How to Avoid Ruining Your Antiques

	Treasure to Trash

You've spent your valuable time and money to collect treasured antiques.

They're probably displayed throughout your home or office, with more precious objects stored in drawers or cabinets.

But no matter how clean the environment in which they're housed, antiques get dusty, dirty and even greasy. Old photographs begin to fade; marble sculptures start to discolor. What can you do?

Before you break out the polish or duster, realize that it's very possible to ruin an antique -- and significantly lessen its value -- if you don't know the best mode for upkeep.

To keep from making a costly mistake, here are the most common ways antiques get damaged, and how you can prevent these problems.

Condition With Care

No owner would intentionally harm an antique, but certain actions to improve condition can really cut value. Consider the following examples from a range of antiques dealers.

For a Loetz extruded-handle vase from about 1900, the top was "cut down" in size to remove chips around the rim. Repaired value: $300 to $500. Mint-condition value: $15,000 to $18,000. Similarly, on a Tiffany Lilly Pond desk lamp, the bronze base was overpolished, removing the original baked-on ornamental patina. Repaired value: $20,000 to $25,000. Mint-condition value: $30,000 to $40,000.

Likewise, damage by inaction can be just as punishing. A 1925 first-edition copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby without its dust jacket is worth $1,500; with dust jacket, the value is $10,000. Proper protection here is the best method to preserve value -- for example, keeping the book out of direct light, so sunlight doesn't fade and destroy the dust jacket.

A late 1800s Albert Bierstadt panoramic landscape engraving marred with foxing -- brown spots or stains resembling paw prints -- is in a similar position. Damaged value: $4,000. Mint-condition value: $6,000. Unlike the dust jacket, foxing can be corrected by a professional conservator. The cost can be substantial but the increased value, in some instances, could justify it.

To find a professional conservator, contact the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (202-452-9545).