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

by Jessica Kosinski

We are happy to welcome our new writer for “What’s Selling on eBay” starting this month: Jessica Kosinski. If her name sounds familiar, it should. Jess has been the
writer for the Journal’s “Antiques Peek” since 2015 and is a freelance writer, blogger, and collector. Check out her blog at https://medium.com/@jkos_writing

$2,314 (Bids 75, Bidders 21) 1880 French Eugene Farcot Annular $692 (Bids 50, Bidders 16) Antique Vintage Miniature Brass
Rotary Mystery Antique Novelty Desk Clock. Fun to watch when Sinumbra Oil Lamp – W. Carleton, Boston. Up for auction today is an
operating, a true conversation piece. Wind it when you need it. Other than estate fresh Antique Vintage Miniature Brass Sinumbra Oil Lamp Signed
that, use it as a display. The clock runs for 12 hours. The alarm function on the brass tag – “MANUFACTURED BY W. CARLETON
is not working. There is some age-related yellowing on the original BOSTON.” The lamp measures 12 1/2 inches tall and 3 7/8 inches square
Paper/Cloth dial. Some age-related patina on the brass. There is a barely on the bottom. The lamp has been electrified as pictured. No breaks,
noticeable dent on top (pictured). See photos as part of the description. repairs, or restorations outside of what they did for electrification.
Made of solid Brass. Name brand stamp logo is visible on the bottom.” The small cap to the fuel reservoir on top of the font is missing.
(photos: rarityny) (photos: c.1901).

JK: The Argand oil lamp design was
first patented by Aime Argand in 1780
yet didn’t really become popular until
the 1820s. Argand’s lamp was brighter
than earlier oil lamps, but it still had
its flaws.
Another type of lamp called the
“sinumbra” was developed within the
same period. It was patented in France
around 1809-1810. Its original devel-
opment is attributed to Benjamin Thompson,
who was an American-born physicist living in
England at the time. The lamp’s name means
“without shadow” and refers to the lack of a
shadow-casting font (sometimes spelled fount)
or the container that holds the oil.
The “W. Carleton” on the lamp in the
JK: Henri-Eugène-Adrien Farcot was primarily known for two things. above auction listing refers to William
First, he was an avid balloonist. Second, he was a brilliant French clock- Carleton (1797-1876). He was a prominent
maker. He is most famous for his conical pendulum clocks. Nevertheless, manufacturer of predominantly brass items.
all of his clocks are quite desirable to collectors. His business was based in Charlestown,
Farcot famously produced elaborate clocks for world fairs and exhibi- Massachusetts. He is not to be confused with
tions throughout his career. One of those was the Exposition Universelle the British writer named William Carleton,
of 1867 in Paris, France. Another was the London Exhibition of 1862 in who lived during roughly the same time period
London, England. As a mechanical engineer, he was awarded 19 patents, (1794-1869).
16 of which are linked to horology. French Sinumbra lamps can sell for $800-$1,500 and more for a
His clocks have been known to sell for anywhere between a few pair in excellent condition. This lamp sold for a good price, although the
hundred dollars to $8,000 and higher. Because of the quality and details word “miniature” may have attracted the high number of bidders that
put into this example—even though it is not one of his more desirable participated. The size of this lamp is within the norm for what it is but its
clocks—it is no wonder bidders were willing to put in the time and effort early date and lack of a complete overhaul when converted for electricity
to win this lot. The enthusiasm amongst the final bidders did push the make it that much more worth the investment.
price slightly higher but not to the point of overpaying.
Farcot’s balloonist career was also amazing. In fact, he flew a mail Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance researcher and writer since 2001. She developed a passion for
balloon from Paris to Belgium when Paris was under siege in the early 1980s pre-1980s TV and films as a kid, and she has never grown out of it. Recently, she turned
1870s. The balloon was called the Louis Blanc. He later penned a book that passion into a retro TV and film blog. Follow along with her at medium.com/@jkos_writing,
as she dives deep into the characters, actors, quirks, and trivia that brought us some of the greatest
about the experience. films and shows in TV history and also discusses some of the more obscure films and shows most of
us may have forgotten.

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