Is there an antique appraisal website you know of?

apolaki · 20th October 2008, 03:28 AM

Does anybody know of any good forums that appraise antiques such as ethnographic weapons and other wares? What are some really good ones that are good for showing your antiques in pictures and presenting them in a forum for evaluation and such... basically I'm asking for a forum similar to this one but broader in range of items for discussion.

Thanks

Jim McDougall · 20th October 2008, 05:30 AM

Hello Apolaki,
On these forums we strictly observe not only avoiding discussion of monetary values and appraisals, but do not discuss items for sale or in active auctions. The appraisal of antique weapons or any such items is not surprisingly a confidential and very personal arrangement. Personally, if I were having something appraised I would not want it to be broadcast worldwide

Our forums our primarily for discussion and learning the history of the items posted, though occasionally many items, typically from ebay, are posted for discussion once the sale is complete.

There are dealers and appraisers who can be reached privately, and we can discuss those privately if you wish.

Thank you for being straightforward with your query.

All best regards,
Jim

apolaki · 20th October 2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Hello Apolaki,
On these forums we strictly observe not only avoiding discussion of monetary values and appraisals, but do not discuss items for sale or in active auctions. The appraisal of antique weapons or any such items is not surprisingly a confidential and very personal arrangement. Personally, if I were having something appraised I would not want it to be broadcast worldwide

Our forums our primarily for discussion and learning the history of the items posted, though occasionally many items, typically from ebay, are posted for discussion once the sale is complete.

There are dealers and appraisers who can be reached privately, and we can discuss those privately if you wish.

Thank you for being straightforward with your query.

All best regards,
Jim

Hi Jim,

sorry I did not inform myself of your guidelines. I apologize to you all regarding this question. I really enjoy the historical value gained from reading these discussion threads. I think this question is a personal interest that I still would like to find more info about, but perhaps through personal messaging or email. my apologizes once again.

apolaki!

Jim McDougall · 20th October 2008, 08:02 AM

No problem Apolaki. I have sent you a PM.

Best regards,
Jim

Atlantia · 20th October 2008, 01:55 PM

Hi Apolaki

Just wanted to add:
Ethnographic weapons seem to be bucking the downward trend of collectables and antiques at the moment, and auction websites often seem to realise very good prices for them.
What I think this site allows (which is always better than asking for a valuation) is for collectors to get their items correctly idenitfied (I continue to be truly amazed by the expertise of members here).
If you then decide to sell, you can do a little research based on accurate identification and get a general idea of value, and most importantly you can offer the item with an accurate description if you do decide to sell so all interested parties can easily find it and it should have the best chance of achieving full current market value at auction.

I have sometimes even found that once the members here have idenitifed an item, I find it grows in personal value to me, and I decide to keep it!
There is nothing like hearing about a pieces history to 'bring it to life', and there are always friendly forumites like Jim and many others who are willing to share their expertise and enthusiasm for collecting these pieces.

Regards
Gene

Jens Nordlunde · 20th October 2008, 02:11 PM

In ‘Damaszener Stahl’ by Manfred Sachse, the author, on page 79 and 81 quotes someone called Crivelli, who in 1823 wrote that a good watered blade, in Turkey, could cost from 7-8500 Reichthaler. What is even more interesting is, that he also gives the value of 1 Reichthaler as the value of about 25g silver. Good blades were not only expensive, they were very expensive – another good reason for using them for many generations.

To compare how fast the value of good weapons can drop, on can read what Moser paid for some of his swords – a bottle of snaps. Moser’s collection is now at the Historisches Museum, Bern, Switzerland - but not on exhibition. The weapons were collected from end of 19th century to beginning of 20th century.

20th October 2008, 03:28 AM	#1
apolaki Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 160	Is there an antique appraisal website you know of? Does anybody know of any good forums that appraise antiques such as ethnographic weapons and other wares? What are some really good ones that are good for showing your antiques in pictures and presenting them in a forum for evaluation and such... basically I'm asking for a forum similar to this one but broader in range of items for discussion. Thanks

20th October 2008, 05:30 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,947	Hello Apolaki, On these forums we strictly observe not only avoiding discussion of monetary values and appraisals, but do not discuss items for sale or in active auctions. The appraisal of antique weapons or any such items is not surprisingly a confidential and very personal arrangement. Personally, if I were having something appraised I would not want it to be broadcast worldwide Our forums our primarily for discussion and learning the history of the items posted, though occasionally many items, typically from ebay, are posted for discussion once the sale is complete. There are dealers and appraisers who can be reached privately, and we can discuss those privately if you wish. Thank you for being straightforward with your query. All best regards, Jim

20th October 2008, 08:02 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,947	No problem Apolaki. I have sent you a PM. Best regards, Jim

20th October 2008, 01:55 PM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Apolaki Just wanted to add: Ethnographic weapons seem to be bucking the downward trend of collectables and antiques at the moment, and auction websites often seem to realise very good prices for them. What I think this site allows (which is always better than asking for a valuation) is for collectors to get their items correctly idenitfied (I continue to be truly amazed by the expertise of members here). If you then decide to sell, you can do a little research based on accurate identification and get a general idea of value, and most importantly you can offer the item with an accurate description if you do decide to sell so all interested parties can easily find it and it should have the best chance of achieving full current market value at auction. I have sometimes even found that once the members here have idenitifed an item, I find it grows in personal value to me, and I decide to keep it! There is nothing like hearing about a pieces history to 'bring it to life', and there are always friendly forumites like Jim and many others who are willing to share their expertise and enthusiasm for collecting these pieces. Regards Gene

20th October 2008, 02:11 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	In ‘Damaszener Stahl’ by Manfred Sachse, the author, on page 79 and 81 quotes someone called Crivelli, who in 1823 wrote that a good watered blade, in Turkey, could cost from 7-8500 Reichthaler. What is even more interesting is, that he also gives the value of 1 Reichthaler as the value of about 25g silver. Good blades were not only expensive, they were very expensive – another good reason for using them for many generations. To compare how fast the value of good weapons can drop, on can read what Moser paid for some of his swords – a bottle of snaps. Moser’s collection is now at the Historisches Museum, Bern, Switzerland - but not on exhibition. The weapons were collected from end of 19th century to beginning of 20th century.