Antique shopping, or antiquing, can be a lot of fun. Especially when you find that rare piece you’ve been looking for. But how do you know your piece is authentic? And if it is, what should you do to protect your item? That’s where the professionals at Aardvark Antiques and Estate Liquidators come in. For an honest appraisal in Cumming, more and more people choose Aardvark Antiques.
First let’s begin by stating what qualifies an item as “antique”. The legal definition of the word antique states an item must be at least 100 years old. It should represent a previous era in history and should be desirable due to its age, rarity, condition, and utility, as well as may have other unique features no longer seen today.
With that being said, many people are often shocked to find out that the “authentic” pottery given to them by Aunt Sally was a knock off, or the chandler Grandma left behind was indeed a faux.
It is important to have your items evaluated by someone who has the experience and knowledge to decipher a knock off from the real thing. The professionals at Aardvark Antiques are the guys to call when you’re looking for an honest and reliable appraisal in Cumming.
All of our Cumming antique appraisers are conducted by Charles Pharr Jr. (Mr. Aardvark) of Gainesville, Ga. with the help of a meticulous group of antique appraisers. Because the antique field branches out into so many different areas, it is quite impossible for one person to be an expert in every area.
Aardvark Antiques and Estate Liquidators has a team of professionals who individually have their own area of expertise, while collectively making up a diverse and knowledgeable group of antique appraisers.
With the attendance of training sessions and seminars, our knowledge of antiques is always growing. We’ll always give you an honest appraisal and trustworthy information on a piece based on our research. And if we don’t know, we will tell you. We won’t mislead you in any way. We conduct our business with honesty and integrity.
Appraisals in Cumming
As mentioned before, there are many different areas which help qualify an item as an antique. With age being the first, next comes rarity. Rarity can be marked by the number of items available today of its kind to the number that was actually produced.
Another aspect an appraiser in Cumming may look for is the desirability of an item. When collectors increase their demand, the value generally goes up as well.
A very important factor for an appraiser in Cumming to look at is the condition of the item. Antiques and collectibles often endure usual wear and tear over time. This may include cracking, chipping, or discoloration of an item. But anything beyond what is considered normal wear and tear can greatly depreciate the value. Mint or near mint condition is most desirable and will receive a higher appraisal than one that is damaged. Also items in their original packaging with all of its original pieces are appraised at a greater value. Sometimes repairs have been made by previous owners. If this is the case, the repairs should have been done so in an unnoticeable fashion.
Markings will be another thing your appraiser will look for. Manufacturer’s or designer’s markings are more valuable than similar items without markings. Markings will usually be of the artist’s signature or the crafters mark.
The next few areas an appraiser will look for are regional differences, salvage value, and current fluctuations. A regional difference simply means that an item is not as available in one location as it is in another. The lack of availability causes the value to rise.
Salvage value is when a badly damaged antique is not valued in its entirety, but for its parts. Repair experts often use these pieces to repair other antiques.
Current market fluctuations means an item can increase and decrease in value at any given time, depending on its popularity.
And lastly, something every Cumming antique appraiser looks for is the genuineness of an item. Having an item authenticated by an expert is done so in an appraisal and is necessary to insure your item.
Aardvark Antique and Estate Liquidators appraises all types of items. Our experience in the complex field of antiques extends to antique furniture, books, fine art, collectibles, china, sterling silver, estate jewelry, modern furniture, musical instruments, household items, tools, scientific instruments, glassware, ceramics, and automobiles.
When looking for an appraisal in Cumming, remember the professionals at Aardvark Antiques and Estate Liquidations. We’re here to give you an honest and reliable quote every time.
Aardvark Antiques and Estate Liquidations offers professional appraisals of antiques and/or personal property by an accredited appraiser for insurance, estate liquidation, or antique value purposes. Why not hire us to provide complete, accurate, and reliable information at a reasonable hourly market rate?
Our services not only include appraisals in Cumming, but also appraisals for Atlanta and surrounding areas including Alpharetta, Buford, Decatur, Duluth, Norcross, and Sandy Springs. Please contact us for more information.
Deductions Over $500 But Not Over $5,000
If you claim a deduction over $500 but not over $5,000 for a noncash charitable contribution, you must have the acknowledgment and written records described under Deductions of At Least $250 But Not More Than $500. Your records must also include:
How you got the property, for example, by purchase, gift, bequest, inheritance, or exchange,
The approximate date you got the property or, if created, produced, or manufactured by or for you, the approximate date the property was substantially completed, and
The cost or other basis, and any adjustments to the basis, of property held less than 12 months and, if available, the cost or other basis of property held 12 months or more. This requirement, however, does not apply to publicly traded securities.
If you are not able to provide information on either the date you got the property or the cost basis of the property and you have a reasonable cause for not being able to provide this information, attach a statement of explanation to your return.
Deductions Over $5,000
If you claim a deduction of over $5,000 for a charitable contribution of one property item or a group of similar property items, you must have the acknowledgment and the written records described under Deductions Over $500 But Not Over $5,000. In figuring whether your deduction is over $5,000, combine your claimed deductions for all similar items donated to any charitable organization during the year.
Generally, you must also obtain a qualified written appraisal of the donated property from a qualified appraiser. See Deductions of More Than $5,000 in Publication 561 for more information.
Charles Pharr Jr. AAI/ISA
Aardvark Antiques.com
Isa-Appraisers.org