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What should be considered in an American collectibles guide? Must the items be made in the US? Or offered by recognized collectible enterprises like the Bradford Exchange?
Certainly items that satisfy these conditions should be included in an American collectibles guide, but the field is wider than that.
Consider implements and instruments brought the North American by emigrants. Fine instruments and timepieces used on sailing ships to reckon position at sea, specialty tools for beginning industries in the new world, or printing presses imported before there were facilities to make them on the North American continent. All of these can be considered American, as they were essential to the creation of the country.
What about the luxuries brought to this continent and kept as family heirlooms? These should be part of an American collectibles guide. So are the souvenirs brought home by the thousands by returning military personnel and vacationers: Hummel figurines, saki sets, Inuit carvings, textiles from South American and Spain. I would say that all of these things become American by their residence here and the love their owners have for them.
So where does this American collectibles guide suggest you begin? Probably with something that has been in the family. With questions like: Where was it made? How old is it? Is it valuable? The answers to these questions may not be easy to find. But the search for answers can be fun and informative. Learn the family history of the item if possible. This may give you a place to start looking for additional information, such as where it was made and its age. Books and magazines on collectibles are available at large libraries. If you find you have sufficient interest, subscribe to a magazine or two. As you read them, you will probably find other things that strike your interest, and you will learn a great deal.
Books giving values for collectibles as frequently out of date as prices rise and fall, based on many factors. But they can still show you other items of a similar nature that you can consider adding to your collection. Check your used bookstores for collector’s books that may be out of date price-wise but still have lots of valuable information. Find dealers and specialty sales houses that publish catalogs. A great deal can be learned from their advertisements and catalogs. Go to city-wide garage sales, specialty shows and flea markets. You will be able to increase your exposure to the items you are interested in even if you are not ready to buy, and dealers are usually quite willing to talk to anyone interested in their items.
Once you feel you know enough to begin buying, or just can’t wait any longer, start small. You will make mistakes and buy reproductions or items that have been mended, but that is OK. It is part of the learning process, and less-desirable items can be upgraded as you collect. If you truly love it, it is worth what you paid.
One caveat. A deal too good to be true IS too good to be true. The only measure of worth you need to consider is if the item is worth the price TO YOU. Considering it’s future “value” will only give you heartburn. Let dealers and the professionals worry about that. You are collecting things you have an interest in or love for themselves.
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