Hi there, I'm completely new to the world of valuing antiques, so I apologise if my question is more complex than it need be.
I have recently moved overseas with all my belongings, including my husband's heirloom set of dinnerware - which is a complete set, in an as-new condition. As a result of poor packing on the behalf of the shipping company four pieces were broken and I need to complete some claim forms for the insurance processes. To cut a long story short, the insurance company is asking me to come up with the quotes for the replacement costs. What I would love some advice on, is whether the set will have lost value overall, now that it is no longer 'complete', or, in the world of antiques, is a set still considered complete if the pieces may have come from different manufacturing batches. I ask this because I notice that beside the standard Royal Doulton stamp and the identifying series name & number there are 2 hand-painted 'strokes' which seem uniform enough to indicate that the pieces are indeed part of a specific set. I have attached a photo of the stamp and the 'strokes'.
Oh and it is Royal Doulton, pattern Orchid D5215 if that helps shed any light.
Thanks so much,
Jen