Erin-Marie

Not interested in keeping any of them. Trying to value individually and thus narrow down a whole collection price. I have many single pieces and some that group together. I even have a Hummel clock. When I boxed up her estate, many became separated from thier little boy and girl partners. But I have them all. So a reference guide with pictures would help with that. I downloaded a few guides from "Antique-HQ.com, which I found to be worthless for what I needed. If I had a better idea or a definitive "Hummel Bible" I'd be able to describe, date and price accurately. Or I could have your service professionally appraise each individual piece? Or Set?
I have used your services frequently in the last month and am thoroughly satisfied with the results. So which book would you recommend or how can we move forward??????
Greg

Dear Greg,

Thank you for your candid response, I empathize with your predicament. For a collection as diverse as hers and your need for a current "Fair Market Value" (i.e. what people are currently paying for these pieces), there isn't a book that will suit your needs. There are books which are fabulous for telling you when a piece was released and its history; occasionally these books will include a value, but the value is almost always based on retail/insurance values (this won't work for your needs) and as the market moves fast, this will have changed almost as soon as these books are printed.

If you'd like the experts here at Mearto to take this project on, we would be delighted to and I'd recommend beginning with the most unusual and oldest pieces first or if she has any of the 3' tall Hummels as these are likely some of the most expensive examples in the collection. The sites you have been looking at will be helpful in determining the oldest examples based on back-stamps and those with the shortest release dates. We can do the price research... I should ask, do you have an average of how many pieces are in her collection?

If you'd like to take this project on yourself, I'd recommend turning to auction websites which have a history of selling Hummels, then researching them one at a time to see what people have actually paid in the recent past. For your purposes you will find this method much more effective in giving you a window into the current market (keep it current, results from 10 years ago are not a reflection of the current market, 5 years or less is preferable). The sites I'd begin with are the "Sold" values on EBay and licensed auctioneers who have a reputation for selling collectibles, one example is Kramer & Kramer, Inc. Auctions in Ohio. EBay also has a long track record of selling Hummels. Being said, EBay must be taken with a grain of salt as a description is only as good as the person who wrote it.

Let's begin here and let me know what follow-up questions you may have, we will move forward and I am sure we can assist you.

Kind Regards,

Erin-Marie

Hello Erin

First off, I feel I should get Mearto more money for all this advice. After this text I'll submit another item and label it "for previous consultant advice Hummel's"

Ok.
You asked about 3', assuming you meant 3 foot high figurines. No I don't have any of those.

Then estimate on amount. Yes I'd guess around 60 pieces, some of which belong with group sets.

Then about books or guides. You were correct again, I have found nothing recent. Everything I've found via Amazon are at least five years ago.

Then you mentioned E-bay value, description. Found this to be very informative, however it sent me down a rabbit hole. I saw some of my pieces here and with encouraging value. I'll be studying E-bay more. But I still haven't found my plates or Bell's, I'm sure If I dig deeper I'll find them.

I have at least 25 pieces at this moment, most of which I've been trying to locate. I feel that most importantly I need to get all of them to manage the scope, and to group, and to, of course find the high dollar ones.

Ok here's a tentative plan.
1st after I send this email to you I'm going to send money in your name. For all your help so far.

2nd I'll pull out the 25 plus pieces I have underfoot and send you a photo of them. Not necessarily for appraisal, just for a piece of mind.

3rd I'll get the rest of them and you appraise by item.

If you have a better idea how to attack this managerie, I'm all ears.

Yours truly
Greg

Dear Gregory,

Thank you for the "Bonus", it is very kind of you to think of it. Building on your previous email I think you've got a great plan of attack! I took a moment to chat with the Admin of Mearto who has extended a "buy 3 get 1 free" offer for a group appraisal, my additional input is that natural pairs will be treated as one item.

By the way... I am most familiar with the "Rabbit Hole" you mentioned, you may learn some amazing things but where did those 3 hours go?!

When you are ready with the group you would like me to appraise for you, all I'll really need is a good image of the front of the piece (as long as the image(s) are clear these can be in small groups) and then carefully lay them down and in the same order, take pictures of the bases as well. These images will allow me to precisely date and value the group for you. Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll assume that each is free of chips, breaks and repairs.

Let me know when you are ready to proceed and I'll follow up with admin on how to handle the billing as I do not have access to any of your personal or billing info.

Cheers,

Erin-Marie

Erin

First off, I really appreciate all your help and effort. I would appreciate that you be the lead as Mearto and I move forward.

I photographed most of the first group, keep in mind that I still have to rummage through my storage to get the good ones. I'll start an additional submittal for this group. I'll just throw them at you and I'll let admin bill me, or suggest a solution. I believe that this group isn't worth much and it's hard to pay $15 to appraise a $30 dollar item but I truly think that it will be worth it, I hope.

So, I'll go ahead and submit these pieces and hope for the best.

Once again, I should remind you, Erin, how appreciative I am on your valued advice and service.

Thank you much
Greg

Erin

First off, I really appreciate all your help and effort. I would appreciate that you be the lead as Mearto and I move forward.

I photographed most of the first group, keep in mind that I still have to rummage through my storage to get the good ones. I'll start an additional submittal for this group. I'll just throw them at you and I'll let admin bill me, or suggest a solution. I believe that this group isn't worth much and it's hard to pay $15 to appraise a $30 dollar item but I truly think that it will be worth it, I hope.

So, I'll go ahead and submit these pieces and hope for the best.

Once again, I should remind you, Erin, how appreciative I am on your valued advice and service.

Thank you much
Greg

Erin, quick question.
Is Mearto affiliated with Catawiki?

I noticed that Mearto sponsors their add.
This would mean that I could appraise and sell on one site.
I haven't looked at Catawiki nor signed up.
You guys at Mearto have appraised all my stuff and I don't want to jump ship.
All I want is professional appraisal for fair market value. And to sell.
I am so happy with the product that you and Mearto have provided.

Thanks Erin.
Working on the first group of Hummel's
Take care
Greg

Hello Greg!

I am happy to assist you with these and have confirmation that as you progress through these pieces admin will be refunding the cost of every fourth appraisal. I'll work with you to make sure the billing stays accounted for. As you submit, just put "For Erin-Marie" in the subject and I'll stay with you.

When determining value, I research multiple selling platforms so in addition to knowing the value of each piece, I'll know exactly which venue will give you the best return. As your ultimate goal is to sell the pieces to collectors who will enjoy them as much as your Mom did, I'll be sure to share that information with you and answer questions you may have on how to sell as well.

Mearto isn't affiliated with Catawiki, currently Mearto is specifically for appraising and other sales venues advertise on their sites.

Cheers!

Erin-Marie