Learn With Eric Knowles
The antiques trade, explained properly.
For over 40 years, Eric Knowles has handled antiques, advised collectors, appeared on television and valued everything from pocket watches to museum-quality discoveries.
Now he's sharing the practical knowledge, mistakes, shortcuts and lessons that collectors, inheritors and dealers actually use.
- Free expert lessons
- New lessons added regularly
- Real-world antiques knowledge
- No jargon, no fluff
Five ways into the trade
Each path is a curated series of lessons, pick the one that matches what you've inherited, what you collect, or what you'd like to understand next.
- 01
Foundations
The language of the trade, definitions, periods, makers.
- 02
Watches & Jewellery
Hallmarks, movements and what separates good from great.
- 03
Identification & Dating
How dealers read an object in seconds, and what gives it away.
- 04
Value & Collecting
Auction estimates, market trends and what's worth holding.
- 05
Dealer Knowledge
Shortcuts, mistakes and the lessons only experience teaches.
Start With The Most Popular Lessons
Whether you're inheriting antiques, building a collection or simply curious about what you've found, these lessons will help you think like a dealer.
Understanding Antiques, Vintage & Collectables
Why definitions matter, what the 100-year rule really means, and the four drivers of value every dealer uses.
Antique vs Vintage Watches
The watch timeline, what changes as a watch gets older, originality, serial numbers and a dealer's thought process.
Jewellery Hallmarks Masterclass
Read gold, silver and platinum marks like a professional, and learn the plated marks that catch beginners out.
Hallmarks, Maker's Marks & Hidden Clues
The dealer's detective mindset, British hallmarks, ceramic marks, the 1891 rule, and where to look on furniture.
How To Date Antiques Like A Dealer
The three pillars dealers use, style, materials and construction, plus restoration, comparables and confidence levels.
Condition, Damage & Restoration
Wear vs damage, the five condition grades, the four types of damage, the restoration detective toolkit and how to write a proper condition report.
Spotting Reproductions, Fakes & Forgeries
Construction, ageing and provenance, the three layers of authentication, plus the dealer's toolkit for spotting artificial wear, drilled worm holes and dodgy paperwork.
What I'd Buy At £500, £5,000 & £50,000
Three budgets, three mindsets, from beginner collector to professional capital allocator, and the categories Eric would (and wouldn't) buy at each level.
The Biggest Antique Mistakes I've Seen In 40 Years
Fifteen of the costliest mistakes Eric has watched people make, from cleaning before researching to selling too quickly and buying the story.
The 10 Objects I Never Walk Past
Sovereigns, pocket watches, medals, jewellery boxes, masonic regalia and more, the everyday objects that consistently reward curiosity.
The House Clearance Treasure Hunt
A room-by-room walkthrough of where dealers really start, bedrooms, studies, lofts, garages, hallway cupboards and the all-important desk drawer.
Why Some Antiques Become Valuable And Others Don't
Demand, rarity, condition and provenance, the four pillars every dealer uses to understand why one object is worth £80 and a similar-looking one is worth £8,000.
The Five Minute Antique Assessment
A six-step field framework dealers use to triage a table full of objects, identify, assess, inspect, verify and decide, all in under five minutes.
Ask Eric A Question
Have a question, a topic you'd like Eric to cover, or a lesson suggestion? Leave it below, popular suggestions become future Learn With Eric lessons.
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New Lessons Added Regularly
The antiques world is constantly changing. New discoveries are made, collecting trends evolve and fascinating objects continue to surface in homes across the country.
We're regularly adding new Learn With Eric lessons covering watches, jewellery, medals, silver, antiques, collecting and dealer knowledge.
View Latest LessonsReady To Discover What Your Antiques Might Be Worth?
Whether you've inherited a collection, found something interesting or simply want expert advice, our team is here to help.