| At Steptoes Dog Antique and Vintage Collectables we don't perform valuations, however, one of the most commonly asked questions is ...... What is it worth?\nIt can be diffecult to establish if your treasure is worth thousands of pounds or a few pence, so here are some pointers to help you find out. Equally, these pointers can help you decide if you're paying a fair price for a piece, if it's a real bargain or if it's over-valued.\n\n1. As it has been famousely said "something is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it". \n\n2. The value of antique and vintage pieces can change with trends and availability - so a valuation can quickly become outdated, with the value going up or down, so watch the prices and value of your piece on the open market carefully.\n\n3. Listen to your gut feeling - we pick up a lot of information without realising it, so listen to what your instincts are telling you - you don't have to act on them, but, do take note!\n\n4. Can you identify the piece? Once you can clearly establish who produced the item and when, you can begin to establish the true identity of the item and therefore the value.\n\n5. Does your antique or vintage piece have any marks? These can often be quite small and not apparent at first glance, but marks are ideal for making acurate identifications and valuations.\n\n6. Good quality antique and vintage items are often marked by the maker, but, beware of fake marks and understand that no mark does not mean that a piece is not valuable.\n\n7. How old is your item? As an antique or vintage piece gets older, it often increases in value, but, not always: for example most fossils and other small archaeological finds are not worth vast amounts in monetary terms, although historically, they may be priceless.\n\n8. Is your collectable from a specifically collectable period, movement or style, such as Art Deco or Art Nouveau? As this can increase its collectablility and value.\n\n9. Was your antique or vintage collectable produced by a highly sought after manufacturer such Gucci, Wedgwood, Mintons, Liberty, Tiffany ? Again this can increase its value.\n\n10. Does your collectable have a unique feature, that sets it appart from others that were produced, such as a manufacturing error, that may have caused the series to have been withdrawn and changed, or is it a limited edition? Rareity is a factor that can increase the value of an object in some cases.\n\n11. What is the condition of your antique or vintage piece? The condition of a collectable item can dramatically effect its value. Damage can reduce the value of a highly collectable item dramatically, but equally, a quite ordinary piece in mint condition can fetch a premium, owing to its magnificent condition. Although, in the case of a very rare piece, the condition is not always going to effect the value.\n\n12. Do you have provenance and proof of origin of your collectable? If you know and can prove the history of an antique or vintage item, this can add value, especially, if the item is of historical importance or was owned or used by a famous or important individual, but, evidence, such as a document to support any claims is vital.\n\n13. With many antique and vintage collectables, specific details can determine the difference in value between individual pieces of a similar type, so pay attention to details.\n\n14. What prices are similar items fetching on the open market? Compare prices and values, whilst consideringthe other factors we have mentioned.\n\nSo really, the key to finding the value of antique and vintage collectables is ... pay attention to the detail and research, research and more research!\n\nIf you are not sure of the value of a piece and you believe your item to be of some value, the best way to establish if this is so, is to approach a reputable local auctioneer, they will be able to give you some idea of value and even help you sell the item or suggest specialist valuers.\n\nIf you are having a piece valued by a dealer in a shop or at an antiques fair, it is always wise to get a second opinion.\n\nDon't sell items to traders that come knocking on your door.\n\nIf in doubt always get a second or third opinion from a reputatable professional.\n\nPlease note that this information has been obtained from a variety of sources, and it is to the best of our knowledge correct. However, Steptoes Dog does not accept responsibility regarding its accuracey, or any adverse occurances, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information.\n |
| What is it Worth - Hints on How to Value Your Antique and Vintage PiecesAt Steptoes Dog Antique and Vintage Collectables we don't perform valuations, however, one of the most commonly asked questions is ...... What is it worth? It can be diffecult to establish if your treasure is worth thousands of pounds or a few pence, so here are some pointers to help you find out. Equally, these pointers can help you decide if you're paying a fair price for a piece, if it's a real bargain or if it's over-valued. \n\n1. As it has been famousely said "something is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it". \n2. The value of antique and vintage pieces can change with trends and availability - so a valuation can quickly become outdated, with the value going up or down, so watch the prices and value of your piece on the open market carefully. \n3. Listen to your gut feeling - we pick up a lot of information without realising it, so listen to what your instincts are telling you - you don't have to act on them, but, do take note! \n4. Can you identify the piece? Once you can clearly establish who produced the item and when, you can begin to establish the true identity of the item and therefore the value. \n5. Does your antique or vintage piece have any marks? These can often be quite small and not apparent at first glance, but marks are ideal for making acurate identifications and valuations. \n6. Good quality antique and vintage items are often marked by the maker, but, beware of fake marks and understand that no mark does not mean that a piece is not valuable. \n7. How old is your item? As an antique or vintage piece gets older, it often increases in value, but, not always: for example most fossils and other small archaeological finds are not worth vast amounts in monetary terms, although historically, they may be priceless. \n8. Is your collectable from a specifically collectable period, movement or style, such as Art Deco or Art Nouveau? As this can increase its collectablility and value. \n9. Was your antique or vintage collectable produced by a highly sought after manufacturer such Gucci, Wedgwood, Mintons, Liberty, Tiffany ? Again this can increase its value. \n10. Does your collectable have a unique feature, that sets it appart from others that were produced, such as a manufacturing error, that may have caused the series to have been withdrawn and changed, or is it a limited edition? Rareity is a factor that can increase the value of an object in some cases. \n11. What is the condition of your antique or vintage piece? The condition of a collectable item can dramatically effect its value. Damage can reduce the value of a highly collectable item dramatically, but equally, a quite ordinary piece in mint condition can fetch a premium, owing to its magnificent condition. Although, in the case of a very rare piece, the condition is not always going to effect the value. \n12. Do you have provenance and proof of origin of your collectable? If you know and can prove the history of an antique or vintage item, this can add value, especially, if the item is of historical importance or was owned or used by a famous or important individual, but, evidence, such as a document to support any claims is vital. \n13. With many antique and vintage collectables, specific details can determine the difference in value between individual pieces of a similar type, so pay attention to details. \n14. What prices are similar items fetching on the open market? Compare prices and values, whilst consideringthe other factors we have mentioned. \n\nSo really, the key to finding the value of antique and vintage collectables is ... pay attention to the detail and research, research and more research! \n\nIf you are not sure of the value of a piece and you believe your item to be of some value, the best way to establish if this is so, is to approach a reputable local auctioneer, they will be able to give you some idea of value and even help you sell the item or suggest specialist valuers. If you are having a piece valued by a dealer in a shop or at an antiques fair, it is always wise to get a second opinion. \nDon't sell items to traders that come knocking on your door. \n If in doubt always get a second or third opinion from a reputatable professional. \n\nPlease note that this information has been obtained from a variety of sources, and it is to the best of our knowledge correct. However, Steptoes Dog does not accept responsibility regarding its accuracey, or any adverse occurances, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. |
