Posted 13 years ago
hshough636
(1 item)
I was out yard sale picking in Sun City Arizona near were I live in Surprise Arizona. I came across this yard sale that a elderly lady was having and who seemed to have a New York accent. She had quite a few crates and trunks. To be honest I really don't know what exactly made me choose this crate imp articular, I guess you could say it was a gut feeling. I had the hardest time finding any info on this crate what so ever, I searched and searched the internet and found nothing. My fiance' was able to make out the name stamped on the top as "Alfred Nobel." He then looked up his name on the internet via Wikipedia. Turns out he is the founder of the Nobel Prize along with being an inventor of various types of dynamite. Finally I spoke with an appraiser and he advised me to do a little more research, he also said that that if the lettering was in Swedish the crate would be significantly more valuable, and that if it was manufactured in the US it would virtually be worth nothing, but he then stated if it was in fact manufactured anywhere in Europe it is valuable. The crate also is stamped "Glasgow" as in Scotland. On the side it is also stamped "J.H Lau & Co" which I later found out was a sporting goods dealer out of New York. " New York is also stamped on the side as well as a product number of some kind. Please if any one knows anything about this crate or maybe can refer me to someone or some where that could be interested or would have more info on its value I would so very much appreciate it. Thank You.
As an Alfred Nobel marked dynamite case dated 1895, it has value no matter where it was made. Old mining/ explosives equipment is desirable and the Nobel name makes it an interesting display curiosity.
I have never seen one before and don't know the retail market value. At a US auction, I think it would have a lot of interest.
Thank you for commenting, yes I figured it has value regardless of where it was manufactured. The problem I'm experiencing is where exactly I should take it to be auctioned off or even appraised. Thank you again for your insight but I still feel at a loss, and really wish there was somewhere I could go for some more advice on what to do next.
Send some pictures to some auction houses and get some auction estimates from them.
I would think that there would be more interest out west-- where folks have more of an interest in mining related antiques.
Historical Americana and Wes Cowan would be two firms that I would contact to get an idea. They should be able to provide an auction estimate.
Good luck,
Scott
Thanks again so much, I'm gonna try and contact them now.
Good luck, pls post an update once you get some estimates.
After waiting about 3 weeks I got an estimate from a local appraiser in Scottsdale, AZ for $300-$400. But hears the thing. He didn't even see the pictures. WTF?!
I'm pretty sure its worth more.
My grandfather has one in better condition and it's worth roughly that. He's had it appraised and insured. He lives in CA.
Did your grandfather sell it? And if so, where is a good place to sell it? And lastly, what is the point in getting it insured if it's only worth that much?
My Grandfather collects all sorts of things. He insures most things that are over a few hundred. Most people in his neighborhood know he collects things and if he is ever broken into he is covered.
He won't sell it because he won't get as much as it's worth. You can try antique malls. He takes a lot of things to antique malls, and most antique malls know good quality auction sites for collectibles.
Understood, thank you for the help. And, Happy 4th!
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Great piece!
next time you fly, you should use this as your "Carry-on" and tell the TSA to hand check it, and be CAREFUL!