Posted 13 years ago
earlycoke
(21 items)
This is a 1914 Betty sign. It is early chromolithograph on a masonite type of substrate. The rarest thing about it is that it still has the original frame. Most of the frames were used long ago for other things, when the sign was discarded. It hung in a cigar shop, pharmacy, or mom and pop grocery.
The photo next to it shows how it was used in a cigar store. I bought it at an auction a few years ago. I also have the little black sign that is hanging on the fountain head. Hope you enjoy.
You truly have a stunning collection!!
I love it.
I assume it's the original frame?
Great having the old picture to go with it ,showing how it was "in the day". Beautiful sign earlycoke!
Yes, I love the fact that you have a picture from a shop, back in the day with her framed in it. Beautiful
Just bought Petretti's 12th edition. Would you say that things are selling for more than the book says or less? Your Betty sign books for $4,000.00. If you were to sell some of your items would you start at the prices in the book or ask higher than the book states. If you were buying would you go by the book? Just an example, not trying to buy. I see how the items are valued as I look through the book, but are the things really bringing that kind of money? I know condition is everything, don't know how many times I've heard that. Trying to buy a few coke things and just wondering if they are really worth what the book says. I know the old saying it's only worth what someone is willing to pay. Just didn't want to pay book price and then never getting my money back someday. Just curious and thanks for your comment.
As a rule of thumb, I view today's marketplace as being very close to what is was around 1994. That was Petretti's 9th Edition. Common things sell for just a fraction of what the current guide quotes. Sometimes 30-50% less. Less common items, we will call them "average" typically sell for about 60-70% of book (sometimes less). Even the scarce and rare items (in less than stellar quality) many times sell for below book. Only the very rare, or near perfect quality examples bring over book price. Sometimes many times book price.
The market seems to have fractured into three or four groups. The first being novice or "beginning collectors" or "ebay collectors" who are looking for just coke stuff and don't really care if it is authentic or in good condition. Then there is a 2nd group ( we will call them novice) that seems to be made up of dedicated new collectors who really want to learn and buy (but they lack the face to face support and education that the old collector's conventions and get-togethers offered). The third group is older long time collectors who simply no longer have the financial means or the hard core interest to actively pursue the hobby, but are still interested. I call them "social collectors". The final group is the "serious" or "hard core" collectors who are driven and stopped by nothing to build an incredible collection. They usually (but not always) are older collectors and rather wealthy individuals with the disposable income needed to pursue the hobby at an advanced level. This is where the large dollars spent for the rare and high condition items comes into play.
More and more it seems as though the hobby is being made up of the first two groups (beginners and novice), and the fourth group (serious collectors). The third group (social collectors), were the group that would normally spend the medium amounts that we see in Petretti's guides and keep the market up are falling by the wayside.
I know that is a rambling explanation, but there is no simple way to explain it.
Hope that helps. Let me know if you have questions.
Thank you earlycoke for your comment!
earlycoke, while we've got you on the horn:
Where's the best opportunity for value and quality with Coca-Cola advertisement collecting today? In other words - If you were just starting out at present, with a little money to spend, what kind of items would you look to acquire?
From my vantage point, trays and calendars are a bargain as compared to a few years ago, and that is where I would start. Bottles are much higher in price than they ever have been, and good quality cardboard signs and porcelain signs seem to be in high demand and priced accordingly. Porcelain seems to be continually going up in price, as does anything that lights up. I think that's because porcelain and light up items hold their value due to a good amount of crossover collecting - like automobilia, etc. Signs in general seem hot, but many are way overpriced. They are also very heavily reproduced. Be very cautious of ANY button sign. The "fishtale" stuff used to be something no-one wanted, but now it is extremely popular as the younger folks come online. If I were just starting out I would start putting away the late 50's and 60's cardboards in prime condition. I expect they will continue to go up in price as years go by, and they can be found still in good condition. Hope that helps.
Interesting. Thanks, yes it helps.