AARP Smart Guide to Antiquing and Collecting

​You can also broaden your knowledge base by checking out resources like Miller’s Antiques Encyclopedia, or recent Kovels or Miller’s antique and collectibles pricing guides at your local library. Oftentimes you can pick up published guides focused on a given maker — Red Wing pottery, for example — at used bookstores or even antique malls. Even if dated, their historic information can still prove invaluable, says Verdick Case.

​Online, there are countless websites and YouTube channels devoted to specific vintage styles or antique sectors. With a few clicks, you can find comprehensive guides to everything from Pyrex to vintage jewelry and toys. (Tip: In Google, search the item you want to learn about, plus terms like “guide” or “catalog.”) Other helpful online sites share tips on deciphering hallmark identifications, like the Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Makers’ Marks. ​​

12. Learn the terms

Doing the research will also build your antiquing and collecting vocabulary, essential terms you’ll need to navigate your new hobby. By studying printed guides and online resources, you gain a deeper understanding of what makes a piece mid-century modern rather than Art Nouveau, or the difference between Victorian and Regency furnishings.

Historical deep dives into makers and styles will also help you distinguish how items were originally crafted. That way, you’ll be able to differentiate between hand-painted pottery and transferware, and tell an authentic Queen Anne chair from a 20th-century reproduction. Consider yourself a budding pro when you can easily rattle off the definitions of foxing, crazing, bergère chair, provenance and rococo.​

​13. Take a chance on small-ticket items

​If you’re at a yard sale or thrift shop and an item sparks your interest with a price of just $1 or $2, give yourself permission to buy it. Occasionally you might find an unexpected treasure, as Prince did when she found a $1 fish-shaped snuff bottle that she was able to resell for $150. “For just $1, I was definitely willing to take a chance on it, especially since it was something unique that I hadn’t seen before,” she says.​​

14. Set spending limits

​Create a budget for your antiquing or vintage collectible purchases, and stick to it. If you’re doing this as a hobby, set a monthly spending limit that ensures you’re not stretching your disposable income too thinly. If you’re approaching antiquing or collecting as a business venture, pace your spending and keep careful records of the purchase prices for each item to ensure you’re on track to make a profit when you resell. ​​

15. Don’t procrastinate

​Inventory at thrift stores and antique malls can shift daily, so if you see an item that piques your interest, it’s best to decide on it quickly. There’s no guarantee it will be there days or weeks later. ​​

16. Put in the legwork

Because merchandise can turn over frequently, dedicated collectors tend to stop by their favorite antique malls and thrift shops multiple times a week. “If you really want to start collecting in earnest or becoming a reseller yourself, you have to go frequently,” Verdick Case says. ​

As for yard sales, flea markets, swap meets or estate sales, plan to arrive early. If you don’t, you risk finding that the place has been entirely picked over by the time the event officially begins. “If a flea market starts at 9 a.m., the vendors are usually there by around 6 a.m., and that’s when you want to shop,” Jennings says. Just be sure to shop respectfully — don’t disturb the event setup, and enter early only if the seller is OK with it.​​

17. Curate your collection

Let’s say you fall in love with antique clocks. Or rare 19th-century farm tools. Once you find your passion item, don’t let your collection get too big. To avoid clutter and visual overload, conduct a regular inventory of your holdings, and keep only the best examples or your favorite pieces. Let the others go to someone else who can appreciate them. A manageable collection also makes it easier to display your favorite pieces. ​​

18. Keep it fun

If you stay in the right headspace, collecting can feel calming, even Zen-like. “I find it very relaxing to go into a thrift store if no one’s rushing me,” Prince says. “I can literally spend an hour or two there enjoying the tactile experience of actually putting my hands on things.”

If you are antiquing to resell, don’t let a profit-driven mentality erase the fun of exploring a piece’s history and craftsmanship. “I see so many people who don’t have a collector’s mentality. Instead, they’re just trying to flip things for $10 or $50, and they seem miserable,” Jennings says. “They’re always trying to sell, sell, sell, and they’re not enjoying the vintage pieces like they should be.” Remember: Antiquing and collecting should be fun, first and foremost. “Collecting things that are important or meaningful to you as a collector — including things that are nostalgic or that have sentimental value — keeps it fun and keeps it a hobby that you can be a part of and continue to enjoy for years,” says Brent Schepel, cofounder of Replay Sports Cards, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. ​​

SOURCING ITEMS​​

As you find items to collect, be sure to first look them over closely.

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19. Know where to shop

There’s no shortage of places to look for antiques and vintage collectibles. Make the rounds at area thrift stores and antique malls. Plan weekend visits to flea markets, swap meets, auctions and estate sales. Browse online listings on platforms like eBay, Etsy, Chairish, LiveAuctioneers, HiBid, Invaluable, Ruby Lane and more. Just be careful: Online listings can be addictive, so you may want to limit yourself to a few hours of scrolling per week.

Stay on top of your spending, both online and in person, to avoid busting your antiquing budget. If visiting the same local places gets you in a rut, plan a trip to an antiques mall a few towns or even a few states away. You’ll be surprised how much the inventory may differ. “When I travel to a new place, I immediately look up the local antiques stores,” says Debbie Mathews LeRoy, founder and principal designer at Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs in Nashville, Tennessee. “A lot of times, you can find items that are more specific to a region that way.”​​

20. Evaluate an item’s condition

Before buying a piece, look it over carefully and note any signs of excessive wear or repairs. As mentioned above, it’s fine to overlook small imperfections when you’re just starting out, especially if you’re collecting for yourself. But as you progress in your hobby, you’ll want to look for items within your budget that are in good to very good condition. For furniture, check for stability, note any damage to the legs, verify that the original finish and hardware are in place, and spot any scratches or warping. Evaluate the patina and joining on the piece. Slightly imperfect dovetails can be a good indicator that a piece is both old and handmade, while natural wear in places that you’d expect — say, on top of a desk — can help verify age.

For glassware, dishware, pottery and ceramics, check for rim chips, hairline cracks, cloudiness or other imperfections. For paintings, note any paint loss or damage on the canvas, as well as any evidence of restoration. In all categories, always look for a maker’s mark, stamp or signature to help verify the piece’s maker and age. (Just be aware that sometimes these marks can be faked.)​​

21. Verify authenticity

If you’re shopping for pieces online, do a deep dive into the listing to verify an item’s authenticity. Examine all photos closely and read the written description carefully. Cross-reference reviews of the seller’s past sales on sites such as eBay, Amazon or Facebook Marketplace to ensure they’re a reputable vendor. Lean toward items with precise, thorough listings, especially ones with extensive condition details and careful detailing of maker’s marks.

“If the person selling is making all that effort [to include all this information], it’s a good sign they care about their reputation and getting things right,” Davies says.​​

22. Spot signs of a fake

Spotting fakes can be challenging, especially when they’re well done, and knowing what to look for takes practice. For antique signs, watch for fake rust. “[Fakes] tend to have the same hits around the mounting holes with the same type of rust,” Jennings says. “Once you start getting into it, you can tell right away.”

Use online guides to research and learn the true look of maker’s marks, since fakes will often mimic them in ways that are just a little off. With fake signs, most of the time you’ll see that maker’s marks are bigger than they should be or they’ve used a computer font, “which they didn’t have back in the 1920s,” says Jennings. Other red flags: machine marks on items that should be handmade, or evidence of modern nails or staples in pieces that claim to be antique. ​​

23. Use Google Lens to ID items

If you’re out shopping and find an item that you want to learn more about — from its rarity to its maker, value or true age — use Google Lens to help identify the item in real time. To use this tool, click on the camera symbol to the right of your Google search bar. It will use your camera input to serve up image matches and associated links that may offer insights into who made the piece, when it was made, whether it’s widely available and what it’s likely worth. (TinEye is another useful reverse-image search. And if you have an iPhone, you can use Apple’s Visual Look Up, which is built into the Photos app in IOS 15 models and later.) Just be sure to review what similar pieces have actually sold for, not just their current eBay listing prices. As Prince notes, a Starbucks coffee mug can be listed for $300 on eBay. “That doesn’t mean it’s going to sell for that.” ​​

24. Understand when to haggle

Haggling is a touchy subject, since it can sometimes be a welcome, even expected, part of the antiquing experience. At other times, it can feel a bit rude. Knowing when it’s OK to ask for a better price comes with experience, plus an awareness of social cues. A lot of the rules here depend on the setting. Don’t be the person asking if you can give 25 cents for the item marked 50 cents at a yard sale. On the other hand, if you’re at a flea market and you’re interested in a larger-ticket item — think a $200 antique chandelier — bargaining for a drop of $25 to $50 is likely fine. ​​Generally speaking, most antique malls and high-end antiques shops expect you to pay what’s listed on the tag. Still, in any setting, it’s always smart to ask about bundle pricing. “I don’t try to negotiate with a vendor until I’ve looked at everything that vendor has, because often you have stronger negotiating power if you’re buying multiple items,” Mathews LeRoy says. “I’ll say, ‘Look, I’m interested in all of these items. What is your best price if I buy all of them?’ ” ​​

25. Bring a tape measure

If you’re on the hunt for furniture pieces or wall decor, it’s critical to know whether the piece will fit in the space you envision for it in your home. Use a measuring tape to get the dimensions of the living area or wall space you’re trying to fill before you head out antiquing. Keep those measurements on a note that you carry with you. Then, always pack a tape measure for your hunt. That way you can check the dimensions of tables, chairs, paintings, vintage signs or other items to ensure they’d be a fit for the space you want to decorate.​​

26. Invite your kids or grandkids

Like several of the experts interviewed for this guide, Mathews LeRoy grew up antiquing with her grandmother. “She took me to garage sales, estate sales, antique shows, auctions, swap meets. I mean, we did it all,” she says. “She taught me the foundation of how to examine an antique, how to negotiate, pitfalls, what to look for. She really made it fun.” Even if you’re just beginning to get into antiquing and collecting, consider bringing your tween or teen kids or grandkids along on your hunts. The hobby offers a great way to spend quality time together. Plus, you’ll provide lasting lessons about history, craftsmanship and even entrepreneurship (if you’re shopping to resell).​​

COLLECTING AS AN ASSET

As you gain experience as a collector, you’ll learn when it makes sense to have your items graded and authenticated by an expert.

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​​27. Cash in on comics

The collectibles market is booming, says Fishler, who often advises both entry-level and skilled collectors about comic investing. “People are reacting to the uncertainty of the stock market ... and flying into alternative assets that they can understand and hold in their hand,” he says. If you’re wondering about the comic market’s recent return on investment, Fishler’s got the receipts. As just one example, he points to a high-grade copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 from 1962, which includes the first appearance of Spider-Man. In 1984, the copy sold for $2,200. Around 2009, that same copy sold for $70,000. Today, he estimates it may be worth at least $1 million.​​Comic-book art is also booming, with prices for original Jack Kirby art, from Fantastic Four or Thor or The Avengers, for example, frequently getting bids of $40,000 to $50,000 or more per page. Still, this is one area where it makes sense to tread slowly if you’re a beginner. Before making any bids, closely follow the marketplace via comic-focused online auctions like those held at ComicConnect, Fishler advises. Begin by collecting entry-level books that are desirable but still affordable, and work your way up from there.​​

28. Uncover value in sports cards

The sports cards market has been booming since COVID, says Replay Sports Cards’ Schepel. While he notes that only a small percentage of 1980s and 1990s baseball cards are worth much today — a result of that era’s overproduction — there’s still real value to be found in cards from the 1950s and before, as well as pre-World War II. “They perform really well every time they surface, sometimes outperforming their previous sales exponentially,” Schepel says. Also in demand: 1990s and early 2000s-era autographed basketball cards for players like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, and LeBron James cards as he approaches retirement — and, perhaps surprisingly, modern football cards. “The most popular sport to collect right now is actually football,” Schepel says. “But it’s a pretty volatile market, just during the season. Every football game has a big impact on a card’s market value.” If you plan to get into sports cards as an investment, educate yourself about the trading marketplace by following online auction listings and authoritative YouTube card videos before making any big-ticket purchases. ​​

29. Get hooked on coin collecting

Coin collecting is a hobby you can enjoy either as an idle interest or as an in-depth passion project. It’s accessible — everyone has jars of old coins sitting about the house — but also filled with opportunities to explore specific periods of history and design. To get started, identify a series that sparks your interest. “Pick up a copy of the Red Book [officially titled A Guide Book of United States Coins, the premier annual reference book for U.S. coin collectors]. Look through it and find a series that catches your eye,” advises Coinfully’s McDonald. “Learn about it, understand it and then start collecting that series.” McDonald has a special appreciation for the Walking Liberty silver half-dollar coin, minted from 1916 to 1947. “To this day, I think it is one of the most beautifully designed U.S. coins ever,” he says. As with comics and trading cards, make it a mission to educate yourself — track online listings and sales on sites like eBay, Etsy, GreatCollections and Heritage Auctions — before making the leap to any large investments. ​​

30. Learn about grading

As you dive into coin, card or comic collecting, you’ll want to get up to speed on the grading systems used in each market. Professional grading companies evaluate the quality of comics and sports cards using a scale of 1 through 10, while coins are graded on a scale of 1 through 70. For comics, factors such as spine condition, color brightness and the absence of tears or stains are key. For sports cards, design centering and corner sharpness matter greatly, along with print quality. As for coins, evaluators look at luster, wear, surface preservation and design sharpness, among other features. As you advance as a collector, you’ll discover when it’s worth the cost of getting your own items graded and authenticated; in some cases, doing so can boost an item’s market value.​​

CARING FOR AND DISPLAYING YOUR COLLECTION ​

Make sure the antiques and collectibles you’ve invested so much time in look their best in your home.

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31. Investigate cleaning do’s and don’ts

Anyone who’s ever seen an episode of Antiques Roadshow knows that an item’s value is often greater if it maintains its original patina or natural, worn appearance. When it comes to cleaning, err on the side of caution. Gently dust furniture using a soft microfiber cloth. If you must wash vintage dishware or glass, do so by hand only; don’t use a dishwasher. Use a nonabrasive, silver-safe polish on your silver pieces, but leave bronze and copper items alone. As for coins, the rule is clear: “Never clean coins,” says McDonald. “Even if you just take a towel to rub a speck of dirt off, you could leave hairline scratches that could basically wipe away the collectibility of that coin.” When in doubt, ask a professional for guidance on proper care of a valued piece.​​

32. Keep toys in boxes

“Generally, with [antique and vintage] toys, about half of the value is in the box,” says Davies. So if you’re lucky enough to find a vintage Barbie or Han Solo figurine still in its box, definitely leave it unopened. Toys listed as “MIB” (“Mint in Box”) will command much higher prices than identical ones without their packaging.​​

33. Store vintage items carefully

Store vintage clothing and textiles, as well as collectibles like toys, sports cards, comics and coins, in temperature-controlled spaces free from dampness, excessive humidity, bright light and pests.

“If vintage cards have been exposed over time to humidity or water, it’s going to cause the card surface to bubble, and there’s not too much you can do to retroactively restore them,” says Schepel. He recommends storing sports cards in soft plastic sleeves, also known as penny sleeves, which are then placed in more rigid plastic sleeves, known as toploaders. Avoid screw-down card holders used from the 1950s through the 1980s, as they can inadvertently damage cards. “Sometimes screw-down holders caused the cards to flatten and then expand. So if you go to get the cards graded, they can be deemed altered,” Schepel explains.

As for long-term coin storage, watch for damage caused by holders with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), commonly used from the 1960s through the 1980s. Over time, exposure to PVC can turn coins green and destroy their value. “Always make sure your coin storage says ‘PVC-free,’ ” McDonald advises. ​​

34. Find unique ways of using your finds

Be creative when displaying and using your antique and vintage pieces. Johnson likes to think outside the box and integrate her finds throughout her decor. “Just because something is supposed to be used one way doesn’t mean that’s how you have to use it,” she says. “I think it adds extra interest to a display if you do something maybe out of the ordinary.” Verdick Case agrees: “I absolutely love when I go to someone’s home and they have something like a McCoy piece of pottery, and they’ve used it in an unusual way and put it in their bathroom to hold rolled hand towels,” she says. “I think if you’re going to collect something, you should use it.” ​​​

35. Create displays with warmth and depth

​Part of the joy of antiquing and collecting is finding one-of-a-kind pieces that bring style and charm to your home. The right vintage items can create “a vibe” for a space so that it doesn’t feel “standard and boring,” Jennings says. Use your pieces to create little vignettes around your home: a stack of vintage books paired with an antique radio and some tall candlesticks, for example.

“When you put things together, you want to think about doing things in odd numbers and doing things in varied heights,” Johnson says. “It doesn’t have to be matchy-matchy.” For styling ideas, follow designers and antiquers on Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube. “If you feel stuck, you can always look to other people for inspiration,” Johnson says.​​