These were the Top 10 stories in Kovels Komments in 2008, based on interest from our readers:
1. In Memoriam: Ralph Kovel
We were touched by the many notes from fans of our books, newsletters, and TV shows telling us how much Ralph would be missed. This week USA Today listed "those who died in 2008 [and] left an indelible mark." The list included Ralph as coauthor of "the popular Kovels' antiques and collectibles price guides that became a bible for antique shop and flea market treasure hunters." He would be pleased to know he is remembered and that his passion--collecting--is finally on a par with art.
2. Record-setting price for a Monopoly game
The very early $47,600 set was stored for 30 years, proving you should be careful not to throw away unusual old games.
3. Gibson Girl plate
The Charles Dana Gibson drawings of the Gibson Girls are still popular, but few know the history of the set of blue and white plates. The plates sell for about $85 each.
4. Eisenberg fur clip
To think shoplifting was the start of Eisenberg rhinestone jewelry! Eisenberg fur clips and other jewelry are now popular collectibles. And few collectors today realize the clips were originally worn on fur coat collars.
5. Georges Hoentschel vase
A plain tan vase with a GH cipher on the base turned out to be by a French potter--and worth as much as $3,000. It pays to do the research.
6. eBay tricks
Anytime we mention problems with eBay, our readers are interested.
7. Knitting for bottles, chairs and trees
What a novel idea--knitting covers for chairs or trees.
8. Nasty Valentines
Comic valentines, very popular in the 1840s, are more subtle now. And a 1930s "penny dreadful" is a popular collectible.
9. Modernist jewelry
2008 was the year for modernist jewelry exhibits at museums. Prices are rising because the maker's names and talents are becoming known.
10. eBay fees
It got more expensive to sell on eBay this year when fees went up.
1. In Memoriam: Ralph Kovel
We were touched by the many notes from fans of our books, newsletters, and TV shows telling us how much Ralph would be missed. This week USA Today listed "those who died in 2008 [and] left an indelible mark." The list included Ralph as coauthor of "the popular Kovels' antiques and collectibles price guides that became a bible for antique shop and flea market treasure hunters." He would be pleased to know he is remembered and that his passion--collecting--is finally on a par with art.
2. Record-setting price for a Monopoly game
The very early $47,600 set was stored for 30 years, proving you should be careful not to throw away unusual old games.
3. Gibson Girl plate
The Charles Dana Gibson drawings of the Gibson Girls are still popular, but few know the history of the set of blue and white plates. The plates sell for about $85 each.
4. Eisenberg fur clip
To think shoplifting was the start of Eisenberg rhinestone jewelry! Eisenberg fur clips and other jewelry are now popular collectibles. And few collectors today realize the clips were originally worn on fur coat collars.
5. Georges Hoentschel vase
A plain tan vase with a GH cipher on the base turned out to be by a French potter--and worth as much as $3,000. It pays to do the research.
6. eBay tricks
Anytime we mention problems with eBay, our readers are interested.
7. Knitting for bottles, chairs and trees
What a novel idea--knitting covers for chairs or trees.
8. Nasty Valentines
Comic valentines, very popular in the 1840s, are more subtle now. And a 1930s "penny dreadful" is a popular collectible.
9. Modernist jewelry
2008 was the year for modernist jewelry exhibits at museums. Prices are rising because the maker's names and talents are becoming known.
10. eBay fees
It got more expensive to sell on eBay this year when fees went up.
3 comments:
Actually, the world missed a great story. A campaign button was sold on eBay this spring/summer for $12600. We started the auction on eBay at .99 and the rest is history. This was probably our greatest business moment. The client was 92 and through integrity, we changed their lives.
I appreciate the info about eBay. The new "policies" and tricks employed this year by the Bay are what caused me to close up shop there, after 9 years, and move to onlineauction.com. I found it to be much more cost effective (only 8.00 a month to list all you want, and NO final value fees!) as a seller, and I found INCREDIBLE bargains as a buyer. There are both fixed price and auction format listings. The members are fantastic and support is amazing - they actaully answer the phone!! I have been very happy there at OLA.com. Please take a peek!
ebay proves what my Economics 101 professor taught me years ago-
"Monopolies ( or in the case of ebay Near monopolies) do not give better service".
ebay will some day meet its match from a new competitor or it will implode. One of the 2 is inevitable.
The quality of service is among the lowest anywhere.
The "Buyer" is ALWAYS RIGHT. The "SELLER" never is.
Don't want to honour paynig for a won item, hey no problem just don't pay and ebay will do nothing but wait out the Seller's strength of protest. But not this Seller. Even though I only list what I think their Buyers (that I now have labeled "Kin to the people who show up during the last 5 minutes of a garage sale") will buy, I continue to write ebay and non payers and list their handles and names on my BANNED BIDDER LIST and just as a Snapping Turtle wont let go of a stick even after decapitation, I am THE SAME WAY.
Other than that things are going pretty well. LOL
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Francis Gee
ps Yahoo and ebay were separated at birth. fwg
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