ESTIMATE OF VALUE:

We do not provide estimates of value without examining the item or an image of the item for obvious reasons. Furthermore we do not provide free valuations unless you are a client. Our charge for the time involved to estimate the value of an autograph is $50.00. For that fee we offer a best estimate of current retail value.Retail values change all the time. Sometime, a good scan will be sufficient to enable us to determine the approximate retail value of an item.Any additional information that a seller can provide is also helpful:eg. what is the origin of the item, where was it purchased, etc.Our contact information at the end of this page.

The value of autograph is determined by rarity, condition, historical significance, and content if it is a an autographed letter. Something entirely in someone's hand is usually worth more that a comparable typed letter.The value of signed photographs and books is determined by similar criteria-mainly rarity and condition.

As an alternative to paying for an estimate of value, we suggest you consult with your local library or bookstore where price guides on autographs are available. One such reference is: (SANDERS PRICE GUIDE TO AUTOGRAPHS-ED. SAFFRO,SMITH AND SHAW, ALEXANDER BOOKS, abooks.com.) Or visit autograph web sites and determine what, for example, an item like yours is selling for. Just Google historic(al) autographs to find dealers with items for sale. Remember, there are two prices-retail and what a dealer will pay for an item (wholesale). But remember, the autograph market is like any other market and it changes constantly and the desireability of owning the autograph of a given historical figure changes quickly as history gets rewritten and revised.

SELLING AUTOGRAPHS TO US:

We are always interested in buying either complete collections or individual items. The attributes that make an autographed item desirable are condition, rarity, content (when applicable) and provenance (did it come from a reliable source? has it been previously authenticated and by whom?, etc.items purchased on ebay from someone not known to us are unfortunately the owner's problem). For further guidance see our thoughts on AUTHENTICATION OF AUTOGRAPHS.

There are three ways to sell your item: first,sell to another individual (private treaty); second, sell at auction (including ebay); and, third, sell to a dealer. As an aside, we are preparing an article on auctions for the web site so this SECTION will deal only with selling to a dealer.

What follows are a few suggestions re selling to a dealer. First, don't send out to whom it may concern emails or the equivalent . It indicates that you are 'shopping' the item . 'Shopping' an item greatly diminishes its value because the item is no longer 'fresh' to the market. Dealers have more incentive to buy when an item is new to the market because it brings the best price under those circumstances. So your best bet is to look around and select one dealer, tell that dealer you are willing to deal with him/her only and see if you can arrive at a price by honest negotiations. It is best to prepare to sell your item by first checking prices (2nd paragraph) and by preparing images of what you want to sell on a scanner so they are available to any interested buyer. These images are called jpgs (pronounced -jaypegs) images. They should be saved at 72 pixels resolution and 6 inches maximum dimension (the other dimension self-adjusts on the scan). Otherwise the image is too big and will take forever to download.If you do not have a scanner a digital photograph may work but it is often difficult to see details of the writing and signature(s) or the condition of a document on a photograph.We cannot make an offer on something we have not seen.

When we make an offer it is a one time offer and if it is not accepted we withdraw the offer so that our offer cannot be used as leverage on another dealer. We try to make a very fair offer but one that we can make a profit on when we are able to resell an item.That offer is based on current market conditions.

Most dealers object to individuals who are faux sellers and who only want an offer on their item as a means of obtaining a free 'appraisal' which is a waste of our time. Some dealers will not make offers but, rather, insist that the seller state their selling price.

WRITTEN APPRAISALS:

We also do written appraisals for a fee. The fee depends on the nature of the item being appraised and the purpose of the appraisal. Appraisals for the IRS for example require extensive research and documentation and anyone who gives such an appraisal has serious legal exposure with the government if it can be shown that the item was overvalued. Getting an appraisal which involves research (time) is different than obtaining some 'rough estimate' of value. Fee-based appraisals can be arranged by contacting us. Our appraisal fee is $75.00 per hour.

CONTACT US:

To inquire about an estimate of current value, appraisals or selling your collection or individual item please call, write, or email:

The History Buff, Inc.

17509 Bearpath Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

thehistbuff@aol.com
Phone: 952-937-0325