Serving clients in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples, Alva, Lee and Collier County, Florida
Value in relation to antique and vintage items is determined not just by the designer or the style of an item. There are a number of factors related to determining value in vintage and antique items. Sal and John from Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry in Southwest Florida, use these 6 qualities to help determine the value of an antique item:
Rarity
What makes an item rare? Even if you have never seen another piece like this, rarity isn’t determined necessarily by how rare an item is to you. Rarity is determined by how many of the item were originally produced or how many remain in existence today. Rarity can also be determined if an item was produced in an unusual color, shape, or size in comparison to average production of similar items. Additionally, items that are considered rare are hard or impossible to accurately reproduce.
Desirability
Determining if an item is “desirable” can be a little trickier. Desirability is related to what’s currently in style, personal taste, and aesthetic appeal. Vintage and antique items have trends like all other types of decor and fashion. What’s in vogue at that moment will help determine if your item would be considered desirable. Additionally, the aesthetic appeal of your item weighs heavy on its desirability. For example, if the vintage Felix the Cat clock you have is an off-putting shade of yellow, it may not suit everyone’s taste. However, a black Felix the Cat clock is more likely to be considered aesthetically appealing, which increases its desirability and associated value.
Authenticity
Determining authenticity is extremely important when trying to determine the value of an item. If you have a great piece that’s in high demand, its value could be moot when you find out it is a reproduction. When determining if something is authentic, it’s best to have a seasoned eye, like Sal or one of his experts at Judy’s Jewelry & Antiques, make the decision. To authenticate or begin the authentication process, you will have to discover or know the maker of the item by locating an identification tag or brand mark. The designer or production company will usually leave some form of identification on an item. The period of creation is necessary when authenticating any antique as well. Certain periods of production are more valuable than others. Typically, the type of material used in production will help to authenticate the company that produced the items and the period in which it was made.
Era of origin
Collectors of vintage furniture, home goods, and home decor are willing to pay top dollar for pieces from specific eras. While each collector has their preferred design styles, some eras are more popular than others. These days, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s Modular and Industrial styles are amongst the highest valued eras for antique furniture in particular.
Condition of the Item
Condition is the single most important factor when determining value. The three types of conditions you want to see vintage items in are:
- Mint Condition—This means the item is in perfect or nearly perfect condition.
- Excellent Condition—This means the item has minor flaws, but nothing that affects the overall aesthetic appeal of an item.
- Good Condition—This means there are some forms of damage that have not been visibly repaired.
Types of damage that may affect the value of an item include:
- Scratches
- Rust
- Breaks
- Tears
- Dings
- Peeling
- Gouges
- Chips
- Cracks
- Fractures
- Corrosion
- Missing parts
- Replaced parts
- Discoloration
- Improper repairs
As the largest buyer of antique and vintage items in Fort Myers, Judy’s Estate Jewelry and Antiques is proud to run professionally managed, staged, and organized estate sales for clients throughout the area of Southwest Florida. If you’ve not given estate sales a chance, now is a great time to start. Call Sal Lanzieri at (239) 481-9600 for details on the next estate sale at Judy’s Estate Jewelry and Antiques. At Judy’s Jewelry Antique and Estate Jewelry, we love antiques. Owner, Sal, has more than 30 years of buying, selling and evaluating antiques. His love of antiques comes from his love of history, which includes his own family’s military history; making World War II a favorite topic and a favorite antiquing focus as well.
