San Francisco, CA  –  Feb 21, 2012

After analyzing membership records at www.Marks4Antiques.com, it quickly became evident that an increasing number of antiques professionals prefer using online methods to research their items.  “Almost half of our registered members are either antiques appraisers or auctioneers” says John of Membership Services at www.Marks4Antiques.com.  All other members are antiques dealers, online sellers or collectors.  The company believes that this validates their efforts in constantly researching and enhancing their members-only content.

One of the main advantages of using online tools to research antiques and collectibles is that they are always updated in real time.  Most members often contribute content by asking questions or pointing out latest news and market trends.  This information is then made available to all other members immediately and saves a great deal of effort and, very frequently, money by avoiding costly mistakes.

Another important reason is that access to online reference material is instant.  An internet connection to one’s mobile device or laptop is all that is needed to tap into thousands of makers’ marks & hallmarks, pricing results, historical context and timeline perspectives when researching any collection, whether at the office or on the road.  “I really appreciate the quick help as usual and the extra information you provide is top notch ” emailed Ron Leftwich of JLP Auctions in Culperer, VA, who conducts over 100 estate auctions per year at his own auction house and as many or more on clients’ premises in neighboring communities.

Even so-called traditional antiques professionals have begun embracing online research tools.  “We receive so many donated items all the time” says Annick Notter, Curator at the Museum of Art & History of La Rochelle in France.  “Subscribing to Marks4Antiques.com has cut down the time to process our items significantly and increased the accuracy of our attributions and market value estimates ten-fold” she added.  For the same reasons, many charity shops and non-profits are also members.

Although inventories for some antiques dealers or sellers may vary over time, antiques appraisers at many auction houses are the most frequent visitors of the members-only resources at Marks4Antiques.com.  “We sell upwards of a thousand precious antiques & collectibles every two weeks to a world-wide and sophisticated audience” said Colin Smith, President of Hampstead Auctions in London, UK, during a recent telephone interview.  “All of these items have to be researched with utmost accuracy before listing and advertising.  We are ecstatic that we can now check our facts instantly and also ask any questions when in doubt” he added, referring to the Help Guaranteed feature of Marks4Antiques.com.  As part of their benefits, members can send questions and receive an unbiased and confidential reply at no extra charge as often as they wish.  “It’s like having an antiques expert on retainer at all times” he says.

About www.Marks4Antiques.com

Founded in 2004, Marks4Antiques.com has been a pioneer in creating online research services to help members identify and appraise antiques or collectibles online. Members can swiftly find accurate information on makers marks, hallmarks, company & artisan signatures or logos.  Fake or reproduction marks are displayed side-by-side to authentic ones for easy and quick comparison.  Searchable databases also include millions of auction records to research prices or values for all categories of antiques and collectibles, with no need to send photos or descriptions.  All content is constantly updated and always available 24/7 from any computer or device connected to the Internet.

Contact email: Contact@Marks4Antiques.com