Antique Tastes Change, But Hidden Treasures Still Remain
Article by Adam Zimmerman, Estate & Antique Expert
10.15.2025
When you’ve spent a lifetime collecting, every piece tells a story. The silver tray you bought at a flea market in the 1980s. The glass vase you discovered on a weekend trip. The artwork that once brought a touch of New York City’s magic into your living room. Letting go of those treasures can feel impossible — especially when they fill not just a home, but an entire building.
That’s exactly the situation one gentleman on Manhattan’s Upper West Side found himself in. Over the course of fifty years, he had filled multiple apartments, floor to ceiling, with art, jewelry, silver, bronzes, clocks, canes, glassware, and more. Now older, preparing to move abroad, he was faced with a question that haunts so many collectors: What do I do with all of this?
The Challenge: High Expectations, Shifting Markets
When the gentleman reached out to Adam and his business associate, Glenn Spellman, the gentleman admitted he was overwhelmed. The values he remembered — prices from the 1980s and 90s, when antique markets were booming — didn’t match today’s reality. That’s a common challenge: many owners remember the “golden age” of antique sales and expect the same numbers.
Glenn went in first, walking him through current market values with honesty and respect. Once the gentleman saw that our approach wasn’t about lowballing but about finding fair, accurate numbers for today’s market, the trust grew. He began opening up more rooms and apartments to Adam and Glenn, and together they created a plan to liquidate the entire six-floor building.
The Process: Careful, Piece by Piece
- They identified and purchased the valuable items-from jewelry to clocks to silver.
- They brought in a cleanout specialist to remove the items that had little or no resale value.
- They kept making purchases –some small, some large — until, over the course of the project, they spent close to six figures purchasing the pieces that would find new homes.
The Result: Money, Peace of Mind, and Legacy
In the end, the client was able to sell the building and prepare for his move abroad. The money mattered, of course. But what mattered even more was peace of mind.
He knew his treasures weren’t simply discarded. Instead, many would live on in new homes, appreciated and loved by others. That meant something to him.
Unlike heirs who inherit items without the same memories or attachments, he was the one who had hunted for these treasures, chosen them, and cherished them. Selling them himself, on fair terms, gave him a sense of closure and immense emotional satisfaction.
For more on this story, check out the short video here:
Why This Story Matters
If you, or someone you know, are facing a similar situation, here are the key takeaways:
- Expectations matter. Antique markets change. Having an expert who can explain today’s values with clarity and respect is essential.
- The process takes time. A true floor-to-ceiling liquidation isn’t about rushing. It’s about careful sorting, purchasing, and cleaning out — and hiring the right people to manage this for you This is not work you want to take on unassisted.
- It’s not just about money. For many longtime collectors, the biggest comfort is knowing that their treasures will be valued again by someone else.
Adam and his team specialize in these transitions and are well prepared to advise you if you have questions, just like the gentleman from Manhattan did. Whether it’s one room or six floors, the goal is always the same: to make the process clear, fair, and respectful — helping you let go of the weight of accumulation while ensuring your treasures continue their story.
For more information on what can be found during house walk-throughs, watch this short video:
Final Thought
Downsizing, estate planning, or preparing for a move abroad doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right help, even the largest collection can be transformed from a daunting problem into a new beginning.
If you or someone you know is facing a home — or even an entire building — filled with antiques, artwork, or collectibles, reach out to Adam Zimmerman. Together, you can create a plan that works.
- Get your copy of Antique Help: Making Sense So You Can Make Some￠ents at antiquehelpbook.com
- Contact: [email protected]
- Catch the latest videos from Antique Help here: youtube.com/@antiquehelp
