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If you have as few as three collectible spoons, then you can claim an antique spoon collection and the title of Antique Spoon
Collector! Yes, that's all it takes to get started, as well as a passion and desire for gathering, searching, reading, and relishing in
collectible spoons. And, what fun it is! Antique Central is just the place for the beginner collector to get started or the more
seasoned spoon collector to gain additional knowledge, for our site has a wealth of information and resources on everything you need
to know about antique collectible spoons.
In talking about collectible spoons we will discuss spoons that are more readily available today to the collector compared to those of
highest value housed in museums. However, it is highly probable that many
valuable antique spoons are still in the hands of unknowing family
members or hidden in a basement, attic, or in a little nondescript antique shop across the country. For within the last 25 years
knowledgeable spoon collectors, particularly through auctions and roadshows, have discovered some extremely rare and valuable
antique spoon collectibles.
Spoons were born in the old world, adapted for life in the new, and are ever changing to satisfy the needs and desires of the future.
Collectible spoons are particularly attractive as a collection item for their availability and
affordability. There are so many advantages to choosing spoons as the avenue for fulfilling your love and appreciation of antiques. Most collectible spoons are, in general, not rare
and not really intended to be of any particular significance. With the exception of souvenir spoons, most antique spoon collectibles
were originally intended for everyday use, to be used until worn, and then discarded. But it is apparent by the continued interest in collecting spoons that a few someones along the way cared enough to save one or two or more, and keep them long enough that they
are worth more today than they were ever worth new. Some antique spoons have been rescued from landfills, some from the dust
and cobwebs of granny's attic, and others from a box full of tarnished old metal which, when polished and shiny, reflected the smile of
it's savior.
Antique spoons have long been at the heart of man, for as early as the thirteenth century it is known that each person carried with him
his own personal spoon, and American collectors, too, have long had a love affair with spoons, for as early as the 17th century,
settlers were crafting special display boxes for their spoon collections.
One of the great advantages and popularity of collectible spoons is the vast availability. Antique spoons have survived from as early
as 312 A.D. and are still in existence today. Since spoons were so useful to the family, often an investment if of gold or silver, many
have been handed down from generation to generation, with spoon collections eventually being sold at auctions and private estate
sales.
Another advantage of spoon collectibles is the ease of transport. Let's face it, whether traveling abroad or in your own neighborhood,
it is much easier to tote a spoon around than a plate or vase, and particularly, a piece of furniture. And, of course, collectible spoons
are also much easier for storing or displaying in the home because of their size.
Moreover, there is a huge variety in the world of collectible spoons! In fact, there are so many different styles of spoons, types of
spoons, and materials used to make spoons that it is often difficult for beginning collectors to make a decision on how to begin
collecting and what to buy. It is advised to select one area of collection; for example, if you like shells, then looking for spoons with
shell motifs or shell shaped bowls may be a place to start. Other areas of antique spoon collecting may be by the age of the spoon
(18th century spoons,) by origin (German spoons or early American spoons,) by spoon use (sugar spoons or demitasse spoons,) or
perhaps by the material used (enamel spoons or silver spoons.) Spoon designs from the late nineteenth century began to explode
with an increasing variety of artistically appealing and useful shapes and varying sizes; spoons were made for every imaginable
purpose to fit every dish and condiment, creating even more specialized areas for collecting. Especially among souvenir spoons, the
collector is presented with a smorgasbord of collecting niches. Souvenir spoon collectibles often consist of spoon collections by a
particular genre - buildings, fruit, vacations, military, female figures, etc.
Lastly, affordability! Collectible spoons are affordable to the average collector. Yes, there are still some that will demand higher
prices due to a sudden popularity of a particular style, or a spoon of which few were made, and therefore, few exist. But, in general
collectible spoons are very attainable, and easily found in local antique shops, flea markets, antique auctions, and estate sales.
Although some collectors attempt to collect spoons for the purpose of investment to be sold later, this is not always a reliable method
of making money. For, unless you have a very rare, and already valuable spoon, generally little profit will be realized. The real value
of collectible spoons comes from the passion in searching for that one spoon that brings a smile to your face and warmth to your
heart that the collector will treasure for years to come!
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