Antiquing Information, The Tools You Will Need

Here is some helpful antiquing information for anybody who is getting involved in this wonderful field. First and foremost, it really helps if you have a passion for history, as you will definitely be learning a lot about bygone days while you are researching. You will get great insights into how technology has changed over time, and you will meet many of the influential people who were involved to make this happen.

To begin, here are some tools that you will find very useful. Get a decent magnifying glass, and always carry it around with you if possible. Also try to obtain a loupe eye glass, these are the magnifying instruments that are commonly seen in use by jewellers. They are not very expensive and give great magnification.

A black-light is another very useful item to have. These devices use ultraviolet light, which can reveal flaws such as cracks or repairs that are invisible to the naked eye. These are available pocket-size, or even as a key chain attachment, which makes them very easy to carry around with you at all times. To use them, you first need to turn out the lights or move to a dark room. Then use your black-light and shine all over the item you are examining. Certain items will fluoresce, such as modern paints and glues, which can help you when you are trying to evaluate an object.

You should also get a decent digital camera. Frequently you will come across an object and be in doubt as to whether it is a genuine antique or not. With the camera, you can take some detailed pictures to assist you while you do your research. A built-in flash is vital, as often you will need pictures taken in dark or badly-lit store rooms. With the camera, you can take pictures of the entire object, from above and below. or even of underneath tables and chairs etc. A zoom feature is also necessary, especially when trying to identify manufacturer emblems and such.



The next item for your travelling toolkit is a GPS navigation device (Global Positioning System). This technology is now available in many mobile phones, so this is much easier than it was in the past. During your travels, you will often find yourself driving to unknown places, and the GPS device can save you from long hours wasted while trying to find certain premises.

Join a forum. There are forums for just about anything, these are online communities of people with common interests. Do a search for your favourite type of antique and include the word forum in the search. Some forums are free, and some charge a membership fee. With most of the free forums, you can have a look around first without joining. Look at the total number of members, the number of members online, and the quantity of posts and topics. These will give you an idea as to how active the forum is, and the more active, the better.

The final piece of general advice is to check your local papers regularly. Always look out for estate auctions, garage sales, local markets, and things of that nature. These places can often be a source of genuine antiques at bargain prices. Bear in mind that all the antiques for sale in all the dealer shops have to come from somewhere, and these markets and auctions are usually the root sources.

Whenever you are purchasing an antique, you are usually dealing directly with the seller. It is not like buying a shop item where the price is governed by the cash register. So you should always try to bargain. For many, the bargaining process is a joy all of its own.

Whatever the current stage in your antiquing career, I wish you many happy hours ahead, and good fortune along the way.

About the Author:
Brian is an antiques publisher. For more great information on antiquing, visit http://www.antiquinginformation.infosmrtovnice
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