How to Spot Antiques in Auctions

Auctions can be a great place to find a bargain. All sorts of things are sold there, and if you are lucky, you can get them for less money than they are actually worth. If you are lucky, you can spot a bargain that the other auction patrons may have missed. Read on to learn how to spot antiques in an auction.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check out the condition of the item in question. Look for signs of age and wear, but avoid metal antiques that are overly rusty or fabrics in a state of decay. Antique papers will have a natural yellow tint. Often, wood items will be worn down in places from having been touched many times over the years, giving them a polished appearance.

2. If the item is a piece of furniture, such as a cabinet or chest of drawers, peek inside of it. Make sure the craftsmanship is solid, and that high-quality wood is used throughout the piece.

3. Bring along price guides to the auction of the various types of antique items you think you will be likely to find there. If a particular item catches your eye, see if it appears in the price guide with a listed book value.

4. Look for a label, carving or imprint that indicates that the item in question is merely a reproduction. At the same time, keep an eye out for signatures or imprints of known manufacturers or craftspeople of the antique's period.

5. When in doubt, just ask. The moderators of the auction may be able to tell you more about the piece that you are interested in and what it is worth.

Tips & Warnings

• While wear and tear on an antique brings its value down slightly, it could work in your favor. If the item is brand new, in perfect condition, it is probably not very old, and thus most likely a reproduction. A little wear and tear may mean it is authentic.
• Arrive an hour or two early for the auction. Most auctions give patrons an opportunity to look over the items that will be up for bids more closely before the auction begins. It is a lot harder to spot an antique from the back of a crowded auditorium.
• Most auctions are very careful to screen out outright forgeries of antiques. Reproductions may very well still be sold, but they are nearly always clearly marked as such by the manufacturer.
• If you are lucky enough to spot a valuable antique in an auction for a relatively low price, be careful not to seem too excited about it. If other bidders see that you are very eager to have a particular piece, they may begin to suspect that it is worth more and get into a bidding war over it, driving the price up much higher. Play it cool.

Resources

• Antique Information and Price Guides on the Kovels Website