Arts & Culture

Your collection may be valuable and in need of appraisal. The world of antiques and antique shopping is a deep one with droves of various antiques throughout the world. Aged objects with a stuning degree of craftsmanship, attention to design, a variety of marks and details…but what is it, and more importantly, what is worth? These books can help you find the information you need.

• Kovels' Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide by Ralph Kovel and Terry Kovel. Revised annually.
  Written for the average collector, Kovels is one of the more extensive price guides. It lists items in alphabetical order and cites actual asking prices. You can also view prices at kovels.com, but the site does require registration.

• Warman's Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide. Revised annually.
  More than a price guide, Warman's provides other important information about the items it lists— bit of history, collectors' clubs, auctions and resources for future research. Values are estimates based on actual prices.

• Miller's Collectibles Handbook. Revised annually.
  This photograph-rich volume covers items such as: dolls, toys and games, vintage fashion, pens, sports memorabilia, advertising, character collectibles, and much more! Like Kovels, Miller's also allows you to look up pricing information at millersantiquesguide.com. The site also requires registration.

Many factors may affect actual prices and people selling to dealers will often get prices below market value. These sources can only give you a general sense of an item's worth.