I have to warn you that the market for that stuff has collapsed. Hoping to make some money while downsizing, I spent a lot of the last year going to auctions to see if it would be worth it to sell stuff instead of giving it to Salvation Army—and watching beautiful furniture and antiques going unsold, or sold for pennies on the dollar. Even eBay is not doing well with older and antique furniture, unless it is bona fide colonial era, or an outstanding maker from before WWI.
The only things doing well are small things and rugs. The "collectible" stuff many of our mothers amassed, like Hummel figurines, etc., is not selling, either. I've seen service for 12 of Depression glassware—water, wine and sherbet times 12—sell for $20. I've also seen sets like that go unsold. My auctioneer friends are tearing their hair out.
But it's the thrill of the hunt,gotta know what will sell.
Yes, if it’s fun for a hobby that’s one thing - but I watched exactly what you’re talking about occur at my mom’s auction. China, dining set, china cabinet, Depression glass, etc going for nothing to a bunch of vultures. A sickening feeling, really.
eBay raised it’s prices and the USPS killed everyone! Between the charges and shipping fees, they tend to make more than the seller. I had an item that weighed 9 pounds, they wanted $67 to ship it about 250 miles. It fit in a tube about 7’. (Deep sea rod) It was about a $600 rod, it sold for $300. No one wants to pay beyond that, because of the shipping costs.
here's the thing...our demographic has changed and it will continue to change...
I doubt any muslim or any latino would want anything American...I collected pewter and it will probably be forced on a niece...
Interesting...I keep reading that millennials are not into collecting stuff. That bears that out. Lots of them moving into smaller townhouses, too, instead of single family homes.
I have heard the same thing about antiques.
Including silver and crystal.
Nobody wants it any more and you can hardly give it away.
Silver is going mostly for scrap value.