Reference Archive

Fakes, Reproductions and Hidden Repairs

from "Some thoughts on the antiques and collectibles business" by Drexel Grapevine Antiques

Reprinted with Permission of Drexel Grapevine Antiques
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Fakes, reproductions, and fantasy items are becoming a serious problem in the antiques and collectibles field. In and of themselves, there is nothing wrong with authorized reproductions, as long as they are permanently marked as such, and are sold as reproductions. It is when they are sold as old and original, that they become a problem. There are many categories of antiques and collectibles that have been faked. Some items are so close to the originals, that short of an expert, there are few ways that a collector, and even many dealers, can pick them out. It is an unethical dealer who knowingly sells these items without informing his customers. The excuse of "I am not sure if it is a fake" is not good enough. Any doubts should be expressed to the customer. As customers and dealers continue to unknowingly buy these items, it breeds a sense of distrust in our industry. I have people bring things in several times a month that they have bought in other shops, to see if I think it is a reproduction. I am always honest about this, I always give them my opinion. I am sure I have made other dealers mad, but I refuse to perpetuate their fraud. Every time a customer is deceived then they are less, and less, likely to continue collecting, and become more distrusting of dealers as a whole. When dealers are approached in shops, and especially in malls, and are informed about reproductions in their stock, many get defensive. Myself, I would be happy for the information, as it would keep me from accidentally misinforming a customer.

Fantasy items are part of the problem, these are items bearing logos for companies that were never made by the company originally. Many are even licensed by the corporations. An example of this is the many Coke belt buckles that look old, but in reality have been made in the past few years, under license to Coca Cola. Many take them for old advertising giveaway items, when in fact they are new and were sold by the licensee.

Hidden repairs are another problem. Many repairs to old furniture, pottery, etc. are so well done, they are hard to spot for the beginner, or by the naked eye, even by old pros. You have to know exactly what to look for, and in some cases even have to resort to using black lights and etc. I know of one collector of old duck decoys who x-rays his birds, to help find old repairs, and also to help tell fakes from real decoys. Ethical dealers will disclose repairs and hidden damage to their items. They need to consider their customers when selling merchandise. The customer who takes an old piece of furniture home, and discovers it is repaired, or even assembled from old components, is much less likely to do business with that dealer again, and has built distrust in their mind of all antique dealers. 200205