Auction I attended this weekend

[GMD52]

This weekend was the annual militaria and sporting auction by Merrills Auctions in Burlington Vt. They had a good number of Native American artifacts up for bid. One in particular I thaught might interest all of you. The listing was a Great Lakes region wooden ball-head war club, est. value was listed at $1000-3000, when the gavel fell, it purchase price was $75,000 plus 12% premium.

I viewed the club, and while in exquisite condition, I at no-time considered a value that high.

My initial concern is that this will trigger a rush to obtain and sell artifacts and relics that impact the casual collecting like most of us do. I have nothing against profit, but have seen an incident such as this trigger a false market rush. Posted for your thaughts and concerns. Thanks!

 

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[GatorBoy]

Interesting post.
I see you look at the picture exactly like I do... you can bet that might trigger some people to try to find "Native American money" in the ground.
Those that "might" may not have the respect or scruples to avoid causing damage of some form that "may" need to be addressed by local authority and that is "usually" bad news for the casual collector.

 

[GaRebel1861]

Interesting post.
I see you look at the picture exactly like I do... you can bet that might trigger some people to try to find "Native American money" in the ground.
Those that "might" my not have the respect or scruples to avoid causing damage of some form that "may" need to be addressed by local authority and that is "usually" bad news for the casual collector.

Well put & I agree.

 

[rock]

Now I am sure the piece was rare and that is why it sold for so much. Only a child would think all NA artifacts could bring that kind of money. Its a shame you didnt take a pic of it so we could see what it looked like.

 

[NC field hunter]

I feel for the poor ass that bought it. I have been in the auction sell setting soooo many times buying equipment for work. It's easy to end up at war with another bidder. It's easy to get mad at those sells. Auctioneers have guys around on the block that know values of these things. They know scrap value as well as used equipment appraisal at the sells I go to. I have caught them running me up before, and I dropped on them, leaving them to pay far more than should have been paid. I have gotten mad before, and scalded my own self as well. I feel that is the occurrence here. Dog eat dog.

 

[Hippy]

I feel for the poor ass that bought it. I have been in the auction sell setting soooo many times buying equipment for work. It's easy to end up at war with another bidder. It's easy to get mad at those sells. Auctioneers have guys around on the block that know values of these things. They know scrap value as well as used equipment appraisal at the sells I go to. I have caught them running me up before, and I dropped on them, leaving them to pay far more than should have been paid. I have gotten mad before, and scalded my own self as well. I feel that is the occurrence here. Dog eat dog.

One could assume that if the pre-auction estimate was only around 3000 and the actual sale price was around 75,000, the auction firm had no idea what they had. It doesn't make sense to not advertise the best piece in the sale for what it's worth. Yes, you have to be careful at auctions and not get sucked into the "competition" aspect of it. That's why you set the price you're willing to pay and go for it. What if the piece was worth $120,000...I wouldn't feel to sorry for the person. They can probably afford it.

Artifacts, like many other hobbies and collectibles have value. However, most "looters" don't find it worthwhile to spend time searching for "the one" Finding a $75000 artifact out walking the fields or creeks is like finding a needle in a stack of needles. Treating artifact hunting as a money-making hobby will lead one to be broke and hungry in a hurry. Fools who believe these rocks are just laying around for anyone to find probably haven't tried to find one yet.

Hippy

 

[NC field hunter]

Hippy, brother I hope you are correct, and the auction firm didn't know what they had. To me, this sounds like a high end sale, one that would appraise and specialize in Native artifacts. I never have been to such an auction, but my Dad has. He said every major university was there. Duke, UNC, NC State, and many others. It was high end. I'm sure if the auction we are talking about had flyers out, a $3,000 artifact made the flyer. We have all said this once or twice, artifacts are worth what one has to spend on them. My used equipment auctions are totally different. I attend because I haven't the money to spend on New equipment. What I'm bidding on, I need for my livelihood. When a mans living comes into play, tempers can fly hot. When hobby auctions come along, competitions of the pocket books often cause a fool to part with his money. Many possibilities. Who knows?

 

[pointshunter]

One could assume that if the pre-auction estimate was only around 3000 and the actual sale price was around 75,000, the auction firm had no idea what they had. It doesn't make sense to not advertise the best piece in the sale for what it's worth. Yes, you have to be careful at auctions and not get sucked into the "competition" aspect of it. That's why you set the price you're willing to pay and go for it. What if the piece was worth $120,000...I wouldn't feel to sorry for the person. They can probably afford it.

Artifacts, like many other hobbies and collectibles have value. However, most "looters" don't find it worthwhile to spend time searching for "the one" Finding a $75000 artifact out walking the fields or creeks is like finding a needle in a stack of needles. Treating artifact hunting as a money-making hobby will lead one to be broke and hungry in a hurry. Fools who believe these rocks are just laying around for anyone to find probably haven't tried to find one yet.

Hippy

I totally agree it isn't everyone or every day u can go out and find a perfect one let alone one worth any substantial amount of money. For me a whole one seems impossible let alone 2 whole ones In a day!

 

[GatorBoy]

That's why places like burial mounds get targeted and hit in the middle of the night by folks looking to make real money.
Walking a field or creek for hours is not how that's done... people even dredge high probability areas of river bottom.
I've seen places that looked like bombs went off... overnight.

 

[NC field hunter]

Auctioneers are slick. Any man that talks that fast can not be trusted. Has anyone seen a flyer? I have not, but bet this piece was pictured. People go to auction sells with cash in hand or a heavy check book, with a banker's phone number to back them. Low appraisals + quality/rarity= high sale attendance. I've been burned! Burned after driving to Ohio. Not after artifacts, but an auction is an auction. I really hope who ever has it is thrilled.

 

[Hippy]

Here's a link to the piece in question if anyone wants to have a look at it. It's a nice piece.

29"L Figured maple ball root war club Great Lakes - by Merrill's Auction Gallery

Hippy

 

[quito]

Incredible piece, sounds like at least two guys really liked it. I bet the sellers were nicely surprised.

 

[rock]

I wouldnt of guessed it to look like that. Nice but..........just saying I prefer stone.

 

[NC field hunter]

How old is a piece like this? Honestly, if I had to guess, I'd say only a couple hundred years old. My guesses have been off track by miles, however. I know nothing about the values either. I know rarity=$ . Pretty piece, nonetheless. Thanks for posting it!

 

[GatorBoy]

The face design looks Mississippian... I know nothing about it but I agree that if I were to guess I'd say.. 1500's to 1600's... the more I look at it the more odd it seems to even think native American ...it has floral patern like antique furniture.
I'm not saying anything....just saying its odd.

 

[GatorBoy]

Don't these patterns look European?

 

[Aleisters]

Wow that is a beautiful ball club. I believe the intricacy is what led to the high price. These have been fetching very high prices for years now, they are right up there with presentation pipe tomahawks now. I don't remember seeing any go as high as this one but I also don't remember seeing one as nice. Historic Native American artifacts are really where the money is right now and doesn't seem to have slowed like the prehistoric has.

 

[GatorBoy]

Oh.. I'm starting to get the picture..
The line between antique and artifact starts to blur at some point for me.
This piece seems more like a family heirloom than an artifact to me.

 

[NC field hunter]

Oh.. I'm starting to get the picture..
The line between antique and artifact starts to blur at some point for me.
This piece seems more like a family heirloom than an artifact to me.

I did not want to say it. Not Stone Age

 

[GatorBoy]

What point is there to a discussion if its only to say what others will except and agree on.
That's awfully pasteurized and homogenized don't you think.
Luke warm at best.