Clearing MIL house, how do I sell her stuff?

[FoofOfTheWalkingDead]

We've just sold my MIL's house (YAYYYYYY!) and have a few boxes of random stuff that may or may not be of value. Where would I start getting valuations on old jewelry, stamps and a few pieces of pottery?
This might not be specific to property/diy but I couldn't think where else to ask. Thank you!

[Mamamamasaurus]

Do you have any local antique shops where you could enquire?

[FelicityPike]

Local auction house for valuation?

[murbblurb]

Be warned that stamps are worthless and jewellery is only scrap value. You could try the pottery on eBay.

Sorry!

[Qc16]

I think to say that stamps are worthless is a bit of an over generalisation - what if there’s a Penny Black amongst them?
Also with the jewellery and pottery it’s worth doing some research before selling them.

[GenderApostate19]

Unless it’s incredibly rare and valuable, you will get next to nothing for it.
It’s honestly not worth the effort of selling it.
SiL has a big box of Toby jugs and Doulton figures/plates that nobody wants that were my late FiL’s and Mil’s. We only took a huge fugly Beswick panther but at least it’s worth a few hundred.

[Musicaldilemma]

There are Ebay shops that deal with stamps and jewellery. You could send photos.
Stamps can be valuable if rare. For example, Stanley Gibbons in London might be able to help.
You cannot generalise on jewellery, quality of stone/workmanship/gold can be expensive. Just depends. Things handmade by famous jewellers can be collectors’ items.

[BasiliskStare]

Go to an auction house but be prepared for things which were very precious to one person to not be worth a bean to another ( faberge eggs , 3 carat diamonds aside ) - I had some american memorabilia which DMIL had specifically asked me to sell when she was no longer with us - she thought it was worth something - I tried - hard to get anyone to take it of my hands. So all siblings took one or two pieces and the rest went to a car boot sale. But I agree with Qc16 - worth doing some online research.

[murbblurb]

as I was wisely told 'the stuff they collected is worthless - it is the stuff they DIDN'T collect that is worth something'. The Uk is awash with collectibles, and unless china goes in the dishwasher no-one wants it.

The Americans like this sort of stuff but there's a bit of a problem due to the ocean in between. Sorry.

the comment about stamps also comes from a stamp dealer. He was selling stuff on for peanuts so I don't think he would be paying much. If it is first day covers etc from the last few decades - jumble sale.

[senua]

Be warned that stamps are worthless and jewellery is only scrap value.
I dispute this. Our local auction house frequently sells stamps and jewellery. To be fair they are very large bundles that don't fetch a ;lot of money but they do appear regularly. Also, by the time you factor in the costs of getting them to the auction house and the fees, then you may not have much left.
Their latest auction had 13 lots of stamps which got £20-45 per lot. The previous auction had some "collection of costume jewellery" type lots and they made similar prices.

[Zarinea]

We sold DGF's stamp collection to a specialist dealer for £300. Not huge money but better than binning it!

It's worth asking an expert if you think it might have any value.

[BasiliskStare]

I agree with previous posters - some things ( which the owners who bought them ) they think are valuable - often not. But yes get an auctioneer to value. It may be less but if you can do it and understand the commission you need to pay - may be worth it , if not just for thinking the person who collected it would like to think someone who appreciates it will own it . But that takes some effort and time. I think Jewellery which is not important or really nice is probably worth the content. Sad - but I think true.

[senua]

By the way, the reason I know how much the lots sold for is because the auction house puts the results on their website. Your local auction house might do similar so you can get a quick idea if (a) they sell such things and (b) how much for.

[Midlifephoenix]

Best thing is your local auction house. I had a few random bits and bibs and a print amd a painting I had been told by a gallery that they were worthless- I sold one for £150 and the other £95! You won't get near the real value for old silverware sets and stuff but still you'll get something. I ended up with over £2000 for my couple boxes of bits.

[FoofOfTheWalkingDead]

I don't hold out much hope that it's worth anything as my MIL was a hoarder and had a terrible charity shop habit. Nothing was in a 'collection' as such, just a bunch of bits and bobs that we gleaned from underneath other junk.
I'll send some photos to an auction house and do some ebay research. I have no sentimental attachment to any of it so if it's rubbish I'll just chuck it. Thankfully my DH is also not sentimental and has given me full authority over this stuff. Thank you for all the responses!

[PresentingPercy]

You need to have a good look at any hall marks on the jewellery. 18ct or platinum will always be worth something. No one puts cheap stones into high quality gold or platinum. If it’s 9ct with virtually invisible or cheap stones, it’s wirth little. Keep it though, if you or anyone else likes it.

[earsup]

We were in same position a few years ago....had a 5 bed house to clear...most went in the skip or charity shops...i did spend a few days on ebay checking stuff...stamps all worthless. except some luftwaffe stamps...sold to a place in Leeds....found a small tin of old canandian coins...all filthy..cleaned them up and sold them on ebay for £188..!!..still have some nazi bits...polish and czech soldiers gave them to my aunt as she used to run a pub and rented rooms to soldiers when stationed over here etc..may donate those to a museum at some point...generally tho, the market has collapsed for china and ornaments.

[WindmillWendy]

Be careful with valuations. My father let a jeweller value our old neighbour’s jewellery for probate purposes (dad was the executor). The jeweller said it’s worth x and that he was happy to buy it at that price from the estate. My dad actually said fine (idiot!). The jeweller then flogged the stuff for 4 times the price in his antique jewellery store!!! The estate was being sold and proceeds going to charity. Annoyed my dad listened to “the expert” on the valuation

[SymphonyofShadows]

There’s a growing market for 60’s & 70’s stuff. I’m in some MCM Facebook groups, and I’m often shocked at how popular some of the non-furniture stuff is. If there is anything like that it might be worth joining a couple of groups to get it identified, they don’t give valuations normally but you’d get a general idea.

[BasiliskStare]

Not sure if this will work OP but here you go about clearing out DFILS and DMILs mother's house m.facebook.com/stashstorageusa/photos/a.931747690363451/1577106129160934/?type=3&tn=-R


Just look at the little picture - not the other comments @FoofOfTheWalkingDead - this is where DH was with his parents

All best to you - take what you value and if anything is worth something yes then do it but otherwise - unless of great or sentimental value - needs to go - just in my opinion m.facebook.com/stashstorageusa/photos/a.931747690363451/1577106129160934/?type=3&tn=-R

[BasiliskStare]

whoops - sorry - posted twice ( well there you go about storing stuff you do not need to )

[earsup]

@WindmillWendy

Be careful with valuations. My father let a jeweller value our old neighbour’s jewellery for probate purposes (dad was the executor). The jeweller said it’s worth x and that he was happy to buy it at that price from the estate. My dad actually said fine (idiot!). The jeweller then flogged the stuff for 4 times the price in his antique jewellery store!!! The estate was being sold and proceeds going to charity. Annoyed my dad listened to “the expert” on the valuation

That is the usual mark up on jewellery so would have been hard to get a better price off another jeweller !...its a bit of a closed shop practice and a con !

[Ellmau]

The stamps will be worth at least their face value Most likely only that, but you can still use them. If she had a large collection, you might never need to buy another stamp.

[Viviennemary]

A lot of stuff that was worth something a few years ago is worth next to nothing now. You can do your own research online to see if there is anything valuable. Anything gold of course will be worth money. Some costume jewellery is collectable. Stamps nobody collects these days.

[CatAndHisKit]

I sell vintage and antique pottery - it's not true that all of it is worthless, and indeed the poster saying that Americans buy Victorian stuff but are unreachable, yes they do buy and I post it by Royal Mail absolutely fine.

Of course the value for some stuff has decreased a lot, but it's stil worth selling surely if it brings you a couple of hundred.
Some specific things can sell very well - including COSTUME jewellery, let alone fine jewellery - it depends whether she's got anything trendy.

Auction valuations are best because they don't need a mark-up for themselves, but they would usually value at a minimum. Some would sell for more, some wouldn't sell at all - they can try again a couple of times if not sold.

Cheap/trinket stuff can still sell if you put them into a big group, OP- not logical, but they just do. People buy these to sell at car boots (though not sure when they will open - only summer probably). Again auction group things like these, but be aware that people do steal from boxes during auction previews - when viewings are allowed.

You could send me a photo of ceramics etc if you like, OP, to give you an idea if these would currently sell or best to take to charity shops, if you want several opinions.

[CatAndHisKit]

And I meant vintage stuff that's trendy again now, of course.