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Search for Moon and Star Glass on ebay
Our Dining Room
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About Us
Hello,
My name is Herb Hogue. I have created this site, because of the lack of information available on the web for Moon and Star pattern glass. I have been actively collecting this glass for few years.
How did I get started?
This is my story:
In the summer of 1998 my wife, Jeanne, and I were into going to auctions and estate sales. Every Saturday and Sunday we would head out to explore the world of antiques, collectibles, and junk. We were not looking for anything in particular. We enjoyed watching the people bidding, visiting with friends, and getting the occasional bargain.
One day Jeanne decided she had to have a set of silver-plated flatware, we found at an auction. It was in great condition and we bought it cheaply. We then bought her a standup silver chest. Big mistake!! Now, she wanted to fill it. I should have known, the same thing happened with the jewelry armoire I bought her. Some of us never learn. We picked up several more sets of silver plated flatware, and then she decided we needed some sterling flatware.
One day in July, we found an auction in the paper with a set of sterling in a pattern she liked. That Saturday we got up early and drove three hours to the auction house. We looked over all the merchandise, including the sterling. Wouldn't you know my luck; the pattern listed in the paper was wrong. The pattern was one of my favorites, but is usually twice the price of what we were after. We tried to get it, but were out bid.
Since, I got up early and drove so far, I wasn't going home empty handed. When this sugar and creamer set came up for bid, I decided I liked the pretty blue color (colonial blue), so I bid on it. I got the set for $17. I figured I got off cheap since that was the only thing we bought.
Well I showed it to my mother, and a friend of hers who owns a local flea market. Her friend said the pattern was called Moon and Star. I started looking for any information, but found very little. I found a few references in generic price guides, but nothing very detailed. The search continues.
A few months later, I saw an auction that listed Moon and Star glass, in the paper. That weekend, I headed to the auction. I was in heaven, there were about 20 pieces and most were colonial blue. Well, my luck held true, they started on the tables on the other side of the yard. I waited and waited. Finally, they got to the last section of tables. I was poised to bid. Of course, they started at the wrong end of the table. I only had to wait about another hour. Now the time to bid was upon me.
The first item was a pair of colonial blue candlesticks. I figured I would start the bidding at $10, but it started at $25, and sold for $60. Wow!!! I didn't even get to bid. Remember I am looking for bargains. There were plenty of more pieces to choose from. The next item was a colonial blue oval butter dish. Well, I had to have that piece. I at least got to bid once on that item, I bid $50, and it sold for $70. Rats!!! The same person bought this one.
Well at that moment the auctioneer decided to take a break, and I started talking to one of the other bidders. She happened to been a collector for several years. She told me about a book written by George & Linda Breeze. She was interested in only one piece, a 10" miniature oil lamp. I asked about the price of the items sold, and she said they were a bit high. I felt better after that.
The auction started again, so I was ready to pounce. Now for sale was a set of four green canisters. I wasn't collecting green at the time, so I didn't bid. It sold for $95. The items kept selling for more than I wanted to pay. This was frustrating. Next to the last item was the opalescent blue miniature oil lamp was up for sale. I was going to go as high as $100; after all, most of the stuff was gone. The opening bid turned out to be $100. Foiled again. It sold for $225. Last was a single crystal wineglass. My last chance, I got it for $17.50. All of the pieces but four were bought by the same person. She was just starting her collection.
I got home and showed Jeanne my wineglass. She was not impressed with my victory.
I started looking for the book, but to no avail. I tried many antique stores, but could not find it. Then I heard about eBay. I found the book, being sold by the authors. I recommend this book highly. I was amazed at how many different pieces are available. I have used eBay to add to my collection as well. However, I am still looking for the bargains, so I don't get many pieces.
Remember that cheap sugar and creamer for $17. Well, it wasn't a cheap as I thought. It has started me on a path of collecting. Several hundreds of dollars later, I now have around 100 pieces. So much for cheap, but it sure is a lot of fun.
This is the first thing I have ever really collected. I have recently started to collect fantasy swords and knives.
Jeanne collects many things. She only collects one thing at a time. Then she quits that collection and starts another. She still has all of her collections. She never gets rid of anything.
That's my story.
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