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.
