What's HOT, and What's NOT in antiques

WHAT'S HOT & NOT IN ANTIQUE TREASURES 2015

MILITARY RELICS & ANTIQUE HUNTING GEAR 
HOT:  Best items can be dated to Civil War-WWII and authenticated to a particular soldier. Just watch Antique Roadshow!
NOT SO MUCH:  An old GI Joe with a missing arm and leg

JEWELRY
HOT: Necklaces and bracelets signed Tiffany or Cartier or created in Art Deco vintage style. And most silver should be saved from the smelter.
NOT SO MUCH:  Grandma's old brooch and costume jewelry may prove disappointing.

RECORD ALBUMS
HOT: Mint-condition recordings from well-known artists on acetate complete with record cover. But if you find Elvis's Good Luck Charm single (1962) at a garage sale, you've also hit pay dirt.
NOT SO MUCH: Hodgepodge collection of  opera rapping, screeching bagpipes, 70s favorites including Anka's You're Having My Baby,  and Cosby humor.


BOOKS
HOT: Photography, art, and history books in excellent condition. Collectible first editions from classic authors published in limited numbers. A Gutenberg Bible is good too, of course.
NOT SO MUCH: a gifted self-improvement guide from your MIL, any title ending in ---onomics, or a travel guide for Czechoslovakia.

COMIC BOOKS
HOT: Comics from the 1930s to the 1960s where superheroes debuted, especially if the title ends in "man" such as Superman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Ant-Man, or Batman. And to be fair, Wonder Woman and SuperGirl too.
NOT SO MUCH: Comics from Free Comic Day at school and comics with mildew from your basement.

FURNITURE
HOT: Stickley mission oak, Arts and Crafts, Heywood-Wakefield, groovy 50s & 60s stuff that pushes nostalgic buttons.
NOT SO MUCH: Waterbeds, media armoires, 70s bureaus, and barrel furniture.
    
TOYS
HOT:  Star Wars merchandise still in the blister pack and untouched by kids. Disneyana from the 1930s. Some Fisher-Price toys, action figures, tin toys, mechanical toys & pedal vehicles.
NOT SO MUCH: A soiled, disheveled Cabbage Patch Kid adopted among the 65 million sold, mass produced Beanie Babies that contributed to the Beanie Bubble Bust. Sorry, but Pounce the Cat will bring about $1.