Antique and Flea Market Information » Collecting Antiques

Antiques Are Valuable Pieces of Art and History

admin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:02:26 +0000

By Benedict Smythe

An antique is an object which belongs to a past era valued for its artistry, craftsmanship, rarity and age. The term originates from the Latin word “antiquus” which means “old” or “ancient”.

Antique experts and collectors have different factors in considering or defining antique, but a common denominator is the age of the items. An object has to be made from an earlier period than the present. Moreover, an object has to be at least 100 years old to qualify as antique.

Other antique experts and collectors regard a hundred year old object not antique enough compared to an item that is at least 300 years old. An antique item in one country may not be considered antique in another country at all. Thus, defining what antique also varies from person to person or from place to place.

Aside from the age of a piece, some antique experts would only describe an object as antique if it is made of the highest quality and features a striking ors one-of-a-kind design.

Antiquing Defined

Antiquing is the art of antique collection. It involves the process of shopping, identifying, negotiating, bargaining and buying so called antique items. Antiques may range from pieces of furniture such as a table, chair, desk, or dresser among others; a piece of jewellery; kitchen pieces such as tableware, dinner sets or pots; sculptures; paintings; maps; coins; stamps; books; other home pieces such as clocks; and carpets as well. Antique furniture is one of the most commonly collected items because of its practical uses.

Antiques can be made of varied materials such as fabric, wood, porcelain, ivory or glass. Antiques are sold in antique shops all over the world. The internet is also a rich source of information for antique collectors. Several websites pertain to antiques which are useful for antique collectors, both old and new.

Antique collection depends on the interests and preferences of antique collectors. Some antique collectors prefer to collect antiques of a specific period only. Mostly, devoted antique collectors spend considerable time and money to acquire a piece to add in the collection.

Antiquing is indeed an expensive hobby but other antique collectors purchase antiques for potential resale and antiquing also refers to the process of making an object appear antique.

Antiques and its Purpose

Antiques are significant artefacts of the past which help historians and archaeologists from understanding the earlier period of human history. All antiques are valuable because these objects represent the past. However, some are considered priceless because they are vital in the recognition and education of the history of a specific place in a specific time so these antiques are placed in museums. Other antiques can be bought in various antique shops for the satisfaction of antique collectors. Antiques are also considered heirlooms hence, also priceless.

Monetary Value of Antiques

The value of antique depends on the number of items available in the market, the condition of the item, and the amount that collectors would pay for it.

Antique appraisal, or the process of determining the value of antiques, is essential to every antique collector. Finding a qualified antique appraiser requires meticulous research. Antique appraisers have different specialization on antiques. An appraiser whose forte is on antique ceramics may not be able to provide valuable details on antique jewellery.

It is also important to note that some pieces of antiques are recommended for antique restoration while others are more valuable as they appear to be. A professional antique restorer provides expert help in determining what needs to undergo essential restoration to add more value to the antique and restore it to its original appearance and function.

About the Author: Driscolls Antiques is a leading supplier of quality antiques and antique furniture. Benedict Yossarian is a freelance Internet Marketing Consultant that can help maximize your exposure online.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=286501&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

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The Real Value of Collectibles in Today’s Economy

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:24:07 +0000

By Melani Weber

With the price of everything going down lately, people who purchase collectibles may be looking at their shelves full of well-loved pieces and thinking, “They’re not worth anything anymore! What will I do?” It may seem counter-intuitive, but the best thing might be to expand your collection. Just think about it: What are the smart investors doing right now on Wall Street? They are holding onto their portfolios and spending a little money to pick up some great bargains. That’s what you should be doing with your collectibles, too.

“To get a great deal” is the best reason to spend money in any economy, especially when it comes to collectibles. While it may not be the best time to sell off your own collection, you may see deals now on pieces that you don’t have that you would never see otherwise. A bonus to buying during a downswing is that, since you are buying items at a discount, the chances are good that your new collectibles will go up in value as the economy gets stronger.

Another reason to invest in collectibles in an economic downturn is if you’ve been thinking of starting a collection for someone else. If you have a daughter or niece to whom you were planning on giving a few pieces, those starter items now can be found at great prices. Often times merchants will bundle pieces together that make great starter sets and offer them at a discount. Plus, everyone knows that the most expensive time to collect is when you first start out, so now is the time to make those initial costs a bit less.

Remember the most important reason to collect anything: because it means something special to you. Can you really put a price tag on a collection if you purchased it for sentimental reasons? If your collection is making you happy then it is giving you value and no one can argue with that. Artwork that you collect because it makes you feel relaxed, for example, is like investing in your mental health. Figurines that feature different emotions or family members can memorialize events or honor loved ones while they expand your collection. Eventually, when the time comes to whittle down your collection, these items become perfect gifts for family and friends. If you’ve ever watched those shows where experts estimate the value of a person’s antiques or collectibles, you know that most people say that it’s nice to know how much it’s worth, but they’re not interested in selling due to family history with the item(s). A collection may have monetary value, but it all boils down to how much it means to you personally.

One of the best bonuses of collecting is the sense of community you get from talking and trading with other collectors. The internet has now given us the ability to talk to people all over the world who are interested in the same things you are. So even if you don’t feel like changing the size of your collection today, communicating with other people who appreciate the things you do can improve your mood, no matter the state the economy.

About the Author: Melani Weber enjoys working with the woodworkers and artists whose creations are featured in the gift store where she has worked for the last 20 years. See their always intriguing (and sometimes silly) work at http://davlinswoods.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=323002&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

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Antique Perfume Bottles Are A Much Treasured Possession

admin — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:34:14 +0000

By Charlotte Hargreaves

Collecting antique perfume bottles has become much more popular
in recent times especially with the advent of such new and
interesting markets as online auctions.The numbers of varied
types of perfumes is undeniably huge which means that there is a
need to carry at least those many different perfume bottles
similarly. Essentially, these bottles serve to appeal to the
client helping to sell the perfume and thus must be attractive
and sure to catch the eye; consequently, it really should not
surprise anyone that the perfume bottling business is huge and
amongst the innumerable manufacturers of such bottles, the name
of Pochet SA – a French corporation stands out.

Pochet SA Is A Most Celebrated Bottle Maker

If you have ever bought a bottle of Givenchy, Coty, Dior, Yves
Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein or any other equally celebrated
brands of perfume, there is a great chance that the perfume
bottle has been assembled by Pochet which is a corporation that
descended from Verreries du Courval and also Pochet DeRoche that
have very many years of experience in producing glass and
porcelain items. In fact, the first and foremost perfume bottle
that contained designer perfume was commissioned by Empress
Eugenie in the year 1858 and was the task of Verreries du
Courval.

The means of making a perfume bottle changed and during the
1930’s they began to be fabricated by machine and major part of
the inspiration for such bottles appeared to come from
Hollywood, while an organization named Lalique that was
subsequently bought by Pochet had an excellent bottle that
contained the 1932 classic fragrance named Je Reviens that on
the whole resembled a skyscraper from New York and came in a
package in a chrome finished box.

Another interesting feature of the perfume bottle is when the
scent has been used and the fragrances are gone, the bottles,
especially those from bygone days are items that are treasured
even further than the scents that they held. In truth, if you
are lucky enough to own an antique perfume bottle, you may well
be the owner of a minor treasure that will fetch a fantastic
price and which is much sought after by other bottle collectors.

So, the next time you go overseas ensure to inspect the
numerous antique shops that may carry an antique perfume bottle
for sale. Nevertheless, that is easier said than done because
many of these bottles have an asking price in thousands of
dollars, and pretty much prior to you purchasing one of these
bottles, you had better not spend on something that is not to
your liking, and if you cannot help but collect these bottles,
do so with those that you find really attractive in that you can
take pleasure from them for further years to come.

You can even find antique perfume bottles in places other than
antique shops, and apt places to look for them include estate
sales or auctions, yard sales, flea markets and also thrift
stores and especially Internet auctions.

About the Author: Charlotte has a great site full of tips on
discount perfume. Please take a look at
www.perfume-discount-guide.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
www.isnare.com/?aid=199883&ca=Womens+Interest

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The History of Hummels

admin — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:34:59 +0000

In our nearly 30 years in the business of dealing Hummel collectibles, we’re often asked about the history of the Hummel figurines and how they’ve become so treasured by collectors worldwide.

Whether you’re a seasoned Hummel collector or someone who’s just considering getting started, understanding the history of Hummel figurines will help you understand why these unique pieces have touched so many people with their beauty, simplicity and value.

Although Hummel figurines made their first mark on the world in 1935, their true history dates back to the year 1909, when a girl named Berta Hummel was born in the small town of Massing, Bavaria as one of six children.

A naturally-talented artist, at the age of 12, her parents recognized that her home schooling wasn’t the best setting to fully develop her creative gifts, and she was sent to the Institute of English Sisters, Marienhoehe, about 20 miles away from her home.

While there, she was educated in a variety of artistic media as well as a host of other academic subjects. But upon graduation at the age of 18, it was determined that she needed further tutelage to ensure that her artistic talents were developed to their fullest potential. Consequently, she set out for Munich, a thriving center for art at the time.

Berta enrolled in the Academy of Applied Arts, where she continued to expand her education in the arts as well as other disciplines. However, despite this additional training, she never tired of her whimsical, precious drawings of children that would serve to inspire the most iconic figurines ever created.

Upon graduation at the top of her class in 1931, she decided to devote her life to God, and entered the Convent of Siessen which had been founded nearly 700 years earlier.

While there, she taught at St. Anna Girls’ School in nearby Saulgau. Upon the completion of her novitiate, she became a full-fledged nun and took the name Maria Innocentia, dedicating the remainder of her life to serving God.

Within a few years, an enterprising and dedicated porcelain manufacturer named Franz Goebel approached Maria Innocentia and proposed a partnership. Her drawings were unlike any he’d ever seen, and he instinctively knew they would translate well into figurines that would ultimately become an instant success.

Promising her the utmost in quality control, adherence to her vision, and that all royalties would be returned to the convent, Herr Goebel signed an exclusive contract with Maria Innocentia for the manufacture and distribution of her work through his W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik firm.

Their contract was signed January 9th, 1935, and, following a successful showing at the 1935 Leipzig Spring Fair, the figurines were an even greater success than Goebel had originally imagined.
Sadly, the life of Maria Innocentia was cut all too short on November 6, 1946 when, at only age 37, she died of complications from tuberculosis. Although her life was over all too quickly, her legacy lived on, as it does to this day, through her beloved figurines that hearken back to her childhood days in the Bavarian countryside.

About the Author: Brought to you by www.collectorsline.com

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The Old Fashioned Antique Bird Cage

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:09:53 +0000

Very few things can liven up a room like an antique bird cage. Although you most likely wouldn’t want to use it to house your pet parakeet due to the fact that many of these cages are not only fragile, but they are quite valuable.

So, what are cages that are this old really good for? Well, if you have a home with Victorian or French decor or accents, an antique bird cage will compliment any room in the house.

Of course, for anyone who appreciates the beauty of antiques, it makes no difference what kind of home they have. The cage will look great in any setting.

One of the most critical elements in caring for any antique is keeping it clean. For a bird cage, it really depends on what it’s made from. Is it made out of brass, iron, or another type of metal? If so, it can simply be wiped down with a rag.

Is it a wooden bird cage? If it is then you’ll need to take some different pre-cautions. The best suggestion I can give is to get with an expert in the area of antiques. They will have the knowledge to show you how to care for your cage.

One thing is for certain though, never use any type of store bought spray cleaner on your bird cage. These types of cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can easily destroy the painted surfaces, as well as possibly affect the wooden frame. Even something as simple as soap and water can be hard on the cage. This is why you’ll want to talk with an expert and get some sound advice.

Displaying your antique bird cage in a prominent area of your home can be quite a showpiece for guests of all ages. Even though it may not be a current home for parrots, parakeets or cockatiels, it can still be a great conversation piece.

About the Author: You can find out much more about Antique Bird Cages as well as more information on everything to do with bird cages on our website at www.BirdCages.InfoFromA-z.com

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Antique Carpet

admin — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:24:14 +0000

By Uwe Matt

Antique carpets add a touch of grandeur and glamour to your
home or office interiors speaking volumes about your rich and
sophisticated tastes! Antique decorative carpets are
extravagantly beautiful home furnishings and solid art
investments. Antique carpets and rugs are not just decorative
items but pieces of tradition, ethnicity and true class
portraying a continuous cultural tradition dating back thousands
of years! Antique carpets and rugs represent enormous range in
motifs and color harmonies and you will simply go berserk seeing
the diverse combination of rich antique colors and heavy
intricate weaving that are just too awesome!

The diverse range of antique carpet pieces that you will come
across while shopping for them are mostly exquisite Oriental
carpets and rugs portraying the mystery and legends of the far
off Oriental lands! Antique carpets and rugs are mostly imported
from China, Persia, India, Afghanistan, Caucasus and Turkey.
Some of the famous weaving areas of such antique Oriental
carpets include Oushak, Sultanabad, Tabriz, Kashan, Agra, and
many more.

Antique carpets and rugs have a more artistic integrity, as
they are exclusively hand-woven! So get ready to pay handsomely
for these artifacts that are exotic and so royal! Various art
dealers and carpet galleries all over the world are doing brisk
business selling these antique beauties at extravagant prices!
Clients are ready to pay just about anything to own one and
redefine their home décor status!

Following are some of the famous varieties of antique Oriental
carpets that you will come across while shopping for them!

* Antique Sultanabad carpet
* Antique Bidjar carpet
* Antique Tabriz carpet
* Antique Agra carpet
* Antique Amritsar carpet
* Antique Kashan carpet
* Antique North Indian carpet
* Antique Serapi carpet
* Antique Heriz carpet
* Antique Kurdish carpet
* Antique Kirman carpets
* Antique Chinese carpets
* Antique Samarkand carpets
* Antique Lavar carpet
* Antique Oushak carpet
* Antique North West Persian carpet
* Antique Saraouk carpet

You will also come across antique European carpets depicting
the history and artistic grandeur of the ancient European
period! These European antique carpets are also hand woven in
the carpet weaving areas of Savonnerie, Aubusson, and Ax
Minster! Some of the famous European antique carpets that you
would love to possess are as follows:

* Antique Ax minister carpet
* Antique Savonnerie carpet
* Antique Aubusson carpet
* Antique Cuenca carpet
* Antique English Needlework carpet
* Antique English Pile carpet
* Antique Don Egan carpet
* Antique Besserabian carpet

So if you want to add that luster and glamour to your home or
office and are ready to spend quite a bit of fortune on these
exquisite pieces of art then you just can’t wait a single
moment!

First and foremost contact several reliable, knowledgeable and
genuine art dealers and art galleries who deal in antique
carpets and rugs exclusively and have profound knowledge about
the various aspects of a good and genuine antique carpet! They
can guide you in selecting the best one as per your budget and
tastes.

Also you’ve got to do a bit of ‘homework’ yourself too! Visit
lots of dealers and educate yourself about dyes, wools, design
quality and weaving styles. Touch rugs and scrutinize them
carefully! Beware of machine-made synthetic carpets that some
art dealers spuriously project as antique carpet!

Some tips for you that will come handy while buying antique
carpets and rugs:

* You have to be careful and thoughtful while analyzing each
piece of antique carpet.

* You also have to try and understand the age and origin of the
carpet that will in turn give you a closer insight about the
quality of the carpet!

* You should also look to see if the edge and end borders are
all there in the antique carpet you intend to buy as the end and
edge borders sometimes are lost through use or are cut out
intentionally! Remember the borders determine the value of your
carpet!

* Watch out for holes and moth attacks that are very common
when you are dealing with antique carpets and rugs! These
problems have to be attended before you buy the carpet!

* Always deal with dealers who have the prices marked on the
rugs! See to it that your dealer sticks to these fixed prices!
Most reputable dealers have fixed and constant prices and a
well-defined policy about discounts.

About the Author: Uwe Matt makes it easy to discover antique
carpets.

Source: www.isnare.com

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Pricing Tools for Antiques and Collectibles

admin — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:25:26 +0000

Many antiques and collectibles can now be valued with the help of useful online price guides. Those interested can also find tips on valuing the items they own. It now seems that you don’t have to be expert on antiques and collectibles to be able to give an estimate price of a certain item. However, even the most experienced appraisers can sometimes miss out on some clues, and this is all the more true for an ordinary person who has had little or no experience with antiques and collectibles. Furthermore, if the object has been purchased and the owner is unaware of its provenance, proper identification and authentication is necessary before an accurate value determination can be performed.

It is the popularity of television shows such as Antiques Roadshow that has made many people aware of the fact that what they thought was a worthless piece of junk may actually have more than sentimental value. Many people argue that only an experienced appraiser is capable of correct antiques pricing, and that Internet appraisals should be skipped. They couldn’t be more wrong. Finding a professional appraiser can be daunting for many people and it is important that you check references or membership to a reputable and recognized Appraisers Association. ermore, nowadays there are few things that cannot be turned into a collection. And with so many collectors trying to add a price tag to just about everything, antiques and collectibles are often difficult to price. How can one person make an accurate antiques pricing with all the criteria that must be taken into consideration?

On the other hand, antiques pricing via the Internet is based on comprehensive databases. Antiques and Collectibles can be priced by users who can search using a sale date range, a category type, or a data source. Prices are added and updated on a regular basis, and they are gathered from reputable sources, such as real “live” and authentic auctions and other related Auction databases.. Users can also view items similar to theirs and identify their own, in trying to make as much an accurate valuation as possible. Such web sites offer more than just antiques pricing. Collectibles can also be valued and many such categories are displayed.

Auctions must not be the only criteria in antiques pricing, as there are times when a piece can be sold for a very high price at an auction based on current trends, and times when the same piece will be valued at a different price depending on the purpose of the Appraisal such as Insurance, Resale, Estate Tax etc. This is the reason why the median value is often used by appraisers in antiques pricing, which requires as many comparables as possible to increase accuracy. However, there is a tendency to use the most recent selling price as Sold at Auction for most items.

When it comes to pricing antiques and collectibles online, users have the advantage of performing their research at any time they wish. The appraiser’s convenience is not an issue here, and most services will return your valuation as soon as possible and as is the case of online Auction Values databases, instantly. The only cases when the process may take longer then expected is when they are dealing with rather obscure items that cannot be appraised by just anybody.

The bottom line is that you can save both time and money, and find all the accurate information you need, and it’s all just a few clicks away!

About the Author: For more resources about Antique & Collectibles or even about Antiques Pricing please review www.Values4Antiques.com

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What you should know when purchasing Antiques

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:00:21 +0000

Many people are now finding antiques as a great way of making their rooms look that little bit more special. However, you should consider several things before you purchase a particular antique item that you have been looking for.

Remember an antique can be any collectible item that is approximately 100 years old or more and has an aesthetic value. You could look at grand clocks, pianos, silverware, ivory, Faberge eggs or jewelry items are just some of the more desirable antique items that people collect now days. In fact each person will have their own particular preference for what sort of antique pieces they will collect.

What you first need to consider when making the purchase is the pieces history and originality. You will find many rear antiques come at a high price and do not be fooled by fake replicas (usually cheaper) and occasionally you will find that some antique dealers will put up retouched items for sale. However, antiques really look their best when they have not been refurbished, but do not purchase an item that has any defects. Remember the originality of the antique is what makes it so precious.

The best thing to do before you purchase any antique item is carrying out proper research on the item in question. The internet is in fact the best place to carry out such research and it will also provide you with valuable information relating to the price of antiques around the world as well as providing a good history of the item in question. Certainly if you are beginner in the world of purchasing antiques and you have not carried out research correctly you may have difficulties in telling the difference between a reproduction and a original antique. All antique pieces should show some wear and tear and such small details are something that you should look out for when considering a purchase. If you find the item looks flawless then more than likely it is a genuine antique.

One of the best places you should go to when deciding to purchase an antique is an auction being help by a reputable auction house or antique store as they will ensure that the item you are likely to purchase is genuine and should also come with a certificate of authenticity or originality. Certainly you should make a conscious effort to visit antique auctions regularly if you want to get that coveted item for your collection.

You may even find sometimes that garage sales people hold are a good place to find antiques, you may even be surprised when you find a rare item at a very good price, just make sure it is original. Although the internet is a good source for information relating to antiques this is not the case when you are considering purchasing an antique online. It is not possible for you to have a first hand look at the item being sold on the internet and many times the photos showing on the website will often hide any defects or deficiencies that are there. So unless the item is being sold through a reputable dealer then I would consider not purchasing the item.

Finally, proper care and maintenance of the items you have purchased should preserve for time to come. Also when purchasing an item, remember to gather information on how to correctly store and preserve the item you have brought and also keep them in a moderately humid or cool place always avoid keeping the item in direct sunlight. You will need to always handle your antique items with care and do not clean excessively as this will ruin the originality of the item.

There are many antique guides available for would be first time antique buyers as well as books on how to start an antique collection. You can at a later stage purchase guides and books on specific antique items as well.

About the Author: Allison Thompson a work from home mum now living in Spain who has become interested in collecting antiques and has produced a site called www.antiqueadventures.info providing information on this subject.

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Collecting Antiques – The Peoples Art Part 2

admin — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:01:37 +0000

In part one of this series of articles we discussed the growth in the marketability of antique brand images and how the apparent extinction of the brand itself can lead to the rapid rise of the marketability of the antique value of the packaging itself.

Posters were very much in the vanguard of this market and it is quote ironic that when you look back from the experience of hindsight to see such names that have been involved in this type of commercial enterprise it would appear to be quite amusing.

The genre of Posters was effectively born and can be traced back to the late 1880’s when Pears Soap took the portrait “Bubbles” by Sir John Everett Millais, a portrait of his grandson and added a bar of soap to the image. This act of commerciality caused havoc within artistic circles of the day but in effect lead the way for art to be used in all future forms of advertising and posters especially.

Since the early days of advertising, artists have been involved in a number of different ways producing all kinds of commercial materials. The artist John Hassal is perhaps (within these circles) best recognised for his powerful images used for Colman’s Mustard, Capstan Tobacco and Lux Soap. In 1919, the artist Will Owen was retained to create the legendary Bisto Kids for the Gravy Salt Company. Esteemed artists of their day have always been commissioned to provide examples of their work for commercial endeavour, a practice that has not always been looked upon favourable though with the Publics fondness for this type of work, the practice has at last been recognised for what it actually is and that is a living embodiment of art itself.

It effectively took the endorsement and patronage of major institutions of the day to promote this as a credible form of acceptable art. Institutions such as London Underground led the way with this when they commissioned Edward McKnight Kauffer for their various campaigns and the Oil Company Shell too commissioned work by many famous contemporary British Artists on a wide variety of subjects ranging from the surreal imagery of Hans Shleger to the cartoon style of John Reynolds.

From a collectors point of view it is well worth remembering that big names tend to attract big name prices as far as their value of these as antiques and collectables are concerned.

The other and more oft hidden aspect of this as a form of art is concerned is the fact that packaging mirrors the major events of the day. Wars have often been a major source of inspiration for commercial art and patriotic branding. Starting with the depiction of many of the British Generals in the Boer Wars as heroes and their imagery being used in the packaging of the day and leading to how women have been depicted over the years has been an intriguing subject.

What will be the collectable items of the future? Perhaps from now on we will all look slightly differently on the material that we are prepared to consign to the rubbish bin and start to evaluate this as a potential investment in our future?

Who knows?

About the Author: Stephen Morgan writes regularly on antiques and is editor of www.absolutelyancient.com , www.definitelycollectable.com and also writes at www.absolutelyantique.us

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Collecting Antiques – The Peoples Art

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:04:02 +0000

In this, the first in a series of articles, we discuss the growth in the marketability of what used to be called Peoples Art and the marketability of everyday packaging materials.

In the past it would have been deemed as vulgar to display any form of branding of any goods on display within the house.

The very thought of guest actually seeing the fact that you were supplying them with Kellogg’s Cornflakes in the morning would have horrified most people. These sorts of facts were usually kept from most guests in middle class households that it was almost bizarre by today’s standards. Middle class households in most cases would have decantered the cornflakes into some sort of neutral container before putting them onto display before guests.

Nowadays it seems to be the complete reverse with designer logos on display on almost anything and the fact that a recognisable brand or logo cannot be seen almost devalues the item on display.

The legacy of this worship of almost anything brand worthy has been to provide a growing market in antique marketing and brand memorabilia. Antique Advertising material is now completely and highly collectable and would be enthusiast have an almost limitless playing field from which to start their collections from.

The whole genre started with Posters and these have moved on from adorning the walls of student establishments to being now extremely collectable in their own right. Antique Posters can now command extremely large sums of money depending on their condition and the content of the posters themselves.

Tins and packaging are now highly sort after items of material and who would have thought that Andy Warhol’s famous display of Tin Cans would have been the inspiration for legions of collectors over thirty years later.

Special promotion items such as ashtrays, fans, money boxes, puzzles and pens are also extremely popular subjects and have gone beyond the stage of just being the target of light fingered tourists on a holiday binge.

“Advertising antiques are works of art” says Robert Opie, Director of the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising in Notting Hill in West London. “Commercial Art is the People’s art and it is fun to collect and display around the house”.

If you are looking to amass a particular brand or category, the secret it would appear, would be to look for something that’s longstanding so that you have a variety of objects to discover.

Some British Brands have been around for some time and well known examples would include Lyles Golden Syrup which has been in existence since 1883, HP Sauce (around since the 1870’s) and Typhoo Tea (around since 1905).

So the next time you see an old Tea Caddy or item of well used kitchen paraphernalia in your Grandmothers Kitchen then treat it with respect because in years to come you may find the family sitting on a veritable untapped goldmine.

About the Author: Stephen Morgan writes regularly on antiques and is editor of www.absolutelyancient.com , www.definitelycollectable.com and www.absolutelyantique.us

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