Answer the questions
Dear colleagues and friends,
I want to value an antique
Even if you don’t know the price of your item, you can place it in our Antiques Cataloque. In this case if a buyer gets interested in the item, he could call you and name the price he would pay for it. If the price suits you, you will be able to sell your antiques.
- Please tell me an approximate value of the coin of red gold of 1772? The cost is directly depends on the face value and where the coin was struck. In the case of Russian numismatics, it may be a coin with the face value of 5 and 10 rubles.
- I am interested in the approximate cost of the casket made of silver of 900 purity with a brand «A.V. » and a crown with a moon, turned to right. Perhaps Germany after 1888? A crown with a half-moon is the German seal of guarantee. This sign can be seen on the silver items produced in Germany in the second half of the nineteenth century.
- Could you tell at what points the emblem in the form of an eagle, obviously fascist’s at the rear side of the fireplace clock mechanism, perhaps it is a period from 1933 to 1945? Most probably, the brand points that the clock was made in the Fridrich Mauthe factory in Germany (Shveningen city).
- How often are works of Polenov found at auctions? At the European antique market works by Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov are found very seldom.
- Please tell me an approximate value of a tea couple of the Meissen porcelain factory with monogram «AR». Where in Moscow I can estimate the items and sell them? Has this glassware collectible or historical value? The monogram «AR» does not allow determining the time of the creation of the tea couple, which is one of the main evaluation criteria.
- What is the approximate value of silver coins with the face value of 50 cents 1922 (RSFSR), 1924, 1925 (the Soviet Union)? Coins mentioned by you are well spread and have not a high value. The average value of numismatic coins on the native market is 300-900 rubles.
- What is the difference between attribution and expertise? The notion of «Attribution» implies the establishment of authorship, place and time of the creation of the anonymous works of art, while the examination is aimed at determining the authenticity and assessment of the condition.
- Tell me please where I can find information about the ancient edition of the New Testament in Old Russian and Old Slavonic? You should take a consultation of the experts, such as antique shops professionals who work in the field of used books.
- How to put up for auction a collection of rare books? In order to put up the library on sales, you must first contact the auction house.
- Is a cupboard of 1960 class antiques? And what is its approximate price? What year a cupboard can be considered antiques? Any items older than 50 years are referred to antiques. In other words, your wardrobe would be considered antiques in 2010, however, this division is very formal, and little influenses on the actual value of the object.
- I have an autograph of Yuri Gagarin on his photographic card. What is its indicative cost and how to put it up for the auctions (if it is possible)? An average market value of a «simple» autograph of Yuri Gagarin is now around $ 150-200.
- Tell me, where in Russia an expertise and restoration of a vintage clock can be carried out? An official expertise of an old clock can be carried out in the Restoration center n.a. I.E. Grabar, in the Art Consulting Company.
- Is it possible to identify the year of manufacture of a German camera on its inventory number? Can it be done in Russia? Where in Europe old photo auctions are usually held? It is possible to determine the year of manufacture of a German camera on its inventory number if you request for a manufacturer-firm (if it still works), or make inquiries about it in the archives.
- What is the market value of a gold medal «For diligence» of the reign of Alexander III? During the reign of Alexander III at least 3 variants of gold (excluding gilded) medals «For diligence» were issued.
- I am interested in an approximate cost of a silver coin to the value of 50 kopecks of 1896? The cost of a silver poltina of 1896 is 500-1000 rubles at the domestic numismatic market.
- Tell me, please, an indicative value of the New Testament and the Psalter of the early 15th c.. Religious books of the beginning of 15th century are found very seldom and are usually highly valued.
- Are ancient musical instruments valuable antiques? Ancient musical instruments are valuable antiques, and often they make serious price records on sales of the leading auction houses.
- Where can I buy film posters of 20's and 30-ies.? Old film-posters can be purchased at special auctions that are held by different auction houses worldwide.
- What Soviet stamps are the most valuable and found most seldom on sale? Early Soviet stamps are valued most highly, especially those ones that were produced in small series, or were removed from circulation due to a poor circulation, errors, etc. In Russian Philately there is lot of vintage stamps.
- Why prints of Andy Warhol are found so often at auctions? What sorts of them are there and what is their value? One of the fundamental principles of pop art, the founder of which one was Andy Warhol, is mass character and availability of art.
- What are bonds? Do they have a historical and material value? The term «bond» has several meanings. First, it is short-term debt obligations issued by a Treasury house, separate organizations or enterprises.
- How often are Torah scrolls found in the antique market? What is their average price? Scrolls of Torah (the Pentateuch) are found on the antiquarian market very seldom. As a rule, they can be found on the major antiquarian book auctions. Average cost of scrolls varies from GBP 50 000 to GBP 200 000.
- I am interested in the information of the Swiss watch,the firm DOXA, class of 1905. Could you suggest approximate value of it? Perhaps, the question is about a pocket watch, which was the main production of the DOXA in the beginning of the past century.
- Please tell us how much are old cameras in demand on the antique market? Where and for how much will I be able to sell the camera of 1930s? Technical antique is a whole line of the antique market. Abroad, it is more prevalent in Russia — to lesser degree.
- Could you tell me where it is possible to carry out restoration of the fireplace of the 19th century? We recommend you to contact the Association of Restorers.
- What are the largest auction houses in Europe? How often are works by contemporary Russian artists put up on them? In Europe, there are dozens of major auction houses, which regularly put up works of at Russian art. First of all, it is: Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonham’s (international auction houses), Phillips de Pury (contemporary art), Dorotheum (Austria, Germany), Koller (Switzerland), Bruun Rasmussen (Scand...
- What public authorities should consult on the questions of export antiquities abroad? To export antiques from the Russian Federation you should contact the Federal Agency Rosokhrankultura for carrying out an examination and getting a permission to export.
- Tell us how Russian antiquarians and collectors are going to cope with the financial crisis? Russian antiques market, of course, suffered from the financial crisis, although its circumstances happened to be less severe than might have been expected in the first months after the start of the fall of stock markets.
- Hello! I have a dirk with a brand of the Vender brothers. A blade is decorated with a patination; a monogram “îII” (Nicholas II) is engraved on the ivory handle. How much can such a blade cost and how can it be carried out abroad? Perhaps a blade of the St. Petersburg factory of the Vender brothers is meant, who was engaged in producing of the sea, land and award arms.
- Would you please tell me what firms produced the most famous cameras in the early 20th century? Where can they be seen and how much can they cost on foreign auctions? In the early of twentieth century production of photographic technique was represented by such companies as Kodak, Leica, Rolleiflex, Agfa, Alpin, etc.
- On the rear of the fireplace clock there is a mark in the form of a Latin letter “B” in the circle with a crown above it. The clock is dated 1900–1920 years. What factory did produce it? Perhaps described by you mark is a variation of the brand of the German factories Bidlingmaier or Buser, although the one¬to¬one correspondence could not be established.
- I have a watch of the Longines firm, Model 1065, class of 1918. A Case is made of gold 15 carats fine and decorated with 14 diamonds weighing 1.6 carats. By the beginning of 1920s the Longines company launched a wide production of qualitative and relatively inexpensive watches.
- I have Charles’s IV 1346-1378 coin, I would like to know, how much is it, and where can I sell it? The gold coin of the period of reign of Charles IV is valuable collection stuff. However its cost can vary strongly enough depending on a number of factors such as condition, year and place of coinage.
- Where can I get the information on a fireplace clock with a figure of the bronze horseman placed on the gilt pedestal? The label “S.Wehl St. Petersburg” is made on the clock. ólock’s case approximately was made in Samuel Wehl’s workshop who worked in St. Petersburg in 1840–1850.
- Tell me please what is considered more valuable — Meissen or Italian porcelain? It depends on many different factors: period of manufacturing, master and factory, safety and artistic qualities.
- How much will be the S.J. Nadson’ s book of 1895 release? It is in paperback cover. The cost of the antiquarian edition by S.J. Nadson (1862–1887) in paperback cover ranges in 2000–4000 roubles.
- How much are silver coins of the model of 1931–1933 with a face value of 10 and 20 kopecks? The Soviet silver coins with a face value of 10 and 20 kopecks were produced during the period of 1924–1931 inclusively.
- How much is the Felix calculating machine in good condition? The Felix mechanical arithmometer was elaborated in the Soviet Union in the 1920s on technology of Swedish inventor Vilgodt Ordner.
- I have a rare “State bank note” 1918 with a face value of 250 roubles in good condition. How much is it and can I sell it per the Internet? The state bank notes of the model of the period of 1917–1919 are considered very rare and are valuable enough in the market of bonistics.
- I have a porcelain vase with a label on its bottom: Boyer rue de la paix 22. Where was it made? Is it interesting for collectors and where can I get more information on this factory? Looking at the label we can say that the vase was made by the masters of Jean Boyer Limoges factory in the late 19th century.
- Tell me please what antique fairs are held in Russia? When the next one will take place? There are many antique fairs held in Russia. They are either of particular or of more general type.
- There is an emblem in a form of anchor with letters GB on a clock dial. Who produced it? The mark in a form of anchor with GB logo means the clock was made by Gustav Becker factory which was founded in 1847 by German watch-maker Gustav Becker.
- How often are the auctions of antiquarian posters held? How much are Soviet posters at foreign auctions? The auctions of antiquarian posters are quite rare. At the same time Soviet poster can be met among the lots of such auctions, as Prints and Multiples and Russian Art.
- What problems and risks one can face investing money in antiques and works of art? The main problem of the antiquarian market is fakes. Making decision to invest in works of art it is necessary to pay a special attention on authenticity of an object.
- Is it worth investing money (taking into account modern crisis realities) in works of art and antiques? Is it worth investing in objects of the Petersburg antiques and works of art (pictures, books)? How much should one have to invest in works of art and Antiques is not only paying but also one of the most reliable objects of investments. Assuming careful calculation, subject knowledge and a wish to wait, works of art can bring considerable dividends.
- What information do you have concerning the manufacturing of blade weapon by Wunder brothers’ factory in St. Petersburg? What kind of weapon did they produce? What marks did they use? The Wunder brothers’ button factory was founded in Petersburg in 1875 by A.I. Wunder at Vasilevsky Island.
- How and where can I define the authenticity of K. Gorbatov’s picture signed and dated to 1895? The official examination of a canvas can be realized by Rossvya-zokhrankultura’s authorities with the corresponding certificate.
- How much is the International Watch wristwatch of approximately 1940? The model range of International Watch Company (IWC) is quite diverse.
- Where can I estimate antiquarian weapon? Rossvyazokrankultura’s authorities realize the estimation and examination of objects of antiques.
- How much is the English 1-penny piece of 1897? The average cost for the bronze pennies being issued in Great Britain in 1890s makes $80–120 depending on a condition.
- Tell me please how much is the G.K. Savitsky picture The Sheep and Lambs (1923)? The Picture is in the catalogue: by Polishchuk E.A., G.K. Savitsky (1887–1949). Georg Konstantinovich Savitsky’s work (1887–1949) can be estimated while professional estimation.
- How much are two volumes of early M. Lermontov’s compositions and two copies of his manuscripts? Who can buy them? M. Lermontov’s manuscripts can cost ¤17 000–20 000. Collected works’ cost depends on a year of publication, circulation, level of safety and many other factors.
- I have the James Perde 9916 gun in good safety and I would like to sell it. How much can it be? The cost for guns of such kind starts from ¤50 000. The sum can vary depending on safety and the proficiency level of decorative furnish.
- Where can I get any information on golden pocket watch by N. Farny-Merz? You can get the information on the given model from specialized studies and catalogues of antique watches.
- How much is a gold coin of 1902? The cost for the Nicolas gold coin of 1902 in excellent safety can make 30 000–50 000 roubles.
- How to put up the book of Lermontov’s works for auction in the Internet? There are some Internet auctions on which one can put up the book of Lermontov’s works or any other antiquarian object absolutely free of charge.
- What is the approximate cost of the A. Kiselyov’s picture. 1897, 27,0 È 46,0? A.A. Kiselyov’s works are usually estimated at GBP15 000–25 000 at the European auctions.
- Can I use S. Dali’s picture the Temptation of St. Anthony in cover design of the book? According to the current legislation the use of a picture in cover design is possible only with the permission of the owner whether it is a museum or a private collection.
- Is it profitable to repair the Soviet motorcycles? For how much, for example, is it possible to sell (to buy) well made restored motorcycle Minsk í-103? The collecting of the antiquarian auto- and motor- machines nowadays becomes more and more popular, hence, the cost for the cars continues to grow.
- How much is the 1940 Singer sewing machine in a good working condition? The cost for the antiquarian sewing machines can vary a lot depending both of a working condition and of the state of safety, the presence of a firm label, accessories and what is important — of the type.
- Tell me please how much is the ware with a label of the merchant kuznetsov’s coat of arms and is it valuable in general? The presence of a label with M.S. Kuznetsov’s coat of arms on an item means that it was made in the second half of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century.
- What is the procedure of export of an object abroad from Russia, for example to Germany, an object which I bought at the auction online, for example on the www.antiq.info? The editorial staff of the magazine represents you a new column Ask a Question.