Possible Gold Mine?

[Old_Newby]

Go to Smoking Pipes.com, choose pipes, sort on price high to low, print out sheet, look for names on list. Of course this would not cover famous pipes no longer made and you would need to research.

 

[Alejo R.]

Go to Smoking Pipes.com, choose pipes, sort on price high to low, print out sheet, look for names on list. Of course this would not cover famous pipes no longer made and you would need to research.

The value of a collection as a whole is significantly less than the algebraic sum of the items that compose it.

 

[Alejo R.]

I don't understand if this is about valuing the insurance for the pipe collection or buying the pipe collection.

 

[Old_Newby]

The value of a collection as a whole is significantly less than the algebraic sum of the items that compose it.

Yes but it sounded like he was wanting to know a way to determine if an individual pipe was worth $20 or $2000. Not always but there should be a correlated with current sales prices. Dunhill vs Molina.

 

[Old_Newby]

The value of a collection as a whole is significantly less than the algebraic sum of the items that compose it.

Yes but it sounded like he was wanting to know a way to determine if an individual pipe was worth $20 or $2000, and this can directly correlate to sales prices. Dunhill vs Molina.

 

[larryspencer]

Looks like the homework is done.

 

[Alejo R.]

Hello pipe community! I am heading out in two hours to write house insurance for a widow woman that lost her husband 4 years ago. When taking the information from her over the phone, I asked if there were any specialty items she would like covered that would go above the normal unscheduled personal property. Occasionally I will get jewelry, artwork, furs, etc. She said that her husband had been a collector... not smoker... of pipes for the 52 years leading up to his passing. She said there are "hundreds" and she is looking to move them . My question to this community is what makers should I be looking for while walking around her house? While I am an avid pipe smoker, 3 to 4 bowls a day, I am not well versed in what might be valuable and or/collectable. Any help you all could pass along would be appreciated!

I want an update in this story

 

[Zamora]

If pipes weren't already such a niche item, I'd say that the same rules apply as do to most collectibles. For example, furniture styles can really go in and out of fashion.

In the late 90's Arts and Crafts furniture became a hot item. Really fine Dirk Van Erp mica shade lamps could easily go for $30,000 and up, way up. Stickley pieces could get a good five figures for a bookcase. Move forward a decade and prices were way down on all but the rarest pieces. Art Nouveau, mid century modern, etc, etc all had their day in the sun, only to be replaced by something else. 18th century Chippendale, on the other hand, generally keeps sailing on.

If pipe smoking goes the way of the dodo, or enough in that direction, those expensive Danish artisan pipes are going to drop, a lot, or wind up as curios, or doorstops. I've seen Britwood go through some swings in the last decade. But then again, buying pipes as an investment was always an absurdity.

I shudder to think Modern Farmhouse stuff will become super collectable in fifty years

 

[DesertDan]

I look forward to seeing what you come away with, could be some real treasure there.

 

[sablebrush52]

I shudder to think Modern Farmhouse stuff will become super collectable in fifty years

Assuming that we're not extinct in 50 years (there are betting markets for this and the odds in favor are climbing) it's bound to become a "thing".

 

[woodsroad]

My opinion is this:

You were there in a professional capacity to evaluate the value of her posessions. You have moral, if not professional responsibility to treat her fairly. I’d go as far as to say you have no business buying anything from her. Your employer should bar any such activity as a conflict of interest.

Help her get in touch with Steve Fallon. He will help her maximize her return on her late husband’s collection.

 

[craig61a]

My opinion is this:

You were there in a professional capacity to evaluate the value of her posessions. You have moral, if not professional responsibility to treat her fairly. I’d go as far as to say you have no business buying anything from her. Your employer should bar any such activity as a conflict of interest.

Help her get in touch with Steve Fallon. He will help her maximize her return on her late husband’s collection.

Exactly.

Pretty tacky to be framing this situation as a “possible gold mine’’.

Seems as though the OP doesn’t have enough confidence in their ability to determine what the value of said collection is on their own, and wants get feedback on how little they can offer to purchase such a collection without getting screwed themselves.

 

[Zamora]

Assuming that we're not extinct in 50 years (there are betting markets for this and the odds in favor are climbing) it's bound to become a "thing".

Well I suppose a silver lining of human extinction will be people won't be shelling thousands (if not millions accounting for inflation) on soulless Live Laugh Love bullshit

 

[woodsroad]

Seriously, @Panhandle Piper. You have no business buying from this widow. The right thing to do is to help her get the highest return with the least amount of work. Now if that means buying the entire lot for more than PipeStud is willing to pay, that would be a mitvah,

 

[elvishrunes]

My view is more you just have to be upfront. As long as you’re transparent, and inform of potential values the rest is up to her. She may be well off and not want to deal with the hassle regardless of value, or be sick and too tired, or even have a good relationship with the OP and want to pass off those benefits... As long as you’re not greasy about it.