AuctionWally has been an auctioneer and appraiser for 25 years. He runs an antiques appraisal blog where he writes about the value of antiques and how to sell them. You can find him at www.auctionwally.com.

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$5000 for an Empty Box... But, it's a Very Rare Beatles Hair Spray Box

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June 28, 9:00 AM

by Auction Wally, Auctions and Antiques Examiner

Is this worth $5000.00?

I received an information request in my What's it Worth column at for this empty box which held a case of Beatles hairspray back in the 1960s. Here is part of that email correspondence.

I thought when I first saw it, I might be able to wrangle $50-100 on ebay. Please check auction 26025168****. I couldn't stop the auction but had canceled bids up to +700 after I received a bona fide offer of $2000. This didn't seem to surprise any of the bidders, who expected the price to go beyond them quickly. I have 'paused' the completion of the transaction because several other folks I exchanged emails with indicated that this is a relatively 'one of a kind' item and that they have seen them go for as high as $5000. This all pretty much blew me away.

Sure enough, I checked the auction and the seller had stopped the auction which at the time was up over $700! Since then he has contacted me and asked me to help him market it for him. He is asking $5000 for it, you can field any questions to me at auctionwally@auctionwally.com

If you know of a collector that may be willing to pay that much for the box, there will be a finder's fee for anyone that brings a buyer to the table which results in a sale.

I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone reading this how collectible Beatles items are, but the reason this is so sought after is because it's so scarce and hardcore collectors always want the scarcest items in there area of collecting. We've all seen the Beatles tie clips, the Flip Your Wig game, Pins and many other things, but have you ever seen a can of Beatles hair spray? I'll bet most of us have not. Now multiply the scarcity factor many times due to the fact that there are even less of the cases that they came in, and most of those were thrown away and you have something very rare. Is it worth $5000.00? I guess we'll find out.

Please leave your comments and questions.
www.auctionwally.com

Topics: collectibles , the beatles

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Antiques price report, eBay auctions of North Adams MA Trust

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December 1, 12:06 PM

Recently I've been reporting quite a bit about the wonderful antiques from a North Adams MA Trust which I'm responsible for liquidating on eBay.Here's a price report on what some of those items brought last week. In short I've found that good quality... Read More
Topics: raising cash , liquidation , eBay , online auctions , selling your antiques , price report , anitques

eBay numbers are in, it's not good, but antiques do well at auction on the site

3 comments

November 29, 3:58 PM

Neilsen numbers are out and things don't look good for eBay. Let me say that I am not complaining, here, just reporting what has the online merchants buzzing.I'm running a couple of months of eBay auctions from an antiques estate trust that are going... Read More

Fox News interviews AuctionWally on raising quick cash

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November 28, 12:32 PM

Nearly everyone is looking to raise some quick cash these days. Whether you want to sell off some antique china or an old guitar you no longer play anymore, odds are that you have something around your home that you can turn into instant money.So when... Read More
Topics: raising cash , liquidation , buying for resale , selling your valuables , economy , selling

Weird Wednesday with Wally - I told you so from beyond

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November 26, 3:02 PM

How many times has your mom said, "I told you so"? Right. Well that's because mom is usually right, and when she's wrong, or you think she is, she's right.Below is an article of exactly one such "I told you so" instance that deals... Read More
Topics: antiques , collectibles , Weird Wednesday , selling your valuables , selling your antiques , sell your items , estate liquidation , estate contents

What were you doing at 10 years old?

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November 25, 8:07 PM

I'm always amazed when I go throught a collection of antiques to sell and I'm reminded of the responsibility that was bestowed upon children in the days of old.Take a look at the sampler to the right done by Lucy Withington of Dorchester MA at... Read More
Topics: antiques , eBay , needlepoint

AuctionWally's price report on eBay auction of North Adams MA antiques estate

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November 24, 9:15 AM

Start it low and let it go. As an auctioneer those words are more than just a short rhyme, they're words I live by. Often, when I explain that very low starting bids and no reserves are critical elements of a great auction, people eyes often widen and... Read More
Topics: antiques values , eBay , online auctions , online marketing , sterling silver , price report , anitques , estate liquidation , jewelry , estate contents

AuctionWally's email - Barack Obama autographed purse

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November 23, 1:55 PM

From the email of AuctionWally: Heidi asks: Hello - I purchased a "gently used" purse at an Alzheimer's auction last year. Candidates were asked to have their wives send a "gently used purse" and to have her... Read More
Topics: barack obama , AuctionWally's email

The big failout part 2

11 comments

November 22, 7:18 PM

I'm upset, I'm really ripped and fit to be tied. The heads of Ford, Chrysler and GMC were in Washington begging for the U.S taxpayer to bail them out. How do you think that might work for you if you tried a stunt like this? I know what I would... Read More
Topics: opinion

10 things I'd do if I were the CEO of eBay

13 comments

November 21, 8:22 AM

I'd separate the auctions end of things from the rest of the eBay business model.I'd hire some experienced, licensed auctioneers to head this new auction only branch.I'd sell Skype, even if I had to take a loss on it.I'd transfer 1/3... Read More
Topics: eBay