Anyone that watches "Antiques Roadshow" or has followed all the stories about people finding treasures in the trash is probably curious about what unknown gems are hiding among their own accumulated goods. Particularly in times that are financially tight, we all fantasize about the value of the teapot inherited from Aunt Elizabeth or the war relics that were passed down from Great, Great Grandfather Abner, hoping that they might bankroll a new BMW - or at least help us make the next car payment.
If you have items that you'd like to know more about (including their current value), the WorthPoint site might just be your next, best friend. And if they determine that your teapot is indeed a rare and valuable piece, and you decide you want to sell it, they'll help you find a top dollar buyer.
Based in Reston, Virginia, the site went live in 2007. The concept of founder and CEO, Will Seippel, was to build a "social network and information search engine for collectors." He's done that and more.
The website does indeed assist in the identification and determination of worth for fine art items, antiques and collectibles on a global level through contributing community members and a panel of 23 "Worthologists" - experts in a variety of fields from fine china to fishing lures who offer general answers for free and detailed responses for a fee ($5-$20).
The site also tracks the sales history of items through partnerships with auction houses around the world. It hosts an archive of information on specific items, called the "Worthopedia," which includes nearly "two million data points of historical and current prices, photographs and descriptions of art, antiques and collectibles from more than 250 auction houses." It also offers online communities, blogs, news about important upcoming auctions and announcements about other future events.
In addition to the wealth of information and obvious benefits to curious collectors, WorthPoint provides several aids to individuals who are looking to sell their items. There's a Classified section where members can list information about an item along with photos, price and seller contact information. They also help members connect with general and specialty auction houses that might be interested in a particular piece. There's an Auction area that catalogs individual items in upcoming sales around the world, and a list of auction partners for potential sellers to investigate to help them locate the widest possible audience.
Anyone can register for free at http://www.worthpoint.com. It's a quick and easy process. But there are discounts and premium services available should you choose to become a Gold ($5.95/month, $59.95/year) or Platinum ($9.95/month, $99.95/year) member. (By the way, if you decide to "go gold" before July 31st your membership and services fees are all half price.)
And who knows? If that teapot turns out to be really valuable, WorthPoint will walk you through the consignment process with Sotheby's as it did recently when Thom Pattie, WorthPoint's chief Worthologist, helped a Colorado woman sell a "dumpster-find" painting for $103,000.
