When do antiques start to smell like antiques?

Just hoping someone might have some insightful scientifically informed thoughts on this. For instance, I recently posted a link about a metal letter opener that looks like a dagger. It has an old metal smell to it. Wood objects often get a smell when they get older. Books have different smells at different ages.

 

I also smell things so I know what you mean but I think much depends on how/where they've been stored.

 

I can smell silver.

 

What does it smell like to you?

 

It smells old when my nose twitches. It's hard to quantify that one!

 

My knees get weak when walking into an antiquarian book store and taking a deep breath through my nose. Something about pre 20th century paper….