How to determine value of my collection?

M

ms.godzilla

Registered Guest
Hello everyone!

I've been collecting vintage clothing for many years now, but am brand new to this forum.

I have a substantial vintage collection and wanted to see if can get some help on determining the value (for insurance and possible sale) of some pieces in my collection.

In particular, I have a near-mint vintage 50's women's "bombshell/sweater girl" style Bernhard Altmann 100% pure vicuna sweater, several 40's beaded suits, evening gowns, platform shoes, etc.

I am considering downsizing my collection and am trying to determine value for some of the pieces I am interested in selling. As I'm not a trade member, I'm not trying to solicit sales of my collection here, but would appreciate suggestions as to where I might start so that I can figure out the reasonable value of my items.

I used to sell on eBay, but stopped when they changed their feedback system and fee structure.

Any help and advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks!

Mary
 
Another route to go is hire an appraiser who can actually handle the collection. Without actually handling textiles, all appraisals are simply guesses. Just make sure the appraiser understands they are being paid for their time and that you will not be offering the collection to them for sale. This is how you get an honest appraisal.

If you have sold on ebay, I assume you know how to search ebay and the internet for like items and see what the going values are.

Just remember that insurance ( replacement) values and resale values are very different. Unless you have the resources to sell at retail yourself, you will not realize retail prices.

Hollis
 
Thanks for the welcome, Linda! :)

The piece I am currently most interested in pricing is the vintage Altmann pure vicuna sweater, since I know it is quite rare. It is in excellent vintage condition.

I am trying to determine the value as I am considering selling it and other items from my collection to pay for therapy expenses for youngest son who has a severe form of autism.

I have searched the internet, and the only thing I came up with was a recent eBay auction for a men's vintage vicuna sweater that sold for over $1300! This has caused me to wonder about the value of the sweater in my collection. In my internet searches, I haven't even been able to come up with a price for a new vicuna sweater. I know that they are quite rare and expensive, due to the endangered status of vicunas.

Here are some pictures:


3097888693_83f2a31525.jpg



3097888969_f9901a4405.jpg


I just finished hand-washing it - no stains, moth holes or other damaged, just gently-worn condition. (There appears to be a spot on the front in the photo, but that's from the camera.)

Thanks to anyone who can give me any help with this!

Mary
 
Its tricky, too, to say that 40s suits are worth $X, since values come and go with current style, plus there is the size factor, and condition, color desireability, condition.....
 
Building on Hollis's advice, my suggestion would be to make sure your appraiser knows the clothing market. I recently saw a listing on ebay for a "child's dress 1830-1910" that the seller said had just been appraised for $1,200. It was a beautiful dress, but it was clearly from around 1910 and not worth anywhere near $1,200. Obviously the appraiser did not know much about vintage or antique clothing, because the dating was so awful and the appraised value so unrealistic. The appraiser really did her a dis-service.

Laura
 
Thanks Hollis and Hatfeathers!

All of my pieces are excellent to near-mint and in wearable sizes, since I used to wear most of these pieces. They (the 40's suits) are mostly in small sizes, with a few in medium to large.

I know that it's harder to find the larger sizes and that those would obviously be rarer than a size 4.

The vicuna sweater is a 38 bust, so is definitely wearable by a small/medium frame person.

Some of my 40's suits and "Lucy" style dresses are from when I was a size 4/6, which sadly, I am not anymore and not likely to be again, so I may just be willing to let them go to a good home.

Thanks again for your help!

Mary
 
Thanks again, everyone, who has offered suggestions!

How does one find a qualified, honest appraiser? (I apologize if I'm asking questions covered in other parts of this forum; I will also search later tonight after I put my children to bed so that I can do a thorough search of the resources here.)

Thanks!

Mary
 
Hi Mary,

You can search for an appraiser at Innternational Society of Appraisers.

I have information about what to look for in an appraisal in my Articles section of my antiques website that you might find helpful: What Is An Appraisal?

As an appraiser, I would never feel comfortable in giving an appraisal without personally examining the item. Sometimes I'll give a "verbal approximation of value" which is not a true appraisal, but an educated opinion, but with lots of caution and limiting conditions comments.

Diana
 
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