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

by Philip Hawkins and Mike McLeod

$5,400 (45 bids, 14 bidders): Rare Antique 19th C J & E Stevens Cast $1,725 (21 bids, 8 bidders): Antique Dunhill 9K
Iron Professor Pug Frog Mechanical Bank. If you search online, you will Gold London, 1930s, Lift-Arm Lighter. Lift-arm
see several different versions of this antique J & E Stevens’ “Professor Pug lighter with machined surface and applied
Frogs Great Bicycle Feat” cast iron mechanical bank. Most of them have a monogram, “JGS,” marked .375 (9K) gold. The
coin holder on the back of the bicycle. The bank in this auction is a rare, overall condition is very good. Measures 1.4 inches
earlier example of that bank that does not have this coin holder. Instead, wide by 1.7 inches high. Weighs 32.7 grams.
the coin goes into the frog’s mouth. (photo courtesy of eBay seller e-bidiot.)
After creating this bank, Stevens realized that the weight of the coin,
added with the centrifugal force of the strong spring, was sometimes too PH: Alfred Dunhill Ltd. is an
much so the coin would only go into the proper slot about 50% of the English luxury goods brand. Begun
time. This is when they decided to change the back foot-post on the bike as a saddlery business, Dunhill
into a coin holder. Designed with the weight of the coin on the back of the quickly focused on accessories and
bike, the rotation was slowed down slightly, and therefore, the bank was clothing for early motorists.
more accurate. Dunhill opened its first tobacconist
This rare and authentic 19th century Professor Pug Frog Bank is and pipe shop in 1907 and introduced a one-hand
in very good, original, lighter in 1927. Lighters were offered in many
working condition. finishes: gold, gold-filled, two-tone, with decorative
There is some wear to engraving, monograms, and even inset clocks in
the original paint, but varying styles.
there are no breaks or This 1930s 9K gold lighter has machine
any restorations to the engraving, an applied side monogram, and full
cast iron. The spring is identification of the owner engraved on the base. Its selling price is in line
still strong, and Mother with similar lighters. A premium would be paid for higher carat gold, an
Goose’s wagging tongue inset watch, or a unique or celebrity ownership.
is still retained. So is the
original coin trap door.
(Photos courtesy of eBay $1,747 (12 bids, 8 bids): Antique Victorian Port Phillip WWI Light
seller wwolst12.) Horse VMR Brass Enamel Hat Badge. This item is antique WWI,
circa 1918, used but in good condition for its age and use. All the inlaid
enamelwork is intact, and there are no dents or damage to the front of
the badge. It has two loops that are firmly attached to the back; one of
them is a little squashed. It could do with a professional cleaning. (photos
courtesy of eBay seller knightsgold from Australia.)

PH: These badges were produced from 1912-1929 for the Port Phillip
(Australia) 29th Light Horse Regiment V.M.R. [Victoria (Volunteer)
Mounted Rifles]. The VMR were mounted defense regiments
organized along cavalry lines (mounted transport and dismounted
engagement); they consisted of 25 officers and 400 men divided into
four squadrons.
Apparently, the badges from this particular regiment are considered
quite rare and bring upwards of $1,000, while badges of other regiments
of similar age command less than $300. Collar badges were also made.

PH: John and Elisha Stevens organized their business in Cromwell, CT in
1843 with the idea of producing iron hardware and a few toys (child’s
stoves, cannon, tops, locomotives, etc.). They introduced the firecracker
pistol in 1859 and figural banks in 1869. Over the next 60 years, they
received patents on 84 different iron banks. By 1928, cap pistols were their
primary focus, though a few bank patents exist into the 1930s. The iron
shortage brought on by WWII effectively put the company out of
business; what was left was absorbed by Buckley in 1950.
This bank is one of the most complicated they produced with many
moving parts. Excellent examples with good original paint will bring
$14,000-$16,000 at auction. In this instance, the price was probably fair
to both buyer and seller. This bank has also been reproduced, but those
should not be hard to detect. Look for poor, inferior metal, poor casting Philip Hawkins, ISA AM, AAG is an accredited member of the International
detail, modern screws, and too bright of paint or cleverly aged paint. 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.

8 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles