Page 28 - 2020 March JOA

After an unfortunate midriff accident, the chalk carnival figurine (right) of a woman with two dogs was left in two parts.
Due to disintegrated chalk, even a careful repair left evidence of the damage.
A solution acceptable to the owner: the addition of a gold sash camouflaging the chalk damage.

etters, I get letters. Well these days, they’re Before getting yourself into a sticky situation,
mostly emails. And as a writer, any type of consider all the ramifications. Ever peruse those
Lcorrespondence is something I look forward “homes for sale” ads in the newspapers? Sure you
to. It means someone out there is reading what do, even if you have no intention of buying. You’ll
I’m writing. see ads for executive retreats – secluded, lavish
Sometimes the comments are positive: “I really surroundings (translation: “very pricey”). Then
like what you said about …”. there are family-friendly homes in a “bustling
Sometimes they’re not: “You know nothing neighborhood” (in other words, there’s a daycare
about …” operation on either side of you, a grade school
Most often, they’re questions. Let’s say my across the street, and the freeway is just beyond
latest article was all about “widgets.” The your back yard). And of course, there are the great
questions would then follow a familiar path: fixer-uppers (code for: “Well? You get what you
a) “Read your article. Here’s a photo. Is this pay for!”).
a widget?” When assessing the repair feasibility of various
b) “Read your article. Here’s a photo of my collectibles, I look to the realtors’ lingo.
widget. What’s it worth?” If the price you paid for an item years back still
c) “Read your article. Here’s a photo of my makes you gasp, you’ll probably opt for the gold
prize widget. Wanna buy it?” standard: professional repair. Such talented
craftspeople can often be found through
My answers are often, predictably (and advertisements in antique publications (like this
unfortunately) pretty much the same: one). Professional restoration is an invaluable
a) No. resource for collectors with veritably irreplaceable
b) The same as all the other widgets. items in need of resuscitation. A talented
c) I’d love to, but where would I put it? technician will not only restore the integrity and
(My closets are already bulging with widgets.) strength of your piece with a bonding material
Cased glass vase with a crack in the clear stem, that won’t re-break, but will also expertly match
But the questions I most look forward to are nearly undetectable after professional repair. the colors of the surrounding area so that the
those dealing with the care and repair of the things that people collect. repair is nearly invisible. The blue-and-clear cased glass vase shown was
Those questions force me to put on my thinking cap, dig into my snapped at the stem. Professional restoration made the repair almost
research, and come up with the (hopefully correct) answers. People undetectable. Was it worth the cost? Each collector must decide if the
treasure their collectibles and want to do value of a piece outweighs its repair charge. In this case, the answer was
them proud. I’m flattered they think I a resounding “yes!”
might be the person to help them On to those family-friendly collectibles. These are items that were
achieve that goal. either purchased in a less-than-
perfect state or somehow got
What To Do? What To Do? that way once they were in your
The most common strains I find possession.
running through repair questions are
“Could I?” “Should I?” and “How can I?” Pretty Paper
“Could I?” is the easiest to answer. Paper goods are collectibles
With enough Super Glue or Scotch to be treasured, as they
Tape, you could repair practically celebrate a particularly hefty
anything. You just might not be happy slice of American life. They’re
with how it turns out. That’s where also “ephemeral” and meant to
“Should I?” enters in. last for only a short time: their
intrinsic materials were not
(right) This Ceramic Arts Studio particularly durable. Daily use
White Rabbit had his right ear also means such paper items are
snapped off at the base.
(on the left, facing camera) (left) 1930s sheet music cover with
Careful glue application made the original owner’s signature
rejoin almost imperceptible. contributing to the charm.

26 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles