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Collectible Price Guide

For antiques lovers and collectors, having a trustworthy collectible price guide is important. Fortunately, there are a variety of sources available to provide price lists and other valuable information.

Contents

Comprehensive Price Guide Books

Many well-known books are produced annually to provide accurate collectible price guide for that year. Written by experts and authorities on antiques and collectibles, these books are often comprehensive, featuring a range of different items and helpful organizational features to help you locate items quickly and easily.

Kovel's Antiques and Collectibles Price List

Sometimes referred to as the antique lover's "bible," Ralph and Terry Kovel's Antiques and Collectible Price List is a trusted authority on antiques and collectibles pricing. The long appearing hosts of the public television show Know Your Antiques, the Kovels currently host Flea Market Finds with the Kovels on HGTV as well. Now available in its 39th edition, the Kovel's guide includes:



  • A wide range of items
  • Beautiful, full-color photos
  • Buying hints and tips
  • Avoiding worthless buys
  • Historical information on designers and manufacturers

Judith Miller's Collectibles Price Guide

Well-known antiques and collectibles authority and author of over 90 books, Judith Miller provides a wealth of information in her Collectibles Price Guide. In addition to lush photos and pricing information, Miller's collectible price guide includes excellent explanations, details, and background information. The range of topics and collectibles she covers is expansive, from more well-known collectibles to rare, lesser-known items.

Warman's Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide

The Warman's guide provides information on collectible trends in addition to price guides from knowledgeable sources. The guide also includes important information on avoiding fakes and counterfeits, which may be particularly helpful for beginning collectors or those less familiar with certain designers or periods.

Niche Price Guide Books

Although serious or avid collectors may prefer comprehensive price guides such as the aforementioned, those interested in certain collector's niches or periods may do better with a collectible price guide that caters to those specific niches. If there is enough interest in a period or type of collection, you will most likely be able to find a pertaining price guide book. Examples of these include:

  • Beckett's Basketball Price Guide (Beckett)
  • The Official Price Guide to Disney Collectibles (House of Collectibles)
  • Price Guide to Holt Howard Collectibles & Related Ceramicware of the 50's and 60's (Krause Publications)
  • Victorian And Edwardian Furniture: Price Guide and Reasons for Values (Antique Collector's Club)
  • Warman's Weller Pottery: Identification & Price Guide (Krause Publications)
  • Madame Alexander 2007 Collector's Dolls Price Guide (Collector Books)

This is just a small sampling of the collectible price guide books available. Niche guides are generally produced less-frequently than their comprehensive counterparts.

Price Guide Websites

When it comes to finding pricing guide for antiques and collectibles on the Internet, you'll also find a wealth of information available. It's important to be discerning, however, as the increasing ease and lower expense with which websites are obtained allows virtually anyone to publish information via the Internet. Look for sites that give clear dates for the applicable information. Also look for the experts or authorities which maintain or contribute to the site to ensure you're reading reputable pricing information.

As with books, there are both comprehensive sites and niche sites dedicated to collectible price guide information. Often you'll also find other valuable resources and tools on these sites as well. Some prominent sites offering price guides for collectors include:

Many public library websites also have information on collectibles and antiques that can be accessed as long as you have a library card.



Other Media

Newspapers may have information about antiques and collectibles, including current trend and pricing information, in the arts section. Broad and niche collector's magazines may also have some of this information as well. Look for reputable magazines such as Collector's News, Antique Week, Antique Trader Weekly,, Celebrate 365, or visit a site like Mags Direct to search for a collector's magazine that pertains to your interests.

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