This is a particularly unattractive piece. Why would the factory have marked it in this way? The black markings mightily detract from the item’s eye appeal. This was almost certainly produced by the Dupont Viscoloid Company post 1925. More information can be found on page 110. This wasn’t produced in Germany.
This seller added the following to her listing:
Mr. Mark Ledenbach says that this item is actually American Viscoloid. I do appreciate the attribution. It would have been helpful had he contacted me and not posted in the blog instead. I did NOT say it was German just that I have been told that.
I have stated many times that I cannot find his books) and frankly I am not going to shell out the money to rebuy them as the information is helpful but the books are increasingly out of date and the prices were probably out of date as soon as it was printed- as is the case with most price guides.)
He also says it is not attractive. That is a personal opinion and he has a blog to which no one can refute his unpleasantness. Personally I DO think it is fabulous. Difference in opinion.
Mr Ledenbach has taken it upon himself to attack mine and other peoples listings on his blog. Perhaps people should realize that much of the commentary in the blog is based on his opinion.
The seller rendered a huge service to the hobby with her publication of “Boo News” decades ago. I subscribed and still retain every edition as I find them informative. Her comments about my book are odd. Yes, some of the pricing is not current - especially in this environment - but that doesn’t render them “out of date.” There is a wealth of information in all three editions, but the third edition is still considered the hobby’s gold standard. (The only edition of mine I would now buy is the third.) By this seller’s standard, her “Boo News” publications should be entirely worthless, but they aren’t, of course.
This owl item is a truly vintage item with an unusual color finish. I hope it does well. (As of this writing it is at a strong $202.50.) This seller, who has been a collector for decades - and dedicated enough at one time to issue her spectacular publication, “Boo News” - shouldn’t have had to rely on me to indicate the item wasn’t produced in Germany. Why she feels I should have contacted her directly rather than simply pointing out it was made by the Dupont Viscoloid Company is odd. Her comment that she didn’t state it was German but was told that it was is an example of parsing.
All or most of the observations in my blog are opinion. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. This seller sees my comments on her celluloid owl as an attack. Of course they aren’t. Providing information is not an attack. I rarely attack listings. I will often point out that a listed item is fake or fantasy. I offer my opinion as to a listing’s condition and appearance. I offer pricing and rarity guidance. That is why the blog is so widely read. The hobby is becoming increasingly perilous. Prices are rising too quickly across most segments. Fakes and fantasy pieces abound. Collectors need to be on their guard. Reading this blog and investing in solid reference books are ways to do this.
