Let me start by saying that this Money Maker post is kind of crushing for me. It was the SECOND time (first being that whole Goonies poster thing) in which I let a crazy valuable treasure slip out from under me.
In this case, I was out sale-ing with my mom and dad. My dad picked up this old felt strand of pennants that featured SEC college football teams. When I saw him carrying it, I knew immediately that he had scored big. I sold a similar garland in the past for almost $60, and paid $3 for it.
Because my dad is a saint, he kept saying, “You take it. You sell it. I’m too busy to sell it. Really, come on, you take it.” And because I am also a saint, I refused.
Well, turns out, I should’ve taken it (kind of like SOMEONE taking the Goonies poster I offered her)….
Anyway, my dad bought the garland for $4. Here is what it sold for:
In case it isn’t clear enough, that says TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS. Unreal.
I asked my dad to message the buyer and find out what the deal was with this thing. The buyer wrote back and said:
The SEC football conference goes way back. Sewanee College was once in the SEC, they dropped out in 1940 (They are NOT on your string). Tulane left the SEC in 1966, they ARE on your string, and Ga Tech left the SEC in 1964, they ARE also on your string. What you have is 10 teams that are STILL IN THE SEC, plus Tulane and Ga Tech who are NOT presently in the SEC. A string with the ten schools who are still in the SEC, and does NOT include Tulane and Ga Tech would have some interest, but not as much as the one you have. Since Sewanee is NOT on your list, it must be after 1940, and since Ga Tech left in 1964, your string MUST HAVE BEEN MADE between 1941 and 1963. Personally I believe it is from the 1950’s. I too was surprised at how much it went for, I paid right at my maximum bid, another $5.00 and I would have lost out. But having said that, I needed it for my collection, so I am more than a little happy to have acquired it. Thanks for listing it, and find us pennant collectors some more good finds. A sincere thank you, Ron
So hey y'all, go find a bunch of these now and sell them, because it is totally worth it.
-Erin