Page 8 - JOAApril21

eBay
WHAT’S SELLING ON eBay
WHAT’S SELLING ON

by Philip Hawkins and Mike McLeod

$996 (16 bids, 8 bidders): Antique Cauliflower molded Creamware $4,405 (10 bids, 4 bidders): Card of 12 Antique Buttons, Vintage Edith
Teapot, English, Staffordshire, 18th Century. Unmarked. teapot measures & Alan Brooks, Painted on Mother of Pearl. These buttons were likely
18.5cm wide from handle to spout and 12.5cm high. The diameter of the produced in the 1950s, made of mother of pearl with beautiful hand-painted
belly is 10.5cm, and the bottom is 7cm. Weight is 313 grams 11 oz.. Overall, detail. They were created by noted artists Edith and Alan Brooks and
it’s in a good-but-used condition; there is a hairline on the top. No restora- purchased at auction years ago as part of a larger collection. These appear to
tions. (Photos courtesy of eBay seller haestens.) be early examples. There are six rare NBS large-sized buttons in this group.
Subjects include a sea horse, a damsel, a fly, and a woman with a flower.
PH: This creamware teapot is known as There is a label on the back of the card that may be an original label
Cauliflower ware. These wares, modeled printed by Brooks to be displayed with their work. Overall, the condition is
and glazed to look like a head of cauliflower excellent. (Photos courtesy eBay seller sellmomsstuff.)
and other fruits and vegetables, were in
vogue and began in England in the mid- PH: Britons Edith & Alan Brooks designed
18th century. The English makers copied and painted buttons for clothing in the mid-
Meissen forms and products of other 20th century. While there are many refer-
European faience factories. Wedgwood, ences to them, there is not a lot of specific
who jobbed out the modeling only to history available. Their popularity in
apply the glazing in-house, and other England is traced to buttons given to Queen
Staffordshire potteries produced many Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother. Their
examples until about 1780 when fashions delight in them sparked interest – Americans
and demand changed. took note and began to collect them.
A similar teapot with creamer sold at The buttons are plastic, and the designs
auction for $1,400 in August 2019, and are hand-painted with a clear lacquer finish
three have sold in 2020 for $975 (in a to protect the work. Button cards had the
3-piece lot with creamer and waste bowl, following address—Trelandith Studio, 151
pot with chips), $1,300, and $1,850 (in a York Rd. Haxby, York—but no specific
3-piece lot with creamer and sauceboat, information on the studio name or address.
pot lid repaired). The price realized for Buttons for sale are brightly colored,
this eBay example is in line with similar whimsical, and feature stylized designs. I
recent offerings. found eight selling at auction in 2020 for
$200, a group of six selling for $150, and
two lots of only two selling for $160 and
$898 (28 bids, 12 bidders): Washington Brewing Pre-Prohibition Bock $140. On eBay, single buttons can reach
Beer Bottle Label, PA. Bock Beer label from an estate collection. Has some the $100 mark. This card is obviously rare
age evidence and discoloration, but would display nicely. (Photos and a couple of collectors were willing to
courtesy of bal777_2008.) pay a premium for it.

$605 (30 bids, 15 bidders): Antique Detroit Tigers, Ty Cobb, Old Mill
Cigarette, Baseball, White Silk. This auction is for a 1 5/8 inches by 2 3/4
inches Old Mill baseball white silk depicting Detroit Tigers outfielder Tyrus
Raymond Cobb (1886-1961), in very good condition with only a small pull
to the bottom. (Photo courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12.)

PH: Old Mill was one of the many cigarette
PH: Labels for beer bottles generally fall into the ephemera category and brands owned by The American Tobacco
began appearing in the U.S. around 1870. Pre-Prohibition labels are those Company founded in 1890 by J. B. Duke,
produced from then until the start of Prohibition in 1919. During this time, now Fortune Brands, Inc. In the early 20th
many changes in advertising and branding were driven by industrialization, century, they issued a variety of premiums in
immigration, technology, and economic growth. The valur of rare examples packs of cigarettes through as many as 18
are driven by availability, quality of the artwork, and condition. cigarette brands, including silks. Silks were
Washington Brewing Co. was located in Washington, PA, from 1845 often collected and made into pillow covers
to 1940. The factory shut down during Prohibition from 1919 to 1933, and quilt tops which can also be found.
after which it resumed operations. The factory building has since been Silks bought at auction are usually in
demolished. Washington Brewing products included Old Mule Ale, Royal lots, for less than $1 each. Rarities in subject or company of issue greatly
Brew Beer, Old German Pilsner Beer, Washington Lager Beer, Old affect the prices. A Ty Cobb silk issued by Turkey Red Cigarettes sold
German Beer, and Washington Bock. at auction for $800 in 2017, and Heritage Auctions sold one like this
In this instance, the company, condition, and artwork appear to be the example for $956 in 2016. Looks like the eBay buyer got a good deal.
value drivers. Many pre-Prohibition labels/bottles can be had for much less.
Philip Hawkins, ISA AM, AAG is an accredited member of the International
Society of Appraisers and a founding member of the Appraisers Association of
Georgia. He can be reached via the ISA website or at 404-320-7275.
6 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles