How we authenticate

Our standard

We describe what a piece is, roughly when and where it was made, and the condition it is in. When the evidence is clear, we say so plainly. When it is not, we say that too — "c. 1950s" rather than an invented exact year, "probably" rather than "certainly". We would rather lose a sale than overstate a piece.

The process

1. Maker's marks, labels and serial numbers

We start with what the maker left behind: names and logos, model designations, patent and registration numbers, retailer's labels, date codes and serial numbers. Where published serial-number records exist — as they do for many typewriters and cameras — we use them to narrow down the date of manufacture. We also check that the marks belong together and suit the period: a correct logo in the wrong typeface, or a sticker newer than the object it sits on, is a warning sign.

2. Period-correct construction and materials

Objects are made with the materials and methods of their day. We look at the plastics (Bakelite and other early plastics look, feel and age differently from modern ones), metals and finishes, fastenings and screws, wiring and insulation, and how parts are cast, stamped, moulded and joined. We look at wear too: genuine age shows where hands actually touched the piece, while artificial ageing tends to be even, or in the wrong places.

3. Comparison with reference examples

We compare each piece with documented examples: manufacturers' catalogues and service manuals, period advertisements, collectors' references, museum collections and other examples we have handled. Details such as the shape of a dial, the pattern of a decal or the layout of a keyboard often separate one model or year from another — and an original from a later copy.

4. Condition assessment

We record what works and what does not, what has been repaired or replaced, and any cosmetic wear, chips, cracks, fading or corrosion. These notes appear in the listing so you can judge the piece for yourself, and we are happy to send further photographs of anything you want to see more closely.

5. Servicing, where needed

Some pieces need cleaning, lubrication or careful repair before they are ready for a new home. We use original or period-appropriate parts wherever we can, and we note any part that is not original. We do not restore a piece to the point of hiding its history. Where an electrical piece has not been rewired for modern use, we say so, and we recommend that a qualified electrician checks any vintage electrical item before it is used regularly.

6. Documentation

Finally, the piece is photographed and described, and its findings are written up in the listing and, when it is sold, in its certificate of authenticity.

What the certificate of authenticity records

Each piece we sell comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Real Antiques (Aksan Enterprises). It records:

• the piece's name and description, with its maker and model where known;
• its date or period of manufacture and, where known, its place of origin;
• identifying features such as serial numbers or marks;
• its condition, including any repairs, replaced parts or non-original elements;
• a photograph of the piece; and
• the date of sale.

The certificate is our written statement that the piece is genuine as described. Keep it with the piece: it is part of its story from now on.

The limits — said plainly

• Attribution is made in good faith, on the evidence available to us when the piece is listed. It is an expert judgement, not a laboratory result: we do not carry out scientific materials testing.
• Dates are often approximate. Many makers produced the same model for years, so a period such as "1950s" is frequently the honest answer.
• Provenance is usually unknown. Everyday objects rarely come with a record of their previous owners. When we know something about a piece's history, we tell you; when we do not, we do not invent it.
• We correct mistakes. If new evidence shows a description is wrong, we change it. If you bought a piece that turns out not to be as described, our returns policy sets out how we put it right.

Sources we rely on

Manufacturers' catalogues, instruction books and service manuals; period advertisements and trade publications; published collectors' references and serial-number records; museum collections; and the hands-on experience of examining the pieces that pass through our hands.

Questions about a particular piece?

Ask us. We are glad to send close-ups of marks and serial numbers, explain how we reached a date, or tell you what we are unsure about. Get in touch.