Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: on November 30, 2006, 04:34:04 pm How's it going guys. I have a few questions on a Coke related item, and this was the first place I thought to ask for assistance.
I came across a nice find today in a building that was getting demolished. I found it buried in a storage area under a flight of stairs that was full of junk. I have posted here a few times, have some Coke machines & parifinalia, but not a serious collector at all, so I have no clue as to what I have found. It is obviously a Stained Glass Shade for a pendant type light. I only have the shade, none of the other components of the light. As the pictures show, it is absolutely filthy, has a few paint drops on it, and some very light surface rust on the top diamond shaped pieces on top, but is in great overall condition. Anyone know anything about these? How old is this piece, and are they very valuable? I can't see any dates or markings anywhere on it, any identifying markings to help determine it's age? Any special cleaning methods for stained glass. What about finding replacement parts for the lamp? As always, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Larry Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on November 30, 2006, 08:04:02 pm Hi Larry,
Does it say anything at all around the top band? I think the originals had something about "Property of Coca Cola" and "returning it". What is around the rim of the bottom? Any type of metal trim? Can you get a closeup of that part or describe it? Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: on November 30, 2006, 09:56:26 pm Attached is a picture of the bottom. It is a metal ring with a chain type design that extends from the bottom of the metal ring.
I cannot find any writing on it at all. It has light surface corrosion/rust which may be hiding any markings on the metal ring on the interior. I could clean it up a little & see what I find. What is this actually called? I don't even know what to call it in order to do a google search to find a similar item. Thanks Larry Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on November 30, 2006, 09:59:24 pm 1920s Tiffany type leaded glass shade 18" circular...
Says “The Coca-Cola Company to be returned on demand” Around top band twice. Petretti's Price guide says around $3800.00 (1994 edition) Clear that up and put it on eBay ! Way to Go Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on November 30, 2006, 10:05:05 pm How old was the building? Considering it was inside the condition doesn't lead me to believe that it is a newer one. If it is older, the newer guide that I have, edition 11 Petretti's, has it at $6,000.
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on November 30, 2006, 10:05:37 pm Be careful.... Find the right type of clearers and clean it up right...
We want to see pictures when your done.... Hope it's the real deal for you...I'm almost sure it is... They make some junnk repops and they are plastic I think. Yours looks like the real deal..... Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on November 30, 2006, 10:12:25 pm I have the 9th edition (pg. 221)...
Yours looks like what they call the “Chain Edge” I'm sure it's the real deal the more I look at it and the picture... The new ones aren't leaded between the glass it's more like black paint swirled onto the plastic or glass.... Yours is definantly real glass and lead! Sweet find! Now go back and look for the other one Or anything else! Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on November 30, 2006, 10:21:52 pm I'm thinking the same thing. I am looking at the color picture of the original in my book and see no differences.
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on November 30, 2006, 10:34:30 pm Here is one of the plastic ones from the 70s....
It measure 15" it's on eBay right now.... Your's? As Coke use to say “It's the real thing”.... Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: on November 30, 2006, 10:37:23 pm Holy Sh******!!!!!!!! You guys aren't pulling my leg!
It is real glass and real lead. The lower band, outer collar and diamonds around the top are metal and have a light coat of surface rust. The building was built @ 1850 to 1870. There is some script writing on this band, but it appears that it may have been painted over at some time because it is difficult to read. It could say CocaCola, but I don't want to mess with it. I don't want to touch it now, a little nervous about damaging it. It is mostly dust covering it. Where should I take this to get cleaned? Where could I get it appraised? Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on November 30, 2006, 10:45:22 pm Nobody is gonna appraise it other than a Coke collector.... The new Book says $6000.00
so your gonna be some where around that I hope for you... maybe lower due to condition at this time...Best thing to do is find a place that cleans this type glass or ask them what you can clean it with. Be careful with the chain edging along the bottom edge don't try to straighten just find out what kind of metal it is and get the right cleaners... bet you could soak it in some type of cleaner... Just don't dance around it with joy and fall on it Wow ... Merry Christmas Larry! Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Ltransam on November 30, 2006, 10:49:28 pm Hello,Larry
I hope it's real . But I have seen some reproduction that were also made of stain glass from the 70s . As everyone stated the Orginal were marked on the upper band . I notice in your 3rd picture 2 spots that look like brass brazing (weld ) ? Which the band should be brass .I dont understand the rust in that area eather ?? Lead was used to hold the glass in place .I don't under stand the rust on the areas that SHOULD be lead ? The repos from the 70s were made mostly tin coverd in soder & colored to look like brass & Lead . I really really hope it an orginal for you !!!! It would be a HUGE FIND !!!!! Ltransam Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: jasmine64too on December 01, 2006, 12:53:58 pm I'd just use some damp q-tips dipped in water after taking a swiffer duster to it.
Maybe a cotton cloth like a cotton baby diaper so it wont scratch or leave lint. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: on December 01, 2006, 04:47:59 pm Thanks for all the help guys.
I am going to start cleaning the heavy dirt off of it tonight. It's would take a whole bunch of q-tips! It is a mess. I will probably just vacuum it off and gently brush off the heavy crap. I will plan on making a few calls to a glass restoration shops & see what they recommend wrt cleaning it up. It appears that someone painted the band around the top at some time with a silver coloredpaint. It appears as if there is writing under the paint, but kind of hard to tell. Does anyone have a picture of the writing from one of the Petretti's Price guides? Is there a current version of this guide that I can get my hands on? It is made of glass, lead and metal; there does not appear to have any brass on it (the inside of the band has surface rust). I will take pictures & let you know what I find. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on December 01, 2006, 05:37:55 pm Heck I'd lay it on a bunch of towels in the tub and use a sponge, soft cloths
a tooth brush, warm soapy water and glass cleaner for now... It looks pretty solid I doubt a good cleaning would hurt it. I just wouldn'y try to bend anything or straighten anything on it..... but clean soapy water won't damage anything. As far as the book...You can buy/order his book in any book store...I would scan the page but mine is out of date. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: on December 01, 2006, 06:33:27 pm I don't need the picture anymore.
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: on December 01, 2006, 06:35:47 pm I don't think that i will be needing that picture to see what i am looking for.
Just uncovered it using q-tips and a little dilluted Greased Lightning. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: jasmine64too on December 01, 2006, 07:34:04 pm Keep us updated on your project.
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on December 01, 2006, 08:31:50 pm That's gonna look killer hanging over your dinning room table!
She looks like shes gonna clean up nice. Yes.. keep us updated. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on December 01, 2006, 08:34:09 pm Wasa wondering ... what do you guys think of him using CLR watered down....
that would help with the rust.... Anything else out there that would help with oxidized metal... a brass cleaner?.... Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: coke_and_stuff on December 01, 2006, 08:39:43 pm I about hit the floor when the property of Coca Cola band picture was posted. Thats a KILLER find. I would VERY carefully use dawn soap on it. Its mild enough to cut the dirt and grease but gentle enough not to hurt it. I would not polish the brass but thats just me. Again KILLER find congrats and if you decide to sell I wish you all the luck for top $$.
Joey Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Gumbo on December 01, 2006, 08:58:24 pm WOW-Congrats! What a great find.
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on December 02, 2006, 12:00:28 am Wow. All I can say is wow.
What kind of building was it? It is amazing that this shade is not broken. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: davethebirdman on December 02, 2006, 03:17:18 am In my humbble opinion if you were looking to sell it I'd clean it up best as you can and get it as quickly as possible on Ebay to grab that Christmas rush.
If its a keeper I would have a professional restorer have a look at it. Its cost you nothing so far so the investment in having it corretcly cleaned would be well worth it. Whatever, that was an excellent find well done and the very best of luck. Dave Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: on December 02, 2006, 08:09:56 am It was found in a residential dwelling that a good friend of mine had just purchased. He has been in the process of gutting out the interior, and we came across it while looking at some structural issues along one side of the house. It was buried deep underneath a staircase behind a bunch of old clothes and other junk.
He said to me "You keep it, you have a bunch of that old Coke crap." I have known this guy forever (1st grade - over 33 years). I had him come by last night for beers and showed him this posts. All he kept saying was "Lucky you found it, that ugly thing would have ended up in the dumpster." I was afraid to ask him what else he had thrown out, but he said that this was "the only pile of old lady stuff that I came across in the house". I am still not sure if I am going to keep it or not. If I do, I would be sharing any cash w/ Rob, as it was in his house. He insists that I keep it, because as he said, "It was heading for the dumpster" but that wouldn't be right if I was to sell it. We have been buddies far too long. Is now the best time to try and sell it if I wanted to get rid of it? Is Ebay the best place to auction it off, or is there somewhere else that it would get a better audiance from serious collectors? I will post more pictures as the cleaning progresses. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: jasmine64too on December 02, 2006, 09:05:22 am If you put it on ebay, I would have it pick up only. That way shipping wouldnt be a headache or nerve wracking. I'd be so worried it would be broken during shipping.
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on December 02, 2006, 09:18:38 am I would very carefully clean it as best I could, then, if needed have a professional clean it to get it looking its best. I would take my time and not worry about selling during Christmas. I don't think the holiday buying would factor in that much differently when it comes to this. I wouldn't go through eBay. I would contact an auction house such as Morphy Auctions who specializes in advertising auctions. They run the Metz auctions now. After cleaning the shade I would contact someone like Gary Metz through Morphy to see what their advice would be. Of course you would still have to get it to them to auction. I think I still have my catalogs from previous auctions when they where in Roanoke. I will look to see if any sold in the past.
Auction Site Link Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: TomFromJersey on December 02, 2006, 09:29:19 am Halehouse's advise in contacting an auctioneer is very solid, they advertise heavily in all the antique trade papers and send out info directly to collectors. I wouldn't try to sell it on e-bay. Alan Petretti is the foremost authority on Coke items, and he runs auctions twice a year. You can call him directly at 201-488-4536.
Hope this helps Tom Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: collecture on December 02, 2006, 09:47:12 am First off - unbelievable find - congratulations!!
I am with Dave on having it professionally cleaned if you are going to keep it. If you are going to sell it on eBay, I would get it on as quick as you can. I would do just what Joey said and clean it with a mild detergent and that's it. Many collectors prefer items as original as possible, so polishing the brass or anything might actually hurt the value. Make sure you have plenty of pictures that are clear and be sure to note any and all damage. Do your research on the item and have a good description with lots of search words. I would not limit yourself to pickup only as this cuts out a large market. Instead, list it with mandatory shipping insurance. Buy NEW boxes for packaging - wrap it in bubble wrap, then submerge it in a box of packing peanuts with at least two inches clearance on each side and then submerge that box inside another box of packing peanuts with three inches of clearnce on each side. With shipping, don't offer any ground shipping - too much handling. Use Priority or Expedited shipping. Anybody that is going to pay $5000 for a vintage lampshade will not balk at $100 in shipping expense. Lastly, if you do not have a lot of selling feedback on eBay - consider taking it to one of the "isoldit" on eBay locations as they might have a better reputation; however, Halehouse has probably posted the best advice if you are going the auction route. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on December 02, 2006, 10:09:25 am Oh, I have a bunch of past Pettretti auction (Nostalgia Publications) catalogs too with prices realized. Does he still do that auction? For whatever reason I stopped getting the catalogs and haven't seen any more in a while. I'll have to check them to see if there are any shades that sold.
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Ltransam on December 02, 2006, 10:22:38 am Fippa,
WEEE I'm glad it's REAL . I could not have waited two day to clean it . I would have been up all night !! This is one of those time's Were I'm Happy to be WRONG ! I have seen abought 3-4 reproduction one's in the last 5 years .I even heard a bought a guy in Florida that made 2 copys . Again I'm Realy Realy Realy Happy for you ! This has to be like finding a Vendo Decapper in an old Factory under a tarp . ( Which a guy name Jake did 15 years back I new ) Ltransam Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: davethebirdman on December 02, 2006, 11:38:27 am Hello "Tom from Jersey" nice to see you post. I have seen your Ebay ID around for
a long while. You bid on some nice things. Hope you stick around here. Dave Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: SIGNGUY on December 02, 2006, 11:44:47 am The advice on contacting Gary Metz or Alan Petretti is the best advice so far.. they might even be able to give you some tips on cleaning or suggest that you leave it and sell as is and have the new owner clean it. Don't rush to put it on ebay... this isn't just another run of the mill Coke Sign that pops up every other month , this appears to be a a crown jewel of people like me who collect the advertising peices. Great Find! Good luck on the progress... Call Alan or Gary! Let us know what happens
Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on December 02, 2006, 12:51:55 pm I'd go Gary Metz... He brings the crowd (Big time collectors... Big Money)
I believe Alan Petretti auction are phone auctions.... And have heard he can be hard to deal with auction wise. Gary has a great following.. A friend who collects had a Coke calendar top he got at auction for around $200... it brought over $1500.00 at Gary's auction and it didn't even have the complete calendar.... Gary's has my vote. It is THE auction house for soda stuff! Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on December 02, 2006, 08:50:57 pm The more I think of it Halehouse is right on the money!...
I have a few Metz auction fliers I was looking through.... rare, unbelievable stuff he has had go through.. And actually a few Coca-Cola price guides use his auction for setting prices. Ands there's nothing like a sit auction.... buyers who know each other bidding against each other... It would work out the best for you I think.... I would love to attend one of his auctions. Take pictures now, get it cleaned and contact him. And I (we all) want to see how this piece turn out. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on December 02, 2006, 11:06:32 pm I have my Petretti auction catalogs back to about 1995. I found two lampshades in the summer 2000 catalog (second one is a reproduction). Of course it looks like it was the last Petretti catalog I received and I don't think I have the prices realized sheet. The description of the original says that it is the leaf edge version stamped "Property of The CocaCola Co., to be returned on demand". Rust on band & V shaped crack in one white top panel. Crack in one green panel. Shade is nice all hardware & wire are new. The price guide has the same value for one with the chain edge or leaf edging. Presale estimate was min. $2,500-5,000 range, max. $5,000 to 10,000. I wish I could find the price realized sheet. I will keep looking.
The leaded glass reproduction, which does not have any type of edging along the bottom, had an estimate of $500$1000. I have only found one of my Metz's catalogs so far. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on December 02, 2006, 11:22:48 pm Sorry to post this in chunks, but I figure I would post as I find things. In the winter 1998 Nostalgia Pubs catalog (Petretti) there is a lampshade that looks in the pic to be one with the chain edging at the bottom. The description:
1920's Coca Cola leaded glass shade...original with stamped band around top...all wired up & ready to use (new fixture). The chain edge on the bottom is mostly off & a number of cracks on top panels, but this one is a beautiful center piece to any collection. Presale estimate was between $2500-$10,000. It sold for $4,235. I have a few more catalogs to look through. Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: Eric on December 03, 2006, 12:09:19 am Ha Dan sounds like you keep everything too... Did anybody here ever do
the Tucker Bay phone auctions?.....It was a couple who would take consignments and place them all in a catalog and send catalogs out. You called in your bids.... and if the phone quit ringing for at least 10 minutes past midnight (westcoast time) who ever was the highest bidder on a certain item won it.... I would be up till 3 or 4 in the morning... won a few things.... then eBay came along... Anway I have all their catalogs too nothing like this shade though... Halehouse you seem to lean towards Alan?.... Isn't his auctions phone auctions too?.... I lean towards Metz/Muddy Rivers auction though I don't have any prices realized just a few fliers.... But have heard great things.... I hear there's a swap meet type thing the night before where dealers bring things and set up in their room.... Then there's a preview of the show and I hear the serious collectors show.... Would love to go to one. Has anyone here ever been to one... Or have an opion on which would be better ?.... Anyway you go Larry sounds like you did the right thing in keeping it and not throwing it over the side of the dumpster! Title: Stained Glass Coke Advertising Post by: halehouse on December 03, 2006, 12:39:56 am Hey Eric,
I like the Metz auctions and would lean towards it. I have been going to them in recent years in Roanoke, but now that they have moved to PA, I don't know. It isn't any farther away, but my parents live about 45 minutes from where the auctions were held and we would make a weekend trip out of it. I would buy a couple of things, but some bidders were/are amazing. I was just referring to the Petretti catalogs because those are the ones I knew where they were. I haven't received any Petretti auctions since 2000 and wasn't even sure he was still doing them (is he)? I liked going to the Metz auctions. Much more personable people. The last few were held in an indoor mall in an unused retail space. I don't know what they will be like now that they are in with Murphy. Another one that seems good, and the people who run it are nice and make personal contact, is Daniel Auction Company in GA. |