6 Ways to Document and Protect Your Antique Collection
Documenting and caring for your antique collection is easier than ever. Learn six ways to do it properly.
On the Antiques Roadshow, myself and other antique appraisers find ourselves constantly shocked by the lack of documentation in the objects we see. As viewers, you hear the appraisers often discussing how a little documentation could mean a great deal in the ultimate value of the object.
This is certainly the case. Proper documentation can be the difference in thousands of dollars in regard to the value of your item. The good news is that documenting and caring for your collection is now easier than ever with technology.
Follow these 6 tips to care for your antique collection, and receive big dividends.
1. Photograph your items properly.
If you don't own a digital camera, buy an inexpensive Canon or Sony (usually $200 and under) and photograph every object in the house. Take group shots of each room of items.
2. Back up your files.
If you're computer savvy, download the images you take to your computer and make some disks that you can store outside the house. If you're not computer savvy, take your camera to a place that will make a disk or put it on a USB thumb drive.
3. Get help from an appraiser.
Buy a few hours of time from a recognized appraiser and ask them to walk through the house and point out important objects, fakes, conservation issues and range of values. Record this visit or take notes.
4. Write down important information.
Take the time to sit down and write a short paragraph on all of your important objects that were identified by the appraiser. Also, put this information on your disk or thumb drive. In the event of a house fire, you do not want to store this data in the same place.
5. Consider insurance options.
Economic times are tough, so insurance is an issue that each collector must address individually. Major collections that are covered, where premiums are based on appraised value, should be reassessed during economic downturns.
6. Protect yourself from disaster.
The greatest probability for loss is undoubtedly fire and breakage. Most good security systems offer a fire alarm component, however, a great deal of damage can be done before the fire department is on scene. If the budget can handle it, a policy covering this type of loss is important.
About this Angie’s List Expert: John Buxton is the owner of Arttrak, providing appraisal services in Dallas. Since 1973, Arttrak has specialized in appraisal authentication and consulting and the appraisal of African, pre-Columbian, oceanic and American Indian art. You can follow this #ALExperts contributor on Twitter @arttrak.
As of January 16, 2014, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.