Some basic facts about antiques

Today the world of antiques has created quite a buzz. Many people, old and young alike, are discovering that our past is right in front of us, we just have to search a little for it. We want to hold onto the past so that we can remember where we came from. Some of the best antique shops can be your key to finding memories and invaluable items that either remind you of your past (think grandma’s old typewriter) or help you understand our nation’s history (maybe a civil war item).

Do you know basic facts about the antique world? We’re here to help you understand about antiques so read on for a few basic facts.

Age may just be a number

Many people think that the age of an object increases its value. Age does not automatically indicate its value. Because an object is old does not mean it is valuable. Sometimes old items are just junk. Quality, condition, and historical background are some of the important factors to consider in an antique.

To clean or not

When it comes to antiques and aging treasures, cleaning is not always advisable. Many collectors don’t want cleaned items and in many cases, it devalues it significantly. Also, if you try cleaning something on your own, you could cause irreversible damage.

The truth about books

When it comes to old books, there are some basic rules. First, if you can smell it, it may lose value. If a book has an odor, which is typically the result of storage in a moldy or mildew environment, it is more difficult to put a value on it. Old books need to be stored in areas with good ventilation and should not be stored standing upright. Lay old books on their back cover to release pressure off its spine. Finally, the spine must be in good shape to command high values with no missing pages or damaging marks.

Take care of old paintings

Old oil on canvas paintings should never have glass placed over them. It is best to leave the surface of the painting free from glass or other coverings. If you cover a painting with glass, the pigment will dry out over time and start to flake away from the canvas. Think about the last time you went to a museum. Paintings are not under glass. They have alarms on them so if you do try to touch them security will be notified. Putting your hand’s natural oils on an old work of art can damage the piece significantly.

These are just a few basic facts to introduce you to the world of antiques. When you start collecting visit a number of antique shops and see how they treat their items. If they take care of their pieces and explain things in detail to you, you have found a gem of a store. At Antique Allure, we want you to ask questions so that you can be better informed not only about something you are interested in but so that you can understand and appreciate the value of antiques in general.

Visit our shop in Southampton, PA and see what we have to offer you as you start collecting.

Phone: (215) 322-5868

Email: