Does anyone know of any free on-line appraisal websites for antiques?

Question

My fiance works in construction and recently found an old antique in the rafters of a house he's renovating into a photography studio. It's either a butter knife or dessert knife maybe used for cutting cake. It's from the Oxford Silver Plate Company according to the engraving on the back and it has the inscription Pat.Jan.25.10 on it. I'm assuming this is some kind of patent date. So any help with this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

you can try at:www.emppraisals.com
www.antiquemystique.com/appraisal

Answer 2

Silver plate is not worth much even when it is really old. Not unless it is much older than 1910 anyway. If it is a pretty pattern and Deco. Someone might want it and pay for it but just one piece of a set is usually not all that sought after so as with all antiques, the value of a thing is only what someone is willing to pay for it.

Some companies are better than others like William Rogers, Scheffield, dixon or Jaccard. but I have not heard of Oxford?

Candleobras, bowls, kettles, compotes and larger pieces like these that are plated can fetch more money up to the thousands....

Usually at auction, plated items are thrown into boxed lots with other things that can't sell well on their own. If you had a whole set, that would be one thing but since it is plate and since it is only one item it is probably only worth anywhere from $25.00 to $150.00 TOPS... That is old, top of the line, hallmarked and in great condition with a well known name on it.

Answer 3

The easiest way to get an idea of the value is go down to your local Barnes and Noble, Borders or local bookstore etc. and look for Kovel's guides in the Antique Section . Find the guide for silver and look up the markings. All good silver is marked with various markings. Knives are generally marked at the base of the blade near the handle. You noted it was silver plate as opposed to sterling(pure silver) which is worth more. Plated is very common and generally not to valuable. Kovel's has a website but it is by subscription.