# how to get an appraisal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 16, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744 "2003-03-16T06:28:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744/1 "2003-03-16T06:28:08Z")
Ok, I have a full set Rosenthal dinner service, never used, which must be sold. Thing is I have no idea what I should be asking, and I’m a little too strapped for cash to pay for an appraisal. I have tried to contact the company in Germany (where they were purchased) as well as Rosenthal itself but I’ve received no reply. I’ve checked online, including on ebay, but I can’t find any info re:price on the stuff that I have. Can anyone suggest any way to get at least a rough idea what to ask for? That is, anyone know of any way to get a price quote, appraisal that won’t involve me paying. Or at least won’t involve me paying a lot? Thanks a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744/2 "2003-03-16T07:12:46Z")
You could call your local museum or historical society and ask them to refer you to an appraiser. (Generally, museums will not appraise objects, but can lead you to someone who will.) You also could call local antique shops, and ask them if they know of anyone who could give you a general idea. Your library also may have books which can give you the recent value. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744/3 "2003-03-16T07:34:17Z")
[I googled “dinner service” Rosenthal, and got nearly 300 hits, Here’s one](http://www.ewolfs.com/past_auctions/june_art/190-199.html) ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744/4 "2003-03-16T16:18:28Z")
Oh, I can’t believe its not on [ebay.com](http://ebay.com), you just input your pattern in the search box there & also, search _completed_ auctions. Have to know the pattern, which is on the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![MrPeabody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@MrPeabody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrPeabody)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744/5 "2003-03-16T17:10:56Z")
Just go to [Replacements.com](http://Replacements.com) you can find out the price per piece, or a per set if it is popular. Plus they will buy your silver at a wholesale price. But it is better to find out the retail price and sell it for a little less on Ebay ---
**Author:** ![rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744/6 "2003-03-17T06:34:32Z")
The thing with ebay and google is that Ive found quite a lot on Rosenthal (its a very famous name for this stuff) but nothing on the particular set Ive got. Thats the snag. I would HATE to sell it for peanuts only to find out its some sort of limited edition soon to be priceless pattern (doubtfull I know, but still, if I can get the information, why not try). Museums Ive thought about, but its not that old, (its from the 80s), so I don’t know what they’d be able to help with that, and Im fairly sure anyone they recommend would be on a fee basis. (Which Im trying to avoid if at all possible). I’ve checked my library, but they basically only have the listings for some auctions, again not finding my pattern. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2003, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-an-appraisal/161744/7 "2003-03-17T11:41:09Z")
Then it sounds lika an appraisal for a fee is not avoidable. OR, lis it on ebay. Let the marketplace be your appraiser.