An estate sale is typically held after a person’s death. They can also be held after a divorce or simply because someone wants to downsize their home. They differ from garage sales in that they typically sell items of much higher value. Estate sales are great places to find valuable gems and antique items that might be worth a fortune. You never know what could be hidden in those drawers! They’re also great places to find home decorations and furniture, especially if you want a timeless, vintage aesthetic in your home. Let’s look at some of the best ways to find valuable antiques at estate sales to help you score some incredible vintage items.
Do Your Research Beforehand
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Before heading to an estate sale with no prior knowledge or idea of what you’re looking for, it’s a good idea to do some research beforehand. Study the types of antiques you’re interested in, including key characteristics, materials, initial cost, and manufacturers, to recognize valuable items at estate sales. This will make it easier to spot these items without digging around or wasting time researching when you’re at the sale.
Attend Multiple Estate Sales
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
There’s a reason the Law of Averages exists! Hit as many estate sales as possible to increase your chances of finding rare pieces or valuable items. The more estate sales you hit, the more likely you’ll hit the jackpot with valuable antiques. Besides, who wouldn’t want to spend a day shopping for vintage items?
Look for Estate Sales in Older Homes
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Because estate sales typically happen after a person’s death, estate sales held in older homes may have antique furniture, art, and collectibles that could be valuable and date back multiple years. While you shouldn’t skip estate sales in new homes, it’s better to manage your time so you prioritize ones in older homes.
Ask About the History of the Items
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
There’s no one better to speak to than the person selling the items! Speak with the seller or estate sale organizer to learn about the history and provenance of items. Even though there’s a chance they’re not a professional, it will at least provide insight into their value. You’ll also have a fun story to tell and undoubtedly learn a thing or two about what they’re selling.
Look for Signed or Marked Pieces
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
People typically mark high-value items because it makes them unappealing to thieves. It’s a way to prevent them from stealing them, which is why it’s also one of the best ways to see if you’re buying something valuable. You can quickly check for signatures, stamps, or maker’s marks on furniture, pottery, and art. If you’re not familiar with the signature, a quick Google search will help you.
Check for Provenance
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Learning about what you’re buying, where it came from, and the history of ownership is always a good idea. This is called provenance. Knowing this can also increase an antique’s value. You can ask about previous ownership if the item came from a prestigious collection. Once you have more information about where the item came from, you can do your research from there.
Evaluate the Item’s Condition
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Even if an antique is of good quality, it could still be of poor quality. Evaluating its condition is an essential step in determining its value. Often, it’s the first step and the easiest one since it can be done quickly. Some imperfections, such as patina, which develops a surface sheen or wear that naturally occurs over time, can add value to antiques, especially if they align with the piece’s age and history. Avoid purchasing things with large dents or a lot of discoloration.
Bring a Magnifying Glass
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
This might sound strange, but there’s a reason magnifying glasses exist! You’ll be thankful you have a magnifying glass when inspecting intricate details like stamps, signatures, or signs of age. All of these indicate authenticity. These will help you spot things that are hard to see with the naked eye.
Keep an Eye Out for Limited-Edition Items
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
It might seem obvious, but looking for unique or limited-edition items is essential. Start by looking for vintage jewelry, old hardware, rare furniture, and collectible wooden or tin toys, which are often highly valuable. You might also spot baseball cards, Pokemon cards, or basketball cards.
Check for Antique Furniture Styles
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Research is essential to checking out valuable items and familiarizing yourself with antique furniture styles, such as Chippendale, Queen Anne, and Art Deco. By knowing what brands to look for ahead of time, you’ll be one step ahead and able to recognize valuable pieces easily and quickly at estate sales. There might even be furniture from brands you’ve never heard of, which is why prior research will help tremendously.
Look for High-Quality Materials
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
If an item is valuable, you’ll first notice that it’s made from high-quality, valuable material. Familiarizing yourself with this material is the first and easiest step to recognizing what you’re looking for. Oftentimes, valuable antiques are made from high-quality materials such as solid wood, like oak, mahogany, and walnut, or fine porcelain and sterling silver.
Ask for Discounts on Items
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Negotiation is key here! Find an item that’s slightly damaged, dented, or discolored. You may be able to negotiate a lower price, especially if it’s still in good condition or of historical significance. There’s no harm in asking; the worst they could say is no. You might get a huge discount if you ask politely and curiously.
Get There Early
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
It’s always a good reason to beat the crowds! Arriving early gives you the first pick of the items, and you may be able to find valuable antiques before others scoop them up. There will be other people doing the same thing you are. Getting there at the start is better so you can dig through everything without having to share the space with anyone else.
Look for Estate Sale Catalogs
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
You can even get a better jump start by leafing through estate catalogs. Some estate sales provide catalogs ahead of time, offering images and descriptions of the items for sale. You can thoroughly review each item without seeing it in person. You’ll be able to spot gems early on without digging through other items. You can head straight for the gems when you arrive early and start haggling.
Understand the Market
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
As you would with stocks, keep your eye on the antique market! Items’ values fluctuate, so keeping up with trends is essential. Knowing the current demand for specific antiques can help you identify items likely to be appreciated. These are the items you want to look for and grab right when you see them!
Look for Mid-Century Modern Furniture
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Watch for items from the 1940s to the 1970s. Mid-century modern furniture has grown in popularity and is now highly collectible and valuable. Many people are designing their homes using mid-century furniture, and you might want to, too. Research and study furniture and art from this period to familiarize yourself. You’ll be able to easily spot them at an estate sale.
Research the Artist or Maker
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Researching famous or popular artists who produced antiques during specific periods is always a good idea before you head to an estate sale. That way, if you come across a painting, sculpture, or other artwork at an estate sale, you’ll have insider background knowledge and can assess if the price is worth it and how it’s valued. It might be harder to come across a famous painting, but if you do, you’re in luck!
Understand Antique Jewelry
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Jewelry has always been valuable, and antique jewelry is no different. This is especially true when it’s jewelry from specific periods (like Victorian, Art Deco, or Georgian) or by well-known designers. These antique items can be especially valuable if they feature high-quality gems, like diamonds, rubies, aquamarine, topaz, or amethyst, or precious metals like gold or silver, so keep an eye out for antique sales for jewelry.
Examine the Craftsmanship
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
There’s a good reason why handcrafted items are always more valuable than mass-produced pieces. Handcrafted items, whether furniture or jewelry, are often more valuable due to their unique quality. There might only be one in existence! You can quickly check if it’s mass-produced through a quick Google search.
Check for Rare Books
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Just like jewelry, rare books, especially first editions or books signed by the author, especially famous authors, can be highly valuable. Look for books with well-preserved dust jackets, crucial historical significance, or limited print runs. You can tell how valuable a book is by its cover—you can judge it here! Older books have worn-down, faded covers. Philosopher Plato and author Mary Shelley are two famous people who have published books, so keep your eyes out for them.
Focus on Regional Antiques
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
This applies to you if you live in or near a big city, especially in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Boston. Local or regional antiques, such as furniture or pottery made by specific artisans in a particular area, may be sought after by collectors. This is where you’ll find unique, original paintings and other pieces not found in smaller towns.
Look for Antique Grandfather or Handheld Clocks
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Old clocks, such as mantels, grandfather clocks, or others from renowned makers, are incredibly valuable. This includes miniature clocks, such as watches or analog handheld pocket clocks. Look for clocks with a unique style and design, rare characteristics, intricate, delicate carvings or details, and ones that are still in excellent condition.
Pay Attention to Art Glass
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Another item you’ll want to look for is art glass. Due to its craftsmanship and scarcity, art glass by makers like Murano, Lalique, or Steuben is often valuable. Not only are they valuable, but they’re also wonderful to use as decorations. Place art glass next to your vintage bookcase for a unique look, or use them as a vase to hold flowers.
Look for Vintage Toys
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Toys are way more valuable than you might think! Collectible toys from the early 20th century, such as tin or wooden toys, are often sought after by collectors. Even Polly Pockets, Furbies, and the original Barbie dolls are valuable. Those toys produced in small quantities are much more valuable than mass-produced ones, like most toys you’ll find today. Not only are they valuable, but they’ll also provoke a sense of nostalgia for those selling or buying them!
Be On the Lookout for Antique Rugs
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Not only do antique rugs give your home a timeless aesthetic, but Persian or Oriental rugs, especially those with intricate patterns and quality materials, can be highly valuable and sought after. Besides, who wouldn’t want to deck out their living room in an Oriental rug from Asia? In addition to their unique patterns, the rarity of antique rugs makes them much more valuable than any other rug you’d find on the market.
Look for Pottery and Porcelain
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
When pottery or porcelain has cultural value and is rare, it could potentially be worth a lot of money! Keep your eye out for unique pottery and porcelain when you’re at an estate sale, especially one that sells items from all over the world. Likely, their pottery is from another country. Make sure you look for certain types of antique pottery, particularly by renowned makers like Wedgewood, Royal Worcester, or Limoges that can be valuable.
Examine Old Photographs or Ephemera
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
It might not seem like it, but old photographs, vintage letters, and other historical documents (ephemera) can sometimes be more valuable than you might expect. This is especially true if they relate to a significant historical figure, such as a famous musician, political family, actor, or event. For example, look for documents, letters, or photographs from the Great Depression or World War II era.
Check for Antique Sterling Silverware
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Sterling silver flatware and serving pieces, like silver-plated china, especially those from famous makers, are often worth a lot and can be identified by their hallmarks or brands. Silverware typically has a rich history that could date back centuries. It’s also made from pure silver, which is why it’s so valuable, similar to anything gold. Like silver-plated china, it is sought after because of its incredible craftsmanship and historical significance.
Learn to Spot Fake Antiques
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Even with this valuable knowledge, you’ll need to learn how to spot fake antiques by researching standard reproduction techniques used on furniture, art, or jewelry. The older and more worn down something looks, the better! Avoid purchasing items that look too new for their age. They likely do not hold much value because they were mass-produced or not created by a well-known or famous artist.
Look for Vintage Mirrors
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Like many other vintage items, keep looking for antique mirrors, especially those in ornate frames. These can be valuable, especially if they’re from another country. Keep your eyes out for ones made with high-quality glass or antique frames from notable historical periods. If you manage to score a mirror from the 20th century, chances are, it’s highly valuable! Who knows what castle that mirror could have been in?
Look for Vintage Musical Instruments
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Imagine playing with a vintage instrument dating back nearly a century. Antique violins, pianos, or other musical instruments can be valuable, mainly because famous manufacturers make them or have historical significance. Some instruments could have been used in performances over a century ago. Chatting with the owner at the estate sale is a great way to learn more about the history of the instrument.
Assess the Lighting Fixtures
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
If you’ve ever walked into a historic home, museum, or castle, one of the first things you probably noticed were the antique chandeliers, sconces, and lamps hanging from the walls and around the room, particularly those made with crystal, brass, or vintage glass. Because of their value and possible historical ties, collectors often seek them. Besides, vintage lighting fixtures are great focal points in any living room!
Inspect the Hardware
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
If you find a drawer of vintage hardware, you’re in luck! Antique hardware, such as old locks, doorknobs, or drawer pulls, can be valuable, exceptionally if crafted from high-quality materials or with historical value. Make sure you inspect them for possible markings that could indicate their brand or age.
Watch for Vintage Clothing
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Vintage clothing is not only in style, but they can be incredibly valuable! There’s often a reason why vintage shops sell high-priced clothing, not because they’re trying to rip you off. Vintage clothing, especially designer dresses or pieces from significant fashion eras, can be a hidden gem at an estate sale, so make sure you head to the clothing racks while searching for items.
Attend Estate Sales in High-Value Neighborhoods
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Similarly to going to an estate sale in a big city, estate sales in wealthy or historic neighborhoods are more likely to feature valuable antiques or items of cultural significance. They’re better than heading to small-town estate sales, where the items may not be as valuable or hold as much historical significance.
Bring a Knowledgeable Friend or Expert
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
If in doubt, you can always bring a knowledgeable friend or expert to help you search for valuable antique items! Bring a friend with more experience, or even hire an expert appraiser to help you assess items during the sale. They’ll be able to successfully show you the ropes so you can go alone the next time.