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I‘ve always enjoyed watching Antiques Roadshow, when someone would find out that something that was a precious treasure in their family actually turned out to be a priceless antique. Now wouldn’t that be fun? I doubt it would happen to me, but I have seen it happen on more than one occasion on the show. So, when I was contacted by the publisher of a book all about spotting treasures, asking me if I’d like to receive a copy of the book for review and get 3 copies to give away, well, I was all over that!
Carol Prisant, who used to be with Antiques Roadshow has written a colorful and concise book on how to spot real treasures when you are out there scouring the flea markets and antiques shops. Good, Better, Best: (Trade Secrets for spotting a Find) describes the levels of finding these treasures and what to look for. If you’ve got money to burn, then you might want to go for the Best category, but after looking at the prices on those, I’d say that particular one will never grace my home.
In fact, I’m not even sure I own any that would fit under the Good category either, which is reserved for the very ordinary and peasant pieces apparently. 🙂
I did find one furniture item, the English tea table, in the book that reminded me of my mahogany piecrust table that I found at a yardsale. 
Not having any idea of its provenance, I would imagine my table is probably a reproduction from the mid-century (last century that is) and is no doubt, worth not a whole lot more than the $75 I paid for it. Well, in an antique shop, it would probably go for double or triple, so I’m sure I found a deal. And I love this table, so will probably always keep it.
I did really like looking through this book and seeing all the pictures, reading the difference between the Good, Better, Best categories and if you enjoy reading about antique pieces, you’ll enjoy this book too. With lots of color pictures and descriptions about items from glassware, furniture and collectibles, Carol covers a multitude of antique items. I don’t think I own a bit of priceless antique pieces, but I will keep them just the same. But, collectors of antiques will no doubt love this book as it gives tips for looking at items with a keen eye towards identifying where it came from and how old it might be.
And the good news is….I have 3 copies to give away to THREE of you, so all you need to do is leave a comment and you’ll be eligible for the drawing. I’ll pick 3 names at random and your book will be shipped out to you from the publisher.
And just for fun, what is your favorite antique that YOU have in your house? I’d say my very favorite piece is that kitchen cupboard I have in my breakfast area that is from the late 1800’s. It’s French, very unique and I’ve never seen another one like it.
Don’t forget to leave a comment!
Good, Better, Best sounds like a fabulous book. Thank you for the opportunity to become the new owner of it. Your piecrust table is beautiful, what a nice find for $75!
My favorite ‘ not quite antique’ is my Paul McCobb mid-century modern table and chairs. I spotted the set in an antique store and fell in love. Paid $800 for the table and six chairs. I thought I would have buyers remorse but was elated instead when I found the twin to my purchase on http://www.1stdibs.com for $5800.00!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love antiques and mix styles and periods and don’t care if is really antique. If it speaks, I listen! This book sounds like one that will join my stack of favorites on the wonderful little mahogany table next to my bed.
I love your piecrust table. I need to get out and get around our area and find some more goodies like that. I think my favorite antique item in our home is a very unique rocking chair from my husband’s family. The back is so intricately carved and beautiful. I never found anything like it. I’ve begged my husband to let me paint it, but like most men, he loves the wood look. I keep imagining it a soft shade of white or turquoise with a beautiful new upholstered seat for the guest room. It’s still a beautiful piece as it is.
This is my kind of book. I am a book-junkie anyway, so I would love to win! The french buffet is to die for. Gorgeous piece! I have a lot of favorite pieces in my house, but one of them is the bow front French country buffet that’s in my dining room.
Great blog. I would say my favorite antique in my house is my 1920/1930 sofa and chair that I had redone in a sage color faux mohair. Not only does it fit into my decorating scheme but it is also very comfy.
Wow! this sounds like my kind of book….please add my name to the hat…..thanks Pat H
My favorite piece is a desk that my father used in his office. It is about 100 years old.
Probably my favorite is the old floor model radio that was in my father’s family when he was growing up. It needs tubes that I’ve never been able to find but still I love the idea that he sat and listened to stories on it when he was a kid. We also have a smaller radio that was my husband’s granparents radio and it still works. I have a pub table and breakfront from an old English pub and the furniture that was in my husband’s room when he was a kid. It was from his grandparents home and the dresser still has the original price tag of $12 on the back. We love our antiques for their sentimental value but it would be interesting to read the book.
Sign me up! I would love a copy! 🙂
Thanks…
XO,
Sheila
My pet antique is an old French library that holds books in my Living Room. I think this book would be a good addition to my design library.
My mom has kept most of our family’s antiques at her house, but I did buy an older sewing machine at an estate sale several years ago (it’s one of the hide-in-the-table kind). It has gone on the fritz in the last couple months, but I’m going to keep it whether we fix it or not because I love how it looks.
I would love a copy of this book to read before my next estate sale!
Thanks for a wonderful giveaway. The book looks great!!! I have lots of antique pieces of furniture, but my all time favorite is the oak corner cabinet that belonged to my Grandmother that I have in my living room. As a child it was in my Grandmother’s kitchen and she would put leftover biscuits in the bottom area and we could get one out if we got hungry. She also kept her butter and jam in there to eat with her biscuits. In the top part (which has glass doors) she kept her dishes. I have special treasures in my corner cabinet that belonged to both of my Grandmothers and I keep my good china in there too. This piece of furniture brings to mind many awesome memories of sweet times spent with my darling Grandmother who loved to cook on her woodstove and make her wonderful biscuits and rolls!!! Love & blessings from NC!
My favorite antique is a small glass basket that belonged to my great grandmother. I have been very fortunate and my grandmother took great care of many family heirlooms.
I was given many pieces of glassware and some furniture when my “Nanny” died. I would love to know the value of some of them just for curiosity purposes. Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite antique is a blanket chest I found on ebay and drove to Gastonia, NC to pick up. I dragged my Dad with me since he had the truck. Great piece of furniture and great memories.
Oh please I would love that book. We have several old pieces in our home,mostly belonging to my grandmother and my husbands grandmother. A few things we have found at flea markets and such. Love to read your Blog .Yours is one of the first I started reading.
I’ve always loved old things, so would love to get a copy of this book. I’d have to say that my favorite antique is my great-grandmother’s Bible that I rescued from my uncle’s estate sale. We also have some treasured family photos that qualify as antiques.
Wow, what a neat book, Rhoda! I think my favorite antique is my grandfather’s Seth Thomas black adamantine mantel clock, from the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. Or maybe a set of coin silver spoons made in New Jersey in the 1860’s. Anyway, I’d love to win one of the books! 🙂
Please add my name to the drawing. I love the thrill of the hunt at flea markets, thrift shops, and garage sales. This book looks fabulous! Rhoda, I love your blog. Thank you for sharing!
This is wonderful! My favorite thing to do on warm summer weekends …stroll thru garage sales..flea markets ….Goodwill and Antique shops.. go home and find a place for that wonderful treasure! My mother was an Antique dealer as was my Uncle…yep…the bug bit me! Have fun poking around!! : ) I would love the book too!