Ask An Expert

You can't know everything about everything, but you CAN find what you need without too much trouble or expense.

In the last couple of weeks, I’ve received two interesting questions about antiques and collectibles. I am not an expert in either coins or books, so it’s possible that my responses seemed like buck passing, but if I’ve learned anything in 20 years of collecting and dealing it is this: do your homework!

The information is out there. Sometimes, it's right there via internet sites like Suite101.com, Wickipedia, or auction house sites. Sometimes, your quest will take you to the public library, or the antiques and collectibles section of your local bookstore, where, if you're cheap, and have a good memory, you can "borrow" the information. This step requires time and patience that will be rewarded. And since most antiques dealers deal because they love their subject, you can always find one willing to share his or her knowledge of your item.

Do nothing that is irreversible until you are absolutely certain of what it is that you have. The question I received about coins was how to clean them. As I said earlier, I don't know a lot about coins, but I do know that you should NEVER, NEVER clean them unless you are absolutely certain of their value and provenance. Cleaning them damages the surface and reduces the value, and should only be done on coins worth their face value.

Understand the grading scale used for condition of your item. Most collector books give a range of values based on condition, so when they say a book is worth between $300 -$325 they are talking about a volume with its original dust jacket, a tight binding, no torn or folded pages, dirty fingerprints or Doritos stains. Top dollar is reserved for items in mint condition, and mint condition means that the object is as it appeared on the date of manufacture. Mint condition also excludes manufacturing defects, although this is sometimes flexible.

So, if you have what you believe to be an early edition of "Gone With The Wind" signed by John Marsh, you would want to learn Mr. Marsh's relationship to the Author (husband), an honest appraisal of the volume's condition, and its print date. Amazon and alibris are excellent starting points, but if you believe your volume to be worth thousands or even hundreds, it would be worth consulting a dealer to research and perhaps sell it for you.