Watching programs such as Antiques Roadshow and checking out auctions, I see no real downturn in honest "well kept" items. Furniture from the turn of the 18th century(Early American) still holds its value. Each generation of collectors starts collecting items that they are familar with. Most of the time it is because it costs less than a similar item that is older. A perfect example is the gas pump; a 70's model and newer are given away. While a visable or pre-visable go for big money. During the 40s, one couldn't give a visable and earlier away. They were scrapped for junk. It will be the same for any object as time goes on. Collectors who are older and/or sick will pass on. Most of the time their heirs will not have any idea what an item is/was, let alone its worth. Some items will be sold to collectors, more often than not a good portion will be sold as junk, as family members try to get on with their lives. Each type of collecting experiences these rises and falls. Coins,stamps,baseball cards,furniture...etc even insect and butterfly collecting have all gone through this, but each still is going strong. Will gas and oil collecting "bottom out"? Depends on what is meant by "bottoming out"? Items given away free during the 40s-70s are still going for $$$, so if one sells something given away, then has that item "bottomed out", will it ever bottom out? The seller may not get what they paid for something, but maybe that seller paid too much to begin with. Just my .02 worth of possible nonsense.
