Auction 159: S-C Roman Column Candlestick - Ended 1-18-15

[TelePlay]

New forum members are very welcome and encouraged to take a guess. After all, there are no wrong guesses, just one lucky one. No one knows the winning bid on any auction until it ends. However, it is important to get your guess in before someone else grabs your guess.

Listed just about one day ago in a 7 day auction with no reserve ( with thanks to Kenton K for the link to this auction ) is this Stromberg-Carlson Roman Column candlestick. It was listed at a very reasonable starting price of $0.99 plus $18.00 for shipping and within one day, the phone has attracted 5 bidders offering 6 bids driving the price up to $449.44. I'd assume this phone is worth more but how much more. So, once again, the question is who best knows what this phone will sell for when the auction ends?

The seller listed it as an "ORIGINAL 1897 STROMBERG-CARLSON ROMAN COLUMN CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE" with the item condition as "Used" and "Missing base plate but all parts are inside the base. Switch hook can move up and down manually but does not spring up and down when the receiver is lifted. Some nickel loss on top of the ball mount " with the auction listing description saying "This is an original 1897 Stromberg-Carlson "roman column" desk set with a beautiful fluted shaft, marked transmitter and black heavy cast base. It is one of the most copied and reproduced candlesticks ever made because of its elegant and unique fluted design.  It has a steerhorn switch hook and marked early (rare) Stromberg-Carlson receiver. Please see the scan of a print ad promoting this telephone in an original 1898 The Electrical World magazine. Also three other original articles from 1898-1899 that show the Roman Column sitting on a desk. Very nice original condition. No base plate but coil and wires are inside base. The switch hook can move up and down manually but does not spring up and down when the receiver is lifted. Some nickel loss on the top of the ball mount (see pictures). Original rattlesnake cords and original wall mount terminal strip on the end of the line cord. "

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201261434063

NOTE: we will use a 4% gap rule between guesses to prevent crowding. As such, guess gaps of 8+% can be split. I'll help with these as the auction goes forward and guesses are entered. As always, the guessing window closes 24 hours before the auction ends so get your guesses in at least one day before the auction ends.

It's another chance to move up a rung or to get onto the CRPF -> Contest Standings <- list,

     . . . for as twocvbloke said,   ---> "You gotta be in it to win it !!!" "

If you want to see the phones of past Auction Contests, click -> HERE <-


S C O R E B O A R D

$   3,200.00 - wds  ( 5 )
$   4,000.00 - kleinkaliber  ( 10 )
$   4,200.00 - Sargeguy  ( 3 )
$   4,500.00 - WesternElectricBen  ( 7 )
$   4,750.00 - TelePlay  ( 12 )  -> WINNER - Final Selling Price $4,728.99
$   5,000.00 - Fabius  ( 2 )
$   5,500.00 - Mr. Bones  ( 9 )
$   6,000.00 - HarrySmith  ( 4 )
$   6,500.00 - andre_janew  ( 11 )
$   7,000.00 - tallguy58  ( 8 )
$   7,480.00 - WEBellSystemChristian  ( 6 )
$   8,888.00 - Kenton K ( 1 )


Early Morning Auction Status

01-11-15      Listed      $         0.99
01-12-15      3 bids      $     360.00
01-13-15      6 bids      $     449.44
01-14-15    12 bids      $  1,025.00
01-15-15    13 bids      $  1,025.00
01-16-15    20 bids      $  1,250.00
01-17-15    22 bids      $  1,525.00
01-18-15    22 bids      $  1,525.00
01-18-15    13 bidders, 29 bids $4,728.99 Ended at 18:45 PST

[Kenton K]

Such character! I wonder what the base is made of?

I'll guess $8,888

[Fabius]

$5000

[Sargeguy]

$4200

[HarrySmith]

$6,000.00

[wds]

$3200

[WEBellSystemChristian]

To be honest, it looks like something from Pier 1 Imports

Still, it is getting a lot of attention.

I'll guess $7,480.

[WesternElectricBen]

4,500.

[tallguy58]

$7000

[Mr. Bones]

$5500.00 please, if there's still room.
Thanks!

[kleinkaliber]

$4000

[andre_janew]

$6,500

[TelePlay]

$4,750.00

[wds]

I just noticed that this candlestick was one of the D'Acosta phones that was sold at the Morphy's auction.  Even the pictures are the same as the pictures posted on the Old Telephones website.  wonder why it's being flipped so soon?

[wds]

$2500 + $500  buyers premium