The inside scoop… for when you want more than the official line! Only a few years ago, "antiquing" seemed to be only for the wealthy. Then came the Internet, with its profusion of Web sites, bulletin boards, and online auctions. Almost overnight, "antiquing" has become a much-loved hobby of the people! But with more antiquing choices than ever before, novice and experienced collectors have been left reeling. That's why when it comes to such key questions as where to hunt, how to appraise, and when to sell your own antiques, you can't rely on advice from 101 semi-objective sources. You need one dependable, clued-in source of antiquing wisdom. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide™ to Collecting Antiques is designed to give savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of everything from where to find the best prices to sizing up value and seeing through fakes. In this book you'll get unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization. The Unofficial Guide™ to Collecting Antiques is intensively inspected by The Unofficial Panel of Experts: John Coker has been dealing antiques for nearly 30 years and has been a guest appraiser on PBS's "Treasures in Your Attic"; former art history professor and museum curator James Kettlewell deals in fine arts and antiques; and Art Maier is an appraiser with William Doyle Galleries. These specialists ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information on the subject of antique collecting and are told exactly what "the Official establishment" doesn't want you to know. Vital Information on tapping into the vast array of collecting outlets available today—from classic venues to the Internet Insider Secrets on identifying antique periods and styles Money-Saving Techniques on how to find hidden treasures amidst flea markets and second-hand stores Time-Saving Tips on mastering the world of online antiques collecting The Latest Trends in smart selling of your own antiques—from wise timing to the pros and cons of trading over selling Handy Checklists and Charts for tracking your growing collection… and finding the country's best auctions and shows visit us on-line at www.idgbooks.com