Appraising collectibles is an art, not a science. And the techniques for determining value vary from one field to the next. But certain overall principles apply, and most experts will begin the appraisal process by asking themselves the seven key questions listed below.
Take this flier with you whenever you go to an antiques store, flea market, tag sale, or auction. Before you buy anything, ask yourself these seven questions to help you determine how much it's really worth… to the marketplace and to you!!

THE 7 KEY PRINCIPLES OF APPRAISING COLLECTIBLES

1. How old is it?
There are a variety of techniques for determining the age of any collectible. Check the age of paintings, for example, by examining the back of the canvas for the rough, uneven threads that indicate handwork. The type of wood used in furniture - particularly the "secondary" woods used for the inside of drawers - is an important tip-off of age. A circular saw pattern in the wood is a sign it was made after 1840.

 But remember, not everything old is valuable. Ancient Roman glass, for example, is more than 2,000 years old. But there's so much of it around it's not worth as much as you might think.

2. How rare is it?
Not everything rare is valuable either! An old book of poetry by an unknown author might be extremely rare, for example… but who wants to buy it? Nevertheless, rarity is a key determinant of value. Start by considering how rare the item was when it was first made.

It's useful to think in terms of a "Pyramid of Production". At the top of the pyramid are unique items that were made of the finest materials for the use of royalty and the upper classes - like Faberge eggs, for example. At the bottom are things that were mass-produced and made of commonplace materials. As a rule of thumb, if it was rare and valuable on the day it was made, it'll be even more rare and valuable today!

3. Is it genuine?
When a collectible becomes popular, fakes and forgeries abound. Some forgeries are good enough to fool the experts. But many are obvious frauds lying in wait for the unwary and uninformed.

Perfectly round wood in a piece of furniture, for example, is a tell-tale sign of fakery, because wood becomes distorted with age. Look carefully at ceramics to see if the decoration was pointed on top of the glaze after the firing. Real cameos are sculpted from one piece of ivory, but fakes are often two or more pieces glued together.

4. Is it in good condition?
When it comes to collecting antiques, there are three rules: condition, condition and condition! Did you know, for example, that the value of a rare book can drop by more than 100% if it doesn't have its dust jacket? Did you know that the "patina" on fine furniture is one of its most important features, and too much cleaning and restoration can ruin it?

Examine an item's condition inside and out! Sometimes the value of a rare vase can be diminished greatly because the owner left water in it and caused a "ring-around-the-collar" stain in the neck.

5. Is it "typical" or "trendy"?
The "typical" work of an artist or craftsman is always worth more than the usual work, even though the latter may be more rare. That's because collectors are always looking for representative examples of a given period, craft or style.

It's also a good idea to be aware of the current trends in collecting. The mere fact that something is "hot" can add dollar signs to its price tag. Among the hottest trends today, for example, are so-called "masculine" collectibles: globes, maps, tools, and military weapons.

6. Does it tell a story?
Is it associated with a famous person or event in history? Do you know where it was made and who owned it in the past? Collectors call this "provenance," and it can be vital to establishing value.

But don't accept the seller's word for the provenance of an item. If he says that George Washington slept in the four-poster bed he's trying to sell you, ask for some proof or evidence that it's true. A contemporary letter or diary saying that "the General slept in the Smith home overnight," might do the trick.

7. Do you love it?
The most important principle of collecting is: "Buy what you love!" Because then you'll never be disappointed if it isn't valuable.

Information provided by: Antiques Roadshow Insider… "Pocket Appraiser"
Antiques Roadshow is a registered trademark of the BBC
www.pbs.org/antiques