Truth be told, combining my work in the antiques and collectibles trade with my particular personality traits doesnt always work to my advantage. I often find myself getting into some heated discussions with other collectors, columnists, dealers, and even auctioneers from time to time. Most of these heated discussions are amicable and generally contain some element of healthy debate. As I get older (and hopefully wiser), I have learned to let a lot of things go and respect other perspectives, even when I do not agree. Surprisingly to me, the articles that I write here have attracted a hardcore following from the 40 and younger crowd, who like that I tend to focus on pop culture collectibles as well as traditional antiques. Most of the readers who attempt to hunt me down on social media eventually are successful, despite the fact that I have a very small presence on FaceBook and LinkedIn. Even Ill admit that interacting with readers, dealers, and other collectors that I would normally not cross paths with in real life has been very rewarding. Some of these discussions give me great insight and ideas for upcoming articles. I have had several interactions with dealers in the traditional antiques space and some in the high-end art market. We have discussed the trade in depth, and, sadly, the dreaded topic of what the future holds for the overall antiques trade always rears its ugly head. This is where I am most proud of my younger and passionate readers. In the past year, I have had no less than 25 collectors under the age of 30 reach out to me and ask for my advice on how to enter the antiques trade. Going solely by names and profiles when applicable, I can state with confidence that roughly two-thirds of these enthusiastic collectors are male and one-third are female. All are already active in the collectibles side of the trade in some form, judging by their messages. This brings me to the primary point of this article. For the past 10 years I have been fighting against an incorrect thesis from some of my fellow dealers, collectors, and enthusiasts in the trade who seem to think that the traditional antiques market is somehow dying. Naysayers have been beating this proverbial drum since the early 2000s simply because certain antique categories have not been going as strong as they were in the 1990s. Since I am only in my 40s, using the word hogwash as a response to these naysayers would not be appropriate here, and using any other synonym may get this article flagged by my editor. Therefore, allow me to say this, the market for traditional antiques is not dying. It is doing what it is supposed to do, change. In fact, the only constant in the overall antiques and collectibles trade is change. Lets be realistic her; some of the collecting categories we all know and love are cyclical. They go through peaks and valleys and will still be going strong decades from now, even if they remain dormant for many years. Other markets are cyclical. Beanie Babies and Cabbage Patch Kids still arent coming back, regardless as to how many clickbait articles on the internet that claim the contrary. Going back to the 25 younger collectors who have contacted me as of late. It should give any antiques connoisseur hope and went something like this, Shawn, Im a fan of your work and have one question--how can someone on the collectibles side of the trade learn about traditional antiques? Truthfully, this is by far my favorite question I get asked while being in this business. The question itself shows firsthand that traditional antiques problem isnt a true lack of interest. No, it is something much easier to solve: a lack of education. Casual collectors in the trade may not realize this, but the reason pop-culture-based collectibles are so popular isnt just because they are popular. It is because the barrier to collect and invest in those items is extremely low. Dont believe me? Simply log on to the internet and start perusing collecting forums, auction sites, or even YouTube. The market for mass-produced collectibles, whether we are discussing comic books, vintage toys, vintage video games, or even Pokemon cards, is much easier to learn than that of collecting traditional antiques. Sadly, this point very rarely enters the discussion when I am talking with older dealers and collectors who worry that traditional antiques are dying. Before the financial crisis of 2008/09, I was told to cash out of my collection of traditional antiques. Looking back today in a post-pandemic world, I am glad I didnt listen. Some of the items I have in my collection have appreciated very nicely just in the last five years. Feel free to check out the prices being achieved for investment grade coins at Heritage Auctions or Stack & Bowers. While you are at it, feel free to check out vintage and antique advertising prices being achieved at Morphy Auctions or some of the prices realized for Tiffany Art Glass. These markets are still going strong. Younger collectors need knowledge and education. They need someone to show them these historic objects and help them realize there is a lot of money to be made in these markets given the passion and desire to learn. Lets not forget, regardless of the market, we are talking about the use if disposable income, and whether it is the 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, or 2020, most disposable income comes when one is well established in a career and not under the age of 30 or even 40. This is one reason we are in a cycle where a lot of material is coming out. Buyers active a generation ago when in their 60s are leaving the market. In conclusion, it is important that rather than keep the information we have all learned throughout our careers in the antiques and collectibles trade a secret, we should start sharing it with younger generations. I assure you that no one reading this will live forever, but the objects we love and covet have the possibility to live on long after we are gone, and isnt that what this is all about? Until next time, please consider sharing your knowledge with a younger collector. Thank you for reading. Shawn Surmick has been an avid collector since the age of 12. He currently resides in his hometown of Boyertown, Pa., and is a passionate collector of antiques and collectibles. His articles focus on various topics affecting the marketplace.