Ed Klapmeier

Here is a fine and RARE piece of Western jewelry from the 1950s. You won't come across many of these!

Ed Klapmeier of Montana was especially known for his belt buckle creations and his use of natural agate, where he carefully chose cuts that looked like landscapes. This is not a belt buckle, however, it is a brooch / necklace. Thus, a rarer find.

This gorgeous piece is set in sterling silver and adorned with a lovely rope chain. Stamped 'Klapmeier Sterling' on the back. The roped chain is marked "Sterling B.A.B." Chain measures about 16 1/4" long. Pendant measures 2 1/4" wide by about 1 1/2" tall.

Klapmeier's work is well sought after and his belt buckles go for $1,000 to $2,000 and up.

 

Here are some examples of his belt buckles:

 

 

 

 

Eight Track (8 Track) Tapes Can Be Worth More Than You Think!

We come across eight-track (8 track, Stereo 8) tapes fairly often at sales we're working on and sales we attend. Generally, these little gems are tough to sell. However, did you know that some are worth quite a bit of money?

Car demo tapes can bring a surprising amount of money. Demo tapes were included with cars that came with an eight track tape player. For example, this 1969 Camaro Z28 RS / Chevelle SS car demo eight-track, with brochure, recently sold for $499.99 on eBay!

When cassette tapes became a threat, folding eight-track tapes were made in order to compete with the smaller format. These were introduced sometime around 1969 and were in production for only a few months. They are a rare find and because most people don't know to look for them, you might be able to obtain them for a fraction of what they are worth to collectors!

This Quad Q8/4 Channel Demonstration Tape #51-3201 by Radio Shack / Tandy Corp. often brings $75 or more.

Factory sealed eight-track tapes, blank ones even, can fetch a decent amount of dough as well.

This 1970 Cuda Challenger dash trim bezel for eight-track player recently sold for $201.49 on eBay!

 

This vintage 1970s Weltron AM/FM Radio / 8 Track Player, restored, recently sold for $449.95 on eBay. Who would have guessed?!

Iron Maiden's 'The Number of the Beast' (# 8XT-12202) is highly sought after. It usually brings about $200 at auction and shows.

The least collectible Beatles eight-tracks often start at an average value of $16.00 and can go way upwards from there. Factory sealed ones will bring more money.

Frank Zappa eight-tracks, and heck, Zappa on other formats, can be highly collectible.

I could go on and on. Get yourself familiar with these vintage goodies and perhaps you can enjoy the adventure of collecting something new, or at least supplement your income by investing for resale.

Mystery Item

We recently came across this item at a sale we were working on. When we found it, both pieces were fitted into one another as to make a box. I do not believe it to be a box because both pieces are stamped "Made in Japan," for one. If it was a box, only one piece would likely be stamped. Made of a wood I am unfamiliar with, with what appears to be a hand made comb design, I have not been able to pinpoint what this item's purpose was exactly.

Some suggested a cricket box or a horse comb. We've ruled those out.

What do you think?

 

UPDATE: It's a Shaker comb.

In Weeks To Come....

Welcome! In the weeks to come we will start sharing our experiences in the estate sale arena, will post repurposing ideas, cleaning tips, trivia, general information, and more!