If you're gonna put yourself out there, always start on the good foot.
And if that means curating a vintage or antique business . . . well then you should know the difference between ANTIQUE and VINTAGE. Yes the seasoned seller might read this a scoff but you know what? We all know different things and sharing is caring.
Let's get into it:
An item is an ANTIQUE if it is more than 100 years old. So anything 1924 and prior would be considered an antique. Anything less than 100 years and up to 20 years ago can be considered VINTAGE. That's right, that 1996 pair of shoes you have is now vintage.
Does it really affect pricing? Maybe not, there's antiques and vintage items that aren't worth diddly squat BUT being accurate in your descriptions helps sets your brand as knowledgeable and trustworthy. You don't want to mislead your potential buyer in believing they are receiving an "Antique Snoopy glass" when in reality it's from 1985. (There is no Snoopy/Peanuts item that has reached the "antique" era")
What about the items that predate antiques? Aside from dating it with it's corresponding period like "Edwardian dress" "Colonial Era Silver" "Pre Civil War Vessel" "Victorian Hat" "Medieval Tapestry" there are words like:
ANTIQUITIES - relics, objects of ancient times
ANTIQUATED - an object that is obsolete or no longer of use
PRIMITIVE - handmade, rough, crude antique items (ie primitive dough bowls)
RELIC - an object (generally of antiquity) held in high regard like religious items or remnants of the past
RELIQUARIES - container, vessel, shrine that sacred/religious relics are kept in (generally this word is not used outside it's relation to religious relics)
Now there is a big word to know when dealing with antiques especially and that is:
REPRODUCTION - a copy, duplicate, like item (whether is branded or not) of an item - the item as a reproduction can be a cheaper version of the original, branded reproductions which carry a higher price tag or items reproduced as souvenirs.
Aside from reproductions you have items that are REISSUED like many media is reissued on release dates or special anniversaries or REBRAND like Aunt Jemima became Pearl Milling Co. (These reissue/rebrand items can definitely affect the price of an item)
Since we're on "R" words lets look at this one:
RETRO - it is mainly just a descriptive word relating to, reviving or mimics "vintage". Also used to describe items with both contemporary and vintage versions (think sneakers) or used for contemporary items/reproductions to look like old things (Retro Style Telephone)
Speaking of "retro" style, you have to know what MCM stands for - Mid Century Modern and refers to a period (1950s - 1970s) of style, architecture, furniture design.
Other words to look out for that may or may not describe vintage items are
Pre-Loved/Pre-Owned - generally used for contemporary items that could be vintage but may not be old enough to be vintage OR just secondhand items.
NOS - New Old Stock - antique to contemporary products that were never opened/used still factory sealed, in original packaging etc
Alright 15 words seems like a good stopping point! There's so many other words to share but these can not only help you discern what you're selling but what you're out there sourcing!
See ya on round 2!