A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting my sister in Lancaster and came across several sales along the way. The first sale was at a flea market not far from Athens, which had a couple hundred sellers selling anything and everything.
Bob Cohen, who was from the Columbus area, was selling a Rookwood autumn landscape made in 1928 by artist Fred Rothenbusch priced at $3,000, and a Crown graphic camera priced at $475.
I spoke with Sandy Caruso, of Cincinnati, who had a 1984 Macintosh computer she was trying to sell for $523. An artwork by artist with only the last name of Marston on an oil canvas titled, "Butchering," priced at $725.
As we were about to leave the flea market, the Macintosh computer went for $450, that was sold to a dealer at a discount of $73 off the original price, who refused to give me his name for my column. Well anyway, I came back home to Vienna with several items I picked up at a low price, which I will probably keep or later sell on eBay.
McMasters Harris
Doll Auctions
McMasters Harris Doll Auctions in Newark is looking for dolls to sell at auction. If you have Barbie Dolls or antique dolls you're wanting to sell for top dollar, contact Mcmasters Harris Apple Tree Auctions at 1625 West Church St., Newark, Ohio 43055, or give them a call at 1-800-842-3526 or email Mark who is originally from Marietta at mark@mcmastersharris.com. Tell him Larry sent you.
The James Gang
An 1881 proclamation from the governor of Missouri offering $5,000 reward for the arrest and delivery of Frank and Jessie James may sell for as much as $25,000 at Brian Lebers old West Show from June 22 to 24 in Denver, Colo.
A whole $5,000 may not seem like a lot of money today for a pair of brothers who once terrorized the entire Midwest. Five thousand dollars in 1881 is equal to $111,519 today. That makes the wanted poster pre-estimate look like a real bargain. Anyone out there in Washington County is allowed to participate in bidding.
Local auction results
- 1882 invoice for Kelly Brothers of Marietta builders of Fine Buggies, phaetons, and other vehicles, received one bid of $10 for a seller in Newton Junction, New Hampshire.
- Straight razor, marked H.A. Albrecht, Marietta, Ohio, sold for $29.
- Letter mailed on Nov. 12, 1836, by Nahum Ward to James Thompson in Baltimore received a bid of $100. Nahum Ward served as mayor of Marietta in the 1800s. He also founded the Unitarian Church in Marietta, and was a very wealthy man, an influential Marietta politician and businessman and speculator, who migrated from Shrewsbury, Mass., in 1811. He was also a noted abolitionist.
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 its condition.
