Tiffany Sterling Silver Fruit Bowl

[skipnyamaha]

Hello again everyone, I have some more things thats I am trying to value.  I haven't been able to give the person I am selling for much positive news but I hope I will have some.  Sooooo this is a Tiffany sterling silver fruit bowl and wonder if THIS might possibly have any value.  Once again, any help would be appreciated.  I have tried to do a little research but haven't managed to find much....

[ironlord1963]

     Tiffany silver usually packs a really good punch in price with their silver.  The mark with the M under it appears to be the mark used between 1907 - 1938, the other I believe is used after 1938 or so it appears in my Schiffer book.  There is lots of history available on Tiffany silver, more then enough to write a novel on.  Looking around various sites including E-bay the value looks to go somewhere in the $200.00 to $400.00 dollar range, the later price for some really fancy items.  The only thing is the Ebay sites are buy it now and can't tell if they are moving at this price.  If I was to make a quick estimate with very little research I would place the value in the $300.00 range for the first item and maybe a bit less on the second item.  Both items appear to be still in the vintage catagory but getting close to being Antique.  I will look around a bit more when time permits.  Maybe I can find a more conclusive value, this is just what I have learned in about 5 minutes of looking. 

[ironlord1963]

I have found a bowl about the same period on Ebay right now but it is only hovering around $100.00, but keep in mind the Ebay tends to be half value and right now with the economy and silver prices kinda low this is to be expected

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tiffany-Sterling-Silver-Bowl-Tray_W0QQitemZ310155140811QQcategoryZ37991QQcmdZViewItem

Here is one kinda like the first one but I think this is a bit later model, can't tell because of the hallmark pic is a bit unclear, this one is close to $300.00  but with 4 days left.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TIFFANY-STERLING-SILVER-BOWL-LARGE-VERY-HEAVY_W0QQitemZ360173450623QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Silver?hash=item53dc02b57f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I have seen some higher prices on items on sites other then Ebay but this is a good gauge of what the current value is for quick sales.  Double this on consignment or in a Antique shop but will collect dust for a while before it will sell.

[KC]

Can you post the measurements?

[railman44]

I've found eBay's final sell price isn't usually realized until the last few seconds of the auction.  If you check "completed" auctions one can see the final price.  I've also seen items receive respectable bids the second or third time tried if the reserve hasn't been met.  It all depends on title wording and who stumbles onto it...

[skipnyamaha]

I really want to thank everybody for their quick reponses to my questions.  Do you guys get paid to do these or do you simply do these as a favor to everybody out there?  Also, do you take donations through paypal?  I REALLY must say that you have all been spectacular for advice, help and giving me information on my stuff.  The people I'm selling would be amazed how informative you all are. 

[ironlord1963]

Railman is right I forgot that you can check the complete listing, learned that the other day here and have forgot, much better way to check out the going rates.  As for this site is free, and a good thing I don't get paid for this, cause I eat a lot of crow here and I would be kick off  .  This is a great learning tool that I would probably paid for if I had too.  They are great here and full of great info, and those whose post their items also helps us all along our journey, so thanks go back to you also skip

[KC]

Skip, everyone on this site does this for FREE...well....at the expense of our families putting up with us posting and spending endless time on this site.

Isn't it great?  A bunch of people that have never met face to face, working together, lending all of their areas of knowledge/expertise and/or searching all resources...to help other people (that we most likely will never meet)...find out information about the history, material makeup, and value of their special pieces/possessions? 

It is an adventure for all of us.  The challenge of the hunt.  We all get just excited about the big finds as the little ones.

Thank you for the opportunity to work with you.  Please get back with us and let us know about your piece.

[talesofthesevenseas]

...and it's really fun to see everybody's stuff!!!

[D&b antiques]

A special word for Dontbe Who maintains this blog, and Railman 44 who set's a side time and talent's to keep the site clean of porno. we injoy what we do and there is never a charge.

[KC]

Thanks D&b...I failed to mention that and this is just an example of the many....that we all have each others backs!

Dontbe and Railman44 go above and beyond all the rest of us....Dontbe for having this blog that is phenomenal.  AND Dontbe and Railman44 for the ever vigilant lookout for maintaining a professional/amateur fun site.  Some days the spammers and porno nuts give them a run for their money....trying to get their jollies by posting lewd and rude pics and info.  These 2 are the Antique-Shop warriors!  Rah!

[skipnyamaha]

So if everybody does this for free, who maintains and keeps the site up and going?  Someone has to pay SOMETHING to keep this site going......?

[regularjoe2]

I'll toss in my personal tip-o'-the-hat for the moderators that were mentioned in the above posts .

I've often reported 'wrongly posted' entries here (as I'm sure other members do) , and have frequently rcd. e-mail replies from the mod(s) after doing so .
Their responses to difficulties with the site have been rapid and thoughtful .

I think that this tending to the forum content is exceptional , especially so for a no-charge website .

I've recommended this forum to friends , strangers , collectors and folks in the antiques trade (long before I became a member) .

Besides the cordial treatment that is given to new members ( and  , ahem , tolerance towards ones like me ) , anyone who comes here can see , in short order , that the forum members are VERY active in their efforts to give assistance/opinions/information to the posters .


...and there is one more thing that makes this forum stand out to me , as far as 'pay' goes ... this is a forum where members pay attention !


* skipnyamaha- thanks for your kind words towards the folks that helped you !

[D&b antiques]

RegularJoe theres no need for you too belittle your self. we injoy your company.

[regularjoe2]

Thanks for that , D&b ...
I'm pretty-much tounge-in-cheek about myself here .

I am taken pretty seriously , in my profession(s) , and am learning thru the years not to follow that model in the way I regard myself !