In answer to Jean: We've written about this before, and I'm not going to the government for a definition, because Arachne archives are full of memos on the subject. Every time I've checked, Antiques were defined as being items over 100 years of age. Americans come across this when we travel abroad. We must declare all purchases at Customs upon return to the U.S. We do not pay duty (import) taxes on bona fide Antiques and several other items, such as Books. When we shop abroad, we get documentation from shop keepers for items that are not subject to duty taxes. We carry these items in suitcases that can be easily opened for inspection. In the really serious high-dollar Antiques world, dealers and auctioneers would be aghast that something newer would be called an Antique. They know it would be grounds for legal action. I base this on regularly attending Antiques shows and auctions, and on reading Antiques Magazine and the monthly newspaper Maine Antique Digest -- both respected for reporting on Antique news from around the world, including the U.K. What is happening is that people who are not licensed or regulated by the government are making claims on Ebay and other sites that are not correct. We are getting descriptions of Antique, Vintage, Collectible, etc. for just about anything. Probably someone is selling 2014 Winter Olympics items from Sochi as Antiques, and getting away with it! That does not mean that the definition of an Antique has changed. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
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