When I first starting handling antiques with my husband in December of 1959, I must say he was more of a historian than I was. Through the years, however, I have learned many helpful hints to correctly identify and date merchandise. Here are but a few. If the article is of interest, there are plenty more where these came from!

 

ZIP CODES

Our first business opened not that long after the creation of the postal zip codes. In 1943 large cities were issued what was called a “postal zone.” For example, you might see New York 9, New York. The “9” would be the postal zone for that city. This type of zip coding system continued until 1963 when 5-digit codes were used more readily throughout all cities in the United States. The + 4 zip codes (i.e. 10018-4256) began in 1983. Finding merchandise with the address printed on the original box or packaging is a great way to help date your merchandise.

COPYRIGHT

A helpful hint for determining age of jewelry is the copyright symbol. Besides a maker’s mark, you know the presence of a copyright symbol dates the piece of jewelry after 1956.

TERRITORY

Items marked Terr or Territory accompanying the name of a state in the United States were created before those states joined the union. It is not uncommon to find letters, historical documents, stocks, coins, maps, and photographs marked territory, particularly with the last states to join the union:

36^th Nevada October 31, 1864

37^th Nebraska March 1, 1867

38^th Colorado August 1, 1876

39^th North Dakota November 2, 1889

40^th South Dakota November 2, 1889

41^st Montana November 8, 1889

42^nd Washington November 11, 1889

43^rd Idaho July 3, 1890

44^th Wyoming July 10, 1890

45^th Utah January 4, 1896

46^th Oklahoma November 16, 1907

47^th New Mexico January 6, 1912

48^th Arizona February 14, 1912

49^th Alaska January 5, 1959

50^th Hawaii August 21, 1956

Collectors will also be interested to note commemorative items to celebrate state centennials 100 years after the date they joined the union. Nevada centennial collectibles, for example, would be dated October 31, 1964.

HISTORY

• Japan: Figurines and china with a variety of markings on the bottom can be dated as follows:

  • 1891-1921 Japan used the Japanese name for Japan, Nippon, as their mark.

  • 1921-1941 The word Japan itself was used.

  • 1941 and after, collectors will see Made In Japan.

 

Exception: Following WWII from February 1947 to April 1952, items made in Japan for United States export will be marked Made In Occupied Japan.

 

 

• Hong Kong: Hong Kong became a crown colony of the United Kingdom in 1842. In 1898, the British signed a treaty creating a 99-year lease on Hong Kong. The treaty expired only recently on June 9, 1997, at which point Hong Kong’s sovereignty was transferred back to the People’s Republic of China. China claimed Hong Kong as its own in an official ceremony on July 1, 1997. Granted, this is a long time period for dating a collectible, but it is something to note with items marked Made in British Hong Kong or British Colony Hong Kong.

 

 

 

Please feel free to respond to this blog with your own knowledge of dating antiques and collectibles of all kinds. Our shared knowledge will keep us all in the numbers game.

Joanne Price, Venti Vintage

http://ventivintage.rubylane.com