This large and incredible game was produced by Gibson during the late 1920s or into the early 1930s. Even though several of the feather fortunes are missing, the seller is offering a true bargain here. It shouldn’t last long.
09/24 Update: This great game sold moments after my post for $369.99.
Even though the condition of this diecut is atrocious, this may be an instance where scarcity loosens the normal condition strictures many collectors impose. I purchased one of these diecuts several years back for ~$2,000, although the condition was FAR superior. From a design perspective, Gibson can be considered the rambunctious sibling at a family reunion, dominated by other, much more staid siblings named Beistle and Dennison. Gibson’s designs tended to be more unpredictable, right at the periphery of logic. Their output was much smaller than the other two, so finding their diecuts is quite a feat. It’ll be instructive to see what this fetches.
08/20 Update: This fetched $560.
Although it is great to see such a rare item on eBay amongst all the garbage, I sure wish this seller would have spent more time taking photos and providing a detailed description of condition rather than the formal gobbledygook they employ. This rare game was produced by Gibson during the early 1930s. There should be twelve feather fortunes. It is unclear just how many remain. There seems to be spotting at the bottom. One ear seems bent. Are there any other condition issues? What does the reverse look like?
01/02 Update: I’m glad to see the seller added a photo of the reverse.
01/14 Update: This game fetched $559.89. I can’t help but wonder if the ending price would have been higher if the seller had better photos and a more concise description. Sellers should always remember that buyers are just interested in many clear photos with a concise description devoid of nonsense.
I enjoy waiting to see what this fine seller lists. She seems to have a nice variety of things across many market segments. Save her as a favorite seller. This is a great Gibson mechanical, showcased well in the photos the seller provides. I give high marks to those who list with the fewest words and the best photographs, an unbeatable combo.
When bidding, keep in mind that the wings of the Gibson bat have been creased and folded. They were produced with flat wings. Please see page 272 for a photo of this hard-to-find Gibson item with its wings as they were originally manufactured.
What a delightful and grin-inducing item from the good people at Gibson! This is an item I had only ever seen in a Gibson catalog, so the opportunity to acquire one in superb condition was irresistible. Sadly for me, I was an underbidder.
It is exciting to see an item I’ve never seen before, especially on the markedly degraded eBay site. Gibson employed some clever designers to produce such a colorful and stunning store or window display as this. Gibson really tried to keep pace with their contemporary competitors, Beistle and Dennison. This would certainly be an example where they outshone these rivals. This is an instance where I was undecided on bidding as the condition was rough enough that I was uncomfortable bidding much even though I’m certain I won’t see another. I struggle sometimes with this balancing act. I felt it would bring more than what it actually brought, so perhaps I should have tossed a bid into the mix. I felt the lucky buyer got a solid deal on a stellar item that certainly enhanced the sloppy one-size-fits-all category that eBay shoehorns items into these days. Bravo!
This 15-piece puzzle was produced by Gibson during the 1920s. There are two known designs, viewable on page 22. Neither surfaces often, so I was again struck at the relatively low selling price. There were no photos of the envelope’s reverse, so that may have depressed bidding.
This odd item was produced by Gibson during the early 1930s. It was meant as both a place card and a napkin holder. I’m not sure how receptive the public was to this combination as they are seldom seen today. (There was another design, an owl. Both can be seen at the bottom of page 269.) The actual selling price was $110. I feel the buyer received a solid deal.
Amidst the too-many listings of new items on eBay since they took away the ability to differentiate vintage from new, it is a joy to view an exceedingly rare diecut. Paper is my province - I love small paper like invitations, tallies and place cards; I love larger paper like table decorations, games and diecuts. Although I collect many other market segments like lanterns and candy containers, what gets my Grinch-like heart to expand is good paper. This is good paper. Gibson’s design aesthetic was eccentric. They used a color palette significantly larger than their competitors like Beistle and to a lesser degree, Dennison. Their designs were more unusual - especially in that their diecuts were often a way to convey party messages. Gibson’s output overall, including for diecuts, was much smaller than their main competitors, which means that finding examples in collectible condition is tough. This same great seller had a Gibson “Cold Facts” diecut end this very morning. It was only the second time I had seen it available - and both times it was the actually the exact same diecut offered. (I was the prevailing bidder.) This “Right This Way” diecut with the green skeleton face and arm bone is a treasure. I’ve only seen it a few times and every time save for this listing, the hand was completely detached. Gibson wasn’t perfect - they should have a sturdier design. It’ll be fun to see what this brings. Gibson items have escalated sharply over these last few years, a market recognition of desirability and scarcity.
10-04 Update: I feel this somewhat underperformed at $1,009.
Gibson tried hard to compete with its better funded competitors like Dennison and Beistle. They developed innovative and interestingly colored small paper items that, being made in much smaller quantities than either of its two main competitors, today strongly appeal to discerning collectors. I haven’t seen this stunt place card design surface all that often. I hope it does well.
07/28 Update: It sure did well, selling for $403.99. Who wants mine for $400 plus shipping?
Gibson produced a solid array of diecut designs that cede little to nothing in creativity to either Dennison or Beistle. This simple yet compelling design is a great example. Produced during the 1930s, Gibson issued identical designs in white and orange. I sold the white version in March’s auction. It fetched $305. (The auction, an anticipated event by collectors, happens in March and is open only to those who have purchased a copy of my third edition from me.) This is a nice example. It’ll be fun to see what it brings.
This Gibson fortune game is mammoth relative to virtually all other games. (Gibson had a penchant for size. Their Whoo’s Whoo? and Remember I’ve 9 Lives drawing games, which you can see on page 22, are huge, too.) I appreciate the fun-factor of this game as well as Gibson’s cleverness in finding ways to re-use previously made artwork. (I feel the Wise Up! diecut shown on page 168 was an adaptation of the fortune game.) As I wrote in very early 2016, I’ve seen this game precious few times. I was lucky to acquire a complete example in near-perfect condition in February 2016. Any others I have seen were in problematic condition. The condition of this example is the best I’ve seen save for the one now in the collection. Although this one is far from perfect as detailed by the great seller, it may be the best that someone could acquire for years. A significant drawback is the fact that this is framed. I recommended that the framing be dispensed with but the consignor resisted that suggestion. If I were a prospective buyer, I would want to examine the reverse and be assured that it could be removed from the framing without further damage. The seller sagely helped lessen the framing issue by offering free shipping, a not inconsiderable concession. It will be fun and interesting to see what this fetches!
04/07 Update: I was surprised this sold for a relative song - $469. The buyer, a long-time, discerning collector, got a rare bargain in these times of typically over-heated results. I feel the fact it was framed really crimped the bidding.
This is a mishmash of a lot. The box once contained autumn leaf seals, not anything shown. The witches were produced by Gibson, the middle row by a manufacturer unknown to me and the bottom row are Dennison items. Everything was made during the 1920s, so the seller’s date is off by several decades.
This lantern was produced by Gibson during the 1920s. They used a grade of construction paper that is rather unforgiving - meaning that once you have assembled the lantern, woe to you if you dissemble and re-assemble it. The soft paper will often just crunch up and then split and drop off. If you obtain one, it is best to leave it unassembled. I’ve learned the hard way! :)
