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Discussion of Prices, 2000 Fall

The following is an attempt to discuss the asking prices of wooden clamps, using data gathered at Brimfield, 2000 September 9th, a Saturday. Please note the special nature of the sample, and do not over-generalize the findings.

The raw data was partially lost, so that no detailed analysis is possible.

Data

Approximately 2 dozen clamps were found, identified, graded, and priced. Most were Bliss Mfg, or Bliss and Co. There were 3 small clamps that bore no marks, but were identifed as Bliss types from the chamfering, and the shape of the handles. There were 3 no names, usually with hand cut threads, a sign that they were probably craft made. There were 1 each of Grand Rapids Hand Screw Co, of J H ONeil, of Narragansett, of Aldrich, and of Butterfield and Webster. I was surprised not to find any Hood.

In size they varied from 5 inches to 18. In condition, they varied from poor (4 examples) to very good (3 examples). In price they varied from 12 $ to 30$, except for one dealer, who had prices of
95$ for a Bliss Mfg, 7 inch model, in very good condition,
65$ for a Bliss Mfg, 6 inch model, in very good condition, and
45$ for a Bliss type, 5 inch model, in very good condition.

These last specimens had no dings, or other signs of use; every surface had been cleaned, the threads waxed, the jaws and handles polished. They looked great, and functioned perfectly. Lovely little things!

Model

Without detailed statistical analysis, and rounding all numbers for ease of memory, I would summarize the result as

-10$ for existence, and 2 $ per inch for wooden clamps in poor or good condition,
-80$ for existence, and 25 $ per inch for wooden clamps in very good condition.

If you prefer, an alternative formulation (with small loss in accuracy) is

2 $ per inch past 5 inches for wooden clamps in poor or good condition,
25 $ per inch past 3 inches for wooden clamps in very good condition.

Clearly, that one dealer presented a bit of an anomaly.

Softness

I only negotiated on a couple clamps, so I can't be sure on the softness of prices, but I found most dealers willing to reduce asking prices by 20% to 25%. (You can guess the big exception, who was firm on the original asking price.)