Page 11 - JOA-July-22

locate the reported sale of another Davis example and could only locate
other collection examples.
The most expensive reported auction sale of an orrery I found was at
Freemans in 2009 for a Grand Orrery selling for $49,000. In April 2022,
Hindman Auctions sold a George III portable table orrery by William
Jones, London (c. 1795) for $22,000. Most reported auction sales of
antique and vintage examples sell up to $5,000. The more complicated the
example, the higher the price. At Live Auctioneers between 2009 and 2015, four were reported sold rang-

ing from $650 to $1,600 at Dan Morphy (U.S.) and Hall’s Auction
(Canada). Elsewhere, two were reported sold by Wm. Morford Auction in
(shown previous page) $4,810 (38 bids, 18 bidders): Antique German
Bisque Open Closed Eyes Doll Head, “128 2 Germany,” Kestner? This 2010 and 2012 for $3,850 and $2,530, respectively.
Prior eBay sales include one selling for $1,449 in 2018, and one in Feb.
doll head is from a collection recently acquired, but I am no expert on
dolls. The doll head is marked “128 2 Germany” and measures 3.5 inches 2021 showing lithograph wear and fading brought $700. The price is in
line for a hot collectible in good condition.
tall, and the eyes open and close. (Photos of courtesy of eBay seller
mgscan1.)

PH: As suggested, it appears likely that this doll head was made by Kestner $3,627 (22 bids, 14 bidders):
Vintage Antique Beistle Halloween
based on the numbers incised in the porcelain and comparing it to later
marked versions. It appears to be the same face. It is likely that this is an Decoration Lantern. Very Rich
Colors! ! It’s in Mark Ledenbach’s
early mark, c. 1900, and would indicate it to be a model 168, size 2, and
has sleep eyes, which are weighted to open and close by tilting the head, book, Vintage Halloween Collectibles,
page 32. This is the 12-inch version of
and a closed mouth.
Reported auction sales via Live Auctioneers include a 26-inch, marked this rare lantern. The bottom tab has
“K 1/2 MADE IN GERMANY,” 128, 14 1/2, with brown sleep eyes, become disconnected. The colors are
very rich and bright; see Mark’s com-
closed mouth, blonde mohair wig, and plaster pate with paper mâché ments posted on his website on
body; it sold for $600. In 2020 at Alderfer Auctions, a 16-inch doll marked
August 30th, 2013.
“4 Germany 11 128” with a jointed composition body and dressed as a This definitely will be a showstop-
nurse sold for $875. I expect there were doll collectors out there that knew
exactly what they were seeing. per in your collection! It has a rarity
rating of 2, so it may be a long while
before another one comes up in
$2,958 (54 bids, 18 bidders): Antique Torpedo Short Cut Tin Litho collectible condition. (Photos cour-
Vertical Pocket Tobacco Can, tesy of eBay seller the_ real_walrus.)
Submarine, Navy. When I
found this tin, there was a note
inside that said it was restored. If PH: Halloween décor and parties for adults became popular
there was no note, I would not in the first quarter of the 20th century. Companies such as Beistle/H. E.
have believed it! I think I can see Luhrs and Dennison in the U.S. along with imports from Germany pro-
a little restoration on the right duced quality printed products for decorations and party favors. The col-
seam side. I truly do not know lecting of this memorabilia spiked in the late 20th century, and it is still a
what all was restored. The colors strong collecting category. Many items have been reproduced, and Beistle
and light wear look right on and Dennison are still in business. Items produced during the 1920s and
front and back. Absolutely beau- ‘30s are the most prized.
tiful! (Photos courtesy of eBay For this particular Beistle collectible Jack-o-Lantern, virtually all
seller hat-trick.) reported sales are and have been through eBay listings. The item
apparently came in several sizes, but I am only including 12-inch examples
PH: Canadian tobacco manu- that match the one sold here. Reported eBay sales (via Worthpoint)
facturer Rock City Tobacco was include: 12 inches in 2017, $700; 12 inches complete, eBay in 2017,
founded in 1899 in Quebec. $630; 12 inches good, but with honeycomb losses, in 2018, $100; and 12
Its name was taken from the inches complete with some edge wear, eBay 2019, $1,300. Since these are
geographic location of Quebec. paper, condition within the group will drive the interest and the price.
The smallest of four major
Canadian tobacco companies, its
products have long been sought
by collectors of tobacciana as
their products, tins, and adver-
tising are considered memorable.
Apparently, the Canadians
liked all things nautical/naval
and Rock City tobacco had
many related brand names:
American Navy, King George
Navy, World Navy, Britannia,
May Flower, Navy Plug, Ocean,
and Torpedo.
I found that Torpedo tins are
offered occasionally at auction.
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.
July 2022 9