I own two MontBlanc solid gold (marked 750) pens, one a ball point,
the other a roller ball. I bought these new but do not have the
receipt. While not in the original box, these have
never been used and are in a  MontBlanc leather pen case. I
phoned MontBlanc and the retail price for each pen is about $7,500. I
live in Westlake Village, CA (40 miles from Beverly Hills/LA) and
would like to sell these pens at the best possible price with the
least inconvenience. I had listed them on E*Bay through a reseller,
but they did not generate sufficient interest. Where, specifically, is
the best place to sell them for cash, preferably in the LA area? And
where can I get them appraised (as most jewelers do not know their
value)? I need the cash now for debts related to a liver transplant.
Thank you.

---

Clarification of Question by stuart1-ga on 29 Jan 2006 09:41 PST

These are solid gold MontBlanc Meisterstruck model pens.

Hello stuart1-ga,

Based on my research, I suggest that you consider selling your items
on consignment through a reputable auction house.  One well known
auction house is Bonhams & Butterfields.  They have an office on
Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.  Their services include appraisal of
your items.


Bonhams & Butterfields
USA
Locations
http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=USA&screen=USAreps



Selling at Bonhams & Butterfields
http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=USA&screen=HowToSell
?Bonhams & Butterfields can help you every step of the way when you
are ready to sell art, antiques, and collectible items at auction. Our
regional offices and representatives throughout the US are available
to service all your needs.?

---

?Appraisals
The first step in the auction process is to determine the auction
value of your property. Bonhams & Butterfields? world-renowned
specialists will evaluate your special items at no charge and in
complete confidence.?

---

?Ready to Consign?
After you receive an estimate, you may consign your property to us for
sale in the next appropriate auction. Depending on the category and
price point of your property, it will be slated for either a Fine
Auction or in one of our exciting monthly SoMa or Sunset Estate
Auctions.?

---

?Auction Sales Commissions & Fees
We will assist you throughout the auction process, providing a
detailed inventory of your consignment and prices realized for each
lot. We provide on-site storage for your property in our warehouses,
and all items are insured through-out the auction process. You will
receive payment for your property approximately 35 days after the
completion of sale. Our standard commission rates are as follows:
Sales commissions vary based on the hammer price of your property and
are netted from gross proceeds.

If the successful bid is: Our commission is:
less than or equal to $2,500 25% of the hammer price
$2,500.01 - $10,000 15% of the hammer price
$10,001.01 or more 10% of the hammer price?



Bonhams & Butterfields
Help Main Page
http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=USA&screen=helpMain



*******************************************************


Another Option is Estate Sales L.A.  They handle individual items as
well as entire estates.


Estate Sales L.A.  
http://www.estatesalesla.com/index.html
?Our services include: 

Professional estate sales conducted in your home 
Purchase of entire estate or single items 
Consignment 
Free expert consultations and evaluations to determine what best fits your needs?



Estate Sales L.A.
Services
http://www.estatesalesla.com/services.html
?- There are no up front costs. We charge competitive rates, which
include all costs including for publicity, staffing and appraisals
when necessary.
 -Sales proceeds are paid at the end of each sale day unless client
wishes otherwise.?


*******************************************************

Other Possibilities:


I don?t know if Christie?s sells this type of item and at this
valuation, but it couldn?t hurt to call.


Christie?s
Los Angeles
http://www.christies.com/locations/saleroom.asp?GlobalRegionId=1&LocationId=38


Christie?s 
How To Sell
http://www.christies.com/howtosell/overview.asp


++++++++


John Moran Auctioneers, Inc.
http://www.johnmoran.com/


John Moran Auctioneers, Inc.
Contact
http://www.johnmoran.com/contact/index.html


++++++++


Aversa Antique Gallery
http://www.aversaantiques.com/


Aversa Antique Gallery
Personal Property Appraisals
Estate Liquidation And Auctions
http://www.aversaantiques.com/alservice.html


++++++++


WhatsItWorthToYou.com
http://www.whatsitworthtoyou.com


WhatsItWorthToYou.com
Services
http://www.whatsitworthtoyou.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=wiw2u.templates&templates_ID=66


++++++++


A. N. Abell Auction Co.
http://www.abell.com/


*******************************************************


For appraisal services alone, I found the following accredited
appraisers in the Los Angeles area that specialize in personal
property:


American Society of Appraisers
Dena Hall, ASA
http://www.appraisers.org/about/chapters/membersdetail.cfm?contactID=648


American Society of Appraisers
Nancy A. Martin, ASA
http://www.appraisers.org/about/chapters/membersdetail.cfm?contactID=6214


American Society of Appraisers
Arline Edelbaum, ASA
http://www.appraisers.org/about/chapters/membersdetail.cfm?contactID=5790


*******************************************************


Other references:


AskArt.com
Fine Art Auction Houses
http://www.askart.com/AskART/search/Search.aspx?searchtype=AUCTIONHOUSE&Action=SubmitButton#


AuctionGuide.com
Search Results: California
http://www.auctionguide.com/cgi-bin/search/search.cgi?query=california&type=keyword&bool=or


RubyLane.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ruby Lane Do Appraisals?
http://www.rubylane.com/info/faq.html#gsuq6


GoAntiques.com
Appraisers
http://www.goantiques.com/community/resources/appraisers.htm


*******************************************************


I hope you have found this information helpful.  If you have any
questions or need further information, please let me know by using the
request for clarification feature prior to rating the answer.

Good luck to you.

Googlenut




Search Strategy:


I had previous knowledge of GoAntiques and RubyLane.  I browsed those
websites for information about appraisers and other relevant
information.

I live in the Los Angeles area, so I was able to identify the
locations that would be more convenient to you.



Successful Google Search Terms:


sell antiques collectibles los angeles auction OR consignent
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=sell+antiques+collectibles+los+angeles+auction+OR+consignent

consignment los angeles
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=consignment+los+angeles

"auction house" los angeles collectibles OR "writing instruments"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=%22auction+house%22+los+angeles+collectibles+OR+%22writing+instruments%22

---

Request for Answer Clarification by stuart1-ga on 29 Jan 2006 22:28 PST

I do not consider these pens to be antiques or unique, in that they
are currently still produced and I bought them about 8 years ago.
Therefore I doubt an auction house like Bonhams & Butterfields would
sell them on consignment. Are you sure they would sell such items. I
would equate these pens to a current model solid gold luxury watch or
other accessory.

---

Clarification of Answer by googlenut-ga on 30 Jan 2006 07:09 PST

Hello stuart1-ga,

I think these pens could very well come under the category of
collectible items.  Also, I would think that estate sales would often
include contemporary items of value.  Not necessarily antiques or
unique items.  I'm sure if you called them they could tell you if they
would handle these items.  If not, please let me know.  We could then
decide how to proceed.

Googlenut

---

Clarification of Answer by googlenut-ga on 30 Jan 2006 07:25 PST

Hello stuart1-ga,

Here is an example of some estate sale items being sold at Bonhams & Butterfields:

Bonhams & Butterfields
Sale 13827 - Sunset Estate Auction
http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=USA&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=2722749&iSaleNo=13827&sServer=http://images1.bonhams.com/&sPath=


Googlenut