Kovels Antiques & Collecting: Week of May 13, 2013

BEACHWOOD, Ohio - Children's toys often tell us how times have changed. Canada stopped making pennies last year, so saving money a penny at a time will soon be a problem in Canada. The United States also may stop making pennies, since the cost of the copper in a single coin is more than one cent.

But, ironically, the cost of a 19th-century mechanical bank has gone up. A Speaking Dog bank set a record at $63,250 a few years ago. The girl with the dog on that bank was wearing a blue dress. Most of these banks have a girl with a red dress. The bank was sold at Morphy Auctions in Pennsylvania in 2007, before the economic downturn in 2008. And the record bank had almost perfect paint. But the Speaking Dog bank still is very popular. It sells today for prices that range from $150 for one with worn paint and rust to over $14,500 for an excellent example. But watch out; copies have been made.

The cast-iron mechanical bank was made by the J. & E. Stevens Co. of Cromwell, Conn., in about 1895. Place a penny on the tray in the girl's hand. When the lever is pushed down, the dog opens its mouth, swallows the penny and wags its tail.

Q: I have an electric clock that pictures the Trylon and Perisphere and the words "New York World's Fair 1939" in gold on the face. The clock is in the shape of a ship's wheel and is about 11 inches tall. It was made by Sessions Clock Corp. and keeps perfect time. Does it have any value?

A: The New York World's Fair opened on April 30, 1939, the 150th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration as president of the United States. It ran until the end of October that year, reopened in May 1940 and closed on Oct. 27, 1940. Many souvenirs were made for the fair. Items that picture the Trylon and Perisphere are especially wanted by collectors. The three-sided Trylon and spherical Perisphere, symbols of the fair, were temporary structures made of plasterboard over steel frames. Check the website 1939NYWorldsFair.com for more information on the 1939 fair. Value of your clock: about $100.

Q: I inherited an antique Chippendale maple dresser with four drawers. There's a large tag inside one drawer that's titled "Florian Papp." Handwritten information on the card says the dresser is a "genuine antique" made in New England and that it was sold by Florian Papp in 1927. I would like to learn more.

A: Florian Papp (1883-1965) was born in Hungary and immigrated to the United States in about 1900. He worked as a cabinetmaker and furniture restorer before opening a gallery in New York City, where he specialized in selling European antiques. The Florian Papp antiques and art gallery is still in business, now operated by the third generation of the Papp family. It has always been an important gallery, and the provenance on the card is a guarantee that the dresser was made in New England and is not a reproduction.

Q: I found a platter in my mother's china cupboard that doesn't match anything else she had, and I have no idea where it came from. The mark on the bottom is a circle with a crown on top. The word "Celebrate" is inside the circle, and "Made in Germany" is written below. Is this platter old and valuable?

A: The mark you describe was used by Geo. Borgfeldt & Co., a New York City importer. The company was in business from 1881 until about 1976. Geo. Borgfeldt & Co. imported china and earthenware, dolls, toys, glassware, novelty goods and other items from Europe and sold them to retailers in the United States. The mark was used beginning in 1936. "Celebrate" is one of the trademarks owned by Borgfeldt. Your platter probably was made in the late 1930s, before the outbreak of World War II. It is difficult to sell a piece that probably was part of a set. Value: about $40.

Q: I have six issues of Ladies' Home Journal from 1898. They're in pretty good condition. I was thinking they might be worth something to a collector. What do you think?

A: The Ladies' Home Journal was first published in 1883. It's still on newsstands today. Issues as old as yours are especially interesting to collectors because of their old ads and photos. In general, 1898 Ladies' Home Journals sell online and at shows for $40 to $45 each.

Q: I have a small set of Candlewick glass, but three of them are cloudy. I believe this is from being washed in a dishwasher. Is there any way to make them clear again?

A: Cloudiness is caused by deposits of calcium carbonate left by new phosphate-free dishwasher detergents, especially if they're used with hard water. Manufacturers removed phosphate from their dishwashing products in 2010, after several states banned the ingredient because it contributes to the growth of algae in the environment. To clear up cloudy glasses, put a cup of white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher and run the glasses through the cleaning cycle without detergent. To prevent it from recurring, clean your dishwasher every six months and use less detergent when you run the dishwasher. You also can add a little citric acid to the detergent.

Tip: Never scrub threaded coral beads. The edges of the coral are so sharp they may cut the bead string.

Terry Kovel answers as many questions as possible through the column. By sending a letter with a question, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of any photograph, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The volume of mail makes personal answers or appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, Auction Central News, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.

CURRENT PRICES

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.

• Glass fedora candy container, clear, 4 1/2 x 2 x 4 inches, $25.
• Peters & Reed vase, Moss Aztec, Vestal Virgins, 6 3/4 inches, $35.
• Still bank, cast iron, child in boat, holding fish, mermaid, gold paint, 4 5/8 x 4 3/8 inches, $210.
• Student lamp, brass, green glass shade, etched dragons, 24 inches, $235.
• Roseville vase, Iris pattern, pink, handles, 9 x 15 inches, $305.
• George Nelson wall clock, "Ball," birch, brass spokes, red second hand, round, Howard Miller, 13 1/4 inches, $425.
• Match holder, shovel and bucket shape, metal, hanging, 9 x 3 inches, $440.
• Architectural bracket, eagle, spread wings, giltwood, pinecone finial, serpentine shelf, c. 1885, 18 x 20 inches, pair, $1,600.
• Renaissance Revival library table, walnut, marble top, demilune ends, drawer, trestle base, 29 x 53 inches, $1,845.
• Sterling silver water pitcher, mermaid, pearls, flowing hair, repousse, Whiting Mfg. Co., c. 1888, 8 5/8 inches, 4,480.

Contemporary, modern and mid-century ceramics made since 1950 are among the hottest collectibles today. Our special report, "Kovels' Buyers' Guide to Modern Ceramics: Mid-Century to Contemporary," identifies important pottery by American and European makers. Includes more than 65 factories and 70 studio artists, each with a mark and dates. Works by major makers, including Claude Conover, Guido Gambone, Lucie Rie, as well as potteries like Gustavsberg, Metlox and Sascha Brastoff, are shown in color photos. Find the "sleepers" at house sales and flea markets. Special Report, 2010, 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, 64 pp. Available only from Kovels. Order by phone at 800-303-1996; online at Kovels.com; or send $19.95 plus $4.95 postage and handling to Kovels, Box 22900, Beachwood, OH 44122.

© 2013 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

Kovels Antiques & Collecting: Week of May 6, 2013

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – A chair has four legs, a seat, a back and perhaps arms—or at least that was the rule for hundreds of years. Do you ever stop to think about chairs?

Before the 16th century, only the king, the church hierarchy or the most important person in the room sat on a chair. Others stood or used stools or benches. And, of course, since chairs represented authority, they were large, ornate and often gilded. In fact, the more important the person, the taller the chair back and the more extravagant the chair's decorations.

The symbolism has been retained in our language: a "chair" presides over a meeting, and the "first chair" in the orchestra has an important job.

By the 16th century, wooden chairs were "downgraded" to furniture for everyone, and styles began to be updated about every 25 years. By Victorian times, there was a chair for each person who sat at the dinner table, and soon sets of chairs were sold. In the late 19th century, technology spurred new ideas and unusual chairs. Some chairs could fold, turn into beds, recline, swivel or be converted to wheelchairs. Other chairs were made to fit into a corner. Updated ideas about work, play and children required dental chairs, office chairs, beach chairs, massage chairs, barber chairs and highchairs. By the 20th century, wood was not the only material used to make chairs. Frames were made of iron, steel, aluminum and other metals, as well as plastic, plywood, cardboard, webbing and foam rubber. So, chairs no longer necessarily had four legs, a seat and a back, but were cone-shape, egg-shape, zigzag, an asymmetrical blob or even a plastic bubble hung by a chain. Strange, but a place to sit.

In 1959 Jean Royere of France made a canopy lounge chair of enameled steel and corduroy for the daughter of the Shah of Iran, Princess Shahnaz. The chair back was 70 inches high and curved forward to make a roof to protect her from sun or rain. It had bent metal arms and short legs that kept the chair just a little above the ground so she could lounge with her legs extended. The chair sold in 2013 for $21,250 at Rago Arts and Auction Center in New Jersey, even though it was worn and soiled.

Very extreme modern chairs in unusual designs and materials sell today for tens of thousands of dollars. Most are great to look at but uncomfortable to use. The modern chair is sometimes just a piece of sculpture without a job.

Q: I have a 12-inch folding ruler that advertises International Harvester Co. of America. It's made of cream-colored celluloid and has two calendars on the back, one for 1906 and the other for 1907. The front ad reads, "Make it a Rule to bale your hay with I.H.C. Hay Presses." Does it have any value?

A: International Harvester Co., headquartered in Chicago, was in business from 1902 to 1985. Advertising with giveaways like rulers, mirrors, calendars, paperweights and other small items has been popular since the late 1800s. Your ruler would appeal to collectors of advertising or of celluloid, an early plastic. But rulers like yours don't sell for a lot of money. We have seen them offered for $10 to $25.

Q: My antique railroad lantern is marked "Thompson's Pat. April 27, 1869" on the back. It's marked "Pacific" on the front. What's it worth?

A: Railroad lanterns are favorites of collectors of "railroadiana" (railroad antiques and collectibles). Nathan Thompson of Brooklyn, N.Y., received a patent for his "lantern improvement" in 1869. His lantern was produced for years and was purchased by many different railroad companies. The Pacific Railroad, chartered by Missouri in 1849, was reorganized in 1872 as the Missouri Pacific Railway. So it's likely that your lantern was manufactured in the early 1870s. A Thompson Patent lantern like yours auctioned last fall for $143.

Q: I have an old 4-inch-diameter glass ashtray surrounded by a 7-inch-diameter rubber tire. Both sides of the tire are embossed "U.S. Royal" and "U.S. Heavy Duty Six." Was this an advertising item? What is its value?

A: Your ashtray was indeed an advertising item. Ashtrays like it were made from the 1930s into the '60s to advertise just about every American tire manufacturer, including U.S. Royal, Firestone, Goodyear and Goodrich. If yours is in great shape, an advertising collector might pay about $40 for it.

Q: I have a vase stamped "Made in German Democratic Republic." It's also stamped "J.L. Menau" and, underneath it, "Kenneberg-Torzellan." Can you tell me who made this vase?

A: Your vase was made by a porcelain factory in Ilmenau, Thuringia, Germany. Although the name of the town looks like "JLMENAU" on some marks, it is actually "Ilmenau," and what looks like "Kenneberg-Torzellan" actually is "Henneberg-Porzellan." The factory was founded in Ilmenau in 1777 and was operated under various names and owners. It became Ilmenauer Porzellanfabrik Graf von Henneberg in 1930. The company was nationalized when Ilmenau became part of the Germany Democratic Republic (East Germany) after World War II. It operated as V.E.B. Henneberg Porzellan Ilmenau from 1949 until 1990. Your vase was made during this period. The company went bankrupt in 2002, and the assets were bought by an investor, who changed the company's name to Neue Porzellanfabrik Ilmenau. The maker is not well known, so your vase is worth about $30.

Tip: Put a small rug or dropcloth under a piece of furniture to move it. Pull the rug to slide the furniture across the room. This protects the furniture and floor. But don't try this on a high-pile carpet.

Need prices for collectibles? Find them at Kovels.com, our website for collectors. More than 84,000 prices and 5,000 color pictures have just been added. Now you can find more than 856,000 prices that can help you determine the value of your collectible. Access to the prices is free at Kovels.com/priceguide.

Terry Kovel answers as many questions as possible through the column. By sending a letter with a question, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of any photograph, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The volume of mail makes personal answers or appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, Auction Central News, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.

CURRENT PRICES

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.

• Pickard pitcher, gilt, porcelain, c. 1960, 7 1/2 inches, $45.
• Gouda vase, Noda pattern, flowers, multicolored, c. 1920, 7 3/4 inches, pair, $180.
• Candlestick, Whippet dog, seated, holding torch, patinated metal, 13 x 7 2/3 inches, pair, $325.
• Asco Hot Nut dispensing machine, coin-operated, cup attachment, 23 inches, $330.
• Cast-iron doorstop, two cats standing, painted, Hubley, c. 1910, 7 inches, $355.
• Pepsi-Cola sign, "America's Biggest Nickel's Worth, 5 cents," tin lithograph, red, white, blue, 1940s, 10 x 30 inches, $550.
• Irish Mail quadracycle, wood, Hill Standard, Indiana, c. 1910, $660.
• Daum vase, bulbous, textured, indented sides, flowers, dragonflies, gold enamel, pink ground, 3 x 5 1/2 inches, $1,875.
• Gothic Revival nesting tables, rosewood, carved, pierced, splayed scrolled feet, c. 1850, 29 inches, 2 pieces, $2,390.
• Goddess marble bust, wearing helmet, Hellenistic style, mounted, iron support, 20 x 10 inches, $2,870.

Available now: The best book to own if you want to buy, sell or collect. And if you order now, you'll receive a copy with the author's autograph. The new Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, 2013, 45th edition, is your most accurate source for current prices. This large-size paperback has more than 2,500 color photographs and 40,000 up-to-date prices for more than 775 categories of antiques and collectibles. You'll also find hundreds of factory histories and marks, a report on the record prices of the year, plus helpful sidebars and tips about buying, selling, collecting and preserving your treasures. Available online at Kovelsonlinestore.com; by phone at 800-303-1996; at your bookstore; or send $27.95 plus $4.95 postage to Price Book, Box 22900, Beachwood, OH 44122.

© 2013 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

This lounge chair, probably one of a kind, was made for royalty in 1959 by the famous French designer Jean Royere. It must have been made to be used near a swimming pool or on a beach. It sold at a 2013 Rago Arts auction in Lambertville, N.J., for $21,250.

Kovels Antiques & Collecting: Week of April 29, 2013

A 7-1/2-foot-high safety pin that looks like a modern sculpture actually is a floor lamp made in 1975 by modern artist Yonel Lebovici (1937-1998). In the 1960s, he started making unusual lamps and other items inspired by everyday objects.

His marketing ideas were unusual for an artist at the time. He made a limited number of each creation, which means he was among the first to sell "limited editions." He was ahead of the huge popularity of limited-edition plates, figurines and other collectibles. In the late 1960s, machine-made plates and figurines often were limited to the number made in one year. Collectors paid more for those no longer made.

In the 1990s, limited editions lost favor and prices fell. But to own "the-only-one-made" art piece by a known artist gives extra prestige to a collector, and prices are high. Work by an important artist limited to about 20 examples also entices collectors to pay higher prices.

Lebovici was influenced by everyday household items, fish and perpetual motion. He created cordless lamps using the then-new low-voltage technology. The large safety-pin lamp, from an edition of 10, auctioned for $37,500 at Sotheby's in 2012.

Q: I'm wondering what my Marx-a-Serve Electric Table Tennis game is worth. I don't have the original box or instructions, but I have all the game pieces—the battery-operated base unit and nets, four table tennis balls and two rackets. The base unit shoots out a ball and the player hits the ball back into the net. The ball then falls back into the machine for continued use.

A: Your game, with its original box, sold online recently for $32. Without the box, it would sell for less--perhaps $20 if the mechanism still works.

Q: Our grandmother left us an inkstand that has been in the family for more than 80 years. It's in the shape of a stag's head with long antlers that form a pen rest. The words "Niagara Falls" are on the top of the stag's head. A pressed glass inkwell sits right behind the head on a base that looks like a pile of leaves and acorns. The antlers are 5 1/2 inches high, and the inkstand is about 6 by 4 1/2 inches. What can you tell us?

A: Your inkstand is a well-known American design that dates from the early 1900s. We have seen it without any notation on the stag's head, but it was probably sold as a souvenir at many tourist sites. The head, base and antlers have been made in various colors and metals. Your inkstand, depending on its condition, could sell for more than $100.

Q: My husband inherited a French mantel clock from his father. It's made of what looks like black marble with bronze columns and is shaped like a Greek building. Its face is porcelain. The mark on the back is a circle with the words "Medaille d'Argent" and "Vincenti & Cie 1855." The clock is 16 1/2 inches tall by 15 1/2 inches wide and 6 1/4 inches deep. It's very heavy. Please tell us how to figure out how old it is and what it's worth.

A: Vincenti & Cie (Vincenti & Co.) was a Paris clockmaker founded before 1834 by Jean Vincenti. It went out of business in about 1870. The mark on your clock indicates that the company won a silver medal (medaille d'argent) at the 1855 Universal Exposition in Paris, which means your clock was made after 1855. Vincenti & Cie clocks sell for a wide range of prices, from the low hundreds into the tens of thousands. An expert has to look at your clock in person and can estimate its age by its works. The clockcase and weight make us think it could be quite valuable if it works or can be easily made to work.

Q: I inherited a plate from my aunt, who was an antiques dealer in the 1940s and '50s. The plate is octagonal and has an allover chintz pattern of flowers, leaves and berries. The bottom of the plate has a printed mark with a crown over the words "Crown Ducal Ware, England." Can you tell me how old the plate is? Is it valuable?

A: The trade name "Crown Ducal" was first used in 1916 by A.G. Richardson and Co. of Tunstall, England. The mark on your plate was used beginning in about 1925. The company began working in Tunstall in 1915 and in nearby Cobridge in 1934. A.G. Richardson was bought by Wedgwood in 1974. Chintz-pattern dishes have fallen in price throughout the past few years. Your plate is worth about $50.

Q: I inherited some TWA airline memorabilia from an uncle who worked for Trans World Airlines years ago. I have a box of TWA playing cards, carryon bags, silverware, booties, etc. Are any of these items worth anything? How should I go about selling them? A: There are collectors of airline memorabilia. You can find some of them by contacting one of the clubs for collectors, like the World Airline Historical Society. The club website (www.WAHSonline.com) lists collector shows in the United States. If you find one near you, you can go to the show, meet collectors, see what things like yours are selling for and possibly find a buyer.

Tip: After you come back from a flea market or show where you examined merchandise, be sure to wash your hands. You could have handled something oily or dusty that left traces on your hands. When you unpack, wash your hands again to be sure all contaminants from the wrappings are gone. Gently clean any of your new purchases. And think about the weather when you're shopping. A change from very hot or very cold to room temperature can damage antiques. Try not to keep purchases in your trunk for very long.

Take advantage of a free listing for your group to announce events or to find antique shows and other events. Go to Kovels.com/calendar to find and plan your antiquing trips.

Terry Kovel answers as many questions as possible through the column. By sending a letter with a question, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of any photograph, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The volume of mail makes personal answers or appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, Auction Central News, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.

CURRENT PRICES

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.

Sheet music, Song Sung Blue Neil Diamond, 1972, $5.

Candy container, papier-mache, bull, wide-eyed, smiling, coiled horns, Germany, 4 1/2 inches, $45.

Indianapolis Speedway toy racer, cast iron, red paint, two drivers, c. 1930, 2 x 6 inches, $60.

Buck Rogers badge, "Chief Explorer," red paint, 1936, 1 1/2 inches, $150.

Sugar basket, silver-plated, oval bowl, pierced leaf band, swing handle, dome foot, c. 1885, 5 inches, pair, $215.

Worcester basket, tomb of Napoleon, St. Helena, serrated border, Flight, Barr & Barr, c. 1810, 5 1/2 x 4 inches, $240.

Harpoon weather vane, wrought sheet iron, wave-shape tail section, center spire, c. 1900, 16 3/4 x 44 inches, $345.

Murano glass handkerchief vase, pink, white stripes, signed Venini, 7 x 5 1/2 inches, $520.

Northwest Indian totem pole, raven-halibut-beaver, carved, painted, Raymond Peck, Juneau, Alaska, contemporary, 50 inches, $1,005.

Boot scraper, cat figural, cast iron, red paint, c. 1860, 12 x 10 1/4 inches, $1,610.

Contemporary, modern and mid-century ceramics made since 1950 are among the hottest collectibles today. Our special report, "Kovels' Buyers' Guide to Modern Ceramics: Mid-Century to Contemporary" identifies important pottery by American and European makers. Includes more than 65 factories and 70 studio artists, each with a mark and dates. Works by major makers, including Claude Conover, Guido Gambone and Lucie Rie, as well as potteries like Gustavsberg, Metlox and Sascha Brastoff, are shown in color photos. Find the "sleepers" at house sales and flea markets. "Special Report, 2010," 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, 64 pp. Available only from Kovels. Order by phone at 800-303-1996; online at Kovels.com; or send $19.95 plus $4.95 postage and handling to Kovels, Box 22900, Beachwood, OH 44122.

© 2013 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

Kovels Antiques & Collecting: Week of April 22, 2013

Most people have heard about the bout of "Tulipmania" that spread through the Netherlands in the 17th century, but few know about "Pteridomania," or fern madness.

In the 19th century, ferns were part of a popular health regimen. People would go into the woods to hunt for ferns or to study nature. It was good exercise for body and soul. People from all levels of society joined in searching for new varieties of ferns they could record, plant or dry and put in albums.

The many varieties of ferns were soon featured on porcelains and iron garden furniture, and in paintings and interior decors. Green majolica plates shaped like fern leaves, iron benches by Coalbrookdale and children's toy porcelain dishes by Ridgways were decorated with ferns. The madness continued into the 1880s, but even today ferns are popular house and garden plants. More than 10 varieties are offered in new mail-order garden catalogs, and even more can be found in nurseries in cities with a fern-friendly climate. It would be easy to find decorative examples of Pteridomania and form a collection today.

Q: I'm 92 years old and am trying to get rid of some old possessions. A copy of the April 20, 1865, Philadelphia Inquirer has been in my family for ages. The front page has several articles about President Abraham Lincoln's funeral. There are drawings (not photographs) of the funeral car and coffin. I'd like to sell it but don't know the value. Can you help?

A: Newspapers covering the death of President Lincoln are collectible. The value of old newspapers varies, depending on the importance of the historical event covered as well as condition and rarity. A front-page article with graphic art is more important than articles on inside pages or those without pictures. Before photography was commonly used, illustrations were made from woodcuts. Some newspapers that are old but don't cover significant events sell for under $10, while newer papers covering important events can sell for hundreds of dollars. Old newspapers become yellow and crumble if not stored properly, but newspapers printed on paper made from rag linen, common before 1876, don't deteriorate as quickly as those made on modern paper. Newspapers should be stored flat and away from light, heat and moisture. Don't store them in the attic or basement. Newspapers with stories about Lincoln have sold in recent years for $10 to a few hundred dollars, depending on condition and content.

Q: I was given an antique secretary, but the desk section is locked and I have no key. How can I open it without ruining the lock?

A: Don't try to pick the lock. Call a few professional locksmiths and find one who is comfortable working with an antique lock. You will find someone who can open it safely.

Q: I have a tea cart that my parents bought in England in the early 1950s. It has been used by our family ever since, but not for serving tea. It's on wheels and has two removable trays. There are two metal tags on the rail. One reads, "Staples Trolley, Prov Patent 22852/52." The other reads, "Made by Staples & Co. Ltd., Wire Mattress & Bedstead Maker to the late King George VI." Can you tell me how old the tea cart is, and if it has any value?

A: The patent is a United Kingdom patent dated June 12, 1952, for improvements to "tea trolleys, dinner wagons and like dispensing trolleys." Your tea trolley was made shortly before your parents bought it in the 1950s. A tea trolley is what the English call a tea cart or tea wagon, a wheeled cart that usually has two shelves and can be pushed from room to room. It's handy for transporting dishes or food from kitchen to table and back. The patent lists Staples & Co. Ltd. and Robert Garnett Heal as applicants. Staples & Co. was founded by Harold Heal and received a royal warrant of appointment as wire mattress and bedstead maker in 1923. Wooden trolleys from the 1950s sell for about $200 to $600, depending on design and condition.

Q: My old creamer is marked with the outline of what looks like Ohio and the words "Leigh Ware by Leigh Potters, Inc., U.S.A." inside. Underneath that it reads, "Patent applied for, warranted 22K gold." Is this worth anything?

A: Leigh Potters was in business in Alliance, Ohio, from 1926 to 1931. The company's mark is outlined by the shape of the state of Ohio. Leigh Potters made dinnerware, kitchenware and decorative art ware. Your creamer is part of a set of dishes and has a low value if it's not partnered with the sugar bowl. Price: under $20.

Q: Can you give me any information about a "John Bull" chess set made in India? The elaborate carved ivory pieces are British soldiers versus Indian Raj soldiers. I never see them for sale on the Internet.

A: Sets like yours usually are referred to as "John Company" sets because that was the nickname for the British East India Co. The origins of the game of chess can be traced to India before the sixth century, and the game continues to be very popular there. During the British Raj (British rule) from 1858 to 1947, many sets with ivory pieces—some elaborate and some simple—were made. The value of yours depends on how elaborately it was carved and what condition the pieces are in. Sets that predate 1989 can sell for very high prices. That's the year a worldwide ban on the sale of ivory was implemented. But you won't see the sets for sale on eBay. It will not allow the sale of any ivory on its site. If you want to sell, contact a reputable auction house.

Tip: For best results, schedule your house sale at the beginning or middle of the month (near paydays), but not during holiday weekends.

Sign up for our weekly email, "Kovels Komments." It includes the latest news, tips and questions and it's free if you register on our website. Kovels.com has lists of publications, clubs, appraisers, auction houses, people who sell parts or repair antiques and more. Kovels.com adds to the information in this column and helps you find useful sources needed by collectors.

Terry Kovel answers as many questions as possible through the column. By sending a letter with a question, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of any photograph, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The volume of mail makes personal answers or appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, Auction Central News, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.

CURRENT PRICES

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.

Hummel figurine, "Let's Sing," No. 110/4, 3 inches, $15.

Silver pin, openwork flowers, amber, oval mount, Continental, circa 1900, 1 1/4 inches, $60.

Bellows, leather, cornucopia and leaf design, 18 inches, $135.

Pepsi-Cola cardboard sign, "More Bounce to the Ounce," woman holding tray picturing bottle cap, 1940s, 12 5/8 x 29 inches, $255.

Cartier pin, gold, rope knot, 1 3/4 inches, $295.

Regency-style etagere, ebonized, gilt, shelves, pierced brass gallery, turned uprights, 74 x 17 inches, $675.

Newcomb Pottery pitcher, jonquils, blue, green, white, matte glaze, Anna Frances Simpson, 1927, 5 1/2 inches, $800.

Side table, rectangular top, banded, stretcher shelf, square legs, fret-carved feet, circa 1900, 32 x 17 inches, pair, $1,105.

Coin-operated target game, Big Game Hunter, 1 cent, A.B.T. Manufacturing Co., key, 10 1/2 x 18 inches, $1,650.

Bronze sculpture, rabbit, ears down, Blue John Stone cube pedestal, attributed to Antoine-Louis Barye, 3 1/8 x 2 inches, $2,870.

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© 2013 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

Kovels Antiques & Collecting: Week of April 15, 2013

A window shelf that holds a collection of cobalt-blue bottles attracts attention, so many new collectors buy their bottles by color. Most early bottles were made of pale-blue or aqua glass. It was difficult to produce clear glass in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Early bottles were blown, sometimes shaped by the maker or sometimes blown into an iron mold. A bottle had small imperfections caused by tiny pieces of sand or other ingredients. Dark colors were rare. By 1880, the quality of glass was improving. Whittle marks and tiny bubbles were seen less often, and chemicals were added to make colored glass smooth. Amber, green, brown, light-blue and clear bottles were made to hold medicine, whiskey, soda, ink, mineral water and canned food.

The most popular cobalt-blue color was made by adding cobalt oxide to the glass mixture. The automatic bottling machine came into use in 1903, so cobalt-blue bottles seen most often today were machine-made. Many held medicine, like Bromo-Seltzer or Milk of Magnesia.These are very inexpensive. But old cobalt bottles made earlier can be worth hundreds of dollars. Buying tips: Old bottles probably have pontil marks (a pontil mark is a scar on the bottom), flaws and raised lettering identifying the contents or maker. Many new cobalt-blue figural bottles have been made. Bottles marked "Wheaton" on the bottom are new. There are cobalt-blue bottles in stores today that hold water or vodka.

Q: We have a cast-iron wood-burning stove in our garage that we salvaged from an old cabin. The markings on it read, "Lakeside Foundry Co., Chicago, Ill., Bell-Wood, Windsor." Can you tell us anything about it?

A: Lakeside Foundry Co. was in business from about 1902 until 1920, when the foundry was sold and the name became Lakeside Forge. Lakeside Foundry made stoves, bells, tableware and other items that were sold by Montgomery Ward. Windsor was one of the brands sold by Montgomery Ward.

Q: When I was going through my father's belongings after he died, I found a framed photo of a horseracing scene above an uncirculated U.S. $2 bill with gold embossing. The framed pieces are titled "The $2 Bill," and between the photo and the bill are these words: "The two-dollar bill with its unique gold embossing and portrait of a smiling Thomas Jefferson was the favorite of Nevada sportsmen and countless American horseracing enthusiasts. It was retired from circulation in 1966 never again to adorn the winner's circle." The bill shows it's from "Series of 1928 F" and the signatures on it are "W.A. Julian" and "John W. Snyder." Can you tell me anything about this?

A: The $2 bill was introduced in the United States in 1862. All U.S. paper currency was produced in its current size starting with Series 1928, and the bills began circulating in 1929. The $2 bill was discontinued by the U.S. Treasury in 1966, but it was reintroduced in 1976. The bills have not been widely used by the American public, but they're favorites at horseracing tracks where the minimum bid is $2. The signatures on your bill indicate that it was issued between 1946 and 1949, when William Alexander Julian was U.S. Treasurer and John W. Snyder was the Secretary of the Treasury. The gold embossing was done by a private company, not by the U.S. Mint. An uncirculated $2 bill the series and age of yours could sell for about $35. We spotted another framed collage like yours mounted with a Series 1963 A $2 bill. It sold online for $20.

Q: When I was 6 or 7 years old in the late 1930s, I played with a small tin toy boat that held a bit of water and below it was another compartment with a candle. When I lit the candle, it would heat the water and turn it into steam. The steam went through a small pipe to the water in the boat and propelled the boat forward. I think the toy was made in Japan and cost just a few pennies at the time. Can you give me more information about the toy?

A: Your toy boat has several different names. Most common is the name "pop-pop boat," but it's also called a "puf-puf boat." Its history dates back to France in the 1880s, but it was patented by Frenchman Thomas Piot in 1891. Heat is created with either a candle or a small oil burner. The toys were popular playthings in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, but they lost favor when plastic toys took over the market. Collectors hunt for toys like yours, but they don't pay more than $15 to $25 for a used boat. If yours were in its original and unopened package, it could sell for up to $50.

Q: I would like some information about my grandfather clock. It was made by by J.J. Welsh from Heton Lehole, Scotland (unsure of the spelling). I have tried to look up the name of the clockmaker and the town but have had no luck. The clock must be about 200 years old. A previous owner painted the clock's faceplate, which was rusted out, so the face is not original.

A: Your clock may have been made by John James Welch, a clockmaker who worked in Hetton-le-Hole, Durham County, England, from 1877 to 1884. His last name is sometimes spelled "Welsh." He worked in Seaham Harbour, also in Durham County, England, in 1864. We did not find a town in Scotland called Heton Lehole. Maybe when the dial was repainted, the name and location were mislabeled.

Tip: Look at your house from the outside and be sure that valuable paintings, silver or other belongings are not visible from the street, especially near doors and windows. It could be an invitation to a burglar.

Terry Kovel answers as many questions as possible through the column. By sending a letter with a question, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of any photograph, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The volume of mail makes personal answers or appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, Auction Central News, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019

CURRENT PRICES 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.

• Cracker Jack toy, hippopotamus, plastic, melon color, $10.
• McCoy Pottery oil jar, sponged maroon, white, handles, 15 1/4 inches, $45.
• Globe, light inside, wood base, 17 x 14 x 12 inches, $90.
• Czechoslovakia glass platter, Queen Anne's lace, round, 12 inches, $180.
• Auto bumper tag, U.S. presidential candidate Alf Landon, metal, round, reflective light, red, blue, white, 1936, 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, $240.
• Bronze bookends, elephant, trunk up, Paul Herzel, c. 1945, 7 1/2 x 6 3/4 inches, $295.
• Cut-glass compote, cylindrical bowl, scattered cut stars, round foot, 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 in., pair, $490.
• John Dillinger poster, "Wanted in Five States, Public Enemy No. 1," frame, c. 1930, 21 x 16 inches, $710.
• Shelf clock, Empire style, gilt bronze, circular case, white enamel dial, two-griffin standard, cut glass base, 11 3/8 inches, $1,190.
• Sterling-silver bookends, terriers, one running, other trotting, verdigris patina, signed "E.B. Parsons," stamped "Gorham," c. 1940, 8 inches, $1,890.

Ralph and Terry Kovel, syndicated newspaper columnists, best-selling authors, avid collectors and national authorities on antiques, hosted the HGTV series Flea Market Finds with the Kovels. Enjoy the shows all over again and explore some of the most exciting flea markets in the United States. In each episode, Ralph and Terry share their secrets about when and where to shop, what to look for at flea markets and how to make a good buy. The DVDs available now cover the first season of the series. You'll see rare marbles, antique quilts, European chests and boxes, Satsuma pottery, ceramic tobacco jars, Bakelite jewelry, vintage plastic dime-store toys, Czechoslovakian glass, Big Little Books, can labels and seed packets, old prints and more. Available online at Kovelsonlinestore.com; by phone at 800-303-1996; or send $29.95 plus $4.95 postage to Kovels, Box 22900, Beachwood, OH 44122.

© 2013 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

Kovels Antiques & Collecting: Week of April 8, 2013

Honey has a history going back to 2100 B.C. It is mentioned in some Babylonian writings. It was used for sweetening food, for medicine, for religious ceremonies and even as a form of money.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, a special serving dish and usually a special serving fork or spoon were devoted to each type of food, so it's not surprising to find special antique honey pots. The wealthy used silver serving pieces, and honey pots might be shaped like bee skeps or have a sculpted or engraved bee as decoration. Domed skeps were made of woven straw and were portable. If a skep was not destroyed to get honey out, another swarm of bees could inhabit a skep the next season. Old skeps sell today for about $50 to $100 as decorations. It is illegal to raise bees with a skep today. Beekeepers must be able to open hives today so mite medicine can be applied.

Old and new honey pots can be found made of glass and pottery. If you plan to use a sterling- or silver-plated pot, it must have a glass liner. Honey encourages silver tarnish, and tarnish destroys some of honey's nutrients.

Q: I have an original program from the Candlestick Park Dedication Dinner held at the Garden Court of the Sheraton-Palace Hotel in San Francisco on April 11, 1960. It's autographed by a few baseball players and by some of the people who spoke at the dedication, including Vice President Richard Nixon, Major League Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick, Giants owner Horace Stoneham and Giants manager Bill Rigney. What is it worth?

A: The San Francisco Giants played at Seals Stadium for two seasons before Candlestick Park opened in 1960. The team played there for 40 years, until its new ballpark on San Francisco Bay (now called AT&T Park) opened in 2000. Your program would interest collectors of baseball memorabilia, but the Nixon signature means it also might appeal to people who want political collectibles. If you want to sell, contact an auction that specializes in sports collectibles. The program could sell for $100, but it might also bring $500 or more, depending on the program's condition and the fame of everyone who autographed it.

Q: I still have my Alice Marble wooden tennis racket my parents gave me when I was about 10 years old. It was made by Wilson and reads "Court Queen" on the handle. Is this of any value, or is it just a piece of tennis history?

A: Tennis player Alice Marble (1913-1990) was ranked No. 1 in the world in 1939. She broke world records when she won the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that year. During World War II, she was a spy for the United States and was wounded when trying to get some Nazi financial information. Wilson made more than one model of Alice Marble tennis rackets. The Court Queen model was introduced in about 1938. Old wooden rackets aren't particularly valuable today. Rackets like yours sell for under $40. They are hung on the wall as decoration, not used to play tennis.

Q: We have a set of toy American Indians that consists of 11 figures, including the chief, an Indian on horseback with bow and arrow, another Indian with a gun, a female figure and others. They were in my husband's family for years. The box they're in reads, "Elastolin, Made in Germany." I would appreciate any information you can give me.

A: Elastolin is a trademark used by toy manufacturer O. & M. Hauser of Stuttgart, Germany. The company was founded in 1904 by Otto and Max Hausser. In 1912 Hauser began making miniature military figures out of a mixture of sawdust and glue. The figures were hand-painted and marked "Elastolin." Figures representing soldiers from many wars, medieval characters, cowboys and Indians and other figures, including animals, were made in several sizes. Figures representing members of Nazi organizations and their leaders were made in the 1930s. The figures of Hitler, Goring, Goebbels and other Nazi leaders had movable right arms that could be raised in the Nazi salute. No figures were made between 1943 and 1945, when German industries concentrated on the war effort. Hard plastic figures were made beginning in 1955, and soft plastic figures beginning in 1970. Production ceased in 1983. Your American Indian figures are sought by collectors. Depending on complexity and condition, the figures sell online for $10 to $100.

Q: I inherited 13 Bessie Pease Gutmann prints when my cousin died. They are all framed and look very old. Some are named and several are not. I would like to know how to find out what they're worth.

A: Bessie Pease Gutmann (1876-1960) was an American artist who did illustrations for advertisements, books, magazines, postcards and calendars. She is best known for her prints of babies and young children. She stopped working in 1947. Her prints have been mass-produced. Original prints were done on matte paper and include the print number and the name and city of the publisher, "Gutmann and Gutmann, New York, N.Y." Titles on early prints were written in block letters. Later, prints had titles in script. Original prints can be worth a few hundred dollars, while copies sell for as little as $10 to $15 each.

Tip: Help your family by always identifying who's pictured in your family photographs. Include their names and ages, the year the photo was taken and where it was taken. Write on the back near the edge using the kind of permanent marker sold at photo supply stores. Do not use a ballpoint pen. It will leave a dent in the paper.

Need prices for collectibles? Find them at Kovels.com, our website for collectors. More than 84,000 prices and 5,000 color pictures have just been added. Now you can find more than 856,000 prices that can help you determine the value of your collectible. Access to the prices is free at Kovels.com/priceguide.

Terry Kovel answers as many questions as possible through the column. By sending a letter with a question, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of any photograph, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The volume of mail makes personal answers or appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, Auction Central News, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.

CURRENT PRICES 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.

• Postal telegraph badge, "All America Cables," globe, blue-and-white cloisonne, triangular, 2 1/8 x 1 7/8 inches, $45.
• Wallace Nutting print, The Quilting Party, signed, framed, 10 x 12 inches, $50.
• Yellow Kid paperweight, metal, figural, "Say, ain't I a heavyweight," R.F. Outcault, 7 x 3 inches, $130.
• Walking stick cane, antler handle, black trim, nickel silver cap, c. 1885, 36 inches, $185.
• Barber shop sign, globe, hand lettered, white, 16 1/2 inches, $210.
• Edwardian chair, domed slatted back, medallion, feathers, down-swept arms, square legs, c. 1900, 36 inches, $430.
• Pier table, mahogany, cove-molded frieze, scrolls, columns, serpentine shelf, c. 1835, 37 x 39 inches, $985.
• Reverse-painted lamp, autumn landscape shade, metal base, Moe Bridges, c. 1920, 24 x 18 inches, $1,180.
• Lalique Verone vase, flared sides, frosted birds, scrolls, ring foot, 1980s, 7 1/2 x 11 inches, $1,230.
• Tea caddy, George III, fruitwood, pear shape, c. 1810, 6 1/4 inches, $2,360.

Available now. The best book to own if you want to buy, sell or collect – and if you order now, you'll receive a copy with the author's autograph. The new Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide, 2013, 45th edition, is your most accurate source for current prices. This large-size paperback has more than 2,500 color photographs and 40,000 up-to-date prices for more than 775 categories of antiques and collectibles. You'll also find hundreds of factory histories and marks, a report on the record prices of the year, plus helpful sidebars and tips about buying, selling, collecting and preserving your treasures. Available online at Kovelsonlinestore.com; by phone at 800-303-1996; at your bookstore; or send $27.95 plus $4.95 postage to Price Book, Box 22900, Beachwood, OH 44122.

© 2013 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.