What's Selling on eBay: November 2018

by Deborah Abernethy and Mike McLeod
$2,805 (55 bids, 14 bidders): Antique American 1833 Ladies Anti-Slavery Society Broadside Hamilton Penn.
You can imagine my reaction when a good friend and picker handed me this 12 1/2 inch wide by 24 inch long by 4 inches tall top to a domed, paper-covered, pine chest. I’m thinking, “where is the rest of the chest?” He said, “Turn it over,” and then I saw this extremely rare American broadside. Slavery was abolished in the British West Indies with passage of the British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. This broadside advertises for a picnic to celebrate the British Abolition Act.
Organized anti-slavery sentiment in the United States was just starting, and the Ladies Anti-Slavery Society of Hamilton Village, Pennsylvania, was one of the earliest American organizations. You can find some information online about this society, but you will not find another example of this very rare 1833 broadside. It is possible that it is the only example to exist. Measuring on the curve, this broadside is 12 inches wide by 20 inches long. Pieces of another poster were added to the curved ends, bottom and sides. You can see that this rare, American anti-slavery broadside is in clean condition. It is certainly very important, but there is no way of determining its value. Some eBayer will win this piece of American slavery history.
(Photos courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12.)
DBA: I think that this would have sold for more money if it had not been glued onto this lid. (But, it may have not survived if it had not been glued to this lid.) Several anti-slavery broadsides could be found selling for similar amounts, and one was found that sold for $6,000 (hammer price) in 2016.

$3,450 (23 bids, 10 bidders): Antique Wooden H.E. Boucher Live Steam Engine Toy Pond Boat Steamboat.
It is a beautiful example, circa 1930s, and in very good original condition. It measures 38 inches long from bow tip to the back of the rudder. Complete with burner in place. This boat also comes with the cabin cruiser optional deck piece that has electrical wiring for lighting. Most of these boats are seen with the open top configuration; the deck cabin is an original optional Boucher part. The boat has not been run by myself, and probably not run for quite some time, but with a little effort, it should be a running steamboat. Also includes operating instructions. This is a very attractive original condition boat. Overall, a wonderful example.
(Photo, eBay seller gypsiegirlz)
DBA: This is market value or what similar steam toy boats have sold for at auction. I have not found dealers with these for sale since they are rare. I would think that it is difficult to find toys in any great number that would not require restoration. Auction seems to be the most prevalent market to find or sell a similar one. The market for this type of toy has not changed significantly in the last two decades. The condition is really good for a toy that is from the 1930s.

$870 (40 bids, 11 bidders): Huge Antique Early Old 1890’s Leather Melon Football, Vintage.
Take a look at what we have here! Up on the auction block is a mid-to-late 1890s leather Melon football! The leather is in game-used but great condition! There are lots of gridiron battle scars but no major damage. It is soft and supple and still very strong! It has a great shine and a great look! The dark brown patina is 100% worn original! No dyes, colored polishes, or coloring of any kind used. It has thick period leather laces that look great!
When we acquired this beast, it was stuffed with old paper. We removed the paper and added a seamless rubber bladder to bring it back to its original shape and look. This beast measures 11 inches long by a whopping 23 inches round! There are no visible markings on the ball, but we believe it to be a Reach. Reach was known for making 8-lace footballs in the 1890s and into the early 1900s. Early period Melon footballs are getting harder and harder to come by! When’s the next time you will see a gem like this one? This awesome 1890’s Melon football will look killer displayed in your home, office, sports room, etc.! It will be the head-turner of your collection!
(Photo courtesy of eBay seller hammersportsrelics.)
DBA: These are hard to find, and selling prices were all over the place. I did find a 1902 Yale University used football with the name of the 1902 team that they beat offered for sale by a dealer for $1,200, and another one that was circa 1920 offered for sale for $100. The highest price that was registered in past auction sales was $200. All that being said, these just aren’t found for sale for long, so I would assume the market is strong.

$1,299 (16 bids, 10 bidders): 19th C. Antique Native American Indian Plains Cheyenne Beaded Doll Cradle Board.
Late-19th century Southern Plains Native American child’s doll cradle board, probably Cheyenne Indian. Willow cane construction, partially beaded with geometric-and-cross motif on soft, brain-tanned, sheepskin hide. Measures 10 inches in length. Very good condition with minor bead loss and needle repair to cradle cover on one side.
(Photo courtesy of eBay seller roundhouse-antiques.)
DBA: The buyer got a tremendous deal. Even at auction, these can sell for much more. Cowan’s sold one that was just a little larger but similar in design for $16,000 hammer price! The seller may have gotten a higher price if provenance had been included. Most large auction houses state the provenance, have items authenticated, and offer refunds if the item is determined to not be as stated. More information on previous ownership could make buyers more confident.

$5,865 (38 bids, 20 bidders): Antique Old Style Indian Wars Medal No 200 Red Ribbon + Button US Army.
Medal #200 was issued to Hardin, Charles B., Major, retired 16-Jul-08. Capt. Hardin was in the 1st Cavalry and was promoted from Sergeant to 2nd lieutenant in the 18th Infantry. He made captain in 1898. Condition: no damage aside from normal wear.
(Photo courtesy of eBay seller eastwooddenver.)
DBA: There is a lot of incorrect information circulating about these medals. The Indian Campaign Medal is a decoration established by War Department General Orders 12, 1907. The medal was retroactively awarded to any soldier of the U.S. Army who had participated in the American Indian Wars against the Native Americans in the years 1865 to 1891. These medals are being made today, even though there is no one alive that would meet the qualifications to receive one. Yet, these are still being made and not by the U.S. Government.
The ribbon looked suspect to me at first, but in doing research, I discovered that the initial medal had all red ribbon (actually red with a darker red edging), and the black stripes were added in 1917. It is hard to find the ribbon in good condition on these. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding these medals which were essentially given for killing Native Americans.
This is the highest price that I have seen for this object. Another problem with valuing this type of medal is that companies other than the U.S. Government were making these at the time they were initially being awarded, and a former soldier could buy one without going through the necessary government paperwork. That is why there are huge variations in selling prices. These early ones with this ribbon sell for the most money.

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: November 2018