I have decided to try something new – a micro-auction. I have many items that are rare enough that I’m uncomfortable offering them at a fixed price. Because my auctions are annual events, they simply don’t come around often enough for me to make changes to the collection as my available room constricts and my collecting interests expand. So, the micro-auction was born. Here’s how it works:

Anyone who has purchased a copy of my third edition from me can place a bid. (It’s still not too late to order your copy.) If you want to place a bid, simply send me an email directly or through the site. Once received, I’ll update the page with your bid. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments. Except for that requirement, you are free to bid any amount once the opening price has been met.
Do realize that your bid will become the current high bid even if there is no other activity because this is not an incremental bidding format. What does this mean? As an example, if the opening price has been met, and you bid $1,250, the current high bid will then be $1,250, even without any other bidding activity. As long as the bid is submitted before the micro-auction closes, the person bidding the highest price for the lot will own the lot.

There won’t be any bidding numbers assigned for this simple event. If bids are placed, I’ll simply indicate the current high bid, the number of bids placed and the number of unique bidders.

The bidding will close on Sunday, May 18th at 7:00 PM, Pacific.

Depending on how this inaugural effort goes, I may have other micro-auctions (or mini-auctions of more than one lot) from time-to-time, with each item having an opening price meaningfully below what I estimate the current market value to be. *********************************************************************************

Micro-Auction #1     Exceedingly Rare 1930s Mechanical German Diecut: Cat Atop JOL
This is one of the German diecuts that were made for a single season in 1935 and sold only in Canada. Prior to its acquisition in May of 2017, I had never seen one up close. I’ve enjoyed it all these years, but now feel it is time to move it along to another steward. This rare two-piece diecut is considered a “mechanical,” because the cat lifts off of the JOL. A black cardboard flat piece attached to the cat fits in the slot at the top of the JOL. This measures 9.25” high by 6” across. The JOL has several pinholes. This particular design with its exposed tongue is reminiscent of the JOL in one of the rare windowpane diecuts, although this one is decidedly less lascivious. The cat is taking a break as he sits atop the JOL singing and strumming a banjo. The attaching flat piece is firmly attached. The cat also has several pinholes. There are small areas of surface paper loss. I have seen only one other since 2017 and it was in poor condition, with no attaching flat piece and a partially missing tail.

RSIN: 1/Condition: 7

Current Bid: $1,100 (Number of Bids: 1/Number of Bidders: 1)