Let’s START – Start with going through the box with a single idea in mind – to see if you will find anything that you personally like. Many items we have in our houses have sentimental value that has nothing to do with its actual value. It may be an item we remember seeing in our mother’s curio cabinet or on the side table. Keep those even if they are slightly damaged – these are memories that we cherish
Broken Porcelain – Examine each piece carefully. If it is broken it usually doesn’t have any value unless it is 17th or 18th century piece – chances are you don’t have these in that box. Porcelain breaks in so many different ways – from the smallest hairline seen only under the loupe to broken cup handles, chipped teapot spouts, cracks and chips on the rims of the plates – the list goes on. Perhaps, you know someone who uses broken pieces to make art – give it to them! Through away the rest
Bad News – Porcelain produced in the States after WWII. Please, note emphasis on the word ‘produced’. These items hold no value today, none. They are in competition with new dishes produced in China that are new, OK looking and (most importantly) cheap… LENOX, Syracuse China, Homer Laughlin China, Ohio China, California China are best given to local thrift shop or church for bargain sale
Sell the Rest – There are only two ways to sell anything – either you do it yourself or you get someone to do it for you. Selling yourself is a lot of fun if you have time and are willing to do some digging into that area. Even if this will end up as a tag sale you need to know what price to put on the piece. Most of the china we all have in our houses was manufactured in 20th century and in large quantities. It was bought or gifted by millions of people who are known as baby boomers today. Our kids and grandchildren don’t want to bother washing and cleaning it – paper plates are much easier to deal with. Baby boomers are downsizing in huge numbers and trying to unload all these pieces in huge quantities. Market is flooded with ceramics because every household had a lot of it. If you think it is valuable get someone who knows to look at what you have in that box
To sum it up! – ‘Used porcelain’ is not really in style. It is in competition with IKEA, Pottery Barn, Target, Kmart and all other places selling dishes. Keep what you like and get rid of the rest!