Hone Your Skill As An Antique Collector

Being an antique collector is quite an adventurous line of work as proving for the authenticity of an item is a difficult job as the keen eye for details whether or not an item is considered an antique is not acquired overnight but rather overtime. Years of being with antique collectors and expensive experience and mistakes along with wrong decisions that involves buying counterfeit merchandise, help one to become expert in such field. How does one become a certified antique collector?

Unlike other professions, there are no colleges or universities that offer a degree on how to become an antique collector. However, one can become an expert in such field and become skilled in assessing and evaluating for the amount of an antique, credible in authenticating for the reliability or originality of such items and become renowned in the society of antique collectors. How is it done?

To be able to be one, it is essential to visit historical museums, historical sites and homes, antique shops and stores. European countries have preserved many historical sites such as government buildings, houses of prominent figures in the history, parks and antique museums that showcase antique memorabilia, furniture, ornaments and artifacts that date back over hundreds of years ago. Seeing antiques in their actual forms facilitates easier recall than hearing how it is described and provides for a larger than life experience. Besides, first-hand information results to a more reliable and realistic description of the items involved.

Browse the internet and visit auction sites for antiques and sites that provide details about certain antiques for certain era in the history and compare prices. Learning about the characteristics of antique items for certain period of time in the history and for certain countries broaden one's perspectives and doing research for such is easier as the long list of search is already skimmed down.

Attending actual auctions in antique shops help one to distinguish rare from an ordinary and antique from what is not. Furthermore, such shops offer publications and references with regards to antique events and shows and what to expect in such events. Knowing the scheduled events will give you more time to browse the internet that will give you an advantage in doing your purchases. Having a basic knowledge on the price range of certain merchandise will surely help you avoid committing mistakes and lose a considerable sum of money. Besides, being with connoisseurs in such field is already a life-changing experience. Thus, it is better to be prepared than gamble your money without the guarantee of a sure win.

Collecting antiques is like gambling in a casino such that there are no guaranteed win. However, knowledge is the best arm against fakes, new objects altered to look like old and new merchandise fashioned from old parts and given new antique look to deceive buyers.

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