On the subject of rarities, the sky's the limit. As many of you know we set several records last fall at our auction of the Robb collection. Probably the most surprising was when the Sandwich Vine goblet became the first EAPG goblet to ever break the five figure barrier bringing $10,500.00. This was only the second example to come to market in the last five years, and while
everyone agrees that it is one of the rarest goblets, no one really knows how many examples actually exist.
The true measure of any item's rarity is how many examples show up after one brings a record price. My worst fear was that as soon as everyone found out about this new record, I would have several or more calls from collectors who had an example that they wanted to sell. In this instance that fear did not materialize. I was contacted by two collectors who have an example and
they informed me that they did not want to sell at any price. I believe that this attests to the rarity of the Sandwich Vine goblet and is always something to watch for when any item sells for a record price. We can judge its actual rarity by how many examples come to market in the near future.
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As for the prices that rare pieces bring, the auction process is the only true barometer of value. The price that two, or many times more, serious collectors are willing to pay for an item that they have been attempting to acquire for many years, is the actual value of that item at that very moment. That price then becomes the current market value for that particular piece until another is sold. When another comes to market the price could rise if the demand is still strong, and many times does. Or if another collector has not stepped in at that price level to compete against the previous unsuccessful bidder, or if that previous bidder has already secured an example for his collection, then the price may fall. Generally speaking while the value of a truly rare piece may fluctuate slightly, over a ten year period its rise in value will be greater than its more common cousin.
When Bourne's sold the William Elsholz collection in 1986 & 1987 everyone was astonished at the prices realized. Now we would love to be able to purchase any of the colored EAPG, lamps, vases, sugar bowls, etc. at those prices. An electric blue Sandwich Star 12"d open compote for $5,000.00, I'll take ten.
Happy hunting and looking forward to seeing everyone in October.
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