European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 04, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                7ques Arm yourself with knowledge before beginning the Pursuit by Steve scholar the keys to successful antique buying in Europe include knowing the Best places to look and How to pay the right Price without getting ripped off being Able to. Spot fakes and reproductions and possessing the ability to restore an article to its original brilliance. These and other practical tips were discussed by Antiques dealer David Cook during an antiquing in Europe class this past Spring at Patton Barracks civic Center in Heidelberg  than 20 people attended Cook s class which gave advice and helpful collecting hints to new and not so new Antiques collectors. The first thing anyone should do is go to the Library _ and do research. It s one of the most important things you can do Cook said. All Antiques dealers Are not experts and learning about the things you re interested in will help keep you from having problems  one of the Best places to buy Antiques while it might seem obvious is the antique shop for some reason americans seem afraid to go into German antique shops. Maybe it s the language he said. But antique shops Are a great place to Start dealers Don t mind if you ask questions and Many speak Antiques dealer David Cook offers shopping tips during a one night seminar in Heidelberg. Enough English to  in talking to German Antiques dealers Cook said he has been told that Many americans Only ask about the Price of an item when they enter a shop. You should ask where the piece came from How old it is or is it All original and what its history is the Antiques dealer said. Even if you Don t buy the item the dealer will see you have an interest and you might buy something in the  auctions Are another Good source but Cook suggests first time auction goers might want to be spectators first. Go in sit Down and watch. Auctions Are the Best place to see a Tot of stuff put up for Sale. You Don t even Nave to take a number he said. Most of the time the auctioneer will Tell you before the auction what the item should  Flea and antique markets Are also Good places to find things but Cook said buyers should beware. Flea markets Are a great place to pick up inexpensive thing but Seldom will you find top Quality  once you decide to buy an hem Cook said you shot to be sure of what you re buying. _ one of the Best ways to spot a fake or reproduction is through what Cook cuffed Patina everything that has any age has Patina. On a piece of is Stevo scholar furniture it is the buildup of years of Wax and dirt that help to give the piece a special color. On porcelain it is the Wear he said. It is usually difficult to reproduce  " one Way to spot fakes or reproductions in furniture is to look at the Back of the piece. Of furniture Seldom had the Back or underneath finished. Looking at the Bottom of drawers and How they Are constructed will also give dues whether the piece is new or the genuine thing Cook said. With the popularity of old Silver and Silver plate pieces soaring a fairly reliable Way exists to Date Many of the objects. For example original Marks on american and British server will help determine age and Silver Content and help Weed out fakes. The style of the piece Wilt also help. Silver or Silver plate pieces with female figures and interwoven branches or designs often evoke the style of at Nouveau from the late 19th and Early 20th centuries. Many collectibles or Antiques Are found in less than perfect condition. For some that might mean a bargain while to others it could present a problem. One problem that Many wooden Antiques suffer from is Wood worm infestation. Cook said furn iture with Wood worm a Small insect that bores into the Wood and leaves pinholes can still be a Good bargain. _ treating Wood worm is easy. Each Hole can be treated to kill the Wood worm he said As Long As there Aren t enough holes to make the Wood soft the. Piece might still be Worth buying. Even if the Wood is soft a restorer can replace the Wood worm damage with another piece of old  Way to spot Active Wood worm is to look at the Hole. As the Wood worm bores into the Wood it pushes Wood shavings or debris out of the Hole. If shavings or Wood dust Are present so is Wood worm. On the other hand if the Hole does t show any evidence of shavings or dust it s Likely the Wood worm is gone or dead. F the ability to restore a piece of Furm Turgor other antique can Lead to saving Money by getting the item cheaper. Furniture refinishing is relatively easy and with practice it s possible to make pieces that some people might turn away from look very presentable. However furniture that is particularly important or valuable for example is sometimes better with the original finish left intact no matter How it looks. -. _ refinishing some pieces of furniture can significantly lower their value. R Agair Cook suggests doing some research at the local Library and starting on a piece that in t expensive. Supplies needed to refinish furniture will probably include stripper to take the original finish off a stain to add color and a final Tung Oil or shellac to protect the new finish. Cook said collecting Antiques is fun and something Many people can enjoy. One woman apparently agreed and said she attended the class because she wanted to learn about Antiques so she could interest her family in collecting she also had a More practical reason. To i came to learn a Little before i Start spending my Money. The class really  Steve scholar is a former stars and stripes writer now living in the states. August 4, 1994 stripes Magazine 11