Cash in the attic

Posted on 17 Sep 2009 at 10:45

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Watches are a different matter, because you can provide very accurate information about the item online, so the valuer will be able to give a precise valuation. Interesting watches are in high demand, even base metal and aluminium military issue models. Start by using the elegant reference pages provided by www.watches.co.uk to get some idea of the market price, then choose from any number of specialist valuation websites for clocks and watches. For upmarket items worth hundreds, you can expect to pay between 10 and 20 pounds for an expert valuation online.

Battles of the sexes

There's another source of wealth waiting to be unlocked, which links the artistic, nostalgic and practical, and that's vintage women's clothing, handbags and accessories. Sorry, gents, your old tat is better off going to the jumble sale or being turned into dusters - but for the ladies it could be cash-back time. As with most other things, try not to be too influenced by what sellers are asking for on the various auction sites, but stick to resources that are specialist and realistic. Steptoes Dog Vintage Wares (www.steptoesantiques.co.uk) will give you a good idea of the sorts of prices you can expect for women's fashion from the exquisite style of the Edwardian era to the eye-boggling extremes of Thatcherism.

However, male nostalgia can cash in from old military souvenirs, particularly if they are associated with the world wars. Brass cap badges often fetch up to £100, with rarities going for much more, and there is a ready market for cloth badges, armbands and regimental insignia. You can get a good idea of current prices by checking the latest postal auction prices at Bosleys (www.bosleys.co.uk). With the recent deaths of the last survivors of the Great War, medals from that conflict have increased in value and interest is growing. Just be careful, as there is a roaring trade in replica medals - you need to make sure you've got hold of the genuine article.

The important thing to remember about militaria is that any supporting paperwork such as letters, service books, press cuttings, discharge papers and photographs may add significantly to the value. Don't throw anything away unless you're sure it's rubbish. The identity and value of most common British medals can be searched at Hill Military Medals (www.hillmilitarymedals.co.uk). If you find a Victoria Cross in the attic, be particularly careful about who you tell, as these sell for around £490,000.

Sale away

Once the decision has been made as to what you want to sell, and you've established what it's all worth, you're ready to take the plunge. But how and where? For run-of-the-mill items, you have limited options. You can sell at a car boot sale or advertise in the free press, which will probably restrict you to a very local buyer base, or you can try your luck online and go for a wider audience. For more valuable items, you're probably best served if you consider the online option to hit a national or even global marketplace, but you should also consider selling via an established and respected auction house. Be aware that auctioneers will take a hefty whack of any sale you make - up to 20 per cent on low-value stuff, and no less than 12 per cent on high-end results. They may also sting you for a minimum commission whether an item is sold or unsold, which is usually a fiver in the provinces and up to £60 per lot at the major London auction houses.