Friday, April 29, 2016
Check out the group of badges pictured below to see one of my favorite listings in today's issue. The listing says all of these came off the same jacket. The pair of 16th corps patches that are at the top of the issue are also doing really well.
It might be a little wrinkled (ok alot!) but the listing below for the German tunic pictured below is over $1500 in heavy bidding. That listing didn't need any half naked model or fancy mannequin to take off.
Think swords and this block in the newsletter should come to mind. In the average issue of the Hot Finds you can probably find as many as a dozen different knives and blades in each issue.
The World War I block is always an interesting mix of auctions from all over the place. It is not as heavy American and so you get a real diversity there.
Monday, April 25, 2016
When eBay sellers put a high reserve on an auction it sorta takes the fun out if it. I sometimes wonder if part of that strategy is not to get potential buyers to contact you with an off eBay offer. Back when eBay first started there was ALOT of that happening but they make it more difficult these days by screening your messages so you can't send email addresses back and forth. The auction on the parachute has a high reserve.
There are several classic German auctions in today's block. Ranging from Luger holsters to helmets and hats you can't go wrong here if you collect this area in the hobby.
If you like shiny medals that get pinned on dress uniforms then this block is for you. I don't specifically set out to make it look that way but in these smaller categories for Russia, Japan, Italy and others the auctions that rise to the top tend to trend in that direction.
Click to see the best live auction in WWI which makes many of these 100 years old or better. There is a bit of crossover appeal to these early items so take a look.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
The Flying Tigers patch in the top left is a real beauty. It is a silk made early issue and the workmanship is exceptional. If you think the battle flag from the USS Drum might look familiar then maybe you've visited the Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama where the ship rests today.
When I saw the Jewish stamp from the ghetto it struck me as the kind of item that eBay might scratch. However, with just 7 hours to go as I hit publish this one will likely finish. If I had more money some of these items would be really neat to start up a classroom closet where you could have some items to pull out and show the kids.
There are several items from Italy featured in this block including some pins. If you want to see the classic high dollar auctions from Japan click on the swords.
For some reason every week when I am filling in this World War I block I can always count on including a few items from Canada. I guess because the USA got in the war so late then Uncle Sam doesn't dominate the number of listings like it does in WWII.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Click any of the links to see the best selling items in the United States category on eBay. The fighting knife was trending over $400 when I was writing this issue.
I have to say that the German police hat may be one of the least attractive of all headgear from this time period.
These auctions represent the best listings in subcats like Russia, Japan, and the UK. Click to see where they are as the bidding comes to a close.
World War I auctions are in the spotlight in this block of the Hot Finds. Click to see what's risen to the top of the charts.
Friday, April 15, 2016
If you like American fighting knives then this block will have some good picks for your collection. The ones I've spotted are hovering around the $200 mark which seems about right depending on condition. I also like the unit history book although it's a little too pricey for my wallet at this time.
The listing in this block that you should not pass on is the German Panzer uniform from the Africakorps. It comes with several pieces and the bidding is about to carry it over $1k.
The Polish Parachute Regiment Jump Wings Badge looks a little too delicate sitting next to that hulking Soviet medal. However, it's one I have not seen in the time doing the Hot Finds and that might explain why its doing really well.
This WWI block features a bunch of swords, daggers, and bayonets today that collectors are interested in. Click to see what they are bringing at auction.