Antique Trader Books

An all-access pass to America's first (and favorite) reality television program -- boasting over ten million viewers each week -- Antiques Roadshow!

If you're a fan of PBS's top-rated Antiques Roadshow, you've probably wondered -- what would it take to get your family treasure on the program? What happens to the antiques after the show airs? Are the appraisers ever wrong? And will Antiques Roadshow come to my hometown?

In this four-color, fully illustrated guide to America's favorite treasure-hunting program, Antiques Roadshow Behind the Scenes reveals inside information about the participants, the appraisers, the fans, and the antiques that make up the show, direct from the woman who makes it all happen -- executive producer Marsha Bemko. Learn what it really takes to put on a Roadshow event (and why certain cities are more likely to get a visit from the show than others), who gets chosen to be on air (and what items producers are really looking for), what it takes to be an appraiser (and how even the experts make mistakes) and what happens when things go terribly wrong (such as the occasional antique that turns out to have been stolen!). In addition, learn which books, websites, and resources your favorite appraisers recommend, and get updates on some of the most popular and notorious items ever featured on the show.

From priceless tips to the juicy family secrets hidden in dusty heirlooms, Antiques Roadshow Behind the Scenes is both an invaluable resource and a fascinating slice of Americana.

The simple but brilliant attraction of the popular PBS series is that deep down inside, everyone wonders if that family heirloom or flea-market antique in the corner of the living room has any real value. Antiques Roadshow Primer can help you answer that question. Carol Prisant, who writes about antiques and collectibles for Martha Stewart Living, House Beautiful, and New York, quickly notes in her introduction, however, that this is a primer--an introduction to the basics of antiques--and does not presume to make the reader an instant expert.

In that vein, the focus is on the bread and butter of the antique world: silver, glass, pottery, porcelain, books, paintings, jewelry, rugs, clocks, and furniture. These are the items that are not trendy (Barbie dolls, 1920s beaded bags) and subject to massive fluctuations in price and value. Instead, Prisant points out, they are the types of items that are good for the long haul and, she notes, the front hall. So how do you determine if an heirloom is worth something? The following tips are offered when inspecting furniture: run your fingers underneath or over the back of the piece--very sharp edges and corners indicate recent manufacture. Remove one screw in some inconspicuous spot. An old, handmade screw will have irregular widths between the spirals, running the whole length of the shaft. The slot in the head may be off-center. Look for the distinctive curved pattern left in sawn wood by the teeth of a circular saw--it is one important sign of manufacture after 1840.

Prisant also reveals tricks of the trade for inspecting diamonds: place the gem against your upper lip, she advises. If it's glass--the oldest imitator of a diamond--it will not feel cold at all, while a real diamond will. Definitions are also offered for "antique furniture" (any object 100 years old or older, according to the U.S. government), "used furniture" (secondhand furniture less than 100 years old), and "period furniture" (made when its design was first popular and new; generally the most valuable of antique furniture). At its best, Antiques Roadshow Primer instills a sense of genuine interest and enthusiasm, much like the PBS show, by making the antiques and collectibles world less of a stuffy discussion about an untouchable item behind lock and key and more about drawing connections to the heirloom in the corner. --John Russell

The perfect companion for an afternoon of antique shopping, AntiqueSpeak is an accessible lexicon for the &"decorative arts." Because of its alphabetical organization, this book is an ideal reference, boasting clear, concise essays on styles, techniques, and materials. Entries range from brass to Renaissance, from baroque to needlework, and span from Spain's Hispano-Moresque in 1300 to 1930s modernism. More complex entries such as "Georgian," "Regence," and "Victorian" are broken down into "Who, When, Where, What," enabling readers to understand each term in many different contexts.

The more committed antique hunter or student may want to read the book from cover to cover, absorbing the broader scope and considering the relationships between essays. The chronological style chart allows readers to follow the progression of various movements, and a comprehensive bibliography opens the door to further exploration. Kudos to curator Kathryn B. Hiesinger and cohort George Marcus, who have created a marvelous guide to understanding the often opaque language of the decorative arts.

“This is a fun and painless way to give yourself a firm grounding in the wide wonderful world of antiques and collectibles.”
Kyle Husfloen, Managing Editor, Antique Trader Weekly and Antique Trader’s Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide

Do you love to poke around estate sales and antique shops, but can’t tell the difference between Queen Anne and Queen Victoria furniture? Do you dream of owning that old Oriental rug or Meissen figurine — but worry that the dealer might gouge you on the price? Do you own pieces you think might be valuable — but don’t know where to go for a reliable appraisal? Relax. Antiquing For Dummies answers all your antiquing questions—and more.

Whether you’re a beginner or you’ve already gotten your feet wet, this fun, friendly guide will give you the savvy you need to cruise, schmooze, bargain for, and care for antiques with confidence. In no time you’ll be able to:

• Tell the difference between real antiques and stuff that’s just old
• Develop an antique hunt plan of attack
• Select antiques based on the 5 key points of the “RADAR Test”
• Discover hidden treasures at garages, estate sales, auctions, and shops
• Get the best deals when buying and selling antiques
• Decorate with antique glass and porcelain from around the world
• Clean and care for your precious finds
• Work an auction—real-time and online

Writing with humor and common sense, Ron Zoglin and Deborah Shouse demystify the highfaluting terminology of the antique world. And step-by-step they walk you through all the antiquing essential, including:

• Different furniture styles and periods of furniture and how to distinguish them
• Dovetails, nails, and other construction elements that offer clues to a piece’s age
• Where to go for the best antique bargains — includes tips on how to bid at auctions in person or online
• All about antique glass, ceramics and silver
• Integrating antiques into your life at home and at the office

Antiquing For Dummies gets you up and running with what you need to know to find, research, and negotiate prices like a pro.