Any antique collectors out there?

[ronmac]

I have been tempted to start a thread about this for quite some time.

We collect mostly Art Nouveau these days, and I have some cool antique prints and maps.

And, yes, I have some antique 78 RPMs and a Victrola.

[ronmac]

Here's a city view that I recently purchased. It's from 1543, nearly 500 years old.

map.jpg

[LASERCD]

My wife and I collect mid-century modern furniture. Our house is like a showroom for Heywood Wakefield.

[JKL2000]

wonka.jpg

[aith01]

Here's a city view that I recently purchased. It's from 1543, nearly 500 years old.

map.jpg

That's really cool. I find maps and drawings from past centuries fascinating.

I've got a couple old building plan sketches and maps hanging on my wall, but nothing as old as 1543 that's for sure.

[ronmac]

That's really cool. I find maps and drawings from past centuries fascinating.

I've got a couple old building plan sketches and maps hanging on my wall, but nothing as old as 1543 that's for sure.

I've always been intrigued by the beauty of maps since I was a kid looking at National Geographic. I only recently started buying old ones, but am, in no way, a serious collector. I have three, including this Dutch one from circa 1705. What's especially interesting is how many mythical lands made it into maps over the centuries. The most notable is the so-call Island of California, which appeared in North America from the mid-1600s into the mid-1700s.

world-map.jpg

[Dave (in MA)]

Does stuff I bought new but I still have in my old age count?

[progmatist]

My parents were antique collectors. They're now in the process of selling them for pennies on the dollar, to save me having to get rid of the stuff when they kick the bucket.

[ronmac]

My parents were antique collectors. They're now in the process of selling them for pennies on the dollar, to save me having to get rid of the stuff when they kick the bucket.

Prices fluctuate so much. When we first started buying antiques about 25 years ago, the prices for furniture were considerably higher than they are today. Plus, everybody restored and refinished everything back then. Now the most desirable items are those that haven't been touched.

Other items have skyrocketed, especially antiques from China, which are being sought by the wealthy Chinese.

Then there's glass wear, which we never collected, thankfully. It's bottomed out, because the market is so flooded.

Ebay played a big part in driving costs down, since people learned that many things simply weren't as rare as we thought.

Some categories are doing very well and others have plummeted.

[ronmac]

Does stuff I bought new but I still have in my old age count?

Depends on what. "Antique" is defined differently, depending on the item. Antique cars are, I believe 50 years or older. Furniture isn't considered antique unless it's 100 years old.

[progmatist]

Prices fluctuate so much. When we first started buying antiques about 25 years ago, the prices for furniture were considerably higher than they are today. Plus, everybody restored and refinished everything back then. Now the most desirable items are those that haven't been touched.

Other items have skyrocketed, especially antiques from China, which are being sought by the wealthy Chinese.

Then there's glass wear, which we never collected, thankfully. It's bottomed out, because the market is so flooded.

Ebay played a big part in driving costs down, since people learned that many things simply weren't as rare as we thought.

Some categories are doing very well and others have plummeted.

My father paid a premium for various proof quarters. Now they're worth exactly 25 cents.

[ronmac]

My father paid a premium for various proof quarters. Now they're worth exactly 25 cents.

Coincidentally, I was just looking up the value of proof sets. My dad bought them all back in the day. They're not worth much at all.

[Dave (in MA)]

Depends on what. "Antique" is defined differently, depending on the item. Antique cars are, I believe 50 years or older. Furniture isn't considered antique unless it's 100 years old.

Much better answer than my jokey post required, thanks.
I guess it would make sense that cars could be considered antiques faster than furniture.
I wonder about electronics/electrical devices and computers?

[progmatist]

^^ Take into consideration well maintained furniture lasts decades longer than well maintained cars. Since cars have a shorter life span, one which stood the test of time is a BFD.

Computers depreciate exponentially faster than cars. The only ones with substantial value are the early PCs like the Altair, and Apple I...even then only if they still operate.

[ronmac]

Computers depreciate exponentially faster than cars. The only ones with substantial value are the early PCs like the Altair, and Apple I...even then only if they still operate.

True, but electronics also includes old radios. I've seen nothing online about what is considered an antique radio versus vintage. Generally, it's the 100-year-old rule with most items, from what I understand.

[progmatist]

^^ High-end, all analog audio equipment has held its value pretty well. Even as recent as the 70s. Once digital tech started creeping in, you're more likely to find that equipment in a thrift store than an auction. But other items like Victrolas, which which are about a century old take on value as an "item," regardless of whether they actually work. If they do work, their value shoots through the roof.

[ronmac]

^^ High-end, all analog audio equipment has held its value pretty well. Even as recent as the 70s. Once digital tech started creeping in, you're more likely to find that equipment in a thrift store than an auction. But other items like Victrolas, which which are about a century old take on value as an "item," regardless of whether they actually work. If they do work, their value shoots through the roof.

We inherited a Victrola from my in-laws with a whole lot of 78s, which are in fantastic condition. It's certainly workable, as I've heard it played. Although we never played it.