Reference desk
Collector Queries
Short answers to the questions we receive most often, with the limits stated plainly.
Can you tell me what my object is worth?
No. We do not give valuations. Prices depend on market conditions and on examination in person. A qualified appraiser or auction specialist is the right source.
Can you authenticate an item from photographs?
No. Photographs can raise useful questions, but authentication requires hands-on examination by a specialist, sometimes with access to maker archives.
What should I photograph first?
Every mark, serial, label and stamp, then all sides of the object in even light. Add a ruler for scale and raking light for faint inscriptions.
Should I clean an object before photographing it?
No. Record the object as found. Cleaning can remove pencil inscriptions, residues and wear patterns that tell its history.
Does a serial number prove when an object was made?
It indicates a probable production period for the part carrying it. Lenses, movements, cases and plates may have been replaced or swapped over time. See Cameras Under Inspection.
Is refinishing antique furniture always a mistake?
Not always, but it removes original surface evidence permanently. Cleaning or reviving a finish is usually more conservative. See Conservation Decisions.
Should I service an old watch before selling it?
That is a personal decision. If you do, ask the watchmaker to return replaced parts and itemise all work so the next owner has an honest record.
Are radium watch dials dangerous?
Radium-based paint remains radioactive. Do not scrape, sand or open such dials yourself, and consult a specialist about safe handling.
How do I record provenance?
List each owner, sale, repair and document in date order. Label every entry as observed, documented, attributed or unverified. Our grading is explained on The Catalogue Method.
Where can I find a qualified conservator?
In the UK, the Institute of Conservation's Conservation Register. In the US, the American Institute for Conservation's Find a Conservator directory.