So, do you want to become an antique collector? What makes a good antique collector, what characteristics does he need? Collecting or hunting for antiques is an absorbing, exciting, and rewarding hobby, or a full-time job if you do it for a living, and you need five special attributes to become an antique collector.
be enthusiastic
The first of these characteristics is enthusiasm. With enthusiasm you can do anything. You will need enthusiasm to encourage you to learn as much as you can about your chosen field. The field of antiques is full of topics as almost everything will become an antique sooner or later, if it is over 100 years old it is by definition an antique. But even objects less than 100 years old are also included in that genre if they are believed to be worthy of the label. Because the scope of the subject is so broad, most antique collectors specialize in one or two aspects of it. They can collect old clocks, old paintings, books, vintage furniture, you name it, the list is endless. Or they may specialize in a particular period in time, such as the Victorian era or the period of early settlers in the midwestern region of the United States. Following your particular branch of the subject requires knowledge and you will only acquire this knowledge with enthusiasm.
be inquisitive
Another ancient hunting trait vital to your success is the ability to be inquisitive. Have you ever wondered what was in your grandmother’s old attic? Or what did Grandpa keep in that box in his office? One source of finding antiques is to attend house clearance sales. What’s in that stack of old papers in that cardboard box? Go to auctions and poke around. Go to the antique shops, especially the ones off the beaten track – nosy hunters have uncovered many treasures.
be a detective
And having an inquisitive nature doesn’t do much good without having its sister characteristic: that of being a detective. Once an interesting item has been found, a great deal of detective work is usually required to uncover its history. You’ll need to know at least when it was made or roughly what time it was made. Who owned it, is it weird? Can his background be determined with any degree of certainty? Can its history be traced? The provenance of an antique piece can add great value to it. Provenance is anything having to do with your origin or life history that is of great interest. For example, if that recently discovered cutlery set was once owned by George Washington, then that cutlery would immediately achieve a certain notoriety (provenance) and be much more valuable than cutlery for which a famous owner or user could not be determined. The detective’s experience is extensive. You have to be able to distinguish the real from the fake; the restored of the original; and the repaired at all.
be informed
This experience is only gained through knowledge, which brings me to the next attribute: the ability to learn. You need to absorb as much as you can about the chosen field; It would be impossible to learn everything about all antiques, so specialize in one area. Choose a genre – furniture, clocks, antique toys, farm implements, postage stamps, manuscripts, it’s an endless list – and study the subject with passion. The sources to achieve this knowledge are almost as infinite as the subjects themselves. Books are an obvious mine of information, but visit auctions, house liquidations and antique dealers and ask questions – be inquisitive! The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask!
be adventurous
Lastly, be an adventurer. Explore the surroundings, go into the neighboring town and wander through the curio shops, vintage shops, antique shops, auction houses. Go to libraries and search for long-forgotten manuscripts and books and look up information on local people and places. Find clues to the whereabouts of the contents of old houses, or details about the ownership of property passed down from generation to generation – where are they now? Take the journey: search, be an explorer in the ancient world.
With your enthusiasm, your inquisitive nature, your ability to detect and your intelligence born of knowledge, you never know what you may find. Life is fun, history is exciting, discovery is satisfying, follow the trail of antique collecting and enjoy it.
