Wondering About Our Top Web Picks?
Picking the best Antique and Collectible Internet sites can be a daunting task. Many of the sites you liked yesterday, are no longer around today. And, while a number of Internet locations can provide useful information, sometimes over time they slip, and simply become marketing and advertising sites.
With this in mind, the writers at the Asheford Institute have undertaken the task of showing our students a few of the best sites we think are out there in relation to the antique and collectible market. These are sites that do more than just sell a product or service, but sites that can actually help teach, and inform through their online presence. With that in mind, here are the A.I.A.'s TOP WEB PICKS for antiques and collectibles...
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Some Great Web Sites...
1. Maine Antique Digest - With a recent update of their web site, including a nice archival link to older stories, and a database of "prices" for subscribers, many consider M.A.D. to be the "bible" of antique publications (AKA, The New York Times of Antiques). With all this superb content... we feel that's probably enough reason to visit!
http://www.maineantiquedigest.com
2. The Internet Antique Shop - OK, we may be a little biased here - since we' know these people, but this is far more than just an Internet antique mall. They have plenty of shops and pictures from which to peruse and examine antiques, plus a host of other services.
http://www.tias.com
3. Kovel's - If you're looking to price something online - for free - this may be the place to go. Not everything is completely gratis, but you can search from over 700,000 prices - which is quite a few. They also have some interesting compilations - like their "TOP 50" list of antiques for the year...
http://www.kovels.com
4. Sotheby's - Now I can't say this is a web site that you're probably going to be doing a lot of purchasing from, but I can say that for a high-end, top-of-the-line auction house for the rich and famous, it's got some of the best information, from some of the best experts anywhere...
http://www.sothebys.com
5. Antiques Roadshow - What list would be complete if they didn't include at least one version of the show... (you have 3 different shows to choose from now, since they're in three different countries!)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/index.html
6. Antiques-Atlas.com - This is little far from home, but it's nice to see how they do things over in England (where there are an awful lot of antiques!) Just reading the descriptions on the photos can provide one with a wealth of knowledge...
http://www.antiques-atlas.com
7. Price Miner - This is a pretty cool and relevant site - especially if you're looking to find someone who might be interested in what you've got to sell - with over 4000 Collector Clubs listed - you're sure to find someone who wants what you've got.
http://www.priceminer.com
8. News-antique.com - Here's what we like about this site - register for free, and get your Press Release about your antique business out to the whole wide world (via the Internet).
http://www.news-antique.com
9. Antique & Art Information Network - No question, it's not about their web site, which is, well... horrendous, but it is about what they sell. Now not everyone may need antique specific "software" for their business, but if you do, this is worthwhile checking out... they've been around a long time.
http://www.aain.com
10. Association Of Restorers - A great site for restorers that has been around since 1997. We've collaborated with these folks over the years and find that they offer some of the best resources for restorers and re-finishers out there. Products and information on "how to" are part of what they do. If your interests are in this area of the antiques and collectibles field, then they're definitely worth a look.
www.assoc-restorers.com
