Topic: WAY more than I usually spend. Please tell me I did well! Dino Martens?

[shandiane78]

Ebay item number 160195999593. Am I right in thinking this bird is by Dino Martens and worth significantly more than $140? I've never taken a risk this big, so if I'm wrong please lie to me. J/K! 

[TxSilver]

Oh, Shannon!  :mrgreen:

It is Dino Martens. It is documented on page 170 of Heireman's Dino Martens as Model 5735 . Wonderful find, especially for such a small amount.

Anita

[shandiane78]

Oh thank you, THANK YOU Anita! Do you know what the approximate value would be? I know book values are not usually realistic, but it might help me get an idea.

[David E]

I guess it's worth $140... 

[TxSilver]

The only information the book has is that it was made in 1954 and has a height of 17.5 cm (6.9 in)? Maybe someone else will have a ballpark figure for the value. Heiremans is one of the books that don't talk money. 

Anita

[shandiane78]

I guess it's worth $140... 

Hey now! That's not nice.  Were you one of the other bidders or something? 

Of course, you could be right, I suppose. I was obviously not the only one who thought it was special. But I can't help thinking it would have done better if properly listed, or if offered for sale in an off ebay shop.

[shandiane78]

This is the only one I've been able to find that is somewhat similar...Only smaller and missing its beak:

http://www.trocadero.com/moltabellaglass/items/460538/item460538.html

[TxSilver]

I can guarantee you it is worth more than $140 if it is in as good of shape as it looks. If I had to guess, I would guess more in the $500-$600 range. The nice thing about documented Martens is that it realizes a greater fraction of its book value if you were ever to decide to sell. You invested your money very well!

Anita

[David E]

I guess it's worth $140... 

Hey now! That's not nice.  Were you one of the other bidders or something? 

Sorry about that Shannon - I sometimes can't resist!

But it is a very nice piece and probably worth a lot more than what you paid. I also have a penchant for glass animals and my menagerie is still growing – you might also like to consider mailing Frank a photo for the Glass Zoo

[shandiane78]

Thanks again, Anita! Also, thanks for the additional info from the book. I will reference that if/when I do decide to sell it.

David, no offense taken!  I definitely identify with your love of glass animals. They take up a lot less space than bowls and such, and I just love the whimsical nature of them.

That was kind of exhilarating! I set my snipe for $166, and I really did not expect to win. I was a little shocked (and a little frightened!) when I got up this morning and saw that I'd won...