Antiques Dealer

Antiques Dealer

bluetiger

antiquesville, NY

Male, 58

I have been buying and selling antiques (and some collectibles) for over 30 yrs. started out buying and selling to help pay for college. got a degree in business admin. and worked in managerial positions for 23 yrs. but, during this 23 yr. period I kept my sanity by continuing to sell antiques in my spare time. now that I am semi-retired, I still deal in antiques - it is in my blood. I am knowledgeable in auctioning, estate sales, online sales, direct sales, and appraisals.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

63 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on January 31, 2022

Best Rated

How do you approach the best buyer for your antiques?

Asked by Paul Hinton almost 10 years ago

depends on the item I am trying to sell.  if there is someone locally that I think may be interested in what I have, I will give them a call or text.  if it is an item with universal appeal, I will probably use an online auction site to sell it.  if it is a fairly generic item (say an old stoneware mixing bowl) i'll probably place it in a booth at an antiques mall, or run it through an auction house with other common items. 

As a pure investment, which collectibles are most likely to increase in value?

Asked by vizion almost 10 years ago

tough question.  people who bought large quantities of star wars items, back in the 70's and early 80's, and stored them away (without opening the packaging) are now making a very tidy profit.  in my opinion, first edition character items are as good a bet as anything else for the long term - 20 to 30 years.  I have never had a good, quality character item that I could not sell.  as an example, I recently bought a large quantity of older smurfs at a yard sale.  a couple of my dealer friends thought I was nuts - the Japanese collector that I sold them to paid me 500 times more than I purchased them for.

Giving my parents credit for being smarter than I'd thought is a lesson I'm only beginning to learn:) Follow-up: Is the value of coins derived mostly from their value as COLLECTIBLES, or because they can actually be melted down for their base metal?

Asked by delclose almost 10 years ago

gold and silver coins basically have two values as you indicate in your question. ( the numismatic value and the bullion value.)  a common 1921 silver dollar, in circulated condition, may be worth more as scrap depending on the spot silver price on any given day.   a rarer date silver dollar in circulated condition however may have a numismatic value that exceeds its scrap value.  the key factors in determining value of gold and silver coins are: scarcity, condition, and spot bullion value of the precious metal in question.  in my opinion, most people start to accumulate coins for their collectible value.  but then, when the price of gold and silver go up dramatically, many collectors will sell their common and poor condition coins for their scrap value.  this is why, when gold and silver prices are high, you see all the "we buy your silver and gold" folks come out of the woodwork.   

I have antique plates trimmed in gold American Indian Head plates would like to know where can I sell them or what

Asked by Ernest about 8 years ago

You may want to take them to your local antiques mall or antique shop and see if you get any offers. 

1901Christmas ormnants trying to Find what the value of these

Asked by Elizabeth about 8 years ago

There are a few ways to determine if your ornaments have some value.  Check the online auction sites. these sites will give you an idea of the fair market value of your items.  there are also several good reference books about antique ornaments.  if you are looking to sell them quickly, take them to your nearest antiques mall or co-op.  the dealers there will be happy to make you an offer if they are of interest. keep in mind that condition, condition, condition is critical to the value of antiques and collectibles.

I have a ann hathaway cottage brass covered wooden box with images of the cottage and shakespear on them would like to know more about it

Asked by Dexter over 9 years ago

sorry about taking so long to get to this - busy time of the year.  I believe that these were made in the 1970's or 80's.  probably used as fire place boxes.  not considered antiques in the true sense of the word.  I'm pretty confident that value is probably well below $100.00. 

I have a record/8track/radio player,,how much is it worth??

Asked by Michelle almost 9 years ago

sorry, I do not do appraisals online.  however, there are numerous collectors who collect 8 track tapes and players.   I have sold several players in the 20.00 to 75.00 range.