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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!
My favorite antique is the Eastlake Victorian loveseat I had re-upholstered. I love it. My Mother bought it years ago at an auction and it sat dilapidated in her garage for years. Now it graces my bedroom!
Would love to read the book.
Hello – my fav antique is a 1800’s hutch table. It was the first antique my husband and I bought 30 years ago. We were supposed to be Christmas shopping, but found a little consignment shop and fell in love with the piece. It can be a dining table or with the table top pulled up, it is a bench. Now it’s my craft table!
Hi Rhoda – I follow your blog all the time and it is one of my favorites. I would say my favorite antique is a pie cabinet or cupboard that I found in a junk store and stripped the mint green and pink paint off of and was told that it is 100 years old. I paid 125.00 for it and an appraisor said it was worth around 1000.00. I have never entered a contest before but I this looks like a great book. Your home is beautiful.
Since I have found your site, I am so happy to find out that my love of “finds” isn’t just my own, strange trait…there are other people who share my love of the hunt. Now, isn’t this book just written for all the hunters among us?
Anytime there is a give away, I always enter with high hopes. Who knows, this may be my lucky day! Love your site, wish you lived next door!
My favorite is a pedestal marble top side table inherited from my husbands aunt.
My favorite antique is an old level that was my Grandfathers. I’m sure it’s not worth much to anyone but me, but who cares. I would love this book!
I love spending an afternoon perusing the antique shops and checking out flea markets on the weekends. It would be great to have this book, so maybe I’ll know what I’m looking at, lol. I have an antique secretary desk that I love, found it in an antique shop in MD about 25 years ago. Also have a fullsize solid wood bedroom set that I snagged at an auction for $35 for the whole set!! That’s one of my best deals.
Thanks for giving the chance to win this nice prize.
Oh Rhoda, I love antiques especially Victorian Pressed/Pattern glass. I collect American Pattern Glass celery vases and sometimes, just sometimes, I find other pieces of glass that need a home. Antiquing is addictive and very relaxing!
Hi Rhoda,
The only antiques I own are my dinnerware and that’s only b/c I’ve been married so long! I love shopping for them and plan to buy a dining room set. I also have my grandfather’s pipe set with the glass jar and his reading glasses which are priceless.
Thanks for the giveaway as I love reading and especially would love learning more about antiques.
I would love this book. I have several antiques that would definitely fit only in the “good” category, but are pieces from my husband’s family passed down from his fraternal grandparents so they are priceless to us: An old Edwardian period oak dresser and oak barley twist table held together with pegs. I also have lots of antique chachka from my great-great grandmother, and silver and china as well. Thanks for the opportunity, Rhoda. Also, the fiction sounds just up my alley. I’ll have to check the library for both books you mentioned by that author.
Great book for a giveaway! My favorite piece is just a simple old pine dresser of my great grandparents.
oh this would be fun!!!! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that MAYBE I’ll win…
my favorite antique…FAVORITE??? :\ How could I ever pick…just….one!
Merry Christmas!
Hi Rhoda!
Haven’t chatted with you in forever, but I do stop by once in awhile! And I would love to win one of your books in the giveaway!
My favorite antique is a bed that belonged to my grandparents.
Not many antiques in my family – just run-of-the-mill old stuff! However……….I’m on a mission to own some pieces that my neices and nephews would be happy to inherit. It’s a nice dream – just hope they grow up with an appreciation for classics since I don’t currently own anything remotely modern or comtemporary!! The book sounds like a good reference manual.
The book would be a gem to own. We have an antique chest in our bedroom that has been down thru the generations. It is old and scuffed but has lots of character.
My fav is an old closet that has 3 sections. Two sections have the original mirrored doors and the center is intricately carved drawers. These all fit in a base and it’s capped off by a beautiful crown molding piece. I’m guessing it’s turn of the century. I found it at an estate sale. It wasn’t for sale but the contents were. I asked about the piece, left my phone number and one year later got a phone call from the owner that said he was ready to sell. It sits in my entry way and makes a grand statement!
I cherish my grandmother’s mahagony side table, probably from the mid 1850’s. Love it — and would love the book, too!
I have my great-grandmother’s sugar and creamer from the 1800s…LOVE IT.
I treasure antique pieces of furniture and just wish they came with a written history attached!