Antiques, Collectibles, & Memorabilia: Do You Know the Difference? -

Home
>
Interior Design & Decorating
>
Antiques, Collectibles, & Memorabilia: Do You Know the Difference?

Antiques, Collectibles, & Memorabilia: Do You Know the Difference?

The world of antiques can be confusing. What's the difference between an antique and collectible? Aren't collectibles and memorabilia really the same thing? In this month's column, I'll de-mystify these terms, so that you'll be appropriately armed for your next antique adventure.

Antique

Basically, an antique is something old that has value because of aesthetic or historical reasons. Generally, if a piece is over 100 years old, it is considered an antique. Although, I do know that some people use the 50-year mark for Canadian pieces; the rationale being that Canada is a young country relative to places such as Europe and Asia. However, I'm old fashioned and apply the 100-year definition to Canadian pieces.

Collectible

A collectible is something that is less than 100 years old that has value because of aesthetic or historical reasons. This term fills the gap for valuables that aren't quite old enough to be an antique.

One category of collectible is items with intrinsic artistic merit. A stunning Art Deco table fits into this category. It was beautiful when it was made in the 1930s, is beautiful today and will still be beautiful when it hits the 100-year old mark.

A second category is mass-produced collectibles. Beanie Babies, trading cards and Hummel figurines fit into this category. They don't necessarily have a lot of artistic merit. But manufacturers have created desirability by producing limited editions.

Another category is items associated with particular people. For example, anything worn by the Beatles or Elvis Presley is collectible.

Memorabilia

There is a difference between collectibles and memorabilia. Collectibles are things that are ornamental. They never served an utilitarian purpose. A piece of memorabilia served a particular purpose. Movie posters, sports programs, cameras, television sets and musical instruments are all examples of items that fall into this category. Movie posters were used to sell movies. Sports programs were used to communicate information. And, cameras, television sets and musical instruments all serve a function.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He has appeared on a variety of television programs; does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has taught courses on antiques at the Learning Annex. Martin can be reached at http://www.takeaboo.com

In The News:

MIXING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA - 10 hours ago
INTERVIEW WITH AN EXPERT: If you're a collector, interior decorator Thomas Jayne has some suggestions for you on how to incorporate your treasured items, ...

Interior Decorating for Your Dollhouse
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 23, 2008
Decorate with simple furnishings in neutral colors. If your dollhouse will be a display item, then you have much more latitude in designing its interior. ...

Examiner.com
Interior Design Examiner
Examiner.com - Aug 26, 2008
Driven by a passion for design, Diane Leone is a Certified Interior Decorator who has produced award-winning interior decorating. ...

Who's That: Interior Decorator Nina Freudenberger is a designing woman
New York Post, NY - Aug 11, 2008
Who's That: Interior Decorator Nina Freudenberger is a designing womanIf interior decorator Nina Freudenberger had her way, weâ€™d all be living in pink ...

Home decor colors bring nature indoors
Great Falls Tribune, MT - 5 hours ago
The tints of international cuisines also are being reflected in today's decorating, with colors like French tarragon, champagne punch, gazpacho, ...

Dollhouses provide big educational opportunity
San Francisco Chronicle, USA - 18 hours ago
For the young interior designer, decorating is the best part. We may live in 21st century America, but a dollhouse gives us the chance to live in times past ...

US Labor Day Travel Likely to Drop, Continuing Summer Slide
Bloomberg - Aug 28, 2008
This year, because of construction delays on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the cost of gasoline, the owner of an interior-decorating business turned down an ...

The many shades of success
Westmount Examiner, Canada - Aug 14, 2008
In the fast paced world of interior decorating and display (IDD), if youâ€™re lucky, opportunity (and clients) come a knockinâ€™ on your door more than once in ...
Family Resource Centre offers guidance West Island Chronicle
all 3 news articles

Home and Garden Calendar
Indianapolis Star, United States - Aug 15, 2008
Interior decorating: 7 to 8:30 pm Prestwick Country Club, 5197 Fairway Drive, Avon. Presented by Decorating Den. Registration required. Free. ...

more to summer than stuff you never got done
Edmonton Journal, Canada - 1 hour ago
Her sweet recollection reminds me that even though my garden, photo album and interior decorating projects have been bumped to the fall, ...

interior decorating - Google News

Antiques, Collectibles, & Memorabilia: Do You Know the Difference?

Interior Design & Decorating