Everyone eventually comes across an object they can’t identify—something inherited, found in a garage or attic, picked up at a thrift store, or discovered inside a storage unit. Not knowing what an item is makes it difficult to determine whether it’s valuable, collectible, historical, or simply decorative.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 735 gives you a complete, beginner-friendly, non-destructive workflow for identifying unknown items. Using simple visual techniques—no cleaning, no testing, and no risky handling—you’ll learn the same observational methods professional appraisers use to determine an item’s material, category, function, age, maker, and potential value.
Inside this guide, you’ll learn how to:
Observe an unfamiliar item using the same intake method professionals follow
Identify the material (metal, wood, ceramic, glass, stone, plastic) to determine category
Locate maker marks, labels, stamps, numbers, and identifiers
Use shape and construction clues to determine possible function
Recognize signs of genuine age versus modern reproduction
Distinguish household, tool, collectible, industrial, and antique categories
Use comparison research and keyword techniques to narrow down unknown items
Analyze wear patterns, fasteners, joints, and construction details
Identify unknown artwork, décor, and sculptural objects
Know when an item needs expert review rather than guesswork
Apply the full DJR non-destructive workflow for identifying unknown items
Know when an item deserves professional appraisal or authentication
Whether you’re sorting inherited objects, evaluating thrift-store finds, handling estate items, or simply trying to solve the mystery of a strange object you found in your home, this guide gives you the expert structure needed to figure out what an item is—with confidence and clarity.
Digital Download — PDF • 9 Pages • Instant Access
Everyone eventually comes across an object they can’t identify—something inherited, found in a garage or attic, picked up at a thrift store, or discovered inside a storage unit. Not knowing what an item is makes it difficult to determine whether it’s valuable, collectible, historical, or simply decorative.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 735 gives you a complete, beginner-friendly, non-destructive workflow for identifying unknown items. Using simple visual techniques—no cleaning, no testing, and no risky handling—you’ll learn the same observational methods professional appraisers use to determine an item’s material, category, function, age, maker, and potential value.
Inside this guide, you’ll learn how to:
Observe an unfamiliar item using the same intake method professionals follow
Identify the material (metal, wood, ceramic, glass, stone, plastic) to determine category
Locate maker marks, labels, stamps, numbers, and identifiers
Use shape and construction clues to determine possible function
Recognize signs of genuine age versus modern reproduction
Distinguish household, tool, collectible, industrial, and antique categories
Use comparison research and keyword techniques to narrow down unknown items
Analyze wear patterns, fasteners, joints, and construction details
Identify unknown artwork, décor, and sculptural objects
Know when an item needs expert review rather than guesswork
Apply the full DJR non-destructive workflow for identifying unknown items
Know when an item deserves professional appraisal or authentication
Whether you’re sorting inherited objects, evaluating thrift-store finds, handling estate items, or simply trying to solve the mystery of a strange object you found in your home, this guide gives you the expert structure needed to figure out what an item is—with confidence and clarity.
Digital Download — PDF • 9 Pages • Instant Access
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