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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: talesofthesevenseas on November 16, 2012, 12:56:31 PM

Title: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on November 16, 2012, 12:56:31 PM: This Craigslist ad has me intrigued. This seller claims that this is an original bell from a California Mission and is asking for $75K or an equivalent trade (he suggests a private island in the south pacific, LOL!) First off, I don't think there are any California missions that sold off their bells. The details look too ornate for something that would go up in a bell tower and I don't recall ever seeing a mission bell with Jesus on it. I don't think the ornate stuff would be condusive to producing a clear tone, but I don't know for sure. Looking at the interior, although I see patina and the wear marks in the patina on the clapper look good, why don't we see the same on the bell's interior? The patina looks inconsistant and does not seem to follow a 200 year old pattern of wear and use.
The metal looks too pitted to be a musical instrument designed to be struck hard and vibrate, even if it is 200 years old. How come Jesus isn't pitted too? It looks to small to be a mission bell. This looks like a fake to me and I'm wondering what you guys think:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/3404252661.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/3404252661.html)

Amazing Historic 1811 Mission Bell! - $75000 (danville / san ramon)

Here is an incredible 1811 Spanish California church bell!

201 years old!

Authentic in every way!

NOT A REPRODUCTION!

I have been a connoisseur of fine antiques for over 30 years and this
is a once in a lifetime object of beauty and extreme historical importance.

It would behoove someone to donate this to a museum and share it magnificence with the world.

I may consider a trade of equal value such as a private island in the south pacific.

Send your contact info and I will send more pics.

Call Steve to arrange an inspection.

I may consider trades and cash or equal value in land, cars, boats, jewelery.

(http://images.craigslist.org/3n83L63Fa5N45R45J5cbc385e9f42359512c5.jpg)
(http://images.craigslist.org/3E33G53Mf5N25G15H5cbcbbdb0283b9171ebd.jpg)
(http://images.craigslist.org/3E83K43H65Nb5F65S1cbcea689d4a12cd16f1.jpg)
(http://images.craigslist.org/3K13Fb3Ia5I35N65J6cbc2c39d23169bc1a37.jpg)

(http://images.craigslist.org/3Eb3Le3N75If5Ga5E8cbc4ac7aa2eaa501f59.jpg)
(http://images.craigslist.org/3I33Ff3N55Le5F15J9cbcb36387471a2f1a85.jpg)
(http://images.craigslist.org/3Fb3Id3Ha5Ld5Ga5Mecbce13972d0ee881ac1.jpg)
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: greenacres on November 16, 2012, 01:25:06 PM: Trade for an island, lol. I don't know I could trust the person. I would want a hands on inspection and documentation for that kind of money.
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: ghopper1924 on November 16, 2012, 01:40:43 PM: It's got to be a joke.
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: bigwull on November 16, 2012, 03:13:49 PM: If he,s looking for an Island....i know where there,s one for sale....its in the middle of our local duck pond....
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: Rauville on November 16, 2012, 07:30:02 PM: I poked around the following site for awhile and found it interesting...

http://www.americanbell.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4906 (http://www.americanbell.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4906)
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: mart on November 16, 2012, 07:58:28 PM: Thanks Rauville !! We had a person a while back post a similar bell !! I had not seen that article !!
My question would be,, why would any sane person give that much for a tiny bell with no documentation !! And why would a person with 30 years exp. expect it ?? A dealer of antiques should know what they sell and be able to prove it !! And why doesn`t this person donate it to a museum if its so great ???
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: greenacres on November 16, 2012, 08:37:22 PM: Craigslist should investigate these types of posts. This is a scam, and should be looked into by Craigslist.
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: fancypants on November 16, 2012, 10:36:10 PM: A real con a sewer bell !
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: rockandrollrods on November 17, 2012, 02:46:24 AM: A con or an idiot. But either way, the seller is full of (pick your favorite animal) manure. The California Missions typically had only one large bell in the tower above the chapel. Most of them never had the money to buy frivolous things like "extra" bells. This seller is either as stupid as a bag of rocks, or a lousy con artist.
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: frogpatch on November 17, 2012, 10:21:00 AM: Who in their right mind would list a valuable treasure on Craigslist? "Where do you live? I will meet you half way to see it in person in the middle of nowhere." There are auction houses for this sort of thing. He is not afraid of being robbed because he is probably a robber. Or a fool.
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: bigwull on November 17, 2012, 10:34:06 AM: maybe he,s hoping that an ideal buyer will come along...with white stick in hand and a guide dog on a leash...
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: fancypants on November 17, 2012, 12:09:06 PM: But then again (being semi-generous...) , this may be the dinner bell @ the mission where he's staying ....
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: greenacres on November 17, 2012, 01:38:17 PM: Or a prison bell! ;D
Title: Re: Just for fun: Craigslist Fake? What do you think?
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on November 18, 2012, 02:08:57 AM: Interesting info on that site Rauville!