ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Antiques, Collectibles, & Memorabilia: Do You Know the Difference?
The world of antiques can be confusing. What's the difference between an antique and collectible? Aren't collectibles and memorabilia really the same thing? In this month's column, I'll de-mystify these terms, so that you'll be appropriately armed for your next antique adventure. Antique Basically, an antique is something old that has value because of aesthetic or historical reasons. Generally, if a piece is over 100 years old, it is considered an antique. Although, I do know that some people use the 50-year mark for Canadian pieces; the rationale being that Canada is a young country relative to places such as Europe and Asia. However, I'm old fashioned and apply the 100-year definition to Canadian pieces. Collectible A collectible is something that is less than 100 years old that has value because of aesthetic or historical reasons. This term fills the gap for valuables that aren't quite old enough to be an antique. One category of collectible is items with intrinsic artistic merit. A stunning Art Deco table fits into this category. It was beautiful when it was made in the 1930s, is beautiful today and will still be beautiful when it hits the 100-year old mark. A second category is mass-produced collectibles. Beanie Babies, trading cards and Hummel figurines fit into this category. They don't necessarily have a lot of artistic merit. But manufacturers have created desirability by producing limited editions. Another category is items associated with particular people. For example, anything worn by the Beatles or Elvis Presley is collectible. Memorabilia There is a difference between collectibles and memorabilia. Collectibles are things that are ornamental. They never served an utilitarian purpose. A piece of memorabilia served a particular purpose. Movie posters, sports programs, cameras, television sets and musical instruments are all examples of items that fall into this category. Movie posters were used to sell movies. Sports programs were used to communicate information. And, cameras, television sets and musical instruments all serve a function. Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He has appeared on a variety of television programs; does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has taught courses on antiques at the Learning Annex. Martin can be reached at http://www.takeaboo.com
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Look at Fruit Gift Baskets The original, the granddaddy of all of today's items bought and sold as fruit baskets, was in fact a basket full of assorted fruits. While there is no clear cut evidence when the first fruit basket was wrapped up and delivered to it's overjoyed recipient, it is known that in ancient times fruit baskets were routinely given to kings and feudal lords all over the world as a sign of respect and loyalty. A Brief History of Wedgwood China The story of the line begins in 1730 with the birth of Josiah Wedgwood to a family who manufactured pottery. At six years old, Josiah was an apprentice and by 14 he had suffered a bout of smallpox that weakened his right knee. By 1760, Josiah had his own factory and had been experimenting with different formulas of porcelain, clays and glazes and technological advances in the art of transferring designs to the finished product. In 1765 he manufactured a complete set for Queen Charlotte, advertised himself as the "potter to the Queen" and his business took off. The Benefits of Dried Fruit Baskets Usually combined with varieties of nuts, dried fruit baskets have become the second most popular version of the original fresh fruit basket today. According to growers and manufacturers, dried fruit baskets have soared in recent years due to the amount of time one can take to consume the dried product and still have it taste as delicious as the day it arrived. Japanese Sword: A Great Piece for Any Home A Japanese Sword is a wonderful decoration to add to any room of your home or office. Many people think that a samurai sword might look out of place in their home if their not Japanese or into martial arts. The Barkeeps Guide to Buying Bar Stools Purchasing a bar stool is a very meticulous process that you do not want to mess up. My personal road has taken me on a path that makes me qualified to show others what to do when shopping for a bar stool. You see I owned a bar for about 5 years in New Jersey. The sizes, types, and finishes of bar stools were a major concern for me. Where to Find Unique Shower Curtains Once upon a time, shower curtains were functional? and they were boring. Not today. Shower curtains are now decorative as well as useful. They can be bold and vibrant or simple and understated. A little looking can turn up some truly unique designs. Decorating A Childs Room Decorating your child's room should be fun and exciting for all involved. The most important thing to remember when planning or decorating your child's room is to keep the decor age appropriate. You wouldn't want to decorate your 3 year old daughter's room in the same style as your 13 year old daughter's room. That doesn't mean you have to start decorating all over every few years. What it means is that you should strive to create a room that will grow with your little girl /little boy but is age appropriate. Some helpful tips follow. Contemporary Rugs - Home Decorating With Contemporary Area Rugs Got a room that's crying out for a bright accent or a face lift? One of the quickest, cheapest ways to perk up your living space is with a new area rug. Not just any area rug, though. Today's contemporary designs and styles in area rugs can add a bright splash of color to the décor of any room, from a traditional living room to the most contemporary of Danish Modern living rooms. Color Determines The Tone Of Your Flowers Arrangements Color is influential in every aspect of our lives. It conveys a warm or cool feeling and can draw you in or divert attention. It can create feelings of cheerfulness, sadness, love or tranquility. In flower arranging knowing how to blend colors together can make or break your design so careful thought should go into your choice of colors before you start. How a Good Bedroom Design Can Boost Your Confidence Do you know that your bedroom is responsible for who you are right now. Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks Known for its harsh winters, its many local artisans, and an abundance of hard woods unique to the area, Triberg in the Black Forest is the prime location for the production of cuckoo clocks. Even today, most of the world's supply of cuckoo clocks still comes from Germany, mostly from the Black Forest area. There are imitators out there but beware ? if it's not from Germany or Austria it may not be a high quality, hand-carved cuckoo clock. What is a Duvet Cover? A Duvet Cover is actually just another name for a Bed Comforter Cover. It's like a very large pillow case, is is normally used to cover a down comforter. Using a duvet cover makes changing your bedroom decor quick and easy, and it's much easier to clean than a full comforter. How to Properly Clean Hardwood Floors Good care and maintenance of a hardwood floor enhances its life and appearance. Solid hardwood floors can be easily cleaned, and a daily cleaning routine is a must in order to protect the floors from grit and dirt that are most damaging problems. They create scratches, dents and dulling in the smooth finish layer of the flooring. Floor mats help in protecting the smooth layer of flooring by trapping dirt. Do not allow water to collect on the floor, as it can warp. Neutral pH cleansers developed for wood floors should be used for best results. Do not drag furniture over these floors. Felt contacts for legs are a must to avoid scratches on the flooring. A vacuum with a brush attachment is the right choice for cleaning the floor. Exposing the floor to direct sun could cause discoloring. Use drapes, curtains, blinds to block direct sun light. Floors should be swept regularly, and dust mops are recommended for dust. Decorating Ideas for a Baby Nursery Creating a comfortable area for your baby is important to many parents. That is why so many parents are interested in decorating ideas for a baby nursery. Developing a warm and pleasant nursery is imperative because a significant amount of the baby's initial life and the parent's time will be spent in this room. It is easy to create a comfortable and warm nursery while maintaining all the necessities. Some great decorating ideas for a baby nursery include a forest, a sky, and a primary color room. Many parents like the idea of a forest for a baby's nursery because it brings the outdoors inside. A Guide to Duvet Covers A duvet is a type of bedding, similar to a comforter. Duvets (pronounced do-vey) are very popular in Europe and are catching on in the rest of the world. It is a type of blanket filled with down, wool or synthetic fibers that is used put on top of a fitted sheet, in place of a second sheet and other blankets. Home Decorating Tips - How to Change a Rooms Dimension using Wall Pictures The Basic Role of Pictures Building Your Own Grandfather Clock Timeless and elegant, classic and stately-grandfather clocks are all of those things. They are also rather expensive, with heirloom-quality grandfather clocks costing upwards of $10,000, making them inaccessible to much of the population. However, with just a little bit of money and a lot of do-it-yourself spirit, anyone can own a grandfather clock. Pool Table Lights Guide: How To Light Up Your Game The proper pool table lights is critical to playing your best game of pool. The ideal pool table light fixture is attractive, unobtrusive, and provides just enough illumination without creating a glare. Choosing the right pool table lights for your home need not be difficult. Just keep a few points in mind. Types of Home Air Purifiers Room Air Purifiers Room air purifiers replaced tabletop units in the 1990s as the leading type of home air purifier. Tabletop units proved to be mostly ineffective, because of the inadequate volume of air being moved through the unit. Room air purifiers are almost as portable, and they are a lot more effective. There are three basic types of home air purifiers made for single-room use. Where to Buy Discount Down Comforters Many people love the look and feel of down comforters, but can't afford the high price tag. Luxury down comforters can cost in excess of $5000, more than some people's cars. Luckily, discount down comforters are available.
|
|
|
|
|
