A lot of people throw the term 'antique' around fairly loosely and think that something that they own is worth far more than it actually is, because they believe it falls in to this category. It can be fairly devastating if something you have been holding on to for years does not turn out to have the value you hoped, but in most cases it may well do. You just need to find the right sources to tell you what is worth keeping.
An antique is generally over 50 years old, but may not yet be an antique even at this age. Once it reaches the 100 year mark it is more likely to be classed as part of this category and be worth some money either at an auction or to dealers.
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The crucial factor for an item being antique is if it is rare, or has a unique feature. Anything which seems to be quite novel in its use, or seems to be an early example of something, could have a good value for you.
What you need to ensure, if you think you have an antique, is to keep it in the best condition possible. If it has a chip or something though, do not repair it with something that is not the original part as it will be noticeable to all good dealers and will be reduced in value. Just keep it as well as you according to the condition it was in when you came to get it. Avoid harsh cleaning routines and look up specific tips for cleaning the material it is made out of.
If you are looking to keep something that you have recently bought as an antique then make sure that you do not alter the condition in which it was bought, and do your best to preserve it. Keep action figures and suchlike in their original packaging and keep anything with dramatic colours out of the light so they do not fade: this is a common mistake people make.
If whatever you own was a limited edition at the time it was for sale then it is a lot more likely to be able to class as an antique as there are less around. A plate from 100 years ago could not be an antique if it was mass produced and there are lots in existence, but a chair from 40 years ago could be if it is a limited edition or has something particularly unique about its design.
You can get an appraisal of an object from many different places. Go in to a proper antique dealers shop and ask for a valuation, but do not sell it to them. They will normally charge a small amount for this service. Many dealers work on a basis where they may slightly undervalue an item to buy and then sell it on at a higher price. Once you have a basic idea of the value you could approach another shop, and state a slightly higher price that you would be willing to sell it for. They may then accept this as it is an appropriate price anyway and buy it from you if you are looking to sell.
There are also online sites which have a catalogue of items that are classed as antiques, so it is worth searching these to see if your item is there.
How Do You Tell If You Have an Antique and Find Out Its Value?
Antique appraisal comes into picture when an expert opinion on the value of an antique item is required. There are many professionals available who expertise in the art of antique appraisal.
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