Antique Clocking-in clock and mirror (images provided)

Hello everyone, I'm new to antiques, I have an interest in them but never actually sold anything myself.

I have 2 items that are definitely antiques however, I'm not sure how to date or value them, I am looking to sell them but I do not want to be conned.

No.1 is the antique mirror. My granddad brought this in the early 70's when he was made redundant for £9 from a local antique shop. I'm unsure how old this I'm guessing between 1930-40 judging by the design. In the images provided the mirror is in pieces that's because I'm cleaning it and it's a bit dusty but otherwise good condition. It's solid, varnished wood with thick heavy glass and a chain to hang it with. It's held together by small tacks. I would like to know the age and the minimum amount I should accept for this.

The clocking in clock is in bad condition and I have been offered £20 for it I have no key for it, one of the handles have fell off its mountings and the wood is chipped. This came from the Derby Rolls Royce factory in the 60's I believe. I would like to know if £20 is a reasonable offer? Someone is coming to collect it tomorrow.

I hope someone can help me

Thank you!

PS. Excuse the background mess in the pictures, we're redecorating!

 

(Your mess is excused. I'm working on my own!)

Now then, neither of your items is "antique." For ease of reference the antique community regards something to be at least 100 years old for that designation. We don't usually provide pricing, except to say that an item might bring in $$$ in Pennsylvania, but only $ in Alabama. Since you are in England you'll have to wait til Af chimes in. He does clocks and troodles of other things.

If I may pass on a bit of advice: before you sell ANYTHING, make sure you know what it is, and, to the best of your ability, what it is worth on the market. To assume that you might get conned, is to demonstrate that you haven't done your homework (to say nothing of the fact that potential buyers will pick up on the negative vibe)!

This is a great place to ask questions, and eBay and several other sites can provide you with 'sold' comparables. Museums can provide you with the best of the best examples, and the library is your friend.

Every dealer and buyer has some kind of horror story. Either something not bought and deeply regretted, or something sold which had not been properly researched, and turned out to be worth thousands rather than the original nine pounds sixpence! Conversely, if you watch the Antique Roadshow, you will see any number of people who have been to a boot sale, bought a widget for 6 pounds and the expert handles the item gingerly and tells the owner that its price equals the Queen's salary.

One can but hope!!

 

Erm, no I cant see a ticket on it. I think the 79 you could be referring to is the clock number in the factory.

Could you guess how much the mirror is worth?

 

Thank you, no I don't know much about these items but they have been in my family for a while. And parting with them is a decision I'm not taking lightly. Sorry I didn't know that you don't provide prices!

I have had someone value the clock about 2 years ago and they offered me £100 before the wood/vaneer was chipped of the front but I wasn't willing to part with it at that time, now however I'm strapped for cash and I think the person wanting to buy it knows this. Also I need to create some space. They also stated that the market isn't very good for clocks at the moment because everyone has gone "minimalist"

I definitely won't be parting with the mirror unless they provide a decent offer the only problem is I don't know much about the mirror and how much it is worth, when my grandad brought it it was worth £9 in old money which today equals to about £100. Eh so confusing

 

For the life of me I could not figure out what a clocking-in clock might be. Over here we call them time clocks. These tend to have some value to them so I would not give it away too cheaply. The veneer problem is a detriment but can be repaired. Keeps it from being a top dollar item but still has value.

The mirror is nice but really nothing too special. Here in the States, something in the $50.00 -$100.00 range would be a good sale for the seller. I could pick up something like this at auction around here (Midwest US) for less than $20.00.

Values really are regional so you need to gauge your market.

 

The mirror is likely worth a maximum of ten quid to an ugly person

 

And obviously more to an attractive one, right?? <giggle>

 

Ok, so it's decided; we're not selling the mirror, it was my granddads and he isn't with us anymore (therefore I don't appreciate the mocking) it has alot more sentimental value than cash value.

The clock (which belonged to my dads dad whom is still alive) went to a restorer and enthusiast this morning. I posted an ad on Gumtree and had alot of interest, after some research I discovered that in working order at this moment in time it's worth around £50 so I sold it for 20, I think it's a fair amount for the condition it's in.

Thanks to those that helped

 

Viki....every antique ever posted on this site once belonged to someones late family members.
I'm sure the vast majority were loved , and missed terribly when they passed away.
On the other hand , after I was about 5 years old.....my Fathers Father.....treated me like **** ......once threatening to bash me in the head with the staple gun he was holding over his head in his out stretched arm !

( I wanted to throw him out a 4th floor window.........instead , I left the building for a looooooong walk !! )

So ...Please.....we comment on items here without any thought towards the love you have for a dead relative.....don't take it personally !

 

On the one hand, I agree that it's a good idea to try not to take things personally. On the other hand, I wish no one in Antiquers would mock items anyone else posts.

We all have different tastes and I would hope that would be respected here.

 

We all have different opinions.....I hope none of them get censored !

Personal attacks....that's another kettle of fish entirely !

 

Oh, I wouldn't want different opinions censored, either.

But there's a big difference between offering a different opinion and casting aspersions on someone's taste.

 

THe comments about the poor clock market are accurate. Unhappily what I mostly have is clocks.

The classic clocking in clock or time clock is a big bugger to shift around or house. Yours appears to be the less desirable more modern variety with a double spring going barrel movement, any high price you see are likely to be for earlier fusee movement examples that look very similar but have single winding hole. These may be bought by people who simply want the fusee movement for some project.

I'd say 20 quid was on the cheap side but I'm biased, what you got was the value on the day.

Please note that 'a lot' is two words, elided they become a misspelling of allot, to portion out.

 

Sadly, the mirror isn't worth a great deal commercially. It's the fancy Art Deco ones that get money, so I think you're right to hang on to it.