Big Band era photos best kept in the family for now
Q: Thanks for the information and insight you have always provided. I have over 100 black and white 8 x 10 photographs, related to 1935 to 1942 bands including Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, “Stuff” Smith, Cab Calloway and many more. I would like to sell them. Can you give me any information on firms that deal in such items? — F.D.M., internet
A: It looks like you have a wide variety of good vintage Big Band era photographs. The names you mention are surely remembered by a large portion of our readers. Now is not the time to sell your collection. Currently there is little interest in Big Band era memorabilia. I suggest you pass them on in the family, over time collectors’ priorities and interests change. Make sure the photographs are safely stored, archival paper slips should be placed between each photograph. It would also be good to make an inventory of the collection.
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Q: We inherited a coin collection that we would like to sell. We graded and priced each coin from the site you recommended recently in the newspaper. We would appreciate any advice on who would be a reputable buyer and about what percentage of the price we should expect. Thanks so much for any information you may have to help us in this Big Band endeavor! — L. & C.A., internet
A: I wish you had included information about the potential value of the collection you researched on the website www.coinstudy.com. I agree with them and also suggest you contact Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas. Heritage is one of the big boys on the block in the coin collecting world. After receiving an inventory of your collection, they will give you an estimate of what your collection could or might be sold for through their auction. The website is www.HA.com. Good luck and let us know how things work out.
Sikorski's Attic: Commercial grade chest of drawers has little collector interest
Comment: I suspect the bone tools your reader shared are clay decorating tools. I have not worked with clay in decades, since childhood, but I remember using similar items to make the decorative imprints on the clay surface. If you search Amazon with those three words you will see almost identical sets! Thanks again for your great column! — W.B.Y., internet
A: Yes, you are correct I checked online and found similar sets. Thanks for making the identification for us and sharing a childhood memory.
— John Sikorski with over 35 years of experience is an Ocala based antiques advisor, consultant, and broker. Send your questions to Sikorski's Attic, c/o The Ocala Star-Banner, 2121 SW 19th Ave. Road, Ocala, FL 34471-7752, or email absantique@aol.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: John Sikorski: Big Band era photos best kept in the family for now
