What's Selling on eBay: December 2016

by Deborah Abernethy and Mike McLeod
$1,547 (31 bids, 13 bidders): Mobile Space TV Unit with Trailer Rosko-Nomura c. 1962 Battery Op PA114.
Circa 1962, made in Japan, battery-operated, the toy is working. Rare toy, wonderful original condition. Bright litho, no damage or rust. No missing components. Bump-and-go action, lighted screen, moving camera, rotating antenna. Batteries are stored in the trailer. One rubber tread has split but can be easily repaired. Future Toy book grades this toy on a scale of D1-D8 as D5. It comes with its original box. Measures 10.5 inches.
(Photo: eBay seller howevalerie.)

DBA: The buyer got a deal as I have seen where this toy has sold for as much as $6,200. Since it was made in 1962, there are a few of these, and many of them do work.
$1,388 (11 bids, 5 bidders): Antique Kachina Doll, Morning Singer, Hopi polychrome.
Very old, 11 inches tall, Morning Singer? Rocks forward a little and won’t stand alone unless the toes are raised a tiny bit. Hand carved from cottonwood root. Not signed.
Photo: eBay seller painterswife2012)
DBA: Also called “Hopi katsina figures,” these were made to instruct young girls about the immortal beings that bring rain, control other aspects of the natural world, and act as messengers between human beings and the spirits. That the figure is made of cottonwood is important to being a real one. The look of this kachina is from the Late Traditional period (1910-1930). Clearly someone recognized the age of this doll and valued it. The pricey ones today are a bit “more showy.” Prices for these dolls vary tremendously.
$2,600 (32 bids, 14 bidders): Tagged 1930s Steiff Antique Pie-Eyed Mickey Mouse #1416 Miniature 7″ Disney.
This is an original Mickey Mouse Steiff stuffed 7-inch doll with the tags still attached! It comes to you in amazing condition – all 100% original. Mickey is missing his tail but is otherwise as perfect as you will ever find. He was produced from 1931 to 1936 by Steiff.
The tag on his ear is perfectly affixed and reads, “Steiff Original geschiitzt 1416 Made in Germany.” The round tag sewn onto his chest reads, “Steiff – Original Mickey Mouse Copyright Walt Disney.” The bottom of his left foot reads, “Mickey Mouse,” then I can’t make out the rest except “New York.”
This rare and hard-to-find Steiff depicts Mickey with four fingers and wearing tan pants with two buttons; both are still firmly affixed. He has both of his original whiskers, and they are also firmly attached. His velvet material is near perfect with no holes, tears or damage of note. Over 80 years old, you will be hard pressed to ever find this Mickey Mouse Steiff in better condition.
(Photo: eBay seller fullcircletoys770; Full Circle Toys, Newnan, GA)
DBA:  Top retail value on a similar Mickey would be between $3,500 and $4,500. Condition may be the most important factor in these dolls. While this one has just a few defects, the one that I saw selling for $690 had many more. These dolls were made in several sizes with the largest being 18 inches high and the smallest being 4.5 inches high.
$1,525 (28 bids, 11 bidders): Siebe Gorman London Antique Fireman Helmet, ca. 1878.
Up for bidding is this antique fireman helmet complete with air hose. The hoses originally would be fed with oxygen from foot-powered bellows. Overall, this helmet is very rare and in great condition considering its age. Dimensions: front to back is 12 inches excluding hoses. Top to bottom is 13 inches. Weight: 5 pounds. The viewer is not glass and is made from acrylic or something similar. But in overall great shape.
(Photo: eBay seller turnaroundrarities)
DBA:  These are very rare and hard to find. I did find one for sale at $3,600, so I would assume that the buyer got a deal on this one at $1,525. The company has an interesting history. This British company was founded by Augustus Siebe (1788-1872) and advertised itself as “submarine engineers,” mainly worked on diving equipment and breathing equipment. The company made the first diving helmet in 1830.
Deborah Abernethy is a certified appraiser with the International Association of Appraisers.  She can be contacted at 404-262-2131 or Deborah@expert-appraisers.com. Her website is www.expert-appraisers.com.

What’s Selling on eBay: December 2016