Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Evaluate the condition of your antique book safe. A buyer wants to know the state of the book safe’s mechanical parts, as well as any aesthetic problems that may be present in order to reduce the value. A seller, of course, should be honest about the condition in order to establish a price range in which to negotiate.
Research the history of the manufacturer of your book safe. The operators of My Granny’s Attic Antiques advises you to do this for many reasons, including the fact that this information will help you classify your piece and allow you to discuss it more completely with prospective buyers or sellers.
Compare your book safe with others on the market. This is a lot easier than in decades past, thanks to the Internet. While you can certainly bring your book safe to the various antique stores in your area, you can also check auction web sites for pieces that are similar to yours. Do your best to compare like to like; if you find a book safe from the same manufacturer in the same condition, yours is worth approximately the same.
Think of the value of your book safe in terms of a range. The people at Hudson Valley Antiques advise you to do this for a few reasons. The most important is because the value of an antique is not a permanent thing. In reality, your book safe is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. Prices can vary depending on region, as well. For example, if you live in the region in which the manufacturer was located, there is likely a healthy supply of product available to buyers. Conversely, a book safe will be worth more where the supply is lower.
Visit an appraiser in order to double-check all of your work. While an appraiser may charge you in exchange for his or her expertise, it is possible to use the appraisal to insure your book safe. Having documentation from an appraiser can also put a prospective buyer at ease, making a future sale easier.