Are antique pictures always valuable? (2024)

Some old pictures and prints are incredibly rare and valuable, but age is no guarantee of value. There are thousands of 19th century prints on the market, many of which are small decorative bookplates (pages torn out of books) that may be worth a small amount if their subject has commercial appeal. A print becomes an antique when it is more than 100 years old.A complete set of prints may be of interest to a buyer, just as a set of dinnerware is more collectable than a single plate. Condition is also important; if, for example, the edges have been cut off a print, even just the plain paper edges, many buyers would be put off. However, what makes an antique print desirable is complex and should be left to an expert. This level of knowledge is acquired by print dealers throughout their careers.A picture that was painted 100 years ago may be of no value if it is of poor quality, very amateur or is in bad condition.