Uncovering the Hidden Histories of Antiques and Collectibles with Your Library’s Help

Written by Sarah Nadeau

Ilove antiquing and thrifting—it’s a treasure hunt for pieces full of character with untold stories. Auctions, flea market booths, and garage sales have timeless items just waiting to be discovered.

Decorating with antiques and collectibles around the home seems to give even contemporary design more depth with quality craftmanship, classic motifs, and fun conversation pieces. Breathing new life into preloved objects also keeps them out of the landfill and offers the opportunity to learn about their origins. That, you might have guessed, is where the library comes in.

Let’s say you found an amazing.... thing.... that will look fabulous in the living room, but you aren’t quite sure what it even is. Take a photo of the object against a plain background. That photo can be used in Google’s reverse image search to match it to similar-looking items online and can potentially give a general idea of an object’s origin or use.

As in any good detective novel, you can also look for clues, such as marks or signatures. Glassware, pottery, porcelain, silver, furniture, clocks and more often have the key to the manufacturer and age right on the item itself. Logos, trademarks, and stamps may offer you answers fairly quickly.

A trusted antique guide is a great way to get more information and the library has a wide-ranging collection of antique encyclopedias, price guides and handbooks. Author Judith Miller is a leading expert on antiques and has written over 100 books about different collectibles, style periods and design. Terry and Kim Kovel’s guides are another wide-ranging source of information. The work of these experts will expand your foundational understanding of your treasures and point you toward more helpful resources.

Additional internet searches with more specific information about your object may yield additional information or give you an idea of the value of an item in the current market. The library’s premium digital resources and databases, like Gale, offer quick searches of magazine and journal articles for trusted information from specialized periodicals like Antique Trader and Country Living. For example, a search for “Hull pottery” brings up several published articles by and for antique collectors.

If you’re still looking for answers, librarians love a good reference question. A complex question that takes some information science know-how is an absolute blast for us, so don’t hesitate to bring a picture of your mystery antique and ask for research.

Keep your library in mind the next time you are meandering the aisles of an antique store full of potential additions to your décor. An item with history as unique as your style may be just what your space needs.