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 If a price guide is more than a couple of years old, that guide may be considered outdated.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.