Don't Call the Thrift Shop

Book excerpt: When it's time for a move to a retirement home, a smaller home, or there's a death in the family, how should you manage a lifetime of family heirlooms and cherished possessions? Should that old chest go to the rummage sale, or is it a rare antique? What about jewelry, coins, stamp collections, china, silver, glass, memorabilia, baseball cards and toys? Are they valuable? How can we tell? Who will buy them? What are they really worth? This book is your key to finding the value of everything from diamonds to Teddy Bears, as well as tips about estate planning and appraisals. Find out all about: *the hottest collectibles markets and why some items skyrocket in price *how experts spot a valuable antique *where to get information used by professionals *selling at auctions, estate sales, and on eBay