CASH IN THE ATTIC: Through the Victorian looking glass to a nice pile of money?
Every week we give the low-down on the value of forgotten treasures that may be gathering dust at home.
Look through a Victorian microscope and you could be peering at an investment that merits close scrutiny. The craftsmanship of these brass and glass scientific instruments makes them highly collectable.
One of the most sought after is the 1871 Powell & Lealand ‘No 1’ microscope, below. An example complete with accessories recently sold for £32,000. It originally cost £260 – the equivalent of £20,000 today.
If you have a Victorian microscope gathering dust in your attic, it may be worth big money
Adding to its investment appeal, this luxury microscope came with dozens of lenses.
Another antique manufacturer was Bausch & Lomb. Its early brass ‘Model 76’ produced in 1876 can sell for more than £3,000. Belthle & Rexroth also made some of the best old microscopes.
An 1857 example complete with wooden box and a range of lens accessories can sell for up to £4,000.
One of the oldest optical firms still in business today is Carl Zeiss. He began making microscopes in 1847. Find an 1857 brass Zeiss with black base and you have an investment worth more than £1,000.
Later models, such as an 1895 ‘Continental’ by R&J Beck, still sell for £400 due to the quality of engineering and attractive metal work.
Deals of the Week
Claim a 25 per cent discount on a stay at a wide selection of Youth Hostel Association locations. Book online for stays up to April 24 and tap in the promotion code ‘JANSALE-020’ to enjoy the deal.
Develop photography skills with a 15 per cent discount on a full day of professional camera training at Jessops. Course discounted price is £99.99. Choose from a variety of skill levels – with practical sessions, videos and using GoPro cameras. Details of the courses at Jessops website.
Put up a free bird nest box in time for spring – a gift sent out to anyone signing up to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds charity this month. Membership is £5 for adults and £2 a month for children. The free ‘Apex’ bird box is worth £16.
Break a New Year resolution by tucking into a box of Thorntons Christmas Selection chocolates for £4 – a third off the usual £12 price now that festivities are over.
THIS IS MONEY PODCAST
- Could your savings rate turn negative?
- How many state pensions were underpaid? With Steve Webb
- Santander’s 123 chop and how do we pay for the crash?
- Is the Fomo rally the read deal, or will shares dive again?
- Is investing instead of saving worth the risk?
- How bad will recession be – and what will recovery look like?
- Staying social and bright ideas on the ‘good news episode’
- Is furloughing workers the best way to save jobs?
- Will the coronavirus lockdown sink house prices?
- Will helicopter money be the antidote to the coronavirus crisis?
- The Budget, the base rate cut and the stock market crash
- Does Nationwide’s savings lottery show there’s life in the cash Isa?
- Bull markets don’t die of old age, but do they die of coronavirus?
- How do you make comedy pay the bills? Shappi Khorsandi on Making the…
- As NS&I and Marcus cut rates, what’s the point of saving?
- Will the new Chancellor give pension tax relief the chop?
- Are you ready for an electric car? And how to buy at 40% off
- How to fund a life of adventure: Alastair Humphreys
- What does Brexit mean for your finances and rights?
- Are tax returns too taxing – and should you do one?
- Has Santander killed off current accounts with benefits?
- Making the Money Work: Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo
- Does the watchdog have a plan to finally help savers?
- Making the Money Work: Solo Atlantic rower Kiko Matthews
- The biggest stories of 2019: From Woodford to the wealth gap
- Does the Boris bounce have legs?
- Are the rich really getting richer and poor poorer?
- It could be you! What would you spend a lottery win on?
- Who will win the election battle for the future of our finances?
- How does Labour plan to raise taxes and spend?
- Would you buy an electric car yet – and which are best?
- How much should you try to burglar-proof your home?
- Does loyalty pay? Nationwide, Tesco and where we are loyal
- Will investors benefit from Woodford being axed and what next?
- Does buying a property at auction really get you a good deal?
- Crunch time for Brexit, but should you protect or try to profit?
- How much do you need to save into a pension?
- Is a tough property market the best time to buy a home?
- Should investors and buy-to-letters pay more tax on profits?
- Savings rate cuts, buy-to-let vs right to buy and a bit of Brexit
- Do those born in the 80s really face a state pension age of 75?
- Can consumer power help the planet? Look after your back yard
- Is there a recession looming and what next for interest rates?
- Tricks ruthless scammers use to steal your pension revealed
- Is IR35 a tax trap for the self-employed or making people play fair?
- What Boris as Prime Minister means for your money
- Who’s afraid of a no-deal Brexit? The potential impact
- Is it time to cut inheritance tax or hike it?
- What can investors learn from the Woodford fiasco?
- Would you sign up to an estate agent offering to sell your home for…
- Will there be a mis-selling scandal over final salary pension advice?
- Upsize, downsize: Is swapping your home a good idea?
- What went wrong for Neil Woodford and his fund?
- The incorrect forecasts leaving state pensions in a muddle
- Does the mortgage price war spell trouble in the future?
- Would being richer make you happy? Inequality in the UK
- Would you build your own home? The plan to make it easier
- Would you pay more tax to make sure you get care in old age?
- Is it possible to help the planet, save cash and make money?
- As TSB commits to refund all fraud, will others follow?
- How London Capital & Finance blew up and hit savers
- Are you one of the millions in line for a pay rise?
- How to sort your Isa or pension before it’s too late
- What will power our homes in the future if not gas?
- Can Britain afford to pay MORE tax?
- Why the cash Isa is finally bouncing back
- What would YOU do if you won the Premium Bonds?
- Would you challenge a will? Inheritance disputes are on the rise
- Are we primed for a Brexit bounce – or a slowdown?
- How to start investing or become a smarter investor
- Everything you need to know about saving