Very Tarnished 1900-10 Sterling Trophies - clean or not?

[scaupus]

should I clean very heavily tarnished early 20th c. tennis trophies before listing them? If so, best way?

 

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[diggummup]

I would polish it up. Shiny silver always sells better than tarnished silver. Retaining the original "patina" on silver isn't the same as most antiques, cleaning is acceptable. Though some will disagree, especially when it comes to certain jewelry. How? Silver polish, plenty of soft clean rags and elbow grease, unless you have a vessel big enough for the aluminum foil method-
Remove Tarnish from Silver

 

[CladSpends2]

Hello, I try and stay smart enough to never disagree with Diggum, but I have one thought to add: If these are bowls, shining them up will magnify any dings and imperfections. I think if it were me I would list them with "period correct" patina and mention letting the buyer decide whether or not to clean them. I apologize in advance for being wrong, Digs.

T.

 

[mugsisme]

Hello, I try and stay smart enough to never disagree with Diggum, but I have one thought to add: If these are bowls, shining them up will magnify any dings and imperfections. I think if it were me I would list them with "period correct" patina and mention letting the buyer decide whether or not to clean them. I apologize in advance for being wrong, Digs.

That's what I do. If there is a hallmark that is very hard to see, I will touch up so it is more visible in the pictures. I always end off the auction with saying it is up to the new owner to decide what they want to do. BTW, I forgot what it was, but I did shine something up to find out later it was supposed to be tarnished. Oh well.

 

[mugsisme]

Hello, I try and stay smart enough to never disagree with Diggum, but I have one thought to add: If these are bowls, shining them up will magnify any dings and imperfections. I think if it were me I would list them with "period correct" patina and mention letting the buyer decide whether or not to clean them. I apologize in advance for being wrong, Digs.

That's what I do. If there is a hallmark that is very hard to see, I will touch up so it is more visible in the pictures. I always end off the auction with saying it is up to the new owner to decide what they want to do. BTW, I forgot what it was, but I did shine something up to find out later it was supposed to be tarnished. Oh well.