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What's Selling on eBay: July 2016

What's Selling on eBay: July 2016

by Deborah Abernethy and Mike McLeod
$1,439 (29 bids, 9 bidders): Obsolete Antique City of Toledo Chief of Police Badge.
Measures approximately 2.75 x 2.25 inches across. The pin on the back is broken off.
(Photo: eBay seller sisterkess)

DBA: This badge is known as the “Fort Industry Design” and was first issued on July 1, 1909 and was worn until December 1925. Fort Industry was the first settlement in Toledo. These badges were made of bronze with nickel plating. The patrolmen had badges with their numeral numerals, while command officers displayed their rank. This one says “Chief,” so that elevates it. I would guess that this one is probably headed for the Toledo Police Museum.
$1,961 (50 bids, 23 bidders): 1890s Oak Wood Wooden Zeno Penny One Cent Gumball Machine Vendo.
This machine is in very good working condition and is also in very good cosmetic condition. It includes the key for the rear door. It has either been restored some time ago, or it is in very clean condition. Known for their very beautiful carved logo and slogans on both wood sides as well as the front base, these machines are a must for the vending and gum machine collector.
(Photo: eBay seller gypsiegirlz)
DBA: Considering the retail price for these early gumball machines, this one was a bargain. The first chewing gum was developed by Thomas Adams. Exiled Mexican President and General Santa Anna (yes, of the Alamo) brought with him lots of Mexican chicle, which he chewed. He sold the chicle to Thomas Adams who first intended to develop it as a rubber substitute which did not materialize because the chicle melted in the heat. His first gum machine was patented in 1871, and Adams began mass producing a chicle-based gum, the first being unflavored. In 1884, he made Black Jack gum and changed the shape from lumps to sticks. The first machine to dispense the round gumballs was not invented until 1907. This machine, although called a gumball machine, dispenses the stick form.
$1,247 (41 bids, 7 bidders): 1922 TEXAS A&M University of Texas Football Pennant Clark Field.
We are listing this estate-fresh, antique 1922 Texas A&M and University of Texas felt football game pennant. In fair-to-good, vintage, used condition free from tears, damages, or repairs. However, the felt is obviously stained and yellowed. Approximate maximum length is 39 inches and about 14 7/8 inches to its widest.
(Photo: eBay seller lackeyant)
DBA: This is not a typical pennant, but a tribute to a game listing the teams involved, a date, and a place. There have been three Clark Fields with the best known being a baseball field operating from 1928 to 1975. Obviously with a 1922 date, this was the first Clark Field which was probably a multi-use athletic field. It is a University of Texas facility. The rivalry is so intense between these two schools that the other is mentioned in each school’s fight songs. The Aggies won this game, but overall the University of Texas has prevailed. This pennant shows the Aggies winning.
$1,500 (44 bids, 14 bidders): Vintage Heddon Dowagiac Made In Michigan Antique Lure And Box, Unused Condition.
A vintage Heddon Dowagiac, Michigan, 142 antique fishing lure and box in unused condition. A beautiful lure which looks like as nice as when it came off of the store shelf in the 1920s. A very intricate, glass-eyed fishing lure with engraved propeller. White with red accents coloration. Quite the find. These are very old fishing artifacts.
(Photo: eBay seller bluestarantiques)
DBA: I believe the highest money paid for a fishing lure was $101,200 at auction. That lure was an 1853 Giant Haskell Minnow. The vintage Heddon Dowagiac sold had the original box and is unused, which makes it more valuable. From the box shown and the industry files, this lure dates from 1927. There are many fishing lure collectors, and this lure was a “find.” It is likely to increase in 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: July 2016