What is an Antique?
Something old, something new, not necessarily something blue. How do we know what is actually an antique or not? Many people have devised definitions over the years, some not necessarily for worth reasons or cause.
A "legal antique" at least in the United States is something 100 years old, promulgated by the U.S. Customs Service for duty and tax purposes. In general, the sometimes-accepted definition of an antique is an object that pre-dates the mass production of objects that began in the 1830s with the invention of the circular saw and other mechanized tools. U.S. Customs works on a sliding scale for recognition of a property as antique, stating that an object must be 100 years old. These definitions don’t solve the problem of defining”antique" for the expert or the curious.
Growing up I always heard "40 years" and that stayed with me for sometime. Then I read the U.S. Customs version, but who decided this was accurate? Ask 20 people for the definition of an antique and rest assured you'll get 20 varying answers.
What about authenticity and originality? Does a reproduction from 1900 qualify as an antique? Certainly original objects can be considered antique. The first radio, a crystal set was introduced in 1912. A 1909 Standard Disc Model A phonograph is still waiting to be defined as an "official" antique.
Depression Glass, especially from the late 20's and 1930's is collectible but in my opinion also an antique. The first desktop computer or Atari video game is not, nor is the first cell phone.
Abundance and lack thereof may well serve as one guideline to determining an antique, age another. Hoosier cabinets are to be found, not necessarily in abundance but are somewhat of a rarity? Shouldn't this popular piece of furniture be more than a mere collectible? Why not an antique?
There are also many self-made guidelines in determining an antique. Many would say the turn of the century, specific events in history such as the Civil War, World War I or II. If it's sold in an antique mall, antiques store, flea market the item is still not an antique although this is the criterion of some.
Let us provide some criteria many of us can agree on, hopefully.
- Age - some value may be derived by age; the item should be old.
- Original construction - the item should be original, not derived from old or newer parts.
- Period of Design - The item should be from the period of design not being a reproduction from a particular era or time.
This article is developing as I do more research.
If you can contribute please email me. |
