advice on selling antique wardrobe!

[Cl]

Ok a bit of a weird one I know, but it has a parenting theme. We need more space - baby no 2 on the way, child one needs big girl's bed and the place we need to put the cot meantime is currently occupied by a very lovely antique mahogany wardrobe, which we bought when we first moved - at great expense £900 - but now need to be rid of. Only problem is I don't know where to start in selling it. I don't fancy advertising it in Loot asI'm home alone most of the time and would feel uncomfortable going upstairs with a stranger to show them the wardrobe. The local auction house say you've got to get the item there yourself and then charge 35% commission on anything they get for you, which wouldn't leave us with much and we do need to make something on the sale - even half the value that we paid for it or ideally about £500 would help (who said antiques appreciate in value??). We're based in N1 - north London. Anyone know a friendly antiques dealer or had any experience of selling stuff successfully another way?

All advice appreciated.

Cl, You may have considered this already as you're in N1, but why not phone or visit the the cluster of antiques dealers in Camden Passage, near the Angel. I've sold the odd bit of furniture myself(South London), and dealers will visit you to look at what you have, if they think it is sufficiently interesting to them. If you agree to sell it, they will collect it too. Also, again rather obvious advice,I'm afraid, but get at least two valuations to increase your bargaining power.

As for being worried about letting a strange person into the bedroom, you could arrange not to go upstairs with them. Let them see the wardrobe by themselves. Remove all valuables from the bedroom, keep your mobile on and the front door open.