Treasure in the attic? How to monetise your finds

Experts can usually tell at first glance what sub-categories an object falls into, and also spot any discrepancies and whether an item is an imitation, kitsch or a worthless mass-production. Photo: dpa

Furniture, art, jewellery, coins, militaria, porcelain, vintage clothing: If you aren’t a collector yourself, the windfalls from an attic or house clearance can bring in some handy extra cash – but how do you go about selling them?

To avoid parting with your finds for a fraction of their worth, you need to know their significance. So the first step is to take stock.