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By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

uses were used for transportation
Collecting Tip:
as early as the 1820s, long before
Bthe modern motor was invented. Be sure to take off and save any labels on your pieces of Terry Kovel
They had horse-power – live horses glass. Wash away any glue. The acid in the labels will
pulled the bus. By the 1830s, buses permanently etch the glass.
were powered by steam, and in 1882,
the first electric bus was introduced. Q. I have a beautiful vase that belonged to my grandmother. She died in 1944,
But the toy bus made after 1895 so I assume the vase is very old. It has large pink roses on it with tints of green
often resembled tourist buses used in a and yellow. The bottom is marked “Belleek” over what looks like a twisted snake
few large cities. It had a motor. The and the word “Willets” underneath. What can you tell me about it?
tourist bus had seats inside and out; if This toy tourist bus was made about A. This mark was used by Willets Manufacturing Co., a company in
the weather was nice, riders could 1910 by the Kenton Hardware Co. in business in Trenton, New Jersey, from 1879 until about 1912. The twisted
climb the stairs to go up to the top seats Ohio. Not all of the passengers were part snake forms the letter “W,” Willets made porcelain, semi-porcelain, granite-
where tall buildings could be admired. of the original toy, but suitable replace- ware and majolica, but is best known for its Belleek, which was made from
There was no cover for the top. ments had been found. It is a rare toy, so 1887 until at least 1909. Its successor, New Jersey China Pottery Co., made
rare it auctioned for a little over $1,000
The Kenton Hardware Co. in
Kenton, Ohio, made many small cast iron household items such as bookends, Belleek marked with the Willets name until c.1914. Willets Belleek vases
that are about 10 inches tall sell for $150 to $250.
doorstops, small figures, ashtrays, cooking utensils, and toys. A double-decker
tourist bus was made in about 1900, followed by a second version in 1910. An ***
orange one sold for $1,020 at a Bertoia auction in spite of seven replacement Q. I have a mug that says “Remembrance of the 34 Reunion of the GAR (Grand
figures with old paint. Many old iron toys have been copied; original toys Army of the Republic), Chicago, Aug. 26-30, 1900.” It has an American flag
should have a smooth, not bumpy, bottom. The seams between the molded and eagle on the front and a five-star badge with “Veteran of the Grand Army
parts must be tight and jointed with slotted screws. And most old toys have of the Republic” written on it. Does this have any value?
the maker’s name impressed in the mold.
A. The Grand Army of the Republic was an organization for Union Army
veterans who fought in the Civil War. It was founded in 1866 and dissolved
lexander Calder (1898-1976) is best known for his sculpture mobiles, in 1956 after the last member died. The GAR established soldiers’ homes
although he also did paintings, jewelry, and large outdoor statues. He and orphanages, lobbied Congress to pass pension legislation for veterans,
Awas the first artist to make a new type of statue of wire and metal that advocated voting rights for Black veterans and promoted a national
was assembled so it moved with each gust of wind. His creations sell for memorial day honoring those who died in the war.
thousands of dollars, but at one time, you could have bought a small rug Thousands of posts were established in cities and small towns. National
designed by Calder for much less. encampments were held annually. The last, the 83rd, was held in 1949.
In 1972, there was an earthquake in Nicaragua and Guatemala that killed Mugs sell for $50 to $200 depending on condition and age.
hundreds of people. A group of artists formed a relief fund, and each artist ***
contributed art made in a limited edition of 100. The art was sold, and the
money used for the earthquake victims. Q. I have a hardback copy of the book Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard, illustrated by
Calder drew 14 designs for a rug or tapestry and a limited edition of each Bob Kuhn and published by Grosset & Dunlap. The copyright date is 1945.
was made by weavers in Guatemala from local fibers. He adjusted the It was one of the first books given to me when I was a kid. I think it’s at least 61
pattern to use the beige maguey fiber and local weaving styles. Many of the years old. The book is in fair to good condition. Is it worth preserving or should
rugs are in museums today. In 2014, “Moon,” one of the Guatemala Calder I let my four grandchildren read it?
rugs, sold for $16,250. In 2017, a faded limited edition rug brought $4,688. A. The book Big Red was first published by Holiday House in 1945 and
originally sold for $2. Grosset & Dunlap was one of several companies that
published reprints. The book is still in print and more than a million copies
Condition has become the most important have been sold. It was made into a movie produced by Walt Disney Studios
feature when determining price. Fame, rarity in 1962. Value depends on rarity, condition and the dust jacket. First edition
and history are also considered when setting a
price. Sometimes a price is high because there copies sell for high prices, but you don’t have the first edition which was
are two determined bidders. This maguey fiber published by Holiday House. Hardcover copies of Big Red sell from $5 to
tapestry, “Moon,” after Alexander Calder, sold about $47. If your book is only in fair condition, the value is at the low end.
at a Rago auction in 2017 for $4,688 You should let your grandchildren enjoy reading it.

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States.
Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
CURRENT PRICES
Toy, chest, wooden, Federal, walnut, pine, four drawers Toy, seal, plush, ride on, metal base with four Glass-contemporary, vessel, Seaform, clear, pink &
with pulls, fluted stiles, Tennessee, salesman’s spoked wheels, cast iron hoop handle, Steiff, 15 x 31 white wavy bands, black lip wrap, Dale Chihuly,
sample, 1820s, 9 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 5 inches, $565. inches, $120. 1981, 9 3/4 x 10 x 8 inches, $3,250.
Doorstop, dog, Spaniel, seated, column & star deco- Lalique, glass decanter, Scarab, clear, frosted scarab Handel, lamp, ceiling fixture, 3-light, hanging,
ration around base, pottery, Rockingham glaze, East panels, pinched neck, flared rim, ribbed stopper, suspended from chains, bronze, painted domed glass
Liverpool, Ohio, 1800s, 11 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches, $375. etched Lalique France, 9 x 5 inches, $405. shades, signed, 14 x 18 inches, $2,500.
Staffordshire, platter, blind boy & mother in garden Phonograph, record player, The Beatles, four speeds, Aluminum, bench, cast end supports, oak slats, two on
setting, pottery, blue transfer underglaze, c.1850, 15 x brown & tan case, allover Beatles portraits, Portadyne back, four on seat, painted, Cedar Point Amusement
20 inches, $250. U.K., 1964, 11 x 14 x 5 inches, $2,125. Park, Ohio, 1900s, 30 x 48 x 26 inches, $595.

Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer questions sent to the column. By sending a letter with a question and a picture, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names,
addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The amount of mail makes personal answers or
appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, (Journal of Antiques & Collectibles), Kovels.com P.O. Box 23192, Beachwood, Ohio 44122.
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