There are two different ways to find out what your antiques are worth. You can do the research yourself using television shows, books and web sites as references. But if you want a professional report for insurance purposes, contact a antiques appraiser.
We’ve all seen it on television. You are watching an antique show and an old pot someone kept in their basement turns out to be an incredible example of early American folk art and worth $10,000. If you are not lucky enough to get tickets to one of those shows, you can still find out information about your antiques. You can research them yourself or hire a professional to determine the worth.
Why would you want to know what your antique is worth? Well, other than curiosity, there are many reasons. If you have something particularly valuable, you probably want to have it insured. Insurance will pay if your item is stolen or damaged, but you would need to let your insurance company know the value of the item. Having a good idea of the value of your antiques will also help in settling an estate or in the case of divorce. And then there is the curiosity. Is that Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock movie poster you bought at an auction for $100 real or a replica? There are only two ways to know.
Before You Start
Whether you decide to research the item yourself or take it to a professional appraiser, there are some things you should do before starting. Most importantly, you will need to know the condition of your antique. Look for signs of age or wear, such as scratches, cracks, holes, tears or paint chips. If the antique is glass or pottery, look for glue that might indicate a sign of repair. Any of these may, but not necessarily, diminish the value of an item. If you have furniture, try to determine if it has been refinished or is missing any parts. Sometimes furniture can be in the family for years without anyone realizing a desk had legs that aren’t there anymore or is missing a hutch that went on top. Thoroughly check your antique for labels and marks. You may have to look inside the item or underneath as some marks and labels are not easily visible. And if you find a mark, it may not make any sense to you, so you will want to write it down. Even if you have a good memory, you may want to keep a notebook full of notes about your antique. This can be carried with you to the library or appraiser’s office so you can have as much information about your antique as possible. Take picture of your antique from several angles, especially any damage you may note.
Doing the Research Yourself
If you can absorb things you see on television easily, the antique shows are a great way to start researching. You may not see your exact item, but something similar. It’s also a great way to gain general knowledge if you plan on increasing your collection. The original antique show is "Antiques Roadshow," found on your local Public Broadcasting Service station. This is a touring show of professional appraisers who evaluate items and give people an appraisal based on authenticity, condition, rarity and other factors. Most of the items that make airtime are originals worth at least $1,000, but sometimes they show a replica, so watchers know what to watch for in fakes. Another great show is "Flea Market Finds with The Kovels" on Home and Garden Television (HGTV). Terry and Ralph Kovel, professional appraisers, travel around the country to various flea markets looking for bargain antiques and those that aren’t such good bargains. With over fifty years in the business, their knowledge is varied and their expertise is among the best in the business.
If you like to read, books are also excellent research tools for finding out more about your antique. If you are just starting, you may want to check out Antiquing for Dummies by Ron Zoglin and Deborah Shouse. If you want to look up a price, there are several price guides, like Kovels' Antiques and Collectibles Price List by Ralph and Terry Kovel. The Kovels have authored over 90 books on antiques from their general price guides to specific guides for such items as pottery, bottles and silver. Books on antiques can be found in your local library, at bookstores or purchased online. One thing to remember if you are looking at a price guide – check the published date. If a price guide is more than a couple of years old, that guide may be considered outdated. Some antiques have waves of popularity, with the demand going up and down, which may affect value.
You can also use an online auction tool, such as eBay, to determine value of your item. Search for your item and if you find something similar, see what it is selling for. Be sure to check the description of the item to determine if it is in better or worse condition than your item.
Bringing in a Professional
Sometimes, you have an item on which you cannot find any information. Or maybe because of the price of your item, you need a written appraisal by a professional. At this point, it is time to find an appraiser. Even so, it will be helpful to know as much as you can through research about your item to make sure the appraiser is on track with their appraisal. Finding an appraiser should be something you do with care. For referrals, you can contact the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) through their web site at http://www.isa-appraisers.org/ to find a certified appraiser in your area. While some qualified appraisers may not be members of the ISA, membership requires its appraisers to be up-to-date of their techniques through meetings and continuing education courses and can be good indication of a qualified appraiser. You can also check with the owner of a local antique store to see if they can appraise items. Owners have often seen all types of antiques come through their shop and know values. Ask to see a list of the appraiser’s credentials including how long they have been an appraiser and what areas they specialize in. Always ask what they charge for an appraisal. If you have several items, they may charge a flat fee for all. Never use an appraiser that tells you the fee will be a percentage of the appraisal. No legitimate professional will base their fees on the value. Don’t be too eager to hire the first appraiser you meet. It would behoove you to visit several to see what researching techniques they use to judge the value of an antique.
Once you have decided upon an appraiser, bring the item in (or if you have several, he may visit your home). You will get a written report stating information about your antique such as age, history, condition and value. It will be signed by the appraiser and his signature is usually accompanied by a list of credentials. You may ask that a picture of your antique be included in the report for insurance purposes. Remember to keep your antique appraisal report in a safe place. And remember that if you get a written report, that report should be updated between every three to five years to stay current.
Researching your antique yourself can be a lot of fun, but it is very valuable, you will want to spend the extra money to get a qualified appraiser to write a report for you. You may never sell your antique, but having and idea of what it is worth will give you peace of mind.