Intro and a rather long question

My name is Dana Sanders-Stanford and I have a few pieces that I need help assigning a value or even obtaining advice as to the best way to sell them.

I’m very new to antiquing…I usually just buy things that catch my eye.

The item that brings me to you is a barometer encased in maple (I think). I love anything that looks like a clock for some reason (odd because I’m always late!). I lived in Edinburgh from 1989 to 1991 and would cruise thru antique sales frequently. I saw this barometer, which was pretty enough, but when I looked more closely, it had a little plate fixed to the bottom that said:

Presented to Dr. Walford Bodie by Hilda May Walker in gratitude for his cure of paralysis Bristol June 16th, 1903

The internet wasn’t readily available then and I hadn’t a clue who Dr. Brody was, but I thought it would make an interesting conversation piece.

After I moved back to the states, I bought a copy of Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women by Ricky Jay as a gift. I picked it up because the title was interesting. Before I wrapped the book, I flipped thru it and found a chapter on a guy who performed all kinds of incredible feats and that name rang a distant bell. The barometer was still packed from the move and I hadn’t seen it in a couple of years, but I unpacked it and, yep, it’s the same guy.

I was gobsmacked that I had so coincidentally picked up this book AND that I had remembered his name after all that time.

I’d like to know what the value is and how I might go about selling it if it has sufficient value. I have a son in college and I’m downsizing my lifestyle, so I look at everything with a critical eye.

I don’t know how to go about authenticating the piece. I’m pretty clueless about antiques in general but I’m really interested in learning. I have back trouble so I’ve had to find some new hobbies that aren’t as physically demanding as my old ones.

Any help or guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for letting me join your forum!

Dana

 

Hi Dana!

Welcome to Antiquers............

Pictures please.................

 

What an interesting character he is. And quite the mustache! I'd think there is some value there. An autographed photo sold a couple years ago for over $600.

 

Ok, y’all….I said I was going to ask dumb questions…how to I upload pictures?

 

*do

 

Greetings, Dana. Posting pictures of items you want help with is essential.

 

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/posting-a-thread-and-uploading-pictures.15990/

 

Thanks!!! Give me a few minutes and I’ll get some pics up to look at.

 

Well, now it worked too well. It kept giving me error messages but it seems like it inserted all my failed attempts. I guess it's better to have too much than too little, but there are only two relevant pics here... the whole barometer and the closeup of the plate. I'm sorry to be a doofus.

 

We can get a mod to remove the excess images for you.

@i need help @Bookahtoo Could one of you help, please?

 

Thanks, y’all!!

 

I don’t know how to go about authenticating the piece.
that's what we're here for...

.
I’d like to know what the value is
that's not what we're here for

but maybe we can point u in the proper direction

 

He really was just fascinating!! It was just so serendipitous that I would stumble across that book with so much good info about him. Since then, of course, I’ve found lots more with the help of the internet, but this was way back before all the modern conveniences. One thing I thought was really interesting was the impact he had on Charlie Chaplin from a young age. I really love this sort of history.

 

Hey, any help or direction y’all can give me would be greatly appreciated. I’ve thought about reaching out for info for years, but today I was looking for some help and this forum stood out as a good avenue for assistance.

 

it is.......... & one of the very best you'll ever find......but it's not a site for getting fair market prices on items.

that said.......at least you've brought us a lovely and interesting ACTUAL antique......and for that and the story behind it and the pleasure to view it....

I thank you !!!

( I still have no clue what it's worth,what size it is or what the rear looks like...)

 

Oh, I can fix those little issues…lol!!! I’ll post a pic of the back and the dimensions, now that I kinda know how.

 

So it's 14" in diameter, about 1.5" thick and it weighs about 7 lbs.

The maker was Salanson & Co. in Bristol.

Also, the barometer still works. I think things were made to last back then.

 

I'm sorry...I just posted this instead of replying to you. Thanks for your enthusiasm. I think it's just the coolest thing and a neat story. It turned out to be much more of a conversation piece than I ever intended. Lol! I'm just delighted to share it with people who enjoy it as much as I do.

 

In 1905, supposedly he was the highest paid entertainer in the world. He was such a character!! I’d like to find someone who specializes in antique show business memorabilia. If I did sell it, I’d like to sell it to someone who appreciates it for the unusual performer it represents.