PPOT Brain Trust question - Antiques

[EmptyGarage]

I'm traveling to Seattle to help liquidate a relatives household collection of American Antiques. I'm going to need the help of local professionals for this.

Does anyone have a handle on the American Antiques market? Are they moving up or down in value?

What about a recommendation for a professional appraiser?

[oldE]

Paging Tabs!

[madmmac]

We used these guys.

Hamiltons Auction Home Page

Prices seem to be down.

[Bill Douglas]

Antiques are down. Way down.

Anyone who wants them has already got them, as in "older people".

The younger crowd do not want antiques.

Tabs will know, and there may be certain items in demand. But generally speaking, no, antiques are down.

[targa911S]

mid century modern is hot. anything "nuclear or atomic age" is hot. Art Deco is good but I agree for the most part they are down.

[Aragorn]

I will just post my two cents on this subject. I have been to a few (less than 10) antique sales in the last few months. Glassware (depression era) is way down in value from a few years ago. Buying boxes and sets of glassware and china for pennies on the dollar.

Furniture was way down at one sale last fall. The auctioneer couldn't give it away. Sold some to a dealer with a box van for $5.00 a piece (desks/beds/dressers/washstands.) Some quality pieces that were selling for $500- $1,500 a few years ago and there just wasn't any interest in the crowd to even bid.

Knick knacks and small pottery (Hummels and Roseville) are currently very depressed ($20-$30 each.) Odd items like old photos and postcards are selling for the same amount though ($20-$30 each.) Salt glazed pottery seems to be catching on again and the prices seem to be on the rise.

Quality antiques are still selling but not at the prices they were before 2007.

[EmptyGarage]

This does not sound good. I guess we need carbon credit's to be issued for reusing old items.

This was supposed to be the retirement funds for my relative but this sounds more like it's going to be a job just trying to sell these things.

The first auctioneer just wanted to cherry pick the most collectables and leave all the rest for a house sale. But I image that Remington prints, stubin glass and other high value items will sell easily and might be the draw if you needed to have a house estate sale.

I see a few calls for "Tabs". Is he in the business? Is he an appraiser ?

[GH85Carrera]

My wife drug me to a local antiques auction. It was just incredible to see very nice antique furniture go for just almost nothing. Entire dining room sets with wonderful oak table and chairs were just cheap. They could not give away some nice dishes, anything that could not go in a dishwasher is just not wanted. Why hand wash anything is the mantra.

[MRM]

Tab's is the Board's oracle and keeper of knowledge on all things old and collectible. Unfortunately Krugman just wrote an article on Tabs' second favorite subject, Paul Krugman: That 1914 Feeling | Economics and Politics the end of the world and why he predicted it. He went off to correct Dr. Krugman and explain why it's much worse that he wrote. When he gets back he'll stop by and give you a remarkably up to date market analysis of anything you have. You don't happen to have any old shoes, do you?

[aschen]

Hmn I like antique stuff but was unaware the value is down. Maybe I should head to the antuque places to try to capitalize

[ckelly78z]

I've never been a collector of anything, especially antiques that weren't handed down to me from family. I see so many people buying all sorts of items on speculation of future gains, when in reality, all it does is take up space until they die, or need to go into a care facility.

I do have some family heirlooms that I will never sell, but will hand down to my kids when appropriate, like the extensive indian artifact collection that my wife's grandpa found on his own farm, and the old Mercury outboard motor, that the same Grandpa bought in his youth. (still runs).

[nota]

it runs in cycles
good plan is to buy stuff that was higher priced
when it is out of fashion if you can wait for it to come back

I watch the road-show regularly
yes old modern furniture is hot now
china and russia is cooling a bit
old american has a big drop a lot but I think is the place to buy now
if all the bits are original and the finish looks like crapp not redone
repair and replacement are to be avoided as are repro's/fakes

csa and indian [feather] is hot

maker and marks are keys to value
Tiffany is huge value on anything

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

They seem to buy a lot of automotive and motorcycle stuff. The rest of the stuff doesn't seem to be in high demand by anyone.

-Wayne

That and vintage advertising stuff. Old signs always sell well. Especially if they are red or blue!

[EmptyGarage]

Unfortunately no automobile stuff. No cool stuff.

Who is "TABS"? What is his tag? I'd like to contact him directly.

There are a few flint long guns....if I remember there 5 or 6 feet long.

[MRM]

TABS' is a man of wealth and impeccable taste. He would not be interested in antique guns. Certainly not long guns like reproduction flintlocks. Even original flintlocks like a Revolutionary War era rifle would be beneath Herr Tabdulah. No, you'd best send those to me and leave poor, busy TAB'S to his shoe collection.

The Imelda Marcos Shoe Fetish Association

[MRM]

OK, so maybe Tabs would have an interest in the rifles. PM him at the link below.

A Pennsylvania Spoon