How to Find the Market Value of an Antique
Many people enjoy searching thrift stores, flea markets, and trade shows for old items that may be valuable. Antiquing is a popular hobby, but you have to do a lot of research to understand the true value of your items. By definition, an antique is an item that is more than 100 years old. To make sure the item you have is a valuable antique, you first have to identify its age, and then you need to look for a market for the piece. There are many types of antiques, and each one has a different value based on the current market. Read on to learn how to identify an antique item and discover how much it is worth.
Now that the antique bug has bitten you, you next want to know how much your finds are worth. Indeed, you hope you got a great deal on your discovery, but how do you determine the market value of an item?
For residents around Littleton, Colorado, you're in luck—the dealers at Old Crow Antiques are happy to help you research the value of your antique and vintage pieces, and some are even certified to appraise items. Read on to learn how to identify an antique item and discover how much it is worth
The Different Valuations of Antiques
Something that surprises new collectors is that antiques are like any other asset of value—it depends on the specific market. While your jewelry and cars are appraised for insurance (high) or estate (low) valuations, antiques are valued according to the dealer's business model—is it for wholesale, retail, or auction—making it difficult for the novice to determine value accurately.
Wholesale
These dealers are also known in the trade as "pickers"—they buy entire estates and warehouses or attend auctions for their inventory. Since they don't assess or vet individual items, buyers can score great deals from wholesalers—they're usually in it for the quick turnaround, not to maximize the profit on every piece they buy. A wholesaler will give you a much lower estimate than an auction house or retail dealer. Don't take it personally; that's how they do business.
Auction
Auctions are an excellent way to get an idea of an item's worth, although unless you are an expert in that field, you may not be making accurate comparisons. That said, researching auction listings and results online gives the novice collector some insight into how the market is moving in specific categories—several years ago, dealers couldn't give away European antiques; now, those old mahogany chests and porcelains have reclaimed some of their value in the market.
Some online dealers list their inventory as auctions—eBay is only one option, but their listings are not vetted. In-house experts vet the listings on sites such as RubyLane and 1stDibs, so those sale prices on these authenticated pieces reflect more actual values.
Retail
If you're looking at high-end antique shops to determine what that Italian mirror is worth, keep in mind that the retailer is also passing their selling costs on to you. So if your mirror is on an online auction site for $800 and a similar mirror is in an antique shop for $1300, that means your mirror is closer in value to the $800 auction price.
How to Determine Value On Your Own
One of the most fun things about buying antiques is in learning what you've purchased. You can do your research online or with books on a given subject. Several dealers at Old Crow Antiques sell books, and you can find the definitive guides to any number of vintage and antique categories here.
The basic steps to finding a valuation start with identifying the item. You can do this by learning the different maker marks, the styles of individual manufacturers, and anything else you can find out about the things that interest you.
Ask an Expert
We have several experts here at Old Crow Antiques who are happy to share their knowledge with collectors. Chris, for example, is keen on china and crystal and glassware, so she's the gal if you're wondering if that pitcher is cut or pressed glass. John is the resident art expert and will show you how to authenticate paintings. Tommy and John are walking encyclopedias for all kinds of antique and vintage things, from McCoy pottery to antique lighting.
Old Crow Antiques is your source for browsing, buying, and selling vintage and antique collectibles in the Denver/Littleton area. Our 40,000 feet of retail space, 265 dealers, and root beer bar guarantee a great day immersed in the antique world. Contact us today to learn more about our dealers and showroom, conveniently located at the corner of Bowles and Kipling in Littleton.
Search online
There are plenty of guides and resources online so that you can assess the value of our antiques price online.
Appraisal events coming soon!
Curious to know the value of your antiques? Old Crow Antique Market will have appraisal events starting very soon! Check back often.
Buy and Sell Antique Items at Old Crows Antique Market
Whether you are looking to buy or sell an antique item, you will find a great selection of antiques and Dealers at Old Crow's antique market just outside of Denver in Littleton, Colorado. With more than 40,000 feet of display space, we have more than 265 Dealers with a wide variety of old items to choose from. In addition to antiques, our Dealers sell vintage items, collectibles, and rustic decor items. If you have an antique to sell, you are sure to find a Dealer interested in your item. Take a break from searching for the perfect antique or looking for the right buyer by stopping by our root beer bar for a refreshing beverage.
Old Crows Antique Market is conveniently located in Littleton, Colorado, near the corner of Bowles Avenue and Kipling Avenue. Our huge space is filled with lots of Denver dealers who share your passion for antiques, and we can help you connect with someone who can accurately appraise your item if you want to sell it. Regardless of whether you're buying or selling antiques, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience at Old Crows Antique Mall in Littleton, CO. Contact us today to learn more about our dealers or visit our mall to browse our vast collection of items.