Antique Collectibles

Jan 17 2011

Shopping for Antique Collectibles on Free Classified Ads Sites with 6 Tips to Discover the Value of Your Collectible Items

There are a few things you can keep in mind when hunting for that perfect piece on free ads sites. Different aspects of locations, time periods and other issues that have to be targeted when hunting for period pieces, can be made a whole world easier keeping a few handy tips and tricks in mind.

When considering the purchase of antiques via online ad postings there are several aspects to consider.

Sight “Unseen”

The absolute biggest problem is that when purchasing such specific pieces you can miss quite a few very important things.

Hidden Signatures or Logos

Often the best way to recognize the originality of a piece is to locate and investigate the items signature logo or trademark. Often in very expensive pieces, these signature marks can be counterfeited and without seeing them up close and personally, there may be no guaranteed way of being sure you have an original. When responding to classified ad posts on this type of piece always ask for the clearest shots of the logos, and many of them. If a seller tells you they are unable to provide you one. Take your money and run.

Logical Deductions

If you are looking for a certain period piece it is always best to go to the area of the original source. Chances are if you are looking for an original European piece, European classified ads may be the best place to begin your search. Looking for civil war pieces? Check out the east coast in the region of the piece you desire.

The Golden Rule

The golden rule followed by antique collectors is to “Only buy things that you like.” This can avoid overspending beyond your personal limits, or collecting pieces that you really can’t use. When purchasing online from ads sites, this may be the one thing that protects you the most. So make a habit of checking over ads for pieces you would like, investigate and request the required photos and then take a step back and give it some consideration.

The greatest things about buying antique collectibles online on free classified ad sites are the ease in which you can request and view photos to view the piece, the wide reaching capabilities of online classified ad sites and the ability to take the pressure off the purchase by simply stepping away from the keyboard.

Roy Wood is the owner of FreeAdLists – Free Ads, a free classified ads site, athttp://www.freeadlists.com/. Roy regularly provides classified ads tips, premium ad services and other classified ad industry information on FreeAdLists WordPress http://www.freeadlists.com/blog. Please visit the website and use the contact

There are many collectible items people enjoy having in their unique collections. These items include music boxes, antique coins, mechanical music and instruments, antique furniture, and NASCAR collectibles to name a few. There are ways for collectors to discover if their items are valuable. Let’s find out how to do so.

1. Always check out the condition of your item first. Look carefully for scratches, tears, dirt, if the item is new, clean, etc. In other words, check the item over with a fine toothcomb!

2. Make sure you have enough light when you check your collectibles. Pay close attention to the name, identification marks, and copyright. Look for imperfections, tears, scratches, and discoloration.

3. If you enjoy collecting dolls, a doll intact in a box raises its value. If the box is damaged or missing, then the value decreases and some are even considered worthless.

4. Visit forums, discussion boards, and other places where collectors gather; get their opinions on your particular collectible.

5. Take the time and visit eBay

If you choose to look into the value of your collectible by visiting an auction site eBay is a good move. eBay has all kinds of collectibles you can imagine. Here are some simple steps to assist you in your eBay search:

-In order to use some of the search function, you must be a registered user with eBay. The registration process is easy and free! So, first, take the time and create an account.

-Search for the category where your collectible is most likely to be listed. For example, starting at “collectibles” would be a good option.

-If you are seeking value for specific collectibles such as antique cars, music boxes, antique coins, etc., check only in the search box for that particular collectible. The search box is a handy tool that helps you find what you need.

-Next, check out the completed auctions box and study the prices and descriptions of collectible items that have been sold.

-Click on individual collectible auctions that you are interested in. You will find a wealth of information such as the price of the item sold, the condition, etc.

-Always keep in mind that eBay prices usually are not the best. At lot of times, the price could be more if the collectible were sold locally. This is because most online auction buyers haven?t been able to actually take a look at the item in person.

6. Other places to look for the Value of Collectibles

There are many other places to discover information on the value of your collectibles. These include antique and collectible stores in your home town, and other online auction sites such listantique.com and anteq.com. MBSI.org and Amica.org are great sites for those interested in mechanical instruments as well as music boxes. Completing research at your local library is also a good source as well as the local hobby clubs in your city.

Finding the value of your collectibles such as music boxes, antique coins, mechanical music and instruments, antique furniture, etc. does not have to be a difficult and daunting task. For those collectible enthusiasts, the process can actually be quite fun! Why not find out the value of your collectibles starting today?

Best Finds From the Antiques Road Show

The comforting, familiar nature of the Antiques Road Show has been likened to ‘the feel of a warm bath’. From its beginnings in 1977, the show delved through the possessions of others, with guests telling us stories of the current owners, past owners and beyond. Usually the item might be worth a few hundred or few thousand pounds, but rarely – and most excitingly – a true gem would be uncovered.

The Halt in the Desert – a painting by Richard Dadd

In 1987, a couple from Barnstaple, North Devon, came along to a show with a painting. Unbeknown to them, the painting was actually The Holt in the Desert by Richard Dadd – a national treasure which had been missing for more than 100 years. After authentication, the painting was valued at £100,000.

In the watercolour, a camping party is seen on the shore of the Dead Sea with Dadd himself seen at the far right. The scene was painted from memory by Dadd from a mental institution, as after coming home from the expedition to Greece, Turkey, Palestine and Egypt he murdered his own father ’supposedly at the behest of the Egyptian god Osiris[*].

Spider’s Web Bottle – by William Burges

A guest brought in a little brown bottle his dad had picked up in 1950 to the Antiques Road Show in Skegness. The expert was delighted to reveal that in fact, the bottle was an original by William Burges – the renowned Victorian designer – which had been lost for most of the 20th century. The bottle was engraved with a spider’s web design of silver, enamel, moonstone and pearl and was valued at £20,000 – £30,000.

Silver Drinking Vessels Collection

After inheriting a collection of silver drinking vessels, a young man from Crawley brought them in to the Antiques Road Show for examination. In an amazing discovery, each piece that emerged seemed to be more valuable than the last. The haul was valued at a remarkable £100,000, and later sold at auction for £78,000, needing some serious antiques insurance cover.

Faberge Brooch

A lady with a love for jewellery brought in a bumper bag of brooches to expert Geoffrey Munn at Chatsworth House. The guest had bought the bag at auction for just £30, and was shocked to when the expert pulled out each of the brooches and valued them successively for £125 – £150. That was until he spotted the real gem – a genuine pink Faberge brooch – valued at £10,000.

Lalique Vase

Possibly one of the canniest purchases to have appeared on the Antiques Road Show was this 1929 work by celebrated designer Rene Lalique which later sold at auction for £32,450. The owner had bought it at a car boot sale in south Scotland for just £1.

[*] The British Museum (1999). Richard Dadd, The Halt in the Desert, a watercolour. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/explore_introduction.aspx [http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pd/r/dadd]

Monique Hawkins is the owner of Monique’s Music Box. Located at http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid music boxes, wooden keepsake boxes, ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms décor, and musical jewellery boxes. The company also provides interesting information for music lovers of all ages

Now that you have taken the time to read this post, take the time and read my many other posts, am sure you will find what you need.

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