A reader directed my attention to a current eBay auction, offered by Auction Depot LA with a Global Antiques COA titled: “I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL METAL TEA POT +COA NO RES!”.
This seller and consignor/authenticator have already been topics of past articles:
“Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA“
“Global Antiques, Auction Depot LA – Reader Experience With “Original” Casablanca Prop”
“I Love Lucy, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Thomas Edison, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Mark Twain, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Al Capone, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“Gone With The Wind, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA – “Original Dagger Sword””
“The Lord of the Rings, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA”
“I Love Lucy, Global Antiques, and Auction Depot LA – Silver Creamer”
As discussed in the previous articles, “Auction Depot LA” (auctiondepotla1 on eBay) offers a large number of items on a regular basis (nearly 200 items are currently live on eBay in the “Collectibles” category of their eBay store, as of the writing of this article).
These collectibles, attributed to film/television use and/or ownership by Hollywood stars and public/historic figures, are apparently consigned and authenticated by “Global Antiques” (also referred to as “City of Los Angeles Global Antiques”).
For example, many of these items are described as “original” and “authentic” props from “Gone With The Wind”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Casablanca”, “I Love Lucy”, “Star Trek”, “James Bond”, “Lord of the Rings”, and other films and television programs, as well as many collectibles and antiques marketed as owned by John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, and other classic and iconic Hollywood stars as well as objects previously owned by public figures such as Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Al Capone, Andy Warhol, and others.
The following piece is another item offered for sale to the public on eBay by Auction Depot LA, with a Certificate of Authenticity from the same source/authenticator, also described as “curator” in the listings, “City of Los Angeles Global Antiques”.
TV Prop Original Metal Tea Pot, I Love Lucy
“I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL METAL TEA POT +COA NO RES!” (eBay Item #320246019203)
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay Listing – auctiondepotla1 “I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL METAL TEA POT +COA NO RES!“
This is the marketing description for the item:
You are looking at an I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL METAL TEA POT +COA
Now is your chance to own a piece of Hollywood history!!
Product Details:
- I LOVE LUCY
- TV PROP
- ORIGINAL METAL TEA POT +COA
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you know what scene this item was featured in?
A: Since this item was pulled from a large vault of props, exact scene details are not available. It may be recognized in a scene or it could be used in production off camera.
Q: How do I know this prop is authentic?
A: Global Antiques is the curator of all of the props available for auction through Auction Depot LA. They acquire these props from collectors and studio personnel. The item is authenticated by Global Antiques after its provenance has been validated and certified. Every prop we sell is accompanied by a Silver (used in production) or Gold (personally owned property) Certificate of Authenticity. No other documents are included with the auction.Q: What does the date on the COA represent:
A: That is the year (or year range) that the item was acquired. This acquisition date may vary from the production date if it is a Film/TV prop.Q: How can I contact Global Antiques or the original owner?
A: We act as an agent for Global Antiques and would be happy to answer any other questions you have. We cannot disclose contact info for our private sellers but you are welcome to call us toll free at (877) 337-6852INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION
- I LOVE LUCY TV PROP ORIGINAL METAL TEA POT
- Certificate of Authenticity Global Antiques, Los Angeles
CONDITION
Appearance: Used during the production of the TV show: I Love Lucy. Item shows signs of use and aging. There is discoloring of the metal. (refer to pics)
DIMENSIONS
Width: 10.5″
Height: 10.5″
These are the details of the “Certificate of Authenticity (City of Los Angeles, Global Antiques)”:
The COA cites the television program “I Love Lucy Show”, “Lucille Ball – TV Prop” and “1959 to 1960”.
The narrative portion of the description opens:
Congratulations! You are the proud owner of some Hollywood memorabilia! A piece of demolished movie set.
Per Wikipedia (LINK):
I Love Lucy is a popular American situation comedy, starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957 on CBS. The show continued on for three more seasons with 13 one-hour specials, running from 1957 to 1960, known first as The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show and later in reruns as The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.
So while the “I Love Lucy” show aired between 1951-1957, their were subsequent specials that aired from 1957-1960. There was also a show titled, “The Lucy Show” that aired 1962-1968 (ref.).
In any event, given the description of the item, in order to have been employed as a “TV Prop” for “I Love Lucy”, the manufacture date would have to be 1957 or earlier.
The item offered for sale on eBay is merely described as an “original metal tea pot”, along with measurements.
However, in reviewing the photos provided of the bottom, additional information is available:
The hallmark reads: “D W HABER & SON NY” and “PAT 33994044”
Per the D.W. Haber & Son, Inc. website, habersilver.com, the company has been in business since 1902 (LINK).
The patent number imprinted on the bottom of the piece provides additional information relevant to the production date of the metal tea pot.
Conducting a search of the imprinted number – 33994044 – through the United States Patent and Trademark Office website does not yield a result. All patent numbers are assigned a seven character set, while “33994044” is eight characters.
Removing the first digit (“3”, perhaps “#” was intended?) and searching”3994044″ returns this result, with Inventor Robert H. Haber securing a patent for a hinge construction/design for “lidded vessels” such as coffee pots:
United States Patent 3,994,044
HaberNovember 30, 1976
Hinge construction for lidded vesselsAbstract
A heavy duty hinge construction for lidded vessels such as coffee pots, sugar bowls and the like, particularly suited for restaurant and other commercial environs, and adapted to withstand substantially continued use, while permitting substantially 180.degree. pivotal movement of the lid to enable washing with automatic equipment.
Inventors: Haber; Robert H. (Baldwin, NY)
Appl. No.: 05/640,695
Filed: December 15, 1975
Full details of the patent can be found here: LINK
I found on another site a patent in which another invention from Robert H. Haber in which D. W. Haber and Son, Inc. was listed as the Assignee (LINK).
Interestingly, as noted in the abstract above, the patented design allows “180 degree pivotal movement of the lid”, as seen in this photo from the auction listing:
The “year range” stated on the Global Antiques Certificate of Authenticity for the DW Haber and Son “TV Prop Original Metal Tea Pot” attributed to “I Love Lucy” is “1959 to 1960”. The series “I Love Lucy” originally ran from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957. This conflicts with the patent issue date of November 30, 1976 for Patent #3994044.
Jason De Bord