Collecting Antique Cups? Three Common Practices You Should Avoid
Copyright (c) 2010 Christine McVeigh
The internet has been your scouring ground when you’re looking for antique cups to be included in your collection. You are looking at Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines to find the perfect antique cup and to probably get the best deal possible. On one side, your searching becomes overwhelming finding a lot of information about your indulgence—a lot of sites, a lot of antique cups.
People searching the internet for antique cups are looking for the best places to buy or sell antique cups, how they should look after them, how they can repair them and even how to spot fakes. This short article will look at what three things you should avoid.
All you have to do first is to get ample information about the type of antique cup you are looking for. Nevertheless, you could buy an antique cup for only one dollar. Not very much is it? But what do you get for your money?
Knowing more of the specifics is essential to good collecting. Such as what should an antique cup of that era, from that manufacturer and locality normally cost? Is the site reliable, you are looking at? Can you check the credentials of the seller?
Listed below are the three points you must avoid:
1. Avoid buying the first antique cup you find. Even if appears to be the right color, manufacturer and year, inquire about any cracks or stains that the cup has had. Photograph could hide cracks and stains on an antique cup. It’s too late once you have bought it. You can never be too careful when it comes to buying antique cups, especially when buying from a photograph.
2. Avoid buying from photographs. Are you sure that the photograph could really show you the real condition of the cup? Say, the handle. Handles are easily broken. It just takes a good glue to put the broken pieces back. If you’re happy with a glued on handle for a fraction of it’s normal price that is totally up to you. However, if you want an item with good quality – double check before you buy – if the photograph isn’t clear enough then you have the right to ask.
3. Avoid buying the markings on the cup. Does marking on the cup make it real? Don’t fall in love with the markings. It is possible for someone to add a marking on the bottom part of a cup or a plate, and before you know it you already bought a fake. This is a problem with the internet, researching, deciding and buying without seeing the product.
Your best option is to do your research first before you buy because once you have bought the antique cup it may not be so easy to return or get your money back. Despite the hassles, you surely want your antique cup to be worth the time, effort and cost.
Deal with each of these issues and you will increase your chances of buying an antique cup that you will be happy to add to your collection and enjoy each time you use the cups to serve your guest tea and coffee.
Strengthen your know-hows about antique–different periods of existence, manufacturers, styles and fashion–if you are really into collecting, buying or selling antique cups of good quality. Whether it’s for your next tea party or just adding to your collection, the more you learn the more you’ll know what you like and why you enjoy them so much.
About the Author
If you want to learn more about Antique Teapots, antique plates, tea sets or dishes please visit
http://www.antiqueplateworld.com
more tips, decorating ideas and information on the wonderful antique world. Good shopping. Christine Mcveigh is author of blog
http://www.antiqueplateworld.com
for eating, decorating, trading or collecting antique plates, Antique Dishes, Staffordshire, vintage, Victorian, Chinese or English porcelain.
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