Is It Really That Precious?

By Shawn Surmick

Welcome to the matrix known as the antiques and collectibles trade. Today, I am offering you a choice between two different worlds. The world on the left is blue in color where everything is just as it seems. Things make sense, and the world seems to be governed by a mystical invisible force where everything works out in the end. This is in stark contrast to the world on the right that is red in color and where things don’t always add up. Visiting this world is almost like a trip down the proverbial rabbit hole. Given a choice, which world would you choose? I am offering you a choice between only two worlds, so please choose wisely.

On June 23, Wizards of the Coast released a new unique expansion for its “Magic: The

Selinsgrove

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Each year, the Chamber hosts quality antique dealers traveling from 25 different regional communities throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. These dealers specialize in primitives, wooden bowls and boxes, jewelry, early kitchen items, stoneware, graniteware, glassware, small furniture, tools, depression glass, advertising, toys, trains, art, and much more.

Admission is free of charge for this highly anticipated outdoor event. There

Gathering” (MTG) collectible card game. According to the promotional materials being put out by the company, this new set will not be like anything to come out before and is based on a very popular and familiar theme. The set is aptly called “The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth,” and fans are eagerly awaiting its arrival. This is the first crossover “Magic: The Gathering” expansion set that is based on “The Lord of the Rings” franchise. Unfortunately, things are not at all as they seem with the release of this new set.

Taking a cue from the sports card trading world, Wizards of the Coast, owned by toy giant Hasbro, announced this new set will have something never before seen in an MTG product. Buried deep within the premium collector booster boxes being sold with the release of this set is a notso-well-kept secret that has speculators, collectors, players, and enthusiasts excited.

It is here that the company announced the release of a special, unique game card of which there will be only one, making this, by default, the rarest MTG card in existence.

The card is currently being referred to as the special one ring card, due to the fact that it is a one-of-a-kind will be a café area with food vendors offering specialty hot dogs, nacho platters, pulled pork sandwiches, ice cream, cotton candy and more. Seating areas as well as hand washing and comfort stations will be provided. game card that has generated massive amounts of excitement and media attention. Within the first several days of the announcement, many high profile collectors and dealers placed various bounties on whoever finds this card. The first bounty was offered for a mere $100,000. It did not take long, however, for that bounty to be eclipsed by someone else offering $250,000 for the mystical card. On June 7, it was announced via Twitter and several major news outlets that trading card dealer Dave and Adam’s would offer a bounty of $1 million for the card, assuming it is found by July 17, 2023. Given the fact this card released in sets on June 23, that is not much time to locate it. From a business perspective, it makes perfect sense for Dave and Adam’s to place an expiration on the offer, as they are trying to get the purchasers of this product to open the sealed product, while ensuring they are buying it at the height of demand.

Antiques on the Avenue promises to be an enjoyable way to spend a summertime Sunday in Selinsgrove. A limited number of additional vendor spaces are available for qualified dealers only (no craft or flea market items allowed).

For further information, call Jane at 570-495-1456 or The Cottage on Pine Antiques Shop at 570-374-8992.

Assuming this card is found and sold for $1 million, it would become the most valuable MTG card ever produced, eclipsing even the ultra-rare Alpha Edition

Black Lotus that is now documented as being sold for more than $500,000 in nearmint condition. Unlike the special one ring card that was just printed this year, the Alpha Edition Black Lotus was printed in 1993 before anyone knew that MTG was destined to become a pop culture juggernaut. As such, almost no one bothered to save the earliest “Magic: The Gathering” cards upon their release in 1993. These cards have true organic collectability as a result and are quite valuable on the secondary market today. This is different than the special one ring card that currently has a bounty of $1 million, even though it was printed in 2023, while demand for other MTG products is at an all-time high. Isn’t it amazing what people will pay for a mass-produced collectible that simply had its print run reduced by the manufacturer after the collectible already became a multi-billion dollar brand?

It’s almost like this is the result of some hype-driven promotional campaign to ensure all these collector booster boxes of this particular product sell out in record time (sarcasm implied). This is everything that is wrong with the current state of the collectibles trade. It is almost like a mystical invisible force is guiding the market where everything works out in the end—at least for the manufacturers, high profile dealers, auctions houses, and grading companies. And here you thought I was taking you to the red world where things don’t always add up? Don’t I wish? Happy speculating design with vinyl figures as passengers, the toy is based on the 1960s Japanese manga and tokusatsu TV series in which a living giant forged from gold Ambassador Magma has the power to transform into a giant rocket ship. He also shoots rockets out of a panel located in his chest and electrical bolts from his antennae. Images of the popular character are shown on the fire truck and on the accompanying (partial) box. The coveted toy was bid to

“Magic: The Gathering” collectors, and may the power of the special one ring card be yours. I already know how this ends, as do your wiser and older collectors with a lot of experience in these markets. That said, let’s just say Hasbro is about to hit pay dirt!

Shawn Surmick has been an avid collector since the age of 12. He currently resides in his hometown of Boyertown, Pa., and is a passionate collector of antiques and collectibles. His articles focus on various topics affecting the marketplace.

63 63rd Buy Sell Trade

Door Prizes

A rare

Patrol Car, all original and complete with two astronaut drivers, offered with repro for $9,900 against an estimate of $2,000-$3,000. with its colorful, profusely graphic box, it landed at $4,428 against an estimate of $2,000-$3,000.

$11,685, nearly four times the high estimate.

Fans of Bedrock City’s most famous residents didn’t miss the chance to bid on a boxed example of Marx’s battery-operated Fred Flintstone on Dino, accompanied by its colorful original box. “Flintstones toys have never lost their appeal,” said Miles King, coowner of Milestone Auctions. “Three generations of cartoon fans have enjoyed the Flintstones on TV, and the toys strike a chord with all of them.” The Fred on Dino was in fine working order and appeared never to have been played with. Against an estimate of $1,000-$1,500, it was off to a new owner for $2,829.

The Man of Steel also muscled his way into the top 10 in the form of a toy known as the Superman Rollover Plane. Made by Marx, the tin windup depicting Superman coming to the rescue of a piloted singleengine plane was a desirable color variant (blue airplane) and presented at auction in excellent, alloriginal condition. Together

Ever-popular pressedsteel toys had a good day at the auction. A scarce Buddy “L” windup replicating a “Scarab,” an actual streamlined car made by Stout that was a precursor to the minivan, was in flawless condition with bright red original paint and decals. It came with its original Buddy “L” box imprinted with primitive lettering and imagery and sold for $2,706 against an estimate of $400-$600.

Also, a scarce Kingsbury motor-driven pressed-steel stake-bed truck, measuring 25 inches in length, displayed excellent paint, original white rubber tires, and J.C. Penney “Little Jim” decals. It sold well above estimate for $4,080.

After the auction, Miles King remarked, “We were extremely pleased with the results, which reflected how strong the toy market is right now, not only for robots and space toys, but antique and vintage toys in general. We see new buyers at each successive toy sale, and that’s definitely a good sign for the toy hobby.”

Prices quoted in this report are inclusive of a 20-percent buyer’s premium. For additional information, call 440-527-8060 or email info@milestone auctions.com.

All images courtesy of Milestone Auctions.

19711 Newark 302-454-8007

AUNT MARGARET’S ANTIQUE MALL, 294 E. Main St. Mon- Sat. 10-5, Sun 12-5. 2 floors. Antiques, collectibles, vintage, primitives, much more! www.auntmargaretsantiquemall.com

19711 Newark 302-733-7677

MAIN STREET ANTIQUES, 23 Possum Park Mall. Summer Hrs.: Mon.-Sat. 128, Sun. 12 - 5. Over 45 Showcase/ Room Dealers selling quality antiques & collectibles. mainstreetantiques.com

20758 Friendship410-286-5932 FRIENDSHIP ANTIQUES 3 W. Friendship Rd. In an 1806 Parsonage offering a wide range of Antiques, Art, Jewelry, Glassware, Collectibles, Fossils and Minerals. Thurs.-Sun. 11-5.

21901 North East410-287-8318 5 & 10 ANTIQUE MARKET, 115 S. Main St. Daily 10am-6pm. Cecil County’s largest! Approx. 65 dealers, variety & nostalgia. Buying/ selling antiques & collectibles. Local honey available.

07052 West Orange973-323-1711

VALLEY VINTAGE, 168 South Valley Rd. Open Mon-Sat. 11-6, Sun. 12-5. 2100 sq.ft., 25+ dealers. Antiques, vintage, collectibles, furniture, decor, kitchenware, jewelry, books, LPs, ephemera.

07901 Summit 908-273-9373 SUMMIT ANTIQUES CENTER, 511 Morris Ave. 2 floors, 50+ dealers. Antiques, collectibles. Smalls to furniture. Open 7 days 11-5. Free Parking. www.thesummitantiquescenter.com

Pook & Pook

Continued from page 2 miniature A. Elmer Crowell black duck decoy sold for $3,024. Furniture results from the collection of Dr. Larry McCallister included a rare pair of Philadelphia cherry serpentine-front knife boxes at $5,040, a New York Federal mahogany sofa attributed to the school of Duncan Phyfe at $6,930, and a Massachusetts William and

08005 Barnegat609-698-3020

BAY AVENUE ANTIQUES, 349 S. Main. Open Wed.- Sun., Noon - 6 PM. Book

Seller, Pottery, Glass, Furniture, Holiday, Decoys, Antiques & UniquesPLUS Chalkpaint & Iron Orchid Design.

08016 Burlington609-747-8333

HISTORIC BURLINGTON ANTIQUES & ART EMPORIUM, 424 High Street. Open 6 Days, Tues.-Sun.: T, W, F, Sat., Sun:

11A-5P; Th.&F.: 11A-7P; Closed on Monday. www.antiquesnj.com

08037 Hammonton609-561-1110

BERNIE’S ANTIQUES & ARTIFACTS, 18 Central Ave Tues.-Sat. 11-6 & Sun. 11-5. Trains, Pottery, Lenox, Breweriana, Fenton, Petroliana, Van Briggle, Albums + Neon Signs. Qty.Dlrs. Invited.

08062 Mullica Hill 856-478-9810

OLD MILL ANTIQUE MALL, 1 S. Main Street. Open Daily, 11-5; Sat. 10-5. Antiques, glassware, records, coins, stamps, military items, collectible toys, trains, linens, books & ephemera.

08081 Sicklerville856-545-3187

CARNIVAL OF COLLECTABLES, 368 Cross Keys Rd. Open Wed.- Sat. 10am6pm, Sun. 10am-5pm. 12,000 sq.ft Antique & Arts Mall, over 100 dlrs. www.carnivalofcollectables.com

08096 Woodbury856-205-3075 EVERGREEN ANTIQUES & MORE, 429 S. Evergreen Ave. Multi-dealer, 60+ dealers. 20,000 sq. ft., 1 floor ADA Compliant. Qty. antiques & collectibles. Huge, free parking. Mon.-Sat. 11 am-6 pm; Sun. 11am-5pm

08525 Hopewell 609-466-9833

TOMATO FACTORY ANTIQUE & DESIGN CENTER, 2 Somerset St. We Have It All! Open Mon. thru Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5. We have 38 Dealers. www.tomatofactoryantiques.com

Mary ebonized maple and walnut dressing table, ca. 1725, realizing $11,970.

A collection of American flags included a U.S. Cavalry swallowtail guidon flag, ca. 1860s, descended in the family of Colonel Walter Simonds Franklin of York, Pa. The flag had never before been offered for sale and attracted the interest of many bidders, eventually selling for $11,250.

A collection from the illustrious Garvan family of scholars and collectors provided items of strong interest and equally

STITCH IN TIME ANTIQUE & GIFT

MALL, 43 N. Market St. Antiques, Collectibles, Furniture, Quality Handmade Crafts & Gifts. Open 7 days 10-5, Fri. til

8. Millerstown exit off RT 322.

17307 Biglerville717-503-4264

THIELEMANN’S ANTIQUES, 1 N. Main St. Wholesale & Retail. 4,500 sq. ft. furn. & smalls. See our Thielemann’s Antqs. Facebook page for photos & info. Open Sat. 10-4 & Sun. 12-4.

17350 NewOxford717-624-3800

ZELMA’S EMPORIUM (Formerly Golden Lane) 11 N. Water Street. Antiques, Americana, Art, Asian, Primitives, etc. Closed Mon., Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5 or by appt. ZelmasAntiques.com

17361 Shrewsbury717-235-6637

SHREWSBURY ANTIQUE CENTER 65 N. Highland Dr. “A True Antique Mall”

Over 10,000 sq.ft. with over 60 dealers. Open 7 days, 10-5. Ample parking. Close to other shops in historic village.

18944 Perkasie215-257-3564 strong results, with a rare Lebbeus Dod brass protractor and parallel rule measuring $4,536. The Garvan selection of Indian Peace Medals was a sale highlight, including a rare 1817 James Monroe medal, which crossed the block for $20,160; an 1829 Andrew Jackson medal, which brought $8,820; and a rare 1845 James Polk medal in a large size, one of only 11 examples known, which realized $21,420. For additional information about Pook & Pook’s auctions, both upcoming and past, visit www.pookand pook.com.

TREASURE TROVE, 6 S. 7th Street.

Estate jewelry, furniture, linens, vintage clothing, glass, china, books, toys, kitchenware, advertising, postcards. Primitives to Deco. Dealers Welcome. Mon.-Sat. 10-5. In business 42 years.

06/29-30/23, BIRD-IN-HAND, THURS. AT3PM & FRI. AT

8AM, Hand-In-Hand Fire Co. 23rd Annual Consignment Auction. Carriages, gen. consignments, mini horses, tack & harnesses, quilts, crafts, shrubbery & more!, 313 Enterprise Dr.; Rte. 340 across from Bird-In-Hand Fam. Inn & Rest., Hand-In-Hand Fire Company

06/29/23, KINZERS, THURS. AT 10AM, Antqs. & Arts Spectacular!

Furn. incl. 19th Cen.: tall case clock, dry sink, jelly cupboard, doughbox on stand, slant front desk, 1-drawer stand & early 19th cen. highchair. Butter churn, handptd. antq. prim. furn., toys incl. wind-up, antq./vtg. bobbleheads, tin litho & pressed steel, fine artwork / spec. pcs., Asian arts, & much more!, Live & Online: 5336 Mine Rd.; embassyauctionsinternational.com; liveauctioneers & invaluable.com, Embassy Auctions

International

06/29/23, MYERSTOWN, THURSDAY, Smoking Hot

Summer Firearm Specialty Sale.

All selling, no reserve. Large listing: full catalog available at www.kleinfleters.hibid.com.

Preview Wed. June 28 from 1-5 pm., Online Only: www.kleinfelters.hibid.com, Kleinfelter's Auction

07/01/23, ORWIGSBURG, SAT.

AT10AM, Firearms, furn., Mickey

Mouse full-sz. metal bed, patio sets, antq. drysink, cedar wardrobe, oak cabinets, etc., jewelry, coins, antqs./collec., Coca-Cola mach., lg. crock/ jug collec., vtg. radios, toys, vtg. Matchbox & Hot Wheels, Popeye Dime Bank, BB guns, dollhse. miniatures, Video Games, collec. cards incl. Pokemon, Star Wars, etc., 1506 Centre Turnpike, Blum's / Auction Time Bid Board

07/03/23, MOUNTJOY, MON. AT5PM, 600+ lots of nice qty. antqs., primitives, new collectibles, tools & more. Mount Joy feed bags, '50's-'70's hunting licenses, early tricycle, stoneware, milk bottles & boxes, tools, agate & enamelware, military trays & ammo, vtg. gun & rifle cleaning kits & access., vtg. kitchenware/ appliances, '70's vinyl record albums, antq./vtg. & local ephem., etc., Online Only Bidding: pmorganauctions.com, Patrick Morgan Auction Svc.

07/04/23, DILLSBURG, TUES.

AT9AM, Antiques, furn.-antq. & mod., collec., goofus & vaseline glass, primitives, fine jewelry, Tiffany style lamps, clocks/watches- cuckoo, Vict. mantel, figural, character, Akro agate pcs. incl. ashtrays, flower pots, planters, children's dishes, & smoking stand, lanterns, cigar mold, pottery, PRR calendars, Black Forest Wood carvings, tools, & much more!, 185 Logan Rd., Rte. 15, Hardy's Auction Service

07/08/23, EPHRATA, SAT. AT 9AM, Variety Sale! Antqs., collec., toys, model trains, dolls, hh goods & tools. Vtg. beer signs & clocks, Indian stones/ other N.Amer. collec., cast iron, copper & brass, pewter, Longaberger baskets/ access., Christmas/ seas. decor., artwork/ prints, books & paper, toys, Winross, dolls/ stuffed an., Lionel, pedal tractors, linens, jewelry, box lots & more!, 50 Durlach Rd., Horst Auctioneers

07/08/23, FREDERICKSBURG, SAT. AT9AM; REALEST. AT NOON, Antiques & collec., furn., hh goods, appliances, lawn/ gdn./ tools, box lots, Wheel Horses. Real est.: 3BR, 1BA, 2 sty. farmhouse & shop on 3.45+/- acres w/2-tiered pond. Food avail., 1377 Mountain Rd., L&H Auctions

SHOW & FLEA MARKET CALENDAR

CONNECTICUT

07/08/23, MYERSTOWN, SAT. AT1PM, Online Music Spectacular Auction. Single-owner collec. guitars w/autographs incl. COA's, autogr. concert posters, 33's vinyl records, + man cave furniture!, Online Only: www.kleinfelters.hibid.com, Kleinfelter's Auction

07/14-15/23, CONESTOGA, FRIDAY& SAT. AT9:00 AM, Outstanding 2 day Auction featuring fine antiques & collectibles, furniture, Griswold, quilts & linens, Gone with the Wind lamps & lanterns, glassware, stoneware, housewares and more. See website for photos: www.porterfieldauctions.com., 150 Run Valley Rd, Porterfield Auctions

07/14/23, MANHEIM, FRI. AT 9AM, Antiques & Americana, N. Amer. artifacts, contemp. folk art, pottery & stoneware, china & glass, furniture, folk art & wdnware, artwk., metalware, decoys, textiles, rugs, & more!, 768 Graystone Rd., Hess Auction Group

07/15/23, LANCASTER, SAT. AT 10AM, Coin & Currency Auction. 550+ lots copper, silver, type coins, gold coins, currency lg. selec. partial sets & some complete, 26 graded buffalo nickels 1913-1938, U.S. gold, bullion gold, foreign, ref. books, +more, stamps incl. 2 sets Zeppelins Mint, & more!, Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd., Robert V. Polito Auctions, Inc.

08/26/23, HARTFORD, SAT.

10AM-5PM, 84th PAPERMANIA

PLUS: Antq. Paper Show + Advertising & Photography, 1 Civic Center Plaza, XLCenter: exit off I-84; exit 32-B off I-91

07/06-09/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

08/10-13/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

09/07-10/23, ATLANTA, THURS.-SUN., Antique Market, 3650 Jonesboro Rd. SE, Atlanta Expo Center, North Bldg.

07/08/23, CHRISMAN, SAT.

9AM-3PM, Pure Country Antique Show, 18444 N. 1600th St., Bloomfield Barn

07/11-16/23, BRIMFIELD, TUES.-SUN., 6AM-AROUND 3PM, Brimfield Antique & Collectibles Show & Flea Market, Hertan's Field (GPS: 35 Palmer Rd.), Brimfield, MA

08/06/23, BARNEGATLIGHT, SUN. 9AM-5PM, Antique & Collectible Show, 19th & Bayview Ave., Historic Viking Village

07/01/23, STORMVILLE, SAT., 8AM-4PM, Antique Show & Flea Market, 428 Rte. 216, Stormville Airport, NY

07/01/23, STORMVILLE, SAT., 8AM-4PM, Antique Show & Flea Market, 428 Rte. 216, Stormville Airport, NY

08/14-20/23, BOUCKVILLE, MON.-SUN., 8AM-5PM, Antiques & Collectibles Show, 13 Show Fields Along Rte. 20, Bouckville, NY

PENNSYLVANIA

04/08/23 TO 12/31/23, BERWYN, EVERYSAT. & SUN, 9-4, Indoor/Outdoor Vintage Flea Market - Now Open Year Round!, 270 W. Swedesford Rd, Berwyn, PA

06/25/23 TO 10/01/23, DENVER, SUNDAYS, OPENS -OUTDOORS: 5AM; INDOORS:

7:30AM UNTIL4PM, Antique & Collectors Special Sundays, 2500 N. Reading Rd., Renningers Adamstown

07/01-02/23, REINHOLDS, SAT. & SUN., 7AM-4PM, Jr. Dealers, Sports Memorabilia, Gaming Collec. & Action Figs/Super Heroes., 607 Willow St., Reinholds - Lancaster County

07/01/23, EAGLES MERE, 9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM, 48th Annual Antiques Market, Village Green, Eagles Mere Ave, Eagles Mere Historic Village Green

07/08-09/23, HONESDALE, SAT.

10-4 & SUN. 10-3, 59th Annual Wayne County Art & Antiques Show & Sale, 482 Grove St., Wayne Highlands Middle School

07/08-09/23, REINHOLDS, SAT. & SUN., 7AM-4PM, Christmas, Holiday, China & Glassware, 607 Willow St., Reinholds - Lancaster County

07/08/23, SCHNECKSVILLE, SAT. 9AM-3PM, 18th Annual Lehigh Valley I.A.C.A.N.E. Indian Relic Show, 4550 Old Packhouse Rd., Schnecksville Fire Co.

07/09/23, SELINSGROVE, SUN. 9AM-3PM, 34th Annual Antiques on the Avenue, 204 N. Market St., Selinsgrove, PA- next to Selinsgrove Inn

Bryn Athyn, Pa., Museum Currently Closed For Renovations

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is presenting “Medieval Treasures from the Glencairn Museum,” a rich display of 18 works of French Romanesque and Gothic art on loan from the museum in Bryn Athyn, Pa., which is renowned for one

McIlhenny curator of European Decorative Arts and Sculpture. “This exciting collaboration further enlivens our medieval galleries with astonishing examples of stained glass and sculpture that bear remarkable narra-

12th- and 13th-century France, and Spanish Romanesque ivories. Highlights include one of the most important and best-preserved pieces of early Gothic glass in America, showing the “Flight Into Egypt” (from the Abbey Church of St. Denis, north of Paris, ca. 1140); the “Head of a King” attributed to Gislebertus, sculptor of the 12th-century portal of the Cathedral of Saint Lazare at Autun, France, ca. 1130; a capital from St. Guilhem le Désert in southern France, late 1100s–early 1200s; and limestone reliefs of the “Temptation of Christ” from the Collegiate Church of Saint Gaudens, France, ca. 1150.