Downsizing? Determined to get rid of stuff you no longer need? Cleaning out a home or an estate? Stop! Know Before You Throw.
As we prepare to wrap up 2019, we approach some of the most significant celebrated holidays of the year, Christmas and Hanukkah. Both have tangible, symbolic items used to express the holiday, many of which are favorites for collectors.
Christmas in particular is symbolized in many ways. Items such as Christmas tree decorations and Christmas themed porcelain villages are popular and sometimes passed down through generations. As such, some of these items may be vintage and have monetary value from that standpoint. Additionally, these items may hold nostalgic memories which can add emotional value, and that is extremely difficult to put a price on!
Here are some valuable Christmas collectibles that may surprise you:
- A 1960s vintage 4-foot Evergleam aluminum Christmas tree manufactured by the Aluminum Specialty Company of Manitowoc, Wis. It recently sold at auction for $1,075.88. This was a rare blue-green color which added to the value. New in the early 1960s, it sold for around 10 dollars.
- A rare, circa 1975 Christmas Elf mail truck store display manufactured by the David Hamberger Display Company of Brooklyn, N.Y. recently sold at auction for $3,995. Hamberger Display was known for their fabulous animated retail store displays. If you are lucky enough to own one of their displays, you have a real treasure as few made it into private ownership.
- A group of 32 vintage European Mercury glass Christmas ornaments sold at auction for $511 after 46 bids. This type of ornament was also known as silvered glass and were handblown, double-walled glass ornaments that were filled with a silver liquid solution, usually mercury, then sealed. This type of ornament was very fragile, so intact examples in good condition are becoming more difficult to find.
So, here’s wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season filled with fortune and fond memories!
Jon Englund has more than 32 years of experience in appraising and liquidating personal property, jewelry, art, collectibles, antiques, furniture, printed items and more, as well as more than 17 years of experience in real estate. Jon, a Midwest transplant, trained at New York University in appraisal studies.
Donna Luger has assisted during that time and is a veteran Associate Broker and Realtor with HomeSmart Realty – Elite Group.
For more information, call Jon direct at (480) 650-1422, or email Jon@KnowBeforeYouThrow.INFO.