The wonderful world of antiques and collectibles doesn’t change that frequently, but it’s important to keep watch of what’s selling well each season so you can make the best possible profit. The summer and fall are great seasons to check out all the different antique sales, auctions and collector’s markets, but it can be a dizzying process with weeding out the valuables from the junk.
The antiques and collectibles industry has been showing positive growth, with the online market earning an expected total revenue of $1 billion for 2019. With an annual growth of 5.9 percent since 2014, the industry isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As you sift through all the different antiques and collectibles, here are some of the more popular styles that you can sell for a profit:
World War I Memorabilia
Dr. Lori, an Antiques Appraiser Specialist, states that “Objects and memorabilia from World War I are at the height of their popularity as they reach their 100th anniversary (1914-1918) now.” Items in good condition from this era such as daggers, helmets and swords are especially popular.
Prices for WWI products can soar up to $10,000 if the right piece is found, which is a lot of extra money in your pocket if you can score these items for the right prices. Other products can range from $50 to $1,500, depending on their popularity and value. On top of militaria, other valuable items include medals, badges and the shoulders of jackets remain popular among collectors.
Vintage Posters
A poster is considered vintage if it is at least twenty-five years old and is an original advertising print, according to Love To Know. These popular items can range from $400 to $2,000, depending on the rarity and if it’s a collectible. The value of a poster can be determined by the artist, the image, the rarity and the condition.
Love To Know also offers some advice for identifying a reproduction, which can be difficult. They state, “The paper will be different, for one thing, with the reproduction papers being shinier and smoother. They just feel new. Also check the print in the lower corner of the poster. On original posters this print will be clear while on reproductions it is often blurry.”
Mid-Century Modern Everything
It’s no news that Mid-Century Modern has been popping up everywhere in mass merchants such as Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and Wayfair, among others. But these reproduction pieces are nowhere near as valuable as original decorative collectibles from the late ’40s through the early 1970’s.
The Spruce notes different popular Mid-Century Modern items include dinnerware, furniture and smaller, decorative collectibles. Eames and Herman Miller are valuable designer names for this style, with some Eames pieces selling for more than $25,000 depending on the object. Harry Bertoia and Paul Evans are other popular designers from the era.
Whatever you’re looking for in the world of antiques, always make sure to read up on the style before you go looking around to make sure you buy authentic and valuable items. Our words of wisdom can only get you so far, but dedicated research will be the ultimate factor to make a good profit.