This presentation gives you the basics of shopping for antiques and vintage items like the pros do.

1. 25 Tips
to Help You Shop Like a Pro
By Antique Alter Ego

2. Be sure to have your supplies
1 flashlight
+1 tape measure
+1 magnifying glass
_________________________
= 3 things to remember before you go on your way

3. Glassware
• Always check for chips with the palm of
your hand. (The palm of your hand is
more sensitive than your fingertips!)
• Look at the piece with your flashlight.
It will help you spot chips or cracks.

4. Pottery
• Ping the piece with your finger.
It will ring! If there is a crack,
it will clack.
• Look at the bottom for names
or numbers.
• Transferred designs will have dots
under a magnifying glass.

5. Remember…
• Finding a small amount of damage can mean
there is more.
Look very carefully using your
magnifying glass.
• Damage can take away value.
Think carefully before you buy.

6. Books
• Your books should be neat and tidy, just like
you, so remember…C.O.M.B.
• Crinkled pages: Your book may have been wet
• Odor: If it smells musty, mold could be growing
• Mold: It looks like gray dust and hurts books
• Broken: Books need strong spines to last long

7. Prints
• Many of the rules that apply to books, also
applies to prints.
• Look very carefully for:
1. Crinkles
2. Mold
• Sometimes, prints are reproduced. If it looks
too good to be old, it may not be old!

8. Textiles
• Textiles are made to be used. Be sure to look
carefully at the entire piece.
• Most often, you will find stains.
It is very hard to get “set in” stains out.
• Fabric can get mildew. Stay away from this!
• Tears are another common problem. Some
tears can be repaired.

9. Furniture
• Furniture is used daily. If it is old, it will
have typical wear marks where hands or feet
would touch.
• Look at how it was built. Are the screws old?
• If there is more than one piece, make sure they
match.

10. Jewelry
• Fashion jewelry can be fun!
• Some of it is plastic and some of it is glass. To
tell the difference, tap it to your teeth!
Plastic will sound dull and glass will sound
louder and “brighter”.

11. Thank You
• Thank you for your time and attention.
• We hope you found this informative.
Antique Alter Ego
Finding the Treasures That Brighten Your Day
• Visit us on eBay and Etsy Copyright Antique Alter Ego 2010