Page 46 - JOA-Sept-2021

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Hello! I am estimating your particular
I was attending an “estate sale” in a small town and was looking at this antique/vintage wooden juice press
press. The girl told me it was her grandfather’s cider press, although I was submission as circa: 1920/1930s era
not sure about exactly what it was and how old it was, so I left it there, but and handmade. This particular press
am kicking myself now. I was going to use it as a planter, although if it seems to have a metal screw. I have seen
worked (and she said it did) I was going to use it. She just sent me a message similar older presses with wooden
saying it’s going to be at her next sale at the end of August because it did screws. It is not a hard and fast rule, but
not sell this time. Is it old? Is it a cider press? What is a good price for this? it seems that many manufactured press-
Thank you - es made from the late 1930s into the
Kaitlin present have iron or steel beams from
which the metal screw is turned. It
appears to be missing the wooden block
that fits into the basket on top of the
fruit. By the pictures, I cannot tell if
there is a handle present and overall
this press appears to be in good condi-
tion. This press should be a very func- Antique 1872 Junior cast iron
tional tool if a little TLC is given and a apple cider press
few vital pieces are restored.
If I were to see this press in the condition it is in at a well advertized
primitives auction I would expect to pay around $375, but as you
asked, a good price to offer would be under $275.
In regards to using this press – before using, this press should be
completely sanitized. If you google fruit presses, you should pull up
information as to how to properly sanitize fruit presses. I have heard of
people even purchasing stanless steel pourous basket inserts as well as
other safety food processing ideas to use in an antique juice press.
If you are going to just display this as it is, It would make a fantastic
focal point in any room it is placed. I have seen a few of these with
flowing plants placed in the baskets.
Hello Kaitlin, and congratulations on finding, what appears to be, If you plan to use this and I were to charge for my opinion on this
an antique or vintage hand built juice press. antique, I would gladly settle for a glass of Apple Jack or Cider fresh off
These presses were and are still used to separate pulp, stems, seeds, of the press!
skins and other solids (detritus) from juice. Similar presses have been David Moore CPAA
used for grapes, apples, cherries, peaches, and other fruits, as well as
olives for the oil.
These juice presses came in all diff-erent shapes and sizes (as shown
in the additional photos) but they all had the same purpose. The sepa-
ration of juice from pulp. I have heard these presses called wine presses,
jelly presses, fruit presses, apple presses,
cider presses, and a hundred other names,
but by any other name, they are simply juice
presses. Its function is simple: by placing cut
apples, pears or any other fruit into the
wooden basket, a wooden block is then
placed on top of the fruit fitting into the
boundries of the inner basket circumfirance
and then by turning the handle on top, the
screw will eventually come in contact with
the wooden block and force it into a down-
ward motion sqeezing the juice out of what A traditional cider press in New Jersey
ever is below the block in the basket. The
juice then flows from the basket into the David Moore is part of the “Ask the Experts” appraising team
wooden trough and is funneled into a con- for the Asheford Institute of Antiques where he is an Honors
An 1874 Jumbo cider press
tainer, catch bucket or jug. Some people graduate and a Certified Asheford Institute of Antiques
then prefer to strain the juice further to get any small particles that Appraiser. Mr. Moore has been buying, researching and sell-
might have slipped through the initial process. When the fruit is ing the rare and unusual in antiques for over 50 years. David
squeezed to its finale, the pulp is then taken from the basket and used is currently the owner of D.L. Moore, CAA, an antiques
or discarded. appraisal business.

The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn more
about and value your finds. Do you have questions about something you have acquired? We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to
editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques & Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about
becoming a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com or call the Admissions Office toll free at 877-444-4508.

44 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles