Antiques Roadshow Primer-Introductory Guide to Antiques
I love "Antiques Roadshow" and never miss it. When I saw that there was a copy of the Roadshow Primer for sale, I just had to have it. It has taught me alot already! And, unlike the show, the hour usually flies by and then before you know it, it's over!
But now that I own the book, I can curl up anytime I want to and teach myself by reading on any subject I'm interested in. A great example would be the following: you have had a relatively old necklace from grandma and always wondered if the stones in it were real or fake. The book explains in detail how to find out how old it could possibly be by the stones. For instance, in the Victorian Era, garnets were used quite a bit. Before the 20th Century, colored stones were preferred. Diamonds began to be appreciated when the discovery of South African deposits (around 1870) made them affordable. You'll learn about color and clarity of diamonds. Also the different cuts of gemstones.
In this book you can find information on pottery "marks" and how to recognize them. You'll also learn by reading this book that a toy's age - from a collector's standpoint - is not important. Toys made before World War II are considered antique; and, toys made after the war are considered modern. Many collectors desire toys, interestingly enough, that are just a few decades old.
Some good examples are G.I. Joe and/or Barbie dolls.
Did you know in 'vintage' Teddy Bears, that all black bears and/or all white bears are highly sought after? And, in this book you'll learn that the United States government legally defines the term "antique" as being 100 years old or older. If you have an interest in coins or clocks, or even rugs, you'll learn in this book how to tell if your rug is antique, old, semi-old. There are many tips, not just from the author, but from the experts.
Carol Prisant, the author, has broken down this book in easy to read sections, and in each section, she explains how to tell if your item is old; is it valuable; where was it made? Was it American made or European made? Is your painting real or is it a fake?
She offers clues and many, many tips in each category. This book is so well worth having. I thought I knew alot about my favorite antiques, but I have learned so much more after reading this superb book.Read full review
