Antique collectors are first and foremost students, learning the genres of their item of interest - schools of furniture manufacture, styles of jewelry, genres of fine crystal or glass. Collectors must be able to recognize an item of quality to determine if they are getting a good price and above all, they must be able to spot a fake. Most people are attracted to collecting antiques not only for the pleasure of owning the items they acquire, but also for the intellectual challenge of becoming an expert in their chosen field. (Consult your local bookstore or library for illustrated antique reference books.)

Spotting Reproductions

The ability to spot reproductions or out and out fakes varies from collectible to collectible. In assessing furniture, for instance, a collector may need to remove the drawers from a piece to see how the joins have been produced or what kind of nails or other fasteners is incorporated into the workmanship. A connoisseur of fine glass may look for a production mark or actually judge the degree of bubbling present in the piece. The important thing in antique collecting is to sufficiently narrow your interest to allow for close study of the items. This allows you to develop a working, conversant knowledge of what should and should not be present in an authentic piece.

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