How to spot tomorrow’s antiques
01/10/2005
BBC2's Judith Miller, together with Mark Hill, has just published “Buy, Keep or Sell, The insider’s guide to identifying trash, treasure or tomorrow’s antiques”, priced £16.99 and published by Dorling Kindersley. Whether you’re starting off or a seasoned collector, this is the ultimate guide to buying, keeping, or selling collectables with confidence.
The collectables market has expanded enormously in recent years, fuelled by the publication of annual price guides, TV programmes, collectables fairs, car-boot sales, and Internet auction sites. The latter have created a global market for buyers and sellers.
People collect for many reasons: the pleasure of displaying beautiful or interesting objects in their home; nostalgia for items associated with childhood or youth, famous people, or events; and financial investment. All are perfectly valid. The range of objects collectable is now immense.
Traditional areas such as ceramics, glass and textiles have been augmented with newer, equally sought categories as diverse as mobile phones, jelly moulds, sunglasses, and even shoes!
The desirability and value of any collectable is determined by a combination of factors. Fashion plays a major role: the 1950s look has been growing in popularity in recent years and “Ant” sticking chairs for the period can fetch around £60-£100. Quality of design and manufacture are also important: many of Trifari's exquisitely made “Jelly Belly” brooches of the 1930s have almost doubled in value (from £250 to £500) in the last three years, while their mass-produced, post-war pieces have only risen by around 15%.
Rarity is also highly desirable: a plain blue bud shaped Whitefriars vase may fetch around £20-£30 but a rare two-colour example may fetch up to £1,200. Provenance can be even more compelling: a football shirt worn by a star player can command a high price, especially if it has a certificate of authenticity to prove it.
Apart from the rarest pieces with exceptional provenance, condition is also critical: “mint and boxed” toys and games can command 30-80 per cent more than slightly damaged equivalents without the original packaging. Age, on the other hand, does not necessarily confer greater desirability. Many new items become “instant collectables”. Last year a limited edition Doctor Who Dalek, in white rather than ubiquitous grey, was launched for £25. Two weeks later it was changing hands for £50.
A note of caution, however, about limited editions. Some manufacturers advertise runs of 20,000 or more as “limited edition”. While legitimate, the sheer volume means that you won't get you money back in the foreseeable future. Remember - for values to rise, demand has to outweigh supply; for this reason avoid “limited editions” of more than 1,000 pieces.
When I started out, deciding what to pay was often a matter of instinct. Nowadays, there is far more specific information available. Publications such as DK's Collectable Price Guide give current price trends, as do auction catalogues and internet auction sites such as eBay. You can keep up with the latest information by joining a collector's club and visiting fairs.
Always look first in your own home, especially the attic. Inherited or previously overlooked pieces provide the starting point for many collectors. Scour “For Sale”advertisements in local papers and weekly magazines such as Exchange and Mart.
Regularly pop into charity shops, and go to local jumble and car-boot sales. In each case, make up your own mind as to authenticity and value, and politely haggle over the asking price. Always ask for a written receipt, not only for your own records, but also to prove that you bought the item in good faith, in case, as very occasionally happens, the object turns out to have been stolen.
Of the various sources dedicated to collectables, auction houses are the most intimidating to new collectors. Don't be put off! Buying at auction is great fun, addictive, and allows you to compete with dealers and other collectors on equal terms. Professional dealers tend to concentrate on specific collectables, such as those by certain manufacturers or designers. Some dealers trade from shops. Others trade at local, national, or international collectors' fairs. Some trade from all these places and have a website and mail order service. Establishing friendly relationships with reputable dealers will prove invaluable. They are a great source of information and expertise.
The newest source of collectables is the internet. Online auction house have revolutionised the market. You can now bid for Murano Glass in Manchester or Staffordshire figures in Salt Lake City: location is no obstacle. Again. don't feel intimidated about stepping into this global shopping mall; most sellers are keen to help because they want to sell their item. If you ask them questions such as whether they can supply further images of any damage or maker's marks, you should receive a reply. Each site provides user-friendly instructions on how to register, how to contact the seller for additional information, and how to bid and pay.
There’s plenty more good advice available from Judith - and it’s free. For further information and to register to receive Judith's monthly newsletter log on to the website linked below.