Dear Gary
Could you please value a collection of Duke Ellington’s music from 1927 to 1967.
This consists of 3 long playing records chosen by Derek Jewell in the Sunday Times Magazine dated July 21st 1974.
Also in the collection is the Sunday Times Magazine and a further Times Magazine listing all the tunes on the records.
The Name of the Collection is THE AGE OF ELLINGTON. The sleeves and the records are in good condition.
This was purchased by my father many years ago who passed away, he was an avid collector and jazz fan.
Thank you, awaiting a reply kind regards, Helen Nelis.
Dear Helen,
Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington (1899 – 1974) was an American composer, pianist and bandleader of a jazz orchestra and had a career spanning over fifty years. Due to his inventive use of the orchestra, or big band, and thanks to his eloquence and charisma, he is generally considered to have elevated the perception of jazz to an art form. The Sunday Times Magazine often sold compilations and offers on the popular music of the day, and there are many copies of this record around. Sadly today, you can pick up this collection for around £10.
This is one item to put away for the future when hopefully the price will rise.
Hello Gary
Please could you tell me what era these are from. The prayer book case is silver is it worth anything?
Thank you Jos
Dear Jos,
Thank you for your email.
First of all, we would need to view the jewellery to see if any of it is gold or silver, but I am presuming it is all dress jewellery. This type of dress jewellery was popular from the Victorian ages right up to the 1950’s. Some dress jewellery is signed and some copies of originals made by well-known makers such as Chanel can sell for a considerable amount.
The prayer book appears to be typical of Victorian and Edwardian periods, and I could date it precisely if I could see the hallmarks on the silver. In general, the prayer book would sell between £40 -60.
Dear Gary
I have a clock that used to be my grandmothers which I remember her having 70 years ago.Inside the clock reads Ansonia clock co. New York USA, June 14 1881. Unfortunately I am unable to send you a photograph, what do you think it is worth?
Gordon Ranfield
Dear Gordon,
Thank you for your email.
Unfortunately I cannot possibly give you a value on an Ansonia clock without seeing it, as there are thousands of clocks on the market made by this manufacturer.
However I have shown you two examples which are very common. The Ansonia Clock Company was formed in 1850 in Connecticut, USA and later moved to New York. Clocks marked ‘Connecticut’ were made before 1879 and those marked ‘New York’ made from 1880. By 1914 the company was producing 440 different models of clocks.
The marble clock shown would sell in today’s market for £40 – 60. The clock with the boy and girl on sold for £2000 recently. That is why I would need to see your clock.
Hi Gary,
I wonder if you could tell me what this military helmet is worth?
Thank you,
Colin
Dear Colin,
Thank you for your email.
This is not a military helmet, but is in fact a fireman’s helmet. Yours is made of brass and has a dragon motif with a chain chin strap. This makes it quite collectable and it should sell between £300 – 350 at auction.
Dear Gary,
My mum was given this item over thirty years ago from an old friend. We have no idea what it is, where it originates from or if it has a value.
I think it is very attractive and far too interesting to be in the garden.
I do hope you can solve the mystery.
With thanks
Lynn Evans
Dear Lynn,
Thank you for your email.
I know exactly what your item is. It is a table top, but is missing its base. It is made to look like an antique Chinese marble table, but is actually made of resin. The table top would have originally had a piece of glass on it to give it the effect of 3D.
These tables were very popular in the 1970’s – 80’s, but not so much today. It is worth very little without the base and under £30 with it.
