Page 43 - july-joa-23

on Antiques & Collectibles

By Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel

hen new technology is invented, the devices replaced don’t Collecting Tip:
immediately disappear. This candelabrum is marked with Worcestershire sauce is a good brass polish.
W“1887.” If that is the year it was made, candles had not been the
predominant form of indoor lighting for a long time. Terry Kovel
In 1782, Ami Argand patented a lamp that had a hollow wick and burned
any fluid oil. New types of oil lamps and fuels to use with them, like Q: I have a very large set of McKee Clear Rock Crystal dishes I would like to sell.
whale oil, turpentine, kerosene, and even lard, appeared throughout the What do you recommend? Do I sell the whole lot as a collection, group the dinner
19th century. plates together and sell them or sell them individually? Should I use eBay or go to
a Depression glass show? Any information would be appreciated.
Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb in 1879. Candles
did not fall entirely out of use, of course; candlesticks and candelabra were A: McKee Glass Company started in Jeannette, PA, in 1903. Rock Crystal,
still made and used as decorations, as they are today. Because they were more sometimes called Early American Rock Crystal, was one of its earliest pat-
decorative than utilitarian, they became larger and more ornate. terns. Large collections can be hard to sell, and you may get more by selling
The candelabrum pictured here is made of brass, like many early plates and some other pieces as a lot, and selling serving pieces or rarer items
candlesticks. It features elaborate ornaments: leafy individually. Check prices on Replacements.com and “sold” prices on eBay.
arms, a pierced scrolled base, and, most eye- Go to a Depression glass show to see which pieces dealers sell in lots and
catching of all, a hand painted porcelain tree which sell individually for higher prices. Remember, dealers also buy
branch adorned with colorful three-dimensional Depression glass. They may make you an offer for some pieces or the entire
flowers and two large perching green parrots. Its collection, but don’t let them buy just the best pieces and leave you with the
decorative value brought its price to $594 at a sale rest. Recent prices: an 11 1/4-inch dinner plate, $60; footed cup, $10; water
by Conestoga Auction Company. goblet, $25; and a compote, $10-$12.

***
With its ornate brass and painted porcelain features,
this candelabrum’s primary purpose is decoration, not Q: Where can I find a site, book, or magazine to find the values of old comic books?
illumination. By the time it was made, improved forms of
lighting like oil lamps and electric lights were available. A: Comic book collecting became popular in about 1960. Interest has
increased since the release of movies based on characters from Marvel and DC
comics and others. The price depends on rarity and condition.
ictorian furniture has a reputation for being impractical and out The Certified Guaranty Company (cgccomics.com) is a comic book grading
of style. After all, it’s all heavy, dark wood pieces covered in dust- service. A near-perfect copy might be graded a 9.8 or 10. The lowest grade is
Vcollecting carvings and shabby old upholstery, right? Think again! a .5. There are online and print price guides. The Overstreet Comic Book Price
The Victorian era, which lasted from the mid-19th century to about 1900, Guide by Robert M. Overstreet, published annually, is considered the industry
covers many different design periods and saw plenty of technological standard. Check local comic book shops to see what comic books like yours
advances and innovative styles. are selling for. You can also check “sold” prices on eBay and other auction
businesses such as Hake’s Auctions and Heritage Auctions. Comic books pub-
Designers patented many new styles of furniture, especially chairs. lished between 1938 and 1979 are the most collectible. Those that include the
George Hunzinger, a cabinetmaker who emigrated from Germany to New first appearance of a well-known character sell for the highest prices. A 1939
York in 1855, was one of the most inventive furniture designers of the time. Superman No. 1 comic book sold for $2.6 million last year. A 1962 Amazing
He held patents for multiple designs, methods, and materials. Fantasy No. 15, the first appearance of Spider-Man, sold for $3.6 million.
This Hunzinger chair, which sold for $406 at Conestoga Auction
Company, is marked with its patent date of March 30, 1869. It is made of ***
beech wood carved to resemble bamboo. Hunzinger Q: I have a 1956 Wurlitzer jukebox, Model 1900, that has never been
was inspired by machinery for the look of his furniture refinished. It has high fidelity, original speakers and plays 200 45 rpm records.
as well as construction methods. Like many of his It’s in good working order. Can you tell me the value?
designs, this chair looks like it could be made from
pipes. X-frames are another characteristic Hunzinger A: Wurlitzer was founded in 1856 in Cincinnati, OH, by Rudolph
element; some of his chairs could fold, and some just Wurlitzer. The first Wurlitzer jukeboxes were made in 1934. The Wurlitzer
looked like it. Centennial Model 1900 was made in 1955 and 1956 to celebrate the 100th
birthday of the company. About 12,500 were made. A Wurlitzer Model
Cabinetmaker George Hunzinger patented this chair in 1869. 1900 with 245 records sold for about $4,000 two years ago. We have seen a
It was just one of the many patents he filed during his furniture- model with 200 records sell for as much as $8,000, so it’s worth your while
making career. to do some additional research.

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.
Toy, motorcycle, police, cast iron, painted red, Box, candle, tin, black patina, cylindrical, domed Pottery, midcentury, charger, three stylized dancing
Indian logo on the side, silver siren and handlebars, ends, hinged opening, two tabs with holes for figures, multicolor abstract ground, round, marked,
removable policeman in uniform, Hubley, early 20th hanging, 1800s, 14 1/2 inches, $75. Polia Pillin, 13 inches, $335.
century, 9 3/8 inches, $820.
Jewelry, pin, turtle, 18K yellow gold, etched shell Marble carving, bust of a young girl, curly hair, puffy
Kitchen, food mold, horseshoe shape, tin, 1800s, with inset round cut emeralds, head with small inset sleeves on dress, holding flowers, four-sided tapered
11 x 2 1/2 inches, $65. diamonds, sapphire eyes, marked “HB,” base, 1800s, 12 1/2 inches, $475.
Hammerman Bros., 1 3/4 inches, $2,000.
Spatterware coffeepot, Tulip pattern, blue, green, Quilt, pieced, Friendship, names stitched in script on
and red, blue spatter on white ground, eight-sided, Bottle, flask, eagle and cornucopia, olive-brown red, white, and blue strips, pieced together to form
tapered, high angular handle, England, 1800s, 8 1/4 glass, sheared and tooled mouth, early 1800s, 6 5/8 squares, red, white, and blue borders, c. 1900, 90 x
inches, $510. inches, $275. 78 inches, $610.

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 2023 41