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The following tables are meant to serve as a general guideline only. Listed values are for mint condition (museum grade quality) Sikes Hydrometers, with all weights and topcap being clearly marked with identical serial numbers, and all parts and box sharing the same manufacture's name. Sikes Hydrometers that were manufactured prior to 1950 are far more desirable than pieces manufactured after this time, and pre-1900 Sikes are the most sought after and can be priced very high. The pricing table therefore includes pricing guidelines for all 3 timelines. Note that these prices may be hard to fetch, but serious collectors will be on the lookout for these pieces, and will know the true value. You may have to be very patient waiting for the right collector to come along if trying to list a piece at the full value. When pricing a Sikes, please take note of the variations found below the price guide. |
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Variations, Missing Parts Missing Top (calibration) Cap Weight - This is by far the most important weight of the set, and measures exactly 1/12'th the entire weight of the float. Without this piece, deduct 30% from the mint price. Top caps are square or circular domes, and do not look like the other weights in the set. If the cap has been replaced from another set AND has been properly calibrated to the float then deduct only 15% from the mint price. Missing, Non-Serialized or Mis-Matched Weights - For each weight that is missing from the set, or for each weight not clearly stamped with the unit's serial number, or who's serial number does not match the rest of the set, deduct 10% from the mint price. Missing Thermometer - If the unit is missing the thermometer, deduct 30% from the mint price. Early sets represent some of the most accurate mercury thermometers of the time. The thermometers are backed on Ivory. Broken or Missing Float - If the unit is missing the float (the heart of the Sikes), or the float is damaged in any way, deduct 40% of the mint price. Missing Slide Rule - For each slide rule missing, deduct 20% from the mint price. Sikes meant to have only 1 slide rule have a inset in the box approx 1/4" wide, where the slide fits in turned on it's side. Sikes meant to have 2 slide rules have a inset in the box approx 1/2" wide, where the slides fit in turned on their sides. Missing Measuring Flask (miniature-sikes only) - If the miniature Sikes is missing the glass measuring flask, or the flask is not original, deduct 20% from the mint price. Case missing inscription - If the case is missing the manufacture inscription (usually an ivory inlay on top of case), deduct 5% from the mint price. |
Documentation Finding original documentation for the Sikes Hydrometer is a rare event. The piece may in fact be worth as much (or more) as the hydrometer itself. Hard-Bound Documentation pre-dating 1900 can be worth anywhere from $400 to $1500, depending on the condition of the document. If the document contains both the Sikes Hydrometer Act and the Usage Guide, it will be worth more. Hard-Bound Documentation post-dating 1900 can be worth anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the condition of the document. Soft-Bound Documentation post-dating 1950 can be worth anywhere from $15 to $50. |
