What is the value of an antique?
By 2004cqui
@2004cqui (2812)
United States
April 25, 2013 5:27pm CST
I've inherited another piece of family history. It's interesting to find the value of a family antique but this time what I realized the story behind this piece was of more value than it's financial value. It was given to my grandmother by her family before 1931. They were and are a wealthy family in North Dakota.
She married a man who was teaching in North Dakota who was offered a job and a piece of land in Minnesota, by Minnesota. I visited his homestead many times as a child to find a well built barn, the original house (which was in the 30s when the state of Minnesota insisted teachers had a college degree. The house never was wired for electricity or had a telephone. But once my grandmother was introduced to the public busing system in the Twin cities when mom and dad brought her to their house in the suburbs she was always going to downtown Minneapolis.
I think the real value of this piece is in the story behind it, not in it's financial worth. What do you think?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Sarahliuliwen (300)
• China
27 Apr 13
I agree. An antique is valuable because of the story, the meaning, and the tradition it carries. This is why its value grows with time going on. Financial worth doesn't grow, but value grows.
I believe real antique-lovers are never willing to sell them. They'd rather share them by putting them in the museum. As for the antique dealers, they know noghting about the essence and significance of antiques.
I hope you can keep your grandmother's piece down to your future generations, and tell them about the story. They'll know its worth, and how much they should cherish it.
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
25 Apr 13
Antiques nowadays would cost huge money depending on the item and the buyer of course. Some people do love antiques and they have collections of it. They usually willing to spend huge amount to get an item and add this to their collection. But for someone who owns a piece of antique, it usually takes some courage to sold that one because of what you've said, it has huge sentimental value which is much more huge than it monetary value.
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
25 Apr 13
I absolutely love old antique items. I don't think, unless I'm missing this somewhere, that you mentioned what it was you have.
Is the house still in the family that you're speaking of? It must be so exciting to visit that old place and stand there among your ancestors. I get the chills just thinking about it.
The value of old pieces are priceless depending on what they are, but the history is what counts. I find that the most important part of any piece.
I collect and sell old antique postcards from the early 1900s and love them completely. The artwork was superb and beautifully done by many well known artists of that era....nothing like that can compete today. These were real artwork and much love was put into them, I'm sure. The fun part is reading what is written on them, and you can read history in the making. How they ever got to their destinations is beyond me. All they would have sometimes is a name and a city or town..that's it. Amazing.
I do agree with you 100% that the real value is behind the piece and the history which evolves from it. 
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
25 Apr 13
The piece is a Vegetable Dish made by Haviland in France with an Underglaze Green Mark I 1894-1931.
The house was a tiny building occupied by 5 people, a cat and a Rooster (no lie). It was built with green wood so it rotted to nothing over time. But the barn was built well and first. They actually lived in the barn first, till the house was built. The kitchen was on one side of the house with two large doors. One that could open to the outdoors during the summer and one to the inside during the winter. She built and maintained a beautiful flower garden in the (front). It was a rough existence especially since I stayed in the house she was raised in a couple of times. I can only wish! (can you say marble and huge?)
I love family history and the antiques that come with it. I have some of the antique books and the school bell from my grandfather. Surprisingly enough my husband loves family history too. My father loved family history as well and obviously so did my mother.
@dagami (1158)
• Rome, Italy
25 Apr 13
one of the most famous antique pieces in history is the "shroud of turin". it's just a piece of cloth but it's value is inestimable. it's always the history that makes antique pieces valuable. keep and treasure that heirloom of yours. pass it on to your children so that the memories of these great grandparents of yours will always be remembered.
