| Antique Longcase clocks like antique artwork | | | | have a heart, but not so the chest of draws |
| or other collectable items are so individual | | | | or tallboy. |
| in nature that it is almost impossible to | | | | |
| make a fixed valuation on them. Unlike motor | | | | There is also the fact that there is no |
| vehicles there is no standard value list | | | | capital gains tax on clocks which makes it a |
| guide, antique clocks hopefully go up in | | | | great investment as clock prices have been |
| value, whereas motorcars depreciate the | | | | rising at about 10% a year which is better |
| moment you drive them off the sales room | | | | than some pension plans and stocks. |
| forecourt | | | | |
| | | | You can find many publications on the value |
| A price asked for and offered is determined | | | | of antique clocks but these never seem to be |
| by the personal interest of the seller and | | | | current and never take into consideration |
| the buyer, and also on the market trend, but | | | | regional variations, they mostly only cover |
| it is interesting to note that the antique | | | | the top end of the market which are high |
| markets, like all other markets are cyclical | | | | value pieces. One of the best places to find |
| and are in and out of vogue. | | | | the current range of prices for clocks is at |
| | | | your local sales and auctions, you can go |
| The antique market seems to be correlated to | | | | there and compare your clock like for like to |
| the housing market. When the housing market | | | | the ones being sold, remembering that |
| is in a boom period the antique market is in | | | | variations on movement and dials, also type |
| a slump, which has been the case in the UK | | | | and quality of case can make a great |
| for the last twelve years. People have been | | | | difference in valuation. |
| investing their money into bricks and mortar | | | | |
| and not putting their money inside their | | | | If you don't have the time to spend at the |
| homes. | | | | auction most auction houses publish a |
| | | | catalogue which they will mail to you, and by |
| It is inevitable that at some time the | | | | consulting this you will get a guide for the |
| housing market will reach a bubble, and house | | | | reserved price which as been placed by the |
| prices will stabilise or fall and people will | | | | seller. Many reputable auction houses do have |
| once again put their money where it will make | | | | professional appraisers and valuing service |
| the most gain, into a rising market, | | | | but this is not always free. You can find a |
| antiques. This housing cycle is about fifteen | | | | full list of UK and global antique and |
| years in the UK so by the end of this year | | | | auction sales from where you can get live |
| 2007 or into early next year we should see | | | | auction prices and view the many current |
| interest in the antique market increase and | | | | catalogues online. Also take a look at for |
| the value of works of art and collectables go | | | | comparisons. |
| up. | | | | |
| | | | It goes without saying stay clear of dealers |
| It is interesting to note that although the | | | | actively engaged in buying and selling |
| antique market has been in decline for a | | | | antiques as I'm sure you can understand they |
| number of years, in the antique furniture | | | | have only there own interests at heart. |
| industry, clocks have held there own with a | | | | |
| small increase in value and sales are still | | | | Always use professional appraisers attached |
| strong. This I believe is because we look | | | | to sales rooms, and official appraisers of |
| upon a clock especially a grandfather clock, | | | | local probate courts usually can give |
| as a working living piece, to which we form a | | | | prevailing price values. |
| bond and get attached to it as it seems to | | | | |