Old Documents

The term old documents is quite a broad term for serious paper collectors.

This category of paper collectibles could, and does, include many areas of the paper ephemera/antique paper world, such as...

• Vintage sales orders and receipts
• Land titles and deeds
• Marriage/Death certificates
• Bank Statements
• Utility and household bills
• ...and much, much, much, more!

Suppose you have a box full of old receipts from your grandfather's household. (Which we do!) Is it really worth anything?

The exact answer, of course, depends on what exactly you have! We'll try and cover a few of the more common examples that you may come across in your home.

Take a look in your box! Sort through it carefully; don't overlook anything! Even the smallest piece of paper may have quite a unique story to tell. Perhaps, you have something there...

Some Common Examples...

After all is said and done, that new receipt in your wallet will someday be an old document! (...in another 100 years or so...preserve it well!)

But seriously, modern sales receipts perform the same function as an old hand written receipt from the 1800's. (merchandise sold, date, location, method of payment, etc.)

We much prefer the fancy handwriting, with flair from the old fashioned ink pens, over the generic computer generated receipt...anyday!

We feel that every receipt has a story to tell...and perhaps, that is their true value! Your receipt may not be worth a lot of money, but, it still has a story.

Are They Worth Anything?

• Historical - Is your old document historical in nature? Historical documents are highly collectible. Depending on the event, your document could be worth a tremendous amount of money. Take good care of it! Better yet...have it professionally appraised.
• Local Importance/Value - Your document may not be a national treasure, but, it could be a local one!

  Maybe you have some early receipts from a "long gone" local store that everyone used to love! Or, perhaps, you have an old map of the area.

  Or maybe, a local deed...a title...a legal document...a death certicicate...an announcement? There are many local people who enjoy collecting these local treasures!

  The deed on the right is from 1875! It is a sheriff's deed transferring property. We bought it at an antique shop for a couple of dollars...a pretty cool find, don't you think?

• Advertising - Old vintage ads are also highly collectible! Maybe, your Great grandfather was a fountain saleman with Coca-Cola; back in the early days. Perhaps, he kept some of those sales transactions. If so, those early papers are, no doubt, a highly sought-after collectible by many Coke collectors...and as such, have some value!
• Age/Condition - It goes without saying, that the condition of your collectible is extremely important to its value. And, of course, the condition largely depends on the age of your collectible. Both are quite relevent to its value!

Random Notes...

Try this! Go visit a local antique shop. Look around and talk to the owner. They can probably give you a good idea of whether or not, your collection is worth anything!

One thing is for certain! Regardless of it's monetary value, your collection still has sentimental value!

Sit back and reflect on what that old document is really telling you...what was it like back then? Can you imagine...

Our Advice?

Our advice is to simply enjoy what you have. Perhaps, you could put a scrapbook together. Match up some of those receipts with some of those old photo's from that other box!

Maybe, (with the help of an experienced genealogist) you could even use these documents and receipts to help trace back through your family history!

However! If you suspect that you have something rare that may be of value...DON'T put it back in the box! Have it appraised by a professional, preserve it properly, and store it properly!

Then, when it comes time to decide on what to do with that paper treasure, you can feel comfortable knowing that you should get full value for it!

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