My mom has earings, pin and ring designed by Hazel Blake French 1890-1972. My grandparents lived on Cape Cod and my grandfather had this set designed for my grandmother. It was in the exhibit at the Sandwhich Glass Museum in 2002. My mom is interested in selling this set. I was wondering if anyone new the best way to sell these items? I found an old strand from the forum in 2005 about her and someone said they were selling on EBay do you think this would be the best way to go? My mom has had the jewelry appraised but I was wondering if anyone new what these items could possibly fetch? Do you think it would be better to split them up or keep them as a set? Thank you for your help!

quote:

Hazel Blake French

PME,

Perhaps you could make it to the glass show that the Sandwich Glass Museum is sponsoring in September. they say that they will be doing glass identification at the show. You could get an appraisal that way, or contact the museum, since the pieces were in the exhibition, they might want to buy them directly from you.

I found a Kovels from 2003 that lists a Starfish pin with a green cabochon, 3 in. in diameter, for $975. That's pretty pricey. I think that you would do well to contact one of the larger auction houses to sell the items. I will also be willing to bet that they would tell you to sell the set together.

Auction Houses

The auction house does a lot of advertising, and the buyer pays them, so it really costs you nothing. On eBay it could be hit or miss, depending on who is looking that week, and may wind up being more trouble than it is worth.

Lauren

Hi, PME & Lauren,

As someone who has worked at Butterfields in San Francisco (now Bonhams & Butterfields), I want to clarify a few things. The seller does have a few fees to pay, depending on the auction house - B&B charges a fee for putting photos in the catalog, for instance - and it's really good to have the photos in the catalog - much easier to sell that way, since many folk can't make it to the auction preview, but they subscribe to the catalog. Also the auction house keeps a percentage of the hammer price. When last I checked at B&B it was 17-1/2%. In other words, they keep 17-1/2% of whatever the final bid is. So while it can a VERY good way to go, it is not free, and you have to consider those things. But the auction house will tell you all these things if you talk to them. Just make really sure that you go to a reputable house!

It sounds like a great set, and I personally think that you should keep it together. However, again, if the auction house thinks you/they might make more money by splitting it up, they might do that. I'm not sure if you get to tell them whether or not they may split the set - you'd have to ask the house.

good luck!
Jocelyn

Jocelyn,

Thanks for making it more clear how an auction house may charge different fees.

I agree abut keeping the pieces together. As a buyer, I'm reluctant to bid on a set that has been priced separately. The reason being, it is likely that one or more of the pieces could get away from me and then - what am I left with? This recently happened to me with a beautiful hammered sterling dresser set. I got 4 of the 5 pieces.

With the great provenance of the jewelry, having only one owner, and having been in the museum exhibition, I'd think they would be very desirable.

Lauren

I recall the last post we had on HB French items that were sold on ebay. They consisted of a pendant and earrings. I bid on the earrings in hopes that I might get them since they were unsigned. I did acquire them and a friend acquired the pendant. I will soon be sending the earrings to my friend to rejoin the ensemble. I too hated seeing the set separated.

PME, Hope you will have time to show us images of the set. We love and live for pictures. That is how we all share and learn here.

I too would just love to see photos! Please post some for us to see, if you are able. And tell us where you decide to sell them, please, as some of us might be potential buyers!

best wishes
Jocelyn

I've had good experiences with Rago Auctions. The commission prices vary on the value, but David Rago and Jerry Cohen of Craftsman Auctions have been very fair and friendly to deal with. They usually charge anywhere from 12-20%, but there aren't any fees to get your lot pictured in the catalogue. If it's a desirable piece, they will usually take a lower commission.

Thank you all for the information. It has been very helpful. Here is a picture of the set. I have more pictures but it is only allowing me to put one on. 12 to 20% seems kind of high. My mom did find the apprasal that was done in 2002 it was for $3500.

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing her signature. The ring and brooch are signed but the earrings are not. The earrings have been changed for pierced ears and we think the ring is a size 7.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful set.

It is very important that you keep the set together, particularly since some of the pieces are not signed.

I suspect your best chance of getting the highest value for your set is to sell to a collector who appreciates the fine work of Ms. French.

The auction houses may provide you a good price if they feature it. Too often they will show images that are too small or will show the set in a group of other jewelry.

The percentage that the auction house charges is very fair for the most part. Remember that the higher the hammer price the smaller the percentage. I would recommend contacting a few of the auction houses and discuss with them the fees that they charge.

Ebay is a gamble and the last French Pendant sold for well under $500 and I bought the earrings for under $100.

Please understand that there are several types of appraisals.

The highest being for insurance purposes or replacement value. Too often the items being insured are irreplaceable and so have far less meaning in the retail market.

The next highest is the value that you might find such an item in a retail shop. (fair market value)

The next is auction value since many of the retailers are searching these venues. If you are lucky there will be at least two bidders who have to have what you are selling.

The lowest would be what a retailer is willing to pay you which is usually half of fair market value.

I hope this is of help to you and please let us know what happens.

Best of luck,

One other thing to add: It may seem like auction houses charge a lot, but consider this: they tend to attract bidders with more money than Ebay. In my case, I bought two A & C lamps on Ebay for a fairly low amount and then sent them to an auction house. Without naming numbers, I will just say that I was very handsomely rewarded, even after the fees. It seems people with money also like to go through auction houses because they figure there is less chance of fraud; the extra fees are worth it to them. Also, because of the economy, it seems as though the Ebay prices will be softer than that of major auction houses. Chances are, if you can afford to pay ten grand for a lamp, you will probably not be hurt as much in a bad economy as someone who buys and sells on Ebay for extra money. Just my thoughts...

Have you sold the Hazel Blake French pieces?

I'm trying to research Nina B. Sutton, who was a student of Hazel Blake French. Was delighted to see the photos of this beautiful set that HBF designed. Just lovely.

Hello Widget and welcome to the forum. My hats off to all who spend the time to research and increase our understanding of these craftsmen. The name of Nina Sutton is new to me and I would be greatly interested in any information you are willing to share. Did she do work with glass as well? Can you provide us with images of examples of her work and the mark she used?

Sincerely,

Dear Fred,

Nina B Sutton was a student of HBF. The earrings I own were a gift to me in about 1960 when I was working in Sandwich. I don't quite know how to get a photo of them into this. (Totally new with sites like this where I am a participant) As far as I know, she didn't sign anything. I just have the original box and a post card that I found. Sandwich Glass Museum is sending me some info and I tracked down an article on HBF in the Cape Cod Times. So far, no response from them.
Looks like the "add attachment" is where I need to "work" next! Will try. Thanks for the welcome.

Dear Fred,
Is there any way that I can send an email from Picasa to this forum? Appreciate any help. Thanks. Widget

Hi Widget,

If your image is on Picasa you can copy it to your computer and then if you wish you can use the Add Attachment? option at the bottom of your post and follow the prompts to browse for the image on your computer. Voila!

Fred

Fred.........not sure I'm in on "voila"! Must get child to help me with this. Thank you tho!