Hello

My name's Kyle, and I'm fairly new to antiques and I'm eager to learn more and grow my collection.


I'm 24 years old, half Italian, live in Ohio, I'm engaged, and I have a 5 year old son.

So far my collection is small, consisting largely of books in very poor condition. I also have a typewriter, a couple slide projectors, and a bayonet.

I'vebeen looking into education in the field of antiques and appraisal. So far, the best I've seen is the Asheford Institute of Antiques, though I'm weary to just hastily jump into it. I've already looked them up on as many review websites as I could find, and they seem to be generally well recieved, with the exception of one bad review. Can anybody in here attest to their program? It would greatly help me.

 

Hi Kyle, welcome.

I have no knowledge or advice about the school you're interested in. Someone else might.

I've only been through the school of hard knocks, regarding antiques.

 

Welcome & good luck.

 

Welcome! There is at least one person here who has fairly recently gone through the process to become an auctioneer so there may be someone who is familiar with the program.

 

Hola, and welcome!
Whatever your decision about formal education, hanging around HERE is a great adjunct, and also just plain fun.

 

Hi and WELCOME Kyle!! At the very least, you should get a very well rounded intro education to a WIDE variation of antiques here, while having some fun at the same time. Lots of great people here who 'know their stuff'!!!!

 

Welcome!
Here's some help as to how to post photos. This format/process works best for me.

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Make your photos 480x640.

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After your comments are complete drop down a line.

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Put a squiggle > ~

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Drop down a line.

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Load all your photos, 10 max.

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At the top of your photo pile there's an option to enlarge them all. (Full Image)

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Enlarge them.

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Thank you!

 

King, just curious, what is the squiggle about? I just upload using the upload button after resizing if needed or copy/paste if from the web.

 

If you put a squiggle, or something else, between your comments and the photos it doesn't jam the photos up against them is all. Makes it easier to read I think.
It shows you that you will probably not have your comments separated and some after the photos. If you edit you have to go to the squiggle again or that will happen.
Just something I use to help me post better info.

 

Aside from the A.I.A., do you guys know any good books to help me learn? I've already read Antiques 101 by Frank farmer loomis, but that book seemed to be about 90 percent about furniture, with a touch here and there about silver, glass and china. I'd like to learn more about antiques technology as well as furniture.

 

Honestly , just watch a lot of antiques roadshow online , as well as all the tutorials on youtube . Antiques are not something one can learn in a few weeks , most of us have been at it for decades and still learn something every day ! Find what your most passionate about ( weapons, ceramics, art, etc ) and focus on that as your field of study . To put it into perspective , about 10 years ago I joined the old ebay boards ( they pretty much suck now ) and I fancied I knew a lot about antiques , but they quickly showed me I didn't know diddly squat ! Oh , and welcome aboard !

 

I agree. Some specialty area would likely be best with any asides being related items.
No way you can know it all on any one item let alone many thousands.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome, Kyle! That's very good advice up there ^ about finding an subject or two that you really "like" and focusing on it in various ways - book learning is fine, but there is no substitute for hands on inspection. Museums, historical organizations, trolling local antique stores and picking the brains of everyone you meet along the way.

 

Well I've already decided I want to specialize on books. I've loved books since I was young. But I also want to specialize on weapons too.

 

I love books too!
Be careful.... They will weigh a lot!!!!
When you store them it's hard to not store them in unstable materials. If you've miles of bookshelves then you're good but then you have dust issues.
Best boxes I've found are the ones the grocer gets 4 plastic gallons of water in. They are strong, not too big so they don't weigh too much and they stack well so you can qualify for the hoarders show.... And they are free. Make friends and get them to save them for you.
Document in some way right off the bat as to what's in each box. If you don't start this now you'll be sorry.
Start a code you will always understand.
You can take photos and save this info that way. Take something out, then reshoot what's in there.
Also watch for a professional ozone machine. You will need it.

 

As I have always suspected: books are dangerous!

 

Yes.... About a dozen followed me home today.

 

They're stalkers, tooo???????

 

Yes. And they come in all sizes and weights.