Home >> Hobbies >> Antiquing

How to Determine the Value of Glass Globes & Brass Cherub Lamps

Glass globes have been collected since they were first made in Victorian times. According to Sue Brewer's article "Snow Storms, Snow Globes, Snow Shakers, Snow Domes Oh My!," published in World Collectors Net magazine, snow globes were displayed at an exhibition in Paris in 1878 and became quite the sensation over the next few decades. They currently sell for anywhere from a few dollars to upwards of $1,000. Brass cherub lamps, which date back to the early days of electricity, can fetch upwards of $3,500, but a lot depends on age, condition and quality of workmanship. To calculate the estimated value of these unique artifacts requires some careful research and a good eye.

Things You'll Need

Internet access
Kovel's antiques price guides
Access to antique stores

Instructions

Determining the Value--Five Easy Steps
- 1
  The advent of ebay has made identifying and valuing collectables very much easier. Back in the days before the online auction site, the only way to determine the value of an antique was to thumb through a fat antiques price guide whose editors carefully monitored real-life auctions. Prices were noted and provided the basis of value, but you had to keep your fingers crossed that your particular item, or even a similar item, would be listed. Now, with ebay, you can monitor auctions yourself; just find a similar item to what you have and see what it sold for (check "completed auctions" under "advanced search").
- 2
  That said, don't discount published price guides, which are still issued regularly by Kovel's . The publisher now issues 16 different price guides, and the best news of all is that most of the information in the printed editions is now available online, as well.
- 3
  A third way to determine the value of glass globes and brass cherub lamps is to consult with the owner of an antique store. Hit the local antique dealer or mall and ask to speak to the owner; when he comes out, show him what you've got. Most antique dealers will be more than happy to offer a professional opinion--but make it clear up front that you have no intention of selling. You're far more likely to get an objective opinion if the antique dealer isn't trying to get a deal!
- 4
  A fourth way is to network with fellow collectors. The Snow in a Globe website (see resources, below) has a special section for collectors that includes a lengthy list of articles about glass globes and a showcase for collectors to share photos and stories of their own collectables. And the International Guild of Lamp Researchers also has an exhaustive website that even includes links to lamp clubs.

Antiquing