Learn about your collection's history, makers, and eras with AI-powered educational content!
Educational Info Buttons (Blue ℹ️ Icons):
When viewing an item's details, you'll see blue info buttons (ℹ️) next to these fields:
- Manufacturer
- Era
- Category
- Materials
How to Access Educational Content:
- Tap on any item card to open the detail view
- Scroll to the "Item Information" section
- Look for the blue ℹ️ icon next to Manufacturer, Era, Category, or Materials
- Tap the ℹ️ icon to open an educational modal with detailed information
📦 What does "(Cached)" mean? When you see this label on educational modals, it means the content was previously loaded and saved to your device for instant access. This saves time and reduces API calls. Cached content is just as accurate—it's simply stored locally for faster retrieval!
What You'll Learn:
Manufacturer Info (e.g., "Anchor Hocking"):
- Company history and founding date
- Famous product lines and innovations
- Notable achievements and legacy
- Tips for identifying authentic pieces
- Current collectibility and market trends
Era Info (e.g., "Art Deco"):
- Time period and historical context
- Design characteristics and visual style
- Cultural influences and major movements
- Key designers and artists from the era
- How to identify pieces from this period
Category Info (e.g., "Pressed Glass"):
- Definition and manufacturing process
- Historical development of the category
- Popular patterns and styles
- How to distinguish from similar categories
- Collectibility and value factors
Materials Info (e.g., "Silver-Plated"):
- Composition and manufacturing technique
- How to identify the material
- Care and maintenance tips
- Common marks and hallmarks
- Value considerations vs. solid alternatives
AI Value Deep Dive:
Get an incredibly detailed, expert-level AI analysis of WHY your item has its estimated value!
This isn't just a quick summary—it's a comprehensive 10-15 paragraph appraisal report that covers:
- 📊 Specific price ranges for different condition levels and selling venues (auction vs. retail vs. online marketplace)
- 📅 Historical price trends with timeframes (e.g., "Prices have increased 40% since 2015")
- 🔍 Deep-dive analysis of every factor affecting value—from maker's mark authenticity to pattern rarity
- 💡 Strategic selling advice tailored to YOUR specific piece and market conditions
- 📈 Investment timeline projections (short-term vs. long-term value outlook)
Think of it as having a professional appraiser examine your item and write you a detailed report—except it's instant, free, and available 24/7!
How to Access AI Value Deep Dive:
- Tap on any item card to open the detail view
- Scroll to the "Value Breakdown" section
- Tap the "🔍 Deeper Dive into Value" button
- Claude AI analyzes your item's photos and details
- A detailed modal opens with the AI's comprehensive appraisal analysis
What the AI Value Analysis Includes:
- Detailed Identification: Confirms exact pattern, manufacturer, and era
- Condition Assessment: Evaluates visible condition from your photos (damage, wear, patina)
- Rarity Analysis: Explains how common or rare this piece is
- Market Demand: Current collector interest and market trends
- Comparable Sales: References to similar items sold recently
- Value Factors: What makes this piece more or less valuable
- Pricing Justification: Why the AI estimated the current value it did
- Selling Tips: Best venues and strategies if you want to sell
- Investment Outlook: Whether value is likely to increase or decrease
Example Use Cases:
Scenario 1: Learning About a Manufacturer
You have a "William Rogers" silver-plated pitcher but don't know much about the company.
- Open the item detail view
- Tap the ℹ️ icon next to "William Rogers" in the Manufacturer field
- Read about: William Rogers & Son founded in 1865, known for quality silver-plated flatware and holloware, merged with Oneida in 1929, collectible for Victorian-era patterns
- Now you understand your pitcher's historical context!
Scenario 2: Understanding Value
The AI estimated your cranberry glass cruet at $45, but you want to know WHY.
- Open the cruet's detail view
- Scroll to "Value Breakdown"
- Tap "🔍 Deeper Dive into Value"
- Read the AI's analysis explaining:
- Cranberry glass from the Victorian era is moderately collectible
- The applied clear glass handle indicates hand-blown production (adds value)
- Condition shows minor wear but no chips or cracks (good for value)
- Similar cruets sell for $40-$60 on eBay and Etsy
- Complete with stopper would be worth $70-$80 (missing stopper reduces value)
- Now you understand your item's value and what affects it!
Tips for Best Results:
- Upload clear photos: The AI needs good images to provide accurate analysis
- Include marks/signatures: Photos of maker's marks help identification
- Show damage: Don't hide flaws—the AI needs to see condition
- Read completely: Educational modals contain valuable collector knowledge
- Use for learning: Even if you know your item's value, the AI analysis teaches you about the market