Gunner Bailey Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 I must confess to being a bit mystified as to how the value of Death Plaques is arrived at? There seem to be some dealers who want a fortune. Like this. http://www.callingtons.co.uk/WW1collectabl...e1e64e13fd344bc Yet others go on auction sites quite cheaply sometimes. Is the value based upon? Existence of medals with or without plaque? Date of death i.e 1/7/16 etc Scarcity of name i.e. only 6 of that name issued or unique names. Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick ODwyer Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 I think they are asking a lot for them: I would have thought: Any name - £50 Unique Name £55-65 Unique Name to particular Regiment (eg Cavalry) - £70 Officers - Over £100 Fist day of Somme may attract a premium and having any medal with them will do so (I think) and gallantry associations will probably add something too but I can't really understand the pricing listed here. May be a specialist collector can explain in more detail. I note the Silver War Badge (incorrect to associate with 'wounds') is about twice the normal price also unless there is something unique. Again a specialist may have a view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdeayton Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 I realise they have historical significance and comparative rarity, but I can't help feeling its a shame that they're on sale at all. Such a very, very long way from the purpose for which they were produced. I realise that families often make these decisions for all sorts of reasons - some very necessary, and yet..... Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 27 February , 2010 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2010 I think they are asking a lot for them: I would have thought: It seems to be a particulary expensive website. Look at the badge prices. However I have seen similar elsewhere. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River97 Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 Totally agree with the above appraisals. They are far too overpriced, but , the site is not the only one with over inflated values. Cheers Andy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 The problem for the collector is that they are aiming high because they have nothing to lose - they were probably bought for peanuts, but they don't take up much space in storage and they only have to sell one or 2 items a day to be in profit. And lets face it who hasn't paid 1200 quid for a unique plaque? actually maybe I'm the only daft one to have done that. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj.hoare Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 I agree somewhat with Patrick regards his pricing in general, but would also add: Any name (Smith/Jones/Brown) - £50 Tops Unique Name (to a "normal" regiment, or a regiment that had many battalions like the KRRC) £55-65 Unique Name to particular sought after Regiment (Hussars/Tanks/MGC) - £70 - £90 Officers (Line regiments) - Over £100 Officers (Support Troops) - £90 - £100 Australian/Kiwi/Canadian - Add 50% Creme de la Creme: RFC PIlot Officer - £200 - £1000 Rare as Rocking Horse Poo - Female Aid Worker/Nurse - £1000 - £3000 + If you have the full entitlement of medals either pair or trio to say an RFC pilot, then it would be more £1500 - £4000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 Isn't the answer to this question, what any purchaser is prepared to pay for it. That said, anyone can put an item on Ebay or elsewhere for 10 times what it is worth but that is not establishing a value. Even if a mug bought it, this does not establish a general value for the group of items. However, once the general price level moves up to whatever level, we can all mutter "ridiculous price" thinking back to 1980 - but we are whistling in the wind. Like many family buyers, if either of my Great Uncle's plaques came up for sale, I would pay a considerable amount for it and would hope against hope that I was not up against a mad keen Light Horse collector or worse still an unknown family member bidding against me. Nothing of any quality is going to get cheaper as the 100th anniversaries come nearer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew lucas Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 is value what someone is prepared to pay for it? or are these 2 different things, myself i'm not sure, average does seem around 50-60 (i remember getting them for £3!) have paid more, ie canadian killed at vimy 9 april just over 10, Australian officer - 180, australian killed at mucky farm around 100, 2 brothers - 1 killed at ypres one at fromelles 19th july, bit under 200. but those prices seem crazy on that site! that cig card album 50! i get those for £5 and under..... going to see what else i have now! matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o j kirby Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 Hi, I once paid 75 pence for one with a unique name. Cheers Owain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 27 February , 2010 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2010 Hi, I once paid 75 pence for one with a unique name. Cheers Owain. All sounds like a bit of a free for all. To put it in context I've just acquired a plaque for a name for which there were only two produced. One was a October 1914 death and the other a 1917 Messines death. One private the other an NCO. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
depaor01 Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 What hasn't been mentioned so far is the dubious practice of online auction sales where a plaque is sold with absolutely no evidence of the plaque ever having been associated with the person named in the description. The person listed in the description is invariably a "desirable" officer/Irish Regiment/First Day of Somme casualty - take your pick For example the youngest WW1 casualty is generally accepted as being John Condon (although some dispute this). Anyway there are six John Condons on CWGC, each one presumably with a plaque. Definitely Buyer Beware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul@paulmanning.net Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 What hasn't been mentioned so far is the dubious practice of online auction sales where a plaque is sold with absolutely no evidence of the plaque ever having been associated with the person named in the description. The person listed in the description is invariably a "desirable" officer/Irish Regiment/First Day of Somme casualty - take your pick For example the youngest WW1 casualty is generally accepted as being John Condon (although some dispute this). Anyway there are six John Condons on CWGC, each one presumably with a plaque. Definitely Buyer Beware. I agree and have often asked how the sellers attribute to a particular name - usually no or terse answer! Regarding the comment above that it is a shame these are for sale at all, many of the casualties were unmarried and with no children so it is understandable they become "orphans" almost 100 years on. I can't understand why people would sell great grandfathers plaques or medals, but many people don't share our interest or feel any association with unknown relatives. Generally, the prices of plaques have moved from around £35 to £50 each over the last 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 True value is what everyone will happily pay. What one punter pays to a chancer might break records, but doesn't set the rate. Out of interest what does a 01/07/1916 15 trio + plaque fetch these days? Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 E bay...RND Hawke casualty 13/11/16 (OR) went for £102 today. I bid but was outgunned! TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 27 February , 2010 Share Posted 27 February , 2010 Any name (Smith/Jones/Brown) - £50 Tops However "Common" Plaques will often fetch a higher price {as opposed to "value"} as there could be a lot more people trying to find that elusive Smith or Jones to complete their group.A unique name may often only have one really keen buyer that of the custodian of the rest of his Medals,others may have a Punt but not wish to go for broke!!! As with all Auction prices it takes {at least} Two To Tango!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 28 February , 2010 Share Posted 28 February , 2010 We appear to be making victims out of buyers, if you are stupid enough to buy a plaque with a common name the seller has speculatively attributed to a desirable action or regiment then more fool you. My best plaque buy ever was Arthur Aust, 15 quid I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 February , 2010 Author Share Posted 28 February , 2010 However "Common" Plaques will often fetch a higher price {as opposed to "value"} as there could be a lot more people trying to find that elusive Smith or Jones to complete their group.A unique name may often only have one really keen buyer that of the custodian of the rest of his Medals,others may have a Punt but not wish to go for broke!!! Yes that did occur to me. If your grandfather was Fred Brown/ Wilson / Smith / Jones etc, you probably have a greater chance of finding a plaque than a less common name, and you can claim the plaque was your grandfathers when in reality it wasn't. I actually don't have aproblem with that if it makes someone feel good. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 February , 2010 Author Share Posted 28 February , 2010 We appear to be making victims out of buyers, if you are stupid enough to buy a plaque with a common name the seller has speculatively attributed to a desirable action or regiment then more fool you. It's a good point Mick. The seller is not the one who determines the final price at any auction. I saw a WW1 Brodie sell on ebay a week ago for £752. Two people were chasing and the price jumped from £110 to £700 in one bid. I'm quite sure the seller was delighted. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardog Posted 28 February , 2010 Share Posted 28 February , 2010 Got a link for that helmet? Cheers, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 28 February , 2010 Author Share Posted 28 February , 2010 Got a link for that helmet? Cheers, Paul. Sorry I deleted it about five days ago. There was a batch of about 10 helmets found by a house clearance guy (found in a loft) and they all sold on the same day. There was also a nice Para and a DonR helmet plus a few other more standard ones. He must have been delighted with the end result. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 28 February , 2010 Share Posted 28 February , 2010 is value what someone is prepared to pay for it? Price is that ~ value is really inestiamble; what is of immense "Value" to one person may have little or no interest to another,the value is surely the joy obtained from owning it;albiet transiently.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbob1001 Posted 27 October , 2013 Share Posted 27 October , 2013 Any suggestions as to Dealers specialising in selling Death Plaques - am probably on a fruitless search to find men from my local area... Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 27 October , 2013 Author Share Posted 27 October , 2013 Best not to start the search. Perhaps if you advertise, they may come to you? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulkheader Posted 27 October , 2013 Share Posted 27 October , 2013 The value of a 'Death Plaque' [horrible term]......... .........................................................................................One Human Life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now