Antiques And Collectibles

When it comes to antiques and collectibles, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But it’s no compliment when imitations or reproductions are used to defraud consumers. When consumers buy what they’re told is a genuine antique or a vintage collectible, but learn later they were knowingly sold a fake that can sell for less, it’s fraud.

Antiques And Collectibles

Buying and selling antiques and collectibles is big business. You can buy antiques at auctions, shops, shows, and online. You may even discover treasures at garage sales and flea markets. You should become a smart buyer who learns about the differences between genuine antiques, reproductions, and their fake counterparts.

“A” Is for Antique: Learning the Lingo

Before you shop for antiques, it’s important to understand some terms used in the marketplace.

By law, an antique is an item that’s at least 100 years old.

A collectible is just about anything that people collect. The age of a collectible is not important, except if an item is labeled a vintage collectible. A vintage collectible is an item that is at least 50 years old.

A reproduction is an item created to look like an original, but that has no value in the antiques world. For example, new furniture can be manufactured to resemble styles from the 18th century, like Queen Anne, Chippendale and Hepplewhite. The same is true of antique reproduction jewelry — the items are not old; they simply are manufactured in the style of a certain period, like the Victorian era. Depending on the quality of materials and the manufacturing process, a reproduction can be expensive, but not nearly as expensive as an original. It also may be difficult for a non-expert to distinguish between a well-manufactured reproduction and an original.

You also may see or hear the term repro. Repro is not short for reproduction. Some people use the term repro to describe a new item that has been purposefully created with the intent to deceive and sell at its genuine counterpart antique price. Essentially, a repro is a fake. For example, an unscrupulous dealer may knowingly try to sell you a repro Tiffany lamp as an original. Items from a variety of categories can be faked, including porcelains, glassware, jewelry, silver, paintings, prints, textiles, wood carvings, brass, and copper.

Price guides are books filled with technical information on specific antiques and collectibles, brief histories, references, short descriptions, photos, and average retail prices. The prices listed can’t take certain variables into account — like the condition of a particular item or its popularity in a particular location (for example, an antique platform rocking chair may be more popular in one part of the country than another). Price guides can be general or specialized: some cover a broad range of antiques and collectibles, from furniture to ceramics. Others specialize in items like American pottery and porcelain, Oriental decorative arts, furniture from the Arts and Crafts movement, or pressed glass. Price guides are updated routinely. Make sure you consult the latest editions.

Antiques And Collectibles

Auction catalogs, published by auction houses, suggest how much selling price varies from asking price. Get a catalog before a sale, and ask to receive the “prices realized” list, which details what items actually sold for. Items are worth what people are willing to pay for them. Prices can rise quickly and dramatically if bidding gets heated.

Shopping & Buying Tips for Antiques and Collectibles:

Just as you do your homework before making other important purchases of antiques and collectibles, it’s a good idea to research antiques before you buy them. This may include visiting antique shops, malls, and auctions; talking with collectors and reputable dealers; and reading price guides, auction catalogs, books, and magazines on the items you’re interested in buying. The more you know, the less likely you are to buy something that isn’t what you thought, or to pay more than you should.

When shopping, ask questions:

* How long have you been a dealer?
* Do you belong to any professional organizations, like dealer associations, appraiser associations, or organizations related to specific types of merchandise?
* Do you specialize in certain items? Dealers who specialize can teach you a lot about telling the difference between real antiques, reproductions, and fakes.
* Do you carry reproductions? If dealers have reproductions mixed in with antiques, the reproductions should be labeled clearly. If they’re not, be careful: Some reproductions are so well done that even experts can have trouble recognizing them for what they are.
* How do you know the item is genuine and not a fake or reproduction?
* How did you determine the price for the item?
* What criteria did you use to identify the item?
* Will you guarantee the authenticity of the item in writing? If the dealer isn’t willing to give you a guarantee, don’t disqualify the purchase. Many dealers buy items without absolute certainty about their authenticity, but the price should reflect that.
* What is your return policy? A reputable dealer should agree, in writing, to take back anything that was misrepresented.

When you decide to buy antiques and collectibles, get a written receipt that includes the seller’s name, address, and phone number; the date; a complete description of the item, including age, origin, any repairs or replacements, the price you paid, and how you paid; and, if the seller claims the item is authentic, a written guarantee for the antiques and collectibles purchased.