What's Selling on eBay: August 2017

by Deborah Abernethy and Mike McLeod
$3,377 (28 bids, 10 bidders): Unusual Antique Corkscrew.
This is an antique corkscrew that looks quite unusual to me, though I am no expert. It has no name on it. It has a wooden handle, and the rest of it is steel. The side arms almost look like a pair of legs with heeled shoes. It is in used, pre-owned condition and appears to be usable still. It measures 4.9 inches high x 3.2 inches wide across the handle.
(Photo: eBay seller stickyourstars)

DBA: This is an early “wing” style corkscrew. The “leg” form was popular in the 1890s, but with no other information and no name, it is hard to pinpoint. This is an extremely high price for a corkscrew.
$1,741 (17 bids, 8 bidders): Late 1800s Factory Made Ideal Mousetrap With Paper Label.
All-original, antique wood and tin, factory-made Ideal Mouse Trap with original paper label which reads, “Ideal Mouse Trap, Patented October 23, 1883, Manufactured By The F.F. Adams Co., Erie, PA, Latest and Best Improvement of J.H. Morris, Inventor Of The Delusion Mouse Trap.” Unit measures 21/2″ x 4″ x 5″.
(Photo: eBay seller ykessa)
DBA: I cannot believe that I am researching how to kill rats. Some traps were called the Choker, some killed by poison, and some electrocuted them. I think this one just trapped them. Note the chew marks on the side. Is this where we get the term “drowned rat?” This is a high price for such an object. Do people display these as part of a collection?
$1,776 (44 bids, 18 bidders): 1942 Michigan License Plate State Police 225 Vintage Tag WW2.
Plate as seen, 14 x 6. Not cleaned.
(Photo: eBay seller bodyshop1991)
DBA: Usually, the pre-state leather plates sell for this amount of money. This one is clearly a molded metal plate. The “State Police” adds to the value and rarity of this plate. I could find that other license plates have sold for really high amounts.
$2,041 (41 bids, 15 bidders): Large Antique 19thC Art Nouveau, Shaped Leaded Slag Glass Flower & Leaf Lamp Shade.
Originally, this large, 131/2 inches wide by 101/2 inches tall, leaded slag glass lamp shade would have gone on top of a large kerosene lamp. The bottom brass collar measures 4 inches in diameter. It would not take very much to convert this late 19th century, Art Nouveau shade into a hanging shade. The flower is made from twelve caramel slag glass panels; each hand shaped into the design you see. At the bottom are six large and six long, thin-shaped pieces of dark green slag glass. Each of these 24 pieces of slag glass in this antique shade has been hand-formed and wrapped in leaded brass edging. Unsigned, this late 19th century, Art Nouveau, leaded glass shade is in very good original condition.
(Photo: eBay seller wwolst12)
DBA: This is more a retail price for a shade without a lamp. While it is older and very beautiful, someone must match it with a lamp to use it. With the right pairing, it could be absolutely stunning. With-out a proper match, it would just be a nice shade (and not used).
$94 (13 bidders, 8 bids): Curtiss Baby Ruth Gum Advertising Change Tray Countertop Store Display.
Measuring 73/4 inches by 61/4 inches by 17/8 inches tall, this antique circa 1930s, Curtiss Baby Ruth Change Tray would be displayed on the countertop of a convenience store. When getting your change back, you would have the choice of leaving it and grabbing a pack of Baby Ruth Peppermint Gum. This display is marked on the bottom, “Made by The Brunhoff MFG Co.” On the left side is a glass change tray with a decal reading, “Real Mint, You Can’t Chew Out Its Flavor,” along with an image of the Curtis Baby Ruth Gum package. There is some wear to the gold lining on the inside, but there are no other problems. On the right side is a tin litho tray where the gum packs would be. It is marked “Curtiss Baby Ruth Peppermint Gum” and does have some light surface wear.
(Photo: eBay seller wwolst12)
DBA: This is an average auction price for a similar type tray.
Deborah Abernethy is a certified appraiser with the International Association of Appraisers. She can be contacted at 1-404-262-2131 or Deborah@expert-appraisers.com. Her website is www.expert-appraisers.com.

What’s Selling on eBay: August 2017