Where, when and from whom the piece was purchased is valuable to know. Ask the dealer to offer you some sort of means to help you sell the piece. While some pieces appreciate so that a dealer can't afford to buy the piece outright from you again, a dealer can help you sell it privately or via consignment. In any form, this assistance tells you that the dealer believes in the item's integrity and value. Learn to care for what you have.
Condition is one of the important factors as a piece ages.
Not only do you want pieces that are unaltered, you want pieces that have been well preserved. Many sources, such as books, dealers and museums, can give you information on learning to care for your antiques. A dry cloth or lamb's wool duster is all you need. Create the look and style you just read about. Find out what the latest trends in decorating are.