Contrary to popular belief, there really is a somewhat official designation for what is and what isn’t an antique. In 1930, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act defined an antique in legal terms, generally referring to “works of art created prior to the year 1830.”
That year was considered a turning point because it marked the beginning of mass production in the United States. Here is the general rule to remember: Something “antique” is also “vintage” but something vintage isn’t necessarily antique. Vintage refers to something that is from an earlier generation. Antique refers to something that is over one hundred years old – preferably made by hand rather than mass-produced.
More recently, the accepted definition of an antique is an item of artistic, historic, cultural or sentimental significance that is at least 100 years old. That would mean that true antiques would have to date to 1920 or earlier, and that most antique stores are not likely filled with such items.
Note that items from World War I would be legitimate antiques – military uniforms, weapons, helmets, canteens and such while items from World War II are still vintage. Items from the Great Depression are edging into the antique classification as well. Depression Glass that was often included in boxes of food as an incentive to purchase is already highly sought after by many collectors. But is it antique? You can decide!
To find out just how old an item really is, you’ll have to do some homework – but the internet makes that easier than ever before. The first step in identifying and valuing antiques, vintage and collectibles is often determining the maker of the item by researching a mark or signature. It’s very common to find marks on costume jewelry, for instance, but you’ll have to examine the item carefully. The marks are typically very small and often hidden in an obscure spot.
If you can find labels, brands, or trademark information anywhere on an item, you can usually trace its origins. Online sellers such as eBay and Heritage Auctions are amazing resources for locating photos of items and for determining an item’s age and value.
While a 1915 Ford Model T would certainly be an antique automobile, a 1957 Chevrolet would be considered “vintage.” The vintage designation became popular in the 80s to describe older items that have become collectible. Vintage items are not antiques but are often in great demand. Such things as dresses, postcards, magazines, costume jewelry, furniture, tools, household items, and of course automobiles can be vintage without being antiques. Typically, a vintage item would be at least 45 years old, dating to the 70s.
Other items may be collectible without being antiques or vintage. A coin or a comic book produced in the 21stCentury may be collectible because of the way it was struck, or due to a low print run. A collectible item will soon magically turn into vintage, and eventually will become an antique. In the end, what matters is what an item means to you and the memories it rekindles. The REAL value of anything is in the eyes of the beholder, so finding the person that puts the most value on an item is the key and the best customer!
The antique shops in Waco are part of what makes our beautiful city the fun, exciting, and trendy new place to visit in Texas. Antique shopping fits into the laid back picture of Waco that has brought it into the limelight in recent years.
One of the great ways to experience antiquing in Waco is to seek out antique malls such as Craft Gallery. An antique mall is quite different from an antique store. In the antique mall setting, vendors create specialized mini-stores that feature their unique likes and strengths.
These booths may bring a special focus such as vintage dresses and ladies’ shoes or old radios and other electronic equipment. Some feature military items while some zero in on local artifacts like old newspapers and collectibles produced by area schools, businesses and organizations. In Waco, there is a special interest in anything involving Baylor University and the Baylor Bears.
Another popular category found at most antique malls is antique and vintage furniture. Some vendors may offer furniture in its original state, while others may restore broken parts, replace rusty locks and hinges, and update the item with bright, colorful chalk paints that are so popular right now.
Some vendors will “distress” the finish to retain the vintage look while others will decorate the piece with “transfers” that add a flourish to the final product. Transfers are designs that can be added to the front or sides of a chest or dresser to make it appeal to a certain type of customer. For example, a boy’s chest-of-drawers might have a Superman or Batman symbol added, while a young girl’s might have bright flowers or a pony. A woman might enjoy a phrase presented in French or a graphic related to an emotion like love or friendship.
At an antique mall, the possibilities are exciting and endless – and more often than not, one of a kind. That means the more vendors, the more diversity of items that will be available. Antiques at the Craft Gallery change every day because once an item is gone, you may never see anything like it again.
That’s especially true of antiques – remember that a true antique is at least 100 years old. That’s why many antique dealers prefer to leave them in their original state as an authentic piece of history. Vintage items can be just as fascinating, but since they are not quite as old, it’s exciting to restore and renew them. Deciding which item to revere as a relic and which one to revitalize is a great part of the fun. So keep that in mind as you go antiquing in Waco.
Waco has it all. You’ll find newer items at famous venues that you see on TV, and you’ll find a variety of antique stores. As you tour the city and experience the great diversity of stores and shops, be sure to include antique malls where you’ll find the most enticing choices all under one roof. Have a great time antiquing Waco, and we look forward to seeing you here at Craft Gallery.
Check out This Post: Why I Love Antique Malls