AGE:
Prices will vary greatly from era to era and set to set depending on
various factors: older (pre-1850) sets are more valuable than newer
(post-1870) sets. Those sets made prior to 1870 are more valuable
than later sets due to earlier sets are more ornate and have non-metal
handles on knives. Earlier sets are lined with velvet or some
similar material, later sets have all wood interiors. Non-metal
handles are early, metal handles are later. Ivory is more desirable
than composite handles. Curved blades are earlier than straight
blades.
CONDITION:
with any antique, the condition is always of premier importance unless it
is a historically significant piece with provenance which generates so
much interest that condition might not matter. Such a set would be
one marked for a given surgeon or period and accompanied by documents to
prove who the owner was or how that individual was significant.
These kind of sets are rare.
Usually condition will be a matter of
determining the amount of rust or deterioration which has occurred to the
blades or other metal parts. Heavily rusted, broken, or corroded metal
is a major turn-off and greatly decreases the value. A bright and new
condition set will always bring a higher price than one which is worn and
heavily used. On the other hand, a worn and blood stained set due to
actual use may not be a great factor if it was a military set.
Refinished metal or cases is to be avoided unless you know a great deal
about the process. If in doubt, don't.
The condition of the interior fabric
liner of the case as well as the condition of the wood on the outside of the
box as well as the type of wood will cause value to vary
greatly. Dirty or missing interior parts of the case will
decrease value.
Missing or broken hinges, locks, and keys
are also a factor. If a cartouche has been inlayed into the top of the
case and is unmarked, that is a positive as is an engraved name of the
owner. A missing cartouche is a negative.
COMPLETENESS:
If parts are missing from a set, the value is greatly affected. The
more parts missing or incorrect for the slots in the case, the lower the
value. If large parts are missing and very obvious, then the greater
the negative effect.
With almost all sets, you can determine
what is missing or replaced by the fit of the instrument into the slot which
was crafted precisely for a given instrument. These sets were often
custom made and no two are exactly alike. With military sets, they are
more or less uniform and parts tend to be interchangeable from one set to
another if they are similar sets. With smaller makers, the sets and
instruments tend to be one of a kind and the odds of a missing piece being
replaced is slim to none. Another point to consider is what name
is imprinted on each instrument if marked. A given set should have
all the marks in the same font and name.
If the instrument doesn't fit the slot
exactly, then more than likely it is a substitution and the fact that is was
'found' in the set is irrelevant. It either fits or it
doesn't.
MAKERS:
Some makers are more sought after than others and value will vary
accordingly. There were literally hundreds of makers in America and
many more makers in continental Europe and Britain. Some sets were
'wholesaled' by supply houses and would be the 'Sears' of the sets.
Those more common and utilitarian sets are less valuable than custom sets
by the Eastern American or European establishment makers.
The better known names will usually bring
a higher price than lesser known makers. However, some small
production sets from little known makers are jewels and highly valued by knowledgeable
collectors.
Consistent
maker marks on the instruments will
greatly increase the value. In other words if the instruments are all
marked with the maker in the same font and style, more than likely it means
all the instruments are original to the given set.
HISTORY:
Civil War marked sets ( USA Hosp. Dept.) are more valuable than unmarked
sets. Proven owners of a given set with documents are more valuable
assuming the condition and other factors are the same. Actual Civil
War sets are marked as such, but anything existing during or prior to the
War may have been used in the War, but for the purposes of this
discussion, only 'marked' sets are of interest.
SIZE:
In general, the larger and more complicated the set, the more valuable.
Removable trays or boxes within the set or multiple layers are better
than simple sets with few instruments. The greater the number of
instruments and parts, the better.
UNIQUE AND
SPECIALTY SETS: If a set was designed with
instruments for a given specialty like orthopedic, obstetrics, or neuro surgery, then those sets are more
desirable. Sets designed for use on ships or during war time are more
generalized, but tend to be larger and valuable.
RARITY: Of course the more rare
the set, the more valuable, but this is something only a serious collector
will care about. Many casual collectors of surgical sets don't really
know or care what is rare and what is not. It's a fine point which
will cause a serious collector to pay more or less depending on how many of
a particular set show up for sale. With the advent of the internet and
eBay, rarity is relative to how much you pay attention to the sales.
Sets we used to think were rare are now turning up all over the place due to
internet exposure.
