Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori
by Dr. Lori Verderame
For many hobbyists, the best part of shopping for vintage stuff is the thrill of the hunt. While many believe that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, I know that there are many pitfalls when it comes to buying and selling in the vintage and thrifting marketplace. There are so many scams out there that you must watch out. While most columns only advise you to “Buy from a reputable dealer” or “Buyer Beware”, but rarely does anyone tell you who is “reputable” or how to “beware”. As usual, here are some of my tips for folks on both sides of the vintage shopping fence.
Over the years, readers have come to realize that my columns are different from others since I regularly reveal the inside track in this field. I not only teach classes on how to sell old stuff for profit, but I tell folks how they are losing precious valuables from a yard sale or by throwing away items from Grandma’s estate.
Here are tips for shopping for art, antiques, and vintage objects at estate sales.
Many people like to shop at estate sales—particularly the estate sales of famous people. We usually don’t hear about the estate sale of that little-known guy named Joe who rarely came out of his house hidden behind a row of pine trees but instead, some of the most successful and highly publicized estate sales are those with objects amassed by famous people or prominent members of the community. With items on the front lawn and displayed throughout the house, shoppers fantasize about how a famous actor or athlete lived with these objects that are now for sale from their estate. People agree that objects from a celebrity estate allow them to buy a piece of history.
What most people don’t realize is that often not all the items in an estate sale of the rich and famous belonged to a celebrity. Some estate sale organizers include objects from a celebrity estate sale combined with objects from someone else’s estate. Estate sale organizers realize that more buyers will want to shop at a famous person’s estate sale instead of an unknown person’s estate sale. Also, some estate sale organizers realize that shoppers will pay more for a famous person’s antique quilt or mid century modern coffee grinder than some average person’s quilt or coffee grinder. Are some estate sale organizers pulling the wool over a buyer’s eyes? Remember, get proof that the vintage purse, Griswold cast iron frying pans, or 19th century landscape painting really belonged to that famous person.
Estate sales can be perfect places to pick up quality items at bargain prices but know the true market value of the objects you are purchasing and learn about the provenance before you pay.
Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide, appears on Netflix and History channel, and hosts videos on her popular vintage bargain hunting channel on YouTube.com/DrLoriV. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010.