Page 37 - JOA-July-22

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

his silver on copper “bisquit jar” is a classic Victorian piece. It uses
Collecting Tip:
an old spelling for “biscuit,” a British-English term. In present day
TAmerican English, we would call it a cookie jar. A “cut” autograph, one that’s on a small piece
Silver and silver plate were popular in the Victorian era. Almost every of plain paper, is more attractive to a buyer if
type of food had its own specific serving dish or utensil made of silver. it’s professionally matted with a photo of the
“Old Sheffield” refers to a special kind of silver plate made in player who signed it. Terry Kovel
Sheffield, England, in the 18th century. The silver was hand-rolled
in sheets over copper. Most silver plate made in the 19th century Q: My twin boys were each given restored vintage tractors. They were too dif-
is electroplated. ficult to pedal and were only used once. They’ve been hanging in my garage for
This jar may not be Old decades. Are they worth anything? They’re red and have “Murray Trac” decals.
Sheffield silver, but it was made A: Metal farm toys have recently experienced renewed interest by collectors.
in the city of Sheffield. It sold Major farm equipment manufacturers made replicas of their models as
for $270 at a Selkirk auction. Its toys for children in the paint colors associated with their companies. The
pelican hallmark identifies it as the condition and level of detail on the toys affect the value. Pedal tractors have
work of Thomas Wilkinson’s firm, recently sold from $90 to $3,500. There are collectors who will buy the
which received a Royal Warrant tractors in any condition for usable parts.
from Queen Victoria in the 1840s.
***
Q: When I was young, my mother made braided rugs from old wool coats. I
Every food you might find on a braided the strips of fabric she created from the coats. Two large rugs that we
Victorian table had its own silver- made have been in daily use for 85 years and show very little wear. I am now
plated dish. This English silver-plated 90. I might sell them and would like to know what they are worth. Do they
jar was used for cookies or “bisquits.”
have any resale value?
A: There’s a rich history of braided rug making in the United States that
eople have been captivated by bird songs for centuries. At some began in the American colonies. The craft was inspired by Native American
point, clever artisans realized that whistles could not only imitate weaving techniques. The process is the same way the settlers recycled and
Pbirds, but they could also be made to look like birds. repurposed worn clothing into rugs, giving them a new, useful purpose. Large F
Ceramic bird-shaped whistles have been made for hundreds of years all handmade rugs similar to yours have recently sold for $65 to $175. st
over the world. Examples dating to about 1000 A.D. have been found in ed
Central America. Were they made as bird calls? Musical instruments? Toys? *** 5
This whistle, which sold for $2,006 at Conestoga Auction Co., was Q: Historical items from World War II are my passion. I recently found a
made in 19th-century Pennsylvania of redware clay. Today, inexpensive small (about 3 or 4 inches long and 2 inches wide) khaki box labeled “Old P
mass-produced bird-shaped whistles are made of ceramics, metal or Gillette Razor and Lighter kit from WWII.” Can you tell me about it? S
plastic. The 20th century A: It’s possible that your shaving kit find could have been WWI or WWII era. c fr
Italian company Alessi put a The first safety razor was patented by King Gillette in 1901. It was created as p
red whistling bird on the an alternative to the straight razor. Gillette’s invention, which used disposable
spout of a stainless steel tea blades, eliminated the need for sharpening the blade and allowed the user to A
kettle, creating an icon of shave himself without fear of serious injury. He founded the American Safety tu
modern design. Razor Company that same year. One of its products was the U.S. Service Set, b
introduced by the Gillette Safety Razor Co. (as it was known then) during $
World War I. There were two versions, the khaki set and the metal set. The R
People have made ceramic whistles Gillette khaki set was issued to the soldier. The metal set was available for the g
shaped like birds for hundreds purchase price of $5 and marketed as a gift for a soldier. The metal tin came tr
of years. This one is a piece of with a handle, razor head, a pack of blades and a mirror on the interior of the $
American redware made in lid. The exterior of the lid was embossed with U.S. Army and Navy insignia.
the 1800s.
They are fun military collectibles and are worth about $25.
T
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. c
Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions. m
CURRENT PRICES
$
Sterling-silver centerpiece bowl, asymmetric form, Gallé cameo glass vase, purple irises, cream shaded to Cameo glass vase, stylized birds flying over grasses,
turned up edge, three short tapered feet, Modernist, yellow ground, bulbous, tapered, flared neck, signed mottled brown over mottled yellow, bulbous, slightly F
Mexico, 20th century, 17 3/4 inches, $880. Galle, c. 1900, 16 x 6 inches, $2,000. pinched waist, flared rim, art deco, Halbrans, Le sq
Verre Francais, 9 1/4 x 9 3/4 inches, $775. $
Jewelry, charm, diploma, 14K yellow gold, Diploma Advertising sign, Borden’s Ice Cream, lithographed
in black enamel, red enamel seal, inscribed “6-18- tin, embossed, die cut strawberry ice cream cone, Textile, apron, black metallic paisley and scroll P
59” on rolled bottom edge, 1959, 7/8 inches, $285. Elsie in daisy logo, 1900s, 59 x 35 inches, $1,250. design overall, hot pink, yellow, avocado green, ta
stripes, one pocket, hot pink ties in back, mod style, ch
Porcelain plate set, painted pictures of fish in water, Dinnerware, Iroquois Casual, bowl, vegetable, 1960s, 16 x 40 inches, $25.
gold edge, marked Royal Doulton and Tiffany & divided, indented handles on sides, yellow, Russel R
Co., each 9 1/2 inches, 12 pieces, $410. Wright, Steubenville Pottery, 1947-1967, 2 1/4 x Coin-operated machine, vending, Pulver Chewing o
10 1/4 inches, $35. Gum, One Cent Delivers A Tasty Chew, porcelain 5
Coca-Cola vending machine, Drink Coca-Cola, enamel, red, white letters, metal lattice window
Serve Yourself, metal, red, white letters, rectangular Sterling silver flatware, service for 12, Gorham, shows product, key, 1920s, 20 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 4 W
coin box with slot on top, 25 x 30 x 41 inches, $675. Melrose pattern, 60 pieces, $1,640. inches, $1,140. sq
m
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery), and what you know about the item. Include $
only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product.
Names, addresses, or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear
in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803, or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.
July 2022 35