What's Selling on eBay: December 2018

by Deborah Abernethy and Mike McLeod
$342 (16 bids, 6 bidders): Antique Vintage Celluloid Santa Flying Zeppelin Airship Christmas Aviation Ornament.
The piece is about 5 1/4 inches long, 2 5/8 inches tall, and is marked “USA.” Item is complete, all original and in fine condition.
(Photo courtesy of eBay seller pinehorse)
DBA: A similar ornament was sold in 2015 for $150. It was red instead of blue. That may be more of an indication of the eBay market rather than the regular auction market. It takes a bit more effort to source these items out at auction and then get approval to bid online each time. Despite having found one so similar, Zeppelin toys routinely sell for similar sums of money so my thoughts are that this is more of a market price for this object. This is also an example of crossover categories as the Zeppelin toys routinely sell more than Christmas ornaments.

 
$13,433 (74 bids, 20 bidders): Antique 1860 Honest Old Abe Abraham Lincoln-Hamlin Presidential Campaign Ribbon.
I have searched the internet every way possible, and finding another example of this authentic, 1860 Abraham Lincoln presidential campaign ribbon has proven to be impossible. Measuring 5 3/4 inches long by 2 3/8 inches, this delicate silk ribbon is so thin and fine, you can almost see through it when held up to the light. The bright red and white printing reads “Lincoln & Hamlin … Wide A Wakes” at the top, and below this is a beardless Abe on an American Shield. Finally, at the bottom it reads, “Honest Old Abe.” Have you ever seen another example of this 1860 presidential campaign ribbon? In our photographs, you can see there is a light fold to the silk in the upper right corner as well as a couple of small foxing spots, but that’s it! Overall, it is a rare Lincoln silk ribbon in excellent, clean condition.
(Photo courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12)
DBA: Wow, I knew that the market for Presidential memorabilia was strong, but this really shows it. Unusual for this ribbon is the color as most that are found are in black and white. This is a high price, but I believe it may be the multiple colors. The usual black and white with the beardless Lincoln are about half this cost. This is just a rare object!

 
$2,314 (14 bids, 8 bidders): Michael Tiernan Antique Baseball NewsBoy Trading Tobacco Cabinet Card.
A late 1880s cabinet photo/tobacco card of baseball player and famous home run hitter, Michal Tiernan. This is an amazing cabinet card, part of a fantastic lot that was found in an estate attic. Here is some information on Michael Tiernan courtesy of Wikipedia: “Michael Joseph Tiernan (January 21, 1867-November 7, 1918), nicknamed ‘Silent Mike,’ was an American professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball exclusively for the New York Giants from 1887 to 1899. Tiernan led the National League in home runs in 1890 and 1891 and compiled a .311 lifetime batting average. He is the Giants’ all-time franchise leader in triples and stolen bases. One of the great home run hitters of the 19th century, he hit 106 of them, which ties him with Hall of Famer Dan Brouthers for fourth most among 19th century ball players.”
(Photo courtesy of 3restatefinds, The Estate Shoppe in Franklinville NJ)
DBA: These types of cards do bring a high amount. This is not an unusual or extremely high price for a baseball card this old. Mike Tiernan may not be a name that everyone knows, but looking at his stats, if he had not been injured and had played longer, he probably would have been. For baseball addicts, he is known. He is from the era of Honus Wagner whose baseball card was sold for $2.8 million. The “Jumbo Wagner” card holds the record at $3.12 million. Although the size has not been stated, the smaller card was more common. I think the buyer got a deal.

 
$378 (34 bids, 11 bidders): Antique L.A Darling Co. Bronson MI Bronze Lighted Cigar Store Counter Metal Sign
This is an antique L.A. Darling Co. of Bronson, Michigan, bronze metal lighted cigar store counter sign. It is very well made, circa 1930s. It measures 16 inches wide by 12 inches tall and 5 inches deep at the base. The L.A. Darling decal is still on the back. It is lighted from the base to give the glass panel a glow. It has an “Airliner Cigar” from Bay City Michigan ad in the panel. The original cloth cord functions, but I would replace it if you are going to use the sign. Overall, a unique old sign.
(Photos courtesy of eBay seller gypsiegirlz)
DBA: I would say that the buyer got a deal; reproductions of this are selling on Wayfair for close to this amount.
$6,100 (29 bids, 9 bidders): Rare Antique Fire Steam Pumper Engine Signal Lantern Lamp by American LaFrance (?).
A museum item in exceptional condition, it served as a signaling device on the fire steam engine before the 1870s. After some research, everything seems to lead it to being a lantern of an American LaFrance fire steam because the eagle on the top is its emblem. The building appears to be the Barnum’s American Museum Building era 1865 in New York.
It is in brass, and the interior has been converted electrical. Measured without the wood base is 8 x 8 x 20 inches and with the wooden base, 26 inches in height. The windows are perfect and measure 6 inches in diameter.
(Photos, courtesy of eBay seller maximebelaire)
DBA: Another rare item! I could find a similar one that sold for $5,001 in 2015. This one sold on eBay has more features. When an item is so rare, it is hard to make predictions as to whether it is a good buy or more about the market. Markets are driven by the number of collectors who want an item. But my gut tells me this one is spectacular enough to hold its value.
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 2018