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By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

cherenschnitte is a paper cutting art form. It was known to the Collecting Tip:
ancient Chinese and others, and it became popular again in the early
S1800s, especially in the Pennsylvania area. A group of the pictures To get a good shine on your antique furniture, use
were sold at folk art auctions in New England about 2011 to 2019. They more rubbing, not more polish. Terry Kovel
often pictured a spread-wing eagle with lacy trim. Each was signed “G.B.
French.” They were described as the work of an artist working in the early
1800s. Other folk art theorems and watercolors were part of his signed Q. I have a 45 rpm record by the Ink Spots that has been autographed by each
work. Most were mounted in frames about 15 inches by 22 inches with member. Is it worth any money?
painted corner blocks. A. The Ink Spots, an American jazz singing group, started performing
We were surprised to learn that the scherenschnitte was made in the under that name in 1933. The group recorded for Decca Records from
20th century. The earliest we have heard about was sold in 2013. There 1939 to 1953. The members of the quartet changed several times as one
are contemporary artists making and selling pieces that are made of plain person left and another replaced him. After the group disbanded in 1954,
paper or are cut paper pictures with added paint. But we have not learned many other groups used the name. Vinyl records are collected, and many
who G.B. French was. The old schnerenschnitte pictures sell for about collectors want autographed albums. Some autographed albums sell for a
$500 to $800, but few hundred dollars and some for several thousand dollars. The value
the piece pictured depends on the condition, desirability, rarity of the album, the singer’s or
here and identified as group’s fame, and authenticity of the signatures. Value may depend on
20th century brought which album you have or who the members were at that time. Check with
only $40 at a Hess a local store that sells used vinyl records to get an idea of rarity and value.
Auction Group sale.
The Ink Spots are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, so the autographs
Scherenschnitte is a special add value, perhaps as much as $150.
type of German paper ***
cutting art, and old and
new examples are both Q. I’d like your estimate of the value of a magic lantern. It’s marked “Made
seen at auctions. This in Germany 1905, EP series 8” and is complete, including the metal chimney,
modern example sold canister with lenses, reflector, chimney, fuel canister and three hurricane
for just $40. shades. It also has 21 glass slides with various scenes.
A. Magic lanterns were invented in the 1650s. The lantern projects
images that are painted, printed or photographically reproduced on glass
ompany logos are a quick message to customers that identify a plates onto a wall or screen. Traveling showmen used them in the 1700s
product on a store shelf or in an ad on TV explaining quality or to entertain crowds. By the 1800s, they were popular in homes as well as
Cimprovements. Very few have been changed but many have been in theaters. Early lanterns were lit by candles or oil. By the 1800s, lanterns
updated for a more modern look. were lit by kerosene or gas, and later, by electric lights. Magic lanterns
The clothing, hairdos and changes in the style of the letters have made were made for children in the 1800s and early 1900s. Ernst Plank
the Morton’s Salt girl or the Quaker Oats man look like contemporary Company, a toy maker in Nuremberg, Germany, made your magic
customers, not an old-fashioned product. The logo showing the Morton’s lantern. The company stopped making magic lanterns in the 1920s, but
girl holding an umbrella has been used since 1914 with at least seven other companies continued making them. Tens of thousands of magic
changes, so that by her 100th birthday, she had a knee-length yellow dress lanterns were sold each year during the height of their popularity. Price
and short hair instead of braids. Look carefully at old advertising depends on condition, design and quality. Slides are priced by the value
collectibles and examine the changes to help determine age. of the picture. A child’s toy sells for as little as $50. An expensive machine
Recently a Sherwin-Williams cabinet used to store paintbrushes was used by adults sells for about $200 to $400.The Magic Lantern Society of
sold at a Conestoga auction for $425. The salamander logo, first used in the United States and Canada (MagicLanternSociety.org) is a group for
the 1870s, was carved on the door dating the cabinet as an antique. The collectors of magic lanterns.
famous world globe covered with dripping paint logo replaced the ***
amphibian in 1905. It was used Q. I’d like to know if the Barbie doll I received as a child is worth anything
until 1974, dropped, then brought today. Her blond wig has lost a bit of hair at the crown. There is some kind
back in 1984. It is now sharing of stain on her arm and on one leg and some damage to her hands. I gave her
space with the company name in pierced ears. It’s hard to read the marks on her behind but it looks like “Midi
fancy letters. Online ads and new 1952 Barbie 1958 by Mattel Inc.”
ways of selling have led to many
vintage logos being updated or A. You are misreading the mark. The first Barbie dolls were made in
removed. Fakes often are made 1959. You have Midge, a doll Mattel introduced as Barbie’s best friend in
with the new logo, so collectors 1963. The first Midge dolls were marked “Midge T.M. (c)1962 Barbie
should check to see when the (c)1958 by Mattel, Inc.” The word “Patented” was added in 1964. Midge
design was changed has the same body type as Barbie and can wear the same clothes. Several

versions of Midge have been made. Price depends on condition and rarity.
The original clothing and box add value. Midge dolls with side-glancing
This wooden cabinet with decorations eyes are rare and sell for the highest prices. Your doll with some damage,
and the name Sherwin-Williams is easy hair loss and added “pierced ears” is in altered condition so is worth less
to date. A salamander is carved on the
door suggesting a date before 1905 when than $50, even though she is a first edition. A mint Midge might sell for
the logo was changed. We wonder why a $100 or more.
paint company used a salamander and
not a chameleon that changed colors.
Did the artist draw the wrong creature? continued on page 41

40 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles