What you need to know about the world of antiquing

So many people, old and young alike, are discovering that our past is in front of us. We just have to search for it a little bit. We want to hold onto the past so that we can remember where we came from. Some of the best antique stores 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 (like a civil war item).

To understand the world of antiquing, we are here to help. Read on for a few basic facts.

Age is just a number

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

To clean or not to clean

When it comes to antiques and aging treasures, cleaning it 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 facts 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 of their spine. Finally, the spine must be in good shape to command high values with no missing pages or damaging marks.

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 stores and malls and see how they treat their items. If they take care of their items 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 store in Southampton and see what we have to help you get started with your collecting.

Phone: (215) 322-5868

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