The P4A Antiques Reference database is a new subscription at the Patchogue-Medford Library. It's available for use from computer workstations in the library or Patchogue-Medford Library district residents may access it from home with their library card barcodes and PIN numbers.
Access the P4A Antiques Reference Database directly or see listings of all of our databases.
The P4A Antiques Reference database contains actual auction sale prices for thousands of antiques and collectibles of all kinds. As of this writing there were 244,446 individual records. Items include advertising collectibles, autographs, books, clocks and watches, crafts and folk art, dolls, furniture, jewelry, oriental carpets and rugs, paintings, pottery and porcelain, silver and gold, toys, and much, much more!
The information in the database comes from over 50 regional auction houses throughout the United States plus selected specialized auctions. Each auction house covered has a reputation for integrity and fair dealing, holds catalogued sales, and advertises their sales nationally. Each record in the database contains contact information and a link to the house's website.
It might prove interesting to note that the IRS subscribes to the P4a Antiques Reference database to help them verify claims for antique and collectible prices!
You may first want to browse the Table of Contents to see the incredible scope of items the database contains
Return to the search screen at any time by clicking on the Database Search link at the top of any page.
Search broadly at first, then narrow your search. Once you look at a few records you can get a good idea of which specific categories, types, and keywords will help you find exactly what you need.
It's best to use the Category and Type searches to find what you need. First choose the Category of the kind of antique you are looking for, then narrow it down by the specific Type of antique within the category you are looking for. The Type menu selections will change, based upon which category you are searching.
If you get too many results use a keyword or two to help narrow the search down. Samples of keywords to use might include "wood clock," "pistol" or "watercolor." It's best to use singular keywords, such as map instead of maps, as the search engine will automatically find plural variations of the word.
You can also use a Keyword search as your main search if you are looking for a very specific item, or if you do not know the Category in which your item would be classified.
Use the Origin and Year search fields sparingly, as not all records have these items included. You may miss some good records.
You can choose to Limit the number of results you retrieve to a maximum of 100, 300, 500,750, 1000,2000, or 3000 results.
Results are presented by date of sale, most recent first. Click on a summary record to see the full detail record. All records can be printed.
This page was last updated on June 27, 2005.