Start Collecting
As we see on many of the popular antiques shows, people collect all manner of donate my car from drink coasters to teddy bears, toy cars to vintage clothing, teaspoons to tea caddies. Some are high value items, but a great deal of pleasure can be derived from more commonplace objects. When amassed together, even relatively mundane pieces can create a striking display. What you decide to collect is purely a matter of taste, and also depends on what you wish to achieve. Collecting certain items can be not only pleasurable but a form of investment for the future.
If the chance of future gain is one of the driving forces behind your collecting, then you need to do some homework before spending a lot of time and money. Take for example, antiques. There are trade magazines in Australia that you can obtain free from most antique stores or centres, which include articles on varied antique items. They often discuss the pros and cons of collecting, as well as a little history of the manufacturer. Of course the more rare an item, the greater its value, as it will be more in demand by other collectors. You might be drawn to the style of a particular period such as Art Nouveau or Art Deco and your collection could encompass a host of decorative pieces you can display around your home. Not all collections need to be locked away in cupboards or display cabinets.
While men tend to collect things like war memorabilia, weaponry, trains and the like, women are often drawn to painted porcelain, figurines, jewellery, antique laces and embroideries, dolls, teddies, miniatures and so on. There are trends too, even in antiques, and if you happen to amass a number of pieces that suddenly become the hot item amongst collectors, then that would be the ideal time to sell, if profit is your aim. structured settlement buyer perhaps you just tire of one thing and feel ready for a change. Knowing what will be the next hot item is the tricky part.
Small silver objects can be bought for reasonable prices, as compared to gold for example. And the good thing about silver is that it should be hallmarked, meaning you can ascertain exactly where and when it was made. This will also show you whether it is sterling silver or (usually) much less valuable silver plate. British silver is a good choice as the hallmarking system has been in place for hundreds of years. The remarkable thing is that quite a lot of exquisite objects have survived in excellent condition for 100 years and more. And while an item should be at least 100 years old to qualify as a genuine antique, the good thing is, each year there is a completely new supply on the market. For more reading on the subject, check out the websites listed below.
Margaret Taylor
Find antique gifts in silver, tortoiseshell and porcelain at:
attiqueantiques.auattiqueantiques.au
Shop online for fabulous collectible dolls and miniatures, or browse the bookstore at:
doll-art-onlinedoll-art-online
