Need help from the experts

[style0]

I've got an antique, carved ivory handled dirk or letter opener (that's what I used it for); that I know nothing about. There is a stylized snake or fire symbol on the tang and that's it as far as markings. It's got an antique Chinese bronze coin used as the finger guard. There is a blood channel on the non standard shaped blade. The ivory has one small crack at the hilt, but otherwise this thing is real nice. Any ideas what something like this would be worth. I'm selling my collection on ebay and this is one of my nicer pieces, and I don't want to give it away.

[jerryd6818]

Maybe you should consider keeping this one. Below find eBay regulations on selling ivory items.

Cut and pasted directly from eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/wildlife.html

Ivory or bone
Though there are a few exceptions, most ivory products can't be offered on eBay because of various international trade restrictions and treaties banning the sale of these items. You can find additional information about ivory laws below.


Restricted
Antiques that contain 5 percent or less of real ivory and were made before the year 1900 – for example:
Musical instruments with ivory keys, such as a flute, a piano, or a trumpet
Furniture with ivory inlay or ivory drawer handles, such as a cabinet, a hutch, or a desk

When selling these items:
Include a picture of the item in your listing
Specify the exact year the item was made and include the info in your listing description
Bone from non-ivory–producing animals (such as bison, buffalo, and oxen) as long as the species is clearly stated in the listing description
Cultured, man-made, or vegetable ivory as long as the listing description specifies what the item is made of



Not allowed
Bone from animals that produce ivory, including elephants, mammoths, walruses, and whales
Carved and uncarved ivory
Fossilized ivory
Manufactured items with more than 5 percent of actual ivory such as:
Canes
Chess pieces
Figurines
Jewelry
Scrimshaw
Raw ivory

[style0]

Thanks for the info, you've kept me from doing one of my usual F ups.

[style0]

Is there any way to sell vintage ivory items with no known date of manufacture like this? Craigslist etc?

[tjmurphy]

If you want to sell on Ebay, give it a shot. Mis-spell the word IVORY and call it IVY or IVOR or some such. I think that their bloodhound programs search for key words like IVORY, SWITHCBLADE, AUTOMATIC KNIFE, etc.

[style0]

Thanks TJ, I agree. BTW I notice you playing a guitar in your avatar. I'm one of those guys too. My #1 is a 1994 Martin HD-28 GM LSH.

[tjmurphy]

Hey style0. The one in the avitar is a 2002 HD-28V. I sold that one and now my working guitar is a 2008 HD-28, really nice. My only other Martin is a 2009 D-18 75th Anniversary LE. I don't recognize the "GM" designation but do recognize the "Large Sound Hole". Do you notice any difference between the regular and large?

[style0]

Yes it lets some of the treble out. It's not a harsh treble, but it balances out that huge rosewood rumble real nice. The GM stands for Grand Marquis. I think they are making some guitars with that moniker again. This was Martins first try at a Tony Rice type modification, and I really like it. It makes me play just like Tony. . . NOT!

It's a little fancy for my tastes, but the sound and playability is "it" for me.

I don't want to post a pic on here seeing as it a frigging guitar, but here's a link to a picture of it.

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j46 ... /hd28f.jpg

[tjmurphy]

The finger board, bridge and head stock, is that all after-market custom or is that how it came? Great looking guitar.

[style0]

The finger board, bridge and head stock, is that all after-market custom or is that how it came? Great looking guitar.

That's how it came. There were only about 200 of them made, and are getting real hard to find. I hope mine never needs replacement.

[tjmurphy]

Unless you run over it with a truck, it will last many life-times. Again, nice guitar