No matter what you collect - whether it is 18th century tea caddies, 19thC carriage clocks, pressed glass, Art Deco teapots, or Googlie dolls - there are many ways in which you can acquire items for your collection and heading to the antiques auction is one of those ways. If you want to dispose of items in your collection, you can also sell them in the same way.
Antiques
One of the most exciting ways in which to buy antiques and collectibles is at an auction, with potential buyers bidding for items. You will find almost every type of collectible, from objects worth millions to boxes of inexpensive bric-a-brac. Auctions are not limited to the big city salerooms such as Sotheby's, Christie's, Phillips, and Bonhams - there are local auctioneers throughout the country but EBAY is the absolute best Places to pick up a true antique bargain.
Going to auctions regularly is an excellent way to learn about the area you are interested in before beginning to collect. If you attend saleroom previews often and read the auction catalogs carefully, you will soon acquire a sound knowledge and a feel for prices.
Viewing The Sale
A "sale preview" occurs about two or three days before an auction. All the objects to be sold will be put on display, so that buyers can examine them. If you are hoping to buy at the sale, it is important to attend one of these preview days because on the day of the sale it may be impossible to view properly.
Always examine thoroughly any object on which you intend to make a bid. Pay particular attention to the condition of the piece and take into account the potential cost of restoration, which may be considerable, before deciding on your bidding limit.
Catalogs, Estimates And Reserves
When attending an auction, make sure you acquire a catalog. This publication is used to identify items to be sold at auction. Whether it is a typed sheet or a glossy illustrated publication, it will list and give "lot" numbers of the objects in the order in which they will be sold. Next to each catalogue entry there may be a suggested price range, which is known as the "estimate". The suggested price range, for example $250-380, is a rough guide to the value of an object; they are never a guarantee of the price for which something will be sold.
Ask to speak to the expert in charge of the sale if you would like more information about a particular piece.
At auction, any item on sale, no matter how rare or valuable, is ultimately only worth what two or more people are willing to bid for it so it is a great opportunity for any budding antique collector to snag quality antiques at bargain prices.
