Antique hunting tips
Vintage is hot in fashion and décor, but nowhere is it hotter than on the collector circuit. Of course, the key to good collecting is integrating the items into your home décor rather than hiding them away in cabinets or closets (for tips on decorating with your collections, pick up the Feb/March 06 issue of Homemakers magazine).
Secrets to happy collecting
Judith Miller, author of DK Publishing titles Antiques Price Guide 2005 and Collectibles Price Guide 2005 emphasizes: "Buy what you like, because you have to live with it." Miller also encourages would-be collectors to brush up on what they're seeking. "Read up on your subject," she says. "Join clubs and societies, read books and online articles, talk to dealers and other collectors." Knowledge, along with handling the items as much as possible will help you to recognize great finds and weed out the fakes.
Popular Canadian collectibles
Based in England, Miller travels extensively and recently visited Toronto. A fan of Canadian collectibles herself, she says some of the most popular are things like Royal Memorabilia (from visits to Canada which can range from the 1901 visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to the 2005 visit by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh), Wedgwood 'Dominion of Canada' plates and contemporary Inuit paintings. Other sought-after things include costume jewelry, notably from Canadian names such as Sherman and Continental.
Look for items that aren't damaged, warns Miller, because "pieces in mint condition will hold and accrue value much better than damaged items." This rule is true for any collectible, and the condition of a piece is an important thing to consider when negotiating price, whether you're buying or selling.
The freedom to gather what you like
The best thing about collectibles is that you can accumulate whatever you want, because it's your collection. From the obscure to the common, cheap to valuable, it's a fun hobby for all ages. For those who deem themselves more serious collectors, Miller warns that once an item is favoured, the price goes up. "You need to be able to spot the next big thing!" she says. "Collectible fairs, flea markets and auction houses are good places to hunt around."
So what's the next big thing for collectibles in Canada? Inuit sculpture, Miller says. "There are a lot of very exciting contemporary sculptors and a good tradition going back to the 1900s and earlier."
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