More July 2002 Hotlines

Some collectors of vintage clothing want historic pieces, but most just want something unusual to wear. Look for early examples of the signature pieces of every era: early blue jeans (1873), Burberry trench coat with the plaid lining (1914), Lacoste polo shirts (1933), Hermès scarf (1937), Pucci print dress (1960), Gucci logo handbag (1968), Ralph Lauren cashmere cable-knit pullover (1975), Ferragamo Vara shoes (1978), Gap khakis (1980), and Prada nylon handbag (1992). All of these pieces are being made again.

Bottles found in England are often different from those found in the United States. A cobalt blue Stewart’s West Hartlepool cod bottle just sold in England for a record $15,225.

Prices for collectibles on eBay have dropped 11% this year, according to AuctionBytes. The sell-through rate, the number of pieces listed that actually sell, fell 24%.

Ceramics, mugs, salt & peppers, and other pieces sold in the Warner Brothers Studio stores are attracting collector interest at flea markets since AOL Time Warner closed the stores earlier this year.

Traditional furniture made in the 1950s by top makers is selling for high prices. A mahogany breakfront with crown glass, 10 large drawers, and shelves for plates, made by a small defunct company in Boston known as Beacon Hill, sold at auction for $5,100. We recognized the breakfront. An identical piece belongs to a member of our family.

Another “doggie” doorknob has been auctioned. A double-doggie knob brought $5,950 in an online auction. The record setting $8,495 doggie knob had one dog. Only four doggie knobs are known, each different. A reproduction knob is now being seen at the shows.