Beard & Brother Type 3 Time Lock
Needless to say I was thrilled to read John Erroll's comments (posted in the 'Unknown Type' thread) about my lock this AM. I also now have a reason to get back into contact with the Miller collection with my closeup, in-focus pix for comparison with their lock. Hopefully I can get comparison pix from them for authentication purposes.
I have two questions relating to my present situation:
1. How does a collector go about establishing a value on an item when only one other is known to exist & that one is locked up in a collection? The reasons for this are both establishing a value for insurance purposes & as a basis for negotiating a selling price.
2. As I have no real affection for inanimate objects, how do I go about finding & contacting collectors who would be interested in purchasing this lock?
I suppose the answer to question one is 'whatever another collector is willing to pay for it.' Without some kind of benchmark reference figure, though, I would be hesitant to list it on eBay even with a substantial reserve figure.
Any inputs on this would be appreciated. Thanks!
Jack
3 Attachment(s)
Beard & Brother Type 3 vs Mosler 1978
Attached are 3 photos that I just received from Barbara Craycraft at the Miller collection in Nicholasville, KY. Her statement:
Quote:
These are the photos—as you can see the only difference is the inscription being Mosler rather than Beard.
She also told me that Beard & Bro. sold time locks to Mosler bearing the Mosler name instead of Beard.
The tentative conclusion I have come to is that my lock is perhaps the unique example of the Beard & Brother Type 3 - a Mosler 1878 with the Beard imprint & perhaps some differences in the door & key/latch.
Jack