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brwvabell
Joined: 23 Sep 2002
Posts: 34
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 Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 3:11 pm Post subject: Alvin Silver |
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Hi Everyone .. Hi John!!
Today, I was offered a Ruby Glass Vase wth Silver Overlay, at what I think is a good price.
Before I purchase it, I asked the dealer if I could take some photos .. to show in this group.
The pictures aren't great because of my (Cheap) Camera but, maybe they will do?
My question: The silver on this vase is THICK and in very good condition.
The detail is outstanding.
With a loupe, I can see that there is a shield, impressed into the silver, with an A in the center.
To the left of the shield, is some lettering which I can't read,(sterling?) and following, to the right of the lettering is .. R-3547.
Below the shield is the number 1000
Does anyone know what all of this means?
I DID find the shield in one of my books and it appears to be Alvin Mfg .. Before Gorham took over.
I can't get close-ups with this camera because the vase is Only 5 inches tall but .. The first picture below is what the shield on the vase, looks like.
The White String that you see in the pictures is the price tag.
Thank You,
Brenda
P.S. Oh yes, the asking price is $110.00
http://homes.paulding.net/collections/brwvabell/images2/alvin1.jpg
http://homes.paulding.net/collections/brwvabell/images2/fullvase.jpg
http://homes.paulding.net/collections/brwvabell/images2/tulipclose.jpg
http://homes.paulding.net/collections/brwvabell/images2/vaseclose.jpg
http://homes.paulding.net/collections/brwvabell/images2/bottomclose.jpg
http://homes.paulding.net/collections/brwvabell/images2/bottlestop.jpg |
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BURIED TREASURES
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1339
Location: Clarksville Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Hello Brenda,
The mark is the one critical thing and that is of course what you cannot photograph. The number 1000 will be the pattern number. You will have to decide if the word is sterling and that the mark is exactly the same as the one you photographed. Alvin had a little different mark for silverplate but it was similar.
I will say this, Alvin was the FIRST to use the method of depositing pure silver on non metallic surfaces (this method was patented January 5, 1886). What they did was put pure silver on the item and then cut away portions of it to give it the pierced look. Without seeing the mark I am still fairly confident that this is what you are looking at.
The price is within the correct range for a smaller item but if you are looking to buy it for resale it is high. If you plan on putting it on a shelf to look fabulous (which it does) then I say GO FOR IT! You can also check to see if the glass is hand blown by looking for the rod mark on the bottom of the piece which will be ground off. The better job they did at grinding this rod point, the better quality it will be.
Best wishes on whatever you decide to do. Sincerely, John Leckrone John@hopkinsvilleantiques.com
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brwvabell
Joined: 23 Sep 2002
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 4:55 pm Post subject: LOL ---> John |
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LOL John ...
"I Know" that you Must live in this forum!!
You are Always the first .. and Quickest, to respond to a post!!!
You can't possibly know, How Much, people like me appreciate it though.
I am not really sure if I want to buy the vase and keep it or resell it.
There are some folks that are Huge Alvin collectors and I thought that they might love to have a piece, Like this since everything that I have seen by Alvin is always flatware.
It may have a collecting interest for another group of folks too .. Ruby Glass collectors.
I have heard rumors that "Some" would "Kill", to get their hands on a Real ruby glass vase with Real silver overlay, instead of that deposit silver stuff, that they put on Cheap red glass or Flashed glass that everyone calls Ruby Glass.
(Mind You, I said Rumor now .. The kill part .. LOL)
Oh yes, I have looked at the bottom of this vase and, I wonder if it was Blown, from the top?
I say this because, I don't remember seeing evidence of a pontil mark?
Thank You John,
Brenda |
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online-merchant
Joined: 22 Feb 2003
Posts: 454
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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I think $110 is a steal. I've sold similar pieces at Ebay in the $500+ range.
Great Find! |
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BURIED TREASURES
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1339
Location: Clarksville Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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Brenda,
If I was buying for resale I would not pay more than $35.00 or $40.00 for it and I would attempt to get in the neighborhood of $85.00-100.00. The stuff is not that common because as you might imagine the glass "get's it". I saw a fabulous green piece in my mall that I wish had not been damaged (broken glass). It really was fabulous and my dealer never did sell it even though it was priced in the $15.00 range due to the damage.
Personally I have almost always avoided buying glass just because it is fragile and me being the clutz I am would not want to watch a nice antique piece get totalled as I watch in horror as it comes crashing to the ground. Of course this is EXACTLY why you don't see many of these around and thus the dealer can (and I am sure eventually will) get his $110.00 for it.
I don't live on the boards, I just live in front of the computer and list till I am cross eyed. When I need a break I hit a half dozen websites to "see what's up" and thus you have the answer to how come I am always so quick to respond.
You must decide whether or not you are "willing to be stuck with it" should it not sell. You are correct that it will appeal to both silver collectors and glass persons. Try browsing google and see what comes up there. Use the terms SILVER OVERLAY GLASS and look at prices. Best wishes. Sincerely, John Leckrone John@hopkinsvilleantiques.com
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BURIED TREASURES
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1339
Location: Clarksville Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Baydreamer posted at the same time I did. If she says she has sold similar 5" glass and silver pieces in the $500.00 range then trust her judgement that it is a steal. I have seen much larger pieces for sale in the local antique malls here in the $200-350.00 range so I think what we are seeing is a "location" issue. The internet has no boundaries unlike shops and malls in the few states I frequent (Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan and West Virginia). These malls are how I came up with my value which is much lower than Baydreamers. Being that it is now the selling season for the holidays (and red is popular for the holidays) now would be the best time to list it online.
You may also ask the dealer about taking it on consignment and sharing the profit 50-50. If it sells for over $250.00 he comes out ahead and you will make extra money with no investment. Just another option to consider as well. Sincerely, John Leckrone John@hopkinsvilleantiques.com
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BURIED TREASURES
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1339
Location: Clarksville Tennessee
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brwvabell
Joined: 23 Sep 2002
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 7:30 pm Post subject: JOHN and BAYDREAMER!!! |
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John and BAYDREAMER!!!!!
Now .. I don't know WHAT to do!!
I respect the both of yours opinion but .. They are so far apart on what I should do?
(BEFORE .. I go any further .. Baydreamer .. WHAT is your real name?)
LOL .. If you would rather not say .. I understand 8- (
John .. I am willing to keep the vase .. It is beautiful!
YOU GUYS .. Brought up .. Another question .. Why list, In more than "one" category?
I have heard that it is a waste of your money?
When people type into the search engine .. vase, ruby, glass, silver .. etc. etc. .. It will come up, Regardless of what category you list in?
Thank You .. You Guys are .. THE BEST!!!
Brenda |
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BURIED TREASURES
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1339
Location: Clarksville Tennessee
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2003 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Brenda,
The reason for listing in multiple catagories is not because of the search engine, it is because of the browsers. When I am buying inventory I do not use the search engines, I merely look at each listing and decide whether or not I want to purchase it for resale.
In most circumstances I would agree that listing in multiple catagories is a waste but this would not be one of them. Collectors of silver would appreciate it and collectibles of Ruby Red glass would love it as well. They would not be looking in the other groups catagory which is actually the reason I would do it.
Have you taken some time to browse the internet to see if you can find other items like it for sale? If not please take an hour or so. You may learn something. Look under ebay's completed auctions, look on google and yahoo etc. Use the power of the internet to work for you. Happy hunting! Sincerely, John Leckrone John@hopkinsvilleantiques.com
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online-merchant
Joined: 22 Feb 2003
Posts: 454
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 8:52 am Post subject: |
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| BURIED TREASURES wrote: | | so I think what we are seeing is a "location" issue. |
Most definitely.
A quality antique piece with a substantial layer of pierced or cut out applied silver is very desirable. Lower quality and newer pieces with thin, painted silver coatings seem to be flooding the market. Many sellers cannot determine the difference but, as would be expected, collectors can. You should be certain to which of these categories your piece belongs and which types you are using to compare value. The value could be even higher if you can attribute the glass design to a particular artist or company. Colored glass is always more valuable than clear. Currently, silver overlay on green glass seems to fetch the highest prices, well into the thousands for better examples. Ruby and cranberry can and do often bring as much as well depending on size, design, quality, maker, etc.
If selling at auction, I recommend listing in both glass and silver categories. Nouveau collectors would also be interested. Know what you have, describe it well, preferably with no 'hype' - a pet peeve among collectors. While auctioning quality pieces works well any time of year, late October through November has always been better for us with this type of thing.
Last edited by online-merchant on Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
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brwvabell
Joined: 23 Sep 2002
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 1:57 pm Post subject: I Found Something!! |
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I found this in a search for overlay
glass.
http://www.justglassmall.com/stores/jeffweller/items/108272/item108272justglass.html
The silver on the glass is by Alvin just like on .. the soon to be mine vase.
If you look at the pattern on both vases, I think they are both Orchids?
There is no way for me to know if my ruby glass is Loetz or not because Loetz Rarely marked their glass 
The vases are the same height, the silver patterns are similar .. But .. Look at the Price!
Brenda |
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online-merchant
Joined: 22 Feb 2003
Posts: 454
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| baydreamersilver wrote: |
The value could be even higher if you can attribute the glass design to a particular artist or company. |
and
| baydreamersilver wrote: | | Know what you have, describe it well,... |
Also, keep in mind that prices I mentioned earlier in this thread are minimum "auction" prices for high quality and otherwise desirable pieces because I assumed that you are not a silver or glass dealer and would be selling at eBay should you decide to sell. |
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dschmidt2
Joined: 03 Dec 2002
Posts: 197
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like an iris to me, not an orchid
Donna
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online-merchant
Joined: 22 Feb 2003
Posts: 454
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BURIED TREASURES
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1339
Location: Clarksville Tennessee
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