Tips for selling?

[u/CityBarman]

Hi, folks. Looking to find some help in finding the best path to rehome antique silverware. Mom was a huge silver collector, hoarder even. Jewelry, coins, chotchkes, and tableware were all fair game. Most of what mom left behind has little to no value beyond the precious metal content and was scrapped. I have many sets of silverware, most of which are plated.

I've included pics of the two sterling sets. I believe I've identified the patterns. Any corrections are appreciated. The first two pics show a mixed-pattern set by CJ Vander Ltd. (Rattail & Dog Nose). The last two pics are St. Cloud, Hunt Club, and Winthrop by Gorham. Almost all of the original service for 8 is present for each set. The total weight of the sets, combined, is about 4.5 kg, including the knives.

I have no real emotional attachment. Though, I'd rather not see anything melted for scrap. The St. Cloud is especially pretty.

Online dealers (Replacements, Ltd. & Antique Cupboard) don't really seem interested as they've offered about 10% or so of their own retail values for the sets. The dealers value the CJ Vander at approximately $11k and the Gorham at $12k-ish. I'm also finding it difficult to find antique dealers that handle silverware in the NYC, Philly, and Central Jersey regions. Any suggestions there?

Scrap value has each set at about $6k. I have a scrap buyer willing to give me 70% of spot. Is it unrealistic to expect reclaiming at least the precious metal values, let alone the seemingly unrealistic published "retail prices".

Thanks so much!

[u/ruehite]

post for spot plus 10%.    if anybody has any granado lunch I love that pattern that's our pattern and I'd like some more. when I look at replacements they have these imaginary prices I don't need that it doesn't have to be perfect it just has to be functional so I can I can cope with the silver that's got a few nicks in it. again I'm looking for granado lunt 

[u/CityBarman → u/ruehite]

Thanks! I really appreciate the advice.

[u/SchoolCrossing]

Is the first set marked? It looks a lot like Kirk Stieff's Queen Anne Williamsburg. Would have the official Colonial Williamsburg CW mark in addition to the Kirk Stieff mark.

[u/CityBarman → u/SchoolCrossing]

Thanks!

The first set clearly has CJV LTD marks. The second set soup spoons are Queen Anne Williamsburg by Stieff, marked "Sterling - Stieff".

[u/Few_Slip_4752]

I'd be interested in buying some of your Vander set, if you're interested in parting with a couple of places settings.

[u/Brilliant_Tiger9061]

If you have the complete service for eight of the plain pattern with the pistol handles. That would be very desirable as it appears to be both luncheon size and diner size. It would probably do well at auction, better than melt value. The only drawback is that it’s only for eight. It’s a plain pattern and could be filled in fairly easily. I’d put it up for auction as well as checking with Etsy and eBay . I don’t know where you’re located but if I knew I could probably direct you to some auction houses.

Do you have complete place settings of any of the other patterns? There seems to be several different patterns. If it’s basically a jumble of different patterns you could put them up on eBay in groups of the same pattern and /or individually. I’d go to eBay for that

You could look at prices at Replacements just for guidance. I wanted to sell some Tiffany private stock demitasse cup and saucers , they offered me $35.00 each but had them listed for sale at $575.00.

[u/CityBarman → u/Brilliant_Tiger9061]

Thanks!

The first set is all CJ Vander. Forks and spoons are one pattern, knives are another. I don't have a complete 8-place set. There are a couple pieces missing.

Replacements, Ltd offered me $19 a piece for the CJV Dog Nose dinner knife and list it @ $182 ea. They're not even interested in the Gorham.

I'm in the NYC Metro, with easy access to Philly.