Market Watch

This market watch reviews all ebay sales from March 2 through March 8. As compared to last week's doldrums, this week was buzzing with activity.
     Sixty-five CTs were sold this week with 41 pieces trading hands for under $20, and 23 pieces bringing B money. Only one CT was bid past the $50 mark, edging into BB territory.
     Sunday started off with two large offerings: 16 CTs from cobwrightfortishe and 16 CTs from gordon5260 (also a UK dealer). I have had good dealings with both of these sellers.
     The first grouping was comprised of 14 pieces from the 18th century plus two triangles dated 1699 from Humbie in East Lothian -- neat little tokens. Most of the pieces were primitive with several incused or single-letter molded designs represented. The hammer prices ranged widely from $10 (one bid only) for a corroded CT from Kilmuir (BK604) to $64 for one of the Humbie CTs -- this was the most paid this week. The second grouping of 16 had more variety with more 19th century pieces in the mix.

HK for Humbie Kirk. This piece is
dated 1699. Triangular CTs are
few in the Scottish series: only four
parishes produced CTs of this shape.

     The Humbie pieces (BK521) represented two varieties from the same communion service. Both were two-side pieces: HK on obverse and 1699 on reverse. One of them had a retrograde 6; the other was normal -- Brook mentioned both varieties but only assigned one catalog number (he illustrated the retrograde variety). Burzinski gave each piece a number (BZ3179-80) and made up a BK number for the normal date (BK521A). This latter piece may be rarer (does anyone have an opinion?), as it attracted 10 bids from five bidders. In contrast, the retrograde variety sold cheaply at $29. Condition was also a factor, as the normal piece was nicer.
     Triangles are an odd sort. There are only nine of them (including all varieties) in the Scottish series. The CTs from Humbie are the only ones that are dated. Everyone should have at least one triangle in their collection as the shape is intriguing. I promise to do a posting on these soon.
     Cobwrightfortishe offered another grouping of CTs mid-week. This time a series of mid-nineteenth century cut-rectangles from Aberdeen were placed on the block. The pieces represented a run of KL numbers (from the 1944 catalog): KL44-1 through 11, and KL44-15 through 21. In all, 18 pieces were auctioned with five bidders taking pieces home.
     Top hammers were for pieces that included pictorials: burning bush or church. In particular, one piece -- a pictorial piece from Bon Accord Free Church (KL44-2) -- was bid up to $45 with five bidders casting 12 bids. This one was in excellent condition with some luster. Here is the link: Bon Accord FC CT.
     Bon Accord FC was established in 1845. The name is the motto of Aberdeen and is French for "Good Agreement." Apparently, this phrase was used as a password by Robert the Bruce in the 14th century during the Wars for Scottish Independence -- his army had laid siege to the castle of Aberdeen before destroying it in 1308. The motto is currently part of the city arms.