The flea market day starts long before the crowds stream in, says author Maureen Stanton. And that's when the real deals go down.
"The dealers are here, sometimes right at the crack of dawn," she tells NPR's Laura Sullivan. "The antique dealers, generally, are 'picking' the other tables ... looking for the thing that they can resell for double or triple or 10-fold."
Stanton has written a new book about this growing subculture, Killer Stuff and Tons of Money: Seeking History and Hidden Gems in Flea-Market America.

Her main character is a man she calls Curt Avery. That's not his real name; she agreed to the pseudonym because he wanted to stay under the radar.

"He can look at a batch of things and he can find the thing that's valuable," she says. Stanton spent months on the road with Avery, observing the flea market subculture and absorbing his extensive knowledge.
Stanton writes that Avery developed his "laser vision" over the course of two decades and has a house full of bad purchases to prove it.

Tips

1. Early bird gets the worm.
This adage really applies in the antiques/flea market culture. Some dealers peruse newspaper classified ads for yard sales and will then knock on a seller's door the night before the sale. (I'm not advocating this — it can annoy the homeowners, but sometimes they're happy for the early sales.) At flea markets and antique shows, a lot of the action happens in the parking lot during the setup before the show opens. It's still fun to go to flea markets any time of the day, and there is always the chance that everyone will have missed the prize on the field, or a dealer will pull something out of a box later in the day that she or he had forgotten to unload in the morning. But if you are serious about finding a treasure, try getting up and being the first one at the flea market.

2. Get some gear — a loupe, a small flashlight, magnet, a note pad, cell phone or smartphone.
A few simple tools will help you find the treasure and prevent mistakes. If you love antique jewelry like I do, then a loupe or small magnifying lens is critical for seeing the tiny "sterling" or "925" mark (which indicates the silver content). A magnet can help you detect real silver, which will not cling to the magnet as steel and iron do. A loupe is also useful for looking for maker's marks, signatures and, importantly, wear patterns. A pen flashlight can help to see these distinguishing marks as well, and for indoor flea markets or antique shows, helps to see details when the lighting is poor. With a notepad, you can write down information about an object and research it when you get home. Also, for very large flea markets and shows, it helps to jot down the booth number or vendor's name and the quoted price if you want to think about an object, or peruse the show for a similar one that might be priced lower or in better condition. With a cell phone, you can send a photo to someone who can do a bit of quick research for information not easily found on Google, or take a picture for later study. With a smartphone, you can check the latest values for some things through searching eBay or other auction sites.

3. Look for signs of age.
If you are hunting for antiques or vintage items, first look for signs of authentic age. There are many reproductions of antiques that look old because they are made to look old — depression glass, old apothecary jars, wrought iron furniture or baskets, sconces, decrepit-looking boxes or shelves, spice cabinets, beaded objects and tribal arts. As dealer Jimmy Desjardins said in Killer Stuff, "Glass has been faked for seventy years so even some of the fakes are almost antique now."
Perhaps the single best way to detect "repros" and fakes — or at least your first line of defense — is to examine the object carefully for wear. This is where the loupe and flashlight come in handy. Dirt in crevasses that builds up over decades or even centuries, rust from nails that bleeds into the surrounding wood, dull spots on the rims or bottoms of glass objects, "crazing" or fine crackle lines in the glaze of pottery — these can reveal age. But be aware that "wear" can be faked, too. If you want to buy an expensive antique, your best bet is to talk to the dealer, get background on the object and ask if you can return the object to the dealer if you later see a flaw, crack, repair or other mark that indicates it's not real.

4. Talk to dealers — your local experts.
Antique dealers — the best ones — are also enthusiastic teachers. They love the objects, and they love to share that passion and appreciation with people who are sincerely interested in learning. Good dealers are connoisseurs and will happily teach you about how to find good examples and what to avoid. Even if you are not buying anything from them at that moment, you may become an enthusiast and buy something later from them or from another dealer, which helps the trade overall.
By talking to dealers, you can find out where they procured the object, which gives you some background (has it been hiding in an attic for decades?), and how much they know about it. Once you find a knowledgeable, trustworthy dealer, stick with him or her. The person can be on the lookout for objects that interest you for your collection or your home decorating.

5. Develop your eye — and your ears and nose, too.
There are ways to assess an object beyond just looking at it. Use all your senses. For example, pinging or tapping glass or ceramics can reveal nearly invisible hairline cracks, which resonate a certain tone, or composite materials that sound "off" and indicate a repair. By carefully feeling the surface of crockery, you can detect subtle differences in temperature where patches have been added to hide a crack or break. Your nose can alert you to wood that has been "smoked" to add age, and by rubbing your fingers over Bakelite, you can tell if it's real because it exudes an oily smell when slightly warmed by friction, unlike newer plastics. I've watched Curt Avery (or other dealers in his booth) smell rugs and old crocks, caress the surface of glassware, press a fingernail into wood, knock on stoneware to listen for cracks, hold objects up against sunlight to check for crizzling and run his hands around the legs of chairs to see if they are "out of round," which usually indicates authenticity.

6. Be Sherlock Holmes. Synthesize the clues.
Discerning treasure, scoring a "find," is a matter of synthesizing information and putting the object in context. Is this piece authentic, a desirable category (not all antiques are trendy or "hot" categories), with the right wear patterns, in a rare color or form? Who is selling the piece? Is this a reputable dealer? Did it just come out of an estate or has it made the rounds all summer long at shows? What time of day did you find it? If something has been sitting at an outdoor antique show or flea market for two days — a show at which there are many knowledgeable buyers — chances are the piece that looks real and valuable may not be; otherwise, it would have been snapped up.
All these clues reveal something about the provenance and value of the object. If one of these "clues" is not right, then it might indicate that the piece is not right, or has problems. Every aspect of the object should check out as "real" when you put it all together. I made many mistakes early on by buying something based on a single attribute. For example, I bought a signed "Wedgwood" tile for $20 because I knew that Wedgwood objects could be really valuable, especially if they date back to the mid-18th century. But I didn't know until later that Wedgwood made porcelain objects through 1987, until they merged with Waterford. (And objects are still manufactured with the Wedgwood mark.) Since it wasn't old my piece was worth ... about $20, just what I'd paid. I forgot to look for wear and I didn't really do my homework on Wedgwood. Of course, I learned from that mistake. And I did get a beautiful piece of tile in the process.

7. Do your homework.
Magazines and trade papers about antiques are filled with valuable information. Articles on particular categories — Liverpool pottery, for example, or needlework samplers — are rich with historical facts, photos and esoteric information. Trade papers have timely reports from auctions and show sales that provide valuable information on prices that objects command on the market. (Some antique shows offer complimentary trade publications — though there is sometimes a fee to get into the show itself.) Consult books on any category of objects that you are interested in collecting or buying — but not general price guides, which have potentially outdated, possibly misleading, and shallow information across many categories. Try books that focus on a single category of objects or a single maker. Avery calls these reference books "eye trainer's," which build your knowledge base when combined with the "field research" you get from just being out at flea markets and antique shows.

8. Take a chance.
Sometimes, the only way to learn about a category of antiques or collectibles is to take a chance and buy something that you suspect is valuable. If it turns out to be a fake, then chalk it up to the cost of your education. If you leave it behind, not only have you potentially missed a great thing, but you may have also lost the chance to take the piece home and do some research. And if it turns out to be fake, then you'll never make that mistake again.

9. Cultivate patience.
There is a very long learning curve to become a good antique dealer, or even a knowledgeable collector. Antiques Roadshow, American Picker, Cash in the Attic and other shows have skewed the reality so that people think finding great antiques and treasures happens easily and regularly, with little actual study and experience. That is just not true, so be patient. Collecting or antique and treasure hunting takes skill, study, wits, and work, but it's a skill that is available to anyone willing to invest some time and effort. The learning curve may be longer than it appears from popular shows, but there is fun and excitement along the journey, as well as good investment potential.

10. Follow your heart. Buy what you love.
Unless you are buying something to resell, perhaps as a hobby-level dealer or on eBay, ultimately, you have to live with your object. Buy objects that amuse and delight you, that you find aesthetically pleasing, or objects you will use. When I first began to shadow Avery, after I got a little knowledge (stress on little), sometimes I'd buy an object for $2 or $5 at a yard sale that I knew was probably worth $20 or $30. I couldn't resist, couldn't walk by what seemed like an easy profit. But I didn't love the objects, and I was not transforming myself into an antique dealer, so why was I buying them? They just started to fill storage bins in my shed. Later, I changed my habits and ignored those lesser items that I didn't love, even if there was a profit still left in them. I decided to buy fewer but better antiques, things I truly loved to have in my home, things that cost more but were in better condition or were of higher quality altogether, which means they might better retain their value. And in the meantime, I get to enjoy them in my home.

Supply and demand is simple. You have something very old and unique, preserved if possible, you have yourself a true antique furniture of great money worth. As you may know the world of antiques is vast. Finding antique that offers uniqueness, quality and age is not an easy task.

The first steps should be determining the type of antique, after that head for the most respected style (Victorian, Queen Anne, French, German, Holland, and lots more). After that go for it. Try to get yourself antique that brings satisfaction for your needs. The info that you were collecting should give you an edge when making a deal. Useful informations such as: antique American furniture is much more rare than English antique furniture. One fact that confirms my words is that most of valuable antiques from American history are in museums or in private collectors hands. And as we learned earlier, rarity does effect the demand and in the final cut the asking price.

So you must be asking yourself what am I looking for? Just to give an example try to look for an alternative. The one like 17th century furniture from the States that looks like English antique furniture crafted 50 years earlier. Why? Because it looks remarkably similar. This time lag continues throughout the majority of the 18th century. The vast majority of the settlers of the New World were from England. It’s only natural they would copy the fashionable furniture of that country.

Determining furniture value
It is quite easy to determine the antiques provenance and condition, but when it comes to rarity and quality are quite hard for even the most cunning minds out there. I do not mean that for a novice antique hunter this is impossible. But I am saying that it is more time consumable. In order to get those two demands in line you need lot and lots of research and maybe even expert help advice. Needless to say that I forgot patina, color and finish as a secondary criteria for determining the antiques furniture value. As you can see many factors can make your antique priced more or even less that you might have thought. Keep in mind on suggestions such as: vigorous carving on a piece of American Chippendale antique furniture generally increases its value – keep in mind that more ornate design need more handwork, thus increasing its value as well – delicate additions and fancy framework gives also some edge when it comes to price – size is not always advantage, if antique furniture is too big than it loses desirability a so on.
When trying to find valuable antique furniture think also on its usability not just beauty that is my advice to bring with you when going to antique hunting. Most information on antiques you can get from the specialized forums and discussion board or even few good sites. Bear in mind that experience wise you can always use some additional help from an antique expert.

Before you start purchasing antique furniture, consider the following guidelines:
Make sure you know what you want: Some people buy antique furniture before they really know what they really like. It’s easy to fall for the satisfaction of a great deal. Example of which, is to purchase an antique secretary desk, which is on sale, but all along you wanted an antique chair. So make sure you are clear on what you really want to buy.

Know the details: Keep a list of all the details of the furniture you want to purchase. This includes: how old is the furniture, plain or carved antique, what type of wood used and all other things pertaining to how the antique was constructed.
Must have enough finances: Buying antique furniture can be costly, especially if you’re looking for quality examples. Make sure you have enough money to invest into antique collection.

Make sure it is authentic: Occasional scams have been perpetrated on the unsuspecting buyer. Some of which include selling antiques that are not genuine. Make sure you have the eye to determine a fake from what is original. Don’t quickly believe in antique sales and discounts, for it may turn out to be a counterfeit. Do not hesitate to ask help from experts before purchasing any antique furniture.

Have a wide range of selection: You must search as many possible sources of antique shops as you can. Do not purchase all you furniture needs in just one store. Search the internet for local and international stores who sells quality antique furniture. With this, you have many option to choose from.

After considering all these steps, you will enjoy every piece you purchase for years to come.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will host its third annual Antiques Appraisal Weekend, October 2 and 3, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., at 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, Conn. In our ever-changing world, we continually revisit and reappraise our past to better understand the present. History can be a learning tool, but it can also be a profitable business when it comes to art and collectibles.

It is no surprise, especially now in these troubled economic times, that millions of people are tuning into TV shows such as PBS’ Antiques Roadshow, Pawn Stars, and American Pickers. Today, as never before, dusting off family heirlooms and rummaging through attics and basements has become a national pastime, as well as an exciting new way to create much needed revenue.

The Antiques Appraisal Weekend will be co-chaired by LMMM Trustee Joe Passero of Norwalk and LMMM Trustee and interior designer Linda Fontaine of Weston. Experts will be appraising a wide variety of antiques and collectibles including jewelry, watches, silver, fine art, furniture, books and documents, coins, pottery and China, sports memorabilia, toys, and more.

“We are bringing back the Antiques Appraisal Weekend, given the remarkable success we had last year," said co-chair Joe Passero. "The generous time commitment of several world-renowned appraisers and the more than 1,300 who brought their collectibles to the Mansion for evaluation made this event an exciting and creative way of supporting this National Historic Landmark.”

Sponsored by Klaff's and People’s United Bank, the LMMM Antiques Appraisal Weekend will feature several leading appraisers and auction houses who will be donating their time and expertise to the Mansion. Experts will include: Betteridge Jewelers’ CFO and Director of the Watch Group Mike Manjos, Director of Estate Jewelry Simon Teakle and Warren Lagerloef, Senior Sales Professional; Braswell Galleries’ Rick Dailey; Christine Downing of C. Downing Auctions, Peter Curran, Terry Eletheriou, Jan Lee, owner of Sinotique, N.Y.; Mary Lou Logan, Kevin McClellan, Richard Murawski, Skip Rooney, President and Founder of Golf-Art/Crossways Gallery, Evelyn Phillips, and Gil Rodriguez, Owner of Gilann Books, among others. Media sponsors include Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, The Hour and Cox Radio.

“This is a unique opportunity for anybody who is interested in evaluating antiques and collectibles,” said co-chair Linda Fontaine. “With a very limited financial commitment people will have access to a remarkable line-up of appraisers.”

Appraisals will range from $20 for a small or medium size item, to $40 for large antiques such as furniture, (maximum of three appraisals). One free $20 appraisal will be available for anyone who will become a new member of the Mansion, (an annual individual membership is $35). All proceeds will benefit the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. This year, the Mansion will feature an additional event following the conclusion of the Antiques Appraisal Weekend. An auction will be held for those wanting to sell their appraised collectibles. Time and place for this auction, will be announced in the event program and on the museum’s website.

A graduate gemologist with a diploma from the National Association of Goldsmiths, Betteridge’s Director of Estate Jewelry Simon Teakle is an internationally recognized expert in the jewelry industry.

Mr. Teakle became Head of Christie’s Jewelry Department in the United States in 1991 and, during his tenure, spearheaded the sales of many of the most notable gemstones and private collections in recent years, including jewelry from HRH Salimah Aga Khan, the Rockefeller Sapphire, jewelry belonging to Eva Peron, the $12 million sale of Doris Duke’s jewelry, and the exhibition and sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s.

Betteridge’s CFO and Director of the Watch Group Mike Manjos, studied finance and accounting in college. “Being a numbers geek helps out in really unusual and unexpected ways,” said Mr. Manjos, “knowing both current and historical model numbers for the brands that we carry, as well as knowing both current and historical pricing is invaluable in both buying and selling.”

Warren Lagerloef’s passions are far-ranging. He loves fine pearls and has a particular expertise for designing pearl jewelry. Moreover, Warren’s creative sensibilities and flair for fashion and color have made him Betteridge’s unofficial in-house jewelry designer. His artistry is evident in the watercolor renderings he creates for his clients, whether he designs a new piece of jewelry or updates a family heirloom.

“One of the nicest moments,” said Mr. Lagerloef, Senior Sales Professional at Betteridge, talking about his experience at last year’s Antiques Appraisal Weekend, “was when out of the blue, a lovely young lady sat down and put in front of me a beautiful art deco bracelet made by Terry Betteridge's grandfather in the 1920s. She had inherited it, and when she saw our name in the newspapers, she made the trip to the Lockwood Mathews Mansion to put a face to a name (so to speak). It was a magic moment for me, I love the history.”

Braswell Galleries started in 1958 when Harvey Braswell opened a small used furniture store and auction house in Amarillo, Texas. A strong southern antique market encouraged Mr. Braswell to acquire his inventory from the Northeast and eventually the family came to the New York area where Mr. Braswell continued his business with the southern market.

In the mid 1980s, Gary Braswell opened Braswell Galleries auction house in Norwalk, CT. Braswell Galleries relocated to Stamford, CT in 2001. Since returning to Norwalk in January 2008, it has grown from a small local auction house to one of the Northeast's largest antique and auction centers. Braswell Galleries antiques and Estate Center is now located in The Old Norwalk Lace Factory at 1 Muller Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

Peter Curran of Wilton, CT, is a longtime member of the Appraisers Association of America. He is a graduate of The Rhode Island School of Design and holds a MPS from New York University. Curran grew up in the business, (his mother was a well-respected art curator and antiques dealer) and has been involved in all major antique shows around the United States.

Curran has often appeared on PBS’s hit TV show, Antiques Roadshow and has owned and operated antique shops in various locations in New York and New England. The value of objects he has appraised in his career has ranged from worthless to $30 million for a single item and over $120 million for a collection.

Stamford, CT resident Christine Downing grew up in the antiques business, courtesy of an aunt in the business, and has been buying and selling antiques and attending shows since early childhood. She held her first tag sale at the age of nine and hasn’t looked back since.

Last year, a rare Art Nouveau Galle vase whose owner had survived the Holocaust, made its way to the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Antiques Appraisal Weekend and was appraised by Ms. Downing at $15,000 to $20,000. “I was lucky enough to get to hear her story,” said Ms. Downing. “The tears in her eyes mirrored my own as I told her the value of the vase.”

Ms. Downing owns and operates C. Downing Auctions at 4 Taft St in Norwalk. C. Downing Auctions offers antique and specialty auctions every four to six weeks and provides antique and collectible appraisals.

She has appeared on HGTV’s hit show Cash in the Attic as the antiques’ appraiser and on HGTV’s satellite radio station, discussing various aspects of collecting antiques and collectibles.

Terry Eletheriou started collecting and dealing in Japanese swords in 1980. From there, he moved onto all forms of Japanese art: Japanese prints, metalwork, lacquer, Satsuma, porcelain, and cloisonné.

He also has an understanding of Chinese art, “a very complicated art form,” Mr. Eletheriou explains, “as it spans such a great period of time and includes many types of potteries and porcelains produced and manufactured throughout the centuries.”

Mr. Eletheriou studied Japanese at the Japan Society and studied the art of the sword at the Kenzan Institute. He presently deals in fine Oriental and European porcelains and art and exhibits at three major antique shows during the year. He is also one of the dealers at the Antique and Artisan Center at 69 Jefferson St. in Stamford, CT. He is often asked to appraise and price Oriental art for estate sales and was an appraiser at the Greenwich Women's Club this past April.

Jan Lee founded Sinotique in 1992, a gallery located in the heart of Chinatown and featuring classical Chinese antiques, African sculpture, natural wood forms, and contemporary art. Mr. Lee has been an exhibitor at antique shows in the Hamptons, Connecticut, and New York for over fifteen years.

When Mr. Lee is not in his Chinatown gallery or his three-story DUMBO Brooklyn location, which houses a contemporary art gallery, a warehouse, and his woodworking shop, he is attending antique shows and writing features for Connecticut Cottages and Gardens Magazine and the Sinotique blog. Jan also designs and manufactures his own line of furniture.

A sought-after antique doll and toy expert, Mary Lou Logan started her own doll collection when she was a child. She is currently the Doll and Toy Curator at the Wilton Historical Society and has assembled one of the largest toy exhibits in the state of Connecticut. Ms. Logan has also managed and repaired the collection of the Wilton Historical Society. Her expertise is wide-ranging: she can identify makers and age, advise on repair and restoration, and give an estimate of value. Ms. Logan was the first president of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum.

For the past three decades, Kevin McClellan has been a significant fixture in the business of appraising antiques. After working for Fairfield County Estate Liquidators for six years, Mr. McClellan opened Kevin McClellan Appraiser and Auctioneer in 1983 and established himself as a reliable source of verifiable valuation services for bank trust departments, estate and divorce attorneys, local historical societies, and individuals.

At the Mansion last year, Mr. McClellan appraised a pair of French bronze 'Marley' horses. “These sculptures are after the famous full size ‘Marley Horse’ sculptures by Guillaume Coustou (French 1677-1746)” said Mr. McClellan. “They were sculpted for the King in the early 18th century, and the originals are at the Louvre.” They were evaluated between $8,000-$12,000 for the pair.

Designated by the American Society of Appraisers as a senior appraiser of personal property in 1988, Mr. McClellan has testified as an expert witness in court cases and has worked on some of the oldest family estates in Fairfield County, many dating back to the early 18th century. Mr. McClellan currently works as a expert appraiser for Hiden Galleries, Genesis Antiques and Greenwich Living Design Center. He lives in Norwalk, CT.

Richard Murawski, a coin dealer for over 10 years, operates a Coin & Collectibles Shop In Watertown, CT. His primary activity is buying and selling U.S. and foreign coins, including gold and silver coins. Additionally, the store features sports memorabilia, baseball cards, comic books, and antique toys. Rick is President of the Litchfield County Coin Club and is a member of the American and Canadian Numismatic Associations. He can be found on weekends as a dealer at coin shows throughout Connecticut. His latest project was the classification and sale of over 1,700 two cent pieces belonging to a single client.

Evelyn Phillips is a well known dealer and collector of antique dolls. A retired lingerie designer, her sense of styling and fashion is apparent in the beautiful period costumes she creates using antique fabrics and accessories for dolls whose clothes have suffered the ravages of time.

She is a member of The National Doll Dealers Association, the United Federation of Doll Clubs, and “Tuesdays Child," one of the oldest doll clubs in this part of the country.

Gil Rodriguez opened Gilann Books of Darien in 1975. It was a summer bookshop at first, but due to its success, the business eventually expanded to a shop opened year-round that took Mr. Rodriguez to antiquarian book and ephemera fairs locally and nationally. Although his specialty is art and illustrated books, Mr. Rodriguez deals in all kinds of books.

A member of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the Ephemera Society of America, he has been very active in Fairfield County and has provided books, illustrations, and autograph material for exhibitions at the Darien Library, the Darien Town Hall, the Ferguson Library, the Norwalk Library, the Rowayton Library, the New Canaan Library, and the Ridgefield Library.

An avid sportsman and golfer, Skip Rooney established his company, Golf-Art/Crossways Gallery, to combine his passion for the game of golf and the magnificence of its vistas with a growing market of collectors and buyers who share the same appreciation of golf’s natural beauty and challenges.

Since 1986, the company has grown to serve a remarkable and wide-ranging clientele that includes royal families, sports legends, commercial buyers, an army of retail gift shoppers, and the corporate elite. Drawing upon the success of his website, voted the number one website for golf art by Golf Digest magazine, Golf-Art/Crossways Gallery now ships worldwide, all from its charming and treasure-packed storefront on Route 7 in Ridgefield, CT.

For a complete list of appraisers and information on their schedule at the Mansion please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com. The museum will be closed for tours on both days of appraisals on October 2nd and 3rd.

In a depressed market, where 50% off the price of antiques compares very favourably with a 20-30% downturn in the housing market, investors should certainly be buying plenty of antique furniture.

A reduction in the price means that everyone benefits. At auction, fewer bidders means less competition, with less people taking part and more competitive prices as a result. However, when attending the auction it is crucial to locate where the weak areas are in order to take the fullest advantage. It is dealers particularly who are able to benefit from low competition where leaving very low bids can result in bargain ‘under the hammer’ prices.

Online shopping is also a great place to find good prices on antique furniture. Antique Furniture Bargains is a good place to begin your search. The site is affliated with eBay and thus you can shop the entire United States, or world for that matter, without leaving your home. And, your purchase will be delivered to your door.

The above is also true for Asian antiques. If Asian antique are your desire, The Asian Antique Shop offers great prices on antiques from all Asian countries. Like the above, Antique Furntiture Bargains, the world is your potential market and you can buy from the convenience of your home and have it delivered to your door.

The market may be cautious, but people are definitely buying antiques – and at competitive prices. In a market that will rebound, now is the time to buy antiques competitively in order to sell competitively later for future profits. Buying antiques across the country at competitive prices will ensure future healthy profits.

Whenever you antique furniture shop, be aware that definitions can vary. However, it’s accepted in the industry that, to be considered antique, a piece must be at least 100 years old. Everything more recent would be considered vintage or modern. And, always buy pieces you will use…very few of us have rooms in our home that we can fill with an “untouchable” collection of antique pieces that can only be looked at and not used.

Anita is an antiques enthusiast and successful antique furniture and accessories collector and dealer, serving other collectors, designers and individual buyers, for twenty years. She is passionate about helping other antiques lovers and collectors gain more knowledge and find those perfect pieces to fulfill their needs. Anita has an online antiques warehouse where you can view her large inventory of antique furniture and accessories and buy antique furniture.
Also, you can visit her blog at antique furniture shop where you can read more about antique furniture and how to antique furniture shop.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anita_Boyd

Throughout America's history, craftsmen have honed their skills to build exquisite pieces of furniture. Other people built makeshift pieces of furniture to make do until they could afford the real pieces. These makeshift pieces are known as "primitives."
Periods of American Furniture

Eight periods of furniture styles evolved throughout America's early history, according to the "Field Guide to Early American Furniture." They include
Puritan Span (1650-1690),
William and Mary (1690-1720),
Queen Anne (1720-1750),
Chippendale (1750-1775),
Hepplewhite (1785-1800),
Sheraton (1800-1820),
American Empire (1820-1840) and
Early Victorian (1840-1865).

According to "Field Guide to Early American Furniture," the gap in time between the Chippendale period and the Hepplewhite period is due to the American Revolution.

During these periods, primitive copies were made until true craftsman-made items could be purchased.

Definition and Examples
Primitive furniture items were crudely made pieces used in place of popular furniture of the era until such time as a better piece could be purchased. Since these pieces were not meant to survive, they were expendable; therefore, they are rare to find today and thus much more valuable. The settle; a seat next to the fireplace; a wagon seat, a double chair for two to sit on a wagon; and a candle stand are all examples of common primitives according to "Field Guide to Early American Furniture."

Differences between Primitive and Country
According to "Country Pine Furniture," primitives closely resemble country furniture. The difference is that primitives are crudely constructed and made from rough-hewn wood. According to Dorothy H. Jenkins, author of "A Fortune In The Junk Pile," country pieces were more likely chairs, rockers and tables made with hand plane, saw, hammer and nails, and were painted and sometimes decorated with stencils to cover mixed wood types. Primitives would not be painted, because they were not meant to last that long.

Antique furniture is very popular today. With the real estate market in the state it is in now, many real estate marketers believe that placing some antique furniture in a home will greatly increase the assumed sale value. Additionally, spending money on buying antique furniture for a home is a wise investment. The antique furniture never loses its value, and in many cases appreciates; the value of the antique furniture may increase as time goes by. Although it is very easy to buy antique furniture today (you can even get the delivered to your doorsteps by ordering it online), several factors are to be considered to make your purchase more profitable. This guide will help you to identify and buy the best antique furniture available out there.

Identifying the real Antique Furniture

You should always remember the fact that the word "antique" refers to any object that is more than 100 years old. When it comes to antique furniture, there are two types such as "real antique furniture" and "Antique design inspired furniture". The real antique furniture is a great treasure, which will be many years old. On the other hand, the antique design inspired ones will only reflect the antique design. The material will not be really antique. Identifying the real antique furniture is very easy. You may be aware of the fact that woods shrinks as a result of aging. Antique furniture will have irregular dimensions. If the finishing of the furniture is excellent and new looking then it may not be a real antique.

Determining the value of the antique furniture

All kinds of antique furniture will not have the same value. It depends upon several factors like age, quality, application, style, make etc. In order to find the value of the furniture, you need to be knowledgeable about antiques. You can get lots of information about antique furniture if you spend a little time researching on the Internet. Commonly, antique furniture will be valued based on the condition, rarity, and history.

Checking the Solidity of the antique furniture

You should also remember the fact that antique furniture retains its value only if it is fully functional. Most antique experts insist on moving and using the furniture to ensure the solidity and functionality.

Buying Antique Furniture online

You can buy antique furniture online and get it delivered to your doorstep while you just relax. However, it is very much important to make sure that the online antique furniture store of your choice is genuine as you won’t be able to check the furniture before they get shipped to you.

No matter how you buy it, the real antique furniture is a valuable asset in any home.