The Appraiser's Archive: Rare Clocks, Diamonds, and Renoirs
- Danny Triplett
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
In today's edition of The Appraiser's Archive, we showcase an incredibly rare hand-carved calendar clock, take a look at interesting items for sale in recent and upcoming auctions (including a 10.03 carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond!), share key insights for managing a ward's or client's personal property, and announce exciting news about the expansion of our service areas.
PERSONAL PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT
Today's spotlight is an exciting one! This is an extremely rare and unique 1891 hand-carved calendar clock with a hygrometer by the late inventor John H. Siverd from Geneseo, New York. A recent client of ours is up to inherit this very unique clock from his late mother’s estate and required an appraisal. Being such a rare clock, Valuables Appraisal Service reached out to some of the largest auction houses in the nation and quickly received back estimates of value from as low as $5,000 up to $50,000 and higher.
Do you have a potentially valuable item you want to learn more about?
UNLOCKING VALUE: INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Lets take a look at a few interesting items that have recently sold or are up for sale at auction houses across the country, including commemorative Paul McCartney coins, a potential Renoir, and a 10.03 carat blue diamond.
On March 19, Stack's Bowers held a special auction on behalf of The Royal Mint of the United Kingdom for a collection of five 5-kilogram gold and silver coins celebrating Paul McCartney's impact on music and pop culture. The hand-crafted coins, which were personally approved by McCartney, are part of The Royal Mint's Music Legend series. The one-of-a-kind gold coin, signed by McCartney himself, realized $600,000 alone. Along with the four silver coins, the collection realized over $750,000, part of which will be donated to charity.
With a final hammer price incomparable to that of the Paul McCartney coin collection, one particular drawing sold for a mere $12 at a Pennsylvania auction in January. Heidi Markow is now the owner of a potential Renoir. The auction-goer says she thought the charcoal drawing might be something special when she had her partner bid on it, a hunch that was shared by an appraiser who spoke with Markow. The final determination will be made by the Wildenstein Plattner Institute, and, if confirmed as a Renoir, the piece could fetch six- or seven-figure prices.
Looking ahead, on April 8 Sotheby's will put one of the rarest gems in the world on display in Abu Dhabi. The Mediterranean Blue is a 10.03 carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond. The dazzling, cushion-shaped diamond is quite literally almost in a class of its own. Only 0.3% of diamonds are predominantly blue, and this particular one is a Type IIb diamond with a VS2 clarity grade according to the Gemological Institute of America. The Mediterranean Blue was discovered as a rough diamond in South Africa weighing 31.93 carats before it was cut. The rare gem will be sold at Sotheby's Geneva High Jewelry Sale on May 13 and has an estimate of $20 million.
THE PROFESSIONAL'S CORNER
Last month, Valuables Appraisal Service CEO Danny Triplett had the pleasure of speaking to the Guardian Association of Pinellas County about successfully managing personal property. We are pleased to share an outline of the key takeaways which association members found quite valuable in navigating the management of their ward's or client's belongings.
The PDF outline can be accessed here and contains insights on:
Understanding Value: Identifying common household valuables; How item characteristics and external factors impact value.
Obtaining Appraisals and Valuations: The difference between appraisals and valuations and when they're needed.
Selling or Liquidating Belongings: The best ways to sell personal property depending on the item(s) and how to achieve maximum results.
VAS NEWS
While Valuables Appraisal Service has always served clients nationwide via travel and virtual services, we are thrilled to formally announce the full launch of permanent, in-person services in the New York Metropolitan/Tri-State Area. If you or a colleague, relative, or acquaintance require in-person services in our new service location — including personal property appraisals, precious metal liquidation, or auction placement — don't hesitate to contact us!
We will continue to provide service in the Greater Tampa Bay Area and are most thankful to the Florida customer base we've served for years.
Subscribe to unlock expert personal property insights, unique appraisal spotlights, and more. Lands in your inbox every other Friday.
