Where Can You Sell Rare Items?

When it comes to collectables and valuables, the term "rare" is occasionally used, but what exactly does it mean? In the world of collecting, an item is generally considered rare if it meets certain criteria. Understanding what constitutes a rare item is important for collectors, investors, and anyone interested in the world of valuable and unique possessions.

When the Rolex Daytona was launched in the early 1960s the model was not very popular and as such the initial production runs were relatively small, making them a wonderfully rare timepiece. In recent times, this rarity has fuelled the popularity of the Daytona, and the previously unpopular model has become one of the more sought after.

^{An incredibly rare Rolex Precision Pre-Explorer ref. 6150 watch}

^{Sold for £19,000}

Consider a letter written by Winston Churchill to the British public upon their triumphant defeat of Hitler, this being the only one of its kind, would be an incredibly rare and historically significant collectable. Indeed, old letters and signatures attributed to historically significant people can hold potentially astonishing values.

When it comes to music and film memorabilia, the prospect of rare discoveries is vast. One-of-a-kind props, elaborate set costumes, autographed musical instruments, this genre of collecting has exploded over the last two decades. In 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was first published. The author, J.K. Rowling, was relatively unknown to the market and the Bloomsbury publishers decided to keep the first print run relatively low, retailing for roughly £10 a copy at the time; these first edition books now achieve six figure sums when they come to auction.

^{Harry Potter: a pair of Daniel Radcliffe worn shoes, as used in 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' film (2004)}

^{Sold for £3,600}

By contrast, jewellery made by the house of Fabergé in the early part of the 20^th century remains highly sought after due in part, to the rarity of these surviving jewels. Indeed, many of the glorious pieces created by Fabergé have sadly been destroyed during the Communist reign in Russia, especially during the early stages of the forging of the Soviet Union, when anything that could be linked directly or indirectly to the former Tsar-ruled country/empire was systematically dismantled.

Ultimately the key factors that contribute to an item being deemed “rare”, are limited production or existence, unique designs or features, age, condition, historical significance and provenance and most notably, desirability – markets are changeable, and items that were once incredibly desirable can fall out of fashion and lose value.

If you have rare or valuable items that you're looking to sell, there are several online platforms and marketplaces where you can list them. Options will depend on the type of item, its value, and the level of exposure you want to achieve. However, whilst this method can be successful, sellers should approach this method with caution. Sadly, the market is fraught with scammers who are experts in deceiving even the most seasoned vendors. Extensive research, knowledge and vigilance will need to be employed to make this a fruitful transaction.

^{A rare and historic 19th century John Bell foundry cast iron bull's head wall applique from the gate posts of the historical Metropolitan cattle market}

^{Sold for £6,200}

An alternative option would be to approach a specialist dealer directly and/or a specialist dealer online site, both of whom will purchase rare memorabilia, or alternatively, may offer to find a buyer in return for a fee. Again, we would advise that this method be approached with caution. Dealers will often pay quickly, but there is no guarantee that you will be paid the market value in respect of your item(s), as they will be looking to make a substantial margin on any items that they buy for stock, and then sell on to their clients directly.

When considering where to sell any rare items, we would always recommend consigning them with a reputable international auction house. For instance, here at Dawsons, fine sales are broadcast to a global audience of over 10 million active bidders for maximum exposure, whilst our innovative in-house marketing team will ensure that rare collectables are directly marketed to known buyers wherever they may be in the world – creating a global shop window… Our sole focus is to achieve the highest possible sale price we can for our clients.

Back in May this year, utilising extensive industry experience, Dawsons’ team of experts provided a seamless service encompassing a current market valuation, global PR, international marketing, and sale in order to secure for our client, the extraordinary price of £76,000 in respect of a one-of-a-kind gold pocket watch which had once belonged to Sir Winston Churchill… Find out more about this incredible story here.

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Are you considering selling any rare collectables or memorabilia?

With a global audience of over 10 million known bidders, Dawsons can secure the highest prices.

Get in touch with an expert Valuer today for confidential sales advice, we would be delighted to help you:

0207 431 9445 / info@dawsonsauctions.co.uk