Antiques & Collectibles on
the Web
Top Ten List of Things to Remember
- Supplement your research on the World Web Web with traditional
sources of information. If you come across a price guide or magazine
article that sounds promising, try to locate it in the WKU University
Libraries or in your local public library. If not, request it
through Interlibrary Loan, or buy it at your local bookstore or
on the Internet.
- Go to antique malls, collector conventions, auctions and flea
markets. Join collector associations. Talk to dealers and other
collectors.
- Examine your antiques and collectibles carefully for information.
Do you see any identifying marks such as the name of the manufacturer,
etc.? What are its dimensions? Does it appear to be in original
condition? What do you know about its background and history?
- Look for a company web site if the manufacturer is still in
business. If not, look for collector associations, hobby clubs,
etc.
- Try to trace U.S. Patent Office
numbers and trademarks <http://www.uspto.gov>. Smaller
or older computers may have difficulty handling the plugin required
to view images that appear on the patents' page in lieu of full
text. If the patent you want to research is not online, contact
the staff of the Patent
Depository of the Louisville Free Public Library <http://www.lfpl.org/patdep.htm>
for assistance.
- Establish the provenance of the piece by investigating the background
of the person or persons who owned it prior to you. Visit web
sites such as the Kentucky
Vital Statistics Program <http://publichealth.state.ky.us/vital.htm>
home page, Ancestry.com
<http://www.ancestry.com/> and RootsWeb.com
<http://www.roots.web.com/>.
- Everything on the Internet is not true so you must evaluate
web sites critically. This is a particularly important fact to
keep in mind when your goal is determining the value of your family
treasure or deciding how best to preserve it.
- Try different search engines and be prepared to spend time
online. Internet research is not quick. Three choices among the
many include
Google <http://www.google.com>,
Yahoo <http://www.yahoo.com>
and DOGPILE <http://www.dogpile.com>.
- Look for web rings, pages or sites that consist of links to
related web sites. Go to different search engines and type in
"______ (type of collectible) webring". Example: antique jewelry
webring. Be prepared for many of the sites that pop up to be less
than helpful.
- Many of the web sites listed in this research guide are also
found in the Antiques section of the Topper
Information Portal (TIP) <http://www.wku.edu/Library /tip/antiques.html>.
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Disclaimer
The information in this research guide is provided for informational
purposes only. Neither the creator of this guide, nor WKU University
Libraries, specifically recommend any particular individual, site
or information contained therein. As such, users of this guide assume
full and sole responsibility for any actions they take based on
their use of this information, including verifying the credentials
and expertise of any conservator they hire and the validity of any
conservation treatments that are performed.
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Where
can I find help restoring my antique or collectible?
- Before doing anything, be it conserving an object or hiring
or asking someone to do it, carefully consider and fully understand
the potential risks and expense of any treatment. Nothing is 100%
risk-free or guaranteed, and sometimes the best course of action
is to do nothing. Be prepared for the consequences.
- A qualified conservator is a trained professional. Be prepared
to pay a fee to have your treasure examined.
American Institute for Conservation
of Historic and Artistic Works
http://aic.stanford.edu/
Practical advice on how to take care of your treasures, why you
might need a conservator, how to locate one, and the questions you
need to ask.
Northeast Document Conservation
Center
http://www.nedcc.org/
Helpful advice on how to care for books, photographs, etc.
Society of American Silversmiths
http://www.silversmithing.com/
Primarily a site for silversmiths, this web site offers suggestions
for the care of silver and also includes a list of books on silver
and the art and practice of silversmithing.
Solinet
http://www.solinet.net/preservation/preservation_home.cfm
Individuals who work with small historical organizations or libraries
will benefit from reviewing this site's web pages on the topic of
preservation.
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Where
Can I Buy Conservation Supplies & Materials?
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Using
the Internet to Identify and Place a Value on Your Antique or Collectible
- Anyone can call themselves an appraiser. Verify experience and
credentials. References are always a good idea.
- Different kinds of values exist for antiques and collectibles,
i.e. insurance, replacement, retail, etc.
- The value of and interest in specific antiques and collectibles
often vary from region to region.
- Condition is a key consideration in determining value.
- Values obtained through the Internet do not automatically transfer
to your antique and therefore do not have comparable legal standing
to valuations that result from a hands-on physical examination
by a qualified appraiser. The use of Internet values is therefore
insufficient for legal, insurance or tax purposes. Consult your
lawyer, insurance agent, and/or tax preparer to determine if you
need a professionally conducted appraisal.
- Sentimental value does not always translate into significant
monetary or insurance value.
- Qualified appraisers are professionals who as a rule charge
a fee to examine artifacts.
- The following web sites were selected to demonstrate the variety
of sites that are available. You need to critically evaluate the
content of individual sites before making any decisions.
Disclaimer
The information in this research guide is provided for informational
purposes only. Neither the creator of this guide, nor WKU University
Libraries, specifically recommend any particular individual,
site or information contained therein. As such, users of this
guide assume full and sole responsibility for any actions they
take based on their use of this information, including verifying
the credentials and expertise of any appraiser they hire and
determining the validity of appraisals that result from such
hirings.
Top
Appraisal Societies & Organizations
International
Society of Appraisers
http://www.isa-appraisers.org/index.html
The history of the ISA, answers why you should hire a professional
appraiser, seven questions to ask appraisers, an outline of what
should constitute the appraisal report, and the ISA code of ethics.
Use the contact page to get a referral to member appraisers who
are qualified to appraise a particular category of antique or collectible.
Ask for a certified or accredited member.
American Society of Appraisers
http://www.appraisers.org/
ASA includes various disciplines including business valuation, machinery
& technical specialties, gems & jewelry, real property, and personal
property. Links to locating an appraiser as well as information
about the organization, appraisal disciplines, etc. Ask for a certified
or accredited member.
Antiques
Roadshow Online
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/roadshow/
Online advice and suggestions from the experts who bring you "The
Antiques Roadshow" on public television.
Antique Malls & Dealer Associations
Curioscape
http://www.curioscape.com/
Nearly 13,000 online shops list collectibles for sale in 60 different
categories. A little hard to navigate at times but give this site
a try.
Kaleden.com
http://kaleden.com/index.html
Twenty-six categories of antiques and collectibles for sale. You
must register to buy, but you can window shop for free. You can
also search for antique malls around the United States or look for
online dealers.
TIAS.com
http://www.tias.com/
Listings for 520,000 antiques and collectibles in 1,300 categories.
Art
Ask ART.com
http://www.askart.com/
Access to information about more than 25,000 American artists, including
biographies and books, auction records, dealer representation, museum
holdings, an image gallery, etc. It also includes links to auction
houses, art associations, museums and an art travel directory.
Smithsonian
American Art Museum Study Center
http://nmaa-ryder.si.edu/study/index.html
Have a question about an American artist? Visit the Online Study
Center for the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Email your message
to Joan of Art, review the staff's suggestions for researching art
and look for artists and paintings listed in the Inventory of American
Paintings Executed Before 1914 and the Inventory of American Sculpture.
National Gallery
of Art
http://www.nga.gov/collection/srchart.htm
Search the collections of the National Gallery of Art for information
about more than 100,000 objects in its collection. Pick up a print
at an antique mall and want to look at the original? Look for reproductions
of prints in the NGA
gift shops <http://www.nga.gov/shop/shp-artists.htm>
Books (Old, and Rare and Second Hand)
ABE.com
http://www.abebooks.com/
Rare, second-hand, used, and out-of-print books. Sometimes, this
site is slow to respond.
Alibris
http://www.alibris.com/
Online purchasing of used, rare and out-of-print books. Site includes
a "collectors page" featuring first editions, signed books, illustrated
books, etc.
Antiquarian Bookseller's Association
of America
http://www.abaa.org/
Trying to locate a book or a book dealer? Need some advice on how
to start collecting? This site is for you. It includes advice on
how to care for your books, determine if an autograph is real, etc.
Bibliofind
http://www.bibliofind.com/
Affiliated with Amazon.com, this site is a good source for pricing
rare, used, and out-of-print books available at bookshops from around
the United States.
Books (Price Guides)
Antiques
& Collectibles Bookstores
http://www.collectics.com/bookstore_general.html
Books for sale in 27 different categories as well as a link to antiques
that are for sale.
Collectors Books
http://www.collectorbooks.com/
Based in Paducah, this company is a wonderful source of books for
serious antiquers, garage sale hunters, and flea market denizens.
Its web site includes collecting and garage sale tips and articles
on various collectibles.
Dover
Books
http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject.html
A good source for edited reprints of catalogs pertaining to fashion,
furniture and other topics related to antiques and collectibles.
Schiffer
Books
http://www.schifferbooks.com/antiques/index.html
A great source for books on antiques and collectibles.
Cameras
Brownie
Cameras
http://members.aol.com/chuck02178/brownie.htm
Information about the Kodak Brownie, Kodak Hawkeye and other Kodak
cameras, including estimated values for the Brownies.
Internet
Directory of Camera Collectors
http://www.well.com/user/silver/idccinfo.html
Online discussion group with a membership roster of more than 250
participants.
Kodak.com
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/aboutKodak/kodakHistory/kodakHistory.shtml
Learn about the history of Eastman Kodak and review a listing of
the cameras produced through the years, including years of manufacture,
original cost and film size.
Ceramics
Haviland Collectors
Internationale Foundation
http://www.havilandcollectors.com/
A small but useful list of books on Haviland and a FAQ page that
includes links to dealers who have volunteered to help identify
patterns.
Clocks & Watches
Elgin Watch
Company
http://www.midwestcs.com/elgin/index.html
Photos of many models, a serial # database, company history and
more.
National Association of Watch and
Clock Collectors, Inc.
http://www.nawcc.org/
Non-members will probably find the horological links the most useful
part of this web-site.
Coins & Currency
American Numismatic Association
http://www.money.org/
An FAQ section and a Marketplace of Dealers are two of this site's
worthwhile features.
CoinCollector.org
http://coincollector.org/
Run by a private individual, this site includes a coin gallery,
links to coin and currency guides, a recommended list of books and
magazines, and much more.
Professional Coin Grading Service
http://www.pcgs.com/
Includes a price guide, glossary of "coin lingo," resource links
and much more.
Figurines
M.I. Hummel
http://www.mihummel.com/
A company history, glossary of terms, suggestions for locating an
appraiser, a list of reference books, and a price list for figurines
currently in production.
Lladro
http://www.lladro.com/indexen.html
Although the design of this web site sometimes makes it hard to
navigate, Lladro collectors will find the history of the company
and historical catalogue make this site worth a visit.
General Information & Tips
Kovels Online Antiques & Collectibles
Price Guide
http://www.kovels.com/
Information about prices and marks, fakes, appraisers, answers to
collector's questions, leaflets, etc. The catch? Access to most
of this information is limited to members. As of 9/21/02, there
was no fee for becoming a member.
A to Zee -- The Complete Web Guide
and Directory for Collectors
http://atozee.com/
Do you collect glassware, comics, stamps, or coins? This site offers
links to these categories of collectibles and many more. It also
provides listings of books about collectibles that you can buy online
from Amazon.com.
Glass
Corning Museum of Glass
http://www.cmog.org/
This site includes a glass database, glossary of terms and links
to articles on the subject.
Fenton
http://www.fentonartglass.com/collector_corner.htm
Learn about the history of Fenton Glass, take a scrapbook tour
and locate a dealer.
Glass Museum
http://www.glass.co.nz/
Articles on different kinds of glass and lists of books on the subject.
National Heisey Glass Museum
http://heiseymuseum.org/
No appraisals, but the staff will try to help you identify your
Heisey.
Militaria
World Militaria.com
Links
http://www.worldmilitaria.com/militarylinks.htm
Links to 100s of sites related to the history, collecting and reproduction
of militaria from around the world.
Political Memorabilia
American Political Items Collectors
http://apic.ws/
Use the glossary so you can talk like an expert, read the advice
on how to get started and detect fakes, check out links to presidential
homes and libraries, and post a query about an item you need help
identifying.
Postcards
Vintage Postcards.com
http://www.VintagePostcards.com/
An online inventory of postcards that fall within more than 50 categories,
links to online postcard auctions and a grading guide.
Prints & Maps
Prints Old & Rare
http://www.printsoldandrare.com/
Interested in learning what your original Courier & Ives lithograph
might be worth? The California-based owners of this site have been
selling books, maps and prints for 26 years.
Quilts
American Quilter's
Society Certified Appraisers
http://www.AQSquilt.com/appraisers.shtml
List of 60 appraisers AQS has certified as qualified to make insurance
and fair market appraisals.
Kentucky
Heritage Quilt Society Quilt Data Registry
http://www.wku.edu/Library/khqs/registry/intro_page.htm
Looking for a specific pattern? This site includes images of quilts
photographed during quilt surveys in counties around the state of
Kentucky.
New England
Quilt Museum
http://www.nequiltmuseum.org/default.htm
Need a quilt pattern identified but don't have time to make a trip
to Lowell, Massachusetts? Visit the web site of the New England
Quilt Museum and find out how to submit your questions to volunteers
in its Research Center.
Professional Association
of Appraisers of Quilted Textiles
http://www.quiltappraisers.org/
A list of member appraisers, the organization's code of ethics,
and a listing of talks/programs offered by its members.
Quilts
and Quiltmaking in America 1978-1996
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/qlthtml/qlthome.html
Part of the Library of Congress American Memory Project, this web
site includes materials and information about two collections at
the American Folk Life Center, a glossary, selected bibliography,
audio, and transcriptions of oral history interviews.
Radios
Antique Radios.com
http://www.antiqueradios.com/
Links to radio clubs and museums, an online photo gallery and value
guide, and listing of books.
Records
Record Collecting.com
http://www.recordcollecting.com/index.html
Links to dealers and other music resources, an FAQ page, "platter
chatter" discussion group, classified listings, etc.
Stamps
American Philatelic Society
http://www.stamps.org/
Links to dealers and malls, other stamp-related web sites, and a
kids page. The Q&A page provides information about the history of
stamps, tips for identification, terminology and grading, and suggestions
about how to locate an appraiser or sell stamps.
Toys & Games
Barbie
Collectibles.com
http://www.barbiecollectibles.com/about/history.asp
Barbie's story, trivia, history, family tree and doll showcase.
Collecting Dolls at About.Com
-- The Human Internet Dolls
http://collectdolls.about.com/
Some of the links on this web site are useful while others are of
minimal value. Still, it's worth a doll collector's time to poke
around.
Mattel
http://www.mattel.com/
Check out the Mattel corporate web site and learn about the history
of the company and its toys and games, i.e. Matchbox cars, Barbie,
Scrabble, to name a few. Some of the pages have links to books,
collector societies, etc.
Trade Cards
www.TradeCardCollectors.com
http://www.tradecardcollectors.com/
Sponsored by the Trade Card Collector's Association, this site includes
information about the history of trade cards, books and magazines,
and links to other trade card web sites.
Vintage Clothing & Jewelry
dresshopnyc
http://www.dresshopnyc.com/links.html
In addition to listing its inventory, dresshopnyc includes links
to 22 other vintage clothing stores throughout the United States.
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Created
by Sandy Staebell
Western Kentucky University Libraries & Museum
Copyright 2002
Last updated: August 18, 2003
URL: http://www.wku.edu/library/dlps/rsrchguides/subject/antiques.htm
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