Need info on a collectible , anyone game ?

**ladytoysdream** · 12-14-2009, 03:33 PM

I have a small unique collectible and I have done some research on it. I was thinking about putting it up on ebay but not sure how to market it.
There is a name and village name engraved on top of it. After a few local phone calls, I now have a antique seller who wants to look at it. He collects this item. Willing to come to my house. Which is a good thing in a way but this would be limiting me to the one buyer.
I told him $ 300, he tells me I am a bit high.

So anyone want to help me with my research ?

Am I allowed to ask a question like this on this forum ?

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-14-2009, 04:02 PM

ebay has a chat section you may want to ask there. I never heard of a dealer who said he would like to pay more.lol. kwim.

**ladytoysdream** · 12-14-2009, 04:14 PM

Right

I know dealers like to buy low.
This one wants to add this to his personal collection.

Guess I ought to wander over to ebay........
google helped me out earlier

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-14-2009, 04:21 PM

I know I'm just "that way" but after working at the mall when they had antique shows,having a friend that was a dealer,going to tons of auctions and sales of the like. I have to say "that's what he told you" and he won't try to get it as low as possible if it's for him personally?? I know I am a suspicious persn but...
Take it several places and read up. How about a roadshow antiques appraisal?? Tell them you don't need the money and aren't selling it just curious to know what it's worth.

**ladytoysdream** · 12-14-2009, 04:29 PM

Well I did tell him, I wanted to sell the item. But I don't need to sell it today or tomorrow. But sometime soon.
It is something that I don't collect but being the name on it is that of a local artist, now deceased, I thought it would be neat if it stayed locally owned.
I think it is something my Dad must have picked up at a local auction many years ago. It must have been in one of the *goodie boxes * that he dragged home. He liked going to auctions and spending 25 or 50 cents on a boxfull of stuff. And if the box hit $ 1.00 or more, it would not likely come home with him.

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-14-2009, 04:51 PM

Who is the artist? I have a weird idea.

**ladytoysdream** · 12-14-2009, 05:10 PM

I did a PM to you.

I now have pictures and more info on my mepage at ebay.
ladytoysdream ~ ebay user id

**Contrary Housewife** · 12-14-2009, 07:15 PM

A quick google search shows items from the same period selling for about what was offered you. However they are intact and in better shape. I haven't heard of this artist, he is regional, so I can't tell you if his name is worth more than what you were offered.

**ladytoysdream** · 12-14-2009, 07:21 PM

Well the fellow won't make a offer yet. He wants to see it.
He asked me what I wanted for it. I came up with the $ 300 figure because I thought if I start a wee bit high, I can always come down some. Kind of hard to go up

I am hoping the weather is good tomorrow so I can take it to a buyer in a local hotel who is renting a conference room to buy antiques. I figure I can turn down his offer

He'll be there for a couple of days if I decide to go back. This way hopefully I find out what material it is made out of. It is possible it is silverplate.

**Surilda** · 12-14-2009, 07:25 PM

I would do a completed auction search on Ebay to see if
that item has sold and what it went for.

I am on the computer alot and if you need help with your
searching, feel free to PM me....

**ladytoysdream** · 12-15-2009, 01:16 PM

Okay, a little update.
I did go to the place where the dealer was today to get a id on this cane top. The first girl told me it was not silver because it had no marks on it.
I asked to speak to another person who is the manager with this group. He was quite interested in it, but wanted to do some research on it before they could maybe make a offer. If they had a buyer in their system who collects this collectible.
He did confirm my piece is SILVER. It has no mark on it because it is before 1921.
1921 is the year, the manufacturers had to put markings on the pieces. My piece is somewhere in the 1800's range.

http://imageevent.com/ladytoysdream/silvercane?n=0
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI...=ladytoysdream
The lady there told me to check out rubylane.com .
I just did and nothing there that is close enough to what I have.

**mombottoo** · 12-15-2009, 01:27 PM

You could always list it on ebay to see where it goes...put a reserve on it and a buy it now price close to what you would like to get. Personally I think ebay has ruined the collectibles market & most people try to get something for as close to nothing as possible. I would think that considering the year the artist died the piece was probably done in the mid-1800's...and IMHO if the man you are talking about is a true collector he should be willing to pay more than a general collector kwim?

**ladytoysdream** · 12-15-2009, 01:44 PM

My best bet is to list it on ebay. They have 5 free listings a month . I plan to use one of those

I won't put a buy it now on it. I don't dare to. I will start high and if it does not get a bid, I am out no money, just some time. I can always put it back up again a second time.