Vintage serving items are rare finds.

There's something about being in the kitchen that makes people feel comfortable and relaxed. For some it's all about the food, for others it's about sitting around the table and spending quality time with friends and relatives. This love and nostalgia surrounding the classic American family kitchen is also a part of the collecting world, as evidenced by the millions of people who collect vintage tableware, cookware and serving pieces.

Gerald Nixon has been specializing in selling fabulous vintage kitchenware and collectable glasses for nearly 5 years. His New York store, Mr. Pink Inc., is crammed full of colorful flatware, plates, rolling pins and a huge collection of collectible glasses. Here he offers a basic collector's guide to vintage kitchenware:

• A wide variety of items.
  Vintage kitchenware is a category of collectible that includes items such as rolling pins, salt and pepper shakers, forks and knives, plates, canister sets, pitchers, glasses and dinnerware. These items are so popular that many stores now sell modern lines inspired by the vintage designs.
  
• Look for serving pieces.
  According to Nixon, vintage serving pieces are often the hardest items to find, and therefore the most valuable to own.
  
• Beware of reproductions.
  Make sure to watch out for reproductions. If the condition is too good to be true, it's probably not a genuine vintage piece.
  
• Check glassware for cracks.
  Condition is always important to the value and desirability of a piece. Check glass and ceramic for surface scratches by holding the item up to the sunlight and turning it in your hands.
  
• Look in relatives' cupboards.
  Flea markets and Internet auctions are great places to find vintage kitchenware, and you might be surprised to learn how much you can find by simply looking in your relatives' cabinets.

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