Watch Out for Fakes When Buying Fobs
Question: My grandfather left me an old watch fob that has a company trademark on the back. I believe its origins put its age at almost 100 years. Can you give me some idea when fobs of this type were popular?--W.R.
Answer: The heyday for fobs was during the late part of the 19th Century. And, according to collectors, the fact that your fob has a company marking on it is a strong indication that it is a genuine collectible and not a fake processed to look “old.”
Fobs became a popular vehicle for union and advertising messages; as a result, they can command hefty prices from collectors specializing in a particular time period or accumulating fobs identified with a specific company.
Most 19th-Century fobs were made of metal, although some hard-to-find enamel fobs have survived.
Prices can range from a few dollars to $100 or more. So, obviously, the would-be collector should take time to find out whether the fob is a genuine collectible or is a recently produced fake.
Lists
Reader interest has been expressed in the compilation of a list of individuals or companies producing mail-order auction catalogues.
We’ll start with a few mail auction operations that deal in a diverse assortment of collectibles--ranging from military to political to film-related items.
Naturally, we’re not going to cover all of the bases in this first attempt; but we’ll add to it in the coming months. If readers have suggestions, or have dealt with a mail auction house that deserves mention, let us know and we’ll check it out.
--Film-related items. Collectors Showcase. The company produces a monthly catalogue. Paintings, drawings, photos, cels and magazines, mostly related to Hollywood’s film industry, make up the bulk of this catalogue. Price: $2.50 per issue. Address: 1708 N. Vine St., Hollywood, Calif. 90028; telephone (213) 467-3296.
--Political memorabilia. Hake’s Americana & Collectibles. Produced, roughly, bimonthly, this elaborate, illustrated catalogue ranges from political buttons and related memorabilia to an assortment of other buttons, comic books, magazines, posters and the like. Cost: $3, or $10 a year for five issues. Address: P.O. Box 1444, York, Pa. 17405; telephone (717) 848-1333.
--Tobacco. “The World of Smoking and Tobacco” by Tony Hyman. This coffeetable book, splashed with color pictures and an index, is practically a reference work. Hence, its hefty price: $35.95 (including postage and handling). The 1,707 entries are pegged to a Feb. 3 mail-order auction. Address: Treasure Hunt Publications, P.O. Box 699, Claremont, Calif. 91711; telephone (714) 621-5952.
--Military items. Mohawk Arms. A catalogue of military items, it’s printed three times a year and costs $8 a copy or $22.50 a year. Address: P.O. Box 399, Utica, N.Y. 13503; telephone (315) 724-1234.
--Books. Magnum Opus Rare Books. The firm publishes a free annual catalogue specializing in English and American literature, American history, sporting books, manuscripts and autographs. Address: John Guillot, P.O. Box 1301, Charlottesville, Va. 22902; telephone (804) 293-7273.
--More books. John T. Zubal Inc. Bookstore. This is another mail-order auction book, and it is published three or four times a year at $1 per copy. Address: 2969 W. 25th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44113; telephone (216) 241-7640.
--Comic books and comic book art. For $20 a year, collectors can receive a quarterly catalogue containing original comic strip art and related artwork. Address: Russ Cochran Publishers, P.O. Box 469, West Plains, Mo. 65775; telephone (417) 256-2224.