Antiques are things that have a value due to being old and rare at the same time. They are also generally thought of as being more than 25 years old for items that came out this century, and more than a 100 years old if they were from previous centuries. Although not really a hard and fast rule, antiques are more valued for their rarity; in fact, old items that have few or no other similar specimens can be worth a lot to the potential buyer. It is all largely a matter of demand; as long as there is a buyer willing to pay whatever price set by the seller.
For this reason, antiques have always been sought after by collectors because they know that over time, the antiques they have in their possession are going to be worth a great deal. From antique cars, to antique teapots, to antique dolls, there will always be collectors who specialize in collecting specific types of antiques.
If you care to look around you, you'll find many items that can be considered as antiques. From old ball point pens to old sewing machines in your grandmother's house, these are all antiques by definition, and they have a value. Even the old black and white TV that your parents have stored away in a cellar; this is an antique TV, and with a bit of restoration work, can possibly find a buyer. There is a ready market for antiques if you take the trouble to look. One of them would surely be eBay.
In eBay, you will find a wide range of antiques, such as coins, art, silver, maps, books, rugs and carpets, and even very old items dating back to the ancient Greek and Roman days. The choices are practically endless, and what is more, many of the antiques do not cost a fortune. If you want to get started on collecting antiques, start reading up on them, and plan your purchases carefully. It is very common for buyers to resell antiques that they acquired years ago, and the antique market is always a busy one, whether it is on eBay or specialty stores that deal with antiques.
Reputable antique dealers are often members of CINOA, which is worldwide association of antique dealers that claim to represent a portion of the international antique dealers' community. Museums are also active in the antique scene, and some museums are funded by rich individuals, private firms, or by the state government. If a museum expresses interest in your antique item, consider yourself fortunate, as only museums or rich private collectors are able to offer you a good price for your antique, in some cases, a fortune.
You might still be wondering why people go through all the trouble to preserve and collect antiques. You may wonder why it's important to learn more about antiques. Why are antiques even valued in the first place? All the world over, antiques are treasured, because they represent an era that has passed, a record of a forgotten generation, or maybe just trends in our history that we can look back upon, and in the process, find a part of ourselves staring back at each and every one of us. Antiques make history come alive for everyone, all over again.
No comments:
Post a Comment