Collecting antique plates is a common hobby that people share. Some got started when they received plates that were passed down from their grandparents and immediately fell in love with the classic and intricate designs. It is fun to be able to purchase your next favorite plate – but some people prefer to sell them.
Determine Condition
The first thing you have to do when trying to sell any antique plate is to check the condition that it is in. any chips, stains, or smudges will drastically decrease the value. It is best to clean the plate off first so that you can get a good look at it.
Make sure you clean it by hand and use a gentle cleanser that won’t remove the original design that was probably hand painted onto it. If a piece has broken off cleanly than you can take it to a professional china or porcelain repairman to glue it back together.
Determine Value
The next thing you have to do is determine the value of the plate. Try to use magazines, books, web sites, or online forums. Web sites and forums are updated more frequently than the books so they will have more relevant information for you. An easier and quicker way would be to go to an online auction site and see how much it is going for. Even if you have done research it is still best to get an appraisal from a professional.
Ads
Now that you know how much you can get from it, it is time to put some ads up for it. Take pictures of the plate from every angle. Lay it down on a solid dark blue or black sheet. Make sure to get a close up of the manufacturer’s mark and the design painted onto it. You can put ads on Craig list and eBay – but you might get a quicker response if you go through a collectible plate site.
Local Market
If you want to sell it quickly than you can try to sell it to someone in your area. Go to collectible fairs and flea markets. Most cities have these once or week or once a month. You might find a vendor or a fellow shopper who is willing to buy it from you. If that does not work than you can visit your local antique store.