In general, a consensus is that the word antique refers to an item’s age, and for an item to be considered as antique it has to be at least 100 years old.

Vintage items on the other hand are not as old as antiques, although majority of collectors would consider an object “vintage” if it is old at least 40 years. This is prone to debate as it is not strictly defined. While “purist” collectors would argue that vintage object must be at least 50 years old, others even consider items made 20 years ago or more as vintage. The word vintage literally means “of age”, implying to the item characteristics associated with that particular time period and unlike the clear definition of an antique, labeling something as vintage is far more subjective.

The value of an antique depends of various interchanging factors among which the most important are rarity, historical significance, craftsmanship (quality & complexity of work), condition, age, aesthetics, value of constituting material etc. while emphasizing the importance of authenticity of the item. Provenance is of great interest too, as it provides insight of a “life” so far of an item thus directly correlating to determining of its authenticity.

Authenticity is of uttermost importance when trading with antiques, as the markets are flooded with fake artifacts. A trader or collector should be able to take all the relevant factors that relate to authenticity of a piece and be able to correctly identify it.

Main reasons for interest in antiques or vintage items

• Love and passion
• Decoration purposes
• Resale
• Investment
• Prestige

Love and passion

Whether it is art or comic books, love and passion for certain items form the basis of collecting endeavor. You should always indulge in a pursuit that fulfills you.

Decoration purposes

Visual appeal of antiques or vintage items can contribute immensely to overall impression of space the item is housed in, thus making them highly desirable items for decoration purposes.

Resale

Reselling of item for a higher price is common practice for ever increasing number of people. Whether it is an additional income source or a business model it is a viable option for generating income. Internet platforms such as eBay enable a very convenient method of sale to a worldwide audience while certain, more specialized platforms concentrate on more specific material for auctions.

Investment

Investing in high value antiques or vintage items can be very profitable as investment pieces are ever coveted among the collectors. Desirability ensures that there will always be a high demand for such items regardless of the current market conditions and in time are likely to increase in value.

Prestige

By having an exceptional item in our possession we can certainly attain respect and recognition by others. Rare and valuable antiquities & vintage items are commonly perceived as symbols of wealth and status.

Antiques & vintage items trade

Diversity of the market

Antiques & vintage items market is vast, entailing a plethora of as diverse items as possible from different periods, for instance various works of art, furniture, jewelry etc. In order to create a lucrative business model and to lower the uncertainty of sale it would be wise to specialize in certain area and to form connections with the players in the market. Knowledge of a regular customer base specifics, current trends and demand in the market enable for a faster sale. Well established and known customer base is essential for successful sales.

It is highly advisable to be informed of auction houses sales results in order to have a “feel” of a market in terms of a demand. In reference to the past auctions with usually detailed descriptions of items listed, we are able to see what items have achieved good sales results inevitably providing us with the necessary insight of tradecraft.

In the antiques & vintage items business it is very important to emphasize the significance of a brand and provenance of an item. It can be safe to say that pieces of esteemed brand or items that where in possession of a famous person will always be highly sought after by collectors.

Method of sale

When choosing a method of sale of particular item, various factors should be considered.

Presumed value of the item/s plays a crucial role in terms of “handling of a transaction” of a sale. For valuable items special attention should be paid to the security of a transaction i.e. reputation of a broker, payment method, insurance options etc. In relation to expected profit margin various costs should be considered such as handling and transport costs, custom duties, various commissions in the case of auction option, possible authentication costs etc.

In search for the right option of sale, among the main factors to be considered are the time and effort needed for sale process. This is especially the case when targeting a specific customer base in which consignment to a reputable auction house would probably be the best way to proceed. In the case of material not having sufficient value for consignment to auction house other options are direct sale to a dealer or internet platform sale. Direct sale to a dealer offers an option for a fast sale. However, it is imperative to gather as much information on the item as possible in order not to get deceived. In the case of internet platform sales, main drawbacks are the time and effort needed for the sale process. Research, description, posting, handling and transport of an item as well as correspondence with the buyer constitute elements of sale process that often require considerable time and effort.  

Illegal trade

It is very important to note that the trade of certain antiquities is forbidden by law. National legislations can differ substantially from country to country and it is imperative to act in accordance with regulations in order to avoid possibility of facing legal consequences.