as a collector. Are all of your items in storage? Are they packed away in boxes where no one can see them or appreciate them? Why not bring … [Read more...]
What Type of Insurance Should I Have for My Antiques and Collectibles?
Most of us spend countless hours looking for those special pieces for our collections. However we tend to forget one of the most important parts of a collection. That is insuring our collections and choosing coverage that fits our needs. There are many options out there for insuring your antiques and collectibles. However getting the right amount of coverage or knowing where to start can be a very confusing and frustrating task. In this article I have answered some of the common questions … [Read more...]
5 Popular Antiques and Collectibles You Can Find Cheap at Estate Sales and Resell for a Profit
We have all heard the stories about someone finding a painting at an estate sale or flee market for 10 dollars then selling it at an auction for thousands. While I was working at an auction house in the Chicago area I would see this happen regularly. For example a lady bought a stein for $12.00 at a garage sale on the way to the auction house. This turned out to be a Meissen stein that sold at an auction for $1,200.00. This happens more often than people think. Many times people will have an … [Read more...]
Are Your Antiques and Collectibles Insured?
As an antiques and collectibles appraiser I see many antique insurance claims. The most common mistake I see from collectors is that they assume their home owners insurance covers their antiques and/or collectibles. In this article I have talked about how to protect yourself from this common mistake. Most insurance companies in the United States will cover up to $2,500 of arts, collectibles and antiques. If you have an art, antique or collectible collection, this amount will cover about 1% of … [Read more...]
10 Important Things to do Before Bidding at an Auction
The following list of good auction house bidding practices will prepare you for an auction. This list of things to do before biding will give you the knowledge to help you protect yourself from making big mistakes at an auction and in turn will save you money. 1. View the catalogue Auction houses will usually have their auction catalogues available one week prior to the auction date. Most auction houses offer their auction catalogues on the internet or a hard copy that is mailed out or picked up … [Read more...]
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