posted 10-18-1999 03:52 PM              

quote:

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This is how the letter reads:

We have searched for an illustration of the square basket you have written us about and find that it was made about 1900 and would be fifty to sixty years old at the present time.

It was called a cake basket but could also be used for fruit and would make a lovely centerpiece. It was handsomely designed and all of the details such as the claw feet, the scalloped border and the rope style handle were vary fashionable at the time.

The Wilcox silverplate trade mark indicates that it was of the finest quality silverplate. It came in " chase Silver " and Chase Gilt " and the original prices were $9.50 and $11.50 respectively. We have no way of estimating its current value but if it were new today, it would of course cost a great deal more. It is a fine example of Victorian design and should be very interesting to a collector or anyone who is interested in old silver.

We hope this information will be interesting to you.

Sincerely yours,
Historical Department

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COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME FIND A VALUE OF THIS PIECE?

posted 10-23-1999 02:03 PM            

Perhaps you could contact a professional appraiser in your area. Be sure that the appraiser is qualified to appraise such an item. If you are unable to locate an appraiser, call the Appraisers Association of America at 212-889-5404 x 14. The AAA is a non-profit organization which promotes professionalism in the personal property appraisal industry. They have a free appraiser referral service available to the public.

If you do not need the value for a specific purpose, you may be able to ascertain the value yourself by finding comparable pieces which have sold at ebay.com. Or by visiting your local library.