Along the way, as we strolled through flea market booths, attended estate sales, and browsed the many aisles of second-hand stores and out-of-way antique shops, we even picked up some fascinating facts and loads of information about manufacturers, product lines, pattern identification and the like.
However, at the end of a day's travels we do not hold ourselves out as "experts" or "accredited" appraisers. Collecting as a whole remains largely a hobby for us as we maintain our business in the secondary market of restaurant ware china.
While we will attempt to answer all emails with our general knowledge and pass along what we have learned through our journeys, we do not claim to have all the answers or know precise details about the many manufacturers or many restaurant ware pieces. We will leave that end of the business for the experts and as such
do not provide appraisals or give out approximate values by email, as we believe that they are most accurate when the appraiser can view and handle the item(s) in person. We do however, research our items through bookstores, the local libraries, make use of
reference books, old magazines, the Internet, fellow collectors, and other resources that may offer-up some clue in our search.
Since researching restaurant and diner ware items can be an entertaining pastime, we would encourage you to do the same and spend some time at your local library or bookstore discovering what you can about your particular pieces. Acquiring as many books as possible that pertain to your collection is also highly recommended. You can locate inexpensive, second-hand books at flea markets, second-hand shops, local bookstores, and even around the
Internet.
If you do find yourself in need of a professional appraisal, we would again recommend that you visit an appraiser in your local area --one who can examine your item in person. Refer to your local telephone directory for a list of certified appraisers. If one is not available in your area or it is just not feasible, then another alternative we might suggest is to visit the services of an online appraiser to assist you.
Once such site is WhatsItWorthToYou. Remember, they will be relying on you to provide as much information as possible about the item(s) you want appraised. So try to be as accurate and descriptive as possible. The more precise the information you can provide the appraiser, the more accurate (and quicker) their appraisals will be.
And since you're already here, why not buzz over to the
American Society of Appraisers website and pick up some general information on the appraisal process.
LINKS
OF INTEREST FOR THE COLLECTOR
These links are but only a few of the many resources out there. If you would like to add your site or favorite links, please feel free to do so. We hope we have been able to provide you with a little insight into our collectible niche and you find this page of some value. Good luck in your collecting adventures!
Content found on these websites is not always the opinion of thebeesknees.biz. These independent websites are not a part of thebeesknees.biz, and we did not provide input on their content.
