Page 42 - joa-nov-21

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

oleware was popular in New England and nearby areas in the
Collecting Tip:
1700s. Collectors today identify the existing pieces by similarities
Tin the shapes and painted decorations on newly discovered pieces. Can’t hook the catch on your bracelet? Tape
Two paint colors were used as the base coat to protect the tin from one end of the bracelet to your wrist, then close
rust; black or red was used in Pennsylvania, but only black was favored in the catch.
parts of New England. Terry Kovel
Pennsylvania makers usually made a straight spout and a handle with
an extra piece to reinforce the curve in the handle. New England makers Q: My late mother had a business in ephemera, and we inherited her relatively large
collection of postcards. Some of them are signed by Philip Boileau and marked
favored a simple curved handle. The body was a “Reinthal & Newman, Pubs., N.Y.” We’re interested in selling the collection in total
lighthouse shape, and tinsmiths made a goose- or in pieces. Can you suggest the best way to go about this?
neck spout. Yellow, green, red and white flowers
and leaves were stenciled on as decorations. The A: Philip Boileau (1863-1917) was an artist who opened a studio in New York
tinware lost favor when copper and silver plate City in 1902. He was known for his portraits of beautiful women. His work
became more available because tin often rusted. appeared on postcards, prints, magazines, calendars, and other items. Reinthal
But some of the small utensils, such as cookie & Newman was a publisher of postcards and prints, in business in New York
cutters and funnels, remained in use. from 1906 to 1928. Most postcards sell for 25 cents or less or in groups of 25
or 30 cards for less than $10. Only a few sell for high prices. Since your mother
was an ephemera dealer, she may have collected cards that are more valuable
This 19th-century 10-inch-high painted tin coffeepot sold than most. Postcards with illustrations by Philip Boileau have sold recently for
in a Cowan auction for $544 $1.50 to $6. Go to a postcard show and see what postcards like yours are selling
for. Talk to the dealers and see if they’re interested in your collection. But don’t
rt pottery is made by a single talented artist, a group of designers let them just pick out the best postcards and leave you with the rest, which will
and artists who share the different steps, or a large company that be harder to sell. You can find postcard shows by searching online.
Ahas expensive machinery, men who make the molds, throw the clay ***
and manage the hot ovens, and many talented designers and artists. Trial Q: I have two Jasper curio cabinets. I purchased them in the 1960s from Harlem
pieces are made that are eventually destroyed or sold after the final design Furniture Co. in Dayton, Ohio. I was hoping that you could help me out with
has been determined. finding new keys! Thank you.
In 2016, an auction at Humler & Nolan, a now-closed Cincinnati
auction gallery, sold three very modern looking vases. The three “Ming A: If antique furniture collectors buying—or those inheriting—older curio
Tree” vases, introduced in 1949, were auctioned each with a different trial cabinets or chests are lucky, their pieces will come with original keys. Check to
glaze color. The blue gray vase with yellow and pink coraline-like foliage see if the key is taped in a drawer or on the back panel. If the key is not found,
sold for $489, the light blue vase with pink and green foliage for $431, first remove the lock (it may be easy to remove the door or drawer that holds
and the turquoise blue vase with white and green foliage for $401. They the lock) and take it to an antiques store, hardware store or a locksmith.
Call ahead to make sure the store has a collection of old bit keys, often called
are all marked with the words “ROSEVILLE U.S.A.” in printed skeleton keys. If you’re lucky, the store will have a key that fits. If not, a lock-
letters. Was the price difference because the pale blue gray was most smith can look for a bit-key blank that’s a close fit. Antique master keys can
popular, because bidders preferred the colors of the coraline-like typically open every lock in a home, most commonly in Sears Craftsman and
fragments, or because each bidder wanted only one vase and the winner Victorian homes, as well as any home that’s close to a century or more in age.
didn’t continue bidding? The antique skeleton key is also known as a “Big and Barrel” key.

***
Q: I have a tote box full of J. & G. Meakin dinnerware. The pattern is Alpine Mist,
white with blue flowers. I haven’t seen any of it in antiques stores or flea markets.
I’d like to find out about the maker and if it’s valuable
A: J. & G. Meakin was founded by brothers James and George Meakin in 1851.
Much of the company’s pottery was made in England for export to the U.S. and
other countries. The pottery was run by family members until 1958. It became
part of the Wedgwood Group in 1970, and production stopped in 2000. A
five-piece place setting of Meakin’s Alpine Mist was offered for sale for $25
online, dinner plates for $12 to $14 each, and a vegetable bowl for $18. It’s hard
Each of these Ming Tree vases sold separately at a Humler & Nolan auction. The blue to sell large sets of dinnerware. You can try a local consignment shop to see if
gray vase sold for $489, the light blue vase for $431, and the turquoise blue vase for $401. they can sell them, or donate the dishes to a charity and take the tax deduction.

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
Venetian glass bowl, sommerso, thick sides, semi- Sterling silver flatware, Faneuil pattern, service for Jewelry, stick pin, pansy flower, purple shaded to
circular form, cased red and white, Murano, Italy, six, fitted wooden case, Tiffany & Co., 1910, 44 yellow, rose cut diamond center, 18K gold, c. 1890,
3 3/4 x 6 inches, $95. pieces, $2,000. 2 1/2 inches, $550.
Furniture, cedar chest, old red paint, dovetailed case, Tole tray, metal, two tiers, painted scene, figures on Furniture, table, farmhouse, French Provincial, cherry
bracket feet, recessed iron handles on each side, stone steps, woman drawing water, leaves, scrolls, and walnut, rectangular top over wide skirt with
American, c. 1875, 26 x 48 x 26 inches, $65. reticulated rims, arched handle, England, c. 1900, drawer on one long side, square tapered legs, 1800s,
16 x 17 inches, $365. 30 3/4 x 98 x 35 1/2 inches, $2,125.
Tramp art box, chip carved from mahogany cigar
boxes, pyramid form with 13 layers, lift off cover with Brass inkwell, skull and crossed bones form, open eyes Bronze sculpture, cat goddess, sitting on hind legs,
porcelain knob, traces of old cigar box labels, 5 1/4 x and nose, hinged face lifts up to reveal white china regal bearing, Hollywood Regency style, Marked
7 1/2 x 10 inches, $175. insert, American, 1880-1900, 2 1/2 inches, $390. “A. Tiot,” 1970s, 24 1/2 x 9 x 16 inches, $1,095.
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.
40 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles