Antiques -> Furniture -> Benches, Stools: 1800-1899, 1900-1950, Post 1950

One great way to add function and beauty to any home is by purchasing a unique antique bench. There are many different types of collectible benches that can be found in antique stores around the world, but it is important to know what you’re looking for so that you can certain you are getting a true antique and not just a run of the mill bench. Here’s what you need to watch out for.

1. Is there a story with the bench?
Most small town antique stores will be staffed with knowledgeable people that know the history of the items that the sell. You can also find this with online antique auctions, especially if you are dealing with the actual owner of the bench. The more history there is behind the item, the greater your chances are of discovering a great antique.

2. Are there any maker’s marks or signatures on the piece?
Furniture artisans would typically sign their pieces and this is a true mark of an original and collectible bench. Always search the underside and underneath the arms to see if you can find any seal or sort of mark that was left behind by the furniture maker. Not finding one doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not dealing with an antique, but it could mean that the antique bench may not be that valuable.

3. Look at the style of the piece?
Is it too perfect? Is it too modern looking? You can tell a lot about an antique bench just by looking at it. If it is too perfect, that could be a sign that it is a reproduction. Even the best handmade antique benches will have some flaw since they are made by real people and by hand. True perfection may be a sign that the bench was made by machine or constructed recently.

The same is true of the style of the bench. If it is not consistent with the era that the seller is claiming, then you have a major warning sign that it may not be an actual antique. It’s not very difficult to take a new bench and distress its finish to make it look older than it actually is, but the style is always a dead giveaway. It’s best to read through old furniture books to get an idea of the time periods and styles.

4. When in doubt get an appraisal.
If the seller is asking a lot of money for an antique bench, your best bet is to get it appraised. This will help you determine the authenticity with a lot greater accuracy. If the asking price is relatively low, you should be able to skip this step, especially if you truly like the antique bench and are more interested in it for aesthetics than as a collectible.

Remember, when buying antique benches it is best to do all that you can to make sure that they are authentic. Otherwise, you can end up with a very nice bench that really isn’t worth all that much.

Photo Credits: David.R.Carroll

Originally posted 2008-08-13 05:00:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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If you are looking for a hobby or an endeavor that is exciting and profitable and you enjoy sports of any kind, then you may want to consider giving sports memorabilia collecting a chance. Maybe you have always had a serious interest in a sport team or a sporting event. Perhaps you have collected baseball cards or sports accessories or other vintage sports memorabilia all of your life. Today, many adults are collecting products and sports memorabilia that reflect their favorite players or teams. Some people even take sports memorabilia collecting to the next level by running a business. Whatever your particular passion is, here are some useful tips that will improve your ability at sports memorabilia collecting, buying and selling.

>> Soak up as much information as you can about the industry as well as the team or player that you are collecting vintage sports memorabilia for. Just because something is old, that does not mean it is valuable – So if you are keen on collecting sports memorabilia, you need to be willing to research what will and will not be profitable as a part of your collection. The best thing that you can do is research, research and research before you buy anything. This way, you can ensure that everything you add to your sports memorabilia is worthy of being there.

>> Shop only with reputable dealers regardless of whether you are buying online or offline. You should make sure to find several different reputable dealers that sell authentic vintage sports memorabilia and other quality products. Shop only with dealers that you feel like you can trust, and be absolutely aware of scams that exist online. If a dealer cannot provide proof that something is authentic, do not buy it. Forged signatures are worth absolutely nothing in your sports memorabilia collection. If you ever find yourself working with a dealer that does not seem reputable in any way, it is absolutely vital that you not work with that dealer, lest you be taken for a lot of money for absolutely nothing.

>> Take proper care of all of your sports memorabilia items by protecting them while displaying them. If you have high ticket signed collectibles, then they should absolutely be protected all the time. Keep them in a dry place in your home, above the ground in case of water damage. Do not simply pack your sports memorabilia items away in plastic bags or cardboard boxes, because sealed containers like plexi glass are much more suitable. This will protect your sports memorabilia items from insects and mice. Your vintage sports memorabilia collectibles should always be stored at room temperature and away from direct exposure from the sun and exposure to moisture if you want to keep them in the best possible condition.

Photo Credits: dharma communications

Originally posted 2009-05-29 05:28:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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If you are looking for a great collector’s item that is in high demand, one of the hottest items you can find are Marilyn Monroe pictures. These photographs are always popular, but you may not always be getting the real thing. Here are some tips to help you get the best Marilyn Monroe pictures that are authentic. Make a smart investment be an informed buyer.

1. Certified Authentication

   Ask for a certificate. A reliable seller that has an actual photo of Marilyn Monroe will typically be willing to provide you with at least some form of authentication. Unless they are the original owner of the picture or took it on their own, somewhere along the line there should have been a certificate issued. While not having a certificate does not mean that the item is fake, it should give you pause and make you rethink the purchase a bit.

2. Reasearch

   See how many identical Marilyn Monroe pictures there are. Many times, someone will claim to have an authentic, only of it’s kind of photo, but with a little research you can determine on your own if that claim is valid. Do a photo search on Google, and see if you can find an identical picture. If you can, chances are the picture being sold is not authentic or at the very least, is not an original.

3. Color Over Black and White

   Look for color Marilyn Monroe pictures. By far, the pictures that are the most valuable for Marilyn are the ones that are in full color. They are more expensive, but you are getting more value for your money. However, black and white photos can also bring in a high asking price, especially if they are originals or from a private collection.

4. Careful With Sigantures

   Be wary of signatures. While there are many authentic Marilyn Monroe photos out there that are indeed signed, there are a lot more reproductions. If you do find a seller with one of these and a certificate, definitely take advantage of the deal. These are incredibly rare. Most likely however, you will be dealing with a reproduction and the picture may actually be worthless.

5. Buyer Beware

   If the deal seems to good to be true, it probably is. If someone is claiming to have an authentic Marilyn Monroe picture and they are selling it for a pittance, chances are it is not an authentic original. Steer clear of these deals and save your money for the collectibles that are truly valuable.

   There is nothing wrong with buying a reproduction of a Marilyn Monroe picture, especially if you are aware of it. In most cases, a photo like this is bought only to enhance a private collection and not for an investment. However, if you are looking for a picture as an investment, you do need to do plenty of research to make sure that you are getting a good deal before you put your money on the table.

With care and effort, you can find a great original Marilyn Monroe picture that will enhance your personal collection and provide you with a nice little investment.

Originally posted 2008-08-11 05:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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