Tag Archives: antique shopping

Antique Toys Guide

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Collecting antique toys can be a fulfilling hobby.The holiday season is coming to a close and your children have probably unwrapped all their presents, although you’re probably still dreaming about all of them. Maybe you have been thinking back to all of the Christmases of your childhood and the toys you received. Perhaps you are even thinking about trying to recapture some of that youthful holiday magic by taking up antique toy collecting as a new hobby. Maybe your child was just given an old toy by an elderly relative and you are wondering if it might be valuable. Thankfully the Old & New Shop experts have compiled this guide to the world of antique toys. 

Determining The Monetary Value of Antique Toys

In antique toy collecting, accurately assessing the value of an item before purchasing or selling it, is critically important. Collectors can make use of online resources to help determine the value of antique toys, in general, but they should also look at a specific antique toy and determine its value. The monetary value of antique toys is determined by their condition, authenticity, and rarity. Authentic antique toys that are in better condition and rarer than other antique toys, will be more sought after by collectors, and therefore, more valuable. 

Condition

The condition of an antique toy is the most important aspect of determining its value. If you are purchasing one you should make sure that all of its parts are intact. If an antique toy has even moderate paint loss, its price can plummet from thousands of dollars to hundreds of dollars, in some cases. Antique toys that are sold with their original packaging, are also more valuable than those sold without their original packaging. 

Authenticity 

When purchasing an antique toy, it is very important to make sure the toy in question is authentic, and not a replica, being passed off as an actual antique. Always check the manufacturer’s markings, logos, stickers, and other indicators,  to asses its authenticity, before making a purchase.

Rarity 

Rare antique toys are more sought after and expensive than more commonly available antique toys. Specific rare items like the cast iron Arcade Yellow Cab can even sell for $20,000. If you believe that a toy is a rare model, you should determine its authenticity before making a purchase.

Building Your Antique Toy Collection

Antique toy collecting can be a very rewarding hobby, but there are a few things that every novice toy collector should understand before launching their collection. Knowing how to estimate the financial value of an antique toy is important but there are also other important considerations.

First of all, antique and vintage toy collecting should not be done as a simple investment. Many antique toys are very valuable, but it is often much more fulfilling to collect toys for their own sake and to treat any profit made as a bonus. Second of all, new collectors can both start their collections and learn about the world of antique toy collecting, by attending trade shows, fairs, and auctions, online and in person. Finally, you can find more enjoyment from antique toy collecting once you have a theme in mind for your collection. Adopting a specific theme like model trains, a specific manufacturer, a character, or anything else, will focus your collection and make the process of building your collection more fun. 

Buying Antique Toys For Your Children

If you are planning to buy an antique toy for your children, there are two additional factors that you should consider. If you are gifting your child with an expensive antique toy, is important that your child understands what makes this toy different from their other toys. It would be a shame to give your child an expensive and rare toy only for them to break it during a rough play session or lose it on the playground. 

Additionally, antique and vintage toys were manufactured during an era with much more lax safety standards, so in some cases, they can actually be dangerous to children. Parents should always make sure that any antique toys given to children (particularly young children) meet modern standards set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).   

Old & New Shop Can Appraise Antique Toys

If you have an antique toy, or other antique item, that you want appraised contact the Old & New Shop today!

Learning About Antiques

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If you have ever considered adding antiques to your home, but weren’t sure where to start, a little knowledge can go a long way. Antique collecting doesn’t have to be scary or costly. 

The key to collecting is deciding what you love. There are so many choices from popular items like antique jewelry and furniture to order collectibles like vacuum cleaners! Depending on your preferences, you may want to consider vintage pieces as well. There may be a partLearning About Antiquesicular era you like or maybe, for example, items you prefer that are decorative or possibly functional. Once you’ve determined where your interests lie, decide what you plan to do with your collection. Some collectors prefer to display their antiques while others want useful pieces like Wedgwood tableware.

Where to Begin

Before you purchase anything, do some research and gather helpful information. Here are seven different activities that you can do to learn more about antiques and vintage items:

  1. Visit museums: One of the best ways to learn about antiques is to visit museums that feature collections of antiques. Many museums have exhibits that showcase the history and development of antiques, including furniture, paintings, ceramics, and textiles. Knowing an artisan and the timeline helps you to appreciate an item’s value. 
  2. Attend antique shows and auctions: Antique shows and auctions are great places to see a wide variety of antiques and learn about their value. You can observe how auctions work, listen to expert appraisals, and ask questions of the dealers.
  3. Read books and magazines: There are many books and magazines that cover antiques, including price guides, identification guides, and historical overviews. Reading these materials will help you develop an understanding of different types of antiques and their value.
  4. Watch online videos: YouTube and other video-sharing platforms have a wealth of informative and entertaining videos about antiques, from interviews with collectors to instructional videos on how to restore antique items.
  5. Take a class: Many communities offer classes on antiques and collecting, taught by knowledgeable instructors who can provide hands-on instruction on how to identify and value antiques.
  6. Join an antique club or society: Joining an antique club or society is a great way to connect with other collectors and enthusiasts. These groups often host meetings, lectures, and field trips that can deepen your knowledge and appreciation of antiques.
  7. Start collecting: Finally, the best way to learn about antiques is to start collecting them yourself! Start small, and focus on a particular area that interests you. Learn as much as you can about the pieces you’re collecting, and enjoy the process of discovering new treasures.

Go Shop

Once you have done your research, you can start to shop! Here are some helpful hints for beginners:

  • Starting with a local flea market which is less intimidating for a beginner collector. It will also be easier to make comparisons. 
  • Ask lots of questions. Most dealers are happy to answer any questions. They may also have a lot of knowledge about a particular piece or era you like.
  • Start small. In other words, if you’re interested in Victorian furniture, for example, start with a vase from that period instead.
  • Imperfection is ok. In most cases, an antique will not be in mint condition, but its imperfections should be somewhat reasonable. 
  • Consult a shopping guide. Read up on antiquing etiquette, preparation, and authenticity.

Learning About Antiques

The most important thing about learning and shopping for antiques and vintage collectibles is to enjoy yourself! Visiting shops and markets is an enjoyable experience even if you don’t purchase anything. Shops like the Old & New Shop are great places to start your antiquing!

 

Robert Schmidt is the longtime proprietor of the Old & New Shop in Queens, New York. His business is a second-generation family-owned and operated company with over 40 years of knowledge and experience in antiques.