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  • Crystal is a Collector's Best Friend: Collecting Swarovski Crystal

    Crystal is a Collector's Best Friend: Collecting Swarovski Crystal

     

    Everyone knows that” diamonds are a girl’s best friends,” and there is no denying that diamonds are the mother of all precious stones.  But what if there were a stone that looked and  sparkled just like a diamonds, and carried the elegance and beauty of a diamond, without the outrageous price tag?  Thanks to Daniel Swarovski, that dream is a reality! At the turn of the century, Daniel Swarovski found a way to so precisely and uniquely cut fine crystal that it created a brilliance comparable to a perfectly cut diamond.  Over the years, Swarovski has branched out and created everything from stones for jewelry to figurines, making “Swavorki crystal a collector’s best friend!”

    Why Swavorski is Different from Any Other Crystal
    (http://www.wisegeek.com)

    The characteristics of Swarovski crystals are unparalleled in both style and substance. Not only are their cuts distinct, but the assorted colors and shapes cover a broad spectrum. The brilliant sparkle of each crystal is actually resulted from a glass composition containing 32 percent lead. Besides this refraction maximizing strategy, special metallic coatings are used on some of the crystals to ensure that light refracts from the surface in a rainbow spectrum.


    The History of Swarovski Crystal
    (courtesy of http://www.thehistoryof.net)

    Swarovski - the world renowned manufacturer of beautifully shaped, colored and ornate crystal products - grew out of a family business. Originally established in the early 19th century, this company has now spanned 3 centuries. The principal founder of this company Daniel Swarovski apprenticed within his father's own Bohemian glass foundry. Bohemia at that time was renowned throughout Europe and America for its particular style of crystal glass making, perhaps more so for its cheapness than quality when compared to, say, the beauty and expertise required for the production of Murano glass. It was towards the end of the 19th century that Daniel Swarovski came up with the idea of cutting glass with an electric powered tool.

    The Glass Cutting Tool That Started It All

    By 1892 he had produced a workable prototype machine and decided to patent his invention. So effective was this machine in cutting and creating precision and multifaceted crystal glass, that he proceeded to set up his own company with some other financiers, Weis and Kosman. For centuries, it had long been the habit for Bohemian glass foundries to be somewhat nomadic, needing to uproot their complete factory, with workers and families, and move to new forest lands, which would provide fuel for their furnaces for another decade or more. So, and after careful consideration, it was not too surprising that Swarovski and his new partners, Armand Kosman and Franz Weis, decided to set up the new company in a new country and away from glass manufacturing competitors. Wattens in the Austrian Alps, not far from Innsbruck, was the chosen site. The choice was based on the fact that there was the recently created hydro-electricity plant within the vicinity, which provided cheap electrical energy. This was clearly a sensible move since the new glass cutting production machinery required a considerable amount of electrical power generation for its grinding and polishing process and saved the need to migrate as and when local forest wood would have got depleted.

    Sometime around 1895, with their patent granted, plans and construction went ahead for the initial factory production line, which was completed and in limited operation before the end of the year. As with all inventions, it took several years for the ironing out of flaws within the lead crystal glass production.

    Flawless Crystal Production Becomes Fashionable

    From the beginning of the 20th century, although Armand Cosman was still involved to a degree, the company was a family project and it was no surprise to see Daniel's sons all becoming involved within the factory. In fact it was Alfred, Friedrich and Wilhelm, three of his sons, who were able to change and upgrade the production process to enable the creation of what they are now most renowned for - one of the highest quality, fault-free, crystal products available at that time – and still to this day.

    From 1913, and with the production line now able to create products of virtually faultless perfection and in greater quantities, their crystal jewellery became renowned as one of the finest in the world. In fact they have continued to maintain their reputation, market share and celebrity right into the 21st century.

    It took another 10 years for the world of fashion to begin to court and create their long term romance with these stunning gemlike stones. Swarovski flirted with the idea of embedding crystals within the fabric. It was designers like Schaparelli and Chanel who responded to these advances and so won over the hearts of fashion
    designers, lovers and wearers alike.

    The Aurora Borealis Innovation

    Though the Great Depression of the early 1930s, and then also the Second World War reduced the demand for Swarovski glass, they were not altogether forgotten. However it took a new generation and the Aurora Borealis designs in the mid-1950s to re-establish and reaffirm their reputation and innovation. This line of jewellery was the creation of the grandson, Manfred Swarovski, and possessed a dreamlike sparkle of rainbow colors created by a trace metal coating. The process was brought to perfection with input from Christian Dior, the famous French fashion designer.

    More Design Innovations Flow

    The 1970s again saw new Swarovski innovations. Animal figurines of crystal were created in 1976, the earliest being that of the head of a mouse. It is said that the idea came while playing with parts used for the construction of crystal chandeliers. With the Olympic Games taking place at Innsbruck the same year, many of the Olympics visitors found this a souvenir they could not refuse. A year later the somewhat natural looking and sparkling Cubic Zirconia was created. It was synthetic, cheap and revolutionised the world of fashion and jewellery.
    In the 1980s, vividly coloured jewellery, fashion handbags and accessories were added to their growing portfolio.

    A Hundred Years and Beyond

    The Hundred Year (1895 - 1995) Anniversary of the Swarovski company was lavishly celebrated with the opening of a spectacular crystal grotto in their original home town of Wattens in Austria known as Swarovski Kristallwelten or Swarovski's World of Crystal. Many designers, artists, artisans and musicians were asked to provide their creations to adorn this truly fabulous Aladdin's cave of crystal. Their fame and demand for their exquisite and scintillating products has been maintained and no doubt will continue for decades, if not centuries to come.

    Swarovski Product Lines

    (courtesy of http://www.crystalfanaticsclub.com)

    Silver Crystal

    Swarovski's major product line - 1987 to Present Note: some older pieces issued prior to 1987, with some of them dating back to the mid 70's, have no logo.

    They include:


    - Animals,

    - Candleholders,

    - Christmas Ornaments (earlier ornaments were issued under the New Crystal Concepts, and Giftware Suite lines). D. Swarovski & Co. began issuing the Christmas Ornaments in 1995 when the Swan logo was applied.

    - Clocks,

    - Crystal City (Retired),

    - Dealer Plaques & Paperweights (not sold to the public),

    - Fruit and Botanical Items,

    - Musical Instruments,

    - Nativity Scene (Retired),

    - Paperweights ~ in various sizes, shapes, & colors (most colors have been
    discontinued or retired, and were of European issue). Many of the older pieces are unmarked, with no logo and are not considered "Silver Crystal" issues. Some of them were issued under the New Crystal Concepts, Giftware Suite, and New Crystal Colors line.

    - Picture Frames,

    - Toys,

    - Treasure Boxes (most are retired)

    - Other various uncategorized designs.

    Arribas Brothers/Disney

    Numerous items have been produced celebrating Walt Disney's wonderful characters, and issued by Arribas Bros., in for the Disney Parks in California, Florida, Paris, and Tokyo, using only Swarovski crystals in limited, sometimes numbered, editions.

    They Include:

    - The Dumbo Elephants, all retired, some of them worth in excess of $5,000.00.

    - The Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters! Those that are retired are worth hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars!

    - Winnie the Pooh, issued by Paris Disneyland.

    - The FABULOUS FIVE! Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto miniatures issued as a Ltd Ed. of 500 in a Special boxed Set that SOLD OUT! in no time, although you are able to order them separately at the current time.

    - Numerous paperweights celebrating Disneyland/Disney World anniversaries and events. You can visit http://www.arribasbros.com to see many of these items, or, LOOK HERE! We have them in the Photo Galleries on site.

    Crystal Colors



    These include the "Birds on the Thimbles", either on a pine cone or a barreled base. They were issued during the early 90's and all are retired. Values range from $65.00 to $85.00.

    Christmas Memories

    1996 to Present, part of the Crystal Memories line, began with the 1996 Ltd Ed. Angel ornament, and through the years, additional Christmas ornaments have been added.

    Crystal Memories

    1993 to Present; considered a major product line, it began as an inexpensive way to collect Swarovski crystal, but with the introduction of the new "Journeys" line, has become pricier.

    Crystal Signatures

    These are better known as Ebeling & Reuss (E&R), made with Swarovski Crystal, dating back to the early 80's. Some of these pieces are valuable and very much sought after by collectors. They came boxed in the same round Swarovski tube you are accustomed to seeing, only in blue, with "crafted by D. Swarovski & Co., Wattens Austria" in writing on the package. They are all retired and have the "signature S" logo on them.


    - Issue prices for the animals series, which are highly sought after, ranged from $100 to $140, with values presently between $225 and $360.00.

    - E&R also produced tiny vases known as "The Petite Floral Collection", and a lot of them were to be found in the Hallmark stores. This is a series of seven pieces (I got em all!) produced and discontinued in the '80's. Issue price was $35.00 to $40.00 and they are valued between $140.00 and $275.00.

    - And then there was "The Arctic Collection"; (80's timeframe) these are tiny pieces portraying penguins, seals, eskimos, etc., most of which are on ice floats. Issue price for this series was $25; values range between $100 and $150.00.

    - And last but not least, we have "The Whimsical Collection" also produced and ended in the 80's, issued at $35 ea. with values from $100 to $180.00.



    Crystalogram

    The Crystalograms were designed by Huber Weidinger, a Viennese son of a well-known sculptor, and an award-winning painter. He lives in the Tyrol, and these issues were entitled, "The Five by Weidinger". Because they were so unusual in design, they were not very popular and were shunned by the collectors. These consist of a painting applied by silk screen to the back of a piece of glass, with the imagery built in reverse. They are numbered, dated and signed by the artist. They came in small and larger sizes. The large crystalograms have 1200 faceted crystal stones, while the smaller ones have 400 stones. The smaller sizes were 12" square and limited in production to 4,999, while the larger 24 1/2" square were only limited to 99 pieces. They are truly unique, and values for the smaller rendition range from $550 to $800, while the larger paintings are valued in the $5,000 - $7,500 price range; they are all now closed editions.

    Daniel Swarovski Art Objects

    3 well-known Italian designers were commissioned to produce this line of products: Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, and Stefano Ricci. All studied in architecture before turning their talents to crystal! Each piece is signed and numbered, and issued with the artist's signature, as well as Mr. Helmuth Swarovski's signature. If you got a LOT of money, you can collect these items. A VERY limited number of each piece was issued (ie., 100, 250, 500) and issue prices range from $1060 (rare) ALL THE WAY to $42,800.00 (yep, you're reading that right!). When these pieces retire, hold on to your wallets! the values double! For the VERY "ELITE" collector!

    Julia's World

    These were issued in the late 80's and were based on a book by Julia Limpke, and only distributed by Swarovski of America Ltd. There are 9 pieces of the boys and girls featured in the book, and all were discontinued in 1992. Original issue prices ranged from $29.50 to $55.00, all are now discontinued, and range in value from $60.00 (for the book it is based on) to $300.00 for the figurines.

    Swarovski Crystal How Tos

    (courtesy of www.ehow.com)

    How To Identify a Genuine Swavorski Crystal

    Step 1

    Look inside the crystal. If you see any bubbles, then it is not a genuine Swarovski crystal.

    Step 2

    Purchase Swarovski crystals that are packaged in genuine Swarovski boxes and packaging. These will be of higher quality and bear the "Swarovski" name--spelled correctly!

    Step 3

    Watch for swirl marks or scratches on the surface of the crystal. These imperfections are a sign that Swarovski vacuum processing was not used. The surface of an inferior product will also appear oily.

    Step 4

    Placing a genuine Swarovski crystal next to a crystal manufactured by another company will allow you to see that Swarovski crystals generally shine brighter than a crystal of lesser quality.

    Step 5

    Cutting by machine makes each Swarovski crystal identical. The facet junctures inside the crystal will also always point upward.

    Step 6

    Purchase Swarovski crysals from authorized Swarovski dealers.

    How to Properly Clean a Swavorski Crystal

    Things You'll Need:


    • Feather or Lambswool Duster
    • Cotton Cloth
    • Soft Brush
    • Toothpick
    • Crystal Polishing Cloth
    • Mild Dish Soap
    • Lukewarm Water


    Step 1

    Gently dust the surface of the Swarovski crystal using a feather or lambswool duster to remove any hair or dust from the piece. If you are cleaning a smaller display item, you could use a makeup brush. If you are afraid of scratching the surface, you can also use compressed air to blow the dust from the crystal.

    Step 2

    Lay the crystal on a clean cotton cloth. Use the cloth as a work surface, not to clean the crystal.

    Step 3

    Wipe the crystals clean with a special Swarovski crystal cleaning/polishing cloth. This will not scratch the surface of the crystal, whereas other types of cloth might.

    Step 4

    Use lukewarm water to rinse the crystal if there is any buildup on the surface. If the buildup won't wash away, you can use a watered-down mild dish soap. Don't use any other commercial cleaners on the crystals.

    Tips & Warnings

    Only use a Swarovski polishing cloth on Swarovski crystals.

    Don't use a cotton cloth to polish the crystal, as this may scratch the surface.

    Don't use commercial cleaners to clean the crystal.

    Only use water and a mild dish soap if necessary.


  • America's Football Team: Collecting Dallas Cowboys Football Memorabilia

    America's Football Team:  Collecting Dallas Cowboys Football Memorabilia

     

    Football has always been a favorite American pastime. In fact, I can’t think of anything more American than sitting around during football season eating hamburgers with good friends, good beer, and a good game on television!  Maybe this is why collecting football memorabilia is one of the most popular hobbies in our country. Collecting football items and memorabilia can be just as fun and exciting as watching the game! And if you are going to collect football memorabilia, why not make it souvenirs from “America’s football team,” a.k.a. the DALLAS COWBOYS!  No other team in NFL history has such a wide and dedicated fan base than the Cowboys.  If you are thinking about adding to your football memorabilia collection, or maybe starting a collection for the very first time, then the Cowboys are a great place to start!

    This History of the Dallas Cowboys Football Team
    (courtesy of http://www.fivepointstexastours.com)

    The Dallas Cowboys have made a sigificant mark in professional football history. Originating as an expansion team in 1960, the Cowboys are now one of the most popular and successful teams in the NFL. Today the team is the second most valuable sports team in North America and has an estimated value of over 1.1 billion dollars. Annually the team generates approximately $250 million in revenues, making them one of the wealthiest teams in the NFL.

    Known as "America's Team," it seems there's no middle ground when it comes to one's opinion of the Cowboys — people either love them or hate them. This classic football team is based out of Dallas, but they play their home games at Texas stadium in Irving, Texas (plans are in the works for a new stadium to open in 2009 in Arlington, Texas).

    Currently the Dallas Cowboys are members of the Eastern Division of the NFC. Over the 40 plus years of the Cowboy's existence, they have set phenomenal records and they hold the best playing record of all football teams. Several of the team's successes include a total of 27 winning seasons and the league record of 20 consecutive winning seasons. They've also won 5 of the 8 Super Bowl games appearances (1st team to win 3 w/in a 4 year period), earned 54 postseason games winning 32, they hold the most season with at least 10 wins, 14 NFC Championship game appearances (2 NFL championship games prior to NFL-AHL merger), they made the playoffs 26 times, and won 18 division championships.

    1960s Team History


    On January 28, 1960 Dallas, Texas was granted a National Football League franchise. However, team owners Clint Murchison, Jr. and Bedford Wynne faced opposition from the owner of the Washington Redskins. At the time the Redskins were the only team that represented the southern United States, so they were not thrilled to have any new competition. Dallas team owners bought the rights to the Redskins fight song "Hail to the Redskins" and told the Redskins owners that they couldn't use the song unless they agreed to allow for the new team. Today the rivalry between the two teams still runs strong.

    Originally the Cowboys were called the Dallas Steers and then the Dallas Rangers. Eventually they fixed their minds on the nickname Cowboys for the 1960 team debut. Tex Shramm was hired as the teams General Manager and Tom Landry was hired as head coach. The Cowboys first season was not much to brag about — they completed the season winless. In 1961 the team made their first draft picks and had their first victory on 09-17-60 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    The Dallas Cowboys continued to improve throughout the 1960s. In 1966, the Cowboys had their first winning season. With the combination of Don Meredith (Quarterback) and Don Perkins (running back) the team would set a record winning 20 straight seasons, this record has not been matched by any other team to date in NFL history. The team played in their first playoff game, which paved the way to 8 consecutive playoff appearances. In the mid-60s eight players were sent to the Pro Bowl.

    The Cowboys were not only becoming a strong force in the NFL, but they were making a strong impact on the people of Dallas as well. The people of Texas were loyal and the Cowboys had to compete with the (AFL) Dallas Texans for their affections. Eventually, the Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City to become the Kansas City Chiefs. Ground was broke in 1969 for a new stadium for the Cowboys. By 1971 Texas Stadium was completed in Irving, Texas a suburb of Dallas County.

    The 1966 NFL Championship Game was the Cowboys' first postseason appearance. The Green Bay Packers defeated them, but that would change the following year. In 1967, the Cowboys won their first postseason victory over the Cleveland Browns.

    1970s Team History


    The AFL and NFL merged in the 1970s. Not only did the NFL see dramatic changes, the Cowboys faced drastic changes as well. The team made it to their first Super Bowl with a new Quarterback Craig Morton. The game was packed with mistakes and the Baltimore Colts defeated the Cowboys 16-13.

    The 1971 season had a crippled beginning in the new Texas Stadium. Landry decided to make Staubach the permanent starting quarterback for the remainder of the season after suffering several losses in the first half. This proved to be a smart move, Dallas were unstoppable. With the astounding performance of Staubach the Cowboys went on to the Super Bowl crushed their opponents the Miami Dolphins. To date it is the only Super Bowl game in which the opposing team didn't score a single touchdown. Finally the Cowboys would lose the unfriendly title of "Next Year's Champions."

    At this point the Dallas Cowboys began to gain national popularity. People loved to watch the Cowboys powerful and dominating defense and amazing offense.

    In 1974, the Cowboys would miss the first playoff in eight years. However the following season the Cowboys drafted Randy White and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson. They fresh line of talent took them to the next Super Bowl where the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated them. Nevertheless two years later the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII 27-10. NFL film editor Bob Ryan would be responsible for nicknaming the Cowboys "America's Team" a name that would stick with them through the good and the bad times.

    They once again went to the Super Bowl (XIII) defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers despite a failed last-minute effort by Staubach. Staubach retired after the 1979 season and Danny White filled in for the next few years. The glory days and stardom began to fade for America's Team.

    1980s Team History


    The 1980s did not prove to be a great decade for the Cowboys. They did manage to return to 5 playoffs and to win 2 Division Championships, however they did not make it to another Super Bowl.

    In 1984, Murchison sold the Dallas Cowboys to H.R. "Bum" Bright. The ownership didn't seem to help the plunging team and Bright sold the team to Jerry Jones in 1989. Jones immediately fired Landry the one and only coach the Cowboys ever had. Jimmy Johnson replaced Landry as head coach. The Cowboys also underwent several other changes veteran Herschel Walker was traded and the picked Troy Aikman during the draft as their new quarterback. Although they had the worst season ever in 1989, it would prove to be a new course that would bring the team back to glory.

    1990s Team History


    Emmitt Smith joined the line-up in 1990 as running back. Now the Dallas Cowboys had a triad of talent. Aikman, Smith, and Michael Irving together led the team back to the playoffs for the first time in 6 years in 1991.

    1992 was the comeback year for the Cowboys. They won the 1981 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers and once again won a Super Bowl (XXVII) victory defeating the Buffalo Bills 52-17. The Cowboys set a Super Bowl record of 9 turnovers during the game and coach Johnson became the first to obtain both National Championship (college) and Super Bowl victory (professional) football. The following year was a mirror of '92 the team once again defeated the 49ers in the NFC Championship and in Super Bowl XXVIII they defeated the Buffalo Bills 30-13. Another NFL record was set when 11 Cowboys players were sent to the Pro Bowl. Those players were Aikman, Smith, Irving, Everett, Johnston, Maryland, Newton, Norton, Novacek, Stepnoski, and Williams.

    Owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jimmy Johnson had a falling out that led Johnson to leave the team at the end of the 1993 season. The new head coach would be Barry Switzer. In 1995, Deion Sanders was added to the team line-up. Following the Cowboys won their 4th straight Division Championship, their 8th NFC Championship, and finally won another Super Bowl (XXX) defeating the Steelers 27-17.

    Victory can only last so long and eventually the Dallas Cowboys' glory began to fade. Switzer resigned in 1998 and Chan Gailey was a short-lived replacement. Gailey was let go in 1999 and became the only coach for the Cowboys that did not win a Super Bowl.

    2000s Team History


    The Cowboys promoted Dave Campo (defensive coordinator) to head coach. Jerry Jones began to face public criticism and was blamed for failing to hire a good head coach because he wanted to coach the team himself. However, Bill Parcells agreed in 2003 to come out of retirement to coach the Cowboys on Jones request. Dallas would shock the nation with a 10-6 record and the best defensive team in the NFL. The 2004 season was littered with injuries, penalties, and turmoil.

    In the 2005-2006 season the defense improved, but the offense line left little to be desired. Drew Bledsoe helped to give the Cowboys some stability in their offense, but he alone couldn't make up for other troubles. However, the team managed to place third in the NFC East 2006 season.

    Many people question why the Cowboys don't have a large number of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees and they claim there is a bias against the Cowboys. One thing goes without saying the Cowboys made their mark and set many records in the NFL that have not been broken. One of which is the most (7) Super Bowl MVPs Chuck Howley (linebacker), Roger Staubach (quarterback), Randy White (defensive tackle), Harvey Martin (defensive end), Troy Aikman (quarterback), and Larry Brown (cornerback).

    Next time you need some R&R come visit the alluring city of Dallas, Texas and catch a Dallas Cowboys game.

    Don’t know where to begin?  Here are some Dallas Cowboys legends to look out for when starting your Dallas cowboys memorabilia collection:

    • Troy Aikman
    • Tony Dorsett
    • Bob Hayes
    • Chuck Howley
    • Lee Roy Jordan
    • Tom Landry
    • Bob Lilly
    • Don Meredith
    • Don Perkins
    • Mel Renfro
    • Tex Schramm
    • Emmitt Smith
    • Roger Staubach
    • Randy White

    How to Start a Sports Memorabilia Collection

    *  Ask yourself:  Why am I collecting sports memorabilia?  Are you collecting with the intentions of selling your valued collection down the road?  Or is it because you are a lover of sports? It is a good idea to establish your intention before choosing what to collect.  If you are in it solely for the money, then you will only research items that are high in value or are expected to appreciate greatly in value over the coming years.  If you are a sports fanatic, do you love all sports or just 1 or 2 sports?  Is it a player that you admire or a whole team that you can’t get enough of?  In my opinion, you should always collect something because you are passionate about it.  The experience will be much more enjoyable for you and the collection will be something special you can pass down in your family for generations.  It is also more motivational to collect and maintain a collection if you love what you are doing.
     
    *  Establish a theme for your collection.  Do you want to only collect baseball cards from a certain time period or team?  Is it only autographed items of award winners or hall of famers that you are interested in?  Narrowing down options for your collection allows you to be more focused on building a valuable and impressive collection.  It is also very important to focus on one category because it allows you to become an expert at what you collect.  There are tons of different types of sports memorabilia out there and it is a lot more fun to be an expert at one faction of the game and move on to something new later, then to just know a little bit about a lot of different things.  The more you learn, the more engaged in your hobby you will become as you build your collection.
     
    *  It’s time for some research. 
    It’s good to start out knowing the general value of what you will be collecting, especially if you intend to sell it down the road.  You can use iTaggit’s ValueRange It tool to determine what the items are selling for in today’s market just by typing in the description and clicking “Go.”  If you do plan to sell the collection, think about what kind of collection will appeal to the most buyers. For example, you would probably appeal to a greater market if you collected memorabilia of gold medalists in a specific sport rather than just miscellaneous Olympics memorabilia.
     
    *  Set up a budget and make yourself a wish list. 
    Collectibles whether they are sports memorabilia or vintage antiques can get pricy.  One thing you will learn as you star to really get into your collection is that you will suddenly find yourself having “I HAVE to have it” moments when you come across something that is just perfect for your collections.  It is time to exercise that self control!  I think that sometimes men aren’t as bad as us women when it comes to impulse purchases -until they comes across a signed Cal Ripken, Jr. jersey that’s just perfect to add to the Orioles-dedicated gameroom, complete with cases of signed game balls and bats!  We’re all guilty of it at some point!  Making a list of what you want to add to your collection, along with a budget of what you want to spend per month (or whatever works for you) is a good way to keep us on track.  Those signed jerseys won’t provide much shelter after we have spent our way to homelessness!   
     
    *  Knowledge is power. 
    Get online or stop by the bookstore and grab some good reading about what you are collecting.  Study up on what makes your item valuable, or more importantly, what decreases the value of your item!  Learn about the grading systems and characteristics that would cause your items to fluctuate in value, such as rarity, condition, or events having to do with a player, etc.  Knowing all that you can about what you are collecting can help you to not be fooled into buying a replica and can also ensure that your collection holds its value over time.
     
    *  Be trendy.  Stay on top of the latest trends in sports collecting.  Join message boards, sign up for newsletters on websites dedicated to collecting your items, and subscribe to memorabilia publications to stay current on all things sports-memorabilia related.  The more you learn about your trade the better and it is just as important to stay current!
     
    *  Ladies and fellas’, start your shopping!  Shop online marketplaces such as ebay.com, craigslist.org, oodle.com, and the iTaggit classifieds to find rare items.  You can also find many websites dedicated to trading and purchasing only sports memorabilia.  Check your newspaper listings and local sports memorabilia stores.  Remember to always keep an eye out because you never know when you can find the perfect item!  Also, if it is autographs you collect, be sure to always have something on hand to be signed when you attend games.  Most players will hang around after games or practices to sign autographs and you never know if he or she could be the next big thing!  I followed Tiger Woods during a college match years ago and snagged his autograph not thinking much of it (other then my father telling me he’s going to be one to watch).  That turned out to be some good advice! Thank you Dad!


     

  • A Trim Above the Ordinary - Collecting Antique Barber Chairs

    A Trim Above the Ordinary - Collecting Antique Barber Chairs

     

    A barber’s chair is more than just a place to ‘park it’ when getting a trim.  It is the centerpiece of the barbershop experience, a fading tradition in American culture.  Since ancient times, Barbers tended to all kinds of needs of their clients, such as hair cutting, face shaving, surgical procedures, bloodletting and pulling teeth.  Barber chairs have evolved with the needs of their masters, producing some beautiful and interesting styles over the years.  These days, barber chairs are a sought after collector’s item for homes and offices.  If you are in the market for a genuine antique barbers chair, you may have to do some digging, as they are increasing in rarity and demand more and more everyday! Today most collectors searching for an antique barber chair are searching for a chair dating from 1880s to the 1950s.

    About the Barber’s Chair
    (courtesy of http://www.prlog.org/10679878-barber-chairs-short-history-of-the-trim.html and http://www.antiquebarberchairs.org/)

    The history of the barber chair is a long and interesting one. They have been the site of political decisions and style changes. Although barber shops have been seen as the domain of men, women are increasing using their services for their haircuts.

    A barber is defined as someone who cuts hair, trims beards, and shaves men's faces. With the advances in disposable and electric razors, barbers tend to focus on cutting hair in modern times. Barbershops tend to focus on simple haircuts, although many stylists in hair salons are master barbers as well.

    Evidence suggests that barbers were present in ancient times. Barbering even has a mention in the Old Testament of the Bible. In 296 B.C., barbershops were introduced to Rome where they quickly became a center for gossip and talk. People came to sit in the barber chair and talk to others. Many individuals would stop in each day to get the latest news.

    In past times, barbers not only cut hair and shaved beards, but they also acted as doctors and dentists. They extracted teeth, performed blood letting, and conducted surgery on wounds. The barber's pole originated with the blood letting service, symbolizing the clean and bloody cloths used in the process. Barber surgeons formed their first organization in 1094.

    In 1492, barbers formed their own guild in England. They were helped along in their business by laws that taxed individuals who wore beards. Most individuals choose to have their faces shaved on a regular basis by a barber rather than pay the tax. Other rulers of the time, such as Peter the Great in Russia, liked the laws and extended them in their own countries. This helped keep the barber chairs full.

    By the late 1700s, the professions of barbers and surgeons had separated. Barbers concentrated on cutting hair and shaving beards, although their shops remained places of gossip and daily news. In many places, a boy's first haircut and shave was an important event in their life and signaled their march toward manhood.

    Today, barbershops generally offer simpler haircuts than beauty salons or spas. Increasing, women are choosing to utilize barbershops for short or simple haircuts because they cost much less than the same cut at a salon. In small towns, the barber can still be the place to go for town gossip and political discussion.

    What makes them so special?


    Well, it’s difficult to tell, but there’s something magical about an old barber chair. You can sit on one, close your eyes and can imagine yourself getting a haircut one hundred years ago. They are also stylish (not like the chairs you will find nowadays at modern hair salons), and believe it or not, even when they were made over one century ago, really comfortable!

    What are the most famous?


    Well, as noted above, the first one was built by Koken. Therefore, Antique Koken Barber Chairs are usually the most valuable.  Other well known brands are Koch, Belmont or Weber.

    Where can I buy a vintage barber chair?


    Well, if you are lucky, somebody near you might have one barber chair for sale, but usually you will have to look for them at auctions and antique stores

    How much do they cost?


    Obviously, it depends on the brand, the state of the chair, materials, etc. But prices normally vary between a few hundred dollars and several thousand dollars (not a very accurate statement, is it?)

    Original or Replica?


    If you want to save some bucks, you can always go for the replica, but hey, it’s also kind of magical to sit on one barber chair and imagine that your great-grandfather might have been sitting on it

    The Evolution of the Antique Barber Chair
    (courtesy of http://antiques.lovetoknow.com)

    Many of the wooden barber chairs of the early1800s were elaborately carved with ornate designs and decorative plush upholstery. In the1850s the barber chair industry began to take shape as companies started to make chairs specifically for barber shops.

    The early chairs of this period were usually crafted from wood had offered the following features:

    • Taller than a regular household chair
    • A headrest in a fixed position
    • Reclined several degrees
    • A type of foot rest or stool

    In the last two decades of the 1800s, there were many mechanical advances made in the barber chair industry including:

    Fully reclining chairs

    • Chairs that could swivel a full 360 degrees
    • Hydraulic systems that allowed the chairs to be raised and lowered
    • In the 1900s the trends in barber chair styles and materials changed with the times. Slowly the beautiful ornately carved wood gave way to chairs made of porcelain covered cast iron.


    Eugene Berninghaus Company

    The first manufacturer of barber chairs in the United States was Eugene Berninghaus. Opening his business in 1875 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Berninghaus made barber chairs and other tonsorial furniture and accessories. As his business grew, Berninghaus named his most popular barber chair the “Hercules” models. The Hercules models were made of wood and cast iron with a choice of leather or mohair plush upholstery. The wood choices included:

    • Birdseye maple
    • Oak
    • Cherry
    • Mahogany
    • Walnut

    Perhaps one of the most well known models of Berninghaus barber chairs is the  “Hercules # 58” hydraulic barber chair manufactured in 1899. It was one of these barber chairs that M.G.M. used in their famous 1960 film on time travel “Time Machine”.

    The Koken Manufacturing Company

    In 1874, Ernest Koken of St. Louis opened his company selling decorated shaving mugs to barber shops. Shortly after he added used chairs to his inventory and sold them to the barbers. After taking a financial partner, Louis Boppart, Koken began manufacturing barber chairs and is responsible for much of the growth of the industry.

    Several of his patents include:

    • 1881 first patent for reclining barber chair for shaving
    • 1885 barber chairs that revolved
    • 1888 barber chairs that fully reclined
    • 1892 first hydraulic lift chair (pedal style)

    Koken barber chairs quickly became known as the industry standard and were regarded as:

    • The highest quality
    • The classiest look
    • The best guarantee

    More Manufacturers of Antique Barber Chairs

    • Emil J. Paidar Co
      Theodore H. Kochs
      Reliance
      Hanson
      Gibbs

    Examples of Barber Chairs from Years Past

    The following are beautiful examples of barber chairs from years gone by:

    • Koken tufted leather, walnut and chrome circa 1900
    • 1950s turquoise and red Art Deco Koken President’s model barber chair
    • Koken 1931 green leather, chrome and porcelain
    • Koken round back and seat white porcelain, nickel plating and black leather
    • Koch oak and green leather


    Where to Buy Antique Barber Chairs

    • eBay.com: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1311&_nkw=antique+barber+chair&_sacat=See-All-Categories
    • Barber Chairs for Sale: http://www.barberchairsforsale.net/
    • Google Shopping: http://www.google.com/products?client=safari&rls=en&q=buy+antique+barbers+chairs&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=WyodTInQJoOC8gbdqIWdDA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQrQQwAA
    • Local Antique Stores
    • Local Auctions

     

     

     

    Antique Barber Chair Price Guide

    Title Bids End Date Start Price End Price
    ANTIQUE BRASS KOKEN BARBER CHAIR 1900'S 1 4/17/10 $4,950.00 $4,500.00
    ANTIQUE OAK WOOD KOKEN BARBER CHAIR 1 5/18/10 $4,500.00 $3,500.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN CONGRESS 200  BARBER CHAIR PORCELAIN RARE 1 4/3/10 $3,500.00 $3,000.00
    ANTIQUE THEO A KOCH BARBER CHAIR UNIVERSAL HEAD REST 1 5/28/10 $2,495.00 $2,495.00
    Antique estate Koken Barber chair excellent condition 62 6/12/10 $0.99 $1,900.00
    Antique 1930s Koken Barber Chair, fully restored, NICE 1 4/12/10 $2,000.00 $1,500.00
    Antique KOKEN Barber Chair Circa 1929 BEST ON EBAY-LQQK 1 3/24/10 $1,499.00 $1,200.00
    rare antique walnut koken barber chair, congress plate 1 4/9/10 $1,700.00 $1,200.00
    antique ,deco aluminum kogen barber chair 1 3/18/10 $1,000.00 $1,000.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair 5 4/27/10 $75.00 $900.00
    Antique Barber Chair Emil J.Paidar Company Chicago 1 6/10/10 $860.00 $860.00
    Antique Koken barber chair 8 5/29/10 $450.00 $835.00
    Congress Pedestal Hydraulic Antique Barber Chair 20 5/2/10 $0.01 $830.00
    Antique Barber Pole Barber chair shop advertising sign 19 4/4/10 $1.00 $810.00
    Takara Barber Chair Antique NO RESERVE 1 3/18/10 $800.00 $800.00
    Antique KOKEN Barber Chair 9 5/23/10 $100.00 $800.00
    BELMONT BARBER CHAIR ANTIQUE WITH HEADREST & ASHTRAY 1 5/30/10 $999.99 $800.00
    Antique Barber Chair by Koken Companies St. Louis, MO 37 3/17/10 $175.00 $715.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Congress Pedistal Hydraulic 2 3/20/10 $700.00 $710.00
    Koken Porcelain and Leather Antique Barber Chair 12 5/21/10 $1.00 $710.00
    Beautiful antique barber chair,barber shop chair, 1 4/27/10 $699.00 $699.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER SHOP TOWEL STEAMER WARMER NOT POLE CHAIR 12 3/30/10 $9.99 $621.50
    GORGEOUS ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR EXCELLENT CONDITION 20 4/23/10 $9.99 $610.00
    1900 Antique Porcelain Theo A Kochs Barber Chair 1 4/30/10 $600.00 $600.00
    Antique Barber Oak Wood Chair Theo Koch Needs Restored 1 3/25/10 $400.00 $600.00
    ANTIQUE/VINTAGE BELMONT BARBER SHOP/ DENTIST CHAIR 8 4/15/10 $0.99 $600.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR THEO KOCH ROUND SEAT 1920 2 6/13/10 $500.00 $560.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair *Mint* 1 3/27/10 $535.00 $535.00
    Antique THEO KOCHS KOCH'S BARBER CHAIR Art Deco Vintage 44 3/24/10 $9.99 $530.00
    Antique Emil J. Paidar Barber Chair 1 3/25/10 $500.00 $525.00
    ANTIQUE CHILDRENS KIDS BARBER SHOP CHAIR STATEN ISLAND 2 4/24/10 $499.00 $510.00
    Antique Barber Chair Emil J. Paidar Vintage Brown 1960 1 3/16/10 $800.00 $500.00
    belmont barber chair electric hydraulic antique 4 4/29/10 $0.99 $500.00
    Antique 10930's Barber Chair 5 5/20/10 $0.99 $500.00
    Antique 1948 Theo A Kochs Barber Chair 10 5/29/10 $100.00 $500.00
    Antique Emil J Paidar Barber Chair Everything Works! 1 6/9/10 $500.00 $500.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair 3 5/24/10 $400.00 $500.00
    Antique Emil J. Paridar Barber Chair 4 6/13/10 $100.00 $500.00
    antique Emil J. Paidar barber chair, #516, c.1930 1 5/17/10 $500.00 $500.00
    1964 KOKEN Antique Barber Chair Game Room Tattoo Shop 9 6/6/10 $0.01 $495.00
    Antique Late 1800's Barber Chair Theo-A-Kochs Chicago 1 4/22/10 $850.00 $450.00
    Vintage-Antique Theo A Kochs Chicago Barber Chair 1 6/3/10 $449.99 $449.99
    Vintage Antique Emil Paidar Barber Chair Round Seat x 2 2 5/29/10 $0.99 $410.00
    Excellent Antique E. Berninghaus Co. Barber Chair 1 5/13/10 $400.00 $400.00
    Antique Barber Chair 8 6/4/10 $100.00 $400.00
    Antique NARDA Barber Chair Great condition 1 3/25/10 $150.00 $399.00
    antique barber chair 02-22 1887 wood/brass feet 1 4/30/10 $399.00 $399.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR - PORCELAIN & LEATHER - GC 1 6/5/10 $375.00 $375.00
    Emil J. Paidar Barber Chair Antique 3 5/2/10 $350.00 $360.00
    antique Koken Barber Chair 5 4/7/10 $200.00 $355.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR MOVING MUST GO NO RESERVE 16 6/6/10 $200.00 $355.00
    Antique Late 1800's Barber Chair Theo-A-Kochs Chicago 2 4/19/10 $349.00 $354.00
    ANTIQUE ORIGINAL EMIL J. PAIDAR BARBER CHAIR 1920 s? 19 6/8/10 $89.99 $350.00
    Koken Antique Barber Chair 9 5/20/10 $100.00 $330.00
    Very Cool Vintage Antique Koken St. Louis Barber Chair 2 3/23/10 $299.00 $320.00
    Antique barber chair Theo.A.Koch's Co.Chicago N/R 7 4/26/10 $100.00 $315.00
    Antique Barber Chair Belmont Series Takara Chukosho LTD 18 3/24/10 $50.00 $305.00
    Antique Barber Chair 8 5/3/10 $100.00 $305.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR JADEITE GREEN 10' DECAGON 3 4/20/10 $295.00 $305.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR JADEITE GREEN 10' DECAGON 3 6/13/10 $295.00 $305.00
    Antique Barber shop chair great cond consider how old 26 4/3/10 $0.99 $302.50
    ANTIQUE TATTOO/DENTIST/BARBER CHAIR 3 4/1/10 $150.00 $301.00
    THEO A KOCHS KOCH BARBER CHAIR ANTIQUE VINTAGE BEAUTY 1 3/16/10 $300.00 $300.00
    Antique barber chair 12 6/13/10 $0.99 $300.00
    Antique Dentist Chair Barber Eye Doctor Vintage 1 6/6/10 $350.00 $300.00
    ANTIQUE oct 5.1909 St louis Ernest Koken Barber Chair 1 5/7/10 $299.99 $299.99
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR...Emil J Paidar  1900's.  RARE !!! 8 4/26/10 $0.99 $295.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR JADEITE GREEN PORCELAIN ORIG 1 4/1/10 $295.00 $295.00
    ANTIQUE BELMONT BARBER CHAIR WITH FOOT AND HEAD REST 27 3/28/10 $0.99 $280.00
    Antique KOKEN Barber Chair 1 5/18/10 $250.00 $275.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Hydraulic Pump Handle 20 4/1/10 $7.99 $270.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR HEADREST 18 4/21/10 $0.99 $265.00
    antique barber chair 15 5/21/10 $100.00 $255.00
    Antique Barber Chair Koken St Louis Porcelain on Iron 1 4/11/10 $300.00 $250.00
    Very Cool Vintage Antique Kochs Chicago Barber Chair 1 3/23/10 $249.00 $249.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR CHILD'S SEAT-THE BEST ONE ON E-BAY 1 3/24/10 $225.00 $225.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Circa 1900 1 3/21/10 $220.00 $220.00
    ANTIQUE THEO A KOCHS BARBER CHAIR 6 5/7/10 $150.00 $209.50
    2 ANTIQUE THEO A KOCHS BARBERS CHAIR CHICAGO BARBER 6 4/30/10 $0.99 $202.50
    1940s or early 50s koken antique barber chair 1 5/31/10 $200.00 $200.00
    Antique Hanson Barber Chair 10 3/31/10 $100.00 $200.00
    Antique barber chair Theo.A.Koch's Co.Chicago N/R 1 5/2/10 $200.00 $200.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR 5 5/9/10 $100.00 $187.50
    ANTIQUE THEO A KOCHS BARBERS CHAIR CHICAGO BARBER CHAIR 2 4/30/10 $185.00 $185.00
    ANTIQUE THEO A KOCHS BARBERS CHAIR CHICAGO BARBER CHAIR 1 5/4/10 $185.00 $185.00
    Antique Barber Sign Advertising Porcelain Sign chair 16 4/4/10 $1.00 $182.50
    antique vintage koken barber chair 528n foot rest 17 4/5/10 $29.95 $179.50
    Antique KOCHS barber chair foot rest with Pegasus horse 6 4/6/10 $9.99 $175.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR PUMP HANDLE PORCELAIN CRANK 1 5/9/10 $199.99 $174.99
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR HEAD REST UNIVERSAL 16 5/25/10 $79.00 $155.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR FOOT REST ATTACHMENT/EXTENSION 6 6/9/10 $0.99 $153.50
    ANTIQUE KOCHS BARBER CHAIR NICKEL PART--LAY BACK  CHAIR 1 3/19/10 $149.95 $149.95
    Antique BELMONT BARBER HEADREST, Barber Shop Chair 22 6/6/10 $9.99 $149.27
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Calf Rest Frame and Pad 22 4/1/10 $7.99 $142.50
    antique kids booster seat for barber chair 13 4/6/10 $20.13 $142.50
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR BRACKETS 505NR 505NL PAIR ? 1 5/25/10 $165.00 $139.99
    Antique Barber chair Headrest- Paidar Spring Cushion NR 13 3/29/10 $9.99 $137.50
    KOKER VINTAGE ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR 14 5/5/10 $1.00 $137.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR HEAD REST-PAIDAR-KOCH-KOKEN? 8 5/3/10 $75.00 $137.30
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR PUMP HANDLE PORCELAIN CRANK 1 3/16/10 $199.99 $135.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR BRACKETS 505R 505L PAIR ? 1 6/1/10 $165.00 $135.00
    Antique Hydraulic Barber Chair Theo Kochs Chicago 4 5/22/10 $100.00 $130.00
    Vintage/Antique Barber Chair HEADREST! 20 6/11/10 $39.99 $127.50
    Barber Chair Antique  Berninghaus Barber 9 4/9/10 $50.00 $127.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR HEAD REST-PAIDAR-KOCH-KOKEN? 1 5/22/10 $125.00 $125.00
    Antique Vintage Barber Chair Headrest~Koken? 13 6/7/10 $39.99 $109.50
    Antique Theo-A-Kochs Barber Chair 9 3/16/10 $0.99 $102.50
    ANTIQUE EMIL J. PAIDAR BARBER CHAIR WITH FOOT REST 8 3/28/10 $0.99 $100.01
    Antique Barbers Chair,Swing Around Stool for the Barber 1 5/9/10 $85.00 $100.00
    Antique 1927 Child's Booster Seat for Barber's Chair 1 4/16/10 $200.00 $100.00
    Antique Barber Chair by Bausch & Lomb 1 3/30/10 $99.00 $99.00
    antique barber chair 5 4/9/10 $50.00 $99.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR ANKLE REST BRACKETS 15NL NR? 1 5/22/10 $95.00 $95.00
    CHILDS BOOSTER SEAT FOR ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR 14 3/29/10 $15.00 $90.77
    Antique Barber Chair Handle 8 4/5/10 $29.99 $89.88
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR HEADREST ADJUSTMENT LEVER 1 4/12/10 $85.00 $85.00
    Antique Still Photogropy, Barber, Dentist Chair 7 6/9/10 $74.00 $84.55
    Antique Koken Barber Chair for parts 9 3/23/10 $0.99 $81.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR ANKLE REST BRACKETS 2 5/31/10 $75.00 $75.00
    ANTIQUE CHILD'S BARBER CHAIR BOOSTER SEAT ALL ORIGINAL 7 5/12/10 $49.99 $72.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR ARM REST 1 3/29/10 $69.95 $69.95
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 3/28/10 $68.50 $68.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 4/28/10 $68.50 $68.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 4/28/10 $68.50 $68.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 5/8/10 $68.50 $68.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 5/26/10 $68.50 $68.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 5/26/10 $68.50 $68.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 6/1/10 $68.50 $68.50
    antique barber chair headrest 9 5/24/10 $0.99 $66.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR BRAKE FOR CYLINDER PARTS 1 4/18/10 $65.00 $65.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR BRAKE FOR CYLINDER PARTS 1 5/31/10 $65.00 $65.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR PUMP HANDLE HOUSING PARTS 1 6/12/10 $65.00 $65.00
    Antique Barber's Chair Razor Strop, Huntington #779 10 4/29/10 $24.99 $62.03
    Antique Barber Chair Pole Strop Leather Strap Simmons 17 5/9/10 $10.00 $56.99
    ANTIQUE BOX OF SANI-REST BARBER CHAIR HEADREST SHEETS 13 3/21/10 $9.99 $51.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 2 3/21/10 $49.99 $51.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 2 3/28/10 $49.99 $50.99
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER WAITING CHAIR SIMILAR TO ICE CREAM 5 4/27/10 $50.00 $50.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE FURNITURE 1 4/3/10 $49.99 $49.99
    Barber Chair Child Booster Seat Old/Antique 1 5/31/10 $39.95 $45.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Brackets & Hardware 9 4/1/10 $7.99 $42.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR BRACKETS 522NR 522NL 521NRNL 1 3/22/10 $50.00 $40.00
    Vintage antique Archer dental chair headrest barber old 1 3/21/10 $39.50 $39.50
    ANTIQUE BARBER'S CHAIR SIZED DOUBLE STROP RAZOR STRAP 11 4/18/10 $14.99 $37.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Cylinder Swivel Brake Part 15 3/19/10 $0.99 $36.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Arm Rests 6 4/1/10 $6.99 $36.00
    ANTIQUE KOCHS BARBER CHAIR ARMREST~ARM REST~PORCELAIN 11 3/30/10 $5.00 $33.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Hydraulic Pump Housing Cover 8 4/1/10 $3.99 $30.99
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER WAITING CHAIR SIMILAR TO ICE CREAM 5 4/5/10 $50.00 $30.00
    ANTIQUE Vintage BARBER Chair Straight RAZOR STROP VG NR 9 3/30/10 $9.99 $25.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR ARM BRACKET BOLTS HARDWARE 1 6/7/10 $24.99 $24.99
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Brass Floor Trim Ring 7 3/19/10 $0.99 $24.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Arm Backrest Brackets 5 4/10/10 $9.99 $20.50
    Antique 1916 Photograph Barbershop Barber Chair Bottles 4 3/31/10 $9.99 $20.49
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR HYDRAULIC PUMP COVER TWIST 1 5/29/10 $19.99 $19.99
    Antique Vintage Child's Booster Seat for Barber's Chair 1 5/18/10 $15.00 $15.00
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Porcelain Backrest Frame 4 4/10/10 $9.99 $13.50
    Antique barber chair cast iron advertising step sign 4 3/24/10 $9.99 $13.50
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Armrest brackets part# H6NC 1 4/10/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Hydraulic System 1 4/10/10 $9.99 $9.99
    ANTIQUE CHILDS FOLDING METAL BARBER CHAIR SEAT 1 5/23/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Antique Barber Chair Child's Booster Seat 1 6/6/10 $7.99 $7.99
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Hydraulic Pump Relief Plug 5 4/1/10 $3.99 $7.50
    CHILDS BOOSTER SEAT FOR ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR WOODEN OLD 1 4/24/10 $4.99 $4.99
    Antique Koken Barber Chair Recline Tension Assembly 2 3/19/10 $0.99 $3.25
    Antique Caroulsel Horse Barber Chair Hershall Spillman 0 5/15/10 $18,000.00 $0.00
    PRISTINE ANTIQUE EARLY 1900'S KOKEN BARBER CHAIR!! 0 6/7/10 $8,000.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN CONGRESS 200  BARBER CHAIR PORCELAIN RARE 0 6/11/10 $7,500.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 3/30/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 3/20/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 4/9/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 4/19/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 4/30/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 5/10/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 5/21/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 5/31/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR"KOCHS WINDSOR ELEPHANT CHAIR"1885 0 6/10/10 $5,800.00 $0.00
    Antique Barber Chair 1880's with Swan Heads 0 3/19/10 $4,999.00 $0.00
    Antique Barber Chair 1880's with Swan Heads 0 3/31/10 $4,999.00 $0.00
    Antique Barber Chair 1880's with Swan Heads 0 5/1/10 $4,999.00 $0.00
    Antique Barber Chair 1880's with Swan Heads 0 5/19/10 $4,999.00 $0.00
    Antique Barber Chair 1880's with Swan Heads 0 5/29/10 $4,999.00 $0.00
    Rare Antique Child's Barber Chair with Horse Head 0 4/10/10 $4,950.00 $0.00
    Rare Antique Child's Barber Chair with Horse Head 0 4/22/10 $4,950.00 $0.00
    Rare Antique Child's Barber Chair with Horse Head 0 5/2/10 $4,950.00 $0.00
    Rare Antique Child's Barber Chair with Horse Head 0 5/13/10 $4,950.00 $0.00
    Rare Antique Child's Barber Chair with Horse Head 0 5/29/10 $4,950.00 $0.00
    Rare Antique Child's Barber Chair with Horse Head 0 6/9/10 $4,950.00 $0.00
    Antique Western Vintage Barber Shaving Haircut Chair 0 4/30/10 $4,900.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR IRON AND WOOD SUMMER SEAT 1870'S 0 4/12/10 $3,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR IRON AND WOOD SUMMER SEAT 1870'S 0 5/13/10 $3,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE BARBER CHAIR IRON AND WOOD SUMMER SEAT 1870'S 0 6/12/10 $3,800.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR DOUBLE ROUND PORCELAIN RARE 0 3/25/10 $2,000.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR DOUBLE ROUND PORCELAIN RARE 0 4/24/10 $2,000.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE KOKEN BARBER CHAIR DOUBLE ROUND PORCELAIN RARE 0 5/25/10 $2,000.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE WOOD BARBER CHAIR FROM 1870 VINTAGE BARBER SHOP 0 3/22/10 $1,895.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE WOOD BARBER CHAIR FROM 1870 VINTAGE BARBER SHOP 0 5/22/10 $1,895.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE WOOD BARBER CHAIR FROM 1870 VINTAGE BARBER SHOP 0 3/29/10 $1,895.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE WOOD BARBER CHAIR FROM 1870 VINTAGE BARBER SHOP 0 4/5/10 $1,895.00 $0.00
    ANTIQUE WOOD BARBER CHAIR FROM 1870 VINTAGE BARBER SHOP 0 4/12/10 $1,895.00 $0.00
     
  • Spinning a Beautiful Collection: Collecting Antique Spinning Wheels

     Spinning a Beautiful Collection: Collecting Antique Spinning Wheels

    It has been hundreds of years since the spinning wheel was a staple in ones home for its functionality.  Even though we don’t have to spin our own thread for our clothing anymore, the antique spinning wheel remains a sought after collectible in the antiques marketplace.  Both its beauty and lasting historical value make the antique spinning wheel a beautiful addition to your home décor and your collection of family heirlooms.  


    The History and Evolution of the Spinning Wheel
    (courtesy of http://kws.atlantia.sca.org)

    A handspindle is defined as any implement that can be twisted or rotated by hand to twist fibers together into yarn.  Handspindles can be divided into two general categories: a dropspindle, in which the thread is formed as the spindle spins while gravity pulls it to the ground; or a suspended spindle, where the spindle is spun on a set surface like a top and the thread is created by pulling the fiber away from the spindle. Spindle spinning is an art form – whereas modern spinning mills can produce large quantities or yarn in short periods of time, the types of yarn that can be spun are limited by the mechanics of the machines themselves - they cannot rival handspun yarns in delicacy and versatility.  At one point, handspinners in India were able to spin almost half a million yards of yarn from a single pound of cotton (Hochberg). In handspinning, you can design the exact kind of yarn you desire with any variations in texture or color or thickness that you wish – your only limitation is your own skill level in spinning.

    Most authors agree that the practice of spinning fibers to form thread and yarns has been in existence for over 10,000 years.  The spinning wheel, the tool most commonly associated with the art of spinning, was not introduced to Europe until in the late Middle Ages/early Renaissance.  Thus, the dropspindle was the primary spinning tool used to spin all the threads for clothing and fabrics from Egyptian mummy wrappings to tapestries, and even the ropes and sails for ships, for almost 9000 years.

    Whorls from hand spindles have been dated back to 5000 BCE in Middle Eastern excavation sites.  Bette Hochberg in her book Handspindles puts forth the theory that, since the wheel is generally agreed upon to have been invented somewhere around 3500 BCE, it is possible that the use of dropspindles helped man to discover the wheel.  By observing the process of rotation as it applied to the whorl of a spindle, early man might have made experimented with that rotation by placing it upon a vertical plane instead of a horizontal one and thus created the wheel.

    Spindles and spinning are also an integral part to the mythology and folklore of many cultures.  Plato likens the axis of the universe to the shaft of a spindle with the starry heavens as the whorl end of his Republic.  The Bible mentions spindles and spinning.  Spider Woman, a Goddess in Navaho culture, taught them the art of spinning.  Arachne challenged the goddess Minerva to a spinning and weaving contest and was turned into a spider in Greek mythology.  In Germanic and Teutonic cultures the three Fates spin, measure and cut the threads of life of mortals.  Even our modern fairy tales mention spinning, as in Rumplestilskin, Sleeping Beauty, and East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

    But despite the myriad stories and myths involving spinning and the numerous archaeological finds involving spinning implements, scientists have not been able to determine the location and time period in which hand spindles were first used.  Most believe it was somewhere in the Middle East, but no definitive evidence can place the craft before the Neolithic period.  Whorls made of clay and stone have been found dating as far back as this period, but the spindle shaft itself has not – leading experts to believe that most shafts were made of wood, and thus disintegrated over time.  The earliest whorls were made of soft stone like sandstone or limestone that could be shaped without metal tools, but later whorls could be ornately carved and decorated out of materials from bone, porcelain, glass, precious metals and semi-precious stones and came in all shapes and sizes.  However, it is very likely that other objects were used to spin fibers into thread before the creation of the handspindle itself.

    Spinning fibers into thread was initially accomplished without the use of any tools at all; however, this method was more time-consuming. The fibers were held in one hand, and the other hand was used to pinch off a portion of the fiber.  The fibers were then twisted by hand between the fingers while simultaneously being pulled out to create longer lengths of thread.  Thread made in this manner is referred to as twisted yarn, rather than spun yarns.  A figurine carved from the tusk of a wooly mammoth wearing a loincloth made of twisted threads was carbon dated back to 25,000 BCE, but it is difficult to determine if the threads in her garment were twisted or spun  (Hochberg).

    The oldest actual “tool” used for spinning thread were common rocks.  Archaeologists theorize that this tool was in common use by primitive peoples, but do not have good supporting archaeological evidence for this theory.  As the first spinners were nomadic tribes from pre-agrarian societies, it is unlikely that they would have carried their rocks from camp to camp, and would use stones found at each new site for their spinning.  A leader thread would be spun by twisting the fibers between the fingers to a desired length, then the resulting thread would be tied around the rock.  The rock could then be rotated to spin the fibers as they are played out between the fingers.  Spinning with rocks is still done in remote parts of Asia among the nomadic tribes.

    A hooked stick is another ancient “tool” used for spinning.  Whereas the rock would be used more like a dropspindle, a stick cut from the branches of a tree would be used to spin the fibers by rolling the stick horizontally along the length of your thigh to put twist into the fibers.  The first sticks may have been straight, and were a natural outgrowth of rolling the fiber along the length of their leg to twist the fibers.  As with the rock, the time and place of the origin of this spinning tool is unknown.

    Eventually, man hit upon a way to combine both the rock and the stick to create a tool that could provide greater twisting momentum for improved ease in spinning the yarn.  A whorl, often made of clay, bone or a soft rock, was attached to the spindle.  The spindle could then be twisted by hand with the weighted end of the shaft suspended on the ground, or rolled along the thigh.  It could also be used as a drop spindle, where the whorl could be placed at the top or bottom of the spindle.  A variation of this style, the bead-whorl spindle, is considered to be the most widely-used style of spindle throughout history.  It is specifically designed to spin fine yarns which require a lot of twist, and was in widespread use throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa where short-staple fibers such as cashmere, cotton and camel were used.  These spindles often had slim shafts, a pointed end to reduce friction with the ground, and hooked or pointed tops so that it could be used for either suspended or drop spinning. The bead is usually an inch or less in diameter and made of a dense material like stone or metal so that it rotates quickly to provide a lot of twist.  Some styles of bead-whorl spindles place the bead in the center of the spindle, so that the yarn can be spun both above and below the spindle.

    Another type of weighted spindle that was commonly used was a cross-arm spindle, where a piece of wood or bone was attached to the bottom of the hooked spindle instead of a rounded whorl.  These types of spindles were used exclusively as drop spindles, either twisted by hand or rolled along the thigh to start the rotation while the yarn is pulled out from the fibers.  Eventually the cross-arm style was expanded upon to create a double cross-arm spindle, commonly known today as a “Turkish” dropspindle.  This style was used across the Middle East, and is formed by two arms that interlock (often at right angles) at the bottom of the spindle to allow for more balanced spinning than the single-arm style.  Some sets come with two sets of arms, so that you can use one set for thinner yarns and the second set for thicker yarns, and others come with arms of two different weights, allowing you three possible weight combinations for spinning on the spindle.

    The most common form of dropspindle used today is known a hooked high-whorl spindle.  This spindle has the whorl located less than half the length of the spindle, with a hook at the top.  This type of dropspindle has been used since the twentieth century BCE in Egypt, where wall paintings depict spinners spinning and plying their yarns on hooked high-whorl spindles  (Hochberg).  Some spindles of this style have two whorls, one above the other, with a space to wind the yarn between the whorls.  This type of spindle was in common use throughout the Middle East, Asia and Africa.  Another variation of this style is the carved one-piece spindle, in which the spindle was made of lathe-turned wood with a wide top to act as a built-in whorl. These were most often used among European nobility of Italy, France and Spain in the 19th century, once spinning was taken up as a pastime instead of being a daily chore, and were often decorated with gilt and colored enamel.

    Whereas high-whorl spindles were in common use in the East, drop spindles where the whorl was placed at the bottom of the spindle predominated Europe and Greco-Roman areas.  These low-whorl spindles were most commonly used to spin longer-staple fibers such as linen, silk and wool, and are still in widespread use in India, Indonesia, Peru and the Philippines.  Low-whorl dropspindles are second in popularity today to high-whorl spindles for most modern day spindle spinners.

    Medieval spinners often used a distaff, (a stick with a fork or ornate comb on the tip used to hold long-staple fibers while spinning) to hold their fibers while they were spinning with a spindle.  This stick was usually held under the left arm according to most pictures – meaning that the spinners would have had to set their spindles in motion with their right hand, and feeding their fiber with the right hand.  In fact, the term “drop spindle” wasn’t common during that time period – you either spun “on the distaff” or “on the wheel.”  In fact, use of the distaff was so common that the term “distaff side” of one’s family indicated relations on the maternal side of the family.  Wool and flax were most commonly spun with distaff and dropspindle, even after spinning wheels became the popular tool of choice for spinning shorter-stapled wool and flax tow.

    Unfortunately, there are no surviving examples early medieval spinning wheels, so one must look to artwork and historical records for evidence of their existence.  Evidence of spinning wheels themselves do not appear in any historical records and artwork of the 13th century.  In her book Spinning Wheels, Spinners and Spinning, Patricia Baines reports of written evidence to the presence of spinning wheels in Persia in 1257; and linguistic evidence that suggests they came to Persia from India, so it is entirely possible that they were in use prior to this time.  The earliest known artwork depicting a spinning wheel comes from China around 1270 and depicts a “wheel” with long bamboo spokes.  This wheel, as well as the Indian styles known as charkha wheels, were not rimed wheels at all, but rather had a string running through holes in the tips of the spokes connecting them in a zig-zag fashion, thus supporting the drive band.  The drive band was connected to a spindle turned on it’s side where the whorl might be, and powered by a hand crank.  The spinner would turn the hand crank with one hand and spin off of the end of the spindle with the other hand – thus the term “spindle wheel.”

    While these rimless spindle wheels were in use in Greece, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Italy and Switzerland, they did not reach Europe until the late 13th century.  Baines reports a mention of spindle wheels in Speyer (now Germany) dating from 1298 that forbids the use of wheel-spun warp threads in weaving.  Spindle wheels, as they can spin fibers with less gravity and twist, created a softer yarn that would not hold up to the warp tension as well as strong-spun warp threads.  Baines notes: “The need for such a regulation surely indicates that spinning on the wheel was an established method by that time.”  Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence in the document to define what fibers were being spun and what kind of wheel was being used.

    Devices similar to spinning wheels with a conventional rim are pictured in windows of several French cathedrals dating back to the 13th century in Amiens and Chartes, areas known for their woolen goods in the medieval era.  The pictures appear to show them being used as bobbin winders for finished yarns, as opposed to wheels for spinning yarns; but the use of a spinning wheel to spin wool seems to have developed in France and Flanders (Baines)  Wheels used to spin wool appear in documentable evidence in Britain in the early 14th century as pictures in the Decretals of Gregory IX, a manuscript that was illustrated in England, and shows a woman carding, combing and spinning wool on a wheel.    The Luttrell Psalter written and illustrated in East Anglia sometime between 1335-1340, illustrates wool carding and spinning on a wheel.

    Oftentimes, these spindle wheels (with the exception of the small charkha wheels used in India) are called “great wheels.”  This is not a medieval term, as smaller spinning wheels for comparison did not come into use until more modern times. These smaller wheels, like the ones made by Ashford, Louet, Majacraft and others, were developed late in the medieval period to allow spinners easier handling of the longer staple fibers like linen and combed wools.  Baines speculates that the silk reeling and throwing mills of 13th century Italy may have inspired the development of these wheels, as flyers were used to load spun yarn onto bobbins.  The thread was twisted as it left the bobbin, rather than being twisted and then loaded onto the bobbin as seen in modern flyer wheels.  The first published discussion of these machines doesn’t appear until 1607, yet there is documentation that the technology for these reeling machines was brought from Lucca to Bologna in 1272, and to Florence and Venice in the mid 14th century.  Apparently the weaving Guilds made every attempt at keeping the existence of these reeling machines a secret.  (Baines)

    The earliest known record of a flyer wheel appears in the form of a picture from southern Germany, dated from 1475-1480, and shows flax spinning.  Other pictures from the Low Countries dating from the early 1500s show small flyer wheels being used to spin wool.  Leonardo da Vinci himself even worked on the mechanics of creating a flyer wheel, as evidenced in his notes of 1490, but he did not invent the flyer wheel itself.  (Baines)  Just as with the spindle wheels, these flyer wheels were turned with a hand crank.  The foot treadle present on most modern spinning wheels was an even later addition, but there seems to be little agreement as to their era of origin.  In her book A Weaver’s Garden, Rita Buchannan refers to “the development of the flyer and the treadle-driven wheel in the 15th and 16th centuries.”  However, Patricia Baines states that “There still seems to be no definite evidence (for foot treadles) before the 17th century.”

    Regardless of the method and device used, as long as you are twisting fibers together to create yarn, you are spinning.  You can get a good quality dropspindle for as low as $5 that will give you yarn just as good as you can get on a spinning wheel, which usually starts around $300.  No matter how much you spend on your tools, or how historically accurate your methods, as long as you are creating yarn and enjoying yourself, you are keeping this once vital part of our history alive.

    Types of American Spinning Wheels
    (courtesy of ehow.com)

    Saxony Wheel
     
    American colonists grew flax to be processed into linen and colonial families prized their linen textiles. Once the flax fibers have been processed, they can be spun into linen thread. A Saxony, or flax, wheel is used to spin linen fibers into thread. This treadle-driven wheel has three legs and a flyer-and-bobbin mechanism is used to wind the thread onto the bobbin. Saxony wheels can have a single-drive or a double-drive set-up, which is the number of times the drive band goes around the wheel.
    Walking Wheel
     
    After wool has been cleaned and carded, it is ready for spinning. A walking, or great, wheel is often used to spin wool, and it is distinguished by its large wheel (typically over five feet high). Using a walking wheel is an art form that requires deftness and skill. The spinner turns the great wheel with one hand and walks forwards and backwards to control the carded wool with the other hand. Also, the spinner has to control the wool thread winding onto the spindle.


    Castle Wheel
     
    The castle spinning wheel is a modified version of a Saxony wheel. The bobbin-and-flyer assembly is located on top of the wheel instead of behind it (as in a Saxony wheel). The primary advantage of the castle wheel is that is occupies less space for use, storage and transport. Castle wheels, like Saxony wheels, can have a single- or double-drive system.


    Norwegian Wheel
     
    The Norwegian wheel is also a modified Saxony wheel. Although Norway also produced Saxony wheels, and Norwegian immigrants brought both types to America, the Norwegian wheel is usually distinguished from the Saxony wheel in that it has four legs instead of three and a larger wheel. Norwegian wheels can also have a single- or double-drive set up.


    How to Spot a Truly Antique Spinning Wheel
    (courtesy of ehow.com)

    * Request the provenance for the antique spinning wheel, if available. This information will tell you the wheel's age, origins and perhaps the history of its ownership.

    *  Examine the workmanship. Look for signs that the spinning wheel was handmade, such as slight differences in diameter of the legs. Machine-cut pieces are more uniform and were not made until about 1860.

    *  Check the finish. A spinning wheel finished with lacquer or varnish probably dates from after the mid-1800s. Clear shellac was used before then. A very old piece might have an oil or painted finish.

    *  Look for signs of age. An old spinning wheel that has not been cleaned or used will have built up grease and lint in the orifice or other parts. The flyer hooks might be worn, grooved or broken. The orifice also could show a groove where yards of yarn have passed through.

    *  Look for a manufacturer's mark. Farnham wheels, made in Owego, N.Y., in the 1800s, have the "Farnham" signature stamped or burned into the top or side of the wheel table. Other types of signed wheels include "Truesdell" and "E.S. Williams."

    *  Missing or broken parts can subtract from the value of a spinning wheel. A guide to spinning wheels is a good source for illustrations of spinning wheel parts. Unless the wheel is a rare collector's item, antique spinning wheels are relatively inexpensive--about $300 for a simple horizontal wheel.

    Antique Spinning Wheel Price Guide

    Title Bids End Date Start Price End Price
    Antique Spinning Wheel 28 4/2/10 $100.00 $411.75
    Antique Country Primitive Spinning Wheel old blue paint 24 5/2/10 $9.95 $404.99
    Wonderful Antique J. Truesdell Saxony Spinning wheel 6 5/22/10 $135.00 $310.00
    ANTIQUE CARNIVAL ROULETTE SPINNING GAME WHEEL OF CHANCE 23 4/26/10 $9.99 $301.99
    Antique English Oak Carved Spinning Wheel Chair Stool 1 5/14/10 $259.00 $285.00
    Antique English Oak Carved Spinning Wheel Chair Stool 1 3/24/10 $259.00 $285.00
    ANTIQUE 1870-1880 HIGHLY ORNATED PARLOR SPINNING WHEEL 1 4/24/10 $279.00 $279.00
    LARGE ANTIQUE HAND OPERATED SPINNING WHEEL 1 4/3/10 $275.00 $275.00
    Antique spinning wheel 1 3/20/10 $275.00 $275.00
    1800s Antique  SPINNING WHEEL Very Impressive 1 3/31/10 $275.00 $275.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel 6 5/1/10 $200.00 $265.00
    Antique large saxony style spinning wheel. 2 5/22/10 $250.00 $260.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel -19th Century-Original Condition 18 3/27/10 $65.00 $255.00
    ANTIQUE FLAX WHEEL (LARGE SPINNING WHEEL) 1 6/3/10 $200.00 $250.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel 39 4/24/10 $19.99 $240.00
    Antique Primitive Country Spinning Wheel  flax wool old 30 5/18/10 $9.99 $235.03
    Antique OAK Spinning Wheel ALL ORIGINAL!19th cen. WOW! 16 5/15/10 $70.00 $226.38
    SALE ! BEAUTIFUL LITTLE PEGGY SPINNING WHEEL - ANTIQUE 2 6/2/10 $219.00 $221.50
    ANTIQUE VINTAGE WOODEN SPINNING WHEEL w ATTACHED WINDER 24 6/6/10 $9.99 $212.50
    Antique small European saxony spinning wheel red paint 1 5/17/10 $175.00 $210.00
    Antique As Found Country Spinning Wheel flax wool old 28 4/17/10 $9.99 $203.00
    Antique Wooden Working Country Spinning Wheel Nr 1 BEST 1 5/6/10 $347.00 $200.00
    ANTIQUE FRENCH SPINNING WHEEL 2 6/7/10 $199.99 $199.99
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL CANADIAN MADE 150 YR OLD RARE ! 1 4/29/10 $199.00 $199.00
    Nice Antique Large Castle style spinning wheel 1 5/22/10 $195.00 $195.00
    Antique Primitive Country Spinning Wheel working cond. 11 5/29/10 $9.99 $188.00
    ANTIQUE LITHUANIAN SPINNING WHEEL 6 5/9/10 $99.99 $181.31
    Antique Wooden Working Condition Spinning Wheel 1 5/17/10 $180.00 $180.00
    ANTIQUE LITHUANIAN SPINNING WHEEL 1 5/13/10 $178.81 $178.81
    Wonderful Antique Oak Spinning Wheel 6 6/1/10 $99.99 $175.75
    Old As Found Country Antique Spinning Wheel flax wool 19 3/22/10 $9.99 $168.49
    RARE Antique Rosemaled Norwegian Ornate Spinning Wheel 2 5/16/10 $150.00 $167.50
    ANTIQUE FLAX SPINNING WHEEL EXCELLENT CONDITION 1 3/24/10 $175.00 $165.00
    RARE ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL SMALL UPSIDE DOWN WOODEN 6 5/23/10 $75.00 $152.50
    Antique Spinning Wheel -19th Century-Original Condition 12 3/27/10 $55.00 $151.50
    ANTIQUE 1800'S SPINNING WHEEL ORNATE PERFECT SIZE 1 4/17/10 $149.98 $149.98
    Antique Spinning Wheel. Original Paint. Dated 1877. 2 3/21/10 $149.00 $149.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL POP GOES THE WEASEL 1800 OAK WOW 1 5/21/10 $149.00 $149.00
    Very Nice Original Antique Oak Spinning wheel 1 4/11/10 $137.32 $137.32
    Antique Child's Spinning Wheel, French. 1 4/5/10 $135.00 $135.00
    Wonderful Antique Center Treadle Castle Spinning Wheel 16 6/6/10 $29.99 $128.49
    ANTIQUE FLAX SPINNING WHEEL 1800'S 16 6/8/10 $9.99 $128.49
    Antique Small Primitive Spinning Wheel Child Size 7 3/25/10 $24.99 $127.50
    ANTIQUE VINTAGE SPINNING WHEEL PRIMITIVE QUILT ~ SUPERB 1 4/18/10 $127.00 $127.00
    Extremely Rare Antique Wooden Spinning Wheel usidedown 1 5/26/10 $240.00 $125.00
    Antique Child Size Spinning Wheel Excel Cond & Complete 1 3/20/10 $195.00 $125.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL SPINDLE PART ESTATE 15 5/21/10 $9.99 $107.50
    ANTIQUE SPINNING FLAX WHEEL 20 5/13/10 $9.99 $103.50
    Very Complete Antique Spinning Wheel reenactment wool 15 5/6/10 $0.99 $103.09
    ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE ORIGINAL PAINT SPINNING WHEEL 13 6/7/10 $9.99 $102.50
    Antique Early American Spinning Wheel 6 3/26/10 $79.99 $102.50
    Antique Spinning Wheel 5 4/9/10 $45.00 $102.50
    Antique Wood Winder/Spinning Wheel/'Click Reel 1 5/26/10 $399.00 $100.00
    Spinning Wheel Antique 1 5/2/10 $40.00 $100.00
    ANTIQUE FLAX SPINNING WHEEL 1 5/16/10 $100.00 $100.00
    Antique Early American Spinning Wheel 3 3/31/10 $79.99 $100.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel Skein Winder Clock Reel 1 4/17/10 $99.99 $99.99
    Antique Spinning Wheel 1 4/1/10 $99.00 $99.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel 2 6/5/10 $91.00 $97.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel 15 4/21/10 $49.99 $95.65
    Exquisite Antique French Breton Doll Spinning Wheel 9 3/16/10 $9.99 $87.99
    Antique Spinning Wheel reenactment wool German 16 5/15/10 $0.99 $87.01
    Small Antique Painted Spinning Wheel 1 6/5/10 $9.99 $85.00
    1800S ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL CHILDS? ALL ORIGINAL PARTS 12 4/10/10 $14.99 $84.26
    Antique Saxon style Spinning Wheel 14 6/5/10 $9.99 $83.55
    ANTIQUE FLAX SPINNING WHEEL 2 5/9/10 $79.99 $82.00
    Antique Primitive Wooden  Spinning wheel distaff 1 4/3/10 $150.00 $80.00
    Large Antique wool spinning wheel, NORESERVE 1 3/26/10 $79.95 $79.95
    Antique Mini Spinning/Flax Wheel~Child's? German? Rare? 4 6/7/10 $75.00 $77.01
    Antique Spinning Wheel spare parts 100 years old - Rare 8 4/8/10 $30.00 $76.00
    ANTIQUE SOLID WOOD SPINNING WHEEL RAPUNZEL FAIRY TALE 14 5/17/10 $0.99 $76.00
    Antique Country FLAX SPINNING WHEEL signed CROSBY 14 3/22/10 $9.99 $76.00
    ANTIQUE MINIATURE SPINNING WHEEL DOLL SIZE NO RESERVE 1 6/8/10 $75.00 $75.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel 1 4/12/10 $125.00 $75.00
    ANTIQUE WOODEN spinning wheel PRIMITIVE  distaff d 1 4/20/10 $75.00 $75.00
    Antique Early Spinning Wheel Old Very Good Cond. 1 6/3/10 $74.99 $74.99
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL WOOD PARTS 9 pc. lot 13 4/16/10 $9.99 $71.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING FLAX WHEEL  - 24 pics BEAUTIFUL PATINA 2 3/29/10 $69.99 $71.00
    ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE YARN-SKEIN WINDER WHEEL SPINNING TOOL 8 3/26/10 $5.00 $68.50
    Swedish antique wooden DISTAFF Spinning Wheel PATINA 3 5/2/10 $45.00 $67.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL FLYER BOBBIN WHORL WOOD SPOOL 11 4/13/10 $9.99 $66.85
    Spinning Wheel Parts Antique Maiden Metal Rod Early 9 5/11/10 $9.99 $66.02
    Antique Spinning Wheel 27 1/2" 14 5/7/10 $25.00 $65.25
    Spinning Wheel - Antique 1 5/18/10 $65.00 $65.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel Spindle Part 10 5/5/10 $9.95 $64.00
    Antique Hungarian Vintage Yarn Spinning Wheel 10 4/4/10 $0.99 $64.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel parts 6 5/2/10 $9.99 $62.02
    spinning wheel part,old antique wood 3 4/2/10 $49.95 $56.55
    ANTIQUE COUNTRY SPINNING WHEEL!! 3 6/3/10 $39.99 $56.00
    ANTIQUE WOODEN spinning wheel PRIMITIVE  distaff e 1 3/22/10 $75.00 $55.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel 7 5/17/10 $9.99 $51.05
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL FROM ESTATE OF 90 YEAR OLD WOMAN 2 6/8/10 $49.95 $50.95
    Antique Spinning/Flax Wheel Accessory~Primitive 1 6/8/10 $9.99 $50.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel 1 3/23/10 $50.00 $50.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING FLAX WHEEL  - lots of pics 2 3/29/10 $49.99 $49.99
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL CARVED WOOD SPINDLE WOOL DISTAFF 5 4/3/10 $24.99 $47.22
    VINTAGE ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL PARTS SPINDLE PRIMITIVE 6 6/7/10 $9.99 $47.00
    Antique Primitive SPINNING WHEEL Salesmen Sample DOLL 1 3/24/10 $45.00 $45.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel - decorative/possibly usable 3 6/5/10 $30.00 $42.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL SPINDLE PART ESTATE 6 6/2/10 $9.99 $41.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL's SPOOL FLYER 9 6/8/10 $19.99 $41.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL  30 INCH WHEEL 1 4/3/10 $40.00 $40.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel Incomplete for - Ornament Decor 1 6/11/10 $55.00 $40.00
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 11 4/29/10 $0.99 $37.90
    Spinning Wheel, antique, circa 1830, flax 1 4/11/10 $35.00 $35.00
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer d 16 4/1/10 $0.99 $35.00
    ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE WOOD WOODEN SPINNING WHEEL PART 6 4/20/10 $14.95 $34.66
    Antique Estonian wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 1 4/27/10 $24.99 $33.00
    Antique Estonian wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 1 6/8/10 $24.99 $33.00
    Antique Framed Needlepoint  Silhouette Spinning Wheel 15 3/23/10 $9.99 $33.00
    Antique Estonian wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 1 5/17/10 $33.00 $33.00
    Antique Estonian wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 1 5/17/10 $33.00 $33.00
    Antique Lux Clock spinning wheel alarm clock nice! 8 5/9/10 $9.99 $32.51
    Antique Spinning wheel 2 3/24/10 $20.00 $32.01
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer b 13 3/27/10 $7.99 $32.00
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL's SPOOL FLYER MOSSBERG 3 5/22/10 $8.64 $32.00
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer a 7 4/29/10 $0.99 $30.99
    Antique Turkish Horizontal Bobbin Flyer Spinning Wheel 2 5/31/10 $29.95 $30.95
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL CARVED WOOD SPINDLE WOOL DISTAFF 2 4/24/10 $24.99 $27.99
    Large Antique Bronze Spinning Wheel Engraving Ed H Best 13 4/21/10 $9.99 $27.25
    ANTIQUE PAINTED WOOD MINIATURE SPINNING WHEEL 4 4/26/10 $19.99 $27.01
    Antique SPINNING WHEEL Great Wheel SPINDLE Parts ++ 8 6/12/10 $9.99 $26.51
    Antique Saxony Style Spinning Wheel Wood Beauty SF863 6 6/10/10 $9.99 $26.09
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL's SPOOL FLYER 9 5/22/10 $14.99 $26.00
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer a 11 3/29/10 $7.99 $26.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel Parts Wheel Only Original N/R 4 5/27/10 $5.00 $25.98
    Antique spinning wheel parts 1 4/9/10 $25.00 $25.00
    Antique Estonian wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 1 5/14/10 $24.99 $24.99
    ANTIQUE TOY? FOLK ART SPINNING WHEEL LAMP TURNS wPEDDLE 1 4/20/10 $24.99 $24.99
    ANTIQUE RED SPINNING WHEEL BOB 1 3/18/10 $24.95 $24.95
    ORIGINAL ANTIQUE FLAX SPINNING WHEEL 5 4/15/10 $0.99 $24.50
    Pr Antique Wool Carder Wood Hand Paddles Spinning Wheel 5 6/11/10 $9.99 $22.39
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer b 1 3/28/10 $22.00 $22.00
    ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE WOOD WOODEN SPINNING WHEEL & PARTS 6 5/2/10 $12.00 $20.50
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL'S SPOOL FLYER 7 5/8/10 $9.99 $20.50
    Antique Spinning Wheel 3 4/30/10 $0.99 $20.50
    Spinning Wheel Flyer #3 of 3 ~antique (on far left) 15 6/5/10 $9.99 $20.50
    Vintage/ Antique(?) Wooden Spinning Wheel Part 10 3/18/10 $5.00 $20.50
    3 Antique SPINNING WHEEL Gears GREAT WHEEL Flyer Whorl 3 3/19/10 $9.99 $20.50
    ANTIQUE WOODEN spinning wheel PRIMITIVE tool working co 1 5/28/10 $40.00 $20.00
    Spinning Wheel Flyer: antique #1 (shown at top of pic) 3 6/5/10 $9.99 $17.00
    Antique Spinning Wheel Banjamin Pierce Wheel 3 3/22/10 $9.99 $15.50
    ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE WOOL WINDER/HOLDER FOR SPINNING WHEEL 2 5/16/10 $12.95 $15.50
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 9 5/17/10 $0.99 $15.05
    Antique Spinning Wheel Bookends 1 3/25/10 $19.99 $15.00
    Wood Spinning Wheel Part ~Wood Wheel ~ ANTIQUE SEWING 3 3/19/10 $9.99 $13.50
    ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL's SPOOL FLYER 5 5/15/10 $9.99 $13.45
    PSX rubber stamp ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL YARN BASKET W@W 2 4/11/10 $9.99 $13.25
    ANTIQUE Spinning Wheel WOOD WHORL DROP SPINDLE 4 3/18/10 $9.95 $12.50
    ANTIQUE WOODEN spinning wheel PRIMITIVE  distaff 1 1 4/21/10 $17.00 $12.00
    Vintage/ Antique(?) Wooden Spinning Wheel Part 3 4/22/10 $5.00 $11.50
    antique primitive flax spinning wheel..estate fresh!! 1 4/6/10 $9.99 $9.99
    4 Antique Wooden Spools Primitive Winder Spinning Wheel 1 3/29/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Antique Spinning Wheel (Needs minor work) 1 3/18/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Lot Antique Spinning Wheel Parts Spindles Wood Early 1 5/18/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Spinning Wheel Flyer #2 ~ antique 1 6/5/10 $9.99 $9.99
    VINTAGE ANTIQUE SPINNING WHEEL PARTS SPINDLE PRIMITIVE 2 5/23/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Antique Foot Pedal for Spinning Wheel 2 5/23/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Antique Wood Nute's Spinning Wheel/parts 1 5/4/10 $9.99 $9.99
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer  / 1 day lot 10 4/2/10 $0.99 $9.49
    Antique  French Brass Ashtray DL Depose Spinning Wheel 3 5/29/10 $7.99 $8.55
    2 Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer Bobbin good 1 4/16/10 $15.00 $8.00
    LADY SPINNER AT SPINNING WHEEL ANTIQUE PRINT 1887 1 4/7/10 $7.19 $7.19
    Country Nostalgia Series The Antique Spinning Wheel #8 3 3/17/10 $0.99 $6.38
    antique print c18th Sweethearts SPINNING WHEEL Spinner 1 5/5/10 $6.00 $6.00
    Antique Brown Alpaca Spinning Wheel Fiber Top Roving 3 3/17/10 $5.95 $5.95
    Antique Brown Alpaca Spinning Wheel Fiber Top Roving 4 3/18/10 $5.95 $5.95
    Antique Brown Alpaca Spinning Wheel Fiber Top Roving 1 4/18/10 $5.95 $5.95
    Antique Brown Alpaca Spinning Wheel Fiber Top Roving 4 5/24/10 $5.95 $5.95
    Antique Brown Alpaca Spinning Wheel Fiber Top Roving 1 6/9/10 $5.95 $5.95
    Antique Brown Alpaca Spinning Wheel Fiber Top Roving 3 6/9/10 $5.95 $5.95
    Antique Brown Alpaca Spinning Wheel Fiber Top Roving 1 6/11/10 $5.95 $5.95
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer, 1 day lot 5 5/7/10 $0.99 $5.00
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer 2 5/21/10 $0.99 $5.00
    SPINNING WHEEL DOG GIRL OLD SCOTLAND ANTIQUE ART PRINT 1 5/28/10 $6.00 $5.00
    Plan Build Classic Antique Spinning Wheel 1 4/26/10 $4.97 $4.97
    Plans Build  Antique Upright Spinning Wheel Spin Wool 1 6/1/10 $4.97 $4.97
    Plan Build Classic Antique Spinning Wheel Spin Wool 1 6/13/10 $4.97 $4.97
    Plan Build Classic Antique Spinning Wheel 1 5/8/10 $4.97 $4.97
    Plan Build Classic Antique Spinning Wheel 1 5/16/10 $4.97 $4.97
    Plan Build Classic Antique Spinning Wheel Spin Wool 1 5/26/10 $4.97 $4.97
    SPINNING WHEEL WOMAN PRISON ETCHING ANTIQUE ART PRINT 1 5/28/10 $4.00 $4.00
    Vintage Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 1 3/28/10 $3.99 $3.99
    Antique Print LADY Hamilton SPINNING Wheel HEN Chicken 1 4/12/10 $3.75 $3.75
    Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 2 5/23/10 $3.00 $3.00
    Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 1 6/6/10 $3.00 $3.00
    Antique Collar Brooch; Spinning Wheel on Blue Stone 1 4/30/10 $2.99 $2.99
    VINTAGE COPPER MINIATURE "ANTIQUE" SPINNING WHEEL 3 3/30/10 $1.99 $2.49
    29" Yellow Antique Spinning Wheel Wheel - Paradis style 4 5/24/10 $0.99 $2.24
    8 ANTIQUE MAGAZINES, SPINNING WHEEL, OLD 1 4/13/10 $2.00 $2.00
    Vintage Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 2 4/3/10 $0.99 $1.25
    Antique 1900s Spinning Sewing Wheel Dollhouse Furniture 2 4/7/10 $0.98 $1.25
    ANTIQUE SPINDLE WITH WOOL; SPINNING WHEEL, THREAD WOOL 1 6/8/10 $1.00 $1.00
    Vintage Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 1 3/20/10 $0.99 $0.99
    Vintage Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 1 3/27/10 $0.99 $0.99
    Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 1 4/24/10 $0.99 $0.99
    Antique wooded Spinning Wheel Spool Flyer / 1 day lot 1 4/30/10 $0.99 $0.99
    Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 1 4/19/10 $0.99 $0.99
    Silver Antique Spinning Wheel Charm 1 5/15/10 $0.99 $0.99
    ANTIQUE VICTORIAN PRINT WOMAN SPINNING WHEEL 1ST SMILE 1 6/13/10 $0.99 $0.99
     
  • Collecting Victorinox Pocket Knifes

     Collecting Victorinox Pocket Knifes

     

    I am willing to bet that every man in America remembers when he received his first Swiss Army knife. For a teenage boy, getting your first pocket knife is more than just receiving a gift.  It is a right of passage from boy to man.  Whether getting your first Swiss Army knife was memorable because it symbolized your parents trusting you to run around with a weapon in your pocket, or just because its so darn handy, it remains a gift you will always treasure.  Honestly, I am a girl in every sense of the word and even I remember getting one as a gift!  I still keep it in my purse today!  Not only do Victorinox knives make great gifts for loved ones, but they are also a sought after collector's item.  The market for these infamous little pocket multi-taskers is growing and now is the time to start your very own collection!

     The History of Victorinox
    (courtesy of http://www.fundinguniverse.com)

    Victorinox AG has spent the 20th century perfecting and popularizing a cultural icon: the Swiss Army knife. A synonym for utility, the multifunction gadgets have won an enduring place in the heart of self-sufficient hikers, tinkerers, and yes, soldiers, of all kinds. Among pocket knives, the Swiss Army brand is probably the most widely recognized in the world. As Europe's largest knife manufacturer, Victorinox also produces a line of popular chefs' knives.

    Victorinox Swiss Army Past and Present
          
    The Victorinox Swiss Army legacy traces its origins to 1884, when Karl Elsener and his mother Victoria opened a cutlery workshop in a small town in Switzerland.

    Today, the Elsener family still owns Victorinox.  The company is celebrating both the 125th Anniversary of Victorinox and the 20th year of the Swiss Army Watch in 2009, with a number of events, including a road trip, and limited editions of both Swiss Army watches and Swiss Army Knives.  Princeton Watches has been an authorized Swiss Army retailer since 2000.

    About the term "Swiss Army"

    There is sometimes confusion about the term "Swiss Army" as it applies to knives and watches. The Swiss Army in Switzerland (meaning the actual country of Switzerland's army) licenses and procures their "Swiss Army" knives from two companies, Victorinox and Wenger (now both under the same ownership) and has for over a century, so they are both legally and commonly called "Swiss Army" knives.  However, only Victorinox Swiss Army Watches can say "Swiss Army" on the dial, they are the only "real" Swiss Army Watches

    Also, originally the watches made by Victorinox were made with only "Swiss Army" on the dial.  In the last few years, the watches have been produced with the "Victorinox Swiss Army" designation on the label, as Victorinox emphasizes and celebrates its brand heritage

    The transition between the two designations was not done overnight, but gradually as the company and its retailers sold the inventory with the old brand designation. Both Victorinox Swiss Army and Swiss Army watches are made by the same company and are the same watch. Many styles (over 100) were made using both designations on the label. As of 2009, it is less common to encounter a new watch that simply says Swiss Army on the dial.

    Victorinox Milestones:

    1884 Karl Elsender and his mother Victoria open the cutlery shop in Ibach-Schwyz, a small town in Switzerland

    1891 The company creates it's first knife for the Swiss Military

    1897 The company legally registers the name Swiss "Officer's and Sport Knife"

    1921 Karl Elsener coined the name Victorinox, combining his mother's name, Victoria, with "inox" an abbreviation for the french name of the new "stainless" steel, which is "inoxydable"

    1945 The "Original Swiss Army Knife" makes it's way around the world as GIs become familiar with it in WWII, and is sold at PXs around the world.

    1989 Victorinox enters the Timepiece market in the US, under the "Swiss Army" trademark, the first Swiss Army Watches

    2007 Victorinox decides to start designating all watches worldwide with "Victorinox Swiss Army" on the dial, a transition that will take a few years.

    2009 The company celebrates its 125th anniversary with the new slogan "125 Years - Your Partner for Life", many new product introductions, limited editions and other events.

    Different Types of Victorinox Swiss Army  Pocket Knives
    (courtesy of http://forum.multitool.org/)



    01.   SportRatchet
    02.   WorkChamp XL.
    03.   Hercules.
    04.   Skipper.
    05.   Carpenter.
    06.   Rescue Tool.
    07.   Jumpmaster.
    08.   Hunter.
    09.   OH Trekker.
    10.   Pocket Clip Sentinel.
    11.   SwissBianco New Soldier.
    12.   New Soldier.
    13.   1 of 1000 USA New Soldier.
    14.   New German Army Knife.
    15.   New Dutch Army knife.
    16.   Stag Hunter.
    17.   Mauser.
    18.   German Army knife.
    19.   Trooper.
    20.   Solo.
    21.   Grand Prix.
    22.   Shuttle.
    23.   Astronaut.
    24.   Super Timer.
    25.   Timekeeper.
    26.   1891-1991 Anniversary Climber.
    27.   1897-1997 Anniversary SwissChamp.
    28.   1897-1997 Anniversary Spartan.
    29.   Scientist.
    30.   Tiffany Sterling silver and Gold SwissChamp.
    31.   SwissChamp XLT.
    32.   Sapphire SwissChamp.
    33.   Rosewood SwissChamp.
    34.   Hardwood SwissChamp.
    35.   Stag SwissChamp.
    36.   Champion Plus.
    37.   Hardwood Handyman.
    38.   Woodsman.
    39.   Woodsman.
    40.   Master Electrician.
    41.   Master Gardner.
    42.   Ranger.
    43.   Ranger.
    44.   Camper.
    45.   Mountaineer.
    46.   Huntsman.
    47.   Traveller Lite.
    48.   Altimeter Plus.
    49.   Voyager.
    50.   Wild Turkey (Wildlife Series)
    51.   Climber.
    52.   Rosewood Super Tinker.
    53.   Silvertech Spartan.
    54.   Spartan Lite.
    55.   Spartan Lite.
    56.   Nylon Huntsman.
    57.   Nylon Camper.
    58.   Nylon Spartan.
    59.   Nylon Recruit.
    60.   Nylon Recruit.
    61.   Nylon Recruit.
    62.   Leather Recruit.
    63.   125th Anniversary Soldier.
    64.   125th Anniversary Cybertool.
    65.   125th Anniversary Climber.
    66.   125th Anniversary Classic SD.
    67.   Red Pioneer Pruner.
    68.   Red Pioneer Harvester.
    69.   Red Pioneer.
    70.   Red Pioneer.
    71.   Red Farmer.
    72.   08 Soldier.
    73.   1 of 5000 USA Soldier.
    74.   Farmer.
    75.   Electrician.
    76.   VSAK 2004 Soldier.
    77.   Electrician Plus.
    78.   1 of 5000 USA Soldier.
    79.   First Mate.
    80.   Pioneer Settler.
    81.   Pioneer Apprentice.
    82.   Pioneer Solo.
    83.   Scibeer  Blue Pioneer.
    84.   Blue Farmer.
    85.   Popular.
    86.   Ambassador.
    87.   Ambassador.
    88.   Director.
    89.   Silver Money Clip.
    90.   Hunter Green Cadet.
    91.   Autumn Orange Cadet.
    92.   Black Cadet.
    93.   Silver ribbed Cadet.
    94.   Red Cadet.
    95.   Gun Metal Cadet.
    96.   Sciebeer Gun Metal Lumberjack.
    97.   Baker’s knife.
    98.   Pruner.
    99.   2GB Swiss Beat MP3.
    100.   Series 1 Ambassador.
    101.   Series 1 Ambassador.
    102.   Series 1 Ambassador.
    103.   Series 1 Ambassador.
    104.   Series 1 Ambassador.
    105.   Red Classic SD.
    106.   Red Bijou.
    107.   Red Whistle.
    108.   MiniChamp variant.
    109.   MiniChamp variant.
    110.   Red Alox Classic SD.
    111.   Silver Alox Classic SD.
    112.   Hot Pink Classic.
    113.   Silvertech Signature Lite.
    114.   1GB Swiss Memory.
    115.   Broker.
    116.   Sterling Silver Mat Classic.
    117.   Sterling Silver Swirl Classic.
    118.   Sterling Silver Barleycorn Classic.
    119.   Sterling Silver Space Classic.
    120.   Sterling Silver Basketweave Classic.
    121.   Sterling silver Hammered Classic.
    122.   Sterling silver Polished Classic.
    123.   Sterling silver Hand Engraved Classic.
    124.   Gold Ingot Classic.
    125.   Tiffany Sterling Silver and Gold Classic.
    126.   Black Classic SD.
    127.   Black Classic SD.
    128.   Sapphire Classic SD.
    129.   Emerald Classic SD.
    130.   Red Classic.
    131.   Black Classic SD with advertizing on back.
    132.   125th Anniversary SwissCard.
    133.   SwissCard Lite.
    134.   SwissCard.
    135.   SwissCard Visor Clip.

    Victorinox Pocket Knife Price Guide

     

    Title Bids End Date Start Price End Price
    Victorinox 17 Piece Forged Kitchen Knife Block Set New 1 5/14/10 679.99 679.99
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  125th Heritage Knife 1 3/28/10 389 389
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  125th Heritage Knife 1 4/24/10 378 378
    Victorinox Swiss Army 125th Ann.Heritage Knife 150/1884 3 5/6/10 275 285
    Victorinox Swiss Army 125th Ann.Heritage Knife 146/1884 1 5/13/10 275 275
    Victorinox Swiss Army 125th Ann.Heritage Knife 148/1884 2 5/25/10 275 275
    Victorinox Vintage Folding Knife Deer Antler Handle 14 5/16/10 49.55 272.99
    Victorinox SwissChamp XAVT 80 Swiss Army Camping Knife 1 3/28/10 269 269
    VICTORINOX  (COLLECTION NUMBER 2)          5 KNIFE SET 25 5/25/10 19.99 260
    Victorinox SwissChamp XAVT Swiss Army Knife 53509 Red 1 5/20/10 256.2 256.2
    Victorinox SwissChamp XAVT Swiss Army Knife 53509 Red 1 6/3/10 256.2 256.2
    Victorinox SwissChamp XAVT 80 Swiss Army Camping Knife 1 4/19/10 269 255
    LOT VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY CLASSIC BRUSHED METAL KNIFE 1 4/30/10 259.99 255
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  SWISSCHAMP XAVT  New 53509 1 5/17/10 249 249
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  SWISSCHAMP XAVT  New 53509 1 5/8/10 249 249
    VINTAGE VICTORINOX HORN SWISS ARMY JACK KNIFE KNIVES EC 18 3/28/10 0.99 237.79
    VICTORINOX SWISSCHAMP XAVT SWISS ARMY KNIFE CHAMP NEW 1 3/28/10 233.99 233.99
    VICTORINOX SWISSCHAMP XAVT SWISS ARMY KNIFE CHAMP NEW 1 4/6/10 233.99 233.99
    VICTORINOX SWISSCHAMP XAVT SWISS ARMY KNIFE CHAMP NEW 1 4/11/10 233.99 233.99
    VICTORINOX SWISSCHAMP XAVT SWISS ARMY KNIFE CHAMP NEW 1 4/14/10 233.99 233.99
    VICTORINOX SWISSCHAMP XAVT SWISS ARMY KNIFE CHAMP NEW 1 4/16/10 233.99 233.99
    Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp XAVT Ultimate Knife 3 3/12/10 199.99 222
    VICTORINOX  RARE HORN 84MM GOLFER  SWISS   ARMY   KNIFE 4 5/30/10 130 215.5
    VICTORINOX  RARE HORN 84MM GOLFER  SWISS   ARMY   KNIFE 1 5/31/10 213 213
    OLD SWISS KNIFE - VICTORINOX  ELINOX 17 4/18/10 20 212.5
    Victorinox Swiss-Army-Knife EXPEDITION KIT-AVT lite New 1 5/15/10 209 209
    SWISS ARMY KNIFE - VICTORINOX - DATED 1978 6 4/4/10 30 202.5
    VICTORINOX  RARE  CUSTOM US LIBERTY SWISS ARMY KNIFE 6 4/11/10 55 202.5
    NEW Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp XAVT Knife Tool 11 3/26/10 149 198.07
    46035 12pc Culinary Knife Set Victorinox 1 4/21/10 196.99 196.99
    VICTORINOX SWISSCHAMP XAVT SWISS ARMY KNIFE CHAMP NEW 1 5/6/10 184.99 184.99
    3856   1 Tiffany & Co Victorinox sterling sliver knife 17 3/7/10 0.99 178.07
    SWISS KNIFE - VICTORINOX 10 5/2/10 25 175.5
    NICE VINTAGE Victorinox Victoria Swiss Army Knife 11 3/29/10 0.99 175.4
    RH Forschner by Victorinox 7pc Cutlery KNIFE Block Set 1 3/19/10 169.99 169.99
    Rare old style  VICTORINOX FARMER, knife, red alox, NIB 37 5/28/10 1 167.5
    SWISS ARMY KNIFE - VICTORINOX ELSENER - DATED 1966 14 4/4/10 40 167.5
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  SWISSCHAMP XLT New 53504 1 4/26/10 159 159
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  SWISSCHAMP XLT New 53504 1 5/7/10 159 159
    SWISS ARMY KNIFE - VICTORINOX - VICTORIA 19 5/23/10 30 157.5
    Rare old style  VICTORINOX FARMER, knife, red alox, NIB 1 5/29/10 156 156
    RARE UNUSUAL MICHEL JORDI ETHNO KNIFE SWISS VICTORINOX 13 3/21/10 0.99 154
    Extreme mint in Box Mauser Victorinox Swiss Army Knife 10 4/22/10 9.99 152.5
    VICTORINOX MAUSER FOLDING KNIFE 1 3/7/10 150 150
    Tiffany Victorinox Swiss Knife Sterling Silver 18K Gold 1 3/16/10 150 150
    Victorinox - Forschner 7 Piece Rosewood Knife Block Set 1 4/7/10 149.99 149.99
    1339 BATTLE OF LAUPEN 1984 VICTORINOX COLLECTOR'S KNIFE 1 3/22/10 149.95 149.95
    Victorinox 8 Piece Fibrox Knife Block Set Forschner 1 6/4/10 144 144
    Victorinox 8 Piece Fibrox Knife Block Set Forschner 1 4/20/10 144 144
    Lot 17 VICTORINOX BIJOU RED Swiss Army Knife 53691 MINT 10 3/28/10 99.97 142.6
    VICTORINOX 53771 SWISS ARMY KNIFE WORKCHAMP XL NIB 1 3/24/10 139.95 139.95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Farmer Knife NIB Mint w/ Pouch 8 4/15/10 9.99 139.39
    Victorinox 7 Piece Fibrox Knife Cutlery Roll Forschner 1 5/29/10 139 139
    Victorinox 8-Piece Knife Block set 1 5/9/10 138.99 138.99
    Rare ELSENER SCHWYZ Victorinox Victoria Soldier Knife 1 5/8/10 135 135
    Victorinox - Forschner 8 Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set 1 3/8/10 134.99 134.99
    Victorinox - Forschner 8 Piece Kitchen Knife Block Set 1 3/8/10 134.99 134.99
    SWISS ARMY  OFFICIER KNIFE -  VICTORINOX - SWISS POST 12 3/28/10 30 134.5
    Victorinox Swiss Army Workchamp XL Knife & MultiTool 1 5/10/10 132.57 132.57
    SWISS KNIFE - VICTORINOX ELINOX (A) 8 5/23/10 25 128.5
    Brand New Mauser Victorinox Swiss Army Knife 3 4/29/10 10 127.5
    Victorinox Silver Alox Swiss Army Knife 20 3/13/10 0.99 125.85
    VINTAGE ELINOX Victorinox Alox Swiss Army Knife 17 5/31/10 0.99 125.83
    Victorinox camp style knife 19 5/18/10 0.99 125.5
    Rare VICTORINOX WOODSMAN, alox knife, NEW 19 6/4/10 1 123.5
    Victorinox Swiss Champ Stag Knife 10 4/8/10 39.95 123.5
    2 Vintage Victorinox Director Swiss Army Knives Knife 9 5/23/10 19.99 123
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife SWISSCHAMP XLT NEW 3 4/12/10 99.99 122.5
    VNTG VICTORINOX ELINOX SWISS ARMY KNIFE St Cristopher 14 3/8/10 9.5 122.5
    Rare VICTORINOX WOODSMAN, alox knife, NEW 1 6/4/10 121 121
    14K/SS VICTORINOX POCKET KNIFE W/ SCISSORS & 2 BLADES 22 3/11/10 0.99 120.5
    12 VICTORINOX BANTAM II Swiss Army Knife SILVER 55949 1 4/2/10 120 120
    12 VICTORINOX BANTAM II Swiss Army Knife SILVER 55949 1 4/21/10 120 120
    9- VICTORINOX CHAMPION PLUS Swiss Army Knife MINT 54525 1 3/23/10 120 120
    Victorinox Pocket Knife (14K Gold Jacketed) 13 4/28/10 24.99 120
    NIB FORSCHNER Victorinox 8-PC Knife Block Set MSRP $275 1 5/31/10 119.99 119.99
    Victorinox Swiss-Army-Knife CYBERTOOL-lite New 1 4/1/10 119 119
    VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY KNIFE KNIFE 9 BLADE-2 ASSORIES 22 3/13/10 5.99 117.5
    Mother of Pearl Victorinox Swiss Army Knife 2 3/25/10 99 114.5
    Victorinox Swiss Army Electrician Knife NIB w/ Pouch 9 4/11/10 9.99 113.5
    VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY KNIFE DISPLAY FROM EARLY1970S MIP 7 5/30/10 75 112.5
    12 VICTORINOX BANTAM II Swiss Army Knife SILVER 55949 1 6/3/10 110 110
    Victorinox Swiss Army Solo Knife NIB Mint w/ Sheath 9 4/8/10 9.99 109.5
    Victorinox Swiss Army Pioneer Knife NEW in BOX MINT 8 4/10/10 9.99 108.55
    VICTORINOX  RARE SILVER  ALOX  93 MM  SWISS ARMY KNIFE 5 5/1/10 50 104.5
    SWISS ARMY KNIFE VICTORINOX VINTAGE ORIGINAL CHAMPION 28 3/17/10 15 104.5
    Rare Victorinox Swiss 24 Blade Knife Mint 29 5/23/10 10.99 104.49
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife NIB ft. Space Shuttle image 11 3/21/10 10 102.5
    VICTORINOX  RARE  ALOX BUSHCRAFTER SWISS ARMY KNIFE 8 4/3/10 47 102.5
    VICTORINOX RARE ALOX FIRESTEEL SOLDIER SWISS ARMY KNIFE 2 4/11/10 65 102.5
    SWISS ARMY  OFFICIER KNIFE -  VICTORINOX - SWISS POST 7 5/23/10 35 100
    Victorinox 8-Piece Knife Block Set 1 6/4/10 125.99 100
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife -Altimeter Plus Expedition 1 5/16/10 99.99 99.99
    VIVIENNE WESTWOOD x VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY KNIFE KEYRING 1 5/16/10 99.99 99.99
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  TRAVELLER LITE Altimeter + 1 5/20/10 99 99
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife SPIRIT S + Ratchet + Bits 1 5/1/10 99 99
    Victorinox Traveller Lite Swiss Army Knife Ruby 53878 2 4/18/10 98.99 98.99
    Victorinox Traveller Lite Swiss Army Knife Ruby 53878 1 4/25/10 98.99 98.99
    Rare Victorinox COLLECTOR'S Swiss Army Knife 19 5/24/10 9.99 96
    VICTORINOX Automaton FACTISE Display MODEL Knife 1 5/4/10 195 95
    New Sterling Sliver Victorinox Swiss Army Knife 53049 1 5/20/10 95 95
    1980 Victorinox Swiss Army knife staghorn - NIB - #41 1 3/11/10 85 95
    Victorinox Cutlery Forschner 8 Piece Knife Block Set 5 3/30/10 89.99 95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  ROSEWOOD SWISSCHAMP 53520 1 3/8/10 95 95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  ROSEWOOD SWISSCHAMP 53520 1 3/19/10 95 95
    VICTORINOX RARE SILVER ALOX TECHNICIAN SWISS ARMY KNIFE 7 5/30/10 55 94.33
    Victorinox Tiffany and Co. Sterling  SD Classic KNIFE 16 5/28/10 19.99 94
    OLD SWISS KNIFE - VICTORINOX  ELINOX 11 5/2/10 20 92
    Lot of 12 VICTORINOX CLASSIC 51001 Swiss Army Knife Red 1 5/5/10 90 90
    Victorinox Scientist knife 1.6305 RARE / DISCONTINUED 2 3/12/10 90 90
    GENUINE SWISS ARMY MAUSER KNIFE BY VICTORINOX  -  NEW!! 18 4/11/10 49.95 90
    Victorinox 6-piece Steak Knife Set w/ Rosewood Handles 2 3/10/10 89.99 89.99
    VICTORINOX 7-pc KNIFE BLOCK SET SWISS  ARMY FIBROX NEW 2 5/30/10 89.99 89.99
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Tool CS Plus 53946 NEW! 2 3/11/10 89.95 89.95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Tool CS Plus 53946 NEW! 1 4/28/10 89.95 89.95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Tool CS Plus 53946 NEW! 1 5/15/10 89.95 89.95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Tool CS Plus 53946 NEW! 1 5/29/10 89.95 89.95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Tool CS Plus 53946 NEW! 1 6/2/10 89.95 89.95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife BLACK CYBERTOOL LITE 53969B 1 3/18/10 89 89
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  StayGlow  CYBERTOOL LITE 1 5/25/10 89 89
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife BLACK CYBERTOOL LITE 53969B 1 5/17/10 89 89
    Victorinox 53504 SwissChamp XLT Swiss Army Knife Ruby 1 3/30/10 89 89
    Victorinox 53771 WorkChamp XL Swiss Army Knife LockBlad 3 3/31/10 89 89
    8- VICTORINOX TINKER OLD STYLE Swiss Army Knife 73686 2 3/30/10 88 88
    Victorinox Tiffany & Co Sterling  18K Swiss Army Knife 17 6/2/10 9.99 88
    NEW Victorinox SwissTool X Swiss Army Knife 53936 1 3/25/10 87.99 87.99
    New Victorinox 8-Piece Knife Block Set 1 3/12/10 87.96 87.96
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Lot NTSA TSA - Tool 1 5/3/10 87 87
    Victorinox Traveller Ruby Swiss Army Knife 53858 New! 1 4/2/10 86.99 86.99
    Victorinox Traveller Ruby Swiss Army Knife 53858 New! 1 5/3/10 86.99 86.99
    Victorinox Officier Suisse Knife Survival Kit & Pouch 11 5/29/10 49.95 86.25
    Tiffany Victorinox Sterling Silver & 18k Folding Knife 20 3/18/10 0.99 86
    1991 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SWISS ARMY KNIFE VICTORINOX 11 5/19/10 19.99 86
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife TRAVELLER..Altimeter, Clock 1 3/27/10 85 85
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife TRAVELLER..Altimeter, Clock 1 5/12/10 85 85
    VINTAGE VICTORINOX FARMER SWISS ARMY KNIFE MULTI SAW 1 5/4/10 85 85
    VICTORINOX CYBERTOOL 41 RUBY Swiss Army Knife & Pouch 1 4/25/10 85 85
    Lot of 4 VICTORINOX SUPER TINKER Swiss Army Knife MINT 1 5/17/10 85 85
    SWISS ARMY KNIFE - VICTORINOX  - DATED 1944 P 9 4/4/10 40 85
    NEW Victorinox 7 Piece Knife Block Set 1 3/12/10 99 85
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  CYBERTOOL LITE  53969 1 4/10/10 85 85
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Silver Tech CYBERTOOL LITE 1 3/12/10 85 85
    FORSCHNER VICTORINOX KNIFE HAND FORGED 12" CHEFS UNUSED 1 5/16/10 85 85
    Victorinox Swiss Army CyberTool 41 Ruby Multitool Knife 1 4/28/10 84.55 84.55
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  BLACK SWISSTOOL & Pouch 1 5/30/10 84 84
    Victorinox Swiss Army Pioneer Knife NIB MINT Paper 16 5/2/10 4.99 83
    VICTORINOX RARE ORANGE ALOX LUMBERJACK SWISS ARMY KNIFE 8 5/23/10 48 83
    Victorinox BOX OF 24 3.25" Serr. Paring Knife Red 46662 1 4/10/10 82.95 82.95
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  BLUE CYBERTOOL 41    53943 1 4/15/10 82 82
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  BLUE CYBERTOOL 41    53943 1 5/11/10 82 82
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  BLACK SWISSTOOL & Pouch 1 3/28/10 82 82
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  BLACK SWISSTOOL & Pouch 1 4/1/10 82 82
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  BLUE CYBERTOOL 41    53943 1 5/2/10 82 82
    Victorinox Swiss Army Cybertool Lite Knife Ruby 53969 1 4/29/10 82 82
    Victorinox Swiss Army Pathfinder Knife NIB w/ Pouch 10 4/8/10 9.99 81
    VICTORINOX KNIFE BATTLE of SEMPACH KNIFE MINT IN BOX 7 3/7/10 1 81
    DELUXE Brass BLUE Swiss Army CLASSIC Knife VICTORINOX 5 3/9/10 49.95 81
    SWISS ARMY MAUSER  KNIFE VICTORINOX 29 4/18/10 9.99 81
    Victorinox Swiss Army CyberTool 41 Ruby Multitool Knife 1 4/15/10 80.32 80.32
    Victorinox Swiss Army CyberTool 41 Blue Multitool Knife 1 4/5/10 80.32 80.32
    Victorinox Swiss Army Cybertool 41 Knife Ruby 53938 1 4/26/10 80 80
    VICTORINOX  RARE  ALOX BUSHCRAFTER SWISS ARMY KNIFE 4 3/27/10 45 80
    Victorinox Forged 9" Bread Knife - Model 7.7433.23 New 1 3/18/10 78.99 78.99
    OLD SWISS KNIFE - VICTORINOX  FISCHER - RAR 10 4/4/10 19 78.79
    SWISS KNIFE - VICTORINOX - RED 7 4/4/10 35 78.79
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Confiscation Lot 1 3/22/10 78.6 78.6
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Confiscation Lot 1 3/20/10 78.6 78.6
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Confiscation Lot 1 4/3/10 78.6 78.6
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Lot NTSA TSA - Tool 1 4/23/10 78.6 78.6
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Confiscation Lot 1 3/19/10 78.6 78.6
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Lot NTSA TSA - Tool 1 4/7/10 78.6 78.6
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Confiscation Lot 1 3/31/10 78.6 78.6
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Airport Lot NTSA TSA - Tool 1 4/18/10 78.6 78.6
    OFFICIAL BSA KNIFE-VICTORINOX PIONEER-NEW IN BOX 6 3/28/10 9.99 78
    Victorinox Swiss Army CyberTool 34 Sapphire Knife 1 5/17/10 77.88 77.88
    Victorinox Cybertool 41 Swiss Army Knife Sapphire 53943 1 4/7/10 76.99 76.99
    Victorinox Cybertool 41 Swiss Army Knife Sapphire 53943 1 5/9/10 76.99 76.99
    Victorinox Cybertool 41 Swiss Army Knife 53938 New! 1 5/4/10 76.99 76.99
    Victorinox Cybertool 41 Swiss Army Knife 53938 New! 1 5/5/10 76.99 76.99
    Victorinox Cybertool 41 Swiss Army Knife Sapphire 53943 2 3/27/10 76.99 76.99
    Victorinox Cybertool 41 Swiss Army Knife Sapphire 53943 1 4/18/10 76.99 76.99
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife NIB ft. Space Shuttle image 8 3/21/10 10 76.88
    Victorinox Knife Store Display Rotates Locks Magnets :) 6 4/20/10 49.99 76
    5 NEW Swiss Army Knives Victorinox Officers Knife Box 24 3/14/10 0.99 76
    NOS R.H. FORSCHNER 14" CHEFS/COOKS KNIFE VICTORINOX 8 5/16/10 9.99 76
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Director - Rare - in box 14 3/27/10 9.99 76
    Tiffany Co. 925/750 Victorinox Swiss Army Knife 12 3/30/10 19.99 75.99
    VICTORINOX SWITZERLAND Stainless Camping Knife ROSTFREI 14 3/11/10 1.99 75.89
    Victorinox Knife LOT of 50 Classic SD/Classic 1 5/6/10 75 75
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife  SWISSTOOL & Clip Pouch New 1 6/3/10 75 75
    Chef's Cutlery Knife Set Victorinox & Forschner 1 4/23/10 99.99 75
    Retired VICTORINOX SCIENTIST 5068 Swiss Army Knife MIB 1 3/23/10 75 75
    Old Swiss Knife  - VICTORINOX - SPECIAL COW HORN 10 5/31/10 40 75
    VICTORINOX  RARE ORANGE  ALOX FIRESTEEL SWISSARMY KNIFE 1 4/3/10 75 75
    SWISS KNIFE - VICTORINOX 6 4/4/10 20 75
    VICTORINOX  DIGITALCAMO  LIMITED ED. SWISS ARMY KNIFE 1 5/16/10 75 75
    STERLING SILVER Swiss Army ENGRAVED Knife VICTORINOX 5 5/11/10 49.95 75
    Victorinox Swiss-Army-Knife MOUNTAINEER lite 1 4/19/10 75 75
    Victorinox Swiss Army knife SOS Survival kit SwissChamp 1 3/20/10 74.99 74.99
    Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Cybertool 41 Ruby 53938 NEW 1 5/16/10 74.95 74.95
  • A Penny for Your Thoughts, a Rare 1913 Liberty Head Nickel for Your Collection!

    A Penny for Your Thoughts, a Rare 1913 Liberty Head Nickel for Your Collection!

    Collecting Rare Coins

    Collecting money:  it seems a little silly when you think about it, doesn’t it?  Don’t we all want to collect as much money as we can?  What I am referring too, however, isn’t just adding to your bank account.  I am talking about collecting rare coins.  The difference is, the nickel that you drop in your piggy bank will only net you 5 cents, while coming across a rare nickel not meant for circulation, such as a 1913 Liberty Nickel, will increase your worth by about $5 million dollars.  Isn’t the world of coin collecting exciting?  You never know what you may find.  That is why rare coin collecting remains one of the most popular and lucrative collections on the market today!

    The History of Coins
    (courtesy of http://www.thecoinalley.com/)

    Here is some information on the history of coins. Copper, Silver, and Gold Coins have found themselves in the hearts of coin collectors all over the world.  And are some of the most cherished collectibles, that haven't become some collecting fad at the time.  Coin collecting is here to stay, and as long as collectors stay intrigued in the passion of coins, and pass that passion down, the "Hobby of Kings"  will never die out.
     
    It wasn't until foreign tradesman came to trade with the American immigrants and demanded coins for payment of goods.  Before then immigrants used beaver skins, tobacco, and wampum, which was fashioned from mussel shells in the form of beads.  Many foreign coins were excepted as payment, however, the Spanish Dollar became the standard monetary unit used throughout the colonial period.  As time went on, many coins and tokens of all different types were introduced by the colonist, and the money came to be.

    March 1 1781, the Articles of Confederation provided that Congress should have the sole right to regulate not only the alloy, but also the value of any coin struck.  This meaning each state had the right to coin money, and New Hampshire was the first of the states to consider coinage, but few coins were placed into circulation.  Other states, such as Vermont, Connecticut, and New Jersey were granted coining privileges and Massachusetts began coining copper coins.

    Copper Coins were the first coins to be minted by the United States Mint, which officially opened its doors in 1793.  The Mint produced the Large Cent and the Half Cent, which both went through some rather major design changes.  But none the less the cents were produced in a time where they were greatly needed.  After the era of the Large and Half Cents, which ended in 1857, came rise to a new copper coin series called the small cents which escalated into what we use now.  The Flying Eagle Cent gave birth to a new metal used in minting coins.  This new metal was Nickel, and it began the basis of coins today.  The new copper-nickel coins are what a majority of our coins today are made of in some facet or another.

    Many of the most popular and famous coins were struck in silver.  Silver coins were what the United States Mint primarily produced and are very popular in the collecting community.   Many denominations of silver coins have been struck including the three-cent piece, the silver half-dime, the twenty-cent piece, quarter dollar, half dollar, and the one dollar coins.  All these coins, whether short lived or here to stay, brought some importance  to the economic structure of the United States.  And whether the coins were produced for the sheer value of showing England that we could stand on our own two feet, or that we actually needed the adoption of the silver coins for just a nice coin to look at in our pockets.  The Silver Coins were without a doubt one of the most regarded collectible coins minted by our United States Mint.

    Our US Gold coins were minted in 1795 in denominations of the 5 and 10 dollar pieces.  These are a very desired collectible among coin collectors all over the world, and the are as rare as they come. The United States Mint produced gold denominations of $1, $2.50, $5, $10, and the 20 dollar gold piece.  A $4 Gold piece was struck as well as a $50 Gold, but these were merely pattern coins for the upcoming new coins and were never released into the economy. Owning gold coins today, wasn't really to spend them with actual circulating currency, but to regard them in the same effect as collectible coins, only knowing that they were worth their weight in gold.

    The Top 10 Rare U.S. Coins
    (courtesy of http://www.livescience.com/history/top10-rare-coins-1.html)

    10: 1943 Copper Penny
    The Second World War meant big rationing on copper, and the US Mint was no exception. Most wartime pennies were instead made of a brass-steel alloy, except for a few struck from the outlawed bronze (a copper alloy). If you find one of these anomalies - the common brass version will stick to a magnet, while the bronze won't - it could be worth big bucks.



    9: 1776 Silver Continental Dollar


    Not long after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the new United States Congress decided to assert its freedom by striking the first true American currency. The design, usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin, is a whimsical motif including the words "fugio" (time flies) and "mind your business," along with thirteen interlocking rings representing the colonies. Many were struck in pewter and a few dozen remain, but the silver version is very rare.



    8: 1866


    This famous silver coin, owned by the DuPont family, was the target of a heist in 1967 and only recovered just a few years ago. Just a few denominations, and probably only the one duPont dollar, were produced without the classic "In God We Trust" motto in 1866. According to some sources, it was upon special request from a collector and friend of mint executives, a pharmacist who provided opium to the workers in return.



    7: Almost anything from 1870

    ...or more specifically, from 1870 and created in San Francisco. Three of the most coveted collector coins - the 1870-S Half-Dime, 1870-S Silver Dollar and 1870-S Gold $3 coin (the S stands for the mint city) - come from the year when construction began on a new mint in San Fran. Just a few coins in those denominations were produced that year, most of which were destined to be embedded in the foundation's cornerstone.



    6:  1913 Liberty Head Nickel

    This five-cent piece is a numismatic legend. Despite being retired in 1912, five nickels with the "Liberty Head" design were struck in 1913 and came into the possession of one man. The collector started a rumor about their existence, driving up the value of the nickel if one was ever found but neglecting to mention he had all five. They were sold a few years later and, in a recent change of hands, one was valued at 5 million dollars.



    5: 1974 Aluminum Penny

    With the rising price of copper, in the early 1970s it almost cost as much to make a cent as the penny was worth. The US Mint tested alternatives, like this aluminum penny that was sent out to VIPs as a sample, and then never recouped.



    4: 1861 Confederate States Half-Dollar


    The New Orleans Mint came under the control of the Confederate States in 1861, but without a reserve of precious metals, the South chose paper money instead of coinage to support their war efforts. The few Confederate cents and half-dollars that were struck were virtually unknown until they began popping up in private collections after the Civil War.



    3: The Brasher Doubloon


    Before New York adopted the new constitution in 1789 it, like other states, had the right to issue its own state coinage. Goldsmith Ephraim Brasher got one of those contracts, to mint copper coins, but it appears he largely ignored that material and went on to produce several very artistic gold specimens for reasons unknown. Just seven of these unique coins are known to exist.



    2: 1804 Draped Bust Dollar


    When the Jackson administration, in 1834, wanted to dole out coin sets to foreign dignitaries, there was a problem - silver dollars hadn't been pressed for thirty years, to combat a rash of counterfeit schemes. The mint was ordered to press eight silver dollars for the occasion and they were dated 1804, the only dollar coins that would ever bear that year. Today, each has a value of over one million dollars.



    1: 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle


    In 1933, with the Depression in full swing, President Roosevelt took the country off the gold standard and recalled all gold coins for melting. About a dozen never made it back to the mint or were smuggled out again by enterprising employees, including this one, which resurfaced in 1992 and was confiscated by the Secret Service. In 1933 it had a face value of $20; in 2002, it was sold at auction for over 7 million dollars.



    Tips for Starting your Rare Coin Collection

    • A good way to begin your rare coin collection is to go through the change you already have! Clean out your old drawers, wallets, purses. You'll be surprised at all of the interesting and rare coins that you may discover you already have just lying around.
    • Learn about rare coins.  Purchasing a rare coin information and price guide is essential when starting your own rare coin collection.  Check out rare coin price guides online, like the PCGS (http://www.pcgs.com/prices/default.aspx).  You want to know how much your coins are potentially worth in today’s market so that you know what to look for in your home and while shopping for rare coins.
    • Know where to shop for rare coins. Check out antique stores, rare coin shops, classifieds websites such as the iTaggit online classifieds, and online auction websites such as eBay. You always could get lucky by getting handed a free rare coin by a cashier! Keep your eyes open, sometimes a rare coin can be found even lying on the ground!
    • A rare coin collection can be worth hundreds to millions of dollars.  Always do your own research and value your own collection when deciding to resale your collection.  Do not rely on a non-professional appraiser to tell you the value of your coins. In fact, I would not rely on any appraiser to value my collection if I had not previously valued it myself.  Plus – valuing your own collection will give you a feel for how much it is worth and give  you a better appreciation of your new-found hobby!
    • When acquiring rare coins, purchase only coins certified by an objective 3rd. party authentication company, such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Services), NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corporation) and ANACS (American Numismatic Authentication Certification Service). Always purchase your rare coins from an established, reputable dealer whose credentials can be verified. Also, always verify the values of any coins you are interested in before you agree to purchase them.
    • Purchasing uncertified coins opens the door to counterfeits and altered coins. Remember, if the deal sounds to good to be true, it is.

    Rare Coin Price Guide

    Title Bids End Date Start Price End Price
    Atlanta Olympic Coin Set - 32 Coins w/ Wooden Box RARE 11 4/11/10 6500 9121.11
    Atlanta Olympic Coin Set - 32 Coins w/ Wooden Box RARE 1 4/12/10 9021.11 9021.11
    Large Collection of US, coins and Currency, Rare 1 5/16/10 4800 5600
    2006-W Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set NGC MS70 Rare Coins 11 3/11/10 199.99 4322
    1903-1913 RARE GOLD COINS ASTOUNDING TYPE SET 18 5/16/10 99.95 4050
    RARE RUSSIAN OLYMPIC GOLD COINS MINTED IN 980 1 5/12/10 4000 4000
    LOT OF 8 U.S. RARE GOLD COINS - TYPE SET IN CASE 1 4/28/10 3990 3990
    LOT OF 8 RARE U.S. GOLD COINS - TYPE SET 1 4/28/10 3990 3990
    1982-1996 + Extras US Silver Commemoratives RARE Coins 1 4/19/10 3500 3500
    8 GOLD SOME RARE COLLECTOR COINS 62.8 GRAMS PURE GOLD 21 3/17/10 999 2700
    1921-1935 PEACE SILVER DOLLAR SET MS/BU US COINS RARE 1 4/3/10 2999 2500
    1921-1935 PEACE SILVER DOLLAR SET MS/BU US COINS RARE 1 4/3/10 2999 2400
    Two Extremely Rare Dominican Republic Platinum Coins 1 4/20/10 2325 2325
    1921-1935 PEACE SILVER DOLLAR SET MS/BU US COINS RARE 1 3/31/10 2999 2100
    LEBANON 1980  3 COINS Winter Olympics PROOF SET  RARE 1 3/21/10 1595 1595
    1950-1963 RARE Franklin Half Dollar Proof Set  14 Coins 1 4/22/10 1395 1395
    9 RARE MS70 NGC G$5  AMERICAN EAGLE COINS 2000-2008 SET 14 4/19/10 0.01 1327
    RARE set of 3 Panda Coins, Gold and Silver 1987 2 3/28/10 1299 1324
    1950-1963 RARE Franklin Half Dollar Proof Set  14 Coins 1 5/23/10 1395 1315
    B.M.COINS***  SICILY SYRACUSE TETRADRACHME AR. RARE. 17 5/29/10 1 1278.89
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 1 3/7/10 1198 1198
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 1 3/7/10 1198 1198
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 1 3/7/10 1198 1198
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 1 3/7/10 1198 1198
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 2 3/8/10 1198 1198
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 2 3/8/10 1198 1198
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 1 3/8/10 1198 1198
    1985 GOLD MAPLE LEAF COINS 1oz  0.9999 RARE 10 OFFERED 1 3/8/10 1198 1198
    UMM AL QAWAIN 4 COINS SILVER PROOF EXTREMELY RARE 1 6/1/10 1500 1150
    UKRAINE GOLD RARE SET OF TWO Commemorative coins Orante 7 5/18/10 799.99 1052.57
    RARE! - 1895 O,1895 S MORGAN'S VF & XF++ ESTATE COINS 1 3/13/10 899.99 999.99
    ALBANIA 10 LEKE 1991 TWO SILVER COINS SET NICE RARE 1 4/17/10 995 995
    World Coin Lot Rare India Indian 1954 Proof Set 7 Coins 1 3/25/10 1099.99 950
    Greek Greece melted coins bar ! 1830 EXTREMELY RARE 3 4/10/10 699 860
    45 RARE COINS ONE OUNCE PURE SILVER EACH 36 5/18/10 0.99 820
    1986-1992 GOLD & SILVER RARE ANIMALS OF CHINA 5 COINS 8 5/17/10 0.99 810
    Lot of  5 1902 5 Ruble Gold Coins  Very Rare L@@k 11 4/21/10 0.99 780
    2-RARE Iran Iranian GOLD COINS 1/4 + 2.5 Pahlavi UNC 1 4/24/10 699 779
    Kirin Machinery Works 1/2Tael and 7 Mace Two coins Rare 3 3/20/10 499 709
    Kirin Machinery Works 1/2Tael and 7 Mace Two coins Rare 1 3/22/10 699 699
    Rare Coins. 1799 Bust Dollar. 1795 Flowing Hair. others 20 3/11/10 0.99 698
    1893 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR RARE KEY DATE U.S. Coins 15 3/31/10 9.99 660
    Bill of Rights Mint Set - Rare 6 Coins - 2 Are Gold 1 4/8/10 650 650
    1883-2010 US 18oz SILVER $1 NGC PCGS 325 RARE COINS LOT 23 3/30/10 0.01 640
    BM COINS**SUPERB AGRAKAS LITRAE AU. GOLD. RARE. 31 3/29/10 1 632
    RARE VATICAN GOLD COIN SET OF 3 POPE COINS BUILLON *NR* 2 3/12/10 599 609
    Power Rangers 1:1 Scale Power Coins (Very Rare) 1 5/8/10 500 600
    Russia tannu tuva 5, 15,20 Kopejek 3 coins  Rare 1 3/27/10 595 595
    12 LUNAR DRAGON & MORE AUSTRALIAN 999 SILVER COINS RARE 1 5/15/10 575 575
    south africa silver-gold commemorative 24 coins RARE!! 1 4/6/10 525 525
    GOLD COINS!! RARE! 2 3/30/10 500 512.43
    Rare 1903-S USA Morgan Silver Dollar Coins 21 3/16/10 1 510.01
    Pair Cuba 10 Peso & 15 Peso Gold Coins 1989 BU Rare 2 5/9/10 499.99 505.51
    10 TH. ANIV RARE VATICAN POPE 3 SET GOLD COINS  GEM/BU 19 4/5/10 0.99 500
    ECUADOR 1973 2 & 5 SUCRES LIMITED 200 ONLY, RARE COINS 9 4/7/10 4.99 485
    Huge Estate Lot of Rare Silver US Coins MUST SEE Video 16 3/13/10 0.99 450.01
    VERY RARE  LOT OF CRUSADER COINS OF CYPRUS /JERUSALEM 21 6/4/10 9.99 450
    1878 Crosby EARLY COINS OF AMERICA Leather, illus RARE! 6 3/22/10 129.99 449.44
    RARE 3 DIFFERANT HAWAII COINS CERTIFIED NGC L@@K!!!!!!! 1 5/10/10 445 445
    Peace Dollar 21 coins including Key Date 1921 "RARE" 7 5/2/10 375 443.65
    1991 AMERICAN SILVER EAGLE ROLL - 20 COINS - RARE YEAR 13 4/9/10 0.99 431.79
    GREAT BRITAIN: silver set of 9 coins 1902 with box RARE 3 4/2/10 400 426.27
    RARE GOLD 1857-S $3 PRINCESS COIN COINS -HARD TO FIND!! 24 5/30/10 0.99 405.09
    RARE ROLL SILVER PEACE DOLLARS HIGH GRADE US COINS LOTS 12 5/21/10 0.99 403.37
    STAR WARS Tenth Anniv. 6 Silver Coins Proof set RARE 1 4/8/10 430 400
    1743 ROMAN COINS 2 VOLUMES RARE CATALOGUE BOOKS RARE! 1 4/17/10 599 400
    1886-1890 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR SET RARE US COINS MS/BU 1 3/27/10 399.99 399.99
    20 Rare 1 Oz .999 Silver Coins 20 ounces !! Lot Price 2 4/29/10 399 399
    US COINS 1844-O DOUBLE DATE S.L. HALF DOLLAR VERY RARE 20 5/5/10 1 380
    RARE BOOK OF 20 PANAMA COINS KEY DATE 1916 ALSO 1904-62 37 3/21/10 0.99 367
    4 Rare coins and one rare troy pound proof coin BU 3 5/12/10 350 365
    RARE GOLD 1877-S $21/2 LIBERTY QUARTEREAGLE COIN COINS 15 3/12/10 0.99 360.99
    Ajman 1970 Nassar Box Set of 3 Coins,Silver+Gold,Rare! 2 3/21/10 390 360
    RARE GOLD 1877-S $21/2 LIBERTY QUARTEREAGLE COIN COINS 1 3/13/10 355.99 355.99
    1959 SOUTH AFRICA PROOF SET ALL 9 COINS! RARE 560 SETS! 1 3/10/10 355 355
    1972 ETHIOPIA EMPIRE silver RARE coins full set 1 5/30/10 350 350
    OLD US COINS 1883 HAWAII DIME RARE CONDITION!!! 1 4/16/10 350 350
    OLD RARE/SILVER/CHARIVARI LEDERHOSEN CHAIN/OLD COINS 1 5/13/10 350 350
    OLD PORTUGAL GOLD COINS! 1721 RARE 400 REIS CROSS STYLE 23 4/15/10 0.01 338.33
    1952 1953 1954 15 Coins 3 Silver Proof set  Rare lot 9 4/29/10 0.99 330
    B.M.COINS***  SICILY LEONTINI DIDRACHME. AR. RARE. 19 5/29/10 1 316.01
    A SET of 2 very collectable (and rare) GOLD COINS!!!! 17 5/10/10 0.01 310.54
    Selling Rare Coins.com DOMAIN NAME FOR SALE  Coins NR! 13 3/27/10 0.99 310
    HUGE RARE COIN COLLECTION U.S. COINS 31 3/24/10 9.95 308
    Muscat & Oman Proof Set Mixed Dates 6 Coins RARE 17 3/18/10 70 307.88
    HUGE RARE COIN COLLECTION U.S. COINS 32 5/14/10 9.95 306.99
    1996 Prestige Proof Set. Rare. Olympic Coins. 7 3/28/10 259.95 305
    RARE 1954 US Uncirculated Mint Set 30 Coins 25,600 Made 3 3/12/10 257.5 305
    1955 UNOPENED US MINT PROOF COINS SET $ RARE SEALED BOX 48 4/3/10 1 305
    1950 SILVER SET US COINS 60th YEAR FROSTY GEM MINT RARE 16 3/12/10 37.5 305
    1939 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS FROSTY GEM MINT RARE! 21 3/19/10 37.5 305
    1934 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS FROSTY upto GEM MINT RARE 14 4/9/10 37.5 305
    B.M.COINS***  SICILY THYRRENOI . BRONZE . VERY RARE. 17 5/29/10 1 302
    1886-1890 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR SET RARE US COINS MS/BU 1 3/17/10 399.99 300
    1972 ETHIOPIA EMPIRE silver proof RARE coins full set 1 4/24/10 300 300
    Half Dollar Kennedy COINS 90% SILVER 1964~2 rare Rolls 13 4/4/10 0.99 295
    RARE julius  Caesar Ancient Coins  -100 -44 2 3/22/10 250 290.52
    ETHIOPIA - complete b.u. silver coins 1972 - RARE 1 5/3/10 290 290
    Tunisia & Morocco ESSAI Set of 7 Coins 1950//1370 RARE 30 5/3/10 0.99 287.66
    OLD PORTUGAL GOLD COINS! 1726 RARE 400 REIS CROSS STYLE 37 4/23/10 0.01 285.5
    CANADA - 1995 - 1$ X3 GOLD BULLION COINS . RARE !!! 1 3/30/10 279.99 279.99
    MEXICO 1994 PRE COLUMBIAN 999 SILVER PROOF COINS RARE 22 3/14/10 0.99 275.57
    1996 Prestige Proof Set. Atlanta Olympic Coins.RARE 1 6/1/10 269.95 269.95
    1886-1890 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR SET RARE US COINS MS/BU 1 3/7/10 399.99 269
    OLD PORTUGAL GOLD COINS! 1733 RARE 400 REIS CROSS STYLE 24 4/18/10 0.01 264
    Very RARE 1954 Uncirculated Mint Stes 30 Coins Original 1 4/4/10 262.5 262.5
    1949-P SILVER SET of U.S. COINS FROSTY GEM MINT RARE!!! 5 3/12/10 129 259.89
    HUGE RARE COIN COLLECTION U.S. COINS 22 6/2/10 9.95 255
    RARE GOLD 1842-O $21/2 LIBERTY QUARTEREAGLE COIN COINS 18 4/9/10 0.99 255
    Very RARE 1954 Uncirculated Mint Sets 30 Coins Original 1 4/18/10 254.95 254.95
    Power Rangers Morpher Gun/Sword Red Coins NRFM MIB RARE 1 4/16/10 249.99 249.99
    Power Rangers Morpher Gun/Sword Red Coins NRFM MIB RARE 1 4/18/10 249.99 249.99
    1939 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS ABOUT FULL GEM MINT RARE 18 3/12/10 37.5 243.5
    1937 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS CHOICE to GEM MINT RARE 20 3/12/10 37.5 243.5
    Rare FAO Page 6a,  7 Proof 4 Dollar Coins, Low Mintage! 1 5/27/10 275 240
    RARE GOLD 1843-O $21/2 LIBERTY QUARTEREAGLE COIN COINS 14 5/28/10 0.99 238.15
    1937 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS about FULL GEM MINT RARE 30 4/16/10 37 237.83
    RARE!!! ***2 coins**** 1880 S $1 & 1881 S $1 Morgan**** 5 5/21/10 199.99 232.5
    4 Rare Armour Baseball Coins Jackie Jensen PeeWee Reese 11 4/26/10 9.99 230
    Rare 60 Expo 2010 China Full set of commemorative coins 1 5/15/10 230 230
    Rare 60 Expo 2010 China Full set of commemorative coins 1 5/18/10 230 230
    Rare 46 Pavilions Expo 2010 Color Silver Coins Full Set 2 5/19/10 230 230
    Rare 46 Pavilions Expo 2010 Color Silver Coins Full Set 1 5/31/10 230 230
    Rare 60 Expo 2010 China Full set of commemorative coins 5 5/28/10 230 230
    1888 THREE CENT PIECE NICKEL ****RARE DATE**** US COINS 1 4/18/10 229.99 229.99
    BRAZIL 1200 REIS 1834 MEGA RARE MINTAGE ONLY 891 COINS 17 5/9/10 0.99 228.5
    1937-S SILVER YEAR SET of U.S. COINS DELUXE RARE DATE 15 4/5/10 37.5 227.5
    1938 SILVER SET U.S. COINS FLASHY up to GEM MINT RARE 1 4/16/10 19.38 227.5
    13 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR COINS  -  CIRCULATED COIN RARE! 9 5/23/10 49 226.1
    OLD CANADIAN COINS RARE 1948 CANADA FIFTY CENTS 50 C 1 4/2/10 225 225
    GREEK IMPERIAL COINS - 3 VOLUMES SET. VERY RARE BOOK. 1 4/9/10 225 225
    GREEK IMPERIAL COINS - 3 VOLUMES SET. VERY RARE BOOK. 1 5/6/10 225 225
    GREEK IMPERIAL COINS - 3 VOLUMES SET. VERY RARE BOOK. 2 5/13/10 225 225
    1936 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS CHOICE to GEM MINT RARE 19 3/19/10 37.5 222.82
    21 1968 Mexican Olympic 25 peso rare silver coins 12 4/6/10 0.99 222.59
    1936 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS ABOUT FULL GEM MINT RARE 28 4/23/10 19.36 217.5
    OLD US COINS 1830 RARE PRE CIVIL WAR LARGE CENT PENNY! 28 6/1/10 0.01 216.05
    B.M.COINS**SICILY ENNA  BRONZE AE. RARE 11 4/21/10 1 213.51
    Serbia 1875. -3 coins  RARE RARE 1 3/23/10 250 210
    10 Rare 1 Oz .999 Silver Coins 10 ounces !! Lot Price 1 5/18/10 209.95 209.95
    1950 SILVER SET US COINS 60th YEAR FROSTY GEM MINT RARE 14 3/19/10 37.5 207.5
    1927 GOLD 20 FRANK SWITZERLAND RARE FIND 18 coins here 1 3/9/10 224 207
    RARE 1999-S SILVER PROOF SET,ONLY 804,565 MADE,COINS 6 3/7/10 180 205.5
    1976 MONTREAL OLYMPIC GAMES BIG CLOCK and COINS RARE !! 5 3/8/10 99 203.5
    1956 UNOPENED US MINT PROOF COINS SET $ RARE UNSEARCHED 45 4/10/10 1 202.5
    1935 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS CHOICE to GEM MINT RARE 20 3/12/10 37.5 202.5
    1876 PREMIUM SILVER YEAR SET U.S. COINS w/ CC DIME RARE 22 4/30/10 18.76 202.5
    21 1968 Mexican Olympic 25 peso rare silver coins 7 4/6/10 0.99 200.02
    1955 UNOPENED US MINT PROOF COINS SET $ RARE SEALED BOX 1 4/3/10 1 200
    VERY RARE 1936 CHICAGO COINS AUTOMATIC POOL !!! 1 4/27/10 200 200
    SET OF 3 RARE "ANNIVERSARY" EDITION ASE NGC COINS 17 5/10/10 99 200
    Rare 46 Pavilions Expo 2010 Color Silver Coins Full Set 1 5/22/10 230 200
    Power Rangers Morpher Gun/Sword Red Coins NRFM MIB RARE 1 5/12/10 199.99 199.99
    10 Rare 1 Oz .999 Silver Coins 10 ounces !! Lot Price 1 5/14/10 199.95 199.95
    10 Rare 1 Oz .999 Silver Coins 10 ounces !! Lot Price 2 5/14/10 199.95 199.95
    10 Rare 1 Oz .999 Silver Coins 10 ounces !! Lot Price 1 5/9/10 209.95 199.9
    RARE 1995-W 10 ANNIVERSARY GOLD & SILVER EAGLE NO COINS 1 6/2/10 199 199
    2010 Olympic RCM medals moments set RARE 3 MULE COINS ! 1 3/7/10 198.97 198.97
    Rare 32 Chinese Tiger Year colored commemorative coins 1 5/29/10 198 198
    1940 SILVER SET U.S. COINS FLASHY CHOICE GEM MINT RARE 22 4/23/10 19.4 197.5
    1949-P SILVER SET of U.S. COINS FLASHY CHOICE MINT RARE 25 4/16/10 37.5 197.5
    Monaco 1975 Official Mint Box Set of 7 Coins,Rare! 1 3/14/10 195 195
    10 Rare 1 Oz .999 Silver Coins 10 ounces !! Lot Price 1 4/14/10 195 195
    1938 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS FLASHY upto GEM MINT RARE 19 5/28/10 24.99 192.5
    1999 SILVER PROOF SET  RARE  9 COINS RED BOX 1 3/18/10 190 190
    Ultima 1 - Origin - Apple II - COMPLETE with Coins RARE 13 6/1/10 0.99 182.5
    1950 SILVER SET US COINS 60th YEAR FROSTY GEM MINT RARE 1 3/28/10 182.5 182.5
    1926 P-D-S US PEACE SILVER $1 DOLLARS $9 RARE COINS LOT 26 3/12/10 9 181.49
    12 PCS RARE 5 OZ CHINA ZODIAC BIG SILVER COINS FULL SET 1 4/26/10 180 180
    12 PCS RARE 5 OZ CHINA ZODIAC BIG SILVER COINS FULL SET 1 5/18/10 180 180
    SUPERB LOT~ 33 RARE PREMIUM ROMAN ANCIENT BRONZE COINS! 1 3/31/10 187 180
    12 PCS RARE 5 OZ CHINA ZODIAC BIG SILVER COINS FULL SET 1 3/24/10 180 180
    12 PCS RARE 5 OZ CHINA ZODIAC BIG SILVER COINS FULL SET 1 3/29/10 180 180
    RARE 1999-S SILVER PROOF SET,ONLY 804,565 MADE,COINS 1 5/23/10 180 180
    RARE 1924S STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER KEY DATE COINS LOTS 12 4/10/10 0.99 178.49
    1957 RUSSIA  USSR MINT SET SOVIET COINS UNC RARE 13 3/21/10 50 177.5
    1949-D SILVER SET U.S. COINS LUSTROUS CHOICE MINT RARE 20 5/28/10 24.99 177.5
    1940-S SILVER SET U.S. COINS FLASHY up to GEM MINT RARE 26 5/28/10 24.99 177.5
    1936-D SILVER YEAR SET of U.S. COINS PREMIUM RARE DATE 17 4/5/10 37.5 175.98
    1962 Shirriff Coins MICKEY MANTLE Canadian RARE PSA 8 1 4/17/10 175 175
    1970 India Proof 9 Coins Set RARE Mintage 2900 NR 8 3/13/10 99.99 175
    1969 Rep of India Proof Coin Set 9 coins Silver RARE 8 5/18/10 0.99 174.5
    1999_US_Mint__Silver_Proof_Set__9_Coins_Complete___RARE 7 5/2/10 0.99 174.5
    1949-P SILVER SET of U.S. COINS FROSTY GEM MINT RARE!!! 6 4/2/10 124.5 172.5
    RARE 1971 Franklin Mint Men of American Business Coins 9 5/24/10 0.99 169.16
    1937 SILVER SET U.S. COINS NEAR MINT - CHOICE MINT RARE 1 3/12/10 37.5 169
    RARE Set of 6 Silver Panda Coins 2005-2010-Collection 8 4/17/10 120 167.5
    MASSIVE COIN COLLECTION COLONIAL,SILVER,MANY RARE COINS 20 5/6/10 0.99 167.5
    Rare Type Two 1981 proof set all coins DC Clear S 16 3/18/10 0.99 167.5
    RARE 1798 DRAPED BUST LARGE CENT U.S. Coins   S-154 21 5/13/10 1.99 163.51
    1917 SILVER YEAR SET of U.S. COINS PREMIUM RARE DATE 16 4/5/10 37.5 161
    1949-D SILVER SET US COINS FROSTY CHOICE GEM MINT RARE 4 3/19/10 89.95 160.27
    RARE 1888-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR US COINS KEY DATE XF+ 2 6/2/10 159 159
    1881 Anglosaxon Coins in the Royal Swedish Cabinet RARE 1 6/2/10 159 159
    ESTATE SALE RARE COINS GOLD GEMSTONES PEARLS SAPPHIRES 1 3/14/10 49.95 158
    ESTATE SALE RARE COINS GOLD GEMSTONES PEARLS SAPPHIRES 1 5/14/10 49.95 158
    NICE COB BOLIVIA POTOSI 5 COINS LOT SPAIN COLONIAL RARE 15 4/6/10 4.99 157.28
    1939-D SILVER YEAR SET of U.S. COINS DELUXE RARE DATE 12 4/5/10 37.5 154.08
    1939 SILVER SET of U.S. COINS LUSTROUS CHOICE MINT RARE 24 4/26/10 19.39 153.51
    ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER POUCH PURSE FOR COINS ETC RARE! 19 4/22/10 1 153.5
     
  • God Bless American Girl Dolls!

    God Bless American Girl Dolls!

     

    Ever since the first three American Girl dolls were released, the American Girl dolls have been loved, collected and played with by little girls all over the country.  One thing is for sure: the American Girl dolls have become a true American institution in the world of adolescent girls in the past two decades!  Each American Girl doll is based on a character in the American Girl series of books and represents a girl in a particular time period in American history and. Not only are these special dolls wonderful learning tools for children, but they are also a popular and potentially valuable collector’s item. If you are a parent, American Girl Dolls could be a great way to get your girl(s) excited about history while building a fun and lasting collection.



    The History of the American Girl Doll
    (courtesy of http://pages.ebay.com)

    When Pleasant T. Rowland started the Pleasant Company in 1984, she announced that she was going to make dolls for girls between 8 and 12 years of age that were both educational and dealt with the topic of girlhood. No other doll makers targeted girls after the age of 10, but the success of the American Girl line has since inspired other doll manufacturers to attempt to reach that market.

    First-edition American Girl dolls


    The first edition of American Girl dolls was shipped in 1986. It featured Kirsten Larson, a Swedish immigrant; Samantha Parkington, a girl growing up in the early 20th century; and Molly McIntire, a girl from the Midwest during World War II. Many girls were added to the line throughout the years.

    Production of American Girl dolls


    In 1998 Mattel acquired the Pleasant Company and Rowland later left the company in 2000. Collectors generally divide the dolls into two groups: before and after the purchase of the Pleasant Company by Mattel.

    Three separate manufacturers have created American Girl Dolls. The first was Goetz in Germany. Older dolls will have a “Made in West Germany” tag. Production was later moved to Hungary and China.

    American Girl Doll Construction


    With the introduction of the Felicity doll in 1991, all American Girl dolls started being made with a muslin body that was the same color as the doll’s face. Before 1991, the dolls all had white bodies. These American girl dolls are much rarer than those with flesh-colored bodies.

     

    Rare American Girl dolls and accessories


    Even though Mattel bought the Pleasant company in 1998, the changes in the American Girl line didn’t become apparent until 2000. At that point, some American Girl products from the core collection (items derived from the first six books) were then discontinued and other accessories were added. In 2002, for example, Felicity was no longer offered and Mattel was hit by a wave of mail. Retired or discontinued American Girl products are highly collectible and, therefore, can be harder to find.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The American Girl Doll Line
    (courtesy of http://pages.ebay.com)

    The American Girl line of dolls features 9-year-old girls from different eras in American history. Each doll comes with a corresponding book that teaches what being a girl was like in that era and with clothing unique to her era, location, and social class.


    Kirsten Larson:
    Kirsten Larson is one of the original three American Girl dolls released, and hers is the only story that hasn’t been changed. She is a Swedish immigrant whose family became pioneers in Minnesota in the mid-1800s.    

    Samantha Parkington:
    Samantha Parkington, one of the three original American Girl dolls, is also one of the most popular. She lives a life of luxury in the first years of the 20th century.      

    Molly McIntire: Molly McIntire, who grows up during World War II, was also one of the three original American Girls. Her father is in Europe aiding the war effort, and Molly must adapt to her changing world.    

    Nellie O’Malley: Although Nellie O’Malley is an Irish servant and Samantha is a wealthy little girl, the two are friends.    

    Addy Walker: Addy Walker is an escaped slave fleeing north to Philadelphia with her mother near the end of the Civil War. Addy has been produced since the early ‘90s, prior to the Mattel era.   

    Kaya: Kaya, a young Native American in the Nez Perce tribe, lives in the West in 1764. The doll’s image and dress are faithful to Nez Perce culture.   

    Josefina Montoya: Josefina Montoya lives on a New Mexico rancho in the 1820s, just as Americans begin to settle and trade in the area. She was the first Hispanic doll in the American Girl line of dolls, and she was the last doll created before Pleasant Rowland left the company.     

    Felicity Merriman:
    Felicity Merriman is a colonial girl who lives just before hostilities erupt in the Revolutionary War. She was the first doll to have a flesh-colored body.

    Kit Kittredge: Kit Kittredge lives in the Midwest during the Great Depression. Her family struggles with poverty after her father loses his job.

    Tips for Collecting American Dolls

    • Familiarize yourself with the characters the dolls represent. Do your research on each of the American Girl dolls so you know what to look for while adding to your collection! 

    • There are a variety of different dolls in addition to the original American Girl Dolls, including the “American Girl Today” dolls that are meant to represent modern girls. These dolls are made with a variety of hair, eye and skin colors to resemble the child they are being purchased for. Also available are the American Girl baby dolls - Bitty Babies.

    • Don’t forget to Accessorize!  American Girl dolls come with a large selection of accessories, include period clothing, clothing that the child can wear to match the doll, period furnishings, corresponding books, games, ornaments, stockings and holiday items.  So many things to collect, so little time!

    • Remember - you can order American Girl dolls only from the American Girl company online or through the American Girl catalog.  Set yourself a budget!  The starter kits, which includes a doll, clothes, furniture accessories, a brush and three books start at around $280.

    American Girl Doll Price Guide

     

    Title Bids End Date Start Price End Price
    American Girl Doll Samantha - RETIRED Collection 1 5/13/10 $2,000.00 $2,000.00
    American Girl 6 Doll Pre-Mattel Collection w/furn & acc 16 3/29/10 $500.00 $1,187.62
    Vintage Barbie~ Side Part American Girl Doll~ Original 1 4/15/10 $9.95 $1,100.00
    Vintage 1966 LH Sidepart American Girl Barbie doll-rare 13 3/28/10 $9.99 $1,025.50
    LOT American Girl Samantha Doll &Collection Pleasant Co 3 4/6/10 $999.00 $1,009.00
    American Girl doll Kirsten and her World  BRAND NEW!! 1 5/19/10 $899.00 $899.00
    1966 BRUNETTE American Girl Barbie - RARE European Doll 10 5/8/10 $9.99 $787.77
    RARE Long Hair Med Color American Girl Barbie Doll MINT 21 5/22/10 $9.99 $787.77
    PLEASANT COMPANY AMERICAN GIRL RETIRED KIRSTEN DOLL LOT 1 5/2/10 $750.00 $750.00
    NIB American Girl SAMANTHA DOLL Huge LOT 21/clothes acc 26 4/15/10 $0.99 $717.00
    PRISTINE 1966 AMERICAN GIRL HIGH COLOR BARBIE DOLL 1 5/7/10 $550.00 $700.00
    1958 Brunette American Girl Barbie Doll w Dress 21 3/21/10 $19.99 $673.00
    AMERICAN GIRL PLEASANT CO DOLL CLOTHES HUGE LOT 80+ PC 44 4/30/10 $9.99 $661.87
    NIB American Girl SAMANTHA DOLL Huge LOT 21/clothes acc 1 4/20/10 $785.00 $650.00
    AMERICAN GIRL Samantha Doll + STAND 1 5/14/10 $0.99 $650.00
    Kit American Girl Doll w/ Bed, Desk, Trunk, accessories 38 3/28/10 $0.99 $625.85
    NIB American Girl KIRSTEN DOLL Huge LOT 11/clothes accs 26 4/16/10 $0.99 $616.99
    1966 AMERICAN GIRL HIGH COLOR VINTAGE BARBIE DOLL 3 4/17/10 $9.99 $600.00
    American Girl Doll PACKAGE DEAL 1 5/15/10 $450.00 $530.00
    American Girl Doll Marisol Luna Ltd Ed w/ Trunks LOT 1 4/14/10 $529.99 $529.99
    NEW American Girl Doll Lindsey NWT Retired 2001 1 5/25/10 $600.00 $525.00
    RARE Long Hair Blonde American Girl Barbie Doll MINT 24 5/27/10 $4.00 $513.00
    American Girl Samantha Doll, Meet Outfit, white body PC 1 5/5/10 $85.00 $500.00
    NIB American Girl KIRSTEN DOLL Huge LOT 11/clothes accs 1 4/17/10 $615.00 $500.00
    AMERICAN GIRL LINDSEY Lindsay DOLL NEW IN BOX NRFB 2001 1 3/26/10 $499.95 $499.95
    Adorable Reborn Baby Doll African American AA Girl NR 2 5/6/10 $499.00 $499.00
    American Girl LANIE DOLL OF THE YEAR CAMPER Ltd Ed! 1 5/11/10 $474.99 $474.99
    Samantha Elizabeth Sonali Gwen American Girl doll LOT 1 5/9/10 $469.95 $469.95
    HUGE AMERICAN GIRL DOLL LOT Murphy Bed Clothes Locker + 1 3/7/10 $450.00 $450.00
    NEW American Girl Doll Lindsey NWT NIB Never Removed 1 3/2/10 $499.99 $450.00
    American Girl Retired Nellie 18" doll + Outfits LOT 24 4/15/10 $39.99 $410.25
    HUGE LOT AMERICAN GIRL DOLL ACCES'S CLOTHES SHOES TRUNK 27 5/13/10 $39.99 $406.88
    original american girl doll cloths lot 90+ pieces 43 4/29/10 $39.99 $406.00
    American Girl KIRSTEN Collection: DOLL++clothes+ETC-nr! 50 5/16/10 $0.99 $399.99
    American Girl Nicki doll ,Ski Gear set,Spocket the Dog 1 4/18/10 $399.95 $399.95
    Stunning Vintage Blond American Girl Barbie Doll Mint! 34 4/28/10 $9.99 $390.01
    American Girl 2007 doll of the year Nicki lot 1 5/16/10 $325.00 $375.00
    KIRSTEN AMERICAN GIRL DOLL CLOTHES FURNITURE HUGE LOT 12 5/10/10 $195.00 $374.59
    American Girl Kailey Doll,Sandy the Dog & Accessories 1 4/2/10 $369.95 $369.95
    Mint-in-Box American Girl Doll KAILEY HOPKINS & Book 1 4/22/10 $365.00 $365.00
    American Girl Nicki Girl of the Year Doll NRFB w/ Book 1 4/14/10 $359.95 $359.95
    Huge American Girl doll clothes/acc lot w/retired items 26 3/28/10 $49.99 $358.88
    American Girl Doll Lot-5 dolls over 18" tall-smoke free 21 5/10/10 $99.00 $355.01
    American Girl Molly doll  with 6 collections plus plus 1 4/5/10 $150.00 $350.00
    Marisol American Girl Doll  NRFB Complete Collection 1 4/16/10 $350.00 $350.00
    NEW Nicki Nicky Nikki American Girl Doll & Book NIB 1 4/6/10 $349.99 $349.99
    American Girl doll Kailey complete collection NRFB NEW 41 5/21/10 $1.00 $344.00
    American Girl Doll+clothes 3 5/7/10 $250.00 $331.97
    Stunning Vintage Blonde American Girl Barbie Doll Mint 16 4/10/10 $4.00 $331.00
    AMERICAN GIRL of YEAR 2007 NICKI DOLL Outfit + BOOK 1 5/26/10 $329.99 $329.99
    NEW Nicki Nicky Nikki American Girl Doll & Book NIB 1 3/31/10 $329.99 $329.99
    NEW Nicki Nicky Nikki American Girl Doll & Book NIB 1 4/1/10 $329.99 $329.99
    AMERICAN GIRL DOLL NELLIE PLEASANT CO samantha friend 1 4/27/10 $325.00 $325.00
    American Girl Doll Clothing Lot  - Over 80 pieces! 1 5/6/10 $200.00 $325.00
    American Girl Nicki doll + complete starter collection 1 4/8/10 $324.99 $324.99
    AMERICAN GIRL NICKI NIKKI 2007 DOLL + BOOK NIB NEW 1 3/11/10 $319.99 $319.99
    American Girl Doll Felicity with 2 outfits NO RESERVE 16 3/1/10 $50.00 $309.99
    RARE american girl doll bed set armoire furniture 41 3/15/10 $49.99 $305.85
    1966 American Girl Barbie Doll With Stand & Outfit 25 5/2/10 $99.99 $305.00
    American Girl Doll Kailey 36 3/28/10 $69.99 $305.00
    STUNNING BLONDE AMERICAN GIRL BARBIE DOLL - NM 16 3/28/10 $49.99 $305.00
    American Girl Doll Nicki - Girl of the Year 2007 14 3/28/10 $69.99 $302.00
    American Girl bend leg Barbie doll 1958 Made in Japan 1 5/2/10 $301.00 $301.00
    AMERICAN GIRL SAMANTHA DOLL - SOLD OUT AND BRAND NEW ! 46 4/11/10 $0.99 $300.00
    Felicity American Girl Doll Horse, Bed. Complete Set 27 3/28/10 $0.99 $300.00
    American Girl Doll Kirsten Trunk 1 4/15/10 $250.00 $300.00
    GORGEOUS 60S BARBIE AMERICAN GIRL Doll HIGH COLOR 1958 10 4/30/10 $9.99 $300.00
    AMERICAN GIRL 1986 PC FELICITY WEST GERMANY DOLL LOT 1 4/30/10 $299.99 $299.99
    NEW American Girl of Many Lands Ireland Doll Kathleen 1 3/23/10 $299.99 $299.99
    NEW AMERICAN GIRL NELLIE DOLL & BOOK PLUS ACCESSORIES 1 3/27/10 $299.99 $299.99
    AMERICAN GIRL 2002 DOLL LINDSEY LINDSAY RETIRED PERFECT 1 5/8/10 $249.99 $299.99
    NEW AMERICAN GIRL NELLIE 18" DOLL & BOOK & ACCESSORIES 1 3/26/10 $299.95 $299.95
    NEW American Girl NELLIE DOLL plus BOOK and ACCESSORIES 1 3/11/10 $299.00 $299.00
    AMERICAN GIRL NICKI/NICKY/NIKKI DOLL BRAND NEW!! 1 3/28/10 $295.99 $295.99
    NEW~American Girl NELLIE 18" DOLL HARDCOVER BOOK & PJ'S 1 4/22/10 $295.00 $295.00
    NEW~American Girl NELLIE 18" DOLL HARDCOVER BOOK & PJ'S 1 4/23/10 $295.00 $295.00
    NEW~American Girl NELLIE 18" DOLL HARDCOVER BOOK & PJ'S 1 5/9/10 $295.00 $295.00
    AMERICAN GIRL SAMANTHA STEAMER TRUNK fits 18" DOLL 1 4/22/10 $329.99 $295.00
    NEW ~ American Girl NELLIE 18" DOLL & HARDCOVER BOOK 1 4/17/10 $295.00 $295.00
    American Girl Kirsten Doll with Bed, Clothes, & More 32 4/11/10 $9.99 $293.53
    NEW American Girl Doll Chrissa Collection PJ's Warm Up 1 3/2/10 $289.99 $289.99
    NIB AMERICAN GIRL Samantha's Friend NELLIE DOLL + BOOK 1 3/24/10 $289.99 $289.99
    NIB AMERICAN GIRL Samantha's Friend NELLIE DOLL + BOOK 1 5/6/10 $289.99 $289.99
    18"American Girl Samantha Doll White Body PreMattel NIB 19 3/12/10 $69.00 $285.00
    3 American Girl Doll Lot ELIZABETH JESS Clothing Dolls 41 4/15/10 $0.99 $283.96
    American Girl Doll /w/ Accessories 18 4/12/10 $100.00 $282.77
    American Girl Nicki Nicky Doll of year 2007 LTD ED NEW! 23 4/11/10 $0.99 $281.00
    AMERICAN GIRL NELLIE DOLL W/ PAPERBACK BOOK NIB RETIRED 1 3/17/10 $279.99 $279.99
    BEAUTY FELICITY AMERICAN GIRL DOLL PRE-MATEL BOX+20-PC 1 3/22/10 $249.99 $279.00
    American Girl Doll Julie w/bed & accessories  LOOK! 6 4/23/10 $249.00 $277.31
    HUGE American Girl BEAUTIFUL SAMANTHA  Doll - RETIRED! 1 4/11/10 $399.99 $275.00
    STEAMER WARDROBE AMERICAN GIRL DOLL TRUNK 1 4/29/10 $275.00 $275.00
    Vintage 1964 American Girl Barbie Doll Nice Box #1070 1 4/27/10 $350.00 $275.00
    NEW American Girl NELLIE Doll and Book Brand New MINT 1 3/29/10 $275.00 $275.00
    1966 AMERICAN GIRL BARBIE DOLL CASE -RARE! 20 5/22/10 $9.99 $271.99
    American Girl Doll Mia & lots of her clothes (NIB) 66 4/9/10 $0.01 $270.00
    NEW NIB American Girl 18" Doll Gwen & Sonali & Books 1 5/13/10 $266.99 $266.99
    American Girl Felicity Doll Table with Chairs & More 17 4/4/10 $9.99 $264.99
    American Girl Doll Nellie - NIB! Retired. 25 2/27/10 $24.99 $264.99
    GORGEOUS BRUNETTE VINTAGE AMERICAN GIRL BARBIE DOLL 23 3/25/10 $9.99 $264.99
    VTG AMERICAN GIRL BARBIE DOLL BOX SWIMSUIT OT SHOES NR! 15 5/3/10 $5.99 $264.00
    American Girl NELLIE Doll w/Accessories, New in Box 14 3/17/10 $85.00 $261.99
    AMERICAN GIRL LINDSEY DOLL OF THE YEAR + LAPTOP lot 1 4/4/10 $260.99 $260.99
    18" American Girl Samantha Doll White Body Pre-Mattel 19 3/16/10 $99.00 $260.00
    American Girl Kit Kittredge Doll with many accessories 15 4/17/10 $99.00 $260.00
    AMERICAN GIRL PC FELICITY DOLL #4 HUGE LOT#4 1 4/8/10 $259.99 $259.99
    AMERICAN GIRL  MARISOL DOLL NIB RETIRED BONUS 1 3/29/10 $259.99 $259.99
    AMERICAN GIRL  MARISOL DOLL NIB RETIRED BONUS 1 3/29/10 $259.99 $259.99
    AMERICAN GIRL  MARISOL DOLL NIB RETIRED BONUS 1 4/4/10 $259.99 $259.99
    American Girl Doll "Nellie" Hospital Gown & Dress MINT! 1 4/19/10 $259.00 $259.00
    NEW IN BOX Mia American Girl Doll & 4 extra Outfits 30 2/28/10 $75.00 $256.93
    AMERICAN GIRL 18" DOLL MIA STARTER COLLECTION BONUS NEW 1 5/24/10 $255.99 $255.99
    American Girl Doll clothes lot 41 3/10/10 $9.99 $255.00
    American Girl Doll Lot with Horse, Dog & Cat and More 2 3/24/10 $250.00 $255.00
    AMERICAN GIRL LIMITED ED 2005 MARISOL DOLL NIB RETIRED 1 4/22/10 $254.99 $254.99
    American Girl Kaya Doll + Horses, Dog, Accessories 26 5/18/10 $0.99 $253.64
    American Girl Nellie 18 inch Doll - NIB/RTD 19 3/23/10 $9.99 $252.99
    American Girl Nicki Doll Retired NIB Girl of Today 2007 25 5/26/10 $100.00 $251.57
    LOT OF AMERICAN GIRL EQUESTRIAN - 4 LARGE HORSES 1 DOLL 58 4/26/10 $9.99 $250.01
    American Girl Bitty Baby Doll and Accessories 1 2/28/10 $250.00 $250.00
    Nicki -  American Girl 2007 Doll of the year 1 3/31/10 $250.00 $250.00
    P.C. American Girl Doll SAMANTHA Lots of NEW CLOTHES+++ 1 5/14/10 $260.00 $250.00
    American Girl Doll Kirsten with Clothes and Accessories 3 2/27/10 $200.00 $250.00
    Just Like You bl/br American Girl LOT 82pc Doll clothes 19 4/28/10 $99.00 $250.00
    American Girl LINDSEY DOLL OF THE YEAR 2001 in Box 1 2/27/10 $200.00 $250.00
    HUGE LOT American Girl Doll & Accessories 1 4/6/10 $250.00 $250.00
    West German Samantha American Girl Doll, Excellent! 1 4/15/10 $329.99 $250.00
    AMERICAN GIRL ~KAILEY~ TODAY DOLL 2003 RETIRED 1 5/10/10 $300.00 $250.00
    AMERICAN GIRL LINDSEY DOLL MEET BOOK & MEET OUTFIT 1 3/28/10 $299.95 $250.00
    American Girl Doll Kirsten with accessories (RETIRED) 1 2/28/10 $224.99 $249.99
    AMERICAN GIRL KIRSTEN  DOLL WITH ACCESSORIES NEW IN BOX 1 5/18/10 $249.99 $249.99
    NIB~NELLIE DOLL,SPRING PARTY & EXTRAS-AMERICAN GIRL-NEW 1 3/8/10 $289.99 $249.99
    American Girl NICKI 2007 Doll of the Year MIB SOLD OUT! 1 4/1/10 $249.98 $249.98
    American Girl Today Lindsey Lindsy Doll and Book NIB 1 5/10/10 $199.99 $249.00
    American_Girl_SAMANTHA_white body_DOLL & LOTS OF EXTRAS 1 3/14/10 $295.00 $245.00
    American Girl Kirsten Doll, Book & Accessories NIB 1 3/24/10 $244.99 $244.99
    NIB American Girl Doll Nellie - MINT ! ! ! 1 3/24/10 $279.99 $244.99
    American Girl Doll Marisol w/ Accessories NEW NIB NRFB 15 3/2/10 $149.00 $244.50
    American Girl Kit Kittredge Doll, Wardrobe, Accessories 23 4/18/10 $49.99 $242.61
    American Girl Doll Samantha CLARA NUTCRACKER Retired 1 5/4/10 $240.00 $240.00
    AMERICAN GIRL LIMITED ED RETIRED 2005 MARISOL DOLL NIB 1 4/3/10 $239.99 $239.99
    AMERICAN GIRL LIMITED ED RETIRED 2005 MARISOL DOLL NIB 1 4/14/10 $239.99 $239.99
    AMERICAN GIRL LIMITED ED 2005 MARISOL DOLL NIB RETIRED 1 3/17/10 $239.99 $239.99
    American Girl Doll MIA Starter Set SOLD OUT Ice Skater 1 3/28/10 $299.99 $239.99
    AMERICAN GIRL CHRISSA DOLL + SNOW OUTFIT + GEAR + 2 BKS 1 4/22/10 $239.99 $239.99
    American Girl 18" DOLL GWEN & SONALI DOLLS NIB! 1 3/24/10 $239.95 $239.95
    American Girl Doll Kailey Complete Set w/ Extras 39 5/26/10 $0.99 $238.28
    American Girl NICKI Nicky Doll of year 2007 LTD ED NEW! 20 4/29/10 $0.99 $237.55
    AMERICAN GIRL Limited Edition Marisol Doll Retired NIB 58 4/4/10 $0.99 $236.22
    American Girl Doll Clot