The terms "antique," "vintage" and "thrift" are thrown about all the time. I am guilty of it.Do you ever get confused on which is which?
I was asked recently about these terms so I thought I'd share.
This is what I have found out from dealers and watching the antiques roadshow. I always cringe when the experts ask the person with the item if they know anything about it and the person goes on and on about how some General gave the pistol to their great, great grandfather and they have no evidence of that fact. Then they find out that the pistol is in fact a reproduction and only worth $25.00. Oh sad face.
Anyway, "antique" refers to something that is at least 100 years old and has a provenance like where it came from, who owned it and documentation.
"Vintage" is anything from about 1920-1980. 1980 on up is not considered vintage. It's just considered out of date. While at one time it was a term used for the age of wine, it is now loosely used to describe anything old. It should still be of decent quality though. Vintage items can often be overpriced so be careful of that.
"Thrift" is neither of these things. It usually means something that is used and no longer wanted, and doesn't want to end up in the landfill. This can also mean junk. However, because people don't always know what they are getting rid of, you can find true antiques and vintage items at thrift shops and garage sales, just like all those success stories you hear about.
Remember that one lucky lady on antiques roadshow who bought the $25.00 table 30 years ago at a garage sale? The Keno brothers were going crazy and estimated its worth up to $300,000.00 if she hit the right auction.
The sweet lady almost went into shock. I said, "Sell it!" She listened and put it up at Sotheby's. The Keno's wanted it so badly but topping out at $525,000.00, they just couldn't do it. I was so happy for that lady it brought tears to my eyes.
The most recent one was earlier this year with an inherited jade collection from China. It was valued at over 1 million dollars.
It had sentimental value for the owner so she didn't want to sell it all but thought her brother would. Again, I say sell it. At least the $100,000.00 dollar piece. One fall off the shelf and it would be worth nothing. That's what would happen at my house but then again I wouldn't have a million dollar jade collection but maybe a vintage jadeite china collection.
And as I am sitting here writing this, MTV's "Sweet 16" is on and I'm too lazy to go turn it over. Where is the remote when you need it?
The last Sweet 16 party cost 1 million dollars. The 16 year-old had some of her friends make an entrance with her. They were dubbed the VIPs. She said they should be happy that she's including them in her day and if anybody trips and spoils this entrance, she'll kill them. So you can sell your Jade collection to pay for that.
The girl's parents gave her a new SUV too. She was disgusted. Can you imagine the horror of being seen in a nice, new SUV? Remember, the VIPs are going to be riding with her!
That was just the trick car though. Hiding behind it was a new Mercedes with a diamond encrusted logo.
Ahhh, that's better.
P.S. You're all my VIPs.
