Page 11 - Nov 2020 JOA

waistband of the skirt. Otherwise, this fine dress is of museum quality. The interest of potential collectors. This dress has them all in spades. Fifteen
bodice has a bust of 32 inches, shoulders 14 1/2 inches, waist 25 inches, bidders placing 92 bids is impressive, and it appears that the resulting sale
length 27 inches. The skirt has a 25-inch waist; the length is 62 inches in the price is probably in the retail realm even though it was sold at auction.
back, and the front is 40 inches. (Photos courtesy of eBay seller e-warrior.) I have found examples from that era that realized above $1,000. I was able
to find a spectacular Victorian bustle dress on 1stdibs.com at retail
PH: Vintage clothing and accessories can be quite collectible. As with the for $3,890, and at Etsy tan silk Victorian dress labeled H. L. Shaefer, 1893,
original owner, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Along with beauty, for $850 retail.
quality, condition, and provenance go a long way in driving the price and

$715 (20 bids, 11 bidders): 19th C. Antique P.B. Laskey Mfg. Patented brand, patent 1886, reported in 2015 at Conestoga Auctions for $275;
Ribbon Candy-Making Crimper Machine. Patented in 1886 by the P.B. and a Champion brand, also patented in 1886, sold at Proxibid for
Laskey Mfg. Co. of Marblehead, Massachusetts, this 19th century ribbon $210. The completeness of the Laskey example may account for the higher
candy crimper machine is in complete, original working condition. It price realized.
comes in the 12 by 12 by 5 inch wooden box which still retains the original
instructions on the underside of the cover. The folding 3-piece ramp has a
gear-driven double spring, which feeds the candy into the ribbon crimper.
In our photographs, you can see some light, expected surface wear to this
machine and box; however, there are no problems or any repairs! (Photos
courtesy of eBay seller wwolst12.)

PH: Ribbon candy appears to have originated in Europe several centuries
ago. In the 19th century, confectioners began to make it look like
Christmas ribbon and used it to decorate and to encourage buyers
at Christmas.
While originally made by wrapping around the fingers, in the 1880s
crimping machines were developed to make the process quicker and the
product more uniform. The resulting candy is thin, glossy, flavored, and
pretty, but shatters when bitten and will become sticky or stuck together
over time.
It appears that several makers got in on the act. Another crimper is
currently available on eBay with provenance and a “buy it now” price of
$2,250. The most recent auction sales I could locate were for a Marchs

Philip Hawkins, ISA AM, AAG is an accredited member of the International
Society of Appraisers and a founding member of the Appraisers Association of
Georgia. He can be reached via the ISA website or at 404-320-7275.

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