Shuman Collection

Below is an assessment of each fairy lamp in your photographs.  The assessment will include an estimate of value based on past experience or reference material.  All value estimates assume there are no flaws, including cracks or chips.  Any damage will have a significant effect on the resale value. 

I have included a "wholesale" value to give you an estimate of a "whole collection" value.

As to the best way to sell your collection:

• eBay - eBay is unpredictable to say the least.  High end lamps often do quite well but you have to protect yourself with a reserve just in case.  In addition, eBay is a lot of work to prepare the auction, collect the payment, and pack ship the item.  Low end lamps (<$25) are hardly worth the trouble.

• eBay Consignment - If you want to avoid the work you can have your lamps sold by an eBay consignment service.  Not recommended.  They are often very expensive and they know nothing about fairy lamps.  However, I offer eBay consignment services to our Club members for a nominal fee.  (Details)

• Live auction - Some of your high end lamps would do well in a live auction, especially, if they had links to the Internet for absentee bidders.  However, the auction house commission may be costly.  In addition, you will want to find a auction house close by that specializes in art glass.  If they are close by, they will often pick up the lamps from your house.  But, be sure the auction house has the cliental necessary to sell high end lamps.

• Sell for a fixed price - This is a relatively easy solution if you are not in a hurry.  I will list your individual lamps on our Club's website in the "Fairy Lamps for Sale" section.  Each photo is linked to your email address and prospective buyers contact you if they are interested.  I will write the description (with your input on condition) but you have to set the price.  This is a not cost option to you.

• Sell entire collection - I think you could sell the complete collection to one collector.  Chances are likely, however, they will only be interested in the high end lamps and really have little interest in the low end or contemporary lamp.  Expect to get about have retail value.  Could be a easy option if your buyer is able to pick up and pack the lamps. 

Please keep in mind that the most significant factor in determining the value of any lamp is the condition.  Regardless of how you finally decide to sell the lamps, inspect each of them carefully and make notes of any chips or cracks.  A crack will reduce a valuable high end lamp to next to nothing.  Chips will have lesser impact depending on where and how big.

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need additional information or have questions on my assessment. 

Photo	Description	Estimated Retail Value	Wholesale Value
	Rare Alexandrite shade on clear Clarke lamp cup.  It may have had a matching base at one time.  The value is really unknown due to the rarity.  Should someone have a matching base, the sky is the limit.	$500-750	$250
	Burmese shade on Burmese lamp cup.  The lamp cup is assumed to be signed Clarke.  If not, the cup may be a Fenton. Clarke/Webb did not produce any "unsigned" cups.  Fenton cups may or may not have an embossed Fenton logo in the bottom.	Shade alone $200-250 Clarke Burmese Lamp cup alone $250-350 A Fenton cup has minimal value	$250
	Blue lacey satin shade on blue lamp cup	$175-225	$100
	Red Nailsea-type on Clarke lamp cup.	$200-250	$100
	Green diamond pattern with original plated base and opening ring.	$250-275	$125
	Pair of enameled shades on what appears to be a matching base.	$200-250 ea.	$100
	Blue pyramid stand with matching lamp cup.  Missing matching pyramid shade.	$125-150	$50
	Blue swirl shade on a white lamp cup.  This is a marriage.	The shade alone has a value of $100-150 The lamp cup has minimal value <$25	$50
	Quilted satin shade on clear pressed standard.	$100-175	$50
	Amber shade on matching lamp cup.	$75-100	$25
	Blue Central Glass Fairy Lamp on matching handled cup.	$100-150	$50
	Satin chimney type with brass chimney caps	$175-225	$75
	Satin chimney type with ground down top	Little or no value	$0
	Floral pyramid on Clarke lamp cup.	$125-175	$50
	Three face figural candle lamp	$150-250	$75
	Jeweled brass hand lamp.	$175-225	$75
	Clarke hand lamp often used with Pannikins.  It will have a pottery candle cup if complete.	$100-175	$50
	Unusual pottery lamp.  I have not seen one like this before and have only a guess as to value.  Vintage is unknown.	<$150	$25
	Blue Serves (French) handled candle lamp	$50-125	$25
	Blue diamond pattern on clear standard.	$75-125	$35
	Cat figural - probably contemporary with scroll pattern impressed on the back.	<$100	$25
	Red diamond point lamp possibly contemporary if it has a ground top opening.	<$50	$10
	Incomplete contemporary Mary-Gregory-type.  It originally had a matching base.	$25-50	$10
	Contemporary candle lamp distributed by KB Italy	<$50	$10
	Unknown clear shade on clear standard	<$50	$15
	Jeweled brass candle lamp with unknown origin and vintage	Unknown but probably <$50	$15
	Very unusual candle lamp.  I have never seen another like it. I am not sure of its vintage.	Unknown	$10
	Clear diamond point lamp possibly contemporary if it has a ground top opening.  (Probably 1960's vintage)	<$25	$5
	Amber diamond point lamp possibly contemporary if it has a ground top opening.  (Probably 1960's vintage)	<$25	$5

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