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What's Selling on eBay: May 2017

What's Selling on eBay: May 2017

by Deborah Abernethy and Mike McLeod
$1,525 (43 bids, 12 bidders): Pre-1923 BING German Live Steam Tin Articulated Toy Meat Cutter GBN.
In this auction, we have the first of four really cool, antique live steam tin toys; this one bearing the “GBN” mark which dates it before 1923 and identifies it as being made by the German toy company Bing, founded in 1863 by brothers Adolf and Ignaz Bing in Nuremberg. Decorated with litho and hand painted, when the wheel along the barrel is turned, both arms move up and down with ease, the knives chopping the surface with purpose! Measuring approx. 5-1/8″ tall by 5-1/4″ by 2-3/4″, there is appropriate age wear with scattered paint loss, and no apparent restorations.
(Photo: eBay seller estateauctionsinc)
DBA: While Bing trains, cars, and boat steam toys sell for high prices, usually these mechanical men doing tasks do not bring this money at auction. I have seen many of these that have sold for $100 to $150 at auction (where most of these are sold). These objects are few, but do not sell for the kind of money for which the vehicles sell. The seller got a great deal here. Most toys sell to older people who remember the toy from their childhood, and when they are gone, usually the high prices are gone.

$1,125 (56 bids, 25 bidders): 19th Century Victorian Antique Chinese Bronze Hawk & Peacock Umbrella Stand Floor Vase.
Cast in solid bronze, this 19th century Victorian Period, bronze umbrella stand was made in China. Applied to the 8-inch diameter body are flowers and branches, as well as an eagle about to attack a peacock. All of the details are hand chased into the bronze, and on the back is a landscape with waterfalls and a bird of paradise. The base measures 9.5″ in diameter and has an open border of flowers and birds. Originally, this 24″ tall stand had a dark patina; many years ago, this was removed, and over the years, it has developed a new bronzed patina. There are no other problems or restorations.
DBA: Something of this size in bronze would have to be expensive. For a bronze object, this is not the usual money that bronze would bring. The change in the patina could be one reason for selling for less money than usual.
$3,050 (50 bids, 23 bidders): Antique 1905 Calla Lilly Art Nouveau Eduard Stellmacher Amphora Art Pottery Vase.
Originally designed by Eduard Stellmacher, this large Amphora Art Pottery vase is titled Calla Lilly. It measures 22 3/4″ tall by 12″ at its widest point and depicts an Art Nouveau Fairy sitting on a large Lilly Plate. We have posted two close-up photographs so you can see two small chips to the pottery. There are no other problems or restorations.
(Photo eBay seller wwolst12)
DBA: The Amphora Porcelain Works was originally called Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel and was founded in 1892 in Teplitz (then Austria, now Czech Republic). They are known for Art Nouveau works, and these objects command high prices. They consistently marked their objects with the word “Amphora” (and usually the R.St.K mark in red) but became known as Amphora. This is more an auction value for the Calla Lily vase and must reflect the slight damage to this piece.
$64 (11 bids, 9 bidders): Pharmacy Drug Store Display Drawers Sign Blue Jay Corn & Bunion Plasters.
Constructed from heavy gauge cardboard, examples of this early 20th century, drug store display are difficult to find, especially in good condition. Measuring 8 3/8″ wide by 9″ long by 6 3/4″, this three-drawer display advertises for Blue Jay Cord & Bunion plasters and medicine. The back and two sides have brightly colored polychrome lithograph designs. It seems that the drug store that this display came from used the drawers for other patent medicines and added labels to the front. There also are advertisements added to the top. All three drawers work very well. You can see some roughness to the edges and comes, but overall this circa-1920s Blue Jay store display is in good condition and there are no restorations.
(Photo: eBay seller wwolst12)
DBA: This is an unusual item, but auction prices are right in line with this eBay price. I would say that the buyer got a good deal in that it can be sold for close to the same price, so money would not be lost. Advertising memorabilia has tended to hold value throughout the last many years.
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: May 2017