A Parkersburg man out of work and on unemployment recently auctioned off more than $8,000 worth of rare Fenton glass on eBay.
The 41-piece collection was originally owned by his mother who recently passed away. The sale was conducted by another eBay seller online. Selling for $350 was a Fenton carnival glass pitcher with butterflies. Selling for $265 was a Fenton grape and cable cherry red bowl. Selling for $255 was a Fenton corn dot amber and white lamp shade. Selling for $280 was a Fenton orchid red satin glass lamp. Selling for $307 was a Fenton peacock amethyst carnival glass pitcher. ... and the list goes on. The seven-day sale netted $8,000 for the Parkersburg seller, minus eBay and seller fees.
In other auction news around the country, a 100-ounce nugget, found by a man last year on his property near Nevada City, Calif., is expected to fetch $225,000 to $400,000 when it goes up for auction March 16, nicknamed the "Washington Nugget" because the nugget was discovered near the famous Northern gold rush mining camp of Washington. Calif. Golden West Auctions in Sacramento will handle the sale.
Did you know only 11 original copies are known to exist today of the words and music to "The Star Spangled Banner"? Others are out there somewhere waiting to be found. One of the 11 known copies sold Dec. 3. 2010, for $506,500 through Christies Auctions in New York. Francis Scott Key wrote the first verse in 1814 while watching British ships fire on Baltimore's Fort McHenry. The first version with 32 lines was completed when he got back to Baltimore. A Baltimore music publisher rushed to put the words and music together, and there are many typos in the first edition, which makes them more valuable. The publisher even forgot to include the name of the poem's author. The song did not become our official national anthem until 1931.
An ivory box described as a mid-19th century persian piece, estimated to bring $700 to $900 at auction, auctioned at Cowans Auction House in Cleveland last year for $471,528. It was auctioned again at Sotheby's in New York for $3.68 million.
Auction prices
Readers, every week through this column I will be listing items pertaining to our local history that was recently sold at auction:
Book, "Stockade Fort History 1788," published by John Williams, 1842, Marietta, $15.50.
Dahlburg radio token, St Joseph's Hospital, Parkersburg, $3.
1906 postcard of Front Street, Marietta, $11.
1909 postcard of Little Hocking Church, $18.
1992 book titled, "True Stories of Pioneer Time," by Louise Zimmer printed by Broughton Food Co., Marietta, $10.
Box of vintage marbles, made by Vitro Agate, Parkersburg, $10.
Tomato tin, packed by Nicolette Canning Co., Parkersburg, sold on eBay for $39.99.
Crystal Dairy, Marietta, milk truck bank, $40.
Larry Koon is the author of several price guide books on antiques and collectibles. His column appears every Monday on Life. Send letters to Treasure in the Attic, c/o The Marietta Times, 700 Channel Lane, Marietta 45750; or e-mail him at koonantiques@yahoo.com. When writing, send a complete description of the item, along with size, color, any markings on the item along with condition the item is in, and how the item was obtained, and any other information. If possible, send a photograph. Letters will be answered through this column.
