How do I figure out how much a rubbing of Shakespeare's grave is worth?

May 19, 2008 2:05 PM

I have a rubbing from Shakespeare's grave slab. I'm trying to figure out if it is potentially worth enough to bother with an appraisal ($150 I think) or just guess a price and sell it.

I bought it in an antique store going out of business, and lo, these many years later, am no longer as enamored of it as it was. Since we're moving, it's not a bad time to de-clutter, and I'm looking to get rid of it. My wife did some poking around to see what an appraisal would cost, and it's pricey.

I've done some googling, and established that it looks like a rubbing from his grave stone as the seller maintained, but have no way of knowing for sure. I've heard that you could once take rubbings of the stone, but can do so no longer.

How could I figure out more cheaply whether this is worth anything at all? Or is it worth the expense?

posted by canine epigram to Grab Bag (6 answers total)

Since, as you mention, they probably wouldn't let you do a rubbing of the grave slab these days, it does have some value. On the other hand, it's not unique, it's reproduceable, it's not an original work of art--so, it's certainly not worth thousands. With a few interested parties on eBay, if it's nicely framed, it might bring a couple of hundred bucks, would be my guess.
posted by beagle at 2:18 PM on May 19, 2008

Googling shows several people who have rubbings of the grave. There is a brass rubbing centre just across from Holy Trinity Church and they have brass copies of many things you can rub. I can't find out if they have his grave slab, and despite many a childhood afternoon spent there I can't remember there being one (if you grow up in Stratford upon Avon, entertainment is limited). But I would check, these might be more common than you think.
posted by Helga-woo at 2:31 PM on May 19, 2008

Mod note: nixed the popup-y link
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:46 PM on May 19, 2008

just throw it up on craigslist for $75 and take $50
posted by Salvatorparadise at 4:43 PM on May 19, 2008

Sounds like a good candidate for an eBay auction. Take your best guess as to what it's worth, set that as the minimum bid, provide clear photos and as much provenance as you can. If it's valuable, it will be bid up. If not so much, your auction will fail to attract bidders and you'll be out a few dollars (much less than $150) for the failed listing.
posted by richg at 4:55 PM on May 19, 2008

Response by poster: Helga, I'd found that in my googling. I think I'll email them and ask. Can't hurt.
posted by canine epigram at 5:09 PM on May 19, 2008