Rod’s Corner – What’s Hot and What’s Not – 4/12/2023

Hi everyone, and welcome to this edition of What’s Hot and What’s Not, a monthly publication of the Steffen Group that helps keep everyone up to date on what items are selling strong in the auction business along with those items that are not selling strong currently.

I wanted to start out by sharing some different perspectives of the online auction bidding and selling process.  Typically, we run our auctions seven days and they all end with what we call a “soft close”.  The soft close will allow only a few lots to close each minute (typically 2 to 4 lots) and the best part is that if someone bids on the item in the last 2 minutes, it adds another minute to that auction lot in order to allow time to notify the person who was outbid and to give them a chance to increase their bid on that item.  This has proven to be a unique and excellent tool to help maximize the value of an item.  Not to mention that it is fun to just sit and watch an auction close observing people bidding back and forth in the last few minutes to win the item that they are after.

From the seller’s perspective, I have helped clients sell their valuable assets and sold my own things at online auctions.  While there may be bidding on some or all items through the week of the auction, patience and trust in the auction process is key to helping you through the week of bidding.  Part of the draw of the auction for the bidder is the intention of getting a great deal on something.  Because of that, many times the bidding remains soft on items until it gets to the end of the auction.  While on occasion, you will see people competitively bid on an item all through the week, most commonly, most of the bidding takes place in the last 24 hours with a concentrated focus of bidding on the last hour and as the lots get ready to close.  So, sit back, enjoy, and have your coffee and a comfortable chair ready with your laptop as you watch the fun during the closing hours of the auction on the last day,

So, the moment has come to look at what is HOT and what is NOT in the auction business at this time.

Hot

Green Depression Glass / Uranium Glass: Last month we talked about depression glass being in a soft market right now but that the green depression glass, also called uranium glass and glow glass, was quite popular.  This type of glass glows under a black light and people of all ages are collecting it.  Many are creating black light curio cabinets to show the beautiful glow of this glass.  I have seen the recent sale of a uranium glass oil lamp and lamp.  Both were right at $150.00 each.

Pedal Cars and Tractors: The pedal toy market is a strong market now and has been for some time.  These great toys can range from cars and tractors (most common) to firetrucks and airplanes.  While some love and appreciate these pieces of history in their original condition, many are having these pieces professionally restored.  Even if a piece is not complete, it may still have some value as collectors are looking for parts for restoration.

Gold Silver and Currency: These items continue to remain strong as more people are collecting and using these as investment tools.  Many times, these area selling above what the current precious metals market price is as buyers believe that these markets will continue to rise in the coming years.  We typically work with a professional in this area to help ensure that we properly identify and market these for an auction.

Vintage Board Games: While these are not going to allow you to retire with your auction proceeds, the collectability of vintage board games has recently grown.  The keys to having these be successful in the auction are that the condition is good, all pieces are present and certainly the topic, with rare being the goal.  A vintage complete Sorry game sold recently for $28.00.

Not

Antique Clocks: Certain antique clocks will always bring a good value.  The biggest problem that I have seen with the sale of antique clocks are that while people love them, they many times need cleaning or repair and it is almost impossible to find a clock repair service and when you do, their prices are more suited to repairing and cleaning only high-end clocks.  Now, do not throw your beautiful clock in the trash, but do remember that they are not worth what they once were.

Punch Bowls and Snack Sets: The days of punch bowls and snack sets, the rectangular glass trays with a spot for your snacks and a little ring to put your punch cup in, are pretty much behind us.  Unless these are a rare exceptional piece, we do not recommend selling these at auction.  They would be best served as a donation.

Hand Made Linens and Doilies: While many times the detail and workmanship of hand made linens and doilies are beautiful they are not selling strong.  They typically are put in small groups in order to achieve a bid.  They have become a somewhat unappreciated art. Now, be sure to remember that quilts and coverlets are different. Those are both selling well.

Drinking Glasses: Used everyday drinking glasses, mugs and simple stemware are all a difficult sell.  They are so prevalent, that there is not much of a market for these in a used condition.  While we are talking about drinking glasses, I want to mention that many of the restaurant character glasses are not selling well. However, some of the more rare, older ones and most all of the Pepsi Looney Tunes glasses are selling for a respectable price right now.

Well, it’s time to wrap up another edition of What’s Hot and What’s Not, be sure to remember that while these items are both HOT and NOT right now, the market is ever changing and there are always exceptions.  Make sure that you reach out to the Steffen Group for all of your auction needs.