Antique-book market in flux; value hard to pin down Arizona Daily Star
Q: Some time ago an appraiser told me my book printed in 1657 is worth about $250. How do I sell it now?
- Beatrice, Tucson
A: The market, including the antiquarian-book market, has changed since that appraisal. Value and demand may be very different today.
I'd shop the book to auction houses. Most major houses have dedicated sales where the book will fit. Swann Galleries in New York (www.swanngalleries.com) also sells books, prints and antique maps at auction.
Q: Your column had a prediction that wealthy collectors will continue to "buy large, flawless diamonds and fine jewelry as a hedge to the current economy." My wife asks what size these diamonds are. Are they set into jewelry, or stored loose?
- Martin, Tulsa, Okla.
A: The quote came from Lark Mason, an appraiser for "Antiques Roadshow" on PBS and was in his market predictions for 2010.
Historically, large diamonds and fine gems have performed better than money in the bank. Large and flawless stones are especially recession-proof. They are protection against poor economies and political chaos. Consider also that mines that yielded large and fine rubies, emeralds and sapphires are no more. That enhances the value of those that come into the market.
Top jewels, including large and fine diamonds, performed very well in 2009. In October, Christie's New York sold the 32.01 carat D flawless Annenberg Diamond for $7.7 million. That figures to $240,000 per carat. In December, Christie's Hong Kong realized $10.8 million for a fancy, vivid pink five-carat diamond. That's $2.1 million per carat.
