Researching antique, vintage, and collectibles takes some work and sleuthing. You can send yourself down a rabbit hole filled with information or hit a brick wall rather quickly depending on what you are researching and how or where you get your information. 
Lately, here at Vintage Unscripted, we have been asked to offer information regarding price, rarity, history, and various other bits and pieces of information about items either purchased or otherwise owned by our readers. While we truly appreciate our reader’s trust in our experience and knowledge we are by no means experts or certified appraisers.
Buying and selling antiques and vintage is both an art and a science. It requires lots of hard work behind the scenes. As dealers, we each develop our own specialties. Because the industry is so varied, it’s virtually impossible for any single dealer or appraiser to know everything. Our aim here at VU is to both entertain and educate our readers. We look to experts ourselves to learn more about the items we collect and sell and want to pass along what we have learned over the years to you.
Developing both a good eye along with some common sense and the ability to know how to research all lead to positive outcomes and finding great items. Many a shopper has happened upon something they thought was a great find only to learn that it’s either fake, damaged, or simply not worth much after all. This last point can be for a multitude of reasons. The item may have been mass-produced and therefore not particularly valuable. It may be out of vogue currently. Or it may be of low quality.
As dealers, we have all fallen for something we thought was a great find only to later learn that it was a red herring. Conversely, we each have stories of items that unexpectedly turned out to be fabulous finds. With experience, these situations hopefully swing towards the latter.
Researching antique, vintage, and collectibles can be fun and is always an enlightening endeavor. With the internet, it has only been made easier. You can easily search online for similar items by description or visually by photo. Looking for descriptive words and narrowing your search as you find similar items will often lead to more information. Conversely, libraries are still very viable places to search as often older items are listed in books and never make it online.
If you are a collector of certain items, look for books on items you collect. While they may not offer current monetary values, they are nonetheless a wealth of information. Another place to look is at collectors clubs, both online and off. Many have bulletin boards and local meet-ups where members and guests can gather and share information. For information on items such as art, books, or auction prices check out this page from the Getty Research Institute for links and more information.
Certified antique appraisers are available locally and nationally as well. Keep in mind that most appraisers charge for their time regardless of the outcome. Occasionally antique shows will offer appraisals at no or low cost for single items along with the price of admission. Here is a good article from Consumer Reports on How to Find an Appraiser.
Keep in mind that appraisers also have specialties. So if you are looking for information on Native American pottery, read up on the appraiser’s specialties or give them a call and ask so you find someone who is knowledgeable about that particular item.
In conclusion, the business of buying, selling, and collecting is huge and growing. When researching antique, vintage, and collectible items there are no easy answers and the name of the game is research, research, research. So before you plunk down your hard-earned money on that item that seems too good to be true, stop and think about what it takes to learn about your purchase and its true value. If it speaks to you and is worth it to you, go for it, if not leave it to the next person. It may be just what they were looking for.
For more information, check out these sites, books, and shows:
Kovels Antiques and Price Guides
Warman’s Antiques and Collectibles price guide
Killer Stuff and Tons of Money by Maureen Stanton
Edwin Bailey Antiques
Don’t forget our other posts on pricing and appraisal as well.
