Just Collecting Or Collecting To Sell

 

I want to share some GREAT tips that I have learned for collecting or collecting to sell.  It just doesn't matter really, because I bet everybody that falls in to the "collecting to sell" category  has a collection of their very favorites on the side and vice versa.



Every collectible item is cyclical.  Just look at what is popular right now.  In 10 to 20 years, even Beanie Babies will be in demand again. Scratching your head yet?  Because the kids who couldn't afford them in the 1990's will be in their 30's and 40's with money to spend.  They will want to purchase their childhoods.  Don't throw those Beanies away just yet.  Hold on to them for a little while longer.

Pewter will be marked if it contains at least 90 percent tin.  It is a somewhat dull looking silver-colored alloy made of tin, lead and copper.  Pewter has been used over the years for anything from eating utensils to candlesticks.  Pewter as far as its value is concerned, is at the bottom of the list below copper and only above lead.  It was known as the "poor man's sliver."  Early American pewter with marks from the maker, and art pewter from Europe, can be valuable.

George Jenson Markings

Don't pass up those items that have been signed and dated.  Even if you haven't heard of the maker,  someone has.  Do some research.  Hang on to it for a while if you have to, no harm in that is there...$...*wink, wink*

Why not buy a book.  They aren't cheap to  buy brand new.  But every once in a while I see them at a flea market, thrift store or even a garage sale.  These books sometimes have articles packed full of useful information.  There are beautiful colored photos included also.  If you run into an out of date book, they are still useful as reference for identification purposes.  You can't rely on the prices even when first printed because prices constantly change in the world of antiques for obvious reasons.