can anyone tell me anything about an old binocular manufacturer called Wood, in liverpool.

[joko]

i dont think the company still exists, but my mate has an old antique pair,and would like to get a valuation.

or can anyone tell me a good place to search for info

thanks

[Buenchico]

The best place to get a valuation for such items is at any auctioneer's sale room which sells antique scientific instruments. Most local auctioneers will probably be able to provide a fairly accurate figure but the real specialists are Bonham's (in London) and Toovey's (in Washington, West Sussex).

Most auctioneers are happy to give an 'on the spot' valuation of items, without a fee or any type of obligation. (Obviously they'll be hoping that the owner might sell through their salerooms but I've never been put under any pressure to do so when I've taken items for valuation).

I once walked into Bonham's reception (without an appointment or any formalities whatsoever) to see if I could get a valuation on some scientific instruments. As Bonhams is on a par with Sotheby's and Christie's for 'prestige' , I wasn't sure that anyone would see me. But within a couple of minutes I was getting lots of detailed information, together with the valuations I required, from one of the guys that people queue up all day to see at the Antiques Roadshow.

Chris

PS: The lack of web references to binoculars made by Wood's of Liverpool suggests that they're probably not very collectable (and hence don't have any great value). The only reference I could find was to them being advertised, in the Illustrated London News, in 1888.