Complicated Vintage - Reproductions, Fakes and Re-Issues

This vintage life is becoming more complicated.  There are days when I feel like I'm researching fakes and reproductions more than I am legitimate pieces.  Keeping on top of what's newly faked or reproduced and documenting it, is almost a full time job!
Let's all remember that Antiques are 100 years old or older and Vintage is 20 years to 99 years (technically:)).

Reproductions are items that have been made to look like another item, with a certain degree of quality.   Many times it can be difficult to tell the two apart.  This has been going on since the beginning of time.  It is important to know the small details that differentiate the originals from the reproductions.  This could be anything from how a piece is put together to colors that weren't used in the originals or the size of an item.  You hope for some kind of signature, hallmark or backstamp, but that can also be faked.  
The older manufacturers of "reproductions" did not try to mimic a hallmark, they would just leave the piece unsigned.  Newer manufacturers are the "Fakes" and they will stop at nothing to trick you into thinking that their poor quality imitation is actually the real deal.

A Re-Issue is when an original mold is used by the original company, to make a new version of their old piece.  These are almost identical and can be identical but dating them is still crucial to the future value and the value of their original counterparts.

We try to stay on top of these continuing changes in our Vintage & Antiques Community on G+ and with frequent visits to Ruby Lane's RealorRepro .  I'm thinking that a series of blog posts might also help in keeping things current and easier to find.  Each post will feature one item or group of items from a manufacturer that is being reproduced, faked or re-issued.

Today we'll start with something easy for most of us, yet still shocking to me when I was recently given one as a gift.
Notice the intentional crazing done to make the vase look older, as well the chips/wear to the paint.
This vase is available at Hobby Lobby.  Some will say, one look tells you that it's a fake but remember that these items can pass through many hands, ending up at your favorite flea market or estate sale and being sold as "vintage".  To see it on the shelf in Hobby Lobby, is one thing but to see it when you're out and about hunting, maybe with a little dirt on it and a good story about how it belonged someone's grandmother's, to go with it...well let's just say it makes things complicated for some of our newer sellers.  Suddenly, it's being sold as vintage, another seller sees the listing, having picked up the same thing and lists it as vintage (without doing the research)....and on it goes.






Look for my next post on the flooding of Fakes in today's market.

Thanks so much for reading!

Pam

Comments

  1. As a newish seller and collector of vintage I will be watching out for your blog posts Pam. I am so glad I have people like you to look to for guidance when I am not sure if I am looking at a reproduction, repro or fake.

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    1. Thanks so much Treasures Found Shoppe! These fakes and reproductions are hitting the market so fast, it's hard to keep up with, but documenting all that we come across will benefit all of us and future vintage/antique sellers.

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  2. Count me in for following this series. You know I share your passion for Truth, Justice and the American way! Or should I say the old American way of doing things right? In any event, great post.

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    1. Thank you Margaret...maybe we need vintage capes!lol
      I thought it might spread the word to those who aren't members of our community...every little bit helps.

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