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Vintage Parker Vacumatic Fountain Pen and Pencil Set from the Early 1940s

Vintage Parker Vacumatic Fountain Pen and Pencil Set from the Early 1940s
Photo Credit: wbm78

Vintage Parker Vacumatic Fountain Pen and Pencil Set from the Early 1940s

Buy It Now Price: $499.99 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-Few pens can wow a crowd like the Parker Vacumatic fountain pen.  This superb, vintage Parker Vacumatic fountain pen and mechanical pencil set was made in the early 1940s, between 1939 and 1942.

-This attractive fountain pen and mechanical pencil set has celluloid bodies with 14 karat gold filled caps and trim.

-This set’s color is known as “Golden Pearl”.  It is also has a “blue diamond” clip to denote a lifetime warranty.  Parker only used the “blue diamond” clip on higher-end pens priced at $8.75 or higher.  This was a substantial amount of money in the early 1940s, equivalent to about $151 in 2016.

-The Parker Vacumatic fountain pen, with its alternating opaque and translucent celluloid stripes and chunky, bold design, is one of the most iconic of Art Deco fountain pens.

-The set comes in its original case, which always boosts investment appeal.

-The condition of this Parker Vacumatic fountain pen and mechanical pencil set is excellent, with no visible cracking, chipping, brassing (wear through the gold-filled trim) or other damage.  The writing nib also appears to be in good condition.

-I especially like the investment potential for vintage fountain pen and mechanical pencil sets.  I think they are one of the most undervalued areas of the fountain pen universe at the moment.

 

Cons:

-The $500 asking price is very high.  The seller knows he has a gem in this vintage set and is demanding a steep premium for it.  However, it is common for exceptional, investment grade antiques to trade for exceptionally high prices.  I suspect the $500 price may not seem so high in another decade or so.

-The set is being sold “as is” with no guarantee that either the pen or pencil work.  The ink filling device in a Parker Vacumatic fountain pen, called a diaphragm, is made out of rubber.  This can rot out over time, requiring replacement.  If necessary, this fix would cost additional money.

-The gold filled caps are engraved with the initials “DM”.  Some people avoid any antique that has been monogrammed.  However, I feel that initials or monograms are neutral to the valuation of a fine antique in most instances.

Medieval Byzantine Gold Solidus Coin from the 10th Century

Medieval Byzantine Gold Solidus Coin from the 10th Century
Photo Credit: GI-Coins-Medals

Medieval Byzantine Gold Solidus Coin from the 10th Century

Buy It Now Price: $818 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This magnificent, medieval Byzantine gold solidus coin portrays Christ holding the Gospels on the obverse and two Byzantine co-emperors, Constantine VII and Romanus II, on the reverse.

-This medieval gold solidus coin was struck in the Byzantine capital, Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), between 913 AD and 959 AD.

-The piece measures 20.0 mm (0.79 inches) in diameter and weighs 4.33 grams (0.1392 troy ounces).

-The Byzantine Empire was the successor state to the Eastern Roman Empire.  It lasted for almost 1,000 years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, from the late 5th century AD to 1453 AD.

-The Byzantine Empire was a major regional Mediterranean power in the 10th century AD and consisted of modern day Turkey, Greece and parts of southern Italy.

-The Byzantine gold solidus became the premier trade coin in Europe shortly after the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 6th century AD.  It retained this dominant position until the Italian Renaissance in the 13th century.

-The portrait of Christ on this gold solidus coin is superb.  The Byzantines developed the iconic image of a Christ with long hair, a beard and flowing robes that is ubiquitous in modern culture.

-This coin is problem free, with no graffiti, clipping, scratches or other damage.  It is also well struck and well centered.  Overall, it is a great example of a 10th century Byzantine gold solidus.

-Gold solidus coins are millennia old, handstruck reflections of Byzantine imperial grandeur.  And this specimen, with its exceptional eye appeal, is an especially attractive investment piece.

-Given this medieval Byzantine gold solidus’ remarkable condition, compelling imagery and historical importance, the asking price of $818 is very good.

 

Cons:

-There are medieval Byzantine gold solidus coins available for lower prices in the market, but they are usually compromised in some respect.  Having said that, you can occasionally snag a problem-free, bargain piece for $600 or $700 if you aren’t picky about the emperor.

-Having been minted in massive quantities, medieval Byzantine gold solidus coins are among the most common of medieval gold coins.  However, solidus issues from the 10th century AD tend to be somewhat scarcer than equivalent specimens from the 6th-7th centuries AD or 11th century AD.

Retro 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Grape Cluster Akoya Pearl Brooch from Italy

Retro 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Grape Cluster Akoya Pearl Brooch from Italy
Photo Credit: Olde-Towne-Jewelers

Retro 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Grape Cluster Akoya Pearl Brooch from Italy

Buy It Now Price: $1,450 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This is a magnificent retro, 14 karat yellow gold and grape cluster Akoya pearl brooch.  It was made in Italy in the mid 20th century, probably in the 1950s, but possibly in the 1960s.

-This sizable pearl cluster brooch measures 1.81 inches (46mm) long by 1.38 inches (35mm) wide by 0.63 inches (16mm) deep.  It weighs 24.6 grams (0.79 troy ounces).

-Weight is often a good indicator of jewelry quality, with heavy pieces generally being higher quality than lighter pieces of the same size.  This Akoya pearl brooch’s significant heft suggests that it is a very high quality piece of jewelry indeed.

-This grape cluster brooch contains several dozen, 5mm (0.2 inch) diameter, creamy white pearls of excellent luster and roundness.  They are almost certainly Japanese Akoya pearls, a mainstay of fine jewelry manufactured during the mid 20th century.

-Japanese Akoya pearls are a variety of cultured, saltwater pearl that was first developed in the early 20th century by Kokichi Mikimoto, the founder of the modern cultured pearl industry.  Akoya pearls are valued by jewelry makers for their neutral colors, uniform shape and fine luster.

-Fine pearl jewelry was a necessity for any fashionable woman’s wardrobe during the 1950s and this fabulously retro, Akoya pearl brooch does not disappoint.  The goldwork and overall design of the brooch is very well executed, features typical of high quality, mid-century Italian jewelry.

-Although the $1,450 asking price of this Akoya pearl brooch is not low, you would have great difficulty finding a similar quality piece of retro pearl jewelry for less.

 

Cons:

-Akoya pearls are not as valuable as either South Sea or Tahitian cultured pearls.  And they are far less valuable than comparable natural pearls.  However, Akoya pearls are worth substantially more than freshwater pearls and are still quite desirable.

-The pearl industry has been going through a period of upheaval over the last 20 years, primarily due to the introduction of large quantities of good quality, low priced, freshwater pearls from China.  Given that pearl oysters are extremely sensitive to water pollution, it is an open question whether the Chinese pearl industry will continue to be able to maintain its enormous production rate over the long term.

-All pearls, including Akoya pearls, require special care to prevent damage.  Any chemicals, such as those found in hair spray, perfume or even human sweat, can dull pearls and lead to damage over time.  It is also recommended that pearls be stored in a place without major swings in relative humidity or temperature.  In addition, pearls are softer than other gemstones, and should not be stored loose with other jewelry to avoid scratches.

Silver Swiss Shooting Medal from the City of Schaffhausen

Silver Swiss Shooting Medal from the City of Schaffhausen
Photo Credit: worldqualitycoins

Silver Swiss Shooting Medal from the City of Schaffhausen

Buy It Now Price: $295 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-Struck in stunningly high relief, this is a 1956 silver Swiss shooting medal from the city of Schaffhausen.  It measures 39 mm (1.54 inches) in diameter and was struck in solid silver.

-The medal depicts an exquisitely rendered, crowned ram on the obverse and the winner’s name, Hefti Edwin, and date, 1956, surrounded by a wreath on the reverse.

-Schaffhausen is a small city in northern Switzerland that sits on the banks of the Rhine River.  The city first appeared in historical records in 1045 AD and features a ram bursting out of a castle on its coat of arms.

-Some regions of Central Europe, especially Switzerland, have a deeply cherished tradition of holding shooting festivals once a year.  Various Swiss cities and cantons have issued shooting medals to hand out as prizes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

-Shooting medals have been struck in gold, silver, bronze, tin and aluminum, but silver is the most common metal encountered.

-Mintages for Swiss shooting medals are often shockingly low – usually less than 1,000 pieces.  In addition, attrition due to wear, loss and scrapping has reduced the extant population of these magnificent medals even further.

-This example is certified MS-65 by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), a third-party grading service.  This gives a powerful assurance of authenticity to the specimen.

-MS-65, or Mint State 65, is a phenomenally good state of preservation for a medal that is over 65 years old.  This condition is just about as good as a medal (or coin) can get.  While the grading scale theoretically goes up to 70, vanishingly few pieces are certified higher than MS-65.

–European art medals in general, and Swiss shooting medals in particular, are often overlooked in today’s antique market.  Consequently, despite their rarity, prices are usually quite reasonable.

-The modest $295 asking price for this silver Swiss shooting medal, coupled with its excellent condition and attractive design, should allow for rapid future price appreciation.

 

Cons:

-This silver Swiss shooting medal is only from the mid 20th century.  Although it exemplifies Mid-Century, European design wonderfully, older medals will usually sell for higher prices than more recent issues.

-This medal is struck from silver, which makes it desirable.  But a similar medal struck from gold would appeal to collectors even more.  However, it would also drive up the price commensurately.

-Cheaper silver Swiss shooting medals are available in the market, particularly if you are willing to forgo a specimen that has been third-party certified as mint state.  You are paying a premium for quality here.