The world of antiquing
Starting an antique collection is a simple activity that offers you great personal enjoyment for a particular passion and an opportunity for a profit if you want it. Collectors often specialize by accumulating items of a specific interest.
Antique collectors participate in an ongoing even known as “antiquing.” This is a general term that describes the act of searching, shopping, identifying, negotiating or bargaining for antiques. For enthusiastic antique collectors, searching for and finding an antique can be exhilarating and exciting.
What is an antique?
General speaking, the word “antique” is an old, collectible item. An antique is collected because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, and usefulness. The labeling of an item as an antique suggests that it has value because of its workmanship and rarity. Other unique features may make an antique both desirable and collectible. For many collectors, there is often a personal or emotional connection to an antique item.
Items identified as antiques are acquired for personal use, gifts and often for profit. Collectors go antiquing at yard sales, estate sales, antique malls, dealer shops and auction houses. It has grown in popularity. However, just because an item is old does not make it an antique. An antique is defined as being at least 100 years old. However, an object doesn’t need to reach an age of 100 years to be labeled as an antique.
An antique is an object that represents a previous era or time in human society. They are common objects that illustrate some degree of true artisanship or a certain attention to design or functionality. Sometimes antiques become family heirlooms that are passed down through generations.
Getting started
Some people may find antiquing to be an overwhelming task but it doesn’t have to be. With thousands of things to collect, it may be harder just to decide what you want to begin with. You can study collections, talk to dealers and browse antique stores. Something may pique your interest and then you can start building your collection.
There are different factors as to why specific items are chosen to collect. Some of the reasons include:
Cost
The actual price of the object is within the financial means of the collector.
Desire
The collector’s interest includes a desire to acquire objects of a specific type.
Passion
The collector has the drive to acquire the chosen items. Location objects can be difficult and the determination to do so is fueled by their passion and interest in them.
Profit
The collector believes an object can be purchased at a price that allows it to be sold for a profit.
Value
A collector believes the item can be procured at a reasonable or sensible value.
Most people collect because of their interest in the item or because of sentimental value. Often, a gift from a family member can start a collection. Most collectors collect because they enjoy the chase more than anything. They love to search through stores, yard sales and antique shops all over the country.
Some people deal in antiques purely for profit. They are traders and know the value of pretty much anything and always want to buy low and sell high. They are always willing to buy what they believe can sell quickly and profitably.
