Worth a thousand words, but $175?
May 21, 2006 9:48 PM Subscribe
WorthaBuyFilter: So I was perusing an antique store and came across an old photograph of U.S. Army soldiers in China during the 1890's. The price was $175. Is it worth it?
I just finished a Master's thesis about American military involvement in China in the 1940's, so I'm somewhat partial to the subject. I can't quite recall if the photograph identified the unit, but both the uniforms, the quality of the picture, and the location all seem to point that it is a genuine photograph from at least around turn of the century. It might even be a picture of American troops sent to China as a reaction to the Sino-Japanese War (Or simply American troops in a treaty port). However, the one thing I don't know is if its worth the price of 175 dollars.
Obviously, it'd help if I could show you an example, but my attempts to find something similiar on the 'net have failed. Thus, I turn to you all to see if anyone might have any experience with the pricing of such an item.
My thanks in advance!
I just finished a Master's thesis about American military involvement in China in the 1940's, so I'm somewhat partial to the subject. I can't quite recall if the photograph identified the unit, but both the uniforms, the quality of the picture, and the location all seem to point that it is a genuine photograph from at least around turn of the century. It might even be a picture of American troops sent to China as a reaction to the Sino-Japanese War (Or simply American troops in a treaty port). However, the one thing I don't know is if its worth the price of 175 dollars.
Obviously, it'd help if I could show you an example, but my attempts to find something similiar on the 'net have failed. Thus, I turn to you all to see if anyone might have any experience with the pricing of such an item.
My thanks in advance!
If it would give you pleasure to own and you can afford it, then yes, it's worth it.
posted by scody at 11:01 PM on May 21, 2006
posted by scody at 11:01 PM on May 21, 2006
The valuation or pricing of antiques can be very subjective - they're only worth as much as someone is prepared to pay for them.
My advice would be to buy the photograph only if you really like it.
If you think it's a bit too expensive, why not make the dealer an offer, or ask him/her what would be their best price?
posted by booksprite at 11:10 PM on May 21, 2006
My advice would be to buy the photograph only if you really like it.
If you think it's a bit too expensive, why not make the dealer an offer, or ask him/her what would be their best price?
posted by booksprite at 11:10 PM on May 21, 2006
There are many levels of arbitrage in the antique business. One dealer might buy something at auction, and then put a reasonable retail markup on the item. The item will then sell to another dealer, who marks it up again, and then another who marks it up again. These items are probably propagating up from the local small town auction, through the small town antique shop, to a bigger shop or antique show, finally ending up at a boutique store in a city somewhere, or at a high end auction house.
Well.. Only the best items make it all the way to the top, of course, and it is a lot more complicated than that anyway. Items that appeal to very specific markets take a wide variety of paths. Hopefully you get the idea.
Anyway, how big is it? What kind of frame is it in? What condition is it in (rips, contrast)? A nice old 20" frame with a marketable print might sell for $50 or so, somewhere in the middle of that chain of dealers I mention above. I don't know how photographs do by comparison.. The fact that it is a soldier probably makes it special beyond just 'photograph', and it is very old.. At $175 it probably isn't an investment per say.
If you really love it, and you can afford it, and you are just worried that you might be getting ripped off.. Kindly offer $150, and if they give you a really good story about why they can't let it go for any less than $175, consider buying it anyway.
If you can't afford it, tell yourself it is a little pricey and forget about it.
posted by Chuckles at 12:24 AM on May 22, 2006
Well.. Only the best items make it all the way to the top, of course, and it is a lot more complicated than that anyway. Items that appeal to very specific markets take a wide variety of paths. Hopefully you get the idea.
Anyway, how big is it? What kind of frame is it in? What condition is it in (rips, contrast)? A nice old 20" frame with a marketable print might sell for $50 or so, somewhere in the middle of that chain of dealers I mention above. I don't know how photographs do by comparison.. The fact that it is a soldier probably makes it special beyond just 'photograph', and it is very old.. At $175 it probably isn't an investment per say.
If you really love it, and you can afford it, and you are just worried that you might be getting ripped off.. Kindly offer $150, and if they give you a really good story about why they can't let it go for any less than $175, consider buying it anyway.
If you can't afford it, tell yourself it is a little pricey and forget about it.
posted by Chuckles at 12:24 AM on May 22, 2006
I assume you're not buying it as an investment; you're not going to turn around in a year and sell it. So given that, its fair-market value shouldn't be that important to you; if you will get enjoyment and can afford it, it might be a worthwhile purchase anyway.
Having said that, antique stores are notorious for scams, high prices, and being willing to bargain. You might try offering something low -- maybe $100? -- and meeting halfway.
posted by raf at 5:31 AM on May 22, 2006
Having said that, antique stores are notorious for scams, high prices, and being willing to bargain. You might try offering something low -- maybe $100? -- and meeting halfway.
posted by raf at 5:31 AM on May 22, 2006
The value of items like this is generally in the eye of the beholder. If you will be happy with it for $175 and you can't get anything similar for significantly less, then you should by it.
Though, if you decide to buy it you should definitely haggle over the price.
posted by oddman at 5:53 AM on May 22, 2006
Though, if you decide to buy it you should definitely haggle over the price.
posted by oddman at 5:53 AM on May 22, 2006
Can't really discuss without knowing size and condition. Is it framed, or is that another expense? If yearning draws you (and I can see how it would), definitely try to talk it down. Just from self respect if nothing else.
If you do buy it, I for one would be interested in seeing it posted. Nothing more cool than vintage photographs.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:11 AM on May 22, 2006
If you do buy it, I for one would be interested in seeing it posted. Nothing more cool than vintage photographs.
posted by IndigoJones at 6:11 AM on May 22, 2006
Response by poster: Thank you everyone for the replies, they've all been helpful. I apologize for neglecting the size. Going off memory, I want to say it was around 6x8 or 6x10. It was unframed, though I would certainly frame it after purchase.
I certainly agree with the stated sentiment that if I bought it, it'd be for personal sentiment and not as any form of investment. I've only a few hours to make my final decision, and if it is an affirmative, I'll happily post it up here later this week at the first opportunity.
Thanks again for your advice and insight
posted by Atreides at 6:24 AM on May 22, 2006
I certainly agree with the stated sentiment that if I bought it, it'd be for personal sentiment and not as any form of investment. I've only a few hours to make my final decision, and if it is an affirmative, I'll happily post it up here later this week at the first opportunity.
Thanks again for your advice and insight
posted by Atreides at 6:24 AM on May 22, 2006
What oddman said: if it's worth it to you, it's worth it, but try haggling. This reminds me of when I saw a copy of Baedeker's 1905 guide to Austria-Hungary at a travel store for something over a hundred bucks; I knew old Baedekers (other than the usual France/Germany areas) were pricey, and I never spend that kind of money on books, but I really wanted it. I pointed out the tipped-in map inside the front cover was mostly missing and got the price knocked down to a bit under a hundred (I forget the exact amount), swallowed, and bought it. I've used it many times since and never regretted the expense for a moment.
posted by languagehat at 8:14 AM on May 22, 2006
posted by languagehat at 8:14 AM on May 22, 2006
If the photograph as an image is what is important to you (as oppose to the photo being old) you could always buy it, do a hi-res scan of a it, have it printed (at that size an high quality pic would be under $20) and sell it on ebay or to another antique store.
Just a thought :)
posted by JFitzpatrick at 8:23 AM on May 22, 2006
Just a thought :)
posted by JFitzpatrick at 8:23 AM on May 22, 2006
Baedeker's 1905 guide to Austria-Hungary
*sighs with quiet envy*
posted by scody at 8:29 AM on May 22, 2006
*sighs with quiet envy*
posted by scody at 8:29 AM on May 22, 2006
Just to whet your appetite, from the Bosnia section:
Inns. At Sarájevo, Ilidže, Banjaluka, Mostar, Jajce, Doboj, and other town there are good and reasonable hotels. In the smaller places the restaurants usually have a few rooms to let. Good quarters may generally be reckoned upon in places where there is a garrison. Off the beaten tracks the traveller must put up at the objectionable Turkish khans or 'Hans'.
[...]
Sarájevo or Serájevo (1770 ft.), the capital of Bosnia, seat of the authorities, and residence of a Roman Catholic archbishop and a Greek metropolitan, with 41,000 inhab. (18,000 Mohammedans and 4000 Jews) and an Austrian garrison of 2900 men, lies in a narrow valley watered by the Miljačka, at the foot and on the slopes of hills rising to a height of 5250 ft. The numerous minarets and the little houses standing in gardens give the town a very picturesque appearance...
If you find yourself in Pittsfield, come by the house and I'll let you look at it!
posted by languagehat at 8:54 AM on May 22, 2006
Inns. At Sarájevo, Ilidže, Banjaluka, Mostar, Jajce, Doboj, and other town there are good and reasonable hotels. In the smaller places the restaurants usually have a few rooms to let. Good quarters may generally be reckoned upon in places where there is a garrison. Off the beaten tracks the traveller must put up at the objectionable Turkish khans or 'Hans'.
[...]
Sarájevo or Serájevo (1770 ft.), the capital of Bosnia, seat of the authorities, and residence of a Roman Catholic archbishop and a Greek metropolitan, with 41,000 inhab. (18,000 Mohammedans and 4000 Jews) and an Austrian garrison of 2900 men, lies in a narrow valley watered by the Miljačka, at the foot and on the slopes of hills rising to a height of 5250 ft. The numerous minarets and the little houses standing in gardens give the town a very picturesque appearance...
If you find yourself in Pittsfield, come by the house and I'll let you look at it!
posted by languagehat at 8:54 AM on May 22, 2006
Can you afford it? Do you think you'll regret not buying it in six months? A year? Then buy it.
Once, about seven years ago, I didn't buy a painting I really liked. It would have been expensive, and I (still) have nowhere large enough to hang it. I still regret it.
posted by Hogshead at 3:45 PM on May 22, 2006
Once, about seven years ago, I didn't buy a painting I really liked. It would have been expensive, and I (still) have nowhere large enough to hang it. I still regret it.
posted by Hogshead at 3:45 PM on May 22, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by delmoi at 10:53 PM on May 21, 2006