Tips When Determining If Grandma's Antiques and Collectibles Are Worth Anything?

How To Begin To Sort Through Grandma's Antiques and Collections


As the editor of I Antique Online.com, I am often sent photos of antiques, collectibles and trinkets and asked "Is this worth anything?". Or "What should I do with my mom's collection of salt and pepper shakers?". Usually when I get an email with these types of questions I ask the sender first if they have a photo or two for me to look at. To be honest, I'm curious myself. I want to see a preview of what they are talking about.

Finding The Special Collectibles

Can you imagine if the person who is contacting me had a HUGE collection of  McKee or Tipp range set shakers? Or if the shoe box of old jewelry they found in a dresser drawer was packed with beautiful highly collectible Bakelite pieces ?

Usually after I get a chance to see a few photos, I write the sender back and suggest to them that they visit my site "I Antique Online.com" and post their question in the group "Whadja Find" as well as in any of the many collectible groups on the site such as "Furniture" "cookie jars" , "Depression Glassware", "Bakelite" etc. Our Depression Glass group is moderated by famed author Barbra E. Mauzy  who has written many books on Depression Glass.

I Antique Online.com Is A FREE Social Network To Help You Figure Out What You Have 

I Antique Online.com is a social network made up off over 14, 000 members who bring to the community a lot of both personal and business expertise. There is no fee to be part of this community and there always is so much to learn from so many members of IAO who enjoy helping out new members. I like the idea of using I Antique Online.com for feedback because, you will get lot's of advice and the community will self monitor the responses.

Many people will advise you to seek out an appraiser or auction house, which is also a good idea, but how do you know who to go to? On I Antique Online. Com we can help with that process as well. Be sure to visit the group "Estate Liquidation" on I Antique Online.com.

Tips When Determining If Grandma's Antiques and Collectibles Are Worth Anything?

1. Look at the item. To your eye does the item look old or new?
2. Is the item attractive?
3. How is it made? Does it look well made? Is it plain, ornate, stylish? Is there a lot of detail and workmanship?
4. Are their any markings, labels, signatures, numbers?
5. Is anything chipped or broken or repaired?
6. If you had to guess what era the item was, could you? Do you remember what years grandma had the item?
7. What is the item used for?
8. Is the item common or  quite unique?
9. Does it look like a fake or does it show signs of age and use?
10. Where did grandma keep it in the house? Was it cared for? Was it on display? Was it used?

Photos are from I Antiqe Online.com  

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists