How to Appraise an Antique

Many of us have inherited antique furniture or have purchased things at a garage sale or flea market that could be valuable. Appraising your antiques and collectibles is simple if you educate yourself to look for specific aspects of each piece. With the appraisal information in hand, shopping can be more fun and exciting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look for markings, stamps, numbers or some sort of signature. This will tell you who manufactured or crafted the item, and it will possibly give you a clue as to when it was made. Items without markings or replicas of original pieces may not be worth as much as the real thing, but they can still have some value.

2. Make sure the piece hasn't been refinished or repaired. Many times, this can lower the appraisal value the piece. After you've determined its worth, you can decide whether or not to make repairs or improvements.

3. See if your piece is common. Antiques you commonly find at flea markets, garage sales or antiques shops will usually be worth less than those that are difficult to find. Just because something is old doesn't always mean it is valuable.

4. Consider broken or partial antiques as well. Just because your antique is missing some parts or you only have the hardware from your grandmother's china cabinet doesn't mean an antique is worthless. Many times, broken or damaged pieces of an antique can be salvageable as parts.

5. Read some antique guides, such as Miller's Guide, and check on eBay or Craigslist to see what people are paying for similar pieces (see Resources below). This will help you with the appraisal process.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a professional repair or refinish your piece to ensure it retains its value.
• A poorly repaired or refinished piece can lose its value.

Resources

• Read Miller's Antique and Collectibles publications.
• See what similar items sell for on eBay.
• Check similar items on Craigslist to see what prices are listed.