Malcolm Katt
One must-have is the Antique Trader Guide to Fakes & Reproductions by Mark Chervenka, a well-known authority on reproductions. This book, with 800 color photographs of original pieces and fakes, is an excellent guide to spotting the telltale signs of fakes across various fields: glass, pottery, folk art, furniture, marbles, china and porcelain, jewelry, silver and toys. The section on scientific instruments alone is worth the price of the book -- it tells you how to figure out whether a piece is old or new (tip: just look for hidden plastic parts).
Likewise, get to know the recognized experts in you field of collecting and learn from them, whether through their books or Web sites. Visit antiques and collectibles shows as well as dealer's shops, where you can talk to the experts and glean how to spot fakes and reproductions. Or join a collectors club that specializes in your area of interest, taking advantage of members' expertise by attending meetings and club conventions. Another good venue for learning is at auction previews, where you can actually handle the object before the sale. Make notes in the sales catalog about characteristics of items you collect so you can research them further. Museums are also a wealth of information, enabling you to view the real thing. Finally, supplement these traditional paths with the latest information. Repronews, an online database of fakes and reproductions, has continuous updates on the latest ersatz items as they are discovered, as well as a database of past articles. Hundreds of categories are covered, ranging from apothecary jars and Civil War swords to trade signs and yo-yos. Articles are researched in consultation with leading collectors, dealers, clubs and institutions. Another online resource is Reproalert, an extensive list of other fake and reproduction Internet sites relating to items from advertising and character timepieces, art prints, toys and trading cards.Always Know Your Dealer
The easiest way to avoid acquiring a fake antique or collectible is to buy only from a reputable dealer. At the Christie Antique Fair near Dundas, Ontario, I once ignored this advice and paid $345 for a butterfly banner stone, a beautifully smooth rock with an striking color pattern. I was told this Native American relic was 3,000 to 5,000 years old. I later took my purchase to Don Ellis, who operates a gallery in that specializes in North American native artifacts. Ellis told me that a genuine banded-slate banner stone could fetch as much as $10,000 on the market; mine, he said, was nothing more than a painted rock, dating back possibly to 1970 or even the late 1990s. The value? $50. Always check for seller certification. Membership in the Antiques Dealers' Association of America, for instance, will ensure that you're purchasing from professional antiques dealers who are required to guarantee their merchandise, in writing on a sales slip, stating approximate age, origin, condition and restoration, if any, of all pieces they sell. If you're just getting started on your collection, buying from an accredited dealer is preferable. Although eBay (EBAY Quote - Cramer on EBAY - Stock Picks) may be tempting, you cannot personally examine an item and must depend on the descriptions and photos provided by the seller. Especially if the seller's policy is "all sales final," it's usually not worth getting involved. If an online seller has a reasonable no-hassle return policy, however -- so that you can examine the item and compare it to genuine examples in reference books or other resources -- you could take the chance. |
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