Where to have old documents appraised/valued?
Discussion
One of the commercial properties bought by my family over the years was a very old Barclays Bank, and it was purchased in 1978. At the time of sale, the vault contained a load of ‘rubbish’ which was mostly ancient paperwork and documents in boxes and sacks.
It was quickly sorted though at the time and anything clearly worthless or recent was binned, but a couple of sacks of anything that looked vaguely interesting was kept, transported to my parents home, and stuffed into a loft.
Fast forward 42 years and I found the documents last week while helping my dad tidy up at his house.
A quick browse though them reveals many legal documents, contracts, letters from the 1600’s to the 1900’s etc
Some of them look reasonably important such as a parchment document with signatures and wax seals from 1750 agreeing to the sale/purchase of an entire harbour/port which was instrumental in the slave and Rum trade to Caribbean.
There are various documents which pertain to correspondence between various Lords (no relation
) plus seafaring stuff and so on.
It may all be totally worthless, but it would seem madness to throw it all away without having someone who knows what they are looking at examining it.
Does anyone know of someone who might be able to take a look or runs a business specialising in this sort of stuff?
Thanks
It was quickly sorted though at the time and anything clearly worthless or recent was binned, but a couple of sacks of anything that looked vaguely interesting was kept, transported to my parents home, and stuffed into a loft.
Fast forward 42 years and I found the documents last week while helping my dad tidy up at his house.
A quick browse though them reveals many legal documents, contracts, letters from the 1600’s to the 1900’s etc
Some of them look reasonably important such as a parchment document with signatures and wax seals from 1750 agreeing to the sale/purchase of an entire harbour/port which was instrumental in the slave and Rum trade to Caribbean.
There are various documents which pertain to correspondence between various Lords (no relation
) plus seafaring stuff and so on.It may all be totally worthless, but it would seem madness to throw it all away without having someone who knows what they are looking at examining it.
Does anyone know of someone who might be able to take a look or runs a business specialising in this sort of stuff?
Thanks
trickywoo said:
A museum would be the obvious option.
With the current trend to eliminate anything colonial or slave trade I doubt there would be any money in your main example but one would hope a museum would at least look after it properly.
Even if they aren’t worth anything in financial terms, I just don’t want to destroy anything that may be of historical value.With the current trend to eliminate anything colonial or slave trade I doubt there would be any money in your main example but one would hope a museum would at least look after it properly.
Thanks for the suggestion. I may email some museums and see if they are interested in having a look.
I have used Sothebys in the past
https://www.sothebys.com/en/sell/books/manuscripts...
I had a very old passport from the 1700s which measured about 3 feet by 2 feet and had been framed as a wall hanging about 80 years ago. The advice was that unless it named a famous person it just had decorative value, even though it was signed by a king and had their seal
I would try Sothebys or Bonhams with a good description and pics, you never know your luck.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/sell/books/manuscripts...
I had a very old passport from the 1700s which measured about 3 feet by 2 feet and had been framed as a wall hanging about 80 years ago. The advice was that unless it named a famous person it just had decorative value, even though it was signed by a king and had their seal
I would try Sothebys or Bonhams with a good description and pics, you never know your luck.
With a bit of google fu you could probably get in touch with at least some of the books & manuscripts experts that the BBC uses for AR
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/50BBLC85...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/50BBLC85...
Old documents, framed, are quite popular in the antiques trade I believe.
If they aren't relevant to any 'claim', which I guess they aren't, then approach a dealer in old maps/docs to see if they are willing to purchase them for £££'s.
Don't throw them away, old docs are interesting and can be an fascinating addition for the downstairs bog or boot/gun room decoration!
If they aren't relevant to any 'claim', which I guess they aren't, then approach a dealer in old maps/docs to see if they are willing to purchase them for £££'s.
Don't throw them away, old docs are interesting and can be an fascinating addition for the downstairs bog or boot/gun room decoration!
Have a chat with Richard @ https://www.antiquemapsandprints.com/
sells vintage maps and prints but may be able to point you in the right direction
sells vintage maps and prints but may be able to point you in the right direction
Edited by Simon Brooks on Wednesday 23 September 11:52
There is a lot of interest in the USA as well - I once found my gg(x?) grandfather's will from 1710 being sold on ebay in the USA!
Old documents can be surprisingly valuable - so I would be looking to the auction trade to give advice - Dominc Winter Auction company near Cirencester should be able to help
Old documents can be surprisingly valuable - so I would be looking to the auction trade to give advice - Dominc Winter Auction company near Cirencester should be able to help
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