25 Tips

to Help You Shop Like a Pro

By Antique Alter Ego

Be sure to have your supplies

1 flashlight

+1 tape measure

+1 magnifying glass_________________________

= 3 things to remember before you go on your way

Glassware

• Always check for chips with the palm of

your hand. (The palm of your hand is

more sensitive than your fingertips!)

• Look at the piece with your flashlight.

It will help you spot chips or cracks.

Pottery

• Ping the piece with your finger.

It will ring! If there is a crack,

it will clack.

• Look at the bottom for names

or numbers.

• Transferred designs will have dots

under a magnifying glass.

Remember…

• Finding a small amount of damage can mean

there is more.

Look very carefully using your

magnifying glass.

• Damage can take away value.

Think carefully before you buy.

Books

• Your books should be neat and tidy, just like

you, so remember…C.O.M.B.

• Crinkled pages: Your book may have been wet

• Odor: If it smells musty, mold could be growing

• Mold: It looks like gray dust and hurts books

• Broken: Books need strong spines to last long

Prints

• Many of the rules that apply to books, also

applies to prints.

• Look very carefully for:

1. Crinkles

2. Mold

• Sometimes, prints are reproduced. If it looks

too good to be old, it may not be old!

Textiles

• Textiles are made to be used. Be sure to look

carefully at the entire piece.

• Most often, you will find stains.

It is very hard to get “set in” stains out.

• Fabric can get mildew. Stay away from this!

• Tears are another common problem. Some

tears can be repaired.

Furniture

• Furniture is used daily. If it is old, it will

have typical wear marks where hands or feet

would touch.

• Look at how it was built. Are the screws old?

• If there is more than one piece, make sure they

match.

Jewelry

• Fashion jewelry can be fun!

• Some of it is plastic and some of it is glass. To

tell the difference, tap it to your teeth!

Plastic will sound dull and glass will sound

louder and “brighter”.

Thank You

• Thank you for your time and attention.

• We hope you found this informative.

Antique Alter Ego

Finding the Treasures That Brighten Your Day

• Visit us on eBay and Etsy Copyright Antique Alter Ego 2010