Ten Things Every Antique Collector Should Know
A practical field guide for new collectors, from the folks who spend every day talking to people who know.
After twenty-one years in the antique business, we've heard every question. Here are the ten things we tell every new collector.
1. Buy what you love. The market will go up and down. If you love a piece, you'll never regret it. If you bought it just to flip, you'll probably hate it in six months.
2. Learn one category deeply. Trying to collect everything is a recipe for an unfocused, low-value collection. Pick a category. art deco jewelry, mid-century furniture, Route 66 memorabilia, vinyl. and become an expert in it.
3. Condition matters more than age. A pristine 1950s piece is worth more than a beat-up 1850s piece in most categories. Buy the best condition you can afford.
4. Provenance is everything. A signed, documented, traced-through-history piece is worth multiples of an identical-looking piece with no paper trail. Keep your receipts, your auction catalogs, your family stories.
5. Don't refinish. Original patina is gold. Once you sand or strip it off, it's gone forever. If you must restore, hire a professional who specializes in your category.
6. Get to know your local dealers. The best pieces rarely make it to eBay. They go to dealers' regular customers first. Show up, be polite, pay on time, and you'll get first dibs.
7. Don't trust labels. "Antique," "vintage," "collectible". these are mostly meaningless marketing terms. Ask the seller what they mean and what they know.
8. Buy the book before you buy the piece. There are field guides for almost every category. A $30 book will save you thousands in bad purchases.
9. Join a club. Local collector clubs are where the real deals happen. Google "[your category] collectors club [your city]."
10. Have fun. Antiques are about stories. If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong.
About the author
Merchant Square Editorial
Staff
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