One of the reaso
ns that shows like Auction Hunters and Pawn Stars are so popular is that they connect viewers to periods in history.
Antiques build a bridge between the past and modern times, which is one reason why they have so much value as collectors items.
Although you probably won’t find rare antiques in every unit the way Haff and Ton do, you will probably come across a few here and there as you work through storage unit auctions.
Knowing what you’re looking at and how to value them can ensure that you get the most money you possibly can from these goods.
The first step to valuing antiques is to learn as much about them as you can. A good place to start is with some of the higher-quality TV shows.
Ignore the unlikeliness of Auction Hunters, Pawn Stars and American Pickers and focus on the items themselves, whose history tends to be accurate. One of the very best shows for this sort of education is Antique’s Roadshow, which comes on PBS.
This show is much more educational and less commercialized since it’s on Public Broadcasting, and it can help you get a general idea about a lot of different kinds of antiques.
In addition to television, try to soak up information about antiques through other forms of media. The Internet is full of valuable information if you know what you’re looking for.
Books are also available on a range of general and specialized topics. Don’t overlook the library as a free source for information! Even if your local library doesn’t carry the book you need, you can request it through an inter-library loan to save yourself from needing to buy it.
Once you’ve gotten a general feel for antiques, you need to start acquiring more detailed knowledge about them. Start with a narrow focus and something you’re likely to come across frequently, like furniture or jewelry.
You can expand from there once you get a decent understanding of what you might be dealing with. Here are a few things you should make a priority to learn about:
Learn a few of the biggest or most collectible makers of items and how to recognize their maker’s marks or signatures.
Learn how to identify materials to make research go by more quickly
Familiarize yourself with the general trends of specific decades and styles so you can help pinpoint an item’s age
Find a reputable antique’s dealer in your area who can offer you a valid appraisal
This last point is particularly important. No matter how good you are at identifying antiques in storage units, you’ll still want to confirm your findings and get a good appraisal.
Start asking around early to figure out who the best option in your community might be. This kind of network of experts is one thing that every reseller needs to start developing early.
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