Collecting Antiques -  Antique Collecting

By Dave bromley and Derek Chambers

Collecting antiques can be a fascinating and life long hobby. Collecting anything, antique or modern, is limited by two factors: the money available and the space to be filled. Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to watches or clocks, china teapots, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to find out what the admiration is all about.

This web site is intended as a guide for the beginner, to help him through the bewildering maze of antique objects with which he is likely to come in contact. Also, it has much information to aid the more advanced collector. It sets out to help in identify­ing the age of a piece; to give clues that may reveal the actual maker, or at least his nationality; to indicate comparative rarity; and to suggest what is worth having and what to leave for others. 

Collecting antiques can be a very personal hobby, we have all heard of collectors who keep their collections locked away so that no one else can share the pleasure of seeing their pieces. But the true collector is more than willing to show off his or her latest find to anyone who is interested.

For the would be antique collector their choice of subject matter can often be a matter of chance. Buying one piece, deciding you like it and then going on to build a collection. Or you may have a particular liking or interesting one subject area Whatever your reason for starting a collection it can often become a life times work.

Because of your interest in a subject you should in time become an expert in that subject. This way you will often be able to recognized bargains that others less knowledgeable would pass by. It is for that reason that in time many collectors become full or part time dealers in their specialist areas.

On this site we intend to include as much information as possible but even we cannot go down into the deep realms of specializations. Once you have decided exactly what you would like to collect you should search the Internet, go to your local library and book store and find as much information about your subject as you can. Discover values and such details as the effect that condition can have on those values. Many new to collecting end up paying too much for items that are basically in poor condition.

Dependent upon your area of collecting there may be a specialist collectors group and or magazine that you can join or subscribe to. This can often be a really good source of the very latest information and research on your subject. Of course many collectors do not want to go this deeply into their area of interest and are happy just buying the odd item to add to their collections as they find them.

Whatever type of collector you are or become I hope you find something of interest on this site.