Q: I began collecting travel posters about 40 years ago while living abroad. Today, I have hundreds. Can you suggest an individual or institution where I can convey the lot when the time comes?
A: You're a smart collector to think ahead. Imagine the shock of your heirs inheriting all those posters and not having the slightest idea what they are or what to do with them.
Your first task is to decide whether to sell or donate. If it is to sell, I suggest you consign the collection as a whole to auction. Depending on what you have, many auction houses could welcome the lot. Some, such as Swann Auction Galleries, www.swanngalleries.com, have separate poster departments and sales.
If you wish to donate, now is the time to investigate institutions, schools and libraries that might be interested. Then check with them to be sure they're interested in your property. Once decision and agreement are reached, leave instructions for your survivors. Or think about making that donation before your death.
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Q: I was intrigued with a Patek watch mentioned in your column that sold at auction for $380,006. My wife gave me a Lucien Picard watch more than 40 years ago, and I want to insure it properly. Could you suggest an appraiser?
A: One of the hats I wear doing this column is that of clairvoyant. Part of the job is figuring out what it is readers are really asking.
In this case, The Great Arnet deduces (and forgive me if I err) that the reader saw an amazing price on a circa 1958 watch and thinks, hmmm, could his early 1970s luxury watch be worth the same? No wonder he wonders: In copy that accompanied a photo of the big-bucks watch, the column noted: "Even in this economic climate, extremely rare and fine watches remain better than money in the bank."
There's the rub. Note the emphasis on "extremely rare." The pictured watch sold by www.antiquorum.com was 18K gold, custom made, bought directly from the factory, came from a watchmaker considered by many to be the world's finest, was in absolutely pristine condition, had all original factory documentation, came with multiple complications, and was at one point retrofitted with an 18K gold band custom made by Patek for the owner.
Add that the watch sold at a prestige auction in Hong Kong before a discerning, motivated audience.
The reader's watch, while lovingly selected, probably came from a jewelry store. No matter how premium the store or the watchmaker, only certain watches, even Rolex, reach top dollar at resale, and they're not standard jewelry store stock. It has to do with complications, back story and/or provenance.
An experienced watchmaker or luxury watch reseller can put a price on the Picard. Household insurance should take care of coverage. If a formal, written appraisal is wanted, any of the following contacts can help.
FYI: To find a professional appraiser in your area, go online to www.appraisersassoc.org (AAA), International Society of Appraisers), www.isa-appraisers.org or American Society of Appraisers (ASA) at www.appraisers.org
Q: Do my nine Hoffman Distilling Co. porcelain decanters have value? They should be collector's items, as the molds were broken. Or should I just give them to my friends as gifts?
A: Ah, yes, the old broken-molds ploy. As used by collectibles makers, touting the destruction of original molds implies rarity. The gimmick is most often used with china and porcelains. The problem is that vast quantities were often made before the smashing. So "rarity" is relative.
Hoffman ceramic theme decanters were created and filled by a Kentucky distiller in the late 1960s to '70s. Jim Beam product and decanters are better known, but quite a few individual whiskey makers also made the decorative containers.
What you do with the decanters depends on how much you like your friends. Find current value by keying individual decanters on Google to see what's out there. I spotted several on eBay.
AUCTION ACTION
An 1855-S $3 gold coin that brought $1.3 million in a recent Heritage Auctions sale was one of over 7,000 lots in a sale of U.S. coins. From the front, the coin looks like a standard Philadelphia Mint proof. It is the "S" mint mark on the back that makes it exceedingly rare. Another is thought to exist, but this is the only one that's come up for sale. The entire sale realized over $31.3 million. According to the house, there were more than 5,000 bidders during the sale.
Danielle Arnet welcomes questions from readers. She cannot respond to each one individually but will answer those of general interest in her column. Send email to smartcollector@comcast.net or write to Danielle Arnet, c/o Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611. Please include an address in your query. Photos will not be returned.