Page 49 - joa-march-23

on Antiques & Collectibles

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

obots may sound like current cutting-edge technology or science-fiction Collecting Tip:
dreams of the future, but automated mechanical creatures have captured Spray the inside of a glass flower vase with
Rpeople’s imaginations for centuries. Animals and music were always nonstick food spray. It will keep the water from
popular themes. staining the glass. Terry Kovel
Legends say that King Solomon surrounded his throne with mechanical
animals, including lions that would raise their paws and roar when he Q: A while back I saw on Google that someone found a picture believed to be of Billy
approached and birds that would descend to give him his crown and a scroll. the Kid! I have an early photo in which the person looks identical. Billy the Kid is
Hero of Alexandria, a mathematician from the first century, wrote a treatise standing between two other men. How can I find out if it’s authentic?
called “On Automaton-Making” with designs for a water basin with singing
birds among other inventions. A: Billy the Kid (1859-1881) was a notorious outlaw who was born in New
Despite all this innovation, the “Golden Age of Automata” did not arrive York and later moved west. He was part of a gang of cattle rustlers in New
until the 19th century. Technology had advanced enough to make automata Mexico and killed several people in Arizona Territory and New Mexico
accessible outside of royal palaces, but not so much that the novelty had worn Territory while evading the law. His crimes were written about in some of the
off. All kinds of automata were made with different levels of complexity. newspapers of the time. Several movies and TV shows have been made about
Music boxes with mechanical features were popular, too. A favorite style was him. Billy the Kid’s given name was Henry McCarty. He began using the name
the singing bird, like this one that sold for $4,560 at Morphy Auctions. It was William H. Bonney in 1877. Supposedly there is only one known photo of
Billy the Kid. An authentic photo could sell for several hundred to thousands
made in Germany in the late 19th century of dollars or more, especially if the other people in the photo can be identified.
and winds with a key. When it is wound, a The photo needs to be seen by an expert to authenticate it. Contact an auction
small bird with red feathers pops out of the house that specializes in photographs.
enameled box to chirp and flap its wings.
***
Q: Can you tell me the value of a Tiffany ID bracelet? The ID plate is attached to
Is it a music box, a toy, a showpiece, or a robot? a mesh stretch band. The plate is engraved “NY,” “T & Co” and “1837” and is
Wind it with a key, and a feathery bird pops out attached by two pieces, one marked “steel” and the other “T & Co., Italy.”
to chirp and flutter in a lifelike way.
A: Your bracelet is part of Tiffany’s 1837 collection, which commemorates the
company’s beginning in 1837. Each piece is inscribed with that year. Charles
ilhouettes and profile images date to ancient times. Usually limited to the Lewis Tiffany and James B. Young founded Tiffany & Young, a stationery and
head and shoulders, the shape is a filled solid color attached to a high- fancy goods store, in New York in 1837. The company began selling imported
Scontrast background. jewelry in 1844. The company began selling its own jewelry and silver in 1848.
Silhouettes were at their peak of popularity in the late 18th century as an Charles Tiffany took over the business in 1853 and renamed it Tiffany &
inexpensive way to create a portrait miniature. French finance minister Etienne Company. Your bracelet is made of stainless steel. It originally came in a Tiffany
de Silhouette, who was known for cost-cutting, became associated with blue felt pouch and a matching blue box. These bracelets sell for $115 or more,
anything made cheaply. depending on condition. With the original packaging, some have sold for $175
to $230.
Before this time, the images were called “profiles” or “shades.” They have
***
been used on coins since ancient times and still are today. Because they are used Q: I have a Boy Scout handbook, “Revised Edition, 13th Printing, One Hundred
on currency, some of the most recognizable silhouettes in the United States are Thousand Copies.” It has a list of copyrights from 1911 to 1930. It is in fair condi-
former presidents. tion. The cover and first page are torn, and the back is taped. What is it worth?
In this framed set, George Washington is in the
center, of course, surrounded by the next 16 A: The Boy Scouts of America started in 1910. The first handbook, titled The
presidents. This set was made about 1870 and sold Official Handbook for Boys, was published in 1911. The title of the handbook
for $2,688 at an auction by Rachel Davis Fine Arts. has been changed several times. From 1927 to 1948, it was the Revised
Silhouette images today are on everything from Handbook for Boys. The copyright dates in your handbook indicate it was print-
road signs to mud flaps to targets to advertising. ed in 1930 or shortly after. A Norman Rockwell painting called “Spirit of
Jane Austen, Alfred Hitchcock, and E.T. are a few America,” originally made for a 1929 Boy Scout calendar, was used for the
of the most recognized silhouettes created. cover art on the handbook from 1927 through 1937. It pictures the profile of
a Boy Scout against a blue background with profiles of Benjamin Franklin,
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh,
Silhouettes became popular as an inexpensive
way to create a portrait. Today, antique silhouettes a frontiersman, and an American Indian. Copies in poor condition usually sell
of famous figures sell for high prices for $10 or less.

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales, and auctions throughout the United States.
CURRENT PRICES Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
Glass, contemporary, vase, cylindrical, horizontal Textile, tapestry, millefleur, two figures in medieval Furniture, table, Pembroke, Sheraton, mahogany,
stripes, painted metallic oxides, etched lozenges, style dress, man standing, woman seated, hands shaped drop leaves, drawer, reeded tapered legs, brass
matte finish, signed, Isgard Moje-Wohlgemuth, raised, floral and leafy ground, banded border, lined, caster feet, New York, c. 1805, 29 x 22 x 26 inches,
Germany, 1982, 18 1/2 x 8 inches, $575. mounted, Continental, 54 x 43 inches. $330. 10 1/4 inch leaves, $625.
Advertising poster, “Care of the Teeth,” light green, Rookwood pottery vase, standard glaze, shaded Scent vial, pillow shape, allover raised scrolls and
oval portrait, smiling woman, dark brown wavy hair, brown, leaves and orange berries around shoulder, flowers, scroll handles, old European cut diamond,
pearl necklace, yellow ground, paper, frame, c. 1900, bulbous, flared neck, No. 488E, marked and signed, oval ruby on reverse, hinged lid, short chain, 14K
34 x 23 inches, $150. Sallie Toohey, 6 x 5 1/2 inches, $185. gold, 1 1/4 inches, $810.

Chinese Export porcelain plate, sample, four border Furniture, tea table, Shaker, maple, dovetailed Teddy bear, Teddy Baby replica, brown fur, stitched
designs, ring of multicolor characters in center, drawer, pegged construction, pad feet, late 19th nose, red collar, yellow tag in ear, Steiff, 1980s,
octagonal, notched corners, 9 3/4 inches, $370. century, 28 x 28 x 22 inches, $250. 11 inches. $945
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.
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