About Know Old Stuff
At KnowOldStuff.com, we make old stuff make sense.
It’s the reason this site exists.
- 100K+People read us regularly
- 110+In-depth guides
- 50+Industry mentions & recognitions
- We don’t sell antiquesWe’re not dealers or resellers, so our guides aren’t written to push a sale.
Proudly featured in
Our guides are cited by publishers, universities and collector communities.
- IUPIndiana University
of PennsylvaniaLinks our carnival glass guideSee the mention on Indiana University of Pennsylvania (opens in a new tab) - LibelleOn old Singer sewing machine valuesSee the mention on Libelle (opens in a new tab)
- MargrietOn old Singer sewing machine valuesSee the mention on Margriet (opens in a new tab)
- 50+more mentions by sites, forums and collector groups
Our mission
Clear answers for curious people
We created this space for anyone who’s ever found something old and wondered:
- “Is this worth anything?”
- “What is this even used for?”
- “Should I keep it or let it go?”
We think old things, whether antiques, vintage pieces, family hand-me-downs or secondhand finds, matter for more than their price. They carry stories and memories, and they often leave us wondering where they came from, how old they are, or what they were used for.
KnowOldStuff.com was created to help you answer those questions.
You don’t need to be a historian or a collector, and we skip the jargon.
Our work in numbers
113
In-depth guides
Real sold prices
Every value comes from a completed sale, credited to the seller
Since 2025
Helping people understand the old things they find
100% original
Researched, written and checked before publishing
Our story
Who’s behind Know Old Stuff
Know Old Stuff started with a question we kept hearing: “Is this old thing worth anything?” Our guides answer it the same way every time. We look at what pieces like yours actually sold for, explain how to identify them in plain words, and keep each guide up to date.
Our guides are written by our lead writer and editor, Jamie Colwell, with Harsh and Muskan behind the scenes keeping the site running and easy to find.
What Matters to Us
Every guide is meant to help you feel sure about what you’ve found.
Step-by-Step Guidance
We break things down clearly. Every guide walks you through the basics — what to look for, where to find markings, and how to compare pieces — so you never feel lost or overwhelmed.
Visual Learning
Old items are easier to understand when you can actually see what’s being described. That’s why we include clear photos, close-ups, and side-by-side comparisons in every guide.
Independent Perspective
We’re not dealers, resellers, or trend-chasers. Our guides follow curiosity and historical accuracy rather than what’s hot on the market.
One Voice, One Standard
Every guide is written by the same person — not outsourced, not AI-generated. That keeps every guide consistent and carefully checked.
Our method
How We Find the Values in Our Guides
1
Real sold prices, not asking prices
The values in our guides come from items that actually sold, mostly completed listings on eBay. An asking price only shows what someone hopes to get; a sold price shows what a buyer really paid.
2
We show where each price came from
Each sold example comes with a screenshot of the listing and a credit to the seller, so you can see the item and the price for yourself.
3
Guides are kept up to date
Prices and collector interest change over time. Every guide shows the date it was last updated.
4
A helpful guide, not an appraisal
Our guides help you understand what you have and what similar pieces have sold for. For an official valuation, please speak to a qualified appraiser.
Our team
How we work
Every guide is researched and written by our lead writer and editor, Jamie Colwell, and checked by our team. Prices come from real, completed sales, credited to the seller.
Each article is checked for originality before it’s published. No one can pay to be featured, and advertisers have no say in what we write.
We revisit our guides and welcome corrections from readers.
Read our editorial policy-
Jamie Colwell
Lead Writer & Editor
An antiques and collectibles writer and editor whose guides have been referenced by Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Libelle and Margriet, among others. Has written more than 110 of our guides, from carnival glass to Singer sewing machines.
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Harsh R
Search & site
Harsh looks after search and the site itself. With a background in SEO and digital marketing, he keeps the site well structured, fast and easy to find, so the guides reach the people looking for this kind of help.
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Muskan S
Operations
Muskan keeps the site organized day to day. She handles small tech tasks and checks that every guide stays accurate and up to date.
Questions
Things You Might Want to Know
What is KnowOldStuff.com?
KnowOldStuff.com is an independent blog about old things, from everyday vintage finds to historical pieces. We keep it plain rather than academic, so you can understand the old things you come across.
It’s for anyone who browses antique shops, has inherited something they can’t identify, or likes learning how people lived in the past.
How Are You Different From Other Sites?
Most websites about old stuff fall into two camps.
Camp One: They’re trying to sell you something. Every article somehow leads back to “buy this” or “check out our auction.” That’s not us.
Camp Two: They’re written for serious collectors who already know the lingo. They throw around terms like “provenance” and “patina” without explaining what they mean. Also not us.
We write for everyday people: the person who just found something in their grandmother’s attic, the garage sale browser who spotted something but has no idea what it is, and anyone who wants to learn without feeling overwhelmed.
We explain things clearly, with no sales pitch and no collector jargon.
Can you help me identify or value something I found?
We’re not licensed appraisers, so we can’t give official valuations or tell you whether to buy or sell. But if you’re stuck working out what something is, send us a message and we’ll point you in the right direction if we can. For an official valuation, please speak to a qualified appraiser.
Do you accept guest posts, contributions, or sponsored content?
No. We don’t accept guest posts, sponsored content or paid promotions, and no one can pay to be featured. Keeping every guide in-house keeps the method and standards the same throughout the site.
Spotted a Mistake or Have a Question?
We read every message. If a price looks wrong, a detail needs fixing, or you just want to say hello, get in touch.