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WHAT’S SELLING ON eBay
WHAT’S SELLING ON eBay

by Jessica Kosinski

$1,615 (Bids 56, Bidders 17) Antique Griswold No. 20 Cast Iron signature in the lower right. There is also a pencil inscription from when
Skillet, Excellent Condition. Antique 20 Griswold cast iron skillet stored the artist gifted this painting to Burton Heindrick, We believe this is the
for about 60 years. in a smoke-free home. Great condition, no cracks or American author, Burton Jesse Hendrick (1870-1949), who must have
chips, sits flat. been a personal friend of the artist.

JK: As indicated above, Joseph Cummings Chase was most known for
World War I portraits. However, he also painted similar portraits
during World War II and the Korean War. Additionally, he worked as an
illustrator on several novels. Meanwhile, the portrait’s subject, Charles
Baskerville Jr. led quite an interesting life as a portrait painter and muralist
himself. One of his murals was painted in a conference room belonging to
the United States Congress Joint Committee on Military Affairs.
As for the believed recipient of this portrait, author Burton Hendrick,
he won multiple Pulitzer prizes. The Age of Big Business, a book examining
JK: What eventually became known as Griswold Manufacturing Co. was corporate America was one of his most famous works. Among other things,
founded in the 1860s by Matthew Griswold and two members of the he also wrote a commissioned Andrew Carnegie biography.
Selden family, John and Samuel. The company started out by producing Recent estimates for Cummings Chase’s works tend to range between
butt hinges and gained the local nickname “Butt Factory.” That lasted $500 and $800 per piece with some higher exceptions. Baskerville’s works
until the early 1870s when the company was officially registered as Selden have sold for a wide range of prices from $65 to upwards of $5,000 in
& Griswold Manufacturing Company. Under that name, the company 2022 and 2023, depending on sizes and subjects. Interestingly, an auction
produced products that included griddles, skillets, and kettles. house in Chicago, Illinois sold an oil on canvas depiction by Cummings
In 1882, Samuel Selden died, and Griswold wound up buying the Chase of Baskerville in 2018 for $325. The passage of time and changes in
Selden portion of the business by 1884. Then, after an 1885 fire, it became art trends may have contributed to the increase in interest in this one, or
Griswold Manufacturing Co. The company operated under that name in the personalized message gifting it to Burton Hendrick may have attracted
Pennsylvania from that point until 1957. The Griswold rights were later more bidders.
bought by Wagner, which was eventually purchased by General House
Ware Corporation. $1,500 (Bids 75, Bidders 18) English Sterling Silver Tea Set Peter, Ann
Many Griswold skillets have sold on eBay in the last few months for & William Bateman London 26.8 Troy Oz. A beautiful three-piece
more than $1,000 each. Some extremely rare Griswold items even sell English sterling silver tea set with London hallmarks and the maker’s mark
for several thousands of dollars today. For example, a rare #13 self-basting of Peter, Ann & William Bateman. The insulated handle and finial of the
skillet lid sold in late September on eBay for $5,500. However, it is impor- teapot with a combined total weight of 26.84 troy ounces. Date mark for
tant to study Griswold before purchasing such items because product 1804. The teapot measures approximately 7 inches tall to the top of the
shapes, handles, and manufacturer markings changed over the years. finial by 11 + 3/4 inches including the handle and spout. Age appropriate,
Studying those subtle differences will help you determine which Griswold we find no dents or repairs, no monograms, and the marks are slightly
items are actually worth the investment. worn on the sugar and creamer.

$1,175 (Bids 58, Bidders 21) Antique Joseph Cummings Chase
Portrait Painting WWI Infantry Lieutenant Soldier. Joseph Cummings
Chase (1878-1965) was an American artist known for his portrait paint-
ings. He was born in Maine and studied in the U.S. and Europe and
became best known for his 142 portrait paintings of generals and soldier
heroes of World War I. Charles Baskerville, Jr. (1896-1994) was also an
American artist, who took a break from painting to serve in the 42nd
Infantry Rainbow Division during WWI. This portrait painting depicts JK: Hester Bateman (1709-1794) was England’s most famous female
Charles Baskerville Jr, and was painted by Joseph Cummings Chase. You silversmith in the 1700s. Her sons, Peter and John, went into the family
can see the soldier’s name in red along the bottom edge, and the artist’s business and registered their own mark in 1790. However, John soon died,
and his widow, Ann went into business with Peter. William was Ann and
John’s son and later went into business with his mom and his uncle, Peter.
However, the partnership between the three only lasted from 1800 until
Ann’s retirement in 1805. Then a new mark for just Peter and William was
used. This lines up with the “1804” date mark mentioned by the seller, and
the well-documented history of the Bateman family makes it easy to date
all Bateman pieces by their marks, in general.

Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance researcher and writer since 2001. She developed a passion for
1980s pre-1980s TV and films as a kid, and she has never grown out of it. Recently, she turned
that passion into a retro TV and film blog. Follow along with her at medium.com/@jkos_writing,
as she dives deep into the characters, actors, quirks, and trivia that brought us some of the greatest
films and shows in TV history and also discusses some of the more obscure films and shows most of
us may have forgotten.

8 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles