posted on May 29, 2004 11:40:31 AM new
I just read another thread where many people were talking about ebay sellers use of words like vintage, retro, antique, classic, rare, etc.
So what is your definition of these words in context to using them to describe something up for auction:
1) Vintage
2) Retro
3) Antique
4) Classic
5) Rare
I've used RARE, OOP (Out Of Print), Retro, and Vintage. I don't recall using Antique since I don't recall ever selling anything I would consider antique.
I have used Rare when describing something that is rarely posted on ebay. Items that were made in small quantities, or are hard to come by.
I've also used Vintage to describe items from the 50's through the 70's, and Retro to describe reproduction items from the past.
I would like to know how most people use these terms so that I can make sure I'm not using them incorrectly and so that others that don't know can learn what the difference is.
posted on May 29, 2004 02:01:44 PM new
vintage-used,worn,dirty,looks old.
retro- anything i dont like
antique-something i would like to sell for more money on ebay
classic-prim and proper but square
rare- rent comes due next week and i am desperate
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on May 29, 2004 04:50:10 PM new
Vintage - 30's, 40's, 50's stuff
Retro - 60's, 70's stuff
Antique - 1920's and older
Classic - Stumped on this one. I keep picturing classic cars from the 50's.
Rare - I really don't think there is such a thing on ebay. I thought I had some rare patterns, but come to find out that they weren't so rare.
I may be wrong about these, but this is generally how I list. I hope more respond because I would really like to see what everyone thinks.
posted on May 29, 2004 06:40:57 PM new
aintrich, for some reason I never really included 50ties with retro as much as sixties/70ties. I wonder if indeed 50ties is considered retro?
I cant believe 70ties stuff is 30 years old now!! Kovels wrote on article on the baby boomers wanting 70ties stuff from childhood now, but most of it was so horid - only for kvetch'ie novelty things does it attract my attention.
posted on May 29, 2004 07:58:38 PM new
Vintage ~ Webster's defines this as 'the produce of the vine for one season', and after a few nips myself, I liberally use this in every possible title for 'one eBay session', which is what season becomes when slurred after downing a nice vintage bottle
Retro ~ the latest & most admired style, in terms of fashion, this usually relates to some 2 year-old piece of clothing I fished out of my daughter's discards: RETRO FISH-NET STOCKINGS GREAT FOR CROSS-DRESSER, and of course, you must ALWAYS mention it is from a smoke-free house
Antique ~ an alternative & somewhat more "punchy" word for old -- I figure when I've been looking at some eBay item that I re-listed two or three times, with less than 5 hits total, it is getting VERY old in my opinion, thus the revised listing title with antique in it
Classic ~ I particularly like using this in unison with antique: ANTIQUE FORD DINKY TOY WITH CLASSIC JAGUAR STYLE LINES, or, ANTIQUE STYLE GOLD RING CLASSIC 14K? L@@K!
Rare ~ Can be safely used on any item with a starting bid up to $9.99
Rare! ~ Best used for any item with a starting bid up to $24.99
RARE!!! ~ Well, I don't really want to give away ALL my secrets, but if you have ANYTHING by Rod McKuen, this is a must-use!
Related Words:
aged, antiquated, archaic, best, better, bygone, choice, collector-grade, matured, mellowed, old, old-fashioned, old-time, quality, seasoned, select, superb, superior
[ edited by upriver on May 29, 2004 07:59 PM ]
posted on May 29, 2004 08:14:13 PM new
Vintage I use anything before 1985, but I don't say 60-80's clothes are vintage but are retro. You know the brightly colored, orange, green etc. 50's or before are Vintage.
Art Deco is the 20's.
I think Classic is used mainly for cars such as 50's-70's. Older than 50's are Vintage.
Rare to me is what it says Rare. If there is more than one item the same on eBay to me this is not rare.
posted on May 29, 2004 08:25:12 PM new
1) Vintage - Non-descript oldness that may be up to 60-80 years old, but not necessarily the following. I always think of anything deco and beyond. "Vintage '80's Cross Colors" I bet it will be if it hasn't already been up on ebay!
2) Retro - new or used with a decided flavor harking back to a particular era. These days 1982 t shirts and laura ashley-esque doo dads scarily fall into this catagory! Even seeing late '80's trends in fashion creeping back in...now I am scared!
3) Antique - 100 years or older?
4) Classic - New or used will age gracefully and graciously. Or has aged gracefully. Technically speaking, it's an homage to the style that the ancient Greeks created back in the day, I suppose that would be Hellenic, versus Minoan or Mycenean...although men in skirts...should really encourage more if that!
5) Rare - If you know the catagory, then you know what's rare. If you've never seen it before, that means squattage...as I have learned!
hmmm...JR Young Saddle.
posted on May 31, 2004 12:20:56 PM new
Funny. All kidding aside, it seems as though there are no specific guidelines for proper terminology.
I have sold clothing on ebay, and more recently mid-century collectibles, furniture, and other items. I also own a mid-century furniture/housewares/collectibles store in Portland.
My experience in labeling items is that retro tends to be used to described newer (10 years or newer) items that are basically reproductions of past items. I know the proper use should be reproduction, but as a seller, reproduction comes across negative.
Vintage items I find are generally from the late 1940's through the 1970's. As it has been pointed out, the items from the late 70's is now at least 25 years old. It amazes me how quickly time escapes us.
I also use the word mid-century which can describe the 40's through the 60's. Mid-century seems to be a collectors term. I've read many books, watched many design shows, and subscribe to a few magazines, and find that those who bother to use the word retro, use it to describe either a modern reproduction or to describe something from the mid 70's through the mid 80's. We are barraged daily with retro items. Think Old Navy and the GAP.
