America Vacation Guide

American Antiques

Welcome to the simplest, fastest and easiest to use information on American Antiques.

An antique  is an old collectible item. It is collected or desirable because of its age, rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era in human society.

Antiques are usually objects which show some degree of craftsmanship, or a certain attention to design such as a desk or the early automobile. They are bought at antique shops, or passed down as an estate. Some valuable antiques can be bought from antique dealers and auction services or purchased online through websites and online auctions. Antique dealers are often members of national trade associations, many of which themselves belong to CINOA, a confederation of art and antique associations across 19 countries, representing 5000 dealers.

Any historical museum makes a considerable use of antiques in order to illustrate historical events and give them a practical context. Just about any object can become an antique if it survives long enough, but value of an antique in the market place is determined by its appeal and social acceptance. An item which is at least 50 to 100 years old and is collected or desirable due to rarity, condition, utility, or some other unique feature. Motor vehicles, tools and other items subject to vigorous use in contrast, may be considered antiques in the U.S. if older than 25 years, and some electronic gadgets of more recent vintage may be considered antiques. Any piece of furniture or decorative object or the like produced in a former period and valuable because of its beauty or rarity.

References from the Internet:

Resources, including online price guides, appraisal tips and feature articles, to help you identify and value your antiques and collectibles.

1. Online Price Guides
2. Online Appraisals - Information & Resources
3. Value-It-Yourself Tips & Resources
4. Articles with Price Points
5. Books with Price Guides

Online Price Guides

From About Antiques and other points on the Net, online price guides are often useful in valuing an array of interesting antiques and collectibles.

1. Bedroom & Bathroom Glass Price Guide
2. Carnival Glass Price Guide
3. Depression Glass Price Guide
4. Elegant Glass Price Guide
5. Fenton Glass Price Guide
6. Kitchen Glass Price Guide
7. Milk Glass Price Guide
8. Morphy Auctions Report - May 2008
9. Vintage Costume Jewelry Price Guide
10. Online Price Guides - Elsewhere on the Web

Online Appraisals - Information & Resources

While some antiques experts are adamently against online appraisals, others prefer to see them as one of many tools available to help you identify and value your antiques and collectibles.

1. Online Appraisal Pros & Cons
2. Online Appraisal Services

Value-It-Yourself Tips & Resources

You don't have to be an expert on antiques and collectibles to value the items you own. With these tips and resources you can learn to do it yourself.

1. How Do I Find Values for My Antiques & Collectibles?
2. Rules for Valuing Antiques Like an Appraiser
3. Valuing Antiques: Concerns About Condition
4. Resources Used by Appraisers

Articles with Price Points

These articles not only offer pertinent information and tips for collecting interesting items, but provide select values for the topics listed as well.

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