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From: Walt Vogdes
Remote Name: 68.116.18.62
Date: 09/01/2003
Time: 03:47:14 PM
An excellent question! Most of the glass steins shown on pages 193-197 of "The Beer Stein Book" can be considered one-of-a-kind. In some cases there are comparables, but in general these pieces have to be considered on their own merit. Condition, of course, is always a major factor, and the valuations for all of these steins are predicated upon mint condition. Other factors which enter into the estimate are age, quality and degree of cutting, subject matter, mounts and size. The age, subject matter and mounts of the stein you mention are not unusual. The cutting is deep (see the contours in the profile of the left edge of the illustration) and apparently judged to be very fine. The size is unusual - 0.75 liters - and of course, a larger body will show nice cutting just that much better.
This particular stein has an interesting history. It was offered for sale in the Gary Kirsner auction of July 3, 1999, with a pre-auction estimate of $1800-2200. I was one of the surprised onlookers in the room when the bidding just went up and up and up. Two bidders, both in the room, had decided that they had to have this stein and it was hammered down at $6750. After adding the 15% premium, the buyer paid $7762.50! I believe both bidders as well as others in the room would acknowledge that this was well over any ratinally determined value. We can assume that Kirsner also felt that way, since in the 2000 edition of "The Beer Stein Book" he did not let this rogue auction dictate his valuation, increasing his auction estimate of this stein more modestly to $2500-3500.
In Kirsner's auction of January 23, 2000 he offered another 0.75 liter, ruby flashed and cut scene of stags with pre-auction estimate of $2500-3500. This example was not as deeply cut as the first, and we can assume that the two bidders for that stein were not competing for this one, as it was sold for $2000 plus 15%.
As to where to go to get a clear picture of valuations on this and similar steins - we are left to rely upon "The Beer Stein Book", "The Beer Stein Library" and assorted auction catalogs, plus our individual knowledge and judgment. Just hope that when you find one you really, really want, there is not someone else in the room with the same idea!