Hello,
My parents passed down a Drexel Touraine French Provincial bedroom set with a queen size headboard, 9 drawer dresser and mirror, highboy and two nightstands. It's in fair vintage condition and am wondering what it's worth. As a family heirloom it has it's own value, but what is its face value today? Potentially looking to sell it as it's not our taste.
Also, does it hold more or less value if it's refinished vs. in it's original condition?
*Edit* This is NOT to identify the furniture. I've previously looked on sites like Ebay, Craigslist and Etsy and am asking the question above because it's common to see furniture of little or no value being sold for much more than they are worth. I wanted to be further educated and also have reasonable expectations if I choose to sell. My intent was not to get appraisals or else I would've included photos and asked specifics about each piece. But when you see set with less pieces go for $3000 on Etsy, or just the drawers go for $750 on Ebay, I wonder if that's the actual value of them. On the other hand, does my furniture really hold that much worth?
Thanks, Cerissa
Oh, Aunt Mark!
Cerissa,
The "Basic Rules" for this forum were listed right below the message field in which you composed your post. Number 3 reads:
"Requests to identify objects are welcome as long as the object is believed to be modern, post-modern or contemporary (no antiques). You may ask for help identifying an object’s designer, producer, period, style, material etc. – but not its commercial value. This forum is not a free valuation service."
Check Ebay SOLD items (not just ended auctions) over time to get an idea of what your furniture is worth.
Okay, I understand. I just have other Drexel furniture which probably falls under this description more closely as it's mid century modern and thought that since they were the same maker, just different design, someone might have an idea or advice. I just didn't want to be one of those people who prices things like you see on Ebay with no education, but I could easily inflate the price to match what I see on Ebay though. I honestly wasn't looking for an appraisal, just trying to be educated online as there is little information.
Evidently you don't really understand. An appraisal, valuation, comp or fair asking price are all synonyms for the same thing.
That is taboo here. Not to be mean or make people's life difficult but because if it was allowed you would see the following breakdown of every 100 posts:
90: how much is this piece of crap I just got at goodwill worth?
9: who designed this piece of crap I just got at goodwill?
1: pic of Aunt Mark in some fabulous pants.
It had been pointed out to search SOLD eBay listings. That is your best bet.
Ebay does suck!
Drexel is a fine furniture maker and evidentally saying I don't understand is a bit rude. I did search SOLD listings and I have looked around, but I don't think that makes me qualified to say something is valuable or not. I looked around before posting here and thought there were some knowledgeable people who knew about what was worth collecting and was worth ditching - that is basically my dilema. Would I be missing out if I sell my family heirloom for a style I like more?
It's a little commical that there is a post like this: http://www.designaddict.com/forum/General-discussion/1st-dibs. This is exactly what I didn't want to be like. To me, this is exactly what I was trying to prevent. And in my mind, I thought I was being considerate, asking if it was worth less than what I see it advertised on these other sites.
Fact is, after the first comment I tried deleting my thread, but since this is only my second time posting, I don't see that option. No need to tell me it's taboo because 1. I didn't get it at goodwill and 2. I already know who the maker is. A moderator is more than welcome to delete this.
I'm not sure what you're asking. You said you want to know the face value of the furniture, and you want to know what it's worth. That is what this board doesn't allow because the focus of this board is on design, not monetary value of things (though that does come up in discussions all the time as many of us here are collectors---it's just tha the forum isn't a free evaluation service for people looking to sell this or that).
So, ok. You have well-made furniture by a respectable manufacturer. You have looked at prices online and see very high numbers---but it is essential to differentiate between what sellers are ASKING for their pieces and that they are actually GETTING. Often there's no way to know what stuff sells for, but it's easy enough on Ebay. You can also compare sold items on Ebay to "completed auctions"---and get a feel for what did not sell.
Hope that makes it clearer.
And finally, this furniture is French Provincial in style which has been very much out of style for a long time. Sometimes it doesn't matter how beautifully made something is, if it's really out of style no one will pay much for it at all.
You could always donate it to Goodwill and get the tax credit.
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