Hobbies And Interests
Antique
The U.S. Customs office defines an antique using the Tariff Act of 1930, which states in part that antiques are defined as works of art ̵1; excluding carpets and rugs made after the year 1700 ̵1; which were made before 1830. The year 1830 was an important date as it represented the transition date from handmade items to mass-produced items. Since 1930 the U.S. Customs Office has collected duties on all items or objects made 100 years before the present date. This has become accepted as the standard definition of an antique.
Vintage
Vintage refers to a specific year or era in which an item was made. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the word was first used to describe a yield of grapes or wine from a specific year, but has expanded to include "a period of origin or manufacture." For example, a 1954 Mustang can be referred to as vintage because the year and era in which it was made have come to be considered historic in terms of craftsmanship.
Differences
The word "antique" does not automatically confer quality or worthiness; it simply delineates the date an object was made. Vintage items, however, can be made as recently as five or 10 years in the past, but are specifically of that time period. For example, a computer released four years in the past may be considered vintage when compared to the newest version on the market. Some antiques can also be referred to as vintage, if they represent a specific year because of a unique design. However, vintage objects are rarely considered antique because they are often made less than 100 years in the past.
Considerations
Antique and vintage items are linked by the fact that they both refer to the past in specific ways. When evaluating items and objects that are labeled as antiques, collectors should always keep in mind the 100-year rule if there is any doubt. Though some items exist that are labeled "antique" without falling under the 100-year rule, most dealers and appraisers abide by the rule, according to Michael Flanigan, an American furniture expert cited on the PBS Antiques Roadshow website. Vintage items, such as comic books, cars and wine, are of their eras and are evaluated based on the time periods they represent. An important consideration is the condition of the item. Mint or near-mint condition is rated the best by appraisers. A vintage 1938 "Action Comics #1" in mint condition which features the first appearance of Superman, for example, is worth millions, not only because it introduced the Man of Steel, but because it was one of the first comic books of its kind.