The Washington Antique Guide: REGION 1

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Do You Need a Professional Appraiser?

Let's not beat around the bush, hiring a professional appraiser can be costly, with most charging at least a two hour minimum to evaluate your valuables. Despite the expense, and while there are many low-cost on-line appraisal services available, hiring an expert who can appraise your items in person is often the best choice.

Certified professionals offer years of expertise and a written appraisal document (Certified Personal Property Appraisal Report) that will hold up in a court of law and which will be accepted by insurers. Appraisers can also offer you a realistic (and current) evaluation of the fair market value of your valuables. Many appraisers have relationships with auction houses and can offer consignment or estate sale services or can refer you to trusted professionals. When shopping for an appraiser, look for proof of certification and don't be shy about asking for credentials and references.

But I Just Want to Know!

If you are merely curious about the value of grandma's heirlooms, many auction houses offer regular hours during which you may bring in one item for a free appraisal; or, check auction house web sites or call to inquire about free appraisal fairs or events.

Did You Know?

What is now known as "Depression Glass" was mass manufactured mostly in the central and mid-western United States from the late 1920's through the early 1940's and was at the time a dime store product that was considered to be of poor quality, with it's characterisic air bubbles, deep mold marks and other flaws, but which came in bright colors and many patterns, sometimes etched with ornate patterns. During the 1930's a piece of Depression glass was about the same price as a loaf of bread, (or about five cents), and was often given away as manfacturer's premium when thrifty housewives purchased a minimum quanity of laundry soap or oatmeal or at the movie theater as a free gift with the purchase price of a ticket.

Today Depression glass is very collectible and yet still affordable, with, for example, a mint condition pink Windsor Pitcher now fetching $25–$30 on eBay. As with all collectible glass, the condition of the piece greatly efects its value—look for pieces that are free of cracks, chips or discoloration not related to the manufacturing process. If you are interested in starting a Depression glass collection, study up to avoid accidentally purchasing a reproduction or a later style of mass produced glass, and to become educated on the more valuable patterns and colors.

Molded glass ashtray by Federal Glass Co. in the "Williamsburgh" pattern.

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When buying a piece of furniture, look over it carefully. Pull out the drawers and see how they were constructed. For an authentic antique piece that was man made, look for uneven dovetails that are larger in size. This means that the piece is truly antique and not a knockoff or reproduction. If the dovetails are even and smaller in size, it was probably cut by a machine. Dovetails that are hand-cut will usually identify a piece made before 1860.

Antique cabinet
featuring dovetail joins.

Did You Know?

The term “Grandfather Clock” comes from a song written in the 19th century by Henry Clay Work called My Grandfather’s Clock. The song is about two brothers that worked at a hotel in Piercebridge, England and a clock in the hotel. When one of the brothers died the clock started to lose time, then the other brother died and the clock stopped completely. In remembrance of the brothers, the clock was never fixed.

A Comtoise clock

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Did You Know?

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Did You Know?