Many hold onto high-end antiques and other precious items for their sentimental value or as a store of wealth. In times of need, a day may come when those goods need to be used for gaining, yet the question remains, "How do I get what it's worth?"
One avenue that has a proven track record, and is especially viable during social distancing situations as we face now during the COVID-19 pandemic, is online sales. The lack of physical shops and people stuck at home create a powerful situation for those willing to take the time and effort.
The following valuable information is provided on behalf of Mike Caviness at MKCAntiques at [email protected]:
"Half of the battle in generating successful antique sales on eBay is discovering what items are in demand in the antiques and collectibles markets. I have been on eBay since 2007. My best categories are Antiquarian, collectible books and antique pottery. This example will be about finding and selling books.
"I have three amazing examples of where I've made good money on eBay. First, a 1928 McMaster by Carr Supply Co. Catalog No. 28 valued at $495. Second, a 1930 Vile Bodies by Evelyn Wright, first edition valued at $460, and third, a 1964 'Religion & the Constitution' by Paul G. Kauper, which was an enormous find because this book was gifted/inscribed to Bill Clinton's high school principal, while he was graduating from Georgetown University. It also included a Georgetown stationary card. Both are dated 1966. Clinton was only 21 years old at the time. This sold for $1,250. All three of these examples were found locally. One in a flea market downtown, another I found at estate sale and the inscribed book was found at a local estate auction.
"Certain books can bring in high dollars. On Jan 6, the edition of Antique Weekly was published, which contained AbeBooks' '2019 List of Top Sellers.' These include: 1905 Presidential Edition of the Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, 12 volumes worth a whopping $40,000. Seven-volume set 'Deluxe' Harry Potter series-signed by J.K. Rowling, valued at $38,000. First edition James Bond novel, 'Casino Royale,' $19,000. Three volume set, first edition, 'The Lord of The Rings,' $19,000. And 1960 Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird,' first edition, $17,000. While these books and sets are hard to find, they are out there, and they are not old at all!
"Always look for first editions, original dust jackets and most important, condition. The condition of the book highly depends on how quickly you can sell it. If there are dark or missing pages, torn or loose spines, ex-library or heavily soiled, these will all be slow sells and worth nothing. You do not have to limit your picks to old/antique books but pay attention and read inscriptions from previous owners, it may be someone famous like the Bill Clinton inscribed book I found.
"Two of the best reference and pricing sites are Bookfinders.com and AbeBooks.com. Good luck and happy picking!"
This article was provided by the Antique Dealer's Association.
Society on 04/19/2020