This article serves as an update and companion piece to “Part 1” published a few days ago.
The purpose of this article is to analyze a current eBay auction offered by Auction Depot LA with a Global Antiques COA titled: “ORIGINAL HARMONEY ROSE CONTAINER OWNED BY LUCILLE BALL”.
With the prior article, after performing some research, it appeared that the item being offered for sale matches contemporary pieces available at the retail store T.J. Maxx. The “Part 1” article compared the current I Love Lucy “TV Prop” with a different item from the same pattern set purchased new at retail this week.
This “Part 2” article includes a comparison of the same item (“Milk Pitcher”) from the same pattern set (“Harmony Rose”, “Antique Foley”), which I have purchased online and received and photographed today.
As addressed in the “Part 1” article, I could not find any historical example of “Antique Foley” released under the Harmony Rose branding, only “Old Foley”, which was somewhat similar, but certainly not match – in design, pattern, or company hallmark.
The following is the archived auction listing for the 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”.
This listing ended today, realizing a sales price of $67.00.
Auction Depot LA & Global Antiques – Lucille Ball eBay Auction
“ORIGINAL HARMONEY ROSE CONTAINER OWNED BY LUCILLE BALL” (eBay Item #320253524164)
High Resolution Full Auction Archive: eBay Listing – auctiondepotla1 “ORIGINAL HARMONEY ROSE CONTAINER OWNED BY LUCILLE BALL” – Completed Auction Version
This is the marketing description for the item:
You are looking at an ORIGINAL HARMONEY ROSE CONTAINER OWNED BY LUCILLE BALL + COA.
Now is your chance to own a piece of Celebrity history!!
Product Details:
- Owned by Actress, Lucille Ball.l
- Container with Handle
- by Harmoney Rose
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have any more information about this item?
A: Since this item was pulled from a large vault of celebrity property, exact details are not available. It may be recognized as something personally worn by the celebrity or it may be personal property never seen by the public.
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) 337-6852
INCLUDED IN THIS AUCTION
- ORIGINAL HARMONEY ROSE CONTAINER OWNED BY LUCILLE BALL
- Certificate of Authenticity Global Antiques, Los Angeles
CONDITION
Appearance: Used as personal property of Lucille Ball. Signs of use.
DIMENSIONS
Width: 4.75″
Height: 4″
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 Global Antiques COA description opens:
Congratulations! You are the proud owner of a relic from an American historical figure.
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.
Ms. Ball passed in 1989 (see Wikipedia), nearly 20 years ago.
The item offered for sale on eBay is merely described as a “container owned by Lucille Ball” with the manufacturer misspelled “Harmoney Rose” in each usage (rather than “Harmony Rose”), along with measurements.
Auction Depot LA’s “Vault of Celebrity Property” & T.J. Maxx’s “Home Essentials” Line
The following compares the photos and description of the Auction Depot LA piece just sold for $67.00 with the T.J. Maxx piece just purchased new at retail for $3.99.
Description of the Global Antiques piece, per the Auction Depot LA eBay listing:
Auction Depot LA / Global Antiques
“Original Harmoney Rose Container Owned By Lucille Ball”
“I Love Lucy Show”, “Lucille Ball – TV Prop”
“1959 to 1960”
“[T]his item was pulled from a large vault of celebrity property”
Description of the comparison piece:
T.J. Maxx Retail Store – “Home Essential” Department
“Harmony Rose Pitcher”
SKU #786460067110, Item #6711
Purchased New at Retail: May 2008
“Made In China”
Here is a single graphic file with side-by-side comparison photos (Click for Full Resolution, All Photos):
Here are individual photo comparisons for each shot, clickable for full resolution:
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Auction Depot LA also listed measurements in the listing – 4″ high and 4.75″ wide.
Here are measurements of the T.J. Maxx comparison piece:
Click for Full Resolution Version
As much as one can draw preliminary conclusions based on photographs and complimentary research, the two items appear to be identical, and I could find no evidence of such a piece being produced and/or in circulation at the time of I Love Lucy or during Ms. Ball’s lifetime.
Based on these findings, it would appear that Auction Depot LA (auctiondepotla1) is – at a minimum – in direct violation of eBay policy.
As reported in a past article, “eBay Policy: Authenticity Disclaimers“, eBay policy is clear:
Sellers may not disclaim knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the items offered in their listings. Sellers should take steps to ensure that their items are authentic before listing them on eBay. If a seller cannot verify the authenticity of an item, the seller is not permitted to list it.
Auction Depot LA states in their listing of this item:
Auction Depot LA is not the owner or seller of this item. We are a consignment agent acting on behalf of the seller to facilitate the sale of this item by holding the item until the auction ends.
Here is the full eBay Policy – Authenticity Disclaimers (LINK to eBay):
Higher Resolution Archive: eBay-Authenticity-Disclaimers
Here is full text of the policy:
Authenticity Disclaimers
Sellers may not disclaim knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the items offered in their listings. Sellers should take steps to ensure that their items are authentic before listing them on eBay. If a seller cannot verify the authenticity of an item, the seller is not permitted to list it.
Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:
- Listing cancellation
- Limits on account privileges
- Account suspension
- Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
- Loss of PowerSeller status
The following statements violate eBay’s Authenticity Disclaimer Policy:
- “I cannot guarantee the authenticity of this item, so please bid accordingly.”
- “Vintage Handbag Chanel???”
- “Looks like it could be a Louis Vuitton bag”
- “I believe this is painted by Degas, but can’t be sure.”
Why does eBay have this policy?
The sale of unauthorized replicas is illegal, as well as against eBay policy. Sellers who are unsure of the legality or authenticity of their items should not be selling these items on eBay. This policy helps protect buyers from purchasing counterfeit or fraudulent items, helps protect intellectual property rights owners against infringement and helps create a safer marketplace.
I believe that the evidence presented in this article, as well as the following previous articles, calls into question all of the “Entertainment Memorabilia” items authenticated by “Global Antiques” and sold on eBay by “Auction Depot LA”:
“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“
“Auction Depot LA & Global Antiques: I Love Lucy, Harmony Rose, and T.J. Maxx – Part 1“
Another article published this week reviewed the sales activity of eBay seller Auction Depot LA and their “Entertainment Memorabilia” items consigned/authenticated by Global Antiques over a two week period, based on the public eBay records:
Some of the findings of this analysis included:
- Within that two week time frame, eBay reported 361 listings ended.
- Of the 361 listings that ended in the two week period, 330 sold and 31 (less than 10%) went unsold.
- The prices realized for the 330 items sold amounted to over $15,000 (not including shipping or other charges), or an average of about $1,000 per day over the 14-day period.
- The average price realized: $46.81
Again, eBay policy states: “If a seller cannot verify the authenticity of an item, the seller is not permitted to list it.”
I have seen no material proof that any of the items Auction Depot LA lists on eBay under the “Entertainment Memorabilia” category with Global Antiques Certificates of Authenticity are authentic.
When I personally asked auctiondepotla1 questions directly through eBay’s messaging system – specific questions about authenticity – they stopped communications and blocked me from participating in their auctions.
Jason De Bord