“What’s It Worth” Antiques Minute Understanding The Antiques And Collectibles Pecking Order

By Michael Ivankovich

Here’s a concept that’s not often discussed: the antiques and collectible pecking order. What I mean is that there are different levels within the trade, and it’s sometimes interesting to watch an item move from one level to the other and how “value” changes at each level.

This is a true story and a good example of what I mean. Some years ago my friend purchased an antique country wooden bucket in original blue milk-based paint at a garage sale for $1 (level one). We met the next day at a flea market where we were both set up, and he sold it to me for $10 (level two). It was a fair price, and I had no intention of selling it. My plan was to take it home and add it to my collections. Temporarily, I placed it in my van. The next thing I knew, another dealer who happened to be shopping the flea market saw the bucket and asked its price. I said it wasn’t for sale. Before long, the offer was $200, and I couldn’t say no any longer. I accepted the $200 and split it with my friend. I later learned that the new owner was a high-end antiques dealer. He took it to an antiques show (level three) where he was exhibiting that weekend, and I heard through the grapevine that he sold it for $500 to an advanced collector (level four).

The point of this vignette is that something purchased for $1 at a garage sale on a Saturday morning traded hands several times, subsequently selling for $10, then $200, and finally for $500, all the next day. This illustrates the way merchandise can move through the antiques and collectibles chain or pecking order, until it finally reaches the ultimate retail buyer.

This type of exchange used to be common when farm and regular house sales took place every Saturday and dealers would take their purchases the following day to the various markets in Adamstown to sell.

What a great business we’re in.

What’s it worth? Eventually almost every collector reaches the point where they decide to sell their collections. Age, health, death, divorce, declining interest, a pending move or downsizing, debt or financial obligations can motivate individuals to sell. There’s a lot of great merchandise coming back into the marketplace today, with even more returning in the coming years. This is great news if you’re a collector because, with fluctuating prices and fresh merchandise, there probably hasn’t been a better time to collect over the past generation.

Mike Ivankovich is an auctioneer, appraiser, home downsizing expert, and host of the “What’s It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser” radio show that airs live in the PhiladelphiaareaonFridaymornings from 9:30-10:30 a.m. EST on WBCB1490AMandontheInternet at www.WBCB1490.com. You can alsovisithisradioshowwebsiteat www.AskMikeTheAppraiser.com. Further details can also be found at www.michaelivankovich appraisals.com.

HARDY’S AUCTION SERVICE

AH000010L

717-432-8246 or 717-432-3779

Poster Auction

Continued from page 1 rare works by these top designers.”

Rarities indeed reigned supreme at this auction, garnering several unexpectedly high sales. An anonymous ca. 1969 design featuring a mod Twiggy-esque muse “Pan Am / England” enraptured collectors, leading to a $9,600 winning bid over its estimate of $1,700-$2,000. Bidders were similarly passionate about Alexis Kow’s 1929 “Grand Prix du Cap d’Antibes,” which handily surpassed its estimate of $4,000-$5,000 for a final win of $14,400. And the anonymous 1881 design, “Buffalo Bill / He-Nu-Kaw (The first born),” was a must-have for fans of Buffalo Bill. The exceptional poster earned a win of $12,000 against its $4,000-$5,000 estimate. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium. For the master of Art Nouveau, Alphonse Mucha, the trend continued; his original works and rarest variants were the most sought-after this auction. The top sale of this auction was his 1899 “Femme au Rocher,” one of four signed and numbered sculptures using the “cire perdue” technique. It was secured for $72,000. Two original drawings also sold well, his ca. 1930 portrait of his daughter, “Jaroslava,” went for $45,600 (est. $25,000-$30,000), and his 1929 “Portrait of a Slavic Girl” sold for $19,200 (est. $10,000$12,000). His 1900 pocket watch depicting the Automne maiden from his “Seasons” series captured a winning bid of $45,600 (est. $40,000$50,000). Two of his decorative panels nearly doubled their estimates, his 1899 “Dawn” sold for $12,000 (est. $6,000$8,000), and the 1899 “Dusk” went for $14,400 (est. $6,000$8,000).

Leonetto Cappiello also inspired favorable bids at auction. Top poster sales include his 1902 “Suc du Velay,” which sold for $4,800 (est. $3,500$4,000); his 1903 “Les Parfums de J. Daver” was won for $5,280 (est. $5,000-$6,000); and the 1925 “Sancta” went for $5,280 (est. $4,000-$5,000). Poster Auctions International is located at 26

W. 17th St., New York, N.Y. For further information, email info@poster auctions.com or visit www.posterauctions.com.

- Joab, David’s Army General; Almanacs of 1861, 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s; Battle of Britain; Prelude to War; American Historical Encyclopedias - 1851-1945; The Vital Spark (101 Outstanding Lives from Soloman to Winston Churchill; Building the Independent Subway in NYC, 1932; History of the Steam Five Engine; Our National Calamity (of Five Floods & Tornadoes); Colossus - Building Hoover Dam; History of the Riverboats. Collectibles & Dishware: Old Nativity Set and Figurines!;

An anonymous artist original poster for “Pan Am / England,” ca. 1969, sold for $9,600. Alexis Kow’s “Grand Prix du Cap d’Antibes” from 1929 realized $14,400.

Cackleberry Farm

Continued from page 1

The huge, 26,000-squarefoot facility houses a wide variety of antiques and collectibles displayed by over 125 dealers. Merchandise featured includes fine items such as furniture, glassware, sterling silver, clocks, advertising, jewelry, fine china, toys, books, postcards, trains, Christmas items, pottery, linens, primitives, kitchenware, and much more.

Housed inside the antique mall is an Old Time General Store. Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall offers convenient parking for over 100 vehicles, with a spacious area for campers, trailers, and tour buses. The shop is clean, climate-controlled, brightly lit and carpeted. Many items in the wide assortment of merchandise are on sale for a limited time.

Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and debit cards. Gift certificates, layaway, and shipping are available. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special hours for Monday, Sept. 4, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call 717-442-8805 during business hours or visit www.cackle berryfarmantiquemall.com.

FIREARMS: Smith & Wesson 19.4 357mag Revolver, Browning 12ga Trap Shotgun, Steyr M95 Rifle, Mosin Nagant M38 7.62 Rifle, Taurus 145 ACP Pistol, LeFever 12ga Shotgun, Kimber 9mm Pistol, EIG Mod E15 .22 Revolver, S&W Mod 6904 9mm Pistol, Remington & Marlin .22 Rifles, Black Powder Pistols. CURRENCY: 1922 $20 Gold Certificate, 1907 $5

U.S. Note, 1928B $20 Gold Note, 1923 #1 Lg Silver Cert, 1917 $1 Lg Note, 1899 $1 Silver Certificate, 1917 $2 Note, 1914 $1 Philadelphia National Currency, 1934A $10 Silver Cert, 1929 $20 Pottsville National Currency, 1917 $1 Lg Note. COINS: 1881 $10 Gold Eagle, 1999 $50 1oz. Gold Pc., (7) Gold Quarter Eagles (1908-1914), (5) ¼oz. Gold Pandas (1982-1986), 1986 Switzerland ¼ & 1/10oz Helvetia Gold Pcs., 1992 U.S. Comm. Olympic Set incl. (2) $5 Gold Pcs. Morgan & Peace Dollars, Silver Eagles, 1935 Daniel Boone Comm Half. JEWELRY:

18: Domed Swirl Ring, Puffed Hoop Earrings; 14K: Gemstone Rings, Bracelets, Nekclaces, Bee Pins, Earrings; 10K: Gemstone Rings; Much Sterling incl. Bracelets & Rings; 100’s of Costume Jewelry Lots incl. Estate and Tray Lots. TOYS: (3) 1982 Indiana Jones Figures MOC, Huge Star Wars Collection incl. (10) MOC Figures, Vehicles; Board Games, AD&D incl. Deities and Demigods Cyclopedia, Video Games incl. Game Boy Games in Boxes, Redline Hot Wheels, Trains, Playmobil Pyramid. ANTIQUE/VINTAGE: Edison Tube Player, Admiral TV, Floor Radios incl. Chairside, Comics incl. 1960s Superhero, Postcards, LPs. Macintosh Classic II Computer in Box. SPORTS: Sports Cards incl 50s+ 68 Mantle, Mays & Killebrew; Sealed Wax Pack Boxes, Large Nascar Collection (Mostly Earnhardt). INSTRUMENTS: Kawai Piano, Elec & Acoustic Guitars, Banjo, Trumpet.

Checks:

TOM HENDRICKS AU005754

SMALL

MOVIE POSTERS

Highest Prices Paid. Lobby Cards, 1-Sheets, Displays, Window Cards, Glass Slides. Dwight Cleveland, ph. 773-525-9152 POB 10922, Chicago, IL 60610 posterboss@aol.com

VINTAGE BEER TRAYS from

To place your classified ad Call 1-800-428-4211

ANTIQUE LAMP& METALS RESTORATION Antique Oxidized Patina Finishes, Polishing & more in Abbottstown, PA. Ask for John: 717-797-9194

Eclectic Excitement Public Auction

Single Owner Holiday Collection To Include 30 Papier-Mâché

German Santa Claus Candy Containers, Several Very Good Santa Candy Containers, Early Cast-Iron Santa Claus Bank, Carved Wooden Folk Art Santa Claus, Composition Santa Claus On Slays, Bisque Christmas Reindeer, Lots Of Christmas Ornaments, Early Knodder Reindeer, Victorian Tinsel Ornaments, Santa Roly-Poly’s, Lots Of Christmas Celluloid Toys, Early Christmas Fencing, Early Christmas Lights, Lots Of 1950s Papier-Mâché Santa Claus & Boots, Santa Nutcrackers, Trays Of Plastic Santa, German Santa Smokers, Nice Selection Of Early Spun Cotton Ornaments To Include Frogs, Patriotic Boy, Bird, Santas, Snowman, Swan, Pig, Tray Of Early Pipe Cleaner Santa Ornaments, Cigarette Santa Claus Bottles, Nice

Selection Of Early Brush Christmas Trees, Contemporary Christmas

To Include 30+ Composition Santa Claus Candy Containers, Vintage Halloween To Include Horns, Tambourines, Lots Of Early Plastic, Noisemakers, Papier-Mâché Candy Containers, Rare German Pumpkin Noisemaker, Rare Composition Witch Horn, Bisque

Skulls, Lots Of Halloween Die Cuts, Disc Devils, Cast Iron Devils, Exceptional Selection Of Halloween Papier-Mâché To Include Miniature Pumpkins, Papier-Mâché Devil, Papier-Mâché Owl, PapierMâché Cats, Papier-Mâché Skull, Unusual Early Cardboard Black Cat Advertisement, Very Good Halloween Lanterns, Contemporary Halloween To Include Lots Of Papier-Mâché Candy Containers, Papier-Mâché Candy Containers, Jim Shore Figurines, Hobgoblins, Vintage Easter To Include 70 Papier-Mâché Candy Containers, Early Chalkware Rabbit, Advertising, Antique Composition Nodder

Collection, Very Good Selection Of Early Papier-Mâché Candy Containers To Include Pigeons, Cats, Pheasant, Large Turkeys, Dog, Early Fourth Of July To Include Fans, Pencils, Miniature Hatchets, Cigars, Patriotic Ornaments, And Many Other Great Unlisted Items!! If You Are A Holiday Collector, This Will Be The Sale You Do Not Want To Miss!!