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

by Philip Hawkins and Mike McLeod

$3,300 (60 bids, 22 bidders): Antique 1831 Ships Maritime Velum
Passport, Brig Solo, Signed Andrew Jackson. Measuring 11 inches by
14 1/4 inches, this United States velum ship’s passport is signed by the 7th
President of the United States of America, Andrew Jackson (1767-1845).
The bold signature of the president is a full 6 inches long. Dated August
12, 1835, this maritime document is in choice very fine condition. There
are two vignette engravings at top depicting a tall ship and a lighthouse.
This document reads, in part: “By the President of the United States of
America Suffer the Brig Solo of New York, John F. Wingaros Master
Commander, of One Hundred Sixty Nine +90/95 tons ... with two guns,
navigated with nine men, To Pass with her Company Passengers Goods
and Merchandise without any hindrance seizure or molestation …” This
maritime document is countersigned by Secretary of State Martin Van
Buren (1782-1862). There is a cut on the scalloped top edge and the orig-
inal folds, but overall, this 1831 velum document is in very good, original
condition. The President’s wax seal of the United States is in the lower left-
hand corner and is fully intact. (Photos courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12.)

PH: It appears that this
document is one of those
issued under a treaty $2,070 (87 bids, 17 bidders): Antique Jersey Cream Roasted Coffee
negotiated with the North Tin Litho 5 lb. Cream Can by W.F. McLaughlin & Co., Chicago, IL.
African Barbary Coast What incredible jersey dairy cow graphics! This can is early and shows
nations to curtail piracy some scattered age and usage but is still absolutely beautiful! There are
of American trade vessels scattered little nicks and scratches. There is scattered minor, expected gold
before the U.S. Navy litho wear. The shoulder shows some litho wear and a slight center indent.
could protect U.S. inter- There is some very shallow and minor, scattered, expected indenting …
ests on the seas. Morocco nothing bad.
signed a treaty in 1796,
and other nations PH: The W. F. McLaughlin & Co. was founded in Chicago in 1852 by Irish
followed over the next immigrant William F. McLaughlin and was sold by his descendants
several years. This, from to National Dairy Co. in 1967. McLaughlin was the first to introduce
the U.S. Customs website: pre-roasted coffee in 1881 under the “XXXX” brand when virtually all coffee
“Passports were designed was sold green to be roasted at home. McLaughlin was also innovative
with a curved, scallop- by establishing his own plantations in Brazil enabling him to undercut his
shaped cut-out top edge, competition on price.
engraved illustrations, and I was able to locate a 1906 McLaughlin price list which includes the
an official seal, and were listing, “Fancy Cans and Tins” under which are four fancy cans:
printed on vellum (parch- Commodore, Harvest, Anti-Trust and Milk Can, and Jersey Cream. Milk
ment made of treated Can and Jersey Cream is further explained as a “6 qt. milk can holding
animal skin, used instead 4.5-5 lbs. of coffee, 10 cans to a case, coffee @ 18.5 cents per pound net.”
of fiber-based paper). To Additionally of interest, the price list includes 56 (!) brands of coffee from
authenticate documents, Barbary Coast officials were sent examples for which to choose. So, it appears that the can could contain your choice of
comparison, including the matching curved piece from the top edge. Holes brand of coffee and did not refer to the brand of coffee inside, just simply
punched through the official signatures indicated a canceled document …” serving as a large decorative canister that could be reused.
Interestingly, these documents provided passage for the ship, but all aboard eBay sales of this example include: one sold in January 2021 for $95;
were expected to have passport documents, too. March 2020 for $62; December 2018 for $185; May 2015 for $72. All
It appears our subject example has had the scalloped top cut off unless with more wear than the subject can. At LiveAuctioneers.com, it was
it is folded over behind. I was able to locate a number of these documents reported two cans brought $750 at Showtime Auction Service, and a single
(identical) that had been sold at auction: CRN Auctions sold one signed at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2009 sold for $2,250.
by Andrew Jackson in 2016 for $1,000; another in 2017 by Jackson sold This tin was intended to last longer than many of the era and was a
at Bruneau Auction for $700 (in lesser condition); and in 2018, one signed canister that could be refilled. Often, early packaging—even metal—was
by James Monroe and John Quincy Adams sold for $400 at CRN disposed of. Advertising collectibles are popular across a plethora of
Auctions. Most recently, Heritage Auctions sold versions signed by James categories with rarity and condition generally the drivers of price.
Madison and James Monroe for $1,650 and $4,300. In 2019 on eBay, one
signed by Abraham Lincoln sold for $7,400. Condition and presidential
signer are factors contributing to interest and prices realized. $3,050 (125 bids, 6 bidders): Antique Dining Demitasse Creamer
Other American maritime passport versions exist, and other countries D&RG, Denver Rio Grande Railroad. Railroad hotel restaurant, flower
issued similar documents as well. green, white. Railroad, perhaps Denver & Rio Grande early days or related
item or a hotel or some such restaurant ware, dining room car china

8 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles