Beard & Brother Type 3 Time Lock

[Jack Sullivan]

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

[jacobrules]

Did I tell you what a rotten guy you are lately?

[Jack Sullivan]

Did I tell you what a rotten guy you are lately?

Nothing personal on my end, but aren't auctions wonderful? Especially those involving folks who have no idea what they're selling & those who have little idea what they're bidding on. eBay should have a special category for these!

Let me remind you that you were the one who had deciphered BEARD'S from those out-of-focus pix. I thought I was bidding on a Mosler 1887 type. So the advantage was yours, not mine. I'm a time lock neophyte by comparison to you, I believe. But while we're talking about clocks, even one that doesn't work at all is correct twice a day. It looks like I just got lucky.

[Doug MacQueen]

I'm just curious, Jack. What did John say when you told him you thought "American Genius" was just a flashy coffee table book? Doug

[Jack Sullivan]

I'm just curious, Jack. What did John say when you told him you thought "American Genius" was just a flashy coffee table book? Doug

As that was another topic it wasn't brought up. My criticism of the contents of his book was meant to be scholarly in nature, not personal. His reading of the nature of my lock was likewise meant to be scholarly & not personal. His book is still an invaluable reference work & is at my left wrist on my desk as I type this.

[Doug MacQueen]

So then we'll just call it an "invaluable flashy coffee table reference book" and leave it at that, okay. I had a feeling that as you got deeper into the timelock section, which also happens to be the authors forte, you would find greater attention to detail, especially so now that you are actually using it in helping you gain a better understanding of the subject. Doug