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first cast in a rubber mold, then tree pins don't really seem to take up much room. Most
polished and electroplated. average just two inches in height and can be conveniently
Following attachment of the clasp stored in drawers on flat cushioned trays. Those who'd
mechanism by metal press or like to enjoy their pins on a daily basis can display them
soldering, the pin is hand-enam- in velvet-lined shadow boxes or pin them on vintage
eled, and, at last, its tiny gleaming dress forms.
gems are firmly affixed. The result: Thanks to the internet, what was once a seasonal
a Christmas tree pin that’s proudly hobby now provides collecting fun year-round. So,
present-worthy. if you find yourself brimming with Christmas
As with much costume jewelry, spirit on the 4th of July, just go online, and let
it’s often impossible to credit every the tree hunt begin!
Christmas tree pin to a specific You might, however, find yourself
designer. Many were the work of temporarily distracted by other bright shiny
European craftsmen, immigrating objects: tiny standing jeweled trees; framed trees
to the United created from abandoned fragments of costume
States after jewelry; and, of course, plenty of other holiday-
World War II. themed pins. Santas. Snowmen. Carolers,
Used to working candy canes, and partridges perched
with precious (where else?) in pear trees. With so Hobé silver tree with red
Weiss tree with signature curved tree stones and met- many choices, you may want to start stones, $50-75
base, $50-75
als, but going donning those holiday pins a bit
where the jobs were, they adapted their talents to the earlier ... say, perhaps, on the day after Christmas.
creation of superior costume jewelry.
While some tree pins, such as those by Weiss, bear
clearly engraved markings, others were identified only [tÑÑç [ÉÄ|wtçá4
by labels or paper tags that have long since disappeared.
Additionally, import replicas of many authentic pieces
continue to pop up with unfortunate regularity. Photo Associate: Hank
Happily, avid collectors have managed to track down Kuhlmann
the sources of many original pins. That information is Christmas tree pins courtesy of
now readily available in collector guides and on De Wittstruck
such websites as Pinterest. Although it’s still a “buyer Donald-Brian Johnson is the
beware” market, the novice pin buyer now at least has co-author of numerous books on
a fighting chance. design and collectibles, including
Pearl tree, unmarked, $10-15 Postwar Pop, a collection of his
columns. Christmas is, hands
Branching Out down, his favorite holiday.
Once upon a time, Christmas tree pins could easily be found among Please address inquiries (or
the jumble of inexpensive costume jewelry on a dealer's “make me an holiday greetings) to:
offer” table. Many were, after all, pieces that were donaldbrian@msn.com
originally sold in dime stores, often for less than a
dollar. Nowadays, most dealers know what
they have, and most collectors know what
they’re looking for, so prices reflect this.
While it’s still possible to find lovely
vintage pins for under twenty dollars,
unique pieces, such as Alexis
Bittar’s jeweled Lucite
trees, can run into the
hundreds. Rare vintage
pieces may sell in the
thousands. Those looking for pin bargains,
however, can still often find them at garage sales of
personal belongings (although you may have to elbow
aside other determined collectors and eagle-eyed
dealers). Regardless of the source, condition
is all-important. While missing rhinestones
on an inexpen-
sive pin can easily
be replaced with-
out affecting the
value, dented, bent, rusted, or extensive-
ly paint-flaked Christmas tree pins
have little monetary or visual appeal.
Christmas tree pins are the ideal
collectible for those who don’t like
to see good things come to an
end. Don’t worry: you won’t.
Thousands of pins were made,
and, as noted, thousands
Fused glass tree by Sherry remain readily available. And,
Seeh, $10-20 no matter how many you have,
Holiday tree of a different type:
pear tree pin with (what else?)
18 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
a partridge! Art, $20-30