Please help with identification and value

Hello, I recently inherited this hutch and am wanting to sell it and have no idea what era it's from and what I might be able to ask for it. My sister thinks our mother bought it for $700 almost 40 years ago. It's 43" wide x 21" deep. The desk height is 38" and the mirror height is 75".

 

This is circa 1900 late Victorian golden oak piece. $700.00 would have been a fairly high price for this 40 years ago in my neck of the woods (semi-rural Midwest). In a big city or either coast, it might have been OK. Today, you would be pretty lucky to get half in most locations other than high end retail shops. At auctions or other wholesale venues, even less. This furniture is out of fashion today and prices have dropped.

 

Its a great piece , but they are practically giving this stuff away right now . Like Brad said , youd be hard pressed to get $300 here in florida . Pity , because this is good stuff that will last forever .

 

I have an antique dealer close to Seattle that is interested in buying everything I have (about 8 pieces) for cheap. I don't know what he means by cheap though.

 

The link I posted below is of a piece that is for sale near me for almost $2,500. I do notice that it is bigger and has more woodwork detailing. When I saw this I imagined I would be able to get at least $1,500 for my piece. Guess I was wrong?

http://antiques4u.aradium.com/?id=4...-574e-a999-9280fdbf62fe&store=406596372799930

 

You might do better in Seattle than some other places, though I don't really know the market there. We used to have a Seattle dealer frequent here but have not seen her in awhile. Remember that a dealer is going to want to pay you at a rate that insures good profit to them. If you want it over and done with quickly, selling to a dealer is a good way to go. If you want to maximize return, doing some research and selling yourself is a better way. I imagine that you could sell these things on craigslist there for more than what a dealer will give you.

 

At what rate do dealers buy? Would you say that they buy at 50% of what they can sell it for?

 

I wrote the above before seeing your comparison piece. It is an exceptional piece in the best refinished condition. That said, the dealer must have a very different clientele than we have here in the Midwest. You would be very lucky to get even half that for it here.

This all points to the fact that where and how you are selling can make a big difference. I am sure that Seattle is a better market than what we have here. I am also sure that this dealer has cultivated a clientele willing to pay top dollar for exceptional pieces in great condition. Truth be known, he/she will probably end up selling that piece for quite a bit less than asking. As a personal seller, you do not have access to his/her selling venue and clientele.

If you are not in a hurry, you might want to attend a local auction house that sells antiques on a regular basis. It is a good way to learn you local market. You can see what things go for on a need to sell basis to the public at large. It is the lowest common denominator, so to speak. Who knows, if prices are good, you may want to consign to the auction.

 

I try to by at roughly 1/3 of what I will price at or less. If it is something I think I can sell quickly, I might go up to half.

 

Oh wow

 

I agree with Brad.
Here in CA, most dealers pay about 1/3 of what they will mark an item. We don't always end up selling an item for what it is marked.

So when he tells you he will buy cheap, if he marks it $300, you will get 100.
Now you mentioned you have 8 pieces. My bet is he is going to cut it down even more for the lot.

As Brad said, if you have time, do some investigating. Call a few antique stores to see if they have any American Oak furniture. Then spend a day going to those stores, checking the quality and the prices being asked. It will give you a better idea where to start with an asking price.

I would not sell as a lot unless you are pressed for time and money.
You are better off trying to sell on Craigslist at about 50-65% of retail. If that doesn't work, then sell one at a time to a dealer/dealers at 30% retail.

Here in CA, the piece you show would be marked about $300 - 350 for a piece in good condition. Is the leg broken? If so then the price would drop considerably.

 

For sale...in an antique store...is almost never what it sells for !

 

I'd agree with the 1900s conclusion if the builder was verified. But it appears 1850 years with updated knobs. I'm just saying. That piece is much more valuable than the $20 beside the leg.

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

I do have someone interested in buying it, should I ask for $300? My sister thinks we can get over $1,000 for it but I don't think she is basing that on anything but emotional attachment, not research.

 

I would start a bit higher. You can always go down but it is difficult to go up.

 

Very true!

 

You never answered whether the leg is broken?

 

No it is not broken.

 

Good.