You really need to get it appraised by a real appraiser - like the ones you see on Antiques Roadshow. The boneheads on here can't do that through the internet. It could be worth that much if it really is an antique - look up the definition - something like a Heppelwhite or Chippendale and not just an early 20th century factory reproduction, which is what most of these things turn out to be.
Good point Octep, and as I recall I remember hearing they were both original Chippendale pieces. I just had no reference point of value but knew they were more valuable than an old reproduction.
Yeah, if Abigail Adams herself penned love notes to John on them. Odds are they are worth considerably less than that, probably at least two zeroes less than that. However, knowing nothing about them or not being able to see them, who knows. They could be worth more than a thousand dollars, they could be worth less. Best have a dealer come in and appraise them. If they are truly worth that much, get them down to Sotheby's or Christie's post haste.
Go to eBay and do a search for antique secretary and compare the ones you have to the ones for sale and the ones sold. Bear in mind, the ones for sale are not necessarily what the piece is worth, the seller is trying to puff up the price. Check out the sold items to see what pieces are actually selling for.
My mother has two antique secretaries in her house. One of my siblings told me that one of them is worth $80,000 and the other around $40,000. Is this even possible?
