Win When Selling Antique Clocks
When it comes to selling antique clocks, one must carefully evaluate the condition, rarity, and historical significance of each timepiece. Proper research and documentation are essential to attract knowledgeable buyers willing to pay a premium for these unique antique timepieces. Establishing credibility through provenance and expert appraisals can significantly increase the value of antique clocks on the market.
Utilizing reputable auction houses or specialized antique dealers can also facilitate the selling process and ensure a fair price for these valuable timepieces. Navigating the world of selling antique clocks requires attention to detail, expertise, and a strategic approach to maximize profits. When selling antique clocks, thorough assessment of their condition, rarity, and historical importance is crucial. Extensive research and proper documentation are necessary to appeal to well-informed buyers who are willing to pay a premium for such distinct pieces. Building credibility through provenance and professional appraisals can notably enhance the market value of antique clocks.
Engaging with reputable auction houses or specialized antique dealers can streamline the selling process and guarantee equitable prices for these cherished timepieces. In summary, achieving success in selling antique clocks demands meticulous attention, specialized knowledge, and careful planning to optimize financial returns.
How To Do The Research For Selling Of Antique Clocks
The first thing to know should you be following eBay or Etsy sales when selling antique clocks, is that most sellers do not have a clue as to value. Therefore they many times tend to ask for outlandish sums. If anyting follow by chosing to “watch” the item and see what it sold for.
One easy way to ascertain value is to research the auction houses past sales of their antique clocks. This way you will actually see the amount of money any given clock has brought at auction along with a general idea of the description of the antique clock. All of the major and minor auction houses sell on Liveauctioneers.com and/or Invaluable.com. There are also services such as The Antique Clocks Price Guide. The price guide is a paid subscription service.
How To Identify Your Clock For The Research Ahead
Before you can look up a given clock in order to research its value, you must know what it is that you are researching. When selling antique clocks the maker of the clock is very important, as some famous makers bring famous money. Lesser known makers bring less money. Therefore when selling antique clocks, you must know the maker. Many times the maker will have his name on the dial plate. However sometimes the name on the dial plate has been supplanted by the retailer of the clock, such as Tiffany or Cartier. For example, most if not all of the Tiffany clocks at the turn of the last century were made by Vincente a Paris. If you open the rear door, should there be one, as sometimes it is just an opening, of your clock, you will see some stampings on the rear of the mechanism. Sometimes there is not a name at all.
Another thing to make note of, whether to verify the date of manufacture, is the mechanism. Does the pendulum hook directly onto a spring, as if so that is a Silk String mechanism, which they stopped using mid 1800’s. The silk string mechanism was replaced by one where the pendulum hangs with its hook on a suspension spring. Some old clocks use an escapement drive like a carriage clock or fusee drive like a watch. This way as you compare, you can also make sure that all of the features you are aware of line up with the information you are finding.
What If You Cannot Locate Information On Your Antique Clock?
Thanks to Google, you can now find comparisons with an image of your clock. Once you find similar, you can network from there. Take a clean photo of your clock and save it to your drive. Go to Google Search and you will see top right the center box, a little camera icon. If you click that, a box will open and you can drag and drop your photo into the box and all similar images will then pop up along side it. You are now off to the races. Like with any commodity, the selling of antique clocks requires that you fully understand what the item and its value is.
