Page 47 - joa 2-2020

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

here has always been a need to tell time,
Collecting Tip:
and early methods—sundials, hourglasses,
Twater clocks or even large arrangements of Never allow water to evaporate in a glass vase. It will
leave a white residue that may be impossible to remove.
stones and shadows—were not accurate. The first Terry Kovel
mechanical clocks were invented in the 14th
century, the pendulum clock in 1656, and by the Q. I have a Josef Originals “Doll of the Month” figurine for the month of July. She’s
1700s there were many clocks in church towers holding a gray kitten in her left hand. A gold and black sticker on the front of her
that rang bells to tell citizens the time. The small dress says “July.” A second sticker says “Josef Originals.” Some of the sticker is gone.
watch that could be carried by a person was The hang tag has a little poem. What is the value of the doll?
developed after 1810. Then came pocket watches A. Muriel Joseph George began making ceramic figurines in the basement of
worn on a chain, and in 1868 the wristwatch was her home in California in 1945. A printer’s error on the first labels changed the
made. But there was still no affordable clock for This watch holder is an spelling from “Joseph” to “Josef” and that became the company name.
home use. An unknown person made the first elaborate clock when a Production moved to Japan in 1962. The company was sold several times
watch holder in the early 1800s. The holder was pocket watch is put into beginning in 1982. Copies of some of the original figures were made in Taiwan.
a small decorative stand that held an available the hole. An interesting, The company closed in 2011. The value of your figurine is $25 to $40.
pocket watch on a table. They were made of money-saving idea by an
ceramics, metal, wood – anything that could be anonymous person in the ***
shaped into a stand with a large hole. Some were 19th century. Q. A porcelain group showing a wicker basket with four babies’ faces peeking out
even made by famous artists and jewelers of from under the lid has been in my family for years. The basket is actually a box with
bronze or gold, or by a company that made ceramic dishes or statues. a removable lid. It’s decorated with leaves and a lock and key and is 9 1/2 inches
Most were not signed. The watch holder is often a “whatsit.” The hole in long by 8 inches high and 6 inches deep. A very lightly impressed mark with a
the middle is confusing to a 21st century person who tells time with a rounded top is on the bottom. Can you provide any information on it as well as
wristwatch or cellphone. A Neal Auction in New Orleans sold an early possible value? It is in perfect condition.
19th century watch holder of gilt bronze. It is shaped like a harp held by
swans on a pedestal base. When the watch is inserted in the hole near the A. Gebruder Heubach, or Heubach Brothers, was a firm known for bisque dolls
top, it creates a decorative “clock.” It sold for $875. and doll heads. It operated in Lichten, Germany, from 1840 to about 1938.
They also made bisque figurines beginning in the 1880s and glazed figurines in
ompanies that have been in business for a long time often have the 1900s. Heubach made the rare “Four Babies in a Basket” figural bisque
updated and changed the logo or slogan used in advertising. group about 1910. Even more rare is the larger-sized basket, like yours. It’s
CCollectors can usually identify the age of the ad from the words prized for the realistic-looking wicker and baby faces with intaglio eyes, sculpted
and pictures that were used. Cracker Jack was first sold in 1896 from a hair, molded teeth, blushing cheeks and chubby arms. A Gebruder Heubach
cart in Chicago. The mixture of popcorn, mark, the sunburst over initials G and H that was registered in 1882, is incised
molasses and peanuts, sometimes called the first on the bottom. We’ve seen a few sell from $1,300 to $3,000. But be careful.
junk food in America, was very popular. It sold Modern reproductions have been made in Germany from the 1940s using
well at the Chicago World’s Fair and got even original Heubach molds. Many have the same markings and can be very
more notice when the familiar song sung at ball difficult to tell apart from originals. Look for crude, less detailed decoration and
games said, “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker paint, or an incised mark that is less distinct. If you have questions about yours,
Jack.” The company developed a box that held a an auction house that specializes in dolls can help.
single serving, added coupons for prizes in 1910, ***
then small toys in 1912, and in 2013, a code that
leads to an online puzzle or game. The box has Q. We have an iron doorstop from my grandfather’s house. It has five black and
pictured the sailor boy (the founder’s son) and his white puppies hanging on a log fence and is 8 inches high and 12 inches wide. We’d
dog Bingo since 1918, often changing their like to sell it but don’t know what it’s worth. Can you help?
looks. This 9-by-14-inch die-cut cardboard store A. Cast iron doorstops were made beginning about 1890. They became popular
sign pictures an early version of the sailor boy. It around 1910 when several companies in the United States began making figural
It took $615 to buy this sold at a Kimball Sterling auction for $615. The
early Cracker Jack store early toys are popular with collectors, and there is doorstops. Vintage figural cast iron doorstops made from 1890 to the 1930s,
sign. The sailor boy and even a Cracker Jack Collectors Association. The and in good condition, usually sell for the highest prices. New designs and
dog are still on every box most expensive prize? The baseball card series reproductions of old doorstops sold in gift shops, home decorating stores and
but with newer clothes from 1914-1915, worth over $100,000. online are worth less. The doorstop you describe was made in China and is not
and different features. old. It sells online for $30 to $60.

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
Countertop scale, silver-tone scoop pan, fan shaped Still bank, palace, spire, stairs to balcony, painted red Hitching post, animal mask finial, iron, T.R. Pullis,
measure, gilt, Stimpson Computing Co., 19 1/4 brick, Ives Blakeslee, c. 1885, 8 x 8 inches, $760. c. 1880, 60 inches, $1,350.
inches, $275.
Scrimshaw, walrus, “Seven mermaids,” rocks, seaside, Writing desk, Sevres style, kingwood, tulipwood,
Netsuke, wood, boy climbing on reclining ox, Japan, clouds, Michael Cohen, 11 x 3 inches, $1,080. gilt bronze mounts, 2 drawers, flowers, cabriole legs,
1800s, 1 1/2 inches, $360. 58 x 30 inches, $1,780.
Royal Worcester tea set, revolving tray, teapot, waste
Goose decoy, black head, white cheeks, black wings, bowl, creamer, 4 cups and saucers, blue and white Cloisonne plate, cranes, peonies, red, pink and white
tan breast, white tail, 24 inches, $445. flowers, porcelain, c. 1880, $1,080. flowers, leaves, buds, branches, blue, 12 inches, $215.

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.
February 2020 45