Antiques

Antique Auction: Bid On Your Next Greatest Treasure

An antique auction is an auction where the things sold are very old. Usually, antique auctions sell things that other collectors have offered or they sell antiques that people have left behind after they died. Whatever the reason, there are many great deals to be had at an antique auction.

Antique auctions may be a little hard to find. You can check your local newspaper or call the local antique dealer. Either one of those sources should turn up an antique auction near you. The people that attend these auctions are antique dealers, private dealers as well as hobbyists who just like to buy things that catch their eye.

You can even find antique auctions online. Sites like Ebay are perfect for finding great deals on antique items. Antique auction sites allow you to bid while providing pictures that you can look at so that you can see exactly what shape the item is in before you bid on it.

The best thing about an antique auction is that you can get great deals on items that have endured many, many years for sometimes pennies on the dollar. Depending on how many people are participating in the auction, you could get an antique item that's much more expensive than what you paid for it. That's why going to every antique auction around you can really pay off.

Auction Your Own Items

If you, too, have items that you'd like to get rid of to make room for something else, you can even offer your items to the antique auction. If you offer it to an antique house, they will likely receive a commission for allowing your item to go up for bids. If, however, you choose to auction the item off yourself, say on an auction site, you may have to pay a small fee to include it in the listing but all profits will be yours. Depending on the item, there's no limit to what someone will pay. Sometimes, something you see as worthless can mean thousands or more to someone else.

Whether you're a collector, a dealer or just a hobbyist, looking for that certain piece to add to your collection, try an antique auction near you. You'll be surprised at the deals you can find and you'll complete your set in no time. Or, if it's you who is holding the auction, think of all the money you can make to help someone fill up their antique collection.

Restoring Your Antique Bedroom Furniture

Whether you've invested in a lovely set of antique bedroom furniture, inherited an heirloom collection or got lucky at a flea market, fixing up a collection of antique bedroom furniture presents questions that aren't found with new furniture.

Asking Before Tasking

The first question is how much is too much? Refinishing antique bedroom furniture can reduce its value. A quick investigation into its history and worth can provide this answer. Check for the mark of the manufacturer or craftsman and any indication of the year it was made. If there is such information, do all of the pieces of your set match in this regard? If the furniture is valued because of its origin, having a matching set is that much more valuable.

How much refinishing does it need? Minor repairs shouldn't diminish the value of the set and an ordinary cleaning won't hurt at all. Except for the replacement of the parts that really enhance the value, restoring the furniture should be fine. If the set has faded hand-painted details, etched glass insets or one-of-a-kind hardware, think before replacing with something that matches the new lamps. If your idea was to have a bright orange bedroom set, check with an expert to make sure you're not painting over your retirement fund.

Restore or Repair
Once you've established that you're not dealing with museum quality antique bedroom furniture, decide whether you want to restore, redesign or just repair the items. Even if the furniture is not valuable now, a true collectable can increase in value if cared for properly.
Think twice about cutting a hole in the back of the armoire to run the television wires. Determine how much work the pieces need. If a leg is missing from an end table, there's probably no reason not to replace them all. You don't need to kill yourself matching hardware if the top of the dresser is rotted through.
If you acquired the set because you like the period look, do the work or have it done. By all means, retain the unique character of the furniture. Even if it's not worth a great deal of money, that unique character is a kind of value that antique bedroom furniture has.
So first, determine the possible value. Second, decide how much repair is needed. Third, try to restore the antique bedroom furniture to its original glory. Fourth, if that's not possible, resize, refinish, reuse. Although owning antique bedroom furniture is a responsibility to the ages, this stuff is yours. Enjoy.

Limited Editions: Antique Books

Antique books are a fascinating glimpse into world history and the people who once made that history. Antique book collecting can be a guessing game sometimes since the actual age of the book may have nothing at all to do with the appraised value. We've all heard about that person who found an antique in a dusty corner of their attic, and it was appraised for a whopping sum of money. Books especially may be found just about anywhere because they are and were usually fairly portable and small.

The Skinny on Antique Books

Probably the most important factor when determining the value of an old book is its condition. It is very rare to find a really old book in great condition simply because of how long it has been around. Pages are often dog-eared, missing or may have writing on them. The binding may be loose or the covers may be damaged. All of these contribute to the book's overall value.

The overall availability of an antique book may add to its value, especially if the book is in demand. However, even if a book is rare, it may not be in demand by book collectors. Sometimes it can almost feel like a guessing game trying to figure out if the book you have is old, rare or collectible.

A first edition is often considered the rarest of a book's printing runs. The term first edition can often be used in odd ways and can often confuse a person who is interested in antique books. Most books only ever have a first edition, so you will usually want to have an expert take a look at your book to determine its value.

Often people will assume that because a book is signed by the author it is more valuable. In the 20th century, book signings have been a quite common occurrence, so signed books are not that rare overall. However, generally speaking, a signed book is somewhat more valuable than its unsigned counterpart. Then again, a lot of this will also depend on the demand that is current in the antique book-buying market.

Antique books can be a wonderful item to collect. The overall interest in antique books is fairly steady, so if you are interested in the world of antique books, information is easy to find. There are also book collecting societies that try and help their members become more adept at book collecting. So, look around, you just may find an antique book lurking in a dusty corner.

The Perfect Collector's Item Is An Antique Bottle

For the elegant addition to a beer bottle or wine bottle collection, which many people are partaking in these days, try an antique bottle to add an extra flavour to the collection. This type of addition can add the perfect amount of "blast from the past" appeal with a modern edge as you round out your display case with a pleasantly coloured and styled antique bottle from a variety of collector options. Regardless of whether you are into beer or wine or other types of bottles, there are many antique dealers that can provide you with the ultimate selection for your collection needs.

If you are interested in finding some of these antique dealers, a great place to start is on the internet with an online auction site that can put you in communication with some dealers. Another great way to find some of these antique items is by heading over to a local auction and discovering some of the finest wares in your area. An antique bottle that is perfect for your collection may well be in the center of one of these auction sites, but it could take some creative searching to locate it. Take your time and peruse all of the options.

Other Options

Part of the fun in looking for an antique gift is the actual search process and finding other items by accident. It can be an incredible rush to locate an item of possibly great value just by partaking in a search for an antique bottle. You never know what types of items you will come up with at a garage sale search, for example. Many family heirlooms and classic items find themselves up for sale at a garage sale and are being sold at incredibly reasonable prices despite their incredible value. Take the time to shop around at garage sales and search the area for great finds.

Many people love antiquing and love to go from antique store to antique store in search of quality items like an antique bottle for their shelving unit. There are some small towns that feature great antique shops that contain incredible hidden values on a plethora of priceless items from all around the world. Check out your local community, too, and look back regularly as you never know when that antique bottle you were looking for hits the shelves.

Looking for a Collector or Antique Car

For many auto enthusiasts, there is little difference between an antique car and a classic car but in reality, there is a huge discrepancy. In most states, 32 years is the benchmark for a car to be considered as an antique car. While a collector car, although usually fitting that age bracket, could be any vehicle that was unique in its time.

Back in the late 1930's and early 1940's, Germany's Volkswagen was hoping to make an impression in the world automobile market. They couldn't make any in-roads until World War II ended due to material availability and the fact that their factory was busy with military orders. One of their first attempts after the war used its small car design with Porsche engineering and they marketed the mid-engine 914. An excellent first antique car for a new collector.

Some collectors fear the often-daunting task of rebuilding an antique car, especially those from the early 1900's. The Ford Model T was an excellent vehicle for its time and antique car collectors are willing to pay for one not requiring a lot of work, especially if it doesn't need a lot of almost impossible to find parts.

Some Classic Cars are Antiques

A 1957 Chevy, while in age it is considered an antique car, is better known as a classic because that is a car that people remember with fondness from previous days. A 1964 or 1965 Ford Mustang, while not on the original muscle car list, is often coveted as a classic by those who owned one in the late 1960's or 1970's.

So beloved are some of the antique cars that car companies are beginning to bring back the name and the basic design, although with modifications. The Volkswagen Beetle, made in 1938, one of the longest-running models in automotive history, was brought back in 1998. Built on the frame of another VW model, the Golf, it is larger than the original bug but has a great similarity in its shape.

The Ford Mustang also made a comeback as few years ago, but not as the small unintimidating antique car from 40 years ago. It's a spruced-up version with minor body modifications and a much more powerful power plant.

The Dodge Charger, long known as one of the better muscle cars and now sought after as an antique car, is making resurgence, still as a muscle car with a power engine and a slightly modified style.

Some people may view these cars as an antique car simply desired for a collection; others see them as classic cars; there for the memories.

Protecting Your Investment: Antique Car Insurance

An antique car can be a huge investment in both time and money, but for many it is a dream come true. Some types of antique car insurance can be very restrictive, so when shopping around for antique car insurance, make sure that you understand all of the policy and what is covered.

Insuring Your Car

When shopping for an antique car insurance agency, you will probably want to ask around or at least read message boards on line to get an idea of what kind of reputation an insurance agency may have. There will always be a few people who have nothing but ugly things to say, but if the overall feedback for a company is good, chances are they are a legitimate, upstanding company.

Some antique car insurance companies have stringent restrictions for what type of car they will register. Many companies will only register a car as an antique car if it has a certain percentage of the original, factory installed parts. Many antique cars today have been restored using replacement parts, new carpet, and new glass and so on. These cars may not qualify for antique car insurance with some companies. Of course there are also agencies that understand about restoration and that you can't always restore it completely to the original specifications.

One big restriction some insurance companies have once you insure your car with them is that the car must be kept in an enclosed, locked garage when not in use. In addition, some companies may only let you drive a certain number of miles or strictly for pleasure use. The limitations on these cars can be pretty limiting, so you may not be able to use your antique car as your primary vehicle if you insure it with an insurance agency that specializes in antique cars.

Some antique car insurance agencies may also require an official appraisal and a photo of the car once you do decide to insure it. A few agencies even require the owner or main drive to be 25 or older with a good driving record.

Insuring the car of your dreams can be a little frustrating. With all the limitations imposed on antique car owners by some insurance agencies, it may feel a little like walking through a minefield. If you do decide to insure your antique car with a specialty insurance company, just make sure you understand all the limitations and benefits of the policy before you actually need it.

How to Refinish an Antique Chair In a Few Easy Steps

An antique chair can bring a unique decorative touch to your home without a big price tag. But transforming a worn-out piece into the treasure you see underneath takes a little time and just a little knowledge.

Stripping

The first step is to strip off all the old finish adhering to the wood of the antique chair. Now, some antique dealers will say to never strip off a finish. But logically, if a piece is in awful shape, you have got to do something to clean it up. So for a compromise, take very old, unique or fine pieces to a professional restorer. Take care of common pieces yourself.

So, first, strip the wood. With commercially available stripper, you will be able to dissolve and scrape off old layers of paint and varnish. You may have to work through several layers of finishes. If your antique chair has lots of carving, get a toothbrush or a wire brush to really clean out small crevices.

An antique chair will have to undergo at least one treatment with stripper, usually more. The best stripper is a thin paste. Apply it to wood surfaces, let it dissolve into the finish for about fifteen minutes, then scrape it off. Repeat as many times as necessary.

Sanding

Once all the old paint and finishes have been removed from your antique chair, you must sand it all over. This cleans and evens the wood's surface so that it can accept your new finish evenly. This job goes a lot faster with a small electric sander with fine paper. Use a drill with different size sanding bits to get in the smallest details of the carving. No power tool, no problem though. Use sanding blocks - sponges coated with a sanding surface. They can squeeze and fit over any contour more easily that plain sand paper.

Getting Finished

So now the antique chair is smooth, clean, and dry. Now you get to pick the next step: what to refinish it with.

Pick either wood stain or paint. Wood stain comes in many colors and "dyes" the wood but allows the grain to show through. You can get standard wood colors from light brown to black or any other color you want. Paint is opaque and can have a glossy or matte finish.

Put on one layer of your refinishing solution, and wait a night before putting on the next layer. Put three coats if you really want. Then finish off with a paint sealant, and there is a good-as-new antique chair.

History of the Mystery of Antique China

Bone china has a large, loyal following. It is collected all over the world according to brand name and pattern. It is hard to believe that the formula and process for this type of porcelain eluded the craftsmen of Europe for hundreds of years.

Spode

Although some pieces of Chinese porcelain were brought to Europe as early as the 13th century, it wasn't until 1800 that English craftsmen finally cracked the code to begin manufacturing the prized commodity. Earlier attempts resulted in a softer type of ceramic.

One of the first companies to produce comparable porcelain by firing kaolin, feldspar and quartz together at high enough temperatures to make them melt and fuse together, was Chelsea, established around 1745. The antique china produced by this company is highly prized because it was sold in 1769. Other brand names from that time are Bow, Bristol, Worcester and Derby. Derby still manufactures fine china. The antique china from these companies is quite valuable.

Josiah Spode was the first to add bone ash to the mix while attempting to find a less expensive way to make porcelain, and the result was bone china. Although less expensive and easier to make, it is preferred to porcelain because of its translucence, high whiteness and durability. It also takes colors well to produce sought-after patterns both traditional and new. Spode China is still being manufactured and even the modern pieces are very collectible.

Along with Spode, other makers of very collectible bone china of that time are Minton (now a part of Royal Doulton), Davenport, Coalport (now part of Wedgewood), and Worcester which added "Royal" to its name in 1789.
Owning Antique China

Collecting antique china is a great way to acquire beautiful pieces that will increase in value. It is fragile, which adds to its value, but that fact shouldn't stop you from using it. China, even antique china, can be displayed, used for meals and admired safely. Don't use antique china in the microwave oven or dish washer. Wash it in soapy water without abrasive soaps or scrubbers. When storing it, use a sheet of paper toweling or other cushion between pieces to avoid chipping, scratching or breaking.

To further your enjoyment, read about your antique china. Learn about the history of the patterns and companies that you collect and, if you like, look for fellow collectors online. Share your interest in forums of like-minded collectors. The most important rule for collectors of antique china is "Enjoy it."

Getting to Know Your Antique Clawfoot Bath Tub

The original clawfoot bath tubs, first used in Victorian times, were replaced by light weight, more colorful, more convenient built-in tubs. In spite of that, the antique clawfoot bath tub is once again popular. Even designers that don't care about the antique value of the tubs are choosing to purchase modern acrylic tubs made to look like the authentic tubs.

The History

Although bathing was the norm during the Roman Empire, it fell out of favor afterwards. The problem, besides the lack of respect for hygiene, was the technology of plumbing. It wasn't until the 19th century that cast iron pipes replaced those made of hollow trees. The first plumbing code in the country was passed in 1848.

Cast iron tubs made by the Kohler Company in 1883 were of cast iron. Early advertising described them as a "horse trough/hog scalder, when furnished with four legs will serve as a bathtub." At that time, bathing in a tub was unfamiliar. People found that the cast iron surface was easy to keep clean and would prevent the spread of disease - and so it caught on.

An extra bedroom or a spare room would be converted into a bathroom. The housing boom following World War I saw houses being planned and built with a room intended for use as a bathroom with plumbing to accommodate a sink, toilet and clawfoot tub.

The Tub

The antique clawfoot bath tub is made of cast iron with a coat of enamel for ease in cleaning. American tubs are drilled for drainage, overflow and water while the English model uses faucets placed in the wall so has no holes drilled to accommodate those pipes.

Compared to modern tubs, the antique clawfoot bath tub is colder to the touch because of its iron core, has surface irregularities and is very, very heavy. The classic style has a rolled or flat rim. Often, one end is rounded and one is flat. If one end of the tub is higher than the other for comfortable lounging, then your antique clawfoot bath tub is a slipper tub. A double slipper tub is raised at both ends.

If your taste runs to the older, authentic antique clawfoot bath tub, you can find one on the internet. Just be prepared to deal with high shipping costs and perhaps the need to reinforce the floor of your bathroom to support the weight of the real thing.

Antique Clocks: Built To Last

When it comes to hanging clocks on your wall, you probably went to the local department store and picked up any old clock. As long as it told time, it was good enough to hang on the wall. Of course, it had to look nice, too. However, you were limited to the selection the store had to offer and who knew if it was going to work for very long. You should have waited and searched out an antique clock.

Hand Made Clocks

An antique clock adds more flavor to the wall you hang it on. It's likely lived for many years and, if it still works, that's because it was made to last. It's a beautiful piece of machinery that was likely hand made. That means that great detail went into making the antique clock, so you know it was built correctly.

Antique clocks can be found at flea markets, garage sales, antique auctions or even on the internet. One of the most famous types of antique clock is the grandfather clock. The grandfather antique clock stands four, sometimes six feet in height or more and emits a bell every hour on the hour. It adds an aura of mastery and mystery to your home. That's the allure of having an antique clock hanging on your wall.

Antique clocks may be more expensive than the ones you find in your local department store but they're made to last so you know the money will be well worth it. Also, think of the history that the clock has seen. Think of all the walls it's hung on, watching families age, watching children grow up, go to school, graduate and go on to start families of their own. These clocks are actually time pieces into history. This you can't get from a cheap clock you buy at your local store.

So, go out and find an antique clock today and take pride in knowing that your clock has withstood the test of time and will continue to tell time for many years to come. You can find good deals online at some auction sites or you can go to your local antique store and try to get them to give you a good deal. However you get your antique clock, hang it on your wall with pride and know that it's ready to tell you the time whenever you need it to.

Antique Collectibles Require a Discerning Eye

There are many reasons people collect old items, and for some searching for antique collectibles is almost an obsession. Cruising garage sales, flea markets and auctions are more than a pastime for real collectors.

Collectors amass some impressive items in their search for antique collectibles and it's not limited to one area of merchandise. Furniture, for example, has some ardent collectors, but due to the items' individual size, it leaves the collectors somewhat limited in the number of items they can collect.

Other antique collectibles are picked up by people in a more eclectic manner, in that they don't concentrate on just one type of collectable such as glass, coins, jewelry or furniture. Rather they have antique collectibles and not just antique glass or coins.

Not all antique collectibles are truly antique, and to some others, may not even be collectibles. What makes an item a collectable is the desire of someone to own it and what gives that item value is what that person is willing to pay for it.

Reduced Supply Equals Higher Price

Some antique collectibles however are truly antique because they have been made by hand up to over 100 or even 200 years ago and have been maintained in nearly original condition. If that item was only one of very few made that is still around, it would be one of a few very valuable collectibles.

As with many antiques, there are going to be counterfeiters who try to make money on forgeries. Glass and furniture seem to top the last of counterfeit antique collectibles but collectors with experience and knowledge can spot those fakes from the end of the driveway.

Persons new to the idea of antique collectibles should probably obtain a good antiques guide of the items they are interested in collecting. They should also begin by visiting reputable antique dealers. Most good dealers are happy to talk about their collections and how to spot the fakes. After all, counterfeits cut into their business and make the entire business of buying and selling antique collectibles suspect to new collectors.

Buying antique collectibles on line may also not be such a good idea, as many items you think are genuine, would have to be carefully inspected to ensure they are. While most individual sellers of antique collectibles will be honest; companies often spring up one day, sell may bogus items as true collectibles and then close up shop and take off with your money.

Caring for Your Antique Desk

You have acquired an antique desk and you want to use it, decorate with it, and show it off, of course. But how do you accomplish all of that? Should damage be repaired or will it ruin the value? Does its placement matter? Is ordinary modern polish all right to use on an old surface?
Your Investment
First of all, find out whether you have an investment to protect. If you purchased your antique desk from a respectable antique dealer or inherited it with an evaluation, you have a pretty good idea of whether your desk is a valuable antique or merely a beautiful old piece of furniture.

If you purchased the desk from a second hand store, a flea market or yard sale or if someone just gave it to you, you should do a little research. Look for some kind of identification - a manufacturer's label or craftsman's mark, for instance. Go to the library and look through furniture books for pictures that look like your desk. Do the same thing on the internet. If you discover that your desk is possibly a valuable piece, consider consulting an expert.

Your Beautiful Desk

Whether or not it's the basis of your children's college fund, your desk is a beautiful piece of furniture and because it isn't a modern piece, special care has to be taken. First, check for damage. Tighten up loose legs and hardware. Look for signs of insect damage and make sure that if there is any, that there are no little pests hiding.

If you are protecting the value of an antique desk, find out the right kind of polish or wax to keep the surface protected. Don't remove the finish or alter it until you can find out how to do it properly. Don't try to fix scratches or other imperfections until you make sure that they aren't adding something to the worth of your antique desk. If the desk is not worth a great deal of money, feel free to replace the hardware with something that matches your wall paper, refinish it and sand out scratches and other damage.

Either way, be careful not to place your antique desk directly in sunlight, a fireplace or in front of an air vent that might dry it out. Wipe up spills immediately. Dust often and don't allow any other type of dirt to accumulate. While not allowing the wood to dry out, protect it from long-term high humidity which can lead to mold, wood rot or attract insects.
Take care of your antique desk and you can enjoy many more years of beauty from it.

Reading a Technical Description of an Antique Diamond Ring

Antique diamond rings appeal to some people more than contemporary creations. Whether it's the style, or simply the mystique that comes with owning an antique object, antique diamond rings appeal to many people. Whether it is an ancestor's engagement ring or a flapper's cocktail jewelry, diamonds have been popular for ages.

The Four Cs

The first of the four Cs to understand about an antique diamond ring is carat. A carat is a weight, and one carat is .007 of an ounce. That means even a huge five-carat diamond still weighs much less than an ounce. In general, the larger the carat weight, the higher the price. But at the top end of the market, prices go up much faster than size because big diamonds are so rare.

An antique diamond ring will also be graded by clarity. But clarity grades are marked by letters that require explanation. The very finest diamonds are rated FL for "flawless". These gems have no inclusions or blemishes even at 10X magnification. From there, diamonds get a lower clarity rating beginning with V or S based on the number of internal flaws and external blemishes visible under 10 magnification. Once flaws are visible to the naked eye, they are usually not used in jewelry.

Diamond colors also get a ranking from D to Z. The most expensive antique diamond ring will have a rating close to the beginning of the alphabet, for being completely colorless. A gem with a slightly yellow tinge will hurt the value of an antique diamond ring, but a naturally occurring bold color will increase its value.

Finally, the diamond's cut can help determine age, and sometimes value. Before the 1900s, there were basically six cuts of diamond. Viewed from the top, they were never round; they were always clearly polygons. Today's brilliant cuts allow the light to be reflected through the diamond with more fire. However, an antique diamond ring with an archaic shape has an attraction and value of its own; and plenty of fire besides.

Precious Metals

In general, the least expensive fine metal is silver, next is gold, and most expensive is platinum. Each of these metals is more expensive the more pure it is. An antique diamond ring made with platinum or gold probably is paired with very fine diamonds. Silver can be matched with pricey stones too, but it is also widely found on less expensive pieces.

Antique Dolls: Perfect For Any Doll Collection

When it comes to collecting dolls, many serious collectors aren't interested in the dolls that have recently come out or have been recently produced. Serious collectors, instead, have their sights set on antique dolls. These dolls are much more valuable than their more recent counterparts. Antique dolls are rich in history and, if kept in good shape throughout the years, can become an invaluable addition to any serious antique doll collection.

For an antique doll to become valuable, it will have to have been taken care of throughout the years. Dolls that are missing eyes or even limbs won't do much for any serious collector. However, the dolls that are kept wholly intact and are in complete mint condition, those are the antique dolls that will fetch large sums for the seller.

Mending Dolls

Of course, if a doll is an antique and is missing some parts, say an eye or a leg, the dolls can be repaired. There are shops out there who will repair your antique dolls to make them look like new. It should be noted, however, that many collectors out there are very picky about what antique dolls they will accept for their collection. They take their antique doll collecting very seriously and will not tolerate a doll they considered to be mended. Trying to pass the antique doll off as Mint condition is not recommended as any serious collector will be able to tell almost instantly. However, if the doll needs it, mending can be done to restore your antique doll to its full beauty.

You can find antique dolls at specialty doll stores and even online. Many antique dolls come from collectors and even more come from people who once owned them and then died. This is where we get most of our antique dolls today. They are left over or sold with peoples estates. Some of these antique dolls are a hundred years old or more. You can imagine what an artifact like that is worth. Considering most of the antique dolls are hand made, the amount is likely more than you expect.

You can start antique doll collecting any time you wish. Find a good antique doll retailer and be prepared to spend a lot of money. Doll collecting isn't cheap, especially not antique doll collecting, but it's worth it when you consider all the extra friends you'll have to fill up your new doll room.

Challenges of Antique Flooring

Whether its aesthetics or the urge to recycle, many people choose to put antique flooring in their homes. Most people think of wide hardwood boards as the only type of antique flooring, but in fact antique tiles and stones make popular floors too.

Wood You Help Me Out?

Deciding on wood antique flooring can be an expensive decision. At an architectural antique store, the prices can far surpass anything at the home improvement warehouse. But so can the quality, and, if you dig enough, the selection. Going antique can net great finds that are just not quite available today to most people. Wide planks and odd hardwoods are not easy to get in any situation, but they're much easier to get hold of as antique flooring than as new pieces.

To cut back on costs, do not go straight to the antiques high road. Check out salvage shops and the internet. If you are willing to do your own refinishing, you will save money.

And take a look in newspapers' classified ads. Sometimes an old building is put up for a demolition sale: that is, you bring your own tools and buy anything you can pry out. Or you may get lucky and find someone selling antique flooring that is already been removed from its old home.

And naturally, do not forget your dimensions. With antique flooring, what you see is what you get, imperfections, scarcity and all. If you find a good thing at a good price, but it's just a little short, see if your room could take a different trim around the edge, or a complementary patch near the furniture. It will add character and a conversation piece to your home.

Tile for Hot Climates

In hot climates, tile floors have always been popular. The Roman mosaics at Pompeii are tile. Some centuries' old palaces in Europe are floored with Roman mosaics that were taken from ruins that had already been buried for hundreds of years when they got dug out.

But you do not have to loot a Roman villa for antique tiles. Victorian tiles are readily available, but to find enough to cover a floor, you will probably have to look on the internet or engage a specialist dealer.

The most durable tile antique flooring material is encaustic tile. These thick Victorian tiles come mostly in muted shades and usually make an intricate geometric pattern on the floor. Even incorporating a few of these into a modern tile floor makes a unique statement.

It May Pay to Know what Antique Furniture really is

If you are in the market for some antique furniture, it may be a financial benefit to know a little about the subject before you go running to the antique store and plop down huge sums of cash for ordinary old furniture.

Mastering the art of antique furniture knowledge is a life-long lesson but with just a few tips, you can get started in the right direction. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, there were basically five types of American furniture, and at the point in time where it changed, there may be even a few crossover pieces, meaning they contain attributes from both periods.

The earliest of the antique furniture usually found today is from the Colonial or Jacobean period, which ran from 1620 to 1720. Beginning in 1720, the Queen Anne furniture period enjoyed about a 30-year reign and the next 30 years, 1750 through 1780 is considered the Chippendale period.

Hipplewhite was a popular design beginning in 1780 and retain its popularity only until about 1800 and was followed by the Sheraton period from 1790 to 1810 with 10 years being considered a crossover period. Some antique furniture during this period may show significant traits of both designs.

Know What to Look for in Value

True antique furniture is separated in quality by five main categories; good, better, best, superior and masterpiece. Good antique furniture is usually judged to be simply old furniture, regardless of the period during which it was made. Better describes furniture made by good craftsmen but may have a weakness in design or workmanship.

Antique furniture classified as best will show signs of superior craftsmanship and design. A superior classification describes furniture maintain extreme beauty and an excellent quality of workmanship and masterpiece means there is not now, nor ever was anything ever wrong with its design, beauty and workmanship.

Restoring antique furniture should be done only by someone experienced in the art and only to make minimal intrusion on the piece. Should you obtain a true piece of antique furniture, having found a label or marking on the bottom or back, before doing anything that may depress its value, contact a professional for advice.

When too many pieces or parts have to be rebuilt to make the piece usable, it may be time to accept its value is not going to be maintained and restore it to its original function. Although with all antique furniture the least amount of work done on it, other than cleaning, is usually better.

Collecting Antique Glass

During the 18th century, manufacturing methods allowed great numbers of drinking glasses to be made. Unfortunately, the ease in making them only increased with time and the most valuable varieties of antique glass were often faked. Even more than most antique collectibles; antique glass should be authenticated by a reliable source.
Drinking Glass Decoration
Of course, modern glassware is extremely affordable. You don't want to pay antique glass prices for glasses that look modern. Nobody else does, either. Shape and decoration can add to the value of a glass. Decorated glassware is usually one of four types; two types involved cutting the design into the glass and two have the design applied to the surface.
Cut glass usually catches the light, often creating prisms. Over time, the cuts became deeper and more elaborate. Don't be fooled by modern imitations which are molded into shape instead of cut. Engraving offers a shallower but sometimes more interesting array of patterns. Antique glass comes in four kinds of engraving.
Acid etching uses hydrofluoric acid to etch designs that were scratched into the surface by a sharp implement. It was usually used in the 19th century. Stipple engraving uses a diamond-tipped stylus to tap and scratch dots and lines into the surface, making a design. This was a popular way to decorate glasses in the Netherlands and England of the 18th century.
Wheel engraving uses wheels of different diameters rotating against the glass to make designs. Antique glasses with this type of designing might be from 17th century Germany or 18th century England. Diamond point engraving, like stipple engraving, uses a diamond tipped tool to make the design. England and Venice made these glasses during the 16th century.
Venetian glass was painted with enamel since the 15th century. Enameled glass became popular in mid-18th century England. Antique glass might be gilded. Several techniques were used to apply gold, gold leaf or paint containing gold to glass for an elegant look.

Because of imitations and outright fakes in the antique glass market, it's a good idea to study the subject before beginning to invest in antique glass. Of course, imitations are less expensive. If you are only looking for the beauty of an era gone by and are not interested in its resale value, there's no reason to bypass glasses that have more appeal than authenticity. Just be sure that you're getting what you want.

Buying An Antique Gun

Buying an antique gun can make a great gift for the father in your life that is in to collecting great antique wares. Giving this sort of present can create quite an impact at family gatherings and Father's Day celebrations because unwrapping an antique gun is a moment that many will never forget. The quality of the gift is second to none, especially if you have taken the right steps in authenticating the antique gun and ensuring its prime quality. From this point, you can be assured that when you give this gift you are giving a memory that will last a lifetime and a gift that may last even longer.

Finding the proper gift for the proper occasion is often a confusing matter, especially for the more selective people on your list. But with antique shopping and a little creativity, you can turn that awkward moment before the present is opened into gracious anticipation with desired effects. This belies a responsibility to create the greatest gift-giving strategy known to man, making you the master and ruler of gift giving thanks to your prowess in the antique department and your ability to get people exactly what they want and exactly what they need.

Buying Your Weapon Of Choice

Finding the gift of your dreams can be a daunting task, at first, but with a little preparation and research you can enable the experience to become fascinating. It will be fascinating because of the personal voyage you will go on through the world of antiques to find that antique gun that will make the perfect surprise present. You may even discover something about your own likes and dislikes with this journey, unlocking little nuggets of the past to coincide with your vision of the future and discovering some tips for decorating your life with visions from the past.

An antique gun is generally identified by a few factors, the first of which is the era. If you know which era of gun you are looking for, you can start to narrow down your search to greater specifics. If you aren't sure as to what era or type of antique gun you are looking for, try to feel out the recipient of the gift and get an idea as to what eras in history they are fascinated by or what type of gun they might enjoy. The best part about giving a gift like this is that you are tapping into history while doing it.

Design Contributes to Beauty of Antique Jewelry

The design and cut of a particular stone can turn an old or vintage piece into a collector's piece of antique jewelry. Sapphires, rubies and diamonds are just a few of the stones embedded into intricate metal to make rings, brooches and pendants back when most jewelry was fashioned by hand.

It would be rare today to find a jewelry maker who fashions the metal, whether gold, silver or even titanium from scratch, using molds for the metal and fine grinding and sanding it to a smooth and shiny finish, and then precision cutting the stone to fit into the mount. Those steps are what make old jewelry truly antique jewelry pieces.

Many people confuse being old with being an antique. A person's grandmother's wedding ring may be old and it may be beautiful, however other than sentimental value it may not be considered as antique jewelry by a true collector.

Some Items Made for Costumes and Not Collecting

During the early to mid 20th century, cheap tin and stone jewelry was made by the tons as costume jewelry. It was made to be cheap, had little value except as adornment for women who couldn't afford the handmade jewelry. It would never be considered as antique jewelry.

A new collector however may not understand the difference and see some of this old costume jewelry, be convinced by a persuasive sales person that it is really old and believe it to be antique jewelry. What you may get is simply old costume jewelry.

People who collect true antique jewelry understand what makes jewelry an antique and not just old. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that steam or gas power engines were used in jewelry making and once this mechanical production became more popular, it sparked many new trends in adornment.

Light and delicate were the traits of antique jewelry of the Edwardian era and Louis Cartier started adding hearts and bows to his designs for his high income clients. Art Deco jewelry, arriving after the war, was what women were after which offered a more symmetrical design, although bright contrasting colors came with it.

As with most collecting, the value of an item is based on its age, its availability and what another person is will to pay for it. But with age, something which is old is not necessarily a collectable antique; it may just be considered antique jewelry because it is old.

Antique Lamp Safety

The right lamp is the perfect touch to any room. Light in the right intensity and color can make a room go from plain to luxurious, and that is why many people want to furnish rooms with a mellow antique lamp for a little touch of history and romance.

Anyone can find an antique lamp to suit their taste. When lamps were first made, artists made many different and sometimes bizarre forms of lamps. In Europe, some artists made elaborate wire sculptures covered with beads with a light bulb put underneath to make it glow. Tiffany made some electric lamps in very whimsical styles, even to emulate an elaborate Arab oil lamp.

But an antique lamp in a more conventional style might be better for your room. In the late 1800s, manufacturers were making goose-neck, sconce, and candlestick lamps for small spaces, and floor lamps for more lighting.

At the turn of the century, many companies, including Tiffany, made lampshades of soldiered stained glass, painted or art glass. By the time the Arts and Crafts and Art Deco movements moved in, the organic forms of these thirty-year-old lamps were passé. It was not until collectors started seeking these wonderful antique lampshades in the 1970s that Tiffany's and Steuben's began to advertise six-digit prices.

Safety First

If you are lucky enough to find an antique lamp in mint condition that suits your taste, check the wiring before plugging it in.

Electric cords do not last forever. The earliest cords were wrapped in silk, which is quite prone to catching fire. Later cords covered with other fabrics are not that much better either. Even plastic cords ought to be replaced for safety's sake. And because an antique lamp with unsafe wiring is of no value, replacing the wiring will not affect its value.

It is easy to replace the wiring on any antique lamp as home improvement stores sell all the parts you need. Just pull out the old wire and run the new one in its place and attach the socket on top with screws. If the lamp has an odd-shaped shaft, tie the old wire to the new wire before pulling it through and disposing of it.

Today's bulbs come in bigger, brighter wattages than their antique counterparts. This translates in to more heat. Cloth shades with fringe or loose threads on the inside pose a fire hazard. The seams in soldiered glass lampshades can soften and be prone to damage. For best results, use a low-wattage bulb and new wiring.

Antique Mall: Historical Treasures

For your next weekend getaway, why don't you choose the local antique mall. Your local antique mall is a great place to find those discarded treasures that would go great in your antique collection. Antique malls are filled with a multitude of items that have either been discarded or have been handed down and then sold at auction, such as when someone dies. The antique mall can complete your collection. You just have to find one.

Many towns have an antique mall. Antique malls are a line of stores who each sell antique goods. They are sort of like a flea market or a swap meet. There's no limit to the amount or types of items you'll find at an antique mall. There's lots of treasures to be found. You should be able to find one near you. Search your local yellow pages or check the internet.

Prices Are Often Negotiable

When visiting an antique mall, remember that the price tag is only a suggestion. Many of these shop owners will haggle with you on the price. You could get it for cheaper, all you have to do is ask. Of course, the really valuable and rare pieces may not be negotiable when it comes to price. Ask the shop owner and see if you can get a good deal. Often times, the piece as been in the store for so long, the shop keeper just wants to get rid of it. It never hurts to ask and doing so may save you loads of money in the long run.

Someone Is Always Looking For Something

An antique mall is a great way for you to sell your own antiques or even barter. If you have a few pieces in your collection that you either aren't very fond of or would just like to discard, take them to the mall and see if they'll buy them. Or, trade them out for another piece to add to your collection. Whether it be furniture, tools, dolls or whatever else has been passed down through the generations, someone is always looking for something.

An antique mall is an interesting place to visit. Even if you don't buy anything, it's still fun to shop around to see what old things you might be able to see. These kinds of malls really prove that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

How to Decorate With an Antique Map of Your City

An antique map can be a great way to decorate your home or office. It's a great conversation piece and something most guests are really attracted to. You don't have to be a history buff to appreciate old quaint maps, imperfect geography, or just a street name change.

X Marks the Spot

As long as there have been printing presses, there have been mass-produced maps. For many places, it is possible to even find 400-plus year old printed maps.

An antique map dealer is the place to find the most exclusive, old, and unique maps. The very earliest Atlases could only be printed in black and white. The colors had to be hand-painted in each copy. So a colorful map is the most beautiful, but also the most difficult to make, and hence, the most expensive.

While early geographers worked out the exact contours of the land, they filled the empty spots they didn't know with sea monsters, land beasts, and other imaginary characters. An antique map with these features or with a fancy compass rose is very popular with collectors as well.

If you decide to make an investment in a fine antique map, buy it from a reputable dealer. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars for a modest printed example, or thousands for a hand-made, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. Read up first on fakes and reproductions and learn how to tell real age and proper wear of a piece of paper. It should be framed only by a professional conservator and never hung in sunlight.

Modern Maps

But, many places in North America were well-mapped from the beginning, never surrounded by terra incognita. So this actually makes your decorating choice easier: you can therefore pick a more modern antique map.

By the 1850s most of North America was reasonably well-known, and the densely inhabited parts back East were mapped as well as they are today. And when color printing appeared, so too did inexpensive, colorful, accurate Atlases.

Modern Atlases were so mass-produced that buying a leaf or two from these old books is not expensive at all. For just a few dollars, anyone can pick up a map of their state or home city from before WWII for less than $15. Since they are so inexpensive, this kind of antique map is generally not worth the expense of conservation framing. Many will fit right into a pre-made frame, or, at most, you can have a mat cut to fit it.

Antique Phones: A Blast from the Past

Everyone collects something, and for some, collecting antique phones is an interesting and informative hobby. Today, you can find working, useable antique phones online and in stores. There are also brand new phones that are reproductions of antiques; the only difference is the underlying technology.

Even phones you might not think possible to use, such as an old fashioned wall mounted crank phones, may be available. There are plenty of sites online that sell both authentic antique phones as well as reproductions of antique phones. The actual antiques have often been retrofitted for today's technology, and may require a little more time to set up than a modern phone, but they usually will work on today's phone systems. If you have an actual antique phone that has not been refitted, you probably won't be able to use it with the modern telephone systems.

Things to Keep in Mind

Many antique phones are not going to be compatible with modern touch tone systems. Most of these old phones are rotary phones, which may be problematic in some instances, especially if you call a business with an automated directory that asks you to make your choices by pushing a number on your phone. This does not mean you can't have an authentic antique phone, but you will probably want to have a more modern phone around to use as well.

One thing to keep in mind is that there seems to be a rather large influx of phones that may not be completely original. Some of these phones are put together using actual, authentic parts, but not parts that belonged together originally. Part of the phone may be original, but quite a few of the other parts may be from other antique phones instead of from the phone itself.

Collecting antique phones can be a good investment depending on the availability and age of the phone in question. It is true that these phones are only going to be rarer as the years pass, and at the very least you will always have a nice conversation piece in your home.

Antique phones are a rather intriguing thing to collect. They are definitely a part of American culture as well as part of our technological heritage. If you are interested in collecting antique phones, there are a couple of organizations dedicated to the collecting of antique telephones that may be able to help you determine the authenticity of your phone and possibly help you learn the basics of antique phone collecting.

The Work of Art in an Antique Piano

Harpsichords, clavichords, or spinets; European or American, the piano has been a popular instrument for hundreds of years. Manufacturers competed to purvey the most beautiful, elegant, and full-sounding pianos to the music loving public of centuries past. Kings, Queens, royalty, nobility and their aspirants had to have a piano in the house to entertain guests.

It is easy to view an antique piano in its original setting; many house museums all over the world have a piano, even if it is not the original. Some look strange to those of us used to a simple upright. Antique piano makers used every technique of paint and inlay to decorate their finest instruments.

Antique piano designs were not yet standardized either. Some seem to have too few keys, just three or four octaves. Some are clearly too short for anyone but a child to play and some reverse the traditional black and white keyboard color scheme.

Hand-Made

In a way, it is no surprise to call an antique piano a work of art. Before the Industrial Revolution, pianos, like all things, were hand-made. A piano maker was best to find a client before he started crafting one of these monsters. And with a particular client came his tastes and his décor.

For much of the late 18th and early 19th century, classical motifs were popular for furniture decoration, and pianos were no exception. Slender column-like legs supported these classical instruments. Accompanying trim of lyres was also a popular motif. Museums today also house antique pianos painted with any number of designs including classical scenes and garlands.

Hand-Cranked

So your first introduction to a player piano may have been from a Bugs Bunny cartoon. But in the 1800s, these really were popular instruments, the jukeboxes and iPods of the day.

Some restaurants and other venues still use player pianos, whether antique or modern, to add a whimsical touch to the place and provide live music without hiring a live musician. In fact, today player piano rolls are still made. They play modern songs and have the words printed alongside, like an analog karaoke machine.

Just One, Please

An antique piano collection is hard to amass. Mostly only stars like Liberace or Elton John have a proper place to display (and use) more than one antique piano. Liberace's collection is on display in Las Vegas. Maybe the red lacquer one is not an antique, but it is a work of art and will be an antique someday.

The High Tech World of the Antique Pocket Watch

Not many antique collectibles offer a piece of technology to the modern day owner. The exception is the antique pocket watch.

Tech of the Time

At first, the need to tell time was not pressing. Early clocks were large, not portable, and had only an hour hand. Early portable clocks were accurate to within about an hour, more or less which was close enough for their owners. The first watch makers were metal smiths for the simple reason that watches were made of metal. As watches became more precise, the person who manufactured them was the locksmith. Once watches reached the tiny size of five inches wide by three inches thick, it was the locksmith's fine tools that were needed for the work.

Still, the accurate antique timepiece was only needed by ship navigators. It was the spring that made timepieces more accurate. As the watch became accurate to within minutes, minute hands were added. The antique pocket watch didn't appear until a way to protect the face was developed. Watches went from being kept in pair cases made of metal to translucent glass covers that had to be taken off for the watch to be readable. As with all popular technology, bells and whistles were added. A second hand, chimes, calendars and music were among the extras.

To increase accuracy and sturdiness, jewels were added to the works because they didn't wear out from the friction of moving parts. The most accurate kind of antique pocket watch is the railroad watch. Trains used to travel in both directions on the same track. Without means of long-distance communication, only the engineer's ability to stay on schedule kept the system safe. On April 19, 1891, an engineer's watch lost four minutes and the railroad lost the lives of nine passengers. Exacting standards were set for the railroad watch which had to be inspected and certified regularly. That's cutting-edge technology.

To find the age of an antique pocket watch today means relying on today's technology - the internet. The hallmark and serial number of an antique pocket watch can be researched online. American watches have their serial numbers on the inside of the watch. An older antique pocket watch from England will have a hallmark that should be researched. Patents can also be used to date an antique pocket watch. A company name inscribed on the face of a watch may not be that of the manufacturer but of a company that placed a large order for the watches.
Even antique technology comes with interesting stories. Take the time to look for information about your antique pocket watch and you won't be disappointed.

Discovering Antique Pottery

The discovery of antique pottery as a classic gift is an incredible way to create a stir around your gift giving season. Whether you are giving a gift for Christmas or for a birthday celebration, antique pottery can create an envious aura the likes of which may never been seen again. Everyone will wish to have given what you have given, but nobody will properly match up with the right effect of your gift on the recipient. Imagine the excited, lit-up faces of people getting your antique gift for their special day and repeat the process as often as necessary for the desired effect.

Finding that ideal gift is usually quite a process, as sifting through all sorts of catalogues and online shopping sites can take up valuable time spent accomplishing other tasks. The art of the antique pottery gift, however, is that the gift can often be found by accident. Try hunting around at a few garage sales or other thrift store ideas for this particular item; you may be surprised at the selection and price of some of the more "used" antique pieces, but the quality and durability of the product is never in question. Most pottery gifts are excellent in terms of wear and tear.

Types Of Antique Pottery

You never know what magical pieces of history you will find in terms of antique pottery, but one thing is for sure: you will be satisfied with your gift. The reality of such a gift is that it can send shivers down the spine of the person lucky enough to receive it, creating a compendium of bliss and joy that the person will not soon forget. They will remember your antique gift forever and will revel in the type of present it is and how it connects to history with such grace and beauty. The class of this type of gift is difficult to measure, but the impact will last a lifetime.

You can get several pieces of antique pottery for any occasion, including historical vases and other items that will spruce up the quality of your home or your gift recipient's home. You never know what magical touch you will end up with when you start combining antique pottery with other parts of furniture or pieces of art that could come together for a work of art as a home. Giving this type of gift is priceless and adds a whole new dynamic to the giving arsenal, making you favourite guest at all housewarming parties.

Listening To An Antique Radio

Listening to an antique radio can help bring some old-school value to your home and to your listening experience as a whole. This type of technology, although a little bit old fashioned, can still bring the amazing sounds of modern times into your home at a fraction of the cost of a normal modern stereo with all the bells and whistles. The old glory of an antique radio is a great addition to any home looking to capitalize on any antique or vintage value without losing any of the modern appeal. Vintage is in, and adding such a piece of art to your home can help you get a little stylish.

The old days featured a great time around the radio, with people gathering around for radio shows that featured wonderful stories of adventure and intrigue. Times were different then and people gathered around the antique radio as a sign of the culture and a sign of the times, with minds filled with possibilities. This was before the modern world of instant consumption took over and made such gatherings nearly obsolete. What once involved mankind's rallying together now involves tuning out to a television set without engaging your mind or the possibility of imagination.

Learning To Fly

Antique radio, for many people, represents the notion that less is more and helps to keep people reliant on their imaginations to set the scene for the drama they hear. It was this type of imagination that produced so much talent in earlier generations that based more of their ideologies on creativity and notions of imagination and concepts. With an antique radio program, you could learn as well as be entertained and this kept the fires of talent burning along with the ease of learning. With this type of realization on your side, nothing could shut down the waves of imagination.

Gathering the family around your antique radio might not recapture all of the memories of the old times, but it will help create an environment that respectfully admires the past and the way things were. This might bring back a few memories of your own and might spark some imagination in you and your family. That is something that you cannot put a price tag on. Even if none of this works, an antique radio still adds an element of style to your home. That, dear friends, is another broadcast altogether.

Antique Restoration of Veneer

Many antique furniture styles include the use of veneer, a thin layer of wood which is used to add a dash of color or a design to the surface of wooden furniture. Because the veneer layer is so thin, it can be damaged easily and therefore many antique restoration projects include the repair of a veneer surface.

A Small Repair

Large antique restoration repairs should be done by experts, but damage to a small area of veneer can be fixed. Find some veneer that matches that on the furniture as closely as possible. Use a utility knife to cut out the damaged area carefully, trying to cut along the grain a much as possible to make a shape that will be easy to duplicate. Make a paper form that is the size and shape of the area that was removed. Use the paper form to cut out a matching piece from the new veneer.

Use glue that is appropriate for wood on the furniture surface and on the veneer piece and put the piece in place. Press and roll to apply the veneer. If it is in a position where it can be clamped, put piece of waxed paper between the clamp and veneer. Once the glue is dry, the veneer patch can be sanded if necessary to match the level of the original.

Bubbling Veneer

Over time, furniture can dry out or be exposed to moisture. When this happens, the glue holding the veneer can become too dry to adhere while the moisture can cause the veneer to expand and bubble up. Your antique restoration project can handle this by slicing the bubble and applying wood glue to the underside of the veneer and the furniture surface. Press the veneer down, being sure to wipe any excess glue away with a damp cloth. Apply a clamp if possible or weight the veneer down using a piece of waxed paper between the veneer and clamp or weight.

Protect your successful antique restoration project by making sure that your furniture is placed from direct sunlight and any heating elements such as vents or fireplaces. To protect the veneer, use a humidifier or a dehumidifier as needed. Protect the surface with a doily or other barrier between the veneer and any decorative elements like candlesticks or vases. Some furniture can have a protective layer of glass added to the top surface for protection. Antique restoration is hard work. Follow it up with appropriate care.

Where To Browse for (And Buy) an Antique Ring

If you have ever seen an antiques appraisal show on TV, it has probably made you want to collect some antiques, or find some bargains and sell them for some of the big prices on TV. What the TV shows do not mention, however, is that items sell for different prices in different markets. A stellar antique ring for sale at Sotheby's in New York will sell for much more than it will at a country auction or at an estate sale. The ring itself does not change, the group of potential customers does.

Successful bargain hunters know how to find out good deals without overpaying and how to reach the next, more exclusive group of customers. That is how auction houses and antique dealers stay in business, after all.

Big Auctions

Do look at the antique ring selections for sale at big city auction houses. Places like London, New York, and Los Angeles host antique auctions for the monocle and mink crowd. Don't be intimidated to look at the items the presale open house. Ask the staff about cut, color, clarity and carat weight of gems. Learn how to tell silver from platinum. These are the ultimate professionals, and they are there to answer questions.

If you want to do some serious research, go to the actual auction and watch the antique ring you were eyeing go up on the auction block. Or at least check out the auction results on the Internet, usually available a few days after a sale. That sets your uppermost limit value for an antique.

Small Auctions

There must be at least one auction house in every county in the United States. These places usually handle a wide variety of merchandise and you cannot expect an exclusive antique ring sale. However, sometimes jewelry shows up, and this is a chance to get a bargain - if you have done your research.

The general auctioneer, and the general auction audience, might not be expert on jewelry. So it is up to you to already know your subject when an antique ring does come up. An auctioneer may not know what he has, or he may accidentally misattribute it. And these things do not generally come with a solid provenance.

But a trained eye can judge something about the quality of an antique ring, even without much documentation. Then you can have a chance to get an antique ring for a better price than you might see on TV.

Make Miracles With An Antique Sewing Machine

If sewing is your cup of tea, you may be interested in an antique sewing machine to help maximize some of your sewing capabilities. You never know what you could end up creating if you let your senses fly loose with a proper machine, allowing your creativity wings to fly. The miracles that happen thanks to a skilled sewer and an excellent antique sewing machine are fantastic, engaging people in conversation about ideals and sensibilities from generations past and educating a new generation about the ideals and notions of older ones.

You can create ample clothing or quilting items for your family and friends with a little bit of patience and an antique sewing machine. Imagine the looks on their faces as they open a present that was made by you personally and not just purchased from a store. Part of creating something for yourself with your own two hands belies a quiet responsibility to the fashions of the past and how things were made, creating an idealism that is sure to be passed on to your children and your children's children. This idealism of pride in one's creation is something that cannot be bought or sold.

Great Gift Idea

Along with creating confidence in your abilities, an antique sewing machine can either create a great gift or it can be a great gift on its own. Many people would love to get a sewing machine for a holiday present or a birthday gift, but many more people would be simply dazzled by the exotic and spectacular arrival of an antique sewing machine for their special day. Faces will light up as you present this gift with pride, knowing full well that your gift not only hearkens back to a simpler time but that it serves a modern and effective purpose as well.

An antique sewing machine is available to purchase anywhere other antiques are sold. The prices generally range from the lower to medium categories, allowing great flexibility when you are searching for this type of antique. Another option to explore is the garage sale option, which could unearth some miraculous finds in terms of sewing machines and antiques. This type of experience can be fascinating as you rummage through items of the past with family and friends to explore a way to produce a new future for your loved ones. An antique sewing machine can breathe new life.

A Glance into Yesterday: Antique Shows

Antique shows are a little like browsing through a modern mall, but much more marvelous because of the odd and rare things you are likely to see. The odd assortments of knick knacks and useful items that our ancestors may have used are interesting to look at and can be a nice addition to your own collection.

If you a newcomer to the world of antique shows, you will probably be a little overwhelmed at first, but soon you will be having the time of your life, adding to your collection and meeting others who share your enthusiasm for collecting.

Antiquing and Antique Shows

Some antique shows may charge admission just to enter the building. This is usually to cover the rental of the building or other costs the antique show may accrue. This may feel a little unfair, but sometimes you just have to pay it if you want access the vendors.

Most antique shows will be very general and the only common denominator among the vendors is that just about everything they are selling is an authentic antique. The only downside to an antique show is that you probably won't find many bargains among the really popular items. The vendors know what items they have and price them accordingly since they know some people will buy them.

Occasionally you can find a bargain, especially if the item you are collecting isn't as popular with other collectors. If you are just starting out with your collection, you may be able to find the more common items that just about everyone already has. These you can probably find a little cheaper than other collectibles simply because there isn't as much demand for them.

Generally, at antique shows you won't find many reproductions, and if you do find a reproduction it should be clearly marked accordingly. Some reproductions can be so good that they fool some enthusiasts, but usually reproductions can be spotted fairly easily, depending on the item, and should usually be avoided. There is generally no value in reproductions, so it's really not worth your time or money.

Antique shows can be a great opportunity to learn a little more about the item you are collecting and meet others who share your interests. Even if you are only at an antique show searching for one specific item, you may still learn a little about another collectible here and there. Antique shows can be entertaining and informative and are a great way to spend an afternoon.

Decorate with Antique Silver Tableware

The beauty of antique silver tableware is undeniable. Unfortunately, obtaining a full set in perfect condition is a very expensive endeavor. That's why those lonely pieces arranged on flea market and yard sale tables are so alluring. There are no strict rules saying that your flatware has to match. If you can collect enough mismatched pieces, you can set a table with your antique silver finds.
The large serving pieces are even easier as you only need a few of them for a dinner of several courses. The addition of an antique silver ladle, for instance, doesn't require that it match anything but your guests' good taste. The same goes for salt and pepper shakers. The convenience of having more than one set at a table excuses any mismatching.
Around the Dining Room
Any nice-looking piece of antique silver tableware is an appropriate decorating element for the dining room, even if they're not intended for use on the table. Your good dishes will be flattered by a few bits of antique silver on the shelves of the china hutch. A creamer that lost its sugar bowl is still a good container for tea roses.
A silver pitcher can be used for the longer stemmed version or twigs, sprigs of holly or any seasonal enhancement. An antique silver tureen makes a lovely centerpiece filled with fruit or any colorful decoration. One exquisite place setting can be displayed on a velvet background and framed to hang on the wall. If you have the sugar bowl without the creamer, you have a cute candy dish.
You can use pieces of antique silver flatware to replace the hardware on your buffet or credenza. Just bore a hole for the screw and bend the piece into the shape you need for a drawer pull. The extra silver shine will enhance the look of your silver candlesticks and the flatware shape will become a conversation-starter for your guests. The possibilities are endless and limited only to your imagination.
The real point is that a beautiful piece of antique silver is appropriate anywhere you want to use it. If you are drawn to a piece or several pieces of antique silver tableware, don't hesitate just because the rest of the set is gone. If it's that attractive on the table at the flea market or yard sale, think how much more attractive it will be in your home.

Cooking on an Antique Stove: Techniques and Tips

Cooking over an electric or gas stove may not seem like much of a luxury, but for our grandmothers, great-grandmothers and all the women before them, a modern stove would have been a real treat. Even what we think of as an antique stove was a great improvement over cooking in the fireplace. But still, cooking over an antique stove is not the same; a cook had to "know" how to feel the right temperature and the right spot to cook all foods.

Where's the Temperature Knob?

First, they had to get the fire started. Hopefully you covered over the ashes last night just so you can easily rekindle them. If not, better get up early and start a new fire - oh, and it will need to burn a while before it is hot enough to cook breakfast biscuits.

A well-stocked antique stove had a box or pile of kindling and small logs nearby already cut to fit inside. Pine logs get hotter faster, but burn out quickly too. Hardwoods burn slowly all day but take a while to heat up.

When the temperature "feels" right it's time to put food in the oven. Breads and cakes go toward the bottom, closer to the source of heat, somewhere between 400 and 450 degrees. Meat and vegetables go on the higher rack to cook at a lower temperature.

Gauging the oven temperature is something of an art that young girls would have learned from their mothers from the time they were young. Today, people who want to study historical cooking techniques take classes and practice for years before they become experts at cooking with fire.

Stovetop Cookery

Cooking, as opposed to baking, is a less precise art, so cooking on top of an antique stove might not flummox the modern chef too much. But low heat requires a strong arm to hold up an iron skillet, or a little trivet to raise the skillet away from the heat.

Cleaning Up and Cleaning Out

The earliest antique stoves were made of iron, the eye covers were heavy, and every part was hot to the touch. And just as iron skillets require maintenance and oiling, so does an iron antique stove.

Later, stoves were clad in enamel, which, while still hot, was at least easier to maintain and keep clean. As fire usually burned all day in an antique stove, ashes built up quickly and had to be cleaned out very often.

Recognizing a Japanese Antique Sword

New Japanese swords are considered to be from the World War II era or later. While, naturally, World War II swords are quite collectible, they are not antique - yet. While there are techniques for recognizing a true Japanese antique sword, they are not foolproof. If there is any doubt, consult an expert. There are many sword collecting clubs around the county. Sharing your passion for Japanese swords with knowledgeable collectors is a good way to increase your knowledge and have a good time.

Know Your Sword

A good way to discover a modern copy or a practice sword is to check the blade with a magnet. Many new swords are made of aluminum which is not magnetic. A steel blade will respond to the magnet. This is not the final test for an antique sword since some modern blades are made of steel, but it is a quick and easy first way to sort out the fakes. Every serious collector should know that there are no swords made specifically for ninjas.

The old technique for making swords will result in a visible grain in the steel blade. The grain is not always easy to recognize and an antique sword may not have a visible grain, but if you can determine a grain, you will know that you have a genuinely old Japanese blade. Serial numbers on the blade are, of course, found on machine made swords. A sword with stamped serial numbers may still be collectible, but is not an antique sword.

If the handle can be removed safely and without damaging the sword, you can check the tang for information. The tang of a newer sword should be grey and metallic with little, if any, rust. An older sword will have more rust on the tang. The color should be brown to the smooth deep black rust for the antique sword.

If there is a tang stamp, the sword was made after the 1930's. A signature on the tang does not indicate whether it is handmade or machine made as some World War II machine made blades were signed for luck and not all handmade blades were signed.

Sword canes usually have low grade blades with noticeable flaws and were produced from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Modern times saw many items made for the tourist trade including replicas of old Japanese swords. This fact alone makes it difficult for the untrained collector to be sure of the age of a true antique sword. Always check with an expert before investing a lot of money and always work to increase your knowledge.

Antique Toy Collections Bring Back Happy Memories

Antique toys are a little difficult to find and collect. They were for the playroom and the ungentle embrace of children. Many toys live a full life but in the end are fit for not much more than the trash can. The older an antique toy is, the more likely it is to be in poor condition, especially delicate things made of paper mache, balsa wood, or other light materials. Even metal toys do not keep their shiny paint or escape the ravages of rust.

However, many people do want to amass a large antique toy collection, despite, or because of, the rarity of good examples.

Girls' Toys

No matter how poor or rich, little girls always have dolls. A resourceful mother can even turn a corncob into a friend for her daughter. Perhaps because a doll is such a universal toy is why they make such a universally popular antique toy.

Any American girl that has been a child since the 1950s knows Barbie dolls. Whether it is the thick solid eyelash of the 1950s, the permanent blue eye shadow of the 1980s or the more reasonable body shape of the 21st century, Barbie will always evoke a woman's memory of being young. Even if you are too old to have had Barbies yourself, if you have a daughter, you remember hers.

Further back in the antique toy realm are porcelain or clay dolls. Actually, only the heads, and sometimes the hands were made of hard material. Mothers or manufacturers sewed soft bodies to this "hardware"; when one body was worn out, it was easy to make another. Even the heads alone are quite collectible, even with no hair and no body. After all, the new owner can make a body if she would like.

Boys' Toys

Just as dolls find their way into womens' collections, so to do antique toy soldiers find their way onto mens' shelves.

Toy soldiers have always been an item in the boy's toy box. Since at least the Napoleonic wars, boys have played with elaborate toy armies. Fine armies were made on a tiny scale in lead and porcelain long before plastic. The best examples were hand painted and came with the whole array of horses, cannons, officers, soldiers, and flags. Many men like to collect toy armies, perhaps in remembrance of their childhood comrades lost in backyard battlefields.

Old but Gold: Antique Tractors

Antique tractors, unlike their modern cousins, were built more solidly with heavier metals and frequently more powerful motors. Even though they are old, antique tractors appeal to many partly because they are aesthetically appealing and also because they are durable and built to last.

Antique tractors often had a serial number attached to the body of the tractor in some manner. Some were stamped on metal plates which were then attached to the tractor. These had a tendency to jar loose or be knocked off eventually due to the heavy work that some tractors were exposed to. Others had the serial numbers stamped directly into the metal of the tractor itself.

Usually if you can find the serial number you can determine when it was built and by what company. There are published lists that can help you identify your tractor, but occasionally, companies did not list their serial numbers, so sometimes determining the actual age of your tractor may be more of an educated guess.

Pros and Cons of Antique Tractors

Buying an antique tractor can often be less expensive than buying a new tractor. If you plan on using your newly acquired tractor on a small farm, an antique tractor may be a good route to go. Newer, smaller horsepower tractors are designed specifically for activities such as mowing and tilling, and are built a little less sturdily than their ancestors. Older tractors have the ability to perform just about any task required of it on a small farm. They can stand up to excess weight and have the power to perform.

When researching antique tractors that you may want to buy, pay attention to how much restoration has been done on it. If there hasn't been any parts replacement or updating, that means you will have to work on refurbishing your antique. However, older tractors are simpler than their modern counterparts and have much less in the way of electrical circuits to make things more complicated.

One thing to keep in mind when deciding on what type of tractor to buy is safety features. Antique tractors simply do not have many of the safety features that are required on modern tractors. This means that rollovers can be deadly just as they can in modern tractors, but there aren't any safety features to minimize damage or protect the driver.

Antique tractors can be a thing of beauty when restored correctly. Finding the right tractor for what you want to do with it involves a little bit of research, but your decision shouldn't be that hard once you determine what type of tractor you want or need.

Today's Antique Truck

To qualify as an antique truck or car, a vehicle usually has to 25 years old or more. Some newer vehicles can qualify as collectible if they are especially sought-after models. A car or truck should be in good condition to be considered an antique and not just old. Most modern cars are designed to last for fewer than half of the 25 year time boundary for antiques. Cars from 25 years ago had an even more limited life span. That's why an antique truck or car is so valuable if it's restored to good condition and also why the necessary parts needed to restore them are so hard to find.

Restorers

Old cars and trucks can either be purchased restored or acquired in a condition needing restoration. Many hobbyists enjoy working on these older vehicles and buy them planning to restore the cars and trucks themselves, whereas others are more interested in the investment. Certainly, the two aims go together since an old vehicle increases in value by being restored.

For the sake of investment, it makes sense to buy a vehicle that is fewer than 25 years old and in fair to good condition. The newer the vehicle, the less difficulty there is in locating authentic parts, upholstery and paint. Once restored, the vehicle can be stored and cared for until it reaches full status as an antique. Its worth at that point is determined by its popularity with collectors. While an increase in value is predictable, the amount of the increase is not possible to predict accurately. Advice, instruction and fellowship can be found online for antique truck and car enthusiasts.

Online Suppliers

Besides finding others with similar interests on the internet, hobbyists can also find authentic parts. Instead of relying on hard copy catalogs from all over the world or hunting down local dealers, the restorers can search online to locate any available parts. The suppliers benefit as well since they only have to create one online catalog instead of hundreds and the cost of maintaining a site is much lower than the costs of advertising and mailing.

Although the successful antique truck and car hobbyist needs patience for restoration, the waiting time between ordering and receiving parts always seems long. When ordering online, the order doesn't have to be mailed, received, processed and mailed out. A parts order is received as soon as the submit key is pressed. Often, the database backing up the site does part of the processing. Best of all, no hobbyist has to wait days to find out that the part in the catalog is out of stock. From catalog search to part in hand is usually less than a week. After waiting a quarter of a century for your vehicle to become an antique truck or car, that kind of speed is only fair.

Antique Watch Components Are Fine Jewelry

People have used various timepieces for centuries, like sundials, water clocks, and candles. But with the invention of small mechanical watches, timekeeping was revolutionized. Instead of having to go look at the clock or sundial in the town square, anyone with enough money could buy a personal timepiece. As time went on, a pocket watch or wristwatch became available to anyone.

Antique watch collecting has been popular as long as there have been antique watches. There are several reasons for this success. First, even a large antique watch collection is small enough to be kept in a small case. Second, good quality watches will hold their value. Often handcrafted from precious metals and stones, these qualify as functional jewelry. And, interestingly, it is an area of antique heavily collected by men rather than women.

Watch Parts

The most well known type of antique watch is the pocket watch. For hundreds of years, men toted these timepieces as a sort of fashion accessory, but not necessarily in the pocket.

A watch chain was an important accoutrement for an antique watch. The watches were small, rather smooth, expensive, and easily dropped. So men would get a fine chain, attach one end to the watch and the other end to his vest or pocket. The finest chains featured fancy workmanship. To show this jewelry off, men often let the chain dangle very prominently across their chest or stomach. The watch chain is also known as a watch fob.

An antique watch might be found in a lady's ensemble too. The female equivalent of a watch fob was a chatelaine. A lady's chatelaine would be a very ornate sort of key ring pinned at the waist. She would hold her house keys, cupboard keys, and perhaps a dainty little watch on it. Just as today some people like lots of key ring charms, so too did many ladies prefer a chatelaine with plenty of pretty decorations that jingled as she walked.

In a museum or an antique watch collection, you may see a timepiece dangling from a pin - upside-down. Ladies pinned these jewels somewhere on their collar or chest where they could easily hold up the watch without removing it and see the time right side up.

Antique or Vintage?

Under US law, only an object over 100 years of age can be called an antique. Twentieth-century watches are still beautiful and collectible, but technically they are only "vintage" until that 100th birthday. If you meet a dealer who is not adhering to this definition, you might ask why.

Antique Engagement Ring: Give The Gift Of History

When it comes to engagement rings, most guys go to the jewelry store to pick out the most expensive that they can afford. Rarely, do guys ever think of antique engagement rings. However, antique engagement rings can be a great way to tell your fiancé how much you care for her. An antique engagement ring can be bought at an antique store, can be found on the internet, or, to make it even more special, you could give the antique engagement ring of one of your passed relatives, such as your grandmother. By giving your fiancé an antique engagement ring, you're passing the love that ring once symbolized onto your loved one, making it one serious, loving bond.

She'll Definitely Say Yes

The bride to be will undoubtedly say yes when you give her the antique engagement ring. However, to make sure it's just right, you'll have to make the proper preparations. For instance, the antique engagement ring may not be the correct size. Make sure you know what the ring size is of the person you intend to give the ring to. Having an antique engagement ring shouldn't be too expensive but it's worth it when you consider that it may not fit unless you do so.

Having the antique wedding ring resized will give the ring that little something extra that's sure to make any engagement a special one. Sizing an antique engagement ring will make it that much more personal. You can have all the history that the ring has endured over the years while making it personal for you and your current bond with the one you love.

You can find many antique rings online such as in online auction sites. Sites like Ebay have many antique engagement rings that you have to choose from. You can choose the style and the shape because all the items have pictures which you can peruse through to find the ring that's perfect for the one you love. The best part is that you are actually bidding for the rings so you could potentially find the perfect ring for less than half of what it usually costs.

The antique engagement ring is a perfect way to say I love you to the one you love. It's more personal than a store bought ring because it comes complete with its own rich history. Have it sized and it's now yours. Cherish it and keep it safe so that one day you can pass it on to the next generation and the generation after that.