Are you considering getting into the estate, antique or vintage treasure hunt game? Congratulations! We support that 100 percent. Of course, if you’ve ever seen Pawn Stars or Antique Road Show, it’s hard not to catch the ol’ bug. One man’s trash is a knowledgeable one’s treasure, after all.
So where do you start? Well, for starters, it takes years of experience to be able to really refine your “nose” for sniffing out valuable or rare finds, so if possible, hire a professional appraiser to analyze your booty. If hiring an expert is not possible, our basic antique hunting tips 101 should help get you off on the right foot. But, first, let’s define our terms. Typically, an antique is an object that’s more than a century old, while a vintage item is at least 20 years old or older. So now what?
As we mentioned… try to get an antiques appraiser. Get references and also check to see if he or she is a member of the Appraisers Association of America Inc. or the American Society of Appraisers. (P.S. Never, ever sell your items to an appraiser. It’s a conflict of interest and your appraiser shouldn’t make you an offer of any kind if they are worth their salt.) Also check out this great article, which goes into fabulous depth:
No time or money for an antique appraiser? Take a stab at identifying the antique yourself. See below.
Is it wood? Look for wear and tear – like a hundred years’ worth. Check for semi-circular marks (indicative of circular saw likely used around and after 1880) and dove-tail joints. Also, take a good whif. Does it smell old? Last, does it have any inscription, branding or marks? Shellac finishes are a telltale sign of furniture from the 1860 era. Hint. Shellac will dissolve if you apply rubbing alcohol to it.
Is it glass? Look for a inscriptions, patterns and the clarity of the glass. If it’s clear and has some weight to it, it might be a real antique worth something.
Not enough inspiration for you? Go here to see what the right $5-$10 thriftstore item could be worth, according to an Antiques Roadshow appraiser!
Lastly, a big thank you to the following sources:
The Thrifter's Guide