| No matter what you collect - whether it is 18th | | | | day of the sale it may be impossible to view |
| century tea caddies, 19thC carriage clocks, pressed | | | | properly. |
| glass, Art Deco teapots, or Googlie dolls - there are | | | | Always examine thoroughly any object on which you |
| many ways in which you can acquire items for your | | | | intend to make a bid. Pay particular attention to the |
| collection and heading to the antiques auction is one | | | | condition of the piece and take into account the |
| of those ways. If you want to dispose of items in | | | | potential cost of restoration, which may be |
| your collection, you can also sell them in the same | | | | considerable, before deciding on your bidding limit. |
| way. | | | | Catalogs, Estimates And Reserves |
| One of the most exciting ways in which to buy | | | | When attending an auction, make sure you acquire a |
| antiques and collectibles is at an auction, with | | | | catalog. This publication is used to identify items to |
| potential buyers bidding for items. You will find almost | | | | be sold at auction. Whether it is a typed sheet or a |
| every type of collectible, from objects worth millions | | | | glossy illustrated publication, it will list and give "lot" |
| to boxes of inexpensive bric-a-brac. Auctions are not | | | | numbers of the objects in the order in which they will |
| limited to the big city salerooms such as Sotheby's, | | | | be sold. Next to each catalogue entry there may be |
| Christie's, Phillips, and Bonhams - there are local | | | | a suggested price range, which is known as the |
| auctioneers throughout the country. | | | | "estimate". The suggested price range, for example |
| Going to auctions regularly is an excellent way to | | | | $250-380, is a rough guide to the value of an object; |
| learn about the area you are interested in before | | | | they are never a guarantee of the price for which |
| beginning to collect. If you attend saleroom previews | | | | something will be sold. |
| often and read the auction catalogs carefully, you will | | | | Ask to speak to the expert in charge of the sale if |
| soon acquire a sound knowledge and a feel for | | | | you would like more information about a particular |
| prices. | | | | piece. |
| Viewing The Sale | | | | At auction, any item on sale, no matter how rare or |
| A "sale preview" occurs about two or three days | | | | valuable, is ultimately only worth what two or more |
| before an auction. All the objects to be sold will be | | | | people are willing to bid for it so it is a great |
| put on display, so that buyers can examine them. If | | | | opportunity for any budding antique collector to snag |
| you are hoping to buy at the sale, it is important to | | | | quality antiques at bargain prices. |
| attend one of these preview days because on the | | | | |