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Antique French Sterling Silver Liquor Goblets, Set of 12, Late 19th

Antique French Sterling Silver Liquor Goblets, Set of 12, Late 19th
Photo Credit: ricou251

Antique French Sterling Silver Liquor Goblets, Set of 12, Late 19th

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

Pros:

-This is a complete set of one dozen antique French silver cordial cups made by the Parisian firm Henin & Cie during the late 19th or early 20th century. Small cordial cups like the ones featured here were often used at Belle Époque parties for expensive alcohol like sherry or liqueurs.

-The somewhat restrained, neo-classical decoration and the hallmarks are both completely consistent with a late 19th or early 20th century date and French manufacture.

-All the pieces of the set are undamaged, with only modest wear. This has a massively positive impact on the investability of the set.

-These pieces are made from solid silver of the French 1st standard – 95% fine. This is a higher fineness than British sterling silver (92.5% fine). With a total weight of 314 grams (10.09 troy ounces) for the complete set, the bullion value comes to approximately $144 (with spot silver at $15 a troy ounce). This high intrinsic value represents a compelling, low risk case for investing.

-These silver cordial cups measure 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) tall by 1.3 inches (3.3 centimeters) wide. Although rather small, each individual cup weighs a hefty 26 grams (0.84 troy ounces) of solid silver. This substantial weight is indicative of the good quality of the set.

–Antique Continental European silver is extremely undervalued in today’s alternative asset market.  It is sometimes possible to buy good investment grade pieces – like this set – for only $200 or $300.

 

Cons:

-Each cup in the set is monogrammed, which some collectors of antique silver dislike. I personally believe monograms ground antique silver in its historical context and either has a neutral or slightly positive impact on pricing.

-The set would be significantly more valuable if it came with its original storage box. Unfortunately in this instance, the original case appears to have been lost to the ravages of time.

-This set of silver cordial cups might have limited usefulness today, unless you intend to serve your party guests shots of hard liquor. Of course, if you did find a way to use these stylish cordial cups at a dinner party, they would quickly become a talking point.

Fine Art Deco 222g Solid Sterling Silver & Gold Cigarette Case – Birmingham 1937

Fine Art Deco 222g Solid Sterling Silver & Gold Cigarette Case - Birmingham 1937
Photo Credit: A & F Silver & Virtue

Fine Art Deco 222g Solid Sterling Silver & Gold Cigarette Case – Birmingham 1937

Buy It Now Price: $307 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This sterling silver cigarette case was made in Birmingham, England in 1937 by William Neale & Sons Ltd. It is unusually heavy, weighing a massive 222.4 grams (7.15 troy ounces) and measures 14.5 centimeters (5.7 inches) long by 8.4 centimeters (3.3 inches) wide. The case’s bullion value (with silver trading at $15 per ounce) is approximately $100.

-This piece is a beautiful example of the mature Art Deco style. Its simple, linear aesthetic comes together remarkably well without being overly austere. The engine-turned surface and tasteful use of gold trim significantly adds to its desirability.

-The cigarette case is in excellent condition with no dents, dings or repairs. The clasp and hinge also work well. The interior gilding is fully intact as are the cigarette retention springs. This is important as oftentimes the interior retention mechanism is either missing or damaged.

-Britain has perhaps the most rigidly enforced silver hallmarking system in the world. This is good, as it guarantees that a hallmarked piece of British silver is definitely up to the sterling standard. It also makes attribution as to city, date and maker very easy. This cigarette case is properly hallmarked.

-This sterling silver objet d’art comes from a pivotal era in British history. It was manufactured in 1937, during the twilight of the British Empire and just a couple years before the Nazis provoked the outbreak of World War II.

 

Cons:

-The cigarette case is engraved with the initials WHA on the front. There is also a dedication inscription on the interior that reads “PRESENTED TO MR. W. H. ATTRILL BY D. J. JAMES IN APPRECIATION OF HIS SERVICES AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CIRCUIT. 22.3.37.” Some collectors of fine silver frown on monograms and inscriptions and either avoid them entirely or pay less for silver pieces adorned with them. I personally believe they are part of an item’s legacy and serve to give it historical context. In my opinion inscriptions and initials are either neutral or very modestly enhance the desirability of a piece. This is ultimately in the eye of the beholder.

-This cigarette case is a functional luxury item…but only if you smoke cigarettes. If you don’t smoke, it could possibly be re-purposed as a business card holder or even a money clip. Otherwise it is at best an objet d’art – a display piece.

-The asking amount is set at a premium price point – 220 British pounds (about $307). A recurring theme among investment-grade antiques is that exceptional specimens often command exceptional prices. This magnificent Art Deco sterling silver cigarette case is no exception to that rule. However, it is worth the asking price. If it seems expensive today, just wait ten years and try to buy a similar example for 220 pounds – you won’t be able to.

Vintage Parker 51 Flighter Fountain Pen & Pencil Set – Excellent Condition

Photo Credit: koetzco

Vintage Parker 51 Flighter Fountain Pen & Pencil Set – Excellent Condition

Buy It Now Price: $299 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This is a vintage Parker 51 Flighter fountain pen and mechanical pencil set, produced in either the 1950s or 1960s. The dawn of the age of commercial flight inspired the Parker Pen Company to create a fountain pen – the Parker 51 Flighter – that would be resistant to leaking at high altitudes.

-I have always believed that the most desirable art is that which best exemplifies the zeitgeist of the age in which it was created. In this regard the Parker 51 Flighter is absolutely iconic. It represents the very pinnacle of aerospace-era, mid-century design with its sleek, aerodynamic stainless steel construction. In fact, the pen’s exterior design may have been modeled after the Beechcraft D-18S corporate plane that the Parker Pen Company bought in the 1940s!

-This set consists of both a fountain pen and a mechanical pencil. I believe these sets are currently undervalued due to the fact there is minimal collector interest in mechanical pencils at the moment. This attitude will undoubtedly change over time, making these sets a bargain in today’s marketplace.

-The set comes in its original case – emblazoned with “Parker 51” on the interior – which is in excellent condition. This raises the set’s value significantly.

 

Cons:

-This set is not in the highest condition. It was gently used and therefore has some modest wear. However, there are no major defects like cracks, dents or heavy brassing (the wearing through of the gold plating). Vintage fountain pens and pencils are like most antiques in that perfection is often prohibitively expensive. The set, although not pristine, is still in very collectible condition. This makes the asking price of $299 reasonable.

-Prices for vintage fountain pens have risen sharply over the past decade. It isn’t really much of a con, but this set almost certainly would have been much less expensive only a few years ago. Such is life in the world of investment grade antiques; it is usually better to buy sooner, rather than later.

Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt Ptolemy IV 221-205 BC AE 43mm (75.51 g) VF

Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt Ptolemy IV 221-205 BC AE 43mm (75.51 g) VF
Photo Credit: Sphinx Numismatics

Ptolemaic Kings of Egypt Ptolemy IV 221-205 BC AE 43mm (75.51 g) VF

Buy It Now Price: $395 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This is an outstanding example of an oversized Ptolemaic Egyptian bronze coin. The Ptolemies ruled a Greek Hellenistic kingdom founded by a general of Alexander the Great. They controlled Egypt from the late 4th century BC until about 30 AD. The infamous Cleopatra was the last of the Ptolemaic dynasty.

-This particular coin was struck in the port city of Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy IV Philopator, who ruled from 221 BC to 205 BC. He was a weak ruler who indulged his vices endlessly, allowing sycophants and lovers to control the kingdom in his stead.

-This Ptolemaic bronze coin is huge, with a diameter of 43 millimeters (1.69 inches) and a weight of 75.51 grams (2.66 ounces)! This easily places it among the largest ancient bronze coins ever struck.

– This coin is in a pleasing Very Fine condition. It is difficult to find ancient bronze coins in such a good state of preservation.

-The coin is boldly struck and problem free. The rich, chocolate brown patina and fine execution of the obverse portrait of Zeus give the specimen tremendous eye appeal.

-The seller is Sphinx Numismatics, a well regarded Canadian dealer specializing in ancient and Islamic medieval coins.

 

Cons:

-At $395, the coin is at the top end of the price range for Ptolemaic Egyptian bronze coins. However, the price is well justified by the exceptional quality and beauty of the piece. Only the finest museum quality Ptolemaic bronze coins would be more expensive than this specimen.