Be Clever with Collectables
With a plethora of TV programmes based around hunting for antiques and collectibles, its easy to get caught up in the tide and have a go yourself. It seems simple enough to make a good investment if you pick up an item cheaply but if youre looking for a quick return, then you need to ensure youve acquired something that dealers and auctioneers acknowledge is a hot item. In addition, how will you sell your stock? If its through eBay, then you have to consider the pain of photographing, packaging and shipping. The smaller and less fragile an item, the easier it will be. A handy piece of photography equipment is a light box. So without needing a second mortgage, what items are popular with collectors in the current market?
Furniture
While ten or twenty years ago Victorian mahogany items were a safe bet, these days brown furniture just doesnt see much profit, apart from early pieces, such as Louis XIV or anything by Chippendale. Stripped pine is still the must-have, which for a knotty, soft wood prone to worm, is odd. And its not easy to find cheap pine furniture. The compromise would be buying a vintage, dark oak piece, then stripping it back to its natural state and waxing it. Furniture from the 1970s and 1980s has buyers clambering after it; look for Stag, G-Plan and Ercol.
China & Glassware
China tea sets arent collected as they once were, although anything by Clarice Cliff will fetch real money, if its from her Art Deco period and not one of the Wedgewood reproductions. Danish and other Scandinavian designers of the 20th century are worth buying, as their imagery and quirky shapes are very collectible now. Anything by Josef Ekberg, Arne Bang or Carl-Harry Stalhane would have worldwide interest. Also bear in mind the popular knickknacks, such as teapots, odd cups and saucers, thimbles, creamers, jugs, etc. Famous glass such as Whitefriars can see an excellent return but only if the item is practical and in trendy colours; a mauve pink posy bowl wont do well.
Novelty
Kitsch items, however ugly they may seem to you, can be a great investment. People like garden gnomes, as well as cutesy, animal figurines. Taxidermy creatures, such as game animals, still have a big following. Bad taste holiday souvenirs that were once relegated to the tip, are now finding their way into display cases. And you cant go far wrong with anything connected to the drinks industry, particularly something like an art deco cocktail shaker.
Display
If your collectibles are objet dart, toys or even old food tins, you could show them off on a Welsh dresser, which would keep them away from little fingers. Its also a good background for taking photographs, when its time to sell. Anything precious should be kept in a glass cabinet (preferably lockable) which will also help reduce dust. If you have room in your bathroom for shelves, why not keep your kitsch curios there? It will add a sense of fun to an otherwise boring room.
While the novice dealer may not get it right every time, the learning process cannot be underestimated. Spend time researching your item on the internet, then visit auctions and antiques fairs to see what other dealers are asking. Also see what similar pieces went for on eBay. Knowledge of your article and current trends will be key to your success.