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Antiques Auctions
Antiques auctions are highly in vogue these days. But before we go into what antiques auctions are all about, let’s understand why antiques are so highly valued across the world. What are antiques? Why do collectors value them so intensely? Why do antiques bring in an element of mystery and exotica into their composition despite being so old and maybe dating back to eras that can hardly be traced? Let’s cover these aspects first.
Antiques can command great attention in current times, even if it’s a salt crock that you are looking at or a cream pitcher or maybe just a brass lantern. The widespread interest that has been triggered off by antiques is growing rapidly across the world. In today's competitive world, whatever strikes as old, original and unique would easily make it to the segment of ‘antiques’ so in generic terms, it is correct as well. In practical context, it is definitely understood that antiques refer to those products that survived more than a century and because of its rarity, would have great value.
Another factor is that the said product should be one that is totally unique and rare as well and this would make it more valuable as a collector’s item. A recent example of such a product being showcased at an antiques auction would be the unique, vintage stock certificates that made headlines across the world when an 1870 certificate for original shares pertaining to the Standard Oil Co., signed by none other than the legendary John D. Rockefeller, got the hammer for a whopping figure of $120,000 (approx. £60,000). This was followed by the Pullman Palace Car Co., known as the maker of the first sleeping cars for trains, having Andrew Carnegie’s signature fetched a whopping amount at $70,000 (approx. £35,000). Those collectors with a passion for financial history would definitely be drawn to auctions that showcase old stock and bond certificates. Till date, Germans are known to be the most avid collectors of old stock and bond certificated but now the Americans are showing keen interest in this field as well.
From the above cited example, this is clear that any item that can be dated back to the last three centuries or more would definitely be valued as an antique. These would be expensive by all standards but these aren’t to be considered as outdated or old fashioned by any means.
Appearance has nothing to do with the value of an antique. An item can easily look as though it just got a dusting from the attic after several generations can’t be considered as a unique in the true sense of the word. After all, if there is nothing uniquely enticing about the age old marvel, it is just plain old junk and cannot be really labeled as an antique no matter how old it may be.
But Beware!
Before you go ahead to attend an antiques auction, adhere to the two golden antique collection principles: be aware of everydetail on the antiques and clinch them at the minimal price.
Good luck!
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