Can you still get an antique clock at the right price? With the falling stock markets and house prices around the world more and more people are seeing their wealth they have amassed deteriorate before their very eyes. Smart investors are cashing in their stocks and bonds and buying tangible assets. Assets they can actually see and touch that will increase in value and edge against inflation.This article will aim to help you decide where you will buy your clocks from.

Classified Advertisements. There are two main points to remember when scanning through the local or national classified ads.

1. There are, as in all trades and types of business unscrupulous people that place small ads without declaring that they are ‘trade’ unlike bona fide clock dealers, they are not knowledgeable horologists and sell through the classified section in the belief there will be no comeback, when you later discover on closer inspection your clock is not as advertised. Beware of the lovely retired old couple selling a clock that has been in the family since Noah built the ark and had just stopped running as you walked in the front door.

2. Take note of the traveling distance. Despite these drawbacks, there are bargains to be had right now as the credit crunch takes hold and people need cash. Always remember the golden rule. Make sure the clock the seller is selling is theirs to sell before parting with any money. Always get a signed receipt, which ideally should include a good description of the clock, clearly stating any identifying marks, particularly maker’s name on the dial or identifying marks on the movement.

General Antique Shops. It seems there is at least one antique shop in every town you go to. These range from the smart up market antique shops which are well respectable establishments usually selling high quality restored clocks for which they expect top prices. At the other end of the spectrum there is the downmarket back street bric-a-brac shop, they may have clocks for sale but inevitably will be of low quality, the clocks may be working but you will find these traders do not offer much of a guarantee. This can only be viewed as a lack of belief in the reliability of the clocks they have to offer.

Auctions. If you check out your local directory you will find any number of auction rooms and auctioneers and valuers listed. Some of the larger firms could have specialist sales for clocks two or three times a year, all will have some sort of antique auction at least once a month and general sales and house-clearance weekly.

All the auctions will have one or two viewing days before the start and most publish some sort of catalogue giving you a little time to check things out. Each lot is sold as seen with all descriptions given in good faith. Sole responsibility is on you the bidder to satisfy him/her self that all is well before bidding. To make a bid on any lot you will be required to register and will receive a numbered card or paddle with which you will indicate your willingness to make a bid for your chosen lot to the auctioneer.

The golden rule when bidding at any auction is to write down the maximum amount you are prepared to pay for each lot on your catalogue at the days viewing before the auction If any particular lot reaches one penny more than your maximum amount written down, then walk away before you find yourself in a bidding frenzy and tempted to pay more than you had intended. Accept that the clock was not meant for you.

Collecting antique furniture pieces are considered as a prime financial investment and a superb way of decorating houses and other sites. As such, many people have considered antique collection as one of the most rewarding hobbies and activities that one can engage in. However, a serious antique furniture collector should take note of the following factors;

The Style of the Antique Furniture

Most antique sellers classify their products through style names such as Louis XV, Queen Anne, and many others. Usually, the style of the furniture piece plays an important role in determining its value. Furniture pieces which have styles and designs which originate from centuries before are considered as more valuable than those which possess more recent designs. Also, the more unique or customized the style is, the more expensive will the furniture piece be.

The Originality of the Antique Furniture

It is important to determine if a piece is a reproduction or not. One can easily determine if the furniture is an original piece through the hardware that is used in the furniture.

Examine the nails and screws that were used. Note that screws were only used in furniture pieces during the later half of the 19th century. Others shapes, types, and lengths of nails were used in furniture making in varying points in history as well.

Apart from that, check the edges of the furniture. Note that early years of furniture construction only made use of handsaws. Thus, most old-age furniture pieces have ragged edges. If there are any differences in various pieces of hardware that was used in the piece, it may be a sign that the original parts of the antique have already been replaced.

The Age of the Antique Furniture

This factor is a prime consideration when collecting antique furniture pieces. Usually, the more aged the piece is, the more valuable it will be. Among the most notable periods in the history of furniture construction are Chippendale (mid-to-late 1700s), Empire Period (1830 – 1850) and Victorian (1850 – 1910). Note that one can identify the historical age of the furniture piece according to its style and design.

However, the antique collector should be aware that there are cases when appearance, design, and functionality supersede the value given to the furniture’s age. This is often the case for tables, chairs, cabinets, wardrobes, and other large furniture pieces that are not suitable for mere display and decorative purposes.