From casual flea market browsers to serious collectors, this indispensable guide shows readers how to be a savvy collector. The Unofficial Guide to Finding Rare Antiques provides the inside scoop on collecting and caring for everything from furniture, silver, and ceramics to memorabilia, toys, and more. Readers learn how to shop and appraise like an expert at auctions, shops, flea markets, dealerships, and private sales -- from gauging a collectible's condition to spotting fakes and reproductions. Shoppers are also armed with essential information on:

How to determine a fair price
How damages can affect a collectible's price
How to care of their items
How to negotiate the best deal whether they're buying or selling
The best markets for collectible sales
What to collect today that might be hot tomorrow