Page 44 - joa-feb-23

on Antiques & Collectibles

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

ome collectibles aren’t what they seem at first glance. This green
Collecting Tip:
enameled piece that sold for $252 at Morphy Auctions looks like a
Scovered jar. A closer look at the finial, shaped like a seated cherub or To loosen a rusted metal part on a toy, try soaking
putto playing a stringed instrument, suggests its true purpose. It’s really a it in cola. Terry Kovel
music box that plays two tunes.
That’s not all it is: Wind it up and the panels open, revealing a silver Q: My mother left me her Pfaff sewing machine, which she bought in 1925 as part
toned pocket behind each panel. The pockets were originally meant to hold of her trousseau. It’s a heavy, treadle type machine. It came across the ocean on the
cigarettes. It’s a music box and a cigarette dispenser! ship my family took when we came to the United States. I don’t know what it’s
It’s well-known that smoking was much more common in the first half worth or what to do with it. I thought of donating it to a fabric shop to be used as
of the 20th century before its links to lung cancer had been determined. a curiosity.
Smoking is less popular today, but smoking paraphernalia and tobacciana A: Georg Michael Pfaff (1823-1893) made musical instruments. He made his
are collectible. Ashtrays, especially with advertising, are popular and first sewing machine by hand in 1862. Sewing machines continued to be hand-
often inexpensive. Collectors of advertising and packaging look for antique made for several years. The first machines were made to sew leather shoes. Pfaff
tobacco tins. Lighters have their own category in Kovels’ price guide. opened a shop in London in 1885. By 1910 the company had made a million
Smoking stands appear in antique furniture collections. sewing machines. Programmable computer-operated machines were made
Some collectors may repurpose their smoking beginning in 1983. Pfaff was sold in 1999. It is now part of DAP Industrial AG.
collectibles by using ashtrays as ring dishes, cigarette cases Old treadle machines sell for about $100. Those with ornate decorations and
as credit card holders or smoking stands as plant stands. gold trim sell for more. Donating an old machine is easier than trying to sell it.
This cigarette dispenser’s decorations and multiple func- Try a local historical museum.
tions could make it part of a collection of tobacciana, ***
enamels or music boxes. Q: My mother gave me several sets of antique teacups and saucers she found at an
estate sale two years ago. I’ve bought about five more sets since then and haven’t paid
This musical cigarette dispenser dates to the 1950s. more than $5 for any of them. I’ve been able to validate the authenticity of all of
Smoking was fashionable at the time; the link between
smoking and lung cancer had not yet been proven. them except one. It’s marked “Hand Painted” above the initials “T.P.” in a dia-
mond shape. Below that it says “Nippon.” Can you tell me if the mark is authentic?
he legal definition of an antique is that it is at least 100 years old. This A: Goods imported into the United States had to be marked with the country
means the art deco era is officially reaching antique status. The name of origin after the McKinley Tariff Act was passed in 1890. Some manufactur-
T“art deco” is believed to come from the Exposition Internationale des ers didn’t want to use the word “Japan” because Japanese goods were often
Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exhibition of thought to be inferior, so they used “Nippon,” the Japanese word for “Japan.”
Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) in Paris in 1925, but the style Beginning in 1921, the United States required the word “Japan” instead of
already existed by the time of the exhibition. “Nippon” on goods imported from Japan. Many different Japanese companies
World War I is generally considered the end of the art nouveau period used the word “Nippon” in their marks. You can find pieces online with the
and the beginning of art deco. People were moving into smaller homes and “T.P., Nippon” mark like yours. The maker is unknown but that does not
wanted inexpensive furniture where form followed function. The new mean it’s not made in Japan.
machinery, manufacturing techniques and materials of the time lent them-
selves to the sleek geometric shapes that define the era. ***
This cabinet, made in Italy in 1934, shows character- Q: My father was an official of a Merchant Marine union. The seamen would often
istics of art deco style. It is constructed from smooth, sim- bring back gifts, such as rugs, from overseas. I have several rugs in different colors and
ple shapes in veneers, acrylic and lacquered wood. sizes. I have no idea of their country of origin or value. How can I find out something
Decorations are contained within the cabinet’s shape. about them and their value?
Instead of ornate carvings, the cabinet has burl veneer, A: An expert on rugs would have to see the rugs to determine their value. It may
bands and squared spirals of dark wood. The cabinet sold not be possible to determine the country or origin unless there is something
for $2,322 at a Cowan’s auction. unique in the design or technique that identifies them. Contact stores in your
area that sell authentic Oriental rugs to see if they can help. If you have a friend
The art deco period began about 100 years ago and has not lost its
appeal. This geometric cabinet with wood veneers shows the style. who has old Oriental rugs, they may be able to tell you who to contact.
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
Photograph, sepia print, Martin Luther King’s speech, Political button, Martin Luther King, celluloid, sepia Toy, Busy Cart Robot, construction robot, pushes
“I Have A Dream,” crowd around Tidal Basin and photograph, pinback, integral stand and hanger, 1968, wheeled cart, yellow and black, battery operated,
Washington Monument, Washington, D.C., 1963, on 9 inches, $465. Horikawa, Japan, original box, 12 inches, $800.
heavy card stock, 11 x 14 inches, $70.
Doorstop, two bathing beauties, huddling together Lamp, electric, desk, two tapered black metal rods, ring
Cut glass cruet, Ramona pattern, hobstar, vesica, straw- under umbrella, art deco style, cast iron, Fish Series, base, cream colored perforated enameled metal shade,
berry diamond, prism and fans, oval, double notched Hubley, 11 inches, $740. Ben Seibel for Raymor, 25 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches, $1,495.
handle, rayed base, bulbous stopper, American
Brilliant, Pairpoint, 6 1/4 x 3 3/4 inches, $200. Cut glass bowl, colorless, engraved oranges and cherries Magazine, TIME, Feb. 18, 1957 issue, Rev. Martin
on stems, shaped edge, American Brilliant, signed, Luther King picture on cover, signed and inscribed,
Pair of Sevres vases, porcelain, painted scenes in oval Tuthill, 3 3/4 x 9 inches, $115. sold with letter of authenticity, $3,120.
reserves, cobalt blue ground, gold trim, gilt bronze high
arching acanthus scroll handles with ladies' heads, Jewelry, men's dress set, onyx disc, diamond border, Pottery tile, peacock and small bird in tree, multicol-
square bronze base, blue Sevres mark, entwined L's, c. 14K yellow gold mount, cuff links, shirt studs, ored, glossy finish, marked, Paul Revere Pottery, c.
1880, 33 x 17 inches, pair, $3,120. Krementz & Co., cuff links 1/2 inches, $435. 1915, frame, 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches, $985.
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.
42 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles