An EBAY Mix-up

[Ammersee]

Several years ago, I was watching a group of EK2's about to close. There were over 20 crosses from a single seller, each auction ending 5 minutes apart. I picked out one I liked, put in a bid, and won the cross below for $41 plus postage.

Can you tell who the maker was?

The crosses all had tags and numbers and I didn't anticipate any problems getting the right cross. Wrong!

[Ammersee]

When the package arrived and I opened it, I was disappointed to see that I got this cross, which was the wrong one.

I emailed the seller and he was apologetic when he replied. He said he was dying of cancer and had to sell his collection. He had his daughter help him out by taking care of mailing the ebay crosses. He said that was a big mistake as almost all were mixed-up. He said his health wouldn't allow him to straighten out the mess so he decided to refund all the money and the buyers could keep the cross they got by mistake for free.

Soon, a money order arrived with my $41 + postage. I cashed it, purchased another money order and sent it back to him with a note. I got a good cross for $41 so couldn't complain.

[Ammersee]

I've had this cross for a couple of years now. The more I look at it, the more I like it. It's a marked 800, has good paint save for a couple of small scratches on the front, and nice undisturbed patina on the frame. The beading is so crisp that it looks almost new. The ribbon is perfect and looks like it has been with the cross since the first day.

Here are close ups of what is now one of my favorites. Ammersee

[rbminis]

Well done!

[kriztof]

Hi Amersee

Is the first cross still in your possession? From what I can see, I think you may have an unusual one there. The crown looks unfamiliar but I can't really tell from the photo provided. If you still have it could you post a larger shot front and reverse please.

The 800 is nice too.


Chris

[Ammersee]

Chris,
The first cross is the one that I won, the second is the one that was shipped to me by mistake. I never saw the first one in my hand, and this is the only pic I have of it. I wonder who the maker was... Ammersee

[streptile]

Hi Ammersee,

I associate that core (2nd cross) with KO, but the frame doesn't seem a match to the ones I am familiar with from that maker. I think it's a nice cross.

By the way, it's an interesting story. I can just imagine the daughter not ever thinking that there was any appreciable difference between the crosses she was packing up, and sending everyone the wrong one. I try think about my sister or my ex-wife having to part out my collection, and I imagine the same thing happening. For this reason I keep my crosses pretty well labeled and cross-referenced in a word document.

[Gesundheit]

Looks like you did pretty good for $41.
I sold multiples of near identical items before, each individually listed and pictured, and you really have to get a system going to keep them from getting mixed up.

[Kelly w]

I want that ribbon, please?