Finding Great Antiques!

Ever wonder how some people get those fantastic (and valuable) antique finds? It takes time, a good eye, and a little bit of RADAR! We'll explain the acronym in this blog.

Rarity

What makes something a rarity? That kind of sounds like a silly question, but it actually is not. If no one else on your block owns one, you know that it’s worth something. If no one in your zip code has one, it might be worth even more. And if no one in your area code has one, chances are, you have a piece that’s pretty valuable.

Of course, something might be rare because it just didn’t make it in the marketplace. The piece might be too large, too loud, or too ugly. Still, if you like it, well, this aspect of rarity can work to your advantage.

Aesthetics

This is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art. When you can look at an item without wanting to change anything, when all the elements of it blend together in perfect harmony, and when it has an overall pleasing appearance, then that item really has it in the aesthetics department.

Desirability

How much is this item in demand? Items from Tiffany's have a large desirability, but this is one where trends are key. Pay attention to what styles, colors or brands people want.

Authenticity

This one is where it might be a little more difficult to know. Is that lamp a real Tiffany or is it a knock-off from China? Part of the mystery and fun of antiques is separating truth from fiction. As technology and the ability to reproduce items become more advanced, identifying the authentic antique becomes more difficult. Study up on books and pictures of actual pieces so you'll get good at recognizing the real thing.

An object with a Tiffany signature is worth more than an object without one. However, a signature is not in itself enough to authenticate a piece. Here’s where your specialization comes in: You need to know the types of pieces Tiffany made — the texture of the glass, the colors, and the styles — and make sure that all the elements make sense before you can believe the signature.

Really Great Condition

Here’s the rule as far as value goes: The less that was done to the original item to alter it, the more it’s worth. That is, the fewer the additions or deletions over the years, the better.

Flea markets are a great place to find antique items, and our Amish Pickers Antique Mall at The Original Holmes County Flea Market is a paradise of antiques! Antiquers are often found wandering through looking for items. Smaller pieces of furniture, hand tools, dolls, toys and dinnerware are common antique items that can be found at flea markets. The prices are also usually much less than what you’d pay at an antique store.

Ready to plan your bus group trip to Amish Country, Ohio, but not sure where to start? We can still take groups, but you need to call ahead! We are taking reservations for bus groups. We specialize in groups of any sizes and can help you book your trip. Ask about our discounted rates and coupons for our bus groups!

For more information and discount rates, call us at 330-893-0900.