 Need for Rarity,Value and condition System Illustrated By Undertakers Cane (8081)
Two models of undertakers canes that have double extensions. These are the rarest of casket measuring canes, they extend to 79”. One has an arm and one never had one. One of these is in Dike, but I had never seen one in person until these. The only type I had ever seen is the single extension with diagonal support under an arm. They have 2” increments, which meant that they charged more for every 2”. I have seen several of these in the auction catalogs thru the years. As I began to think about the double extension ones and how much more rare these are than the single extension ones, I began to try and figure out how to convey that. I have known for a long time, how difficult it would be to put out a price guide on canes, the variations are tremendous. It would take a 3” thick book, and you would need a picture to go along with every description. Then you would need to vary the amounts for condition, which there aren’t definitions for. Then you would have to take location into consideration, as prices are different depending on where they are. All in all I have always thought it to be an impossible task. Recently I suggested to Patrick Gutkneckt he should do a price guide for Dikes book, as he helped to produce it originally. He expressed the same reasons I just expressed, to which I suggested he do a range for each instead of a specific price. Last night I couldn’t sleep, and I was thinking about the undertakers canes and how to convey their rarity, when my conversation with Patrick came to mind. I decided to see if I could put the two together. Rick Wagner once told me that he thought 50% of all canes are less than 250.00 and 80% are less than $500. I decided to start at $250 with the letter G and double until I reached $12000. People have ask me for certain canes in Dike and are often surprised to find they are over $10,000, even if you could find it.
A 250 and under
B 500 and under
C 1500 and under
D 3000 and under
E 6000 and under
F 12000 and under
G 12000 up
I have also decided on a scarcity system, which has nothing to do with value. A cane can be very rare, but not bring a lot of money, and very common and be very expensive. Values are based on supply and demand not age or rarity. The scale I have decided on for the moment, subject to change is, 1* common, 2* uncommon, 3* rarely seen, 4* very rare. In gadget canes the machine gun , camera, flintlock gun, scooter, mandolin, and stick barometer would all be 4* and over $12000. I would say a third of the canes in Dike are 4* and most would sell for less than a thousand, because they are not high in demand, like tool canes and some of the hunting and fishing canes.
A condition system would be helpful to us all, I'm going to need some help with this one. Any ideas?
As this book is a work in progress, it will take me a long time to put a scarcity and value code in each canes description. This is Nov. l, 2006
Category: Gadget
Sub Category: Occupational - Tools
Listed: 2006-11-03 08:31:13
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