Wondering what sold lately on eBay? Well, in December I definitely sold some Christmas items. While they accounted for only 15 percent of the items I sold, I have chosen to review them here because I think a lot of them were interesting items. I hope you enjoy them, too.
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1949) WHITMAN EDITION
First up and definitely an interesting vintage item in my mind, was a fragile 1949 copy of the classic children's story The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore and Whitman Publishing. It was an oversize, thin book with a soft, textured finish that had seen lots of love from previous owners. That did not, however, deter the person who purchased it from doing so and I wonder if they purchased it because they owned it as a child. I also wondered if it was going to be a display piece or if it was going to be shared and treasured by a new generation of children though I suppose the answer could include all of those possibilities.
KURT S. ADLER BIG BEN LONDON ORNAMENT
Next was a handsome Kurt S. Adler ornament featuring Westminster Palace's Big Ben. Surely purchased from me as a reminder for someone of a remembered trip to or time spent in London, England.
Adler first learned about merchandising in the U.S. army. After World War II, he turned that learning toward selling goods to countries in need of them and apparently, there was a big need after the war. When those needs changed or really I guess those countries recovered from the war, he pivoted in the 1950s and presented his first Christmas ornaments. Starting with East and West German angels, he went on to include décor from other European countries. Today, the company is run by his children and grandchildren from a base in New York City and continues to turn out both classic and trendy products that are hotly sought after.
Take a peek for yourself at some of the truly beautiful Kurt S. Adler Christmas ornaments available by clicking here, which today reveals more than 2,300 new, used and vintage pieces on eBay.
DOUBLE DECKER GLASS CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
This piece had no well-known name associated with it and represented London's double decker bus though it was not actually identified as such but it was another item that sold that I believe was probably destined for someone's Christmas as a reminder of a holiday or of a time spent in London, England.
HALLMARK KEEPSAKE ORNAMENT PEANUTS: A SPOOKY STORY
I like how this Hallmark Keepsake ornament combines a few favorites like Christmas, Halloween, Scouting, Peanuts and Snoopy and camping. Released in 2009, it is now retired from Hallmark so in order to add it to your collection you will have to find it on a secondary market. Click here to find your Hallmark Peanuts A Spooky Story Keepsake Ornament on eBay today.
VINTAGE CLIP-ON SANTA CLAUS
Do you remember clip-ons? I am not actually sure if they have another proper name or what they were called when they were sold. (If you do, be sure to let us know in the comment section below.) Anyway, I definitely remember them from when I was young though I do not necessarily remember the Santa Claus. One of my aunts gifted us with a clip-on bride and groom at our wedding shower and, more recently, I was given a koala bear clip-on from Australia. If you would like to add a vintage clip-on Santa Claus to your collection, visit eBay by clicking right here where you can buy a single Santa or a whole 'herd' of them!
STARBUCKS CANDY CANE COFFEE MUG
So fun though personally I feel that the candy cane mug is not the most practical mug to drink from it sure is pretty. I have a collection of Starbucks Christmas mugs that come out at Christmas time. We love using them. Find all of the Christmas-themed Starbucks mugs available on eBay here. Personally, we have pivoted to choosing and using the smaller mugs. The larger ones seem like you are serving an awful lot of coffee, which I suppose suits some.
RUSS BERRIE'S BANDY NUTCRACKER PLUSH TEDDY BEAR
As shown in the first picture on this page, Russ Berrie's plush nutcracker teddy bear is a handsome dude and he was purchased from me at the last minute. Close enough to Christmastime that the buyer reached out to me to see what I thought of the odds of it making it in time. With the Christmas rush of online shopping and parcels and ongoing concerns with the virus, I told the buyer that estimates should be taken as just that and to expect anything in terms of delivery time. I am glad to be able to report that Bandy travelled through the system lickety split thanks to Canada Post's efforts and my buyer was pleased to have him in time for Christmas and even ahead of the estimated arrival date.
SANTA CLAWS BOXER SHORTS
One buyer outfitted all of the men in her life by buying four pairs of Hatley boxer shorts in various fun themes like the Christmas one shown in the first picture on this page. Other themes included beavers, alligators and dachshund dogs. I picture her doing what I used to do. That is, putting a pair of fun boxers in the Christmas stockings of all three of my 'boys.' I still have a selection of new Hatley boxer shorts in my eBay store here, if you are interested.
INUIT GREETING CARDS
I thought the Inuit Christmas cards (again shown in the picture at the top of this page), which featured the 2009 artwork of Ningeokuluk Teevee called Ptarmigan's Arrival was an unusual find and I am sure the person who purchased them from me agreed. While I have no more Inuit cards left in my store, I do have some other interesting Inuit and First Nations items here.MOLLY HATCH COFFEE MUG
Ebay is a fascinating site for finding vintage and/or 'retired' items such as the Hallmark Snoopy spooky story ornament. Your 'What Sold on Ebay series is so interesting, showing us one-of-a-kind items and stirring memories of past pleasures being enjoyed by a new generation.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Elf. While there are numerous other sites to shop at online now, I believe that eBay is still the best source for retired, vintage, one-of-a-kind items and as a seller, they still have the largest audience for those items.
DeleteVisiting your Ebay store is like taking a walk down memory lane. I remember the soft cover Night Before Christmas books and the clip-on Santas. Those are the types of things that make kids happy. I wouldn't mind returning to the pre-electronics era when we delighted in such simple finds. I also remember how much we all loved Snoopy and Woodstock. I can see why all of these items sold. They are items close to our hearts.
ReplyDeleteYes, Cynthia, it may be cliché but those were the good old days. I hope that despite the advance of electronic gadgets, children are still cuddling up and being read and/or reading Christmas stories at Christmastime!
ReplyDeleteBrenda it always amazes me what people will buy, but I must say that I love all the things you have shared especially the BEAR! As you know bears are one of my favorites. I sure hope it arrived in time! It's a great reminder when you need a gift, to leave yourself a good space of time to get that gift. Thanks for this review!
ReplyDeleteOh, Olivia, you are so correct about not leaving online shopping until you need the item. For me, this is the hardest part or at least one of hardest parts of selling online. That is, when someone says they need something by a certain day and the timing is tight. This year, I had two such sales. One regarding the bear discussed here and one a package of birthday party supplies needed for January 1. Given all of the normal constraints of Christmas time shipping, the wild weather this year and the added issues the virus is causing, the odds did not seem great that either of these parcels would make it in time but both of them did! The post office worked hard and both items arrived a few days early and all involved were very grateful.
DeleteVery interesting!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting items, Brenda, and some bring back fond memories. I'm glad to hear the items made it on time.
ReplyDeleteIt’s fascinating to see which of your vintage and antique treasures people purchased recently during their December holiday shopping! I love Kurt Adler Christmas-themed items. That Nutcracker teddy bear is wonderful. I’ve been a huge fan of the entire Peanuts gang since I was a kid. What a delightful walk down memory lane as well!
ReplyDeleteI love both of those mugs - that candy cane mug is beautiful - It's cool to read articles like this on what people purchase that aren't your typical bulk store items - people have good taste!
ReplyDeleteThanks, all for your visits and comments and I agree, some interesting items that aren't 'every day.'
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to see what you sold on Ebay and to see that many are more individual vintage purchases. I especially love the Candy Cane Mug and the Nutcracker Bear is adorable!!
ReplyDelete