Antique clocks (Investment and how to value)

Antique collecting is the assembling of items of aesthetic, historical or monetary values from earlier eras.

How old does an antique have to be to be considered an antique?

Legally and traditionally, an antique is usually defined as an object over 100 years old.
During the 20th century, clocks as well as many other objects became desirable collector items of the past. With the growth of interest in antique clocks, an expertise in historical styles, construction styles and methods for the care and identification of clocks, as well as other objects has developed. Although some exceptions exist, the two basic types of grandfather clocks are 8 day and 30 hour clocks. In collecting antique grandfather clocks, the 8 day is the more elaborate of the two types.

Have clocks become family heirlooms?

Emotional factors, such as belonging to a family member or if the clock can be proven to have belonged to a celebrity or someone of historical importance, it may make the clock more desirable. Clocks hold their intrinsic value as it is passed along by family members. Touch the smooth fine wood of the clock, listen to the melodious chimes or sounds it makes. The décor of a home is complete when adorned with a fine gift of time, a clock. Clocks are sold in all budgets from modest pieces with little decoration to clocks with moving parts and works of art that can occupy an entire wall or table.

Why do they last so long?

With proper care and maintenance, a clock can keep perfect time for many years.
How well do antique clocks hold their value?

A clockmaker guide can help identify the maker of a clock. The signature on the clock can help indicate when the clock was made. The physical appearance of a mantle clock, grandfather clock, cuckoo clock, or wall clock, is an important factor in estimating the value of a clock. Clocks that have the original elements, which have never been restored and are clean clocks, have a greater value than those in poor condition or have been altered. A clock with the makers label or signature intact, and a clock with its original glass and decorative elements can all increase the value of a clock. The value of the clock can often be determined using the above guides along with a clockmaker guide. To determine when a clock was made might prove to be a difficult task. Some have a signature located on the movement of the clock dial. Relying on the signature however may be deceiving. Sometimes the signature is the name of the distributor rather than the clockmaker. Sometimes signatures are added to give an appearance of age and value. A clockmaker guide can help identify the maker of a clock. The signature on the clock can help indicate when the clock was made. For more visit http://www.onestopclock.com

Wikipedia online http://www.onestopclock.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Mauldin Antique Clocks For Investment The history of our great nation preserved for future generations. Ten years ago the late Peter Johnson wrote for the Money section of the Sunday Times an article on, ‘ Collecting for Investment - 19thNov 1995.’ This coincided with the opening of our shop Pendulum of Mayfair Ltd which specialises in antique clocks and Georgian furniture. Peter found the subject fascinating and expressed a wish to come again and assess the success of our venture. Unfortunately he is not here to do this but I think he would have found the results interesting. We are definitely still here and have lots of satisfied clients world wide who have found pleasure from their investments. It is true that the market for average quality,’ brown mahogany” furniture and clocks has suffered since 911 but the market for genuine high quality antique clocks especially in the choice mahogany and walnut woods, has continued to increase in value at very high rates. The intrinsic labour costs in these clocks make them perfect forms of investments. There are many tax efficient reasons that make antique clocks a perfect investment for pension funds and other large institutions, this has further increased prices and will continue to do so. These clocks come from an era when this was truly a great country, where horology was the foremost profession. It is one of the reasons why this country boosts an empire. Without sorting the Longitude problem out, navigation at sea was nearly impossible. We have two clocks in our possession with the receipts which clearly demonstrate the investment potential of these items. Pictured on the back of the Longcase door on the Sinderby Loncase clock (attachment) owned by Rudyard Kipling is the purchase price dated 1934 of 13£ 10 shillings. This clock if it was for sale today would fetch in the region of £35,000. We have a receipt of a superb walnut 8 day clock dated1917 for 20£. This clock would realise over £70,000 today. For a typical good quality London mahogany in 1980 we were selling these at £2,500, in 1995 at the start of the shop this figure was between 6 and 6,500£ and now this figure has risen to over £14,000. Date Average Price of Standard London mahogany Longcase Clock C.1770 1980 £2,500 1995 £6,250 2006 £14,000 The shop has done spectacularly well over the last 10 years because it specialises in only the finest high quality genuine antique clocks. We also have a receipt of a superb walnut 8 day clock dated1917 for 20£. This clock would realise over £70,000 today. All work on these fantastic clocks is carried out in house by our specialised workshop in Cheshire, we now undertake the clock repairs for Asprey’s and Garrards customers since they have closed their antiques department. In a market where many have fallen by the wayside, we have continued to grow at very healthy rates. A dedication to selling the finest genuine 18th century antique clocks. It is becoming increasing difficult to find the types of clocks we sell and this will no doubt further increase prices in the future. Regards Daniel Clements http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Clements How To Value Your Antique Clocks Antique Longcase clocks like antique artwork or other collectible items are so individual in nature that it is almost impossible to make a fixed valuation on them. Unlike motor vehicles there is no standard value list guide, antique clocks hopefully go up in value, whereas motorcars depreciate the moment you drive them off the sales room forecourt A price asked for and offered is determined by the personal interest of the seller and the buyer, and also on the market trend, but it is interesting to note that the antique markets, like all other markets are cyclical and are in and out of vogue. The antique market seems to be correlated to the housing market. When the housing market is in a boom period the antique market is in a slump, which has been the case in the UK for the last twelve years. People have been investing their money into bricks and mortar and not putting their money inside their homes. It is inevitable that at some time the housing market will reach a bubble, and house prices will stabilise or fall and people will once again put their money where it will make the most gain, into a rising market, antiques. This housing cycle is about fifteen years in the UK so by the end of this year 2007 or into early next year we should see interest in the antique market increase and the value of works of art and collectables go up. It is interesting to note that although the antique market has been in decline for a number of years, in the antique furniture industry, clocks have held there own with a small increase in value and sales are still strong. This I believe is because we look upon a clock especially a grandfather clock, as a working living piece, to which we form a bond and get attached to it as it seems to have a heart, but not so the chest of draws or tallboy. There is also the fact that there is no capital gains tax on clocks which makes it a great investment as clock prices have been rising at about 10% a year which is better than some pension plans and stocks. You can find many publications on the value of antique clocks but these never seem to be current and never take into consideration regional variations, they mostly only cover the top end of the market which are high value pieces. One of the best places to find the current range of prices for clocks is at your local sales and auctions, you can go there and compare your clock like for like to the ones being sold, remembering that variations on movement and dials, also type and quality of case can make a great difference in valuation. If you don't have the time to spend at the auction most auction houses publish a catalogue which they will mail to you, and by consulting this you will get a guide for the reserved price which as been placed by the seller. Many reputable auction houses do have professional appraisers and valuing service but this is not always free. You can find a full list of UK and global antique and auction sales from antiquestradegazette.com where you can get live auction prices and view the many current catalogues online. Also take a look at antiqueclockspriceguide.com for comparisons. It goes without saying stay clear of dealers actively engaged in buying and selling antiques as I'm sure you can understand they have only there own interests at heart. Always use professional appraisers attached to sales rooms, and official appraisers of local probate courts usually can give prevailing price values. Barry Share is the proprietor of Riversdale Clocks... http://www.riversdaleclocks.com Make your own family heirloom. Get your free copy of part#1 of the case making manual “Making A Case For A Longcase Clock” from… http://www.casemaking.riversdaleclocks.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barry_Share