Just because it's old

'It's my grandma's,' explains the young woman holding a decorative plate, 'so I know it must be old. She has lots of antiques around the house.'

It's a conversation had many times with people hopeful that grandma's admired ornaments will turn out to be their cash treasures.

'She asked me to bring them along to be valued. We plan to sell them. She needs to declutter because she's moving soon.'

One look at their prized possession and its lack of antique age (and value) is all too apparent.

'Might Grandma be a similar age to me?' I suggest. There's an obvious hesitation. No-one wants to be the first to guess someone's age, do they? (Well, admittedly, some spiteful so and so might!)

'If it helps you, that would be well north of 60 but a little south of 70.' I smile.

'Yes, that's about right. I know she bought the plate along with a few others when she was first married.'

'OK, so we're in the early to mid 1970s now I should think?'

There's a shrug and pursed lips. 'Probably,' agrees the young woman. It's like a date out of the history books to someone her age.

'Well, I'm afraid these were produced in some numbers and took pride of place in many display cabinets up and down the country. They're not particularly valuable because as much as you and I might like them, people don't collect plates any more. Well, a few people still do but not in the numbers they did. It's the same for stamps, model cars, and books. In fact it's the same for many things.'

'So how much would they be worth?'

Oh, dear. Brace yourself. 'Perhaps £6 each,' I suggest, looking straight at her.

My gaze is met with a look of disbelief. 'Are you sure?' she asks bluntly. 'Grandma was always told they're valuable. We have about 12 of them.'

Now her face takes on a slightly more menacing expression. She probably thinks I'm trying to cheat her by buying her items on the cheap.

'I'm sure. And if it's any consolation,' I say reaching for a plate on display nearby. 'This is 40 years older and also worth around £5 or £6. And that one,' I point towards a late Victorian plate.' is another 30 years older and perhaps worth £10.'

She looks crestfallen.

'The said fact is that just because something's old it isn't necessarily worth a lot. Things are only worth something if people want to buy them.'

'I see,' she says quietly.

'Tell your grandma I'm really sorry but I couldn't give her more than £4 a plate and even then it's not certain I'll make a profit - even get my money back. They take so long to sell.'

She slowly puts the plate away in her bag.

'Furniture is my main thing. And artwork - paintings and prints. The furniture is environmentally friendly - recycling at its best - and decorative wall hangings always sell well. '

Now she looks alarmed. 'Oh, we put all that in the skip. We didn't think brown furniture and old fashioned frames were worth anything.'