How to get something valued

[pastypirate]

Posting for traffic. I have found something in dms estate. It's a collection of letters from a v famous film actor. The letters are not addressed to dm and it looks like they were bought previously by dm exh in the 60's as there is a receipt.
They are not mine to sell or do anything with rather I need to be v transparent about potential value. I wouldn't have a clue where to take them. I am deep in the west country so not near anything like sothebys.

They are from the 1940's and the addresses on them and the date suggest they are correct in terms of what I found on Wikipedia.

Any ideas?

What’s the authenticity that you didn’t write them? That will be their first question

Lurking. I have a poem and have never been sure where to get it valued!

Exactly! They may be worthless. There is a receipt but no cert of authenticity. How would this be checked?

The signature looks good I googled it

Ring up one of the good auction companies (Sothebys maybe) and ask them. If it seems like they may be valuable. They may suggest sending them in to be properly valued, I'm sure they have experts who could validate (or not) the signatures. Or have a trip to London.

What is a “receipt”?

Now you spend an hour trying to do the signature and I bet yours looks identical

So when it comes to letters… validity is dependent on other evidence such as photos of the two together, which shows a relationship

The big auction houses will be able to help (Sothebys, Christies, Bonhams etc). Get in touch with a couple of them and let them guide you.

I used Dominic Winter auctions to sell a valuable book a few years ago, they were very helpful and I got a good price. I started by emailing them with some photos, and they got back to me.

Good point - as I say they may be nothing and at this point certainly not mine to sell so I'm not on a treasure hunt - just trying to be as transparent as I can be with my family.

What did you mean by “receipt” OP?

Well there is a handwritten slip with the letters from a receipt pad - an old fashioned one. With a description of the items and a price which is just under £200 and it's dated in 1969

And does it say the company that sold it? That is key

More like a ticket with a number now I've got it out again. With the recipients name - dm 1st husband, then the sum and then a name I don't recognise and then something I can't make out. Not a description of the item I was mistaken. The paper is crumbling I'm trying not to handle it.

Ah that’s just the auction item id

I am afraid op - without any authenticity at all aside from you googling the signature and it looking similar… I wouldn’t waste your time on this.

How much did it go at auction for?

Antiques Roadshow got to be the way to go here!

The collective noun for this type of thing is Ephemera. Google dealers in Ephemera or go to a stamp and postcard or antiques fair in your area.

Just under £200 - but that was before 1969 so at the the time I guess that was quite a lot of money?

What was the auction house?

Go on the websites for Sothebys, Christies, etc. and there is the facility to upload photos and details of your items to be valued.
Have you investigated if there's an auction house near you? They will have experts who can advise.

Maggs Brothers which is the most amazing antiquarian book dealers in London has a specialist in autographs and letters, you could take them there.

It says Arthur Bassett then a word I can't make out but might be something shortened

That is so so helpful thank you

I have uploaded pics to Sotheby's now - that was the guidance I was after. Thank you so much