Tuesday, May 27, 2008

My Antique Reviews

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Collecting Antiques - It Never Gets Old!

By Collectibles And Antiques

Television plays an important part in the lives of the 21st century American. It defines us to an extent, and often fuels a massive spike in even the most traditional seeming areas. One such area was the hobby of collecting antiques, which saw a massive increase with the introduction of The Antiques Road Show.

Antiques have long been a part of our culture. Items are handed down through generations, some with special emotional meaning, some as heirlooms, some as valuable investments. They can be bought and sold at garage sales, on eBay, or at auctions.

Some antiques are only valuable to those who are in possession of them. This should not detract any meaning from the possession or collection of antiques for the individual though. One might go so far as to say that every antique or collectible possesses its own intrinsic value, and that in fact the show has had a detrimental effect on the collection of antiques. Collecting should be a passion first, and the idea that it should be for profit somewhat cheapens it.

If you are thinking about starting to collect antiques, there is a whole world out there for you to explore and enjoy. You will probably find it hard to believe the abundant opportunities open to the antique collector. Antiques can be found at garage sales, on eBay, at auctions, and at special collectors shows. A great place to look for antiques is the home of older relatives, and more often than not they are pleased to show you around!

Before you go out and start gathering anything that is older than Law & Order, however, you should decide on what it is that you would like to collect. Perhaps you are only looking for a grandfather clock to add a little oomph as the centerpiece in your sitting room. Maybe you have decided that you would like to look for old military badges and awards. A great place to find an idea is collectors shows. At these shows, there are often varied displays of the collections of people who have been practicing the hobby for years, and you just might find an idea that is so appealing that you will want to start right away. Odds are you are in the right spot, as most of the collectors also have items for sale or trade.

Collecting antiques is a great hobby that never gets old. You should not begin with ideas in your head about discovering riches along the way. Antiques often have to be in peak condition, and collections must include every piece, before they are appraised at any real value. Most expensive antiques are not a surprise to their owners, as they were usually expensive to get in the first place. Begin your antique collecting experience because it is something fun and new for you to do. Any dreams of windfalls should be a distant thought, and never the driving force, behind your new pursuit.

About The Author

Copyright�2006 www.allcollectibleantiques.com Visit for more great articles on antiques and collectibles. Youll find additional helpful resources, tips for collecting and news.

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Glass Christmas ornaments should never be stored in a damp basement. Mildew will cause damage.
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Do not store foods or beverages in crystal bowls or bottles for long periods of time. Vinegar, acidic juice, and alcoholic beverages will leach the lead out of the glass.
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Collectors are able to determine the age of bottles by looking at several features. Early bottles were either hand blown or blown into a mold. Bottles that were made between the late 17th century and the mid 19th century have a pontil mark. The pontil mark is a circular depression on the bottom of the bottle. It is made when the pontil rod is transferred from the blowpipe for final shaping and finishing. After 1800, the pontil was usually ground down and polished so it was not as noticeable, but it was still visible.
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LARGER REPAIRS. Before tackling a large repair, especially one that's going to be prominent when the furniture is displayed, be sure that you've practiced on easier pieces. If you're restoring veneer or inlay, or even paint or varnish, experiment with several less valuable pieces first. Also, check your public library or bookstores for manuals that explain construction and repair of the kind of furniture you own. Many of them provide useful tips. Above all, learn all that you can before you start any repair, particularly if the furniture has sentimental value. Start with easy fixes, and practice to build your knowledge and confidence before attempting big or tricky repairs. No antique furniture will look "like new" again, and in most cases, it shouldn't. But, if you treat your antiques well, they will become more valuable each year, and be treasured by each generation that owns them.
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Carriage Clocks. In France in the 19th century clockmakers developed small spring-driven clocks intended to be carried by travelers. The plain or brass cases are normally rectangular and are outfitted with a carrying handle.
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Your Latest oriental antique furniture News

Roman Antiques - Coins, Sculptures, Portraits, Paintings

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:37:55 -0600
Ancient Roman Jewelry, Vintage brooches, and Uncut Minerals. Bronze, Glass and Iron Artefacts from the Roman Empire. Learn a little about Roman coins, portraits and scuptures to know if the items you want to buy are really antiques.

Nautical - Maritime Antiques and Collectibles

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:27:11 -0600
Unused Nautical gear in the olden days was used for scrap so now it's scarce, valued as collectibles that are often in reproductions. Here are some tips to help you know whether you're buying an antique or a reproduction that's been tweaked to look like the real thing.



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My Antique Reviews

european antique furniture Article Of The Month

What Makes Antiques Valuable?

By Kent Sayre

We all know what antiques are. We see them epitomized in things as large as cars, tables, chairs and dressers, to things as small as ornaments, dolls, silverware and jewelry. One of the most popular places where people from all over the country display and have their antiques appraised is at the Antiques Roadshow. The Antiques Roadshow is just as the name describes--appraisers take their antiquing knowledge with them all over the country and locals have their items appraised(Arizona, Utah, Alabama, Wisconsin, Hawaii and Pennsylvania are the Roadshow's destinations this summer). These shows are then aired on PBS (the U.S. version has been around for over 10 years now!), where people watching from home share in owners' joy after being informed their oak table is worth tens of thousands of dollars. Viewers also share in owners' disappointments, wherein a piece believed to be of great worth is, in fact, worth less than what he or she bought it for.

Yet while know antiques are old, what makes an antique, an antique? Well, that depends on what item youre talking about.

If the item is a car, 25 years or more is considered to be an antique in the United States. For other things--like a table or vase--75 to 100 years worth of life is considered antique. Other characteristics of an antique include its rarity, its overall condition and how collectable it is, or was, considered to be.

For those who enjoy antiquing (i.e. going to various antique outlets to buy items that either adds to their collection or they sell to collectors) these are important things to consider. People who have unwittingly bought faux antiques can certainly attest to this. But by knowing what to look for and learning some of the tools of the trade that appraisers use when determining an antiques value, antiquing can be a fun and profitable hobby, sometimes yielding thousands of dollars. For example, when the Antiques Roadshow traveled to Arizona in 2003, a residents Navajo blanket was appraised at between $350,000 and $500,000. It remains one of the most valuable items featured on the show since its debut.

About The Author

For more information, go to http://www.infostormpublishing.com/ebooks/?bk=32

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Bring a flashlight and a measuring tape when you go antiquing. Don�t forget to look underneath tables and inside cabinets, and follow other antique shopping tips.
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Newspapers and Phone Book. The local newspapers will list antique shows and have advertisements for local shops. And the local phone book will have addresses and phone numbers for area shops. If you are traveling and haven't been to a shop before, you'd better call ahead. You may drive out of your way and get there only to find the shop closed - some shops have unconventional hours, special days each month they are closed or they may only be open during certain months of the year. Others are by appointment only. By appointment only shops will usually open for you if they are home when you call.
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Antique Jewelry



One way to be sure antiques is someone's primary business is if they have a store. The investment in rent or a mortgage, employees, utilities and taxes indicates a very high level of commitment to the business and to the area. There are, however, many long-term, reputable dealers who sell only at antique shows and in consignment shops so this is not the only criteria one should use.
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The Latest european antique furniture News

Get a Celebrity Look with Vintage Style

With the Sex and the City movie premiere just around the corner, it seems like a good time to revisit the concept of dressing and accessorizing with antique and...

Chinese Paintings and Scrolls, Calligraphy on Antique Chinese Art Forms

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:26:47 -0600
Antique Chinese paintings and scrolls, calligraphy on wall panels, Chinese ancestor paintings, vintage art on reverse glass, porcelain and more.

Antique Furniture - Know it's Really Antique Before you Buy

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:27:03 -0600
Learn how to tell the difference between reproductions and antiques. Antique Furniture categories here include vintage cabinets, chests, old-fashioned rocking chairs, tables, dining room sets, and more

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