Barbie movie buzz may have helped to boost this lot comprising a 12-inch-long vinyl case filled with assorted Barbie clothing and accessories to top lot status, selling for $510.
Review by W.A. Demers; Photos Courtesy Richard Opfer Auctioneering
TIMONIUM, MD. – Richard Opfer Auctioneering’s timed, online-only Eclectic Collector auction closed on August 10 with a hammer total of $22,045. Only two lots of the more than 400 lots did not bring a bid — everything else sold to the highest bidder, of which there were 154 registered.
On the week that the Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie movie earned more than $1 billion in worldwide box office sales, the mania would be mirrored in auction halls across the United States. The buzz boosted a lot comprising a 12-inch-long vinyl case filled with assorted Barbie clothing and accessories (some of which may or may not be all Barbie) to top lot status, selling for $510.
Barbie had many pieces of furniture during the vintage era, namely, the 1960s and early 1970s. A pair of plastic Barbie wardrobes (pink, of course) were made by Susy Goose and came filled with clothes and accessories that may or may not be Barbie. The lot was bid to $360.
A Barbie doll, 12 inches high, realized $300.
Barbie herself showed up as a doll with holes in the feet. Standing 12 inches high, she realized $300.
Believe it or not, late summer is not too early to begin the hunt for Christmas-related toys and figures. Five Santa Claus figures in a variety of materials — composition, rubber/plastic and cloth — drew a winning bid of $450. One had an early composition painted face; along with a lightbulb lantern and candles.
Christmas collectors continue to be charmed by Limoges figures of box Nativity scenes, Santa Claus, angels, snowmen, Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, nutcrackers and more. All that was offered in a 11-piece lot of Christmas Limoges boxes with painted porcelain figures ranging from 2 inches high to 4 inches high. The lot brought $330.
And plastic Santas as far as the eye can see, actually more than 21 of them, with the tallest measuring 7½ inches, were bid to $390.
Kennedy memorabilia included a book, Day in the Life of President by Jim Bishop together with the photo used for the cover of the book; a signed John Kennedy 1960 letter; a card of John Jr’s thanking a well-wisher; and The Torch is Passed, a book documenting Kennedy’s assassination. The lot fetched $360.
Fetching $360 was a lot comprising Kennedy memorabilia. Included were a book, Day in the Life of President Kennedy by Jim Bishop (its book jacket ripped), together with the photo used for the cover of the book; a signed John Kennedy 1960 letter as thanks for support when running for president; a card of John Jr’s thanking a well-wisher; and The Torch is Passed, a book documenting Kennedy’s assassination.
Those longing for a graffiti-free Roman Colosseum could vie for a Lego S.P.Q.R. model that comprised 10,276 pieces. The original box appeared to be unopened and the set garnered $300.
Opfer’s current online sale closes on August 24. The next catalog sale is set for September 14. Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. For information, www.opferauction.com or 410-252-5035.
