Best Way To Sell An Antique Grandfather Longcase Clock

[Urban Sports]

Afternoon

I'm currently trying to offload a whole load of antiques from my inlaws house who are moving to Spain, they have amongst their collection a Butler of Bolton 1822 Grandfather longcase clock.

I'm struggling to find anything similar (as in same make) to it on the internet to arrive at any kind of valuation.

I have no idea where to start with a valuation and where to sell it?

Any ideas?

Cheers

[Munter]

My guess would be you stick it in an antiques auction. Where you set the reserve though...no idea...would an auction house suggest?

[FourWheelDrift]

Auction would be your best bet, they will value it as well and you can set a reserve at your discretion and choice.

Are you anywhere near any of these places for one of the show dates? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/beonashow... or http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/beonashow...

[Flintstone]

Found the following link. Try scrolling down, item 3159 is the closest but didn't sell. The others look similar but I'd imagine that won't mean a lot.


http://www.lawrences.co.uk/Catalogues/fs161009/pag...

[Urban Sports]

Thanks for the info, unfortunately I'm nowhere near the TV shows.

I've got a reputable auction company coming round to value the clock(s) and some other things tomorrow.

[Four Cofffee]

Urban Sports said:

Afternoon

I'm currently trying to offload a whole load of antiques from my inlaws house who are moving to Spain, they have amongst their collection a Butler of Bolton 1822 Grandfather longcase clock.

I'm struggling to find anything similar (as in same make) to it on the internet to arrive at any kind of valuation.

I have no idea where to start with a valuation and where to sell it?

Any ideas?

Cheers

Is is Butler of Bolton-le-Moors?

The 'bible' on longcase clocks is Baillie's 'Watchmarks and clockmakers of the world'. Being a known maker will add a bit of value but very few makers are worth big money, and most of the big value clocks are either older or obviously fancy/complex.

Baillie's lists about a dozen Butlers but only one( Jacob Butler), is Bolton-le-Moors and making clocks in 1822. There is one other Butler in Bolton le Moors from earier *1760-1795. Jacob Butler manufactured between 1814 and 1824 so that sounds about right.

Any decent local auctionner will value it for you. I don't know anything about the well known and regarded makers but when I bought mine a few years go the factors at play were:

8 Day much better than 30 hour

Large clocks have had a troubled time as houses have got smaller and some were cut down as ceiling heights were lowered. They can be difficult to sell unless you happen upon someone with the headroom!

Mahogonay and oak better than pine which are regarded generally as inferior country clocks. I think mahogonay fetches more than oak if in good condition (oak tends to survice better as they tend to be less orname with bits to split/get damage/fall off)

Pretty dials fetch more than plain ones amongst the common clocks. The white dial ( I am assuming it is white dial and mot a metal dial) often have scenes around the edge. The more unsual and attractive the scene the better. Common scenes are religion (mine has Moses collecting the 10 commandments) and the Seasons, but hunting and nautical scenes sell well. If the clock has a moon phase dial or an animation as some nautical scenes do that is worth more. Often the general look and proportionality of the clock matters, so being too top/bottom heavy or too slim/stout detracts and decent stringing and carving can add value. Clocks that have been buggereed about with (swapped movements, new hoods; marriages of 2 or more clocks) will get down valued although still make nice furniture.

Like all antiques condition is everything and you often see tatty clocks with some veneer lifting or visible cracks for £300 at auction. A nice lookng (but not magnificent) early 19th century white dial clock in decent condition with a coloured scene will fetech bout £600-£800 at auction. I have yet to dee a hald decent closck in an antiques shop or centre for under £1500. There is a guy on PH who knows longcase very well who chipped in when I was thinking about buying.

You have a ery precise date but there is an entire science about aging clocks which can be done usually from the dial (or at least that ages the dial as long it is the original which sometimes isn't the case as the movements simply screw to a backboard and can be moved about).

I would call a local auctionner or take some decent pics in to see one. Be honest about any damage, take pictures of the movement and the backboard where the movement screws in, and sizes.

I love my longcase, and the thought that it has been ticking away for almost 200 years with a 50 year service interval (less in a smoking house or with an open fire) impressed me. Inside it is remarkably clean and tidy. I bought, as I think many people do who just want decent furntiture pieces, by the condition and look as few of the makers (and there are thousands of makers as most small towns had a clockmaker/blacksmith) are collectors pieces as such.

I say keep it!

Edited by Four Cofffee on Thursday 19th August 16:03