[size=12]I realize that Griswold isn't exactly traded on the S&P 500 or anything, but values do seem to rise and drop periodically. I was to a (live, not internet) auction yesterday near State College, PA. Almost a year ago, there was another sale at this same location, run by the same auctioneer. The 2014 sale was a Saturday sale, and it poured rain all day. Yesterday's sale was a Sunday sale, but the weather held out.
The 2014 sale was mostly skillets and covers, there were quite a few large or rare items, and most of the stuff was in excellent shape. Yesterday's sale had more toys and ashtrays, but also a decent amount of larger and rarer items. Some of the iron had moderate or even severe condition problems (they sold three #13 skillets; all three of them had pitting issues and none of them brought quite the money that they would have otherwise) but most of the more interesting iron was, I would say, in very good or excellent condition. But whereas most of the lots at the 2014 sale seemed to go higher than 5th ed. blue book values, yesterday a lot of the items went for pathetically low prices. A #2 toy ERIE legged kettle that lists at $250-$300 went for $60. Size 0 toy skillets that are priced around $100 were going for $35-$45, and all except for one of them looked to my eye to be legit. Advertising ashtrays priced in the $75-$100 range were going between $10 and $30. Overall, the trend seemed to be that everything was bringing only slightly above its listed value, or considerably below. I can't blame geography or weather, so I'm wondering if it's an economic omen.
I don't collect solely as an investment; I have a bunch of Griswold around because I like having a bunch of Griswold around, and I don't re-sell. I brought seven things home from the sale yesterday, so that part of the apparently depressed sales atmosphere was nice for me, but it makes me wonder if values are starting to tank across the board.
Not to be too much of a Chicken Little here, but has anyone else been to any recent sales where things just weren't bringing near their value? Or is the market still secure, and this sale was just a fluke?
Thanks. [/size]
