Antiques Price Guides

Price Values

A price value given in antiques price guides are usually given in ranges. This is because there is always a range in prices for items sold in secondary markets. Antique dealers will vary in pricing items and there are differences in pricing from region or country. A price guide will provide a buyer with a current estimated market value for a particular item. Although, this is by no means the end word in the worth of any specific antique. There are other things to consider when purchasing antiques, specifically the condition of the item. Wear, chips, cracks or other markings can greatly change the value of an item, no matter how rare it may be.

Restoration and Repair

Most antiques price guides provide information on the restoration and repair of antique collectibles. If you are able to repair an item, you will increase its value. Antiques price guides for particular items usually will provide references to craftsmen that can beautifully repair it. Collectors should also be aware that in some instances a repair doesn't necessarily make an item worthless, often it is just less valuable than a counterpart with no flaws.

Reissues and Reproductions

Antiques price guides should provide you with information on reissued items and reproductions. Many companies will reissue an item years or even decades after the original items were produced. The markings on the reissued or reproduced products are almost always different from the originals. A quality price guide will provide you with pictures or at the very least information on these markings. Occasionally, a company will reproduce glassware using the original molds. This makes it difficult for collectors and appraisers to assign a value to the items. The best thing a collector can do is to learn as much as they can about a particular antique so they can learn to spot reissues and reproductions.

Spotting Fakes

Nothing feels worse than finding out that you have purchased a reproduction that was sold as an original, or buying a fake item. Most collectors, especially when they are beginning collecting, have had this happen to them. Usually the item is purchased at a flea market or open-air antique market. Unfortunately, the deception, whether intended or not, isn't caught until a long period of time has passed. It is difficult to return an item to a seller who is long-gone.

When you go shopping, take your antiques price guides with you. This can help you find the antiques you want to collect and show a dealer you are serious about your purchases. It may even help you negotiate a better price if the item is priced out of the values range in your book.

It is also desirable to find price guides that have color pictures of the items you are collecting. For example, color photos of items can help you identify color variations, which can be important when collecting plates and Depression era glassware.

The Guide Index

When you are shopping for antiques price guides, look for a book that has items cross-referenced in the index. For example, an item may have several different names that it is known by. Having an index that includes all of the names of an item can help you find it quickly and determine the price range easily.

Where to Find Antiques Price Guides

One of the best places to find price guides is at your public library. This is a great way to check out a book before you buy it and see if it meets your needs. Since purchasing price guides can be expensive, trying before you buy can save you money.

Bookstores, both the brick and mortar types and online stores, are great places to find antiques price guides. Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Walden Books sell many different price guides for all kinds of collectibles. Used bookstores sell price guides as well; however, current market values may be incorrect depending on the book's age. Older price guides can be valuable though when used solely to identify collectible items.