Antiques and Old Stuff - How can you find out about it?

Posted by: tonym on 14 September 2009

Sadly my uncle died a couple of weeks ago. He was a very interesting character and over many years he acquired a substantial collection of antique furniture and clocks, all of which I now find I own!

I have absolutely no clue about how to go about valuing it all - my dear old uncle, bless him, kept no records of his hoard, its value or its provenance.

It might be completely worthless for all I know, and much as I would like to keep the collection I really haven't got the room and besides, a lot of it isn't to our taste.

So chaps and chap-esses, how do I go about valuing such stuff?

All help and sensible suggestions appreciated!
Posted on: 14 September 2009 by BigH47
A search on e-bay will give some idea of values.
Some of the big auction houses,have valuation rooms.

Maybe contact your household insurers, they must have a "trusted" valuers, I would think.
Posted on: 14 September 2009 by Derek Wright
Talk to your local solicitor or estate agent to find out who the trusted auctioneers are in your neck of the woods. They will or should have a tame expert who can give you advice re selling locally or in the smoke.

Your local paper will have adverts for estate sales organised by the auctioneers.
Posted on: 15 September 2009 by Analogue
Try the BBC antiques website on there homepage.
Posted on: 15 September 2009 by JWM
Sorry to hear about your uncle, Tony. Was it the one from whom you had the records?
Posted on: 15 September 2009 by tonym
Yes, the same one James. I've got several Gregorian Chant LPs which are in pretty good nick; they've been on the turntable in the last few days.
Posted on: 15 September 2009 by naim_nymph
Hi Tony,

Just my 2 farthings worth, but on the subject of clocks… unless they are ’special’ for some reason, antique clocks have been generally out of vogue for many years, although they do sell at auction it’s for nowhere near as much money as they did 15 - 20 years ago. So, if only for investment purposes it may be wise to hang on to them, perhaps enjoy them too, and maybe the market will swing back in favour.

Personally I love antiquities, usually buy for the look of art about them, don’t really care if they value over time but I think when it’s comes to parting i will probably at least get my money back, so to speak.

It’s odd to think we are only custodians of these artefacts, which were manufactured and owned by people long before we were born, and will be owned in turn by other people long after we die.

Deborah

Picture right: Brass Ormulu c1860 ~ P.Villemsens A Paris
Posted on: 15 September 2009 by shoot6x7
quote:
Originally posted by naim_nymph:

It’s odd to think we are only custodians of these artefacts, which were manufactured and owned by people long before we were born, and will be owned in turn by other people long after we die.

Deborah



Well said ...