Age of iron fence

I have an iron fence (wrought iron?) that I want to sell and I am trying to determine the age and a reasonable price. The gate has an "Ellis & Helfenberger" name plate on it but I cannot find a date anywhere. I know the house we live in was built in the late 50's but there were two other houses that stood on this lot before (fire got them both). The family was fairly prominent for our small town. I have 13 6'6 1/2" sections, 1 7'1" section and 1 5'9" section. the gate is 36" wide. I have 4 gate/corner posts. I have 10 inline posts with iron bases and 4 inline posts without the base. Also 2 corner/gate post iron bases. Fence is 38" high.

 

Here's a start...

https://books.google.com/books?id=gJY-AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA11-PA59&lpg=RA11-PA59&dq=ellis+&+helfenberger+wrought+iron&source=bl&ots=bzhXdTB-1Q&sig=M2oOrKkc5NUsQZThx9dwF9Tl7x4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCIQ6AEwAWoVChMIpqP6n6fwyAIVRcljCh1iiQwy#v=onepage&q=ellis & helfenberger wrought iron&f=false


https://books.google.com/books?id=jAQ3AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=ellis+&+helfenberger+wrought+iron&source=bl&ots=ySa8pSgAL1&sig=bjuqWet228BVik5dtNSknro7Q7w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCcQ6AEwA2oVChMIpqP6n6fwyAIVRcljCh1iiQwy#v=onepage&q=ellis & helfenberger wrought iron&f=false


http://www.google.com/patents/US437155


The real pros on this forum will probably want a picture...

 

If you Google Ellis and Holfenberger you will find several listing for the company. Seems they were located in Indianapolis and were in operation during the 1890s. I don't know how early or how long they were in operation. Here is one of their ads in an 1894 Indianapolis city directory.
http://www.mocavo.com/Indianapolis-Indiana-City-Directory-1894/495741/907

--- Susan

 

Thank you for your help. Here are some photos. Well that didn't work. Files to big. Does anyone know the maximum file size.

 

I had that issue with photos... solved it like this.
Took pics on phone, used YAHOO email to send to laptop Yahoo... en route, Yahoo gives you a chance to change size... I pick SMALL... then open on laptop, upload to Forum... works for me!

 

usually one big mega byte..

 

Also, Ellis & Helfenberger was succeeded by Enterprise Foundry and Fence company and is noted in that article dated 1901. Would the new company still use Ellis & Helfenberger on their products or is it safe to assume that anything with the Ellis & Helfenberger name would have been manufactured at least before 1901.

 

I think from the above, you can pin down the date pretty closely. As for value, it depends somewhat where you are, venue for selling, how quickly you want to sell, and other factors. As a general rule of thumb, here in the Midwest, we figure intact fence sections at about $10.00 per linear foot, nice posts at about $50.00 each, and nice gates at $150 and above as a wholesale to dealer price.

Generally, you would give a bit of a break if taking the whole lot. As an example, I sold about 70' of fence, 4 posts, and a less ornate gate for $750.00. Mine was older from about 1870 but not in as good condition.

I had a much more ornate gate than yours that I sold for $275.00 alone to the same dealer that bought the rest. I probably could have held out for $350.00 on my gate but was happy for the quick sale. I probably would not take less than $175.00 on your gate.

You could probably hold out for more and/or piece this out over time to get more. Big city and coast prices might also be higher. To the right person at retail, this entire lot could be worth quite a bit since you have enough to build a pretty good fence there.

 

Welcome!
Make them 480x640 or vice versa.

 

I'd keep them, but then, that's me. They're part of the history of the house, even if it's a replacement.