Q: How does one find collectors? I'd like to sell two pairs of opera glasses passed down by my grandmother. They're in excellent condition. I'd prefer to sell to a collector rather than on the open market.

A: Give me a moment as The Great Arnet shifts into mind reader mode. I'm getting a definite vibe that our reader has qualms about selling to the general public, especially on sites such as eBay and Craigslist. For her, the ideal sale would be to a buyer found privately or through a collector club.

But that's not the way today's market works. Granted, certain goods sell best to other collectors. But that's not true for most opera glasses.




A look at databases of prices realized shows that standard opera glasses sell for $50-$100, tops. Glasses from Tiffany and Co. with the original case sold for $300. The name says it all.

Across the board, the most wanted opera glasses are ornately hand painted with enamels. We saw a fine enameled period lorgnette that sold for $350.

Our reader will find the most buyers online, because that's where collectors hunt for opera glasses. An alternative is consigning the lenses to auction. Be sure to learn about selling costs for either route.

Q: What is this? It belonged to my mother. We think it was used to hold cab fare or a nickel for a phone call. If it matters, it's made from sterling silver.

A: An image sent shows a small rectangular case of white metal topped with decorative raised scrolling. About the size of a matchbook, the case has an inner sleeve that slides out. There's a silver ring at an upper corner.

Our reader is right on the money thinking the case is a coin holder. To be exact, it's a Victorian coin holder.



Clipped to a belt somewhat like today's cell phone cases, a chatelaine could have as many as six or more accessories dangling from delicate chains of varying lengths. Pieces could include a pillbox, coin holder, small scissors, thimble, a needle case, a small cased knife, and even more.



AUCTION ACTION: A tan leather plaited bullwhip from the 1981 film "Raiders of the Lost Ark" brought $31,250 recently in a sale of entertainment memorabilia at Bonhams LA. One of six props of its kind used in the film, the 151 in. whip is an iconic symbol from the movie. It sold with a letter of authenticity from the film's special effects supervisor, confirming that the whip was used by Harrison Ford and his stunt doubles for action and stunt sequences.



A: Starting in Hartland, WI, in the 1940s, the company that makes Hartland horses has gone through several owners. The company also made molded dogs. The horses are still made. Source: "Hartland Horses: New Model Horses Since 2000" by Gail Fitch (Schiffer, $29.99). Joins the author's other books on the toy horses.
