AlanM writes:
I need some help understanding the value of this armoire.
The story behind it is a bit sketchy, but it is basically as follows:
A local mover was asked by an insurance company to pick-up
this armoire in trade for their check to the claimant for $10,000 --
resolving the unrepairable-damage claim for the value of the armoire.
The valuation of the armoire was apparently based on the opinion
of the repair firm who made the damage inspection --stating that
the top of armoire is distorted such that the crown no longer fits
correctly and that to attempt a repair would destroy the veneers,
ruining the value of the piece ($10,000).
I could see no transit-related damage; I saw only climatic-related
changes to various panels and frames (requiring minor cosmetic
tweaks) -- and I'm guessing the top/crown distortion could be
quietly remedied with Aqua-Cote Wood-Loc.
I see this "unrepairable" situation easily repaired for a few hundred
dollars -- but my real question is the $10,000 valuation of the piece.
It's my guess the wood is French Walnut (I am frequently wrong),
but I see these armoires all the time, and although I would hesitate
to use the phrase "dime-a-dozen", the Brits seem to put these things
out on the street for the trashman, hoping an American Serviceman
will come along first and offer a few hundred dollars for it.
My guess is that I would have to REALLY want it to pay $2000 for it.
So what am I missing?
Can anyone tell me what makes this armoire worth $10,000 ?
Thanks,
AlanM
Idaho
With the crown, this piece is about 9 feet tall.
The back has been 'repaired' with some hard resinous material.
There is minor shinkage in some panels.
