Antiques, Collectibles, & Memorabilia: Do You Know the Difference?

The world of antiques can be confusing. What's the difference between an antique and collectible? Aren't collectibles and memorabilia really the same thing? In this month's column, I'll de-mystify these terms, so that you'll be appropriately armed for your next antique adventure.

Antique

Basically, an antique is something old that has value because of aesthetic or historical reasons. Generally, if a piece is over 100 years old, it is considered an antique. Although, I do know that some people use the 50-year mark for Canadian pieces; the rationale being that Canada is a young country relative to places such as Europe and Asia. However, I'm old fashioned and apply the 100-year definition to Canadian pieces.

Collectible

A collectible is something that is less than 100 years old that has value because of aesthetic or historical reasons. This term fills the gap for valuables that aren't quite old enough to be an antique.

One category of collectible is items with intrinsic artistic merit. A stunning Art Deco table fits into this category. It was beautiful when it was made in the 1930s, is beautiful today and will still be beautiful when it hits the 100-year old mark.

A second category is mass-produced collectibles. Beanie Babies, trading cards and Hummel figurines fit into this category. They don't necessarily have a lot of artistic merit. But manufacturers have created desirability by producing limited editions.

Another category is items associated with particular people. For example, anything worn by the Beatles or Elvis Presley is collectible.

Memorabilia

There is a difference between collectibles and memorabilia. Collectibles are things that are ornamental. They never served an utilitarian purpose. A piece of memorabilia served a particular purpose. Movie posters, sports programs, cameras, television sets and musical instruments are all examples of items that fall into this category. Movie posters were used to sell movies. Sports programs were used to communicate information. And, cameras, television sets and musical instruments all serve a function.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He has appeared on a variety of television programs; does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has taught courses on antiques at the Learning Annex. Martin can be reached at http://www.takeaboo.com

---

Teen Rooms on the Cheap!

How to decorate a teens bedroom is one of the most common questions I receive. Especially for those on a budget, this can seem like a daunting task! Never fear, The Budget Decorator... Read More

Inuit Stone Sculptures From The Arctic North

When most people think about stone sculptures, it's probably giant pieces of abstract art located outside large buildings or perhaps inside a famous art gallery or museum. Sometimes people think of stone sculptures... Read More

Discover the Designer Within

Limperts Academy of Design, an international awarding body for design courses, is launching its biggest ever promotional campaign this autumn, aiming to raise public awareness about the possibilities of professional design.With the help... Read More

Preserved Flower Candles

Putting flowers in your candle will add a unique look, while preserving your favorite flower.Written by Expressive CandlesWe have been asked many times, how to put flowers and other objects on the outside... Read More

The Benefits of Ceiling Fan Lights

One of the first improvements that ceiling fan inventor Philip Diehl made on his invention was the addition of an electric light. Back in 1882, when the ceiling fan was first created, this... Read More

Decorating with Brains

Did I get your attention? Sorry, I just couldn't resist! When I was a little girl, we called them "brains". We would gather them into huge piles and either throw them into the... Read More

Creative Ways to Decorate Your Walls

Moving into a new house can sometimes cause a quandry. You can stand and stare at large... blank spaces for weeks wondering just what to do with them. These blank spaces are the... Read More

Faux Wood Mini Blinds

Though wood blinds and shutters are the most popular window coverings sold in America, these two products are among the most expensive. Faux wood Blinds offer nature's rich, subtle colors and unique textures... Read More

Displaying Posters: Some Ways You Never Thought Of

How many ways can you display posters? With the easy availability of thousands of inexpensive posters online, you can turn any house or apartment into a unique art gallery!Sure, a poster can be... Read More

Summertime Simplicity in Your Home Decorating

Here in the Northeast, summer is almost here. With hot humid weather approaching-it's already here in the southern part of the country-we can learn a few tricks from our grandparents. Before air conditioning... Read More

Are Candles Safe?

I love candles! I have candles of all shapes, sizes and scents in every room of my home. I'm the woman at the local candle shop sniffing every single candle and calling out... Read More

Decorating with Authentic Zebra Decor

We all take a certain pride in the interior of our homes. We all try to create a beautiful extention of our personalities.You will find that while reading this article you will see... Read More

Lighting Up a Seniors Life - Baby Boomer Alert!

Lighting for seniors requires attention to some specific details. When planning a lighting design for aging baby boomers we want to provide both adequate light to see clearly and a safe environment. With... Read More

Decorating a Kids Room

The most important thing to consider when decorating a child's room is to make the child comfortable. You want to surround them with fun, playful items. The way this room is designed is... Read More

A Look at Shiatsu Massage Chairs

The term "shiatsu" refers to a form of Asian massage. This traditional massage uses techniques of digging deep into the muscle tissue to ease out knots and relieve tension. The shiatsu technique can... Read More

Contemporary Bathroom Vanities

Minimal, linear, often metallic and futuristic, contemporary bathroom vanities come in modern finishes such as brushed nickel and chrome, and are usually free of extraneous ornament and decoration. The result can be a... Read More

Black and White Themed Teen Bedroom Decorating Ideas

When we found out we were having twins, our teenage daughter volunteered to move into a smaller bedroom so that the twins could have the bigger one. It was definitely time to come... Read More

Down Bedding Guide

Down, feathers, goose down, duck down, these can all be a little confusing when shopping for your down bedding. The first thing to keep in mind about down bedding is that not all... Read More

Let Your Wall Art Define You

Wall art can be defined by family portraits or historical paintings adorned on the walls of a home. In a home with young children, wall art can even be described as crayola mishaps.... Read More

5 Ways In Which You Can Make Simple Changes To Your Home Decorating

Home decorating, ever wanted to try it, but hesitated because of time constraints or budget concerns. The following ideas will not only give instant results, but more importantly fit into any budget.1. Changing... Read More

An In-Depth Look at Air Filter Manufacturers

Because there are several air filter manufacturers on the market, it is helpful to be able to sort through the different manufacturers and products. The brief manufacturer/product profiles below are intended to help... Read More

Tasteful Home Decorating Changes Your House Into a Home

There is this undocumented story about Andrew Carnegie who kept postponing the decision to redecorate his home just because black, his default color of choice, was simply not used in home decorating those... Read More

Creating A Cozy Spot

Having a warm & cozy spot to snuggle up is important as well as renewing. Creating intimacy in your home, or at least in one area of your home, requires a little imagination... Read More

Trash or Treasure: Assessing Your Possessions

One personal junk is another personal treasure. Never is that more true than when you are doing a spring clean up.The good weather held out for Fred Dowling's 25th anniversary junk day and... Read More

The Benefits of Hanging Wine Racks

Hanging wine racks help to neatly store wine in tight spaces. You can find wall-mounted wine racks that hold six bottles with slots to hang your stemware. Both metal and wood varieties usually... Read More

A Look at Woven Wood Blinds

Woven wood shades, also known as bamboo shades, are a contemporary window treatment popular in office and homes. They are constructed of natural material combinations, including bamboo, rattan, reeds, jutes, and wood. They... Read More

Decorate Your Home for Joy Using Design Psychology

What Is Design Psychology?Design Psychology exceeds "traditional" interior design practice by considering the effects of design elements on our five senses, as well as our emotions. Rather than decorating to impress or to... Read More

The Benefits of HEPA Air Purifiers

The military designed the first HEPA filter in the 1940s for use in the Manhattan Project, when safety from free-floating nuclear material was a primary concern. Today, HEPA air purifiers are very widely... Read More

Psychology of Color - Decorating a Kitchen for the Subconscious

Psychologists have studied the influence of color on the mind for years. While they have not found any effects that generalize to every society, they have found that people from the same society... Read More