howeenterprise.com
Monday, February 6, 2017
Page #9
Learn about antiques and collectibles with Dr. Georgia Caraway
Dr. Georgia Caraway
In a recent column, I compared the 1950, 1976, 1980, 1987 and 1996 editions of Edwin Warman’s The Second Antiques and their Current Prices as to categories to see which were added or deleted over the years and what changes have been made to the Guide. This column will compare some prices from those volumes in various collecting categories to determine increases and decreases in values. I randomly selected some topics of interest in the areas of glass, pottery and personal items. Jack-in-the-Pulpit glass vases are made in the trumpet form in vogue during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The vases were made in a wide variety of patterns, colors and sizes. 1950 prices: $6.75$22.50; 1976 $35-$135; 1980 $55$275; 1987 $65-$300 and 1996 $95-$1,285, 2017 $18-$1,800. Mount Washington, Webb, Quezal and Tiffany were at the high end for each of the years. The $1,800 vase is a signed L. C. Tiffany Favrile blue irridescent lustre vase. Celluloid items are popular collectibles with three books having been introduced in the last several years. Celluloid, invented in 1868, is a flammable material made of nitrocellulose and camphor used to make toiletry articles and jewelry. Dresser sets generally had numerous pieces including powder and other boxes, hair receiver, buttonhook, manicure
implements, vase, mirror, comb, brushes for various uses, and a picture frame. My set includes a clock and a holder for a man’s pocket watch. Celluloid is not listed in the 1950 book as a collecting category. This makes sense since Celluloid was widely used until modern-plastic, nonflammable synthetics replaced it in the 1950s. Dresser sets from 1976 5-pc. $22.50, 8-pc. $28.50; 1980 5-pc $35, 8-pc. $50; 1987 10-pc. $50-$65; 1996 10-15 pc. $85-145; 2017 7-pc $10, 13-pc $30, 17 pc. $90, Victorian boxed set $320. . Celluloid is attractive and fun to collect, however, due to its tendency to react negatively to heat, light and moisture, inspect each piece very carefully to be sure it is not starting to deteriorate. Milk glass is an opaque-white glass introduced in England in the 18th century to fulfill the need for a less-expensive ware that resembled porcelain. In America, milk glass had its greatest popularity in the 1850-1900 period. Collectors favored milk glass from the pre-World War I era, especially animal-covered dishes. The most prolific manufacturers of these animal covers were Atterbury, ChallinorTaylor, Flaccus, and McKee. Quail 1950 $7, 1976 $55, 1980 $75, 1997 $45, 2017 $8-18; Dog 1950 $6, 1976 $75, 1980 $100, 1997 $90, 2017 $55-110; white hen with blue head 1950 $20, 1976 $55, 1980 $125, 1997 $140, 2017 $45-55. The 1980s were the heyday for animal covered dishes. Watch for repros. Mr. Warman in 1950 espouses that “when the public realizes what is happening to their savings, many will invest a percentage of their money in good antiques.” Good advice then, good advice now. Dr. Georgia Caraway, former director of the Denton County Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Mercantile at 107 East Haning. Store hours are Thursday through Saturday noon until 8 p.m. She has written five Denton history books. Her latest, North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, is available at Howe Mercantile. She hopes her next
book will be the history of Howe. If anyone has photos that she can MARK YOUR CALENDAR: copy, please bring them to Howe April 8 is the date for the Annual Mercantile. BBQ and Auction for the Save the Church restoration project. If you Downtown Howe has three gift and wish to donate to the auction, antique shops—Howe Mercantile, please bring your item(s) to Howe Texas Home Emporium, and Stark Mercantile or to 101 East Haning Farms Gifts. SHOP LOCAL. We (Howe Chamber office). can show you Howe!
Skinner Plumbing Supply cuts the ribbon
