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

by Philip Hawkins and Mike McLeod

$14,600 (75 bids, 18 bidders): Rare, important 18th Century Antique
Commemorative Declaration of Independence, Linen. After searching
the internet for quite a while, we were only able to find three other examples
of the rare, copperplate, printed, linen handkerchief we are listing and only
one that is as old an example as this. There are slightly different variations
of it with different borders; however, this example matches the one that is
currently in the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. It has the
same “Stars & Rope” border, and this museum states that this design is a
first printing and dates from circa 1778. All the other examples we found $33,450 (51 bids, 19 bidders): 1926 Indian
have different borders and were all referred to as printed for the fifty-year Ohv Racer. Very rare 1926 Indian Altoona-style
celebration, circa 1826. race bike. Owned by the late Ron Sabeys of
This very rare, 18th century commemorative handkerchief depicts a California, coming from his amazing collection
facsimile of the Declaration of Independence with portraits of George of American motorcycles. This bike is absolutely
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. Printed in a deep red ink one of its kind, featuring a factory O.H.V. racing
on very fine linen, this handkerchief has scenes in the lower corners of exposed top end. The engine is rebuilt, and every-
the Boston Tea Party and General Burgoyne’s surrender to General Gates thing has been put together very well.
at Saratoga. The condition is original and clean. A previous owner has If you are looking for a very unique motorcycle, look no further.
smoothly and carefully mounted this handkerchief onto a backboard using Here is your chance to own one of the rarest Indians in the world.
very tiny, removable stitches around the border. Measuring 31 by 33 inches, Perfect for any collector, racer, or museum. (photos courtesy of eBay
this large handkerchief comes ready to display in a 35 1/4-by-37 1/2-inch seller vintagedreams970.)
frame with no glass. (photos courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12.)
PH: In 1897, the Hendee Manufacturing Co. was founded as a bicycle
maker by George Hendee and with co-founder and chief engineer Oscar
Herdstrom. The company’s first factory opened in Springfield, Mass., in
1901. The first production was essentially a bicycle with an engine, and the
company adopted the Indian name from a bicycle; the company eventually
changed its name to Indian in 1923.
Indian had competitive racing and long-distance success from 1905 to
1924 after introducing a V-Twin engine and subsequent modified versions
of the engine. Competition success encouraged company growth and inno-
vation. New motorcycles were introduced in the 1920s and ‘30s.
As with many American production companies, Indian struggled
following WWII and ultimately ceased production in 1953. There have
been several revivals of the brand since.
Indian was once one of the two largest American cycle makers; yet,
relatively few appear for sale. The following have been reported sold at
auction: Dan Morphy Auctions sold a 1916 V-Twin with sidecar for
$29,000 in Oct. 2015; a 1924 Indian Scout realized $24,500 at Preston
Opportunities Auction in May 2014, and a 1915 Indian Big-Twin sold at
RM Auction in 2011 for $47,000.

PH: Commemoratives to recognize events and
anniversaries have been popular for centuries. $8,794 (57 bids, 11 bidders): Authentic
In the early 19th century as the United States Antique Signed Tiffany Studios NY
was approaching the 50th anniversary of the Bronze Linenfold Glass Lamp, 1938. You
Declaration of Independence, a Scottish textile are bidding on an original bronze harp desk
manufacturer, Colin Gillespie, produced this lamp signed, “Tiffany Studios New York
design in 1821 based on the engraving of 1819 1938,” on the shade trim. The socket and
by William Woodruff—which pretty much indicates the production cord have been replaced but original condi-
cannot be earlier. Apparently, from references, there are examples with at tion otherwise. Condition is very fine with
least three border design variations. In 1821, a “glowing” review of the only minor age-related wear.
handkerchief appeared in the New York newspaper The National Advocate The ten-sided linenfold Favrile shade has
and also in the Baltimore Patriot newspaper to further document age and no chips and measures 7.5 inches across and
date of production. 5.5 inches tall. The footed base is 8 inches
I was able to find multiple museum holdings, but also retail and auction across; the lamp sits about 20 inches high,
offerings, of the handkerchief. Another poorer example was available on weighs 6 pounds.
eBay buy-it-now for $2,800. One sold at Swann Auction Galleries in New Only a few similar lamps have changed
York for $4,500 in 2019. Christie’s Auction sold one in 2020 for $3,000, hands in recent years, and comparable sales
and on the flip side, retailer Seth Keller offered one for $28,000. Our eBay range from $13k to $56k. (photos courtesy of Curiosity Consignment,
seller should be thrilled with the sale. Gaithersburg, MD, eBay seller curiosityconsignmentstore.)

12 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles