On Antiques and Collectibles VOL

On Antiques and Collectibles VOL. 37 NO. 1 THE NEWSLETTER FOR COLLECTORS, DEALERS AND INVESTORS SEPTEMBER 2010

A Christmas toy sold at a News recent James Julia auc- Scottish Agate Flash tion for $161,000. It be- comes the most expensive Victorian tin toy sold in the past 15 years and possibly the Jewelry most expensive toy of any type auctioned in the Dazzled by the stones in this agate past three years. The 18-inch-long toy—Santa in and citrine bracelet, a collector paid a sleigh pulled by goats—was originally sold in $2,726 for it at a Boston auction. the late 19th century by Althof, Bergmann & Co. We dangle more information about of New York. Victorian Scottish agate jewelry on Marble collectors are dealing with sad page 6. news. The Peltier Glass Co. of Ottowa, Ill., has closed after 124 years in business making marbles and other glassware. Only one other company in the United States, Marble King of Paden City, W.Va., still produces machine-made mar- Baby Dolls bles. Most of the world’s marbles are made in Mexico and Asia. For Collectors “I’m continuously shocked and surprised In the world of never-grow-up, this by how much prices are increasing,” says Ker- c.1925 German-made baby doll was ry Taylor, a textile consultant to Sotheby’s Lon- carried away from an Ohio auction for don. Speaking to Forbes.com about the prices of $560. We show you more antique and vintage clothing, she goes on: “If we’re looking vintage baby-face dolls on page 10. at really wonderful pieces from say the 1920s or ’30s, it’s really not unusual to have them selling for £20,000 to £30,000 [$30,000-$45,000]—possibly more. Ten years ago, that would have been unheard of.” Prices of “cabinet” pieces—small objects Pisgah Forest’s of glass or ceramic or metal that can be dis- played in a glassed breakfront—have been going Art Pottery down. Decorators prefer big and bold. Picture this 1943 cameo pitcher Someone or some group of collectors is decorated with a Western scene running ads looking to buy “crooked knives.” in your collection. It was made at A crooked knife (we looked it up) has a blade the Pisgah Forest Pottery in North that’s bent toward the wide side of the handle so Carolina and sold for $288 at an that when it’s used like a drawknife (pulled to- auction in the same state. Travel over ward you), the curved blade can scoop out the in- to page 8 to learn more. side of a bowl or canoe. The knives were popular among North American Indian tribes. Some have very decorative handles. Good old examples sell Pennsylvania for $500 and up. IN THIS ISSUE Furniture: Plain Sale Reports: & Practical Chinese “Bargains”...... 3 Fenton Glass...... 4 Here’s a handy workstand made in Non-Sports Hartland Figurines...... 5 Lancaster County, Pa. It’s the work of a Victorian Scottish Agate Jewelry...... 6 rural Pennsylvania cabinetmaker who was Rural Pennsylvania Furniture...... 7 probably of German heritage. The little Pisgah Forest Pottery...... 8 Baby Dolls...... 10 table auctioned for $735. Take a look at Dictionary of Marks – Pisgah Forest Pottery...... 9 practical Pennsylvania furniture on page 7. Buyer’s Price Guide...... 11 Collector’s Gallery...... 12 Kovels – September 2010 1 Letter to Lee Collecting Conversations

Dear Lee,

Collectors like to talk about their collections and some of the We know people who go to house sales but won’t buy unexpected conversations they have had about collecting. The anything that can be traced back to an unhappy home—a divorce, strangest reason we ever heard for not wanting something “old” a death or another trauma. They believe luck and emotions live came up in conversation at a party. A couple wanted to find on in furnishings. But some collectors don’t mind if an antique an apartment and we suggested an old building that had been they bought is haunted. They are sure only friendly ghosts travel remodeled. “Oh,” said the wife, “we would never move into a with antiques. Clocks seem to be the most likely to be haunted— used apartment.” We never did invite her to our house, which is they’ll ring at odd hours, keep poor time or lose the winding key. not only old, but also has almost no new furnishings. It took us We even have one friend who insists she remembers an years to find just the right antiques for our home, and she would antique from her past life in the 19th century. Why does everyone probably scorn them as “used” furniture. who remembers a past existence always recall living in a well- The most unusual reason we’ve heard for not buying an furnished home with a rich spouse and gifted children? antique was told to us by a dealer. He sold a set of Victorian Our view of living with antiques is the easiest: We buy what Haviland dishes as a wedding gift. The bride’s mother returned we like when we see it, even if it costs a little more than we them because the family kept kosher and had no way of knowing expected. An advertising collector once told us, “You never pay if non-kosher food had ever touched the dishes. There is a too much for an antique—you just buy it too soon.” religious method to treat dishes with this problem, but the bride’s mother wasn’t convinced it would be OK.

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A repaired emerald green Bryant’s Stomach Bitters cone Wood carvings, baskets, furniture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, bottle sold for $40,320 at a spring American Bottle Auction. tools, toys and even musical instruments were made by internees Houses aren’t selling, so interior designers have fewer using their limited supply of scrap lumber, shells, toothbrush homes to decorate. That means leather-bound books favored by handles, peach pits, rocks and other found objects. decorators have dropped in price. Seen at a show: an unused electric chrome egg-cooker As a general rule, dark-colored Oriental rugs are selling for $145. It was manufactured by Samson-United Corp. of for less than light-colored rugs. In the past, dark was more Rochester, N.Y. Some people must still prefer to boil their eggs at expensive. the breakfast table, because we noticed a new Salton egg-boiler Look for American Indian baskets made from wire. Early for $35 in a catalog. ones were fashioned of fencing wire; more recent baskets are Hankies, scarves, tablecloths, dish towels and yard goods made of colored telephone wire or thin copper wire. Good old with printed designs of tourist spots were popular from the 1930s wire baskets sell for hundreds of dollars. through the ’70s. Road-trip vacations were common and the Possible new and inexpensive collectibles: mouse pads, prints carried memories home. Early fabrics were decorated with potholders, aprons and towels. realistic pictures of places, events or topography. By the late ’40s, Prisoner-of-war art objects of the 19th century are often many featured cartoons in bright colors. Some collectors frame elaborate ship models made of tiny pieces of wood and ivory. the fabrics, but others use them in ways that could destroy their Prisoner arts and crafts made in the 20th century include ship collector value. A recent magazine article suggests transforming models made from matchsticks, and purses and belts made from the textiles into curtains, window shades or pillows. We disagree. folded cigarette packages. Now collectors are looking for gaman, The best souvenir fabrics are not faded or worn. Some are rare the crafts made in Japanese internment camps from 1942 to 1946. and command high prices. Most sell for $20 to $50.

KOVELS ON ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES

Photos are not reproduced to scale; actual size Customer Service: To inquire about an individ- Kovels on Antiques and Collect- of items pictured is given whenever possible. Out- ual subscription or to order a new subscription ($36 ibles (ISSN 0741-6091) is published monthly for of-print reference books mentioned in articles may one year, $4 single copy), call toll-free 800-829-9158; $36 per year by Kovels Antiques Inc., 30799 Pine- be available through interlibrary loan or from book or write to Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles, P.O. tree Road, #305, Cleveland, Ohio 44124. Send ad- search services. Box 420345, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0345; or visit our dress changes to Kovels on Antiques and website, Kovels.com, and click on “Contact Us.” Collectibles, P.O. Box 420345, Palm Coast, FL Editor and Publisher: Terry Kovel; Editor Editorial correspondence: Kovels on Antiques 32142-0345. in chief: Marcia Goldberg; CFO and Website Di- and Collectibles, P.O. Box 22192, Beachwood, OH rector: Kim Kovel; Designer: Jeffrey Clark; As- 44122. Copyright 2010 by Terry Kovel. All rights re- sociate Editor: Liz Lillis; Copy Editor: Cherrie Website: We invite you to visit our website, served. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced Smrekar; Photo Editor: Janet Dodrill; Control- Kovels.com, to look up prices, read more news, visit or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic ler: Lisa Bell; Marketing: Hamsy Mirre; Staff: the free Directory listings, check on your subscrip- or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or Mary Ellen Brennan, Grace DeFrancisco, Gay tion (use the “Contact Us” link), register for our free by any information storage and retrieval system, with- Hunter; Customer Service: Tina McBean weekly ezine and more. out permission in writing from the publisher. 2 Kovels – September 2010 Chinese Bargains o you love Chinese antiques and collectibles Dbut figured you’d never be able to afford a single thing? A summer auction at Skinner proved you’re wrong. Plenty of Chinese pieces, from snuff bottles to coral carvings, were scarfed up for under $1,000. Some of the Chinese “bargains” are pictured, including carvings in ivory, jade, coral, lapis lazuli and soapstone. There’s also a pair of pottery foo dogs (lionlike guard dogs) and a carved cinnabar vase. Prices of Chinese decorative arts and furnishings can vary widely in the United States because few American collectors know much about them or how to date them. Jade boulder carving of two Immortals, pale Many antique and 20th-century items were brought into this celadon-colored stone, Ivory puzzle ball, outer sphere carved country during the 1940s and ’50s, so there’s an ample supply. one Immortal playing a and pierced with figures in a landscape, If you comb shows and zither under a pine tree, 14 round holes reveal concentric spheres the other listening, within, 1 5/8 in. dia., $237. Gone for a Million Dollars auctions, you can find good 5 in h. by 4 in. w., $326. buys—unless the Chinese Surprisingly high prices get there before you. were paid at the auction, More prices: Peking glass too. The two most expen- water pot, compressed globe with Pair of blue- glazed pottery sive pieces were carved cameo design of stylized shou foo dogs, one white jade vases. One, (longevity character) and double holding a ball bats, 2 1/8 in., $59. Inlaid box in the shape of a double under its paw, decorated with mother-of-pearl and the other playing gourd, sold for $578,000; hardstone inlay of two boys riding with a cub, the other, in a flattened on an elephant, 2 1/2 by 6 by 4 1/2 each on square flask shape, brought in., $207. Blue and white ceramic pedestal, flask, painted in underglaze blue 10 3/4 in. h., $501,000. Both went to with a pair of scaly dragons fighting $207 for the pair. Chinese bidders, as did over a flaming pearl, 10 in., $563. most of the Chinese items The Asian Works of Art in the sale, according to catalog, June 25-26, 2010, is available from Skinner Inc., 274 James Callahan, Skinner’s Cedar Hill St., Marlborough, MA specialist in Asian art. 01752, SkinnerInc.com. Photos are courtesy of Skinner, which held the auction at its Boston location.

One of a pair of cinnabar vases, carved with scholars Small coral carving of a Lapis lazuli carving of Soapstone carving of a kneeling greeting each other and holding goddess, early 20th century, Bodhisattva holding a lotus woman holding a lotus branch, robe antique objects while walking 2 1/4 in. l., $237. branch, lotus leaf, pod and incised with flower and cloud patterns, in a rustic landscape. Relief blossoms on each side, lotus foo dog clinging to her right knee, carving reserved on a geometric- base, wooden stand, wooden stand, 5 in. h. with stand, $444. patterned ground, 7 1/2 in. h., 8 1/2 in. h., $267. $830 for the pair. Kovels – September 2010 3 enton Art Glass Co. has been in business since 1905, when it FCollectingwas founded in Martins Ferry,Fenton Ohio, by brothers FrankGlass L. and John W. Fenton. At first the brothers decorated glass blanks made by others, but they built their own glass factory in Williamstown, W.Va., in 1907. It remains one of the few companies that still In 2007 Fenton planned to make decorative glass in the close its doors, but sales United States. increased enough later that Over the decades, Fenton year to persuade the own- has produced hand-finished art ers to reverse course. At the glass and tableware in every same time, they decided to shape, color and style—and start importing a line of glass, collectors like all of it. Eighty ceramics and giftware while lots of Fenton glass sold at a also producing limited edi- Fenton large Fenton Burmese cruet, summer Jim Wroda auction, tions in West Virginia. cranberry opal Decorated Violets, hand- Pieces made abroad carry basket, Daisy & Fern, painted, 1970s, 7 1/2 in., $75. with prices ranging from $12 $155. for a 1980s 7-inch pink vase to the Fenton International logo, $1,323 for a c.1920s vaseline the letter “F” in a globe. glass water set (pictured). Those made here are marked The sale featured many “USA” next to the company’s types and patterns of Fenton logo. The logo, an oval with glass, including three pieces the word “Fenton” inside, of post-1970 carnival glass: has been used since 1970. In a cruet for $58 and two vases 1980 the logo became smaller for $63 and $75. Fenton in- and the company added a troduced carnival glass to the numeral to designate the de- United States in 1907, contin- cade (8 for 1980s, etc.). ued making the colored iridescent glass into the 1930s, then reintroduced it in 1970. You could also find a cranberry opalescent hobnail vase for $58, a Daisy & Fan opalescent cruet for $86, a blue Hanging Heart cruet for $121, a seven- Fenton vaseline opalescent water set, Ribbed Optic, cobalt handles. Pitcher, lid and six cups, coasters and stirrers, c.1920s piece cranberry opalescent Win- except for new tray under pitcher, $1,323. dows water set for $173, and several pieces of Victorian-style plain and hand-painted opaque glassware. Fenton gained national pub- licity in 1988 when it started selling limited editions on QVC, the TV shopping net- work. Some pieces were delib- erately made to look old, which upset collectors, but almost ev- Fenton opalescent hobnail erything Fenton has made since vase, 4 in., 1959-62, $58. 1975 is marked. Until then, the company used only paper labels. Photos are courtesy of Jim Wroda Auction Services, 5239 State Route 49 South, Greenville, OH 45331, JimWro- daAuction.com. Wroda’s Antiques Collection–Martin catalog, July 3, 2010, can be viewed in the archives at Proxibid.com. For more information, see Fenton Glass, 3 vols., by William Heacock (O-Val Advertising, Marietta, OH, 1980-89). Fenton blue satin Fenton cranberry single lily The books are out of print, but copies are available on Amazon.com, as are newer vase, Hanging Heart, epergne, late 1950s, 9 1/2 in., $86. books about Fenton. designed by Robert Barber, mid 1970s, Note: Captions include information from the auction catalog, plus 10 in., $201. added facts found in reference books on Fenton glass.

4 Kovels – September 2010 Hartland Figures

n 1953 Hartland Plastics of Hartland, Wis., intro- Iduced a series of miniature military and Western figures depicting real and fictional American heroes, wranglers and gunfighters, many of them mounted on their horses. That was a good four years before Hartland figure, Lone the company made its more famous—and now more Ranger and his horse expensive—baseball players. More than three dozen Silver, complete set with of the early figures sold at a recent Morphy auction. hat and two pistols sealed in original bag. Original The molded plastic military and Western figures box, two string tags, mini- were made from about 1953 to 1963. Early figures catalog, (scratches on were generic cowboys, cowgirls, palominos and pin- horse), 9 in. l., $316. tos. In 1954, stars of early TV Westerns were created. The most sought-after by collectors today are the “800 series” figures, all about 8 to 10 inches tall. Most came with removable accessories—hats, guns, rifles, saddles and reins—and originally sold for $2 to $4. Prices at the auction ranged from $69 for Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger to $374 for Johnny Yuma (“The Rebel”) and his horse. The Yuma set was complete with hat, pistol and shotgun. The Lone Ranger and his mount Silver sold with original accessories, box and two tags for $316. Dale Evans and her horse But- termilk auctioned with her hat and pistol for $115. As for military men, gunfighters and lawmen, George Washington brought $81; General Custer, $161; Palladin, $184; Wyatt Earp, $127; and Bat Master- son, $207. A figure’s value is determined by the popularity of the depicted character and Hartland figure, Tonto and his Hartland figure, Bret by the figure’s rarity, color and condition. Hartland figure, Roy Rogers horse Scout, complete set with Maverick gunfighter, Tags and an original solid or cellophane- and his horse Trigger, complete feather, knife and pistol, 8 in. l., complete set with hat covered open-front box also increase set with hat and two pistols, $115. and pistol, 7 1/2 in. h., (scratches, discoloration), $127. value. 8 1/2 in. l., $69. The history of Hartland Plastics is complicated. It changed ownership several times before it closed in 1993. It was revived later and went through slight name changes. Throw in a flood and a bankruptcy, and the company now operates as Hartland of Ohio, making sports figures and bobbin’-head dolls. The Discovery Auction catalog, June 15, 2010, is available from Morphy Auctions, 2000 North Reading Road, Denver, PA 17516, MorphyAuctions. com. Photos are courtesy of Morphy. For more informations, visit HartlandWest- erns.com and Hartlands.com. Also see Hartland figure, Johnny the May 2008 issue of Kovels newslet- Yuma (“The Rebel”) ter for information on Hartland baseball and his horse, complete figures. Hartland figure, Dale set with hat, pistol and Evans and her horse shotgun, 9 in. l., $374. Buttermilk, complete set with hat and pistol, 8 in. l., Hartland figure, General Custer and his $115. horse Vic, complete set with hat, sword, pistol and flag, 9 in. l.,$161. Kovels – September 2010 5 Victorian Scottish Agate Jewelry

gates found in Scotland are considered among the best in During the 19th century, Scottish agates were usually cut Athe world because of their variety of colors and patterns. as cabochons—polished, unfaceted, convex gems. They’re rich Add Queen Victoria’s fascination with her Scottish heritage, her and earthy in color, and Victorian jewelers set them in bold 1852 purchase of Scotland’s Balmoral Castle, and the British designs alongside citrines, jasper, malachite and granite. Most public’s fascination with Queen Victoria and you can understand early mounts were handmade of silver, but gold was also used. why 19th-century British jewelers created so many “souvenir” Later, when the semiprecious jewelry became so popular it was brooches and bracelets using agates from Scotland. exported to the Continent, mounts were die-cast by Birmingham Five dozen pieces of Victorian Scottish agate jewelry, silversmiths. sometimes called “pebble jewelry,” were auctioned recently at Because the jewelry goes so well with today’s fashions, Skinner in Boston. The most expensive, at $4,148, was a mid- collectors don’t just want to collect pieces—they want to wear Victorian silver-mounted snake bracelet set with agates and them, too. jasper (pictured). But you could buy plenty of pieces for well The Fine Jewelry catalog, June 15, 2010, is available from Skinner Inc., 274 under $1,000. Cedar Hill St., Marlborough, MA 01752, SkinnerInc.com. Photos are courtesy of Skinner, which held the auction at its Boston location.

Mid-Victorian Scottish agate snake bracelet, hinged body set all around with agates and jasper, silver mount. Victorian Scottish agate strap bracelet, each link set with an Cabochon red stone agate or jasper tablet. Silver mount with engraved accents, shell eyes, forked tongue, terminal, buckle closure, adjustable length. Patent mark and interior circumference maker’s mark “GU,” 6 1/2 in., $563. 6 in., $4,148.

Victorian Scottish agate and citrine bracelet, bezel- set with a cushion-shaped citrine framed by agates. Joined to a hinged tapering bracelet set with agate and jasper tablets, interior circumference 6 1/4 in., $652.

Victorian silver and Scottish Victorian Scottish agate and paste agate brooch, set with agates, brooch, set with a cushion-shaped paste marble and jasper in a braid (glass stone) in a scalloped frame with motif, 3 by 1 3/4 in., $1,007. agates and jasper. Silver mount (reverse inscribed), 2 1/2 by 2 in., $474.

PICTURED ON COVER Victorian Scottish agate Victorian Scottish agate bracelet, anchor links, silver and citrine bracelet, hinged mount, engraved accents. Padlock closure set with an bangle set with three cushion- agate bead, 7 1/4 in., $889. cut citrines and shaped agate borders. Gold mount engraved Victorian sterling silver, Scottish agate and with scroll motifs, interior citrine brooch, Celtic style, cushion-shaped circumference 6 1/2 in., $2,726. citrines with agates and jasper, engraved accents. Hallmarks and maker’s mark “S&Co.,” Chester, England, late 1800s, 3 in. $504.

6 Kovels – September 2010 Pennsylvania Furniture ou can often find examples of antique furniture Ymade in rural Pennsylvania at auctions in, fit- tingly, rural Pennsylvania. That was true at a summer Conestoga auction, where the pictured furniture sold. Pieces were made either long ago in the Pennsylvania countryside or not so long ago to look like early Penn- sylvania furniture. Unlike the sophisticated and more expensive furniture made in Philadelphia early in our country’s history, pieces made by cabinetmakers outside the city (mainly in Berks, Bucks, Chester and Lancaster coun- ties) reflected the furniture traditions of Germany, the cabinetmakers’ home country. Pieces are practical and Pennsylvania high-back Pennsylvania late Federal have clean lines, and many are painted allover or have plank-seat rocking chair, walnut two-part Dutch original red ground and painted painted decorations. cupboard, cove-molded stencils, seat height 18 in., Pennsylvania German dow- cornice, glazed upper doors, 33 1/2 in. overall, $396. pie shelf. Lower section with The term “Pennsylvania er chests, made for both women Dutch” is a corruption of three drawers and two lower and men, were often decorated double-paneled doors, (feet “Pennsylvania Deutsch,” with painted flowers, hearts and reduced, two vertical cracks on base, old refinish), which means “Pennsylvania birds, just like the antique one German.” 85 3/4 in. h. by 55 1/2 in. w. pictured here. Not in the best of by 21 in. d., $3,277. shape, it sold for $848. Two similar cupboards, one an antique and the other a mod- ern reproduction, sold for the identical price of $3,277. Both were of high quality, but the antique had been refinished and its base was cracked. Two antique workstands, one made by John Rupp in the late 1800s and the other by an unknown maker, attracted widely di- vergent prices. The Rupp stand brought $2,825, and the other, $735. Knowing the maker of Reproduction Lancaster County a piece of furniture tells much Pennsylvania Chippendale tiger about its history and is a fool- maple Dutch cupboard, central proof way of dating it—which six-pane glazed panel flanked by two six-pane glazed upper doors, increases its value. high pie shelf. Lower section with A pair of mid-20th-century a bank of four drawers flanked by chairs by R. Drew Lausch of Eph- two upper drawers and two double- One of a pair of Windsor raised-paneled doors, 84 in. h. by rata, Pa., auctioned for $2,712, comb-back armchairs, 64 in. w. by 20 in. d., $3,277. while an older stenciled rocker signed “R.D.L.” by Drew went for $396 and a Pennsylva- Lausch (1936-2006) of Ephrata. Painted dark green nia Sheraton poster bed with its Lancaster County paint-decorated over red, serpentine crest rail dower chest, red ground, panels original red paint for $509. York County grain-painted with carved ears, continuous with potted floral motifs. Molded lid, More prices: Walnut three-board softwood workstand, attributed arm, D-shaped saddle seat, wrought-iron strap hinges with snake pine-top farm table, two skirt drawers, to John Rupp, two-board top, splayed legs, stretchers. Seat terminals, marked “A. Sheffee” in beaded skirt, 30 by 54 by 33 1/2 in., $678. dovetailed skirt drawer, turned height 18 in., 46 in. overall, stencil under lid, (paint runs; missing Paint-decorated bamboo-turned Windsor legs, late 1800s, 29 1/2 in. h. by $2,712 for the pair. till, lock, keeper and base molding), kitchen side chair, 34 in. h., $367. Soft- 19 1/2 in. w. by 19 3/4 in. d., 21 in. h. by 52 in. w. by 23 in. d., wood milk cupboard with original brown $2,825. $848. varnish, plank top, two paneled doors, 38 by 42 1/2 by 14 1/2 in., $904. The Folk Art and Americana Auction catalog, June 12, 2010, is available from Conestoga Auction Co., 768 Graystone Road, P.O. Box 1, Manheim, PA 17545, ConestogaAuction.com. The catalog can also be viewed in the archives at LiveAuctioneers.com. Photos are courtesy of Conestoga. PICTURED ON COVER Lancaster County country Sheraton softwood workstand, original red paint, two-board top, skirt drawer with white porcelain knob, turned legs, (minor scratches), 30 in. h. by 22 in. sq., $735. Kovels – September 2010 7 Pisgah Forest Pottery

he vases and dishes made from the 1920s through about T1960 by Walter B. Stephen at North Carolina’s Pisgah For- est Pottery are examples of American art pottery handmade by a single artist working with only a couple of helpers at a simple kiln.* Stephen’s work is going up in price as more collectors discover it. More than 60 Pisgah Forest pieces sold at a Leland Little auction this summer. Prices went from $115 for a pair of small early vases with plain glossy glaze to $1,840 for a vase featuring a rare combination of Stephen’s two most famous styles: a cam- Pisgah Forest cameo vase, eo scene atop a lower crystalline-glazed section. Two examples pâte-sur-pâte American Indian Pisgah Forest blue campground, medium blue crystalline vase, allover of a third Stephen style—wine-colored vases with floral pewter blue crystals on jade overlay—also sold for high pric- glaze. Signed “Stephen 1960” in slip, bottom impressed “Cameo green field, tan interior. es: $1,150 and $1,725. Stephen Long Pine,” possibly one Bottom marked with Several cameo pieces are of Stephen’s last pieces before his impressed stamp and death in 1961, 4 1/2 in., $690. dated 1934, 7 1/4 in., pictured, most of them sporting $1,495. one of Stephen’s typical Western scenes. Nearly all of Stephen’s cameo work was done using a technique called pâte-sur-pâte: a method of layering liquid clay, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next, then carving details. A few later Pisgah Forest cameos were made using a different technique known as “sprigging”: a method using small plaster-of-Paris molds to make raised designs that are then applied to the body. Pisgah Forest’s crystalline- Pisgah Forest vase with Pisgah Forest cameo and Pisgah Forest cameo vase, glazed pieces are attracting a lot crystalline vase, upper half pewter floral overlay, dark wine glaze. Bottom marked upper half with pâte-sur- of interest today, too. Stephen with pâte-sur-pâte covered pâte musicians and square wagon scene, ivory and with impressed stamp and created the effect by adding or dated 38(?), 6 1/2 in., $1,725. dancers, light tan glossy glaze subtracting metals in his glazes, blue crystalline glaze below, below, (overall crazing on (hairline running length of tan glaze, repaired break near then cooling pieces slowly. A vase). Bottom marked with base). Bottom marked with blue crystalline vase auctioned impressed stamp and dated impressed stamp of Walter for $1,495, and another crystal- 1945(?), also signed “W.B. Stephen at Long Pine and Stephen” in blue glaze, dated 1953, 13 in., $1,380. line vase glazed blue over green- 10 3/4 in., $1,840. gold went for $1,035. Both are pictured. See the Dictionary of Marks for more information about Pisgah Forest Pottery. Photos are courtesy of Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, 620 Corner- stone Court, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Leland Little’s Fine and Decorative Arts Auction catalog, June 19, 2010, can be viewed on the auction’s website, LLAuc- tions.com. *Although Pisgah Forest pottery could be considered “studio pottery” because of Stephens’s small operation, it is included in most books on American art pottery, including Kovels’ American Art Pottery by Ralph and Terry Kovel (Crown, NY, 1993). Pisgah Forest cameo pitcher, upper portion with PICTURED ON COVER Pisgah Forest crystalline pâte-sur-pâte covered wagon Pisgah Forest cameo pitcher, upper portion with pâte-sur-pâte vase, large blue crystals on scene on matte field, mottled covered wagon scene against matte field, glossy green glaze below, green-gold field, pink interior. turquoise blue glaze below, (glaze bubbling below handle). Bottom marked with impressed stamp Bottom marked with impressed pink interior. Bottom marked and dated 1943, 5 1/4 in., $288. stamp and dated 1941, 6 3/4 in., with impressed stamp and $1,035. dated 1941, 7 in., $633. 8 Kovels – September 2010 Dictionary of Marks PISGAH FOREST POTTERY

isgah Forest Pottery was founded by Walter B. Stephen By 1926 Stephen was using a mark that included the P(1876-1961) in Arden, N.C., in about 1926. The pottery is words “Pisgah Forest,” which is the reason 1926 is considered best known for its cameo and crystalline wares, but it also made the start date of the pottery. But for a few years in the late a general line glazed in turquoise or wine, the most popular 1940s, he changed the pottery’s name to “Stephen Pottery.” colors, as well as ivory, pink, green, yellow or brown. Pieces made from 1927 to 1954 were also marked with the Stephen began making pottery with his mother in year the piece was made. Nonconnah, Tenn., in 1901. By 1913 he had moved to Arden, Pisgah Forest Pottery continued operating after Stephen’s not far from Mt. Pisgah, and was marking his pieces “Stephen” death in 1961. Most of the marks shown here were used after or “W.B. Stephen.” 1926 and were pressed in relief.

Impressed Potter at Wheel mark Impressed Potter at Wheel mark Impressed Potter at Wheel mark Impressed Potter at Wheel mark first used in 1926 used when the pottery was called Stephen Pottery

Impressed Impressed Impressed Undated impressed mark used after 1961

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Don’t post the name of your alarm company on your A tablecloth should be wide and long enough to drape house. Use a generic sign that says the house has an alarm system. over the edge of the table so the bottom is about 4 to 6 inches The name of the alarm company aids the burglar who wants to above the chair seats. Then your guests can keep their legs under disable the system. the table without worrying about a draped cloth. If you don’t Wrap jewelry in acid-free tissue or cotton bags to keep have a big-enough cloth, layer some small ones. Put the longest pieces from bumping and scratching. cloth on the bottom, then cover any wood that is showing with To clean carnival glass, use a soft brush, room-temperature the smaller ones. water, a sponge and a gentle detergent. Window cleaner is also OK. Use your silver often and it will tarnish less. Reproductions

Dedham Pottery’s “English Mushroom” plate is the latest and bitters bottles. Clevenger reproductions can be confused with authorized Dedham plate reproduction issued by the Dedham originals if you aren’t an experienced collector (the only consistent Historical Society Museum. Each new plate is hand-painted and clue is that Clevenger repros are heavier than originals). Today numbered and won’t be mistaken for an original. The reproduced those early reproduction bottles are selling—as reproductions— design, originally made by Dedham in about 1916, is one of for prices ranging from $20 into the hundreds. Unfortunately, several mushroom decorations used by the original pottery. The some are misrepresented as bottles made in the early 1800s, not new plate is available to the public for $98; contact the museum the 1900s. In 1966 Clevenger started marking its bottles “CB” at [email protected]. or “Clevenger Brothers.” By that time, it was producing mostly Clevenger Brothers Glass Works made reproductions of limited editions for clubs and other organizations. It also made antique bottles from the time it opened in Clayton, N.J., in 1930 flasks celebrating the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. Clevenger’s through most of the 1980s. Early reproductions included the E.G. furnace was shut down in 1999, and the factory’s contents were Booz whiskey bottle, several historical flasks and violin, banjo sold at auction last year. Kovels – September 2010 9 Antique & Vintage Baby Dolls Bye-Lo Baby doll, bisque socket head, sleep eyes, closed painted mouth, he first dolls most of us (or our sisters) remember playing molded and painted hair. with were baby dolls—dolls with faces and bodies designed Five-piece composition T body, antique christening to mimic a real baby. They were bald or had short hair, their tum- gown. Head marked mies were rounded and their legs were chubby and bent, not de- “©1923 by Grace S. signed to stand. Putnam, 1369, 20,” body marked “K&W [for Konig But dolls that look like & Wernicke], Made in babies were latecomers to Germany,” 12 in., $672. the long history of dolls, which goes back to prehis- toric times. Until the middle of the 19th century, nearly Martha Chase baby all manufactured dolls were doll, oil-painted stockinet head, painted designed to look like adults, features including hair, and most homemade dolls large brown eyes with were simple copies of the lashes, smiling closed mouth and applied ears. human form. Cloth torso and upper A summer McMasters limbs, oil-painted lower Harris auction included just limbs jointed at knees and elbows, original over 30 baby dolls among christening gown and the hundreds of dolls of- bonnet, (stuffing shows fered. Baby-doll prices on small areas of limbs). Unmarked, late were nowhere near those of 1800s-early 1900s, antique French bébé (child) 13 in., $330. Swaine & Co. “Lori” character baby, solid dome socket head, sleep or fashion dolls, but that eyes, open-closed mouth, molded made them a lot more af- and painted hair. Composition body, fordable. original finish, vintage gown. Head marked “Lori,” “S & Co., Germany” The babies ranged in in a circle and with a DI (?) price from $34 for a 5-inch monogram, 1910s, 22 in., $1,064. doll by an unknown Ger- man maker to $1,064 for a 22-inch “Lori” character baby made by Swaine & Co. of Germany. “Character dolls,” introduced in the early 20th century, have facial features that close- ly resemble those of a real child, not some “ideal” baby. Most of the auctioned baby dolls were manufactured by Ger- man companies early in the 20th century and most were marked on the back of the neck and/or torso. There were also a few Bye- Lo Babies, dolls meant to look like 3-day-old infants. They were All-bisque Bye-Lo Baby doll, Armand Marseille Model designed in the early 1920s by American Grace Storey Putnam. sleep eyes, closed painted 351 baby doll, solid dome Bye-Lo cloth bodies were made by K&K Toy Co., a U.S. sub- mouth, original brown human- bisque head, sleep eyes, open sidiary of George Borgfeldt & Co., but Bye-Lo heads and bodies hair wig. Probably original mouth, painted hair. Five-piece handmade smocked gown, composition bent-limb body, made of composition or bisque were manufactured by German slip, bonnet, socks and tie redressed, (eye chip, repainted dollmakers. shoes, (firing imperfections, arms), early 1900s, 13 in., A Martha Chase all-cloth baby doll, made in Providence, hat ribbon replaced). Head $264. marked “16/16,” most limbs R.I., around the turn of the 20th century, sold for $330. And a doll marked “6/16,” one limb made by the Century Doll Co. of New York, which bought doll marked “20/16,” J.D. Kestner, heads from J.D. Kestner of Germany, auctioned for $560. c.1920s, 7 in., $560. Photos are courtesy of McMasters Harris Auction Co., P.O. Box 341096, Columbus, OH 43234, McMastersHarris.com. The Everything Nice and Sugar and Spice catalog, June 13, 2010, can be viewed in the archives at LiveAuction- Kestner baby doll, bisque eers.com. For more information, see The Collector’s Encyclopedia of Dolls, Vol. socket head, sleep eyes (new 2, by Dorothy S., Elizabeth A. and Evelyn J. Coleman (Crown, NY, 1986). lashes), open mouth with wobble tongue, antique human-hair wig. PICTURED ON COVER Five-piece body cut for crier, Century Doll Co. baby doll by Kestner, solid dome bisque head, sleep antique christening gown and eyes, open-closed mouth with molded tongue and teeth, molded and slip, (repairs). Marked “Made in lightly painted hair. Cloth body, disc-jointed legs, composition gauntlet Germany, 257, J.D.K., 57,” hands, antique clothing. Head marked “Century Doll Co., Kestner, 24 in., $499. Germany,” c.1925, 17 in., $560. 10 Kovels – September 2010 Buyer’s Price Guide

ADVERTISING POTTERY & PORCELAIN W.M. Hoyt Co. Pepper counter tin, red with black Dresden tazza, reticulated bowl, shell & scroll design, lettering, c.1890, 9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in...... $60 applied flowers & leaves, 3 cherubs, c.1900, 17 in...... $460 Dr. Swett’s Root Beer 1948 calendar, picture of blond Sèvres Louis XVI-style cachepot, bucket shape, ram’s- woman holding a glass of pop, full pad, 12 x 25 in...... $160 head ornaments, alternating blue bands & hand- Woodward’s Chocolates tip tray, tin lithograph, gold painted flowers, 6 in...... $750 center with red box of candy, “Eat Woodward’s Fine Wedgwood Fairyland Luster vase, “Imps on a Bridge,” Chocolates,” John C. Woodward & Co., c.1905, 4 in..... $255 flared rim & foot, gilt highlights, 1915-29, 9 1/8 in..... $1,955 Orange-Crush sign, tin, “Crushy” logo character image, Union Porcelain Works pitcher, “Douglass House,” “Feel Fresh, Drink Orange-Crush,” orange & yellow, cream glazed body, bisque images of 4 characters 1940s, 15 3/4 in...... $285 from a Bret Harte poem, walrus spout, polar bear Sunbeam Bread sign, die-cut cardboard, Sunbeam handle, 1880, 9 1/2 in...... $5,495 girl with loaf of bread, stand-up, 1950s, 40 x 27 in...... $375 SILVER & OTHER METALS DOLLS & TOYS Cast-iron horse windmill weight, bobtail, “58” on “The Tiny Tim Game of Beautiful Things,” photo of Tiny side, Dempster Mill Manufacturing Co., Beatrice, Tim on board with flowers & ukulele, cards, 4 die-cut Neb., 1900-50, 17 in...... $200 cardboard shopping bags, Parker Bros., 1970, 9 x 18 in.. $85 Copper turkey weathervane, full body, dark mottled Porsche 911S toy car, tin, friction, red, Yanoman Toy patina, directionals, 20th century, 25 x 65 in...... $295 Co., original box, 1960s, 15 in...... $315 International Silver Co. sterling silver center bowl, Lord Shutterbug toy, boy holding camera with flash, tin litho- Robert pattern, pedestal foot, serpentine border, gad- graph, battery-operated, walks, lifts & lowers plastic rooned, shell design, inscribed, 1949, 4 x 11 3/4 in...... $510 camera, Normura Toys, Japan, 1950s, 8 1/2 in...... $415 Federal brass andirons, ball & steeple finials, hexagonal Red Grange doll, oilcloth body, fabric pants, No. 77 plinth, spurred arches, ball feet, American, c.1820, jersey, painted, removable helmet, “Licensed by 20 1/2 x 10 x 19 in...... $600 ‘Red’ Grange, Pat. Applied for 77,” 1920s, 18 1/2 in..... $460 TEXTILES & CLOTHING Lone Ranger punch-out book, punch-outs of the Lone Balenciaga black matte satin cocktail dress, scoop neck, Ranger, Tonto, Silver, Scout, Bud & others, cardboard full tea-length skirt, back trimmed with 3 bows, cover, unpunched, Whitman, 1940, 4 pages...... $695 hook-and-eye closure, 1960s, size 10...... $190 FURNITURE Ohio Jacquard coverlet, tied Beiderwand, wool & cotton, French Renaissance Revival hall stand, walnut, ring & blue & white, rose, star & plume center, bird & bush block baluster turnings, octagonal molded-edge border, G. Heilbronn, Lancaster, 1852, 68 x 86 in...... $385 mirror, umbrella storage, c.1890, 79 x 29 x 8 1/2 in...... $180 Washington, D.C., friendship quilt, grid configuration, Louis XV-style dresser, carved fruitwood, gilt-metal appliquéd floral bouquets & wreaths, white ground, mounts, mirror over marble top, frieze drawer over double sawtooth border, c.1850, 6 ft. 6 in. x 8 ft...... $3,585 2 doors, serpentine skirt, early 1900s, 71 x 55 in...... $480 MISCELLANEOUS Chippendale camelback sofa, velvet camel upholstery, Truman pre-presidential mechanical pencil, red, white crested padded back, tufted loose seat cushion, & blue, slogans, “Friend of the People, Harry S. Marlborough legs, 18th century, 37 x 74 in...... $1,135 Truman, Foe of Privilege,” 1940s, 5 1/8 in...... $85 Biedermeier walnut-veneered cabinet, dovetailed Luke Easter Cleveland Indians portrait button, celluloid, drawer over 2 long doors, interior shelves, turned color photo of Luke, red letters, c.1950, 1 3/4 in...... $380 feet, Continental, 1800s, 59 x 33 1/2 x 19 in...... $2,530 Powder horn, incised geometric design with rudimen- GLASS tary face & year “1763,” carved tip with heart in Bradley & Hubbard oil lamp, ruby glass shade, molded relief, drilled holes for cord, 10 1/2 in...... $1,055 lion garland, shaped metal base, putti, scrolls & Janis Joplin psychedelic concert poster, Syracuse, latticework, electrified, c.1900, 21 1/2 in...... $445 N.Y., 1970...... $2,600 Steuben candlesticks, clear, twisted ribbon within stems, $20 & UNDER circular base, marked, 1900s, 8 5/8 in., pair...... $630 Swankyswig, Cornflower No. 2, blue, 3 1/4 in...... $5 Lalique Antinea vase, clear & frosted, tapered, flanked “Hawaii, The 50th State” pennant, multicolored on faded by pair of frosted green glass female nude supports blue felt, white border, graphics of all the islands, Hula with flowing hair, 8 1/2 in...... $775 girl, flowers, Diamondhead, c.1960, 12 in...... $10 Gallé cameo glass vase, egg shape, flared rim, etched The Art of Cooking & Serving Crisco promotional trailing lavender blossoms & green leaves, iridescent cookbook, Procter & Gamble, black & white photos, opaque ground, signed, c.1900, 11 3/4 in...... $1,015 paperback, 1937, 549 recipes, 242 pages...... $18

Prices compiled monthly from sales and advertisements. For 47,000 current prices and 2,500 color photographs and factory marks, see Kovels’ An- tiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2010, 42nd edition, available at local bookstores and libraries, from Kovels.com or by mail from KOVELS, P.O. Box 22192, Beachwood, OH 44122 ($27.95 plus $4.95 postage and handling). Kovels – September 2010 11 Collector’s Gallery

We received this lady’s head vase This 15-key toy piano Q in June 1970 as a wedding gift. It Q belonged to my great came with a floral arrangement. Is anyone aunt, who was born in 1873. It’s buying head vases? And what would ours 23 inches wide, and the front sell for? There’s no mark on it. and the keys are covered in pa- Lady’s head vases from the 1950s- per lithographs. The words on A 70s are still sought by a lot of col- the front say “Crandall’s Aeo- lectors. Yours was imported from Japan lia of Montrose.” I have not been able to find a bit of information by Rubens Originals, a Los Angeles about the company or the toy. Please help. wholesale company founded in the 1950s Crandall is a famous name in the history of American toys, by Reuben Steinman (he chose to use A thanks to two different but probably related families with the famous Flemish artist’s name, not his own first name, as his the same last name. One family was led by Asa Crandall of Cov- company’s name). Steinman traveled to Japan a couple of times ington, Pa., who was making wooden toys as early as 1820. Asa’s a year to order ceramic floral containers, and vases shaped like company was taken over by his son, Charles M. Crandall, who women’s heads were becoming popular at the time. He and his introduced Crandall’s Building Blocks after the Civil War. The wife, Charlotte, created some of the designs. Rubens Originals’ tongue-and-groove wooden blocks, big sellers for years, were the first head vases were sold in the United States in 1956, and Ru- basis for several other successful toys. Charles M.’s son, Fred W. bens continued to sell them through the mid 1980s. Some had Crandall, apparently started his own toy company in Montrose, molded or impressed marks, others were marked with ink stamps Pa. (where his father’s firm was then based), in the 1880s, but his and still others had paper labels that were lost over time. The factory burned down in 1886. He opened a plant in Elkland, Pa., in company closed in the 1990s. The most popular Rubens head 1887 and renamed his firm Elkland Manufacturing Co. Fred made vases wear pearl earrings and necklaces, like yours. They sell toy pianos, including yours, as well as children’s furniture into the for close to $100. More-valuable head vases include a molded early 1900s. If your piano, made before 1887, plays properly, it’s hand or a fancy hat. Even more expensive are those that resemble worth about $50. (By the way, the other Crandall family toy busi- Marilyn Monroe or Jacqueline Kennedy. ness, also successful, was founded in Rhode Island and moved to Your vase is pictured in Head Vases by Kathleen Cole (Collector Books, New York City in 1841.) Paducah, KY, 2nd ed., 2006). Information about the history of Rubens Originals can be found online and in The World of Head Vase Planters by Mike Posgay This U.S. Centennial cot- and Ian Warner (Antique Publications, Marietta, OH, 1992); it’s out of print but ton pennant has been in my available on Amazon.com. Q family since 1886. It’s 23 1/2 inches I have a clock that is about 54 across the top and bottom and 17 Q years old. It says “Kieninger & inches down the left side. I haven’t Obergfell, Made in West Germany” on been able to find any record of this the back. On the front it says “Kundo.” I item’s history and I’m trying to de- also have the glass dome that covers the cide if I should leave it to my family, clock, but I didn’t photograph it on the which has no interest in it, or donate it to a historical society. clock because it reflects light. Can you I don’t mind donating it, but the organizations I have talked to give me an idea of the value? want me to give it a dollar value. Please help. Kieninger & Obergfell was found- Your pennant, called a “swallowtail pennant” because of its A ed in 1918 by Johann Obergfell and A forked tail, is similar to one pictured in Threads of History, J.G. Kieninger in St. Georgen, a town in a great book on American textiles by Herbert Ridgeway Collins. southwest Germany. Obergfell had oper- The pennant pictured in the book is also from the 1876 celebra- ated a clock parts factory beginning in 1899 and Kieninger spe- tion of the U.S. Centennial. It’s the same shape and size and has cialized in making enamel dials. The name “Kundo” was formed the same starred border as yours, although the background for from the initials of their last names combined with “und,” the the stars is blue, not red, and the central design is an image of German word for “and.” The words “Made in West Germany” the Liberty Bell. Collins lists the pennant’s manufacturer as the were used on items made between May 1949 and October 1990, American Flag Co. of New York. Another pennant with exactly when East and West Germany were reunited. So your clock cer- the same central design as yours, but with the stars background in tainly can be about 54 years old. Value: $75 to $100. Kieninger blue and the central wording in red, auctioned in 2005 for $360. & Obergfell and the Kundo name were sold to Artfield Manufac- Threads of History (Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 1979) turing Co. of Hong Kong in 2000. is out of print but may be available at your library. Letters from readers help us keep track of the changing world of antiques and collectibles. We wish we could answer all questions individually, but that just isn’t possible. We do read every letter, but only a limited number of questions of general interest are answered. Values given are average for the type of antique, not a specific appraisal. No questions about coins, stamps, books or oil paintings, please. Send written questions to P.O. Box 22192, Beachwood, OH 44122. Photos should be in focus and processed by a traditional photo lab; computer-generated prints on regular paper cannot be used. We try extra hard for subscribers, so include your newsletter label and a large, self-addressed, stamped envelope. Email questions and digital photos using the email form on the “Contact us” page at our website, Kovels.com. We regret that we cannot return any photos. We retain the right to use them in this publication or other Kovel forums, regardless of medium. Please do not send old letters, cards or papers of value. Sometimes research takes time, so please be patient. 12 Kovels – September 2010