How Do I Set a Price for Antique Baby Clothes?
Antique baby clothes are sought after by collectors, museums and interior designers for display purposes. Antique baby clothes show up in antique stores, consignment shops, on the Internet and in the local newspaper. Selling vintage infant clothing is a lucrative business, but the product must meet buyer requirements. The selling price for a piece of antique baby clothing depends on a number of factors, including age and condition. An assessment of the baby clothing is the best way to set a price.
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Instructions
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Set the approximate age of the piece by studying vintage clothing books and magazines from the period. A seller of baby clothes or clothes in general should have a basic idea of the era from which an item comes. With a little more research, the date the garment was manufactured can determine the age of the piece to the actual year.
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Inspect the entire piece of clothing for stains, dirt and discolorations. Some stains are removable, depending on the age and condition of the fabric. Dirt usually comes out with a soft bath of warm soapy water. Discoloration, such as yellowing or bleaching, may be permanent and --- depending on the location (front neck compared to back hem) --- can seriously devalue the piece.
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Look over the clothing for rips and tears and determine whether they can be fixed and whether they should be fixed. If a button has come off a baby outfit from the 1930s, it is probably OK to sew it back on. If there is a tear in a colonial era dress, repairs may do more harm than good to the value and the fabric.
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Find out if the item of clothing is at the low or high end of collector wants. An embroidered bib is probably worth more to a collector that a nondescript bonnet. A christening dress is bound to fetch more than a pair of socks. Look at trends in the market to see what is popular.
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Check online auction websites to get an idea of current selling prices. Be sure to look at the completed listing or sold price, rather than the initial price. Finding out the going rates in your particular area may give a more realistic price.
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Realize that no antique baby clothes are created equal. The general condition of a piece can increase or decrease its value, as can making repairs and changes that may effect the piece's integrity.
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Tips & Warnings
Take vintage clothing to your local social history museum for professional evaluation.
The world of antiques is awash with reproductions. Only buy from reputable companies and organizations.
References
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