This handbook guides readers in identifying high-quality antiques by presenting comparative examples. It features hundreds of antiques, each illustrated with three photographs depicting a good, better, and best version, enabling novices and enthusiasts to distinguish valuable items from common ones. The book covers a broad range of objects, including brass doorsteps, porcelain plates, silver napkin rings, and coffee tables, drawing examples from both American and European origins. With over two hundred full-color photographs, it serves as an ingenious visual guide for collectors.

The book is presented as an accessible and entertaining guide for both novice and experienced antique collectors. Its strength lies in its visual approach, using comparative photographs to teach discernment. The broad scope, covering numerous types of objects from different regions, suggests it aims to be a comprehensive visual reference for identifying quality in antiques. The inclusion of over two hundred color photographs underscores its utility as a practical tool for collectors.