Published: Thursday, April 7, 2011
Garden gnomes are undergoing a revival
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Cowles Syndicate Inc.
This iron garden gnome just finished sprinkling the flowers. The 28-inch-high man sold for $690 at Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, N.J., a few years ago. He is now hiding in a private garden.
Gnomes have gone from kitsch to fabulous since they became animated movie stars in "Gnomeo and Juliet." But they have been used in gardens since the mid-18th century.
Ceramic garden gnomes known as "Gartenswerg" (garden dwarf) were first made in Thuringia, Germany. Local storytellers said that helpful gnomes would secretly visit yards at night to do some garden digging and weeding.
German stories and garden gnomes soon spread to many parts of Germany, France, England, the United States and anywhere gardening was important. Painted cast-iron gnomes were being made by the 1880s. The English word "gnome" instead of the German word was first used in the 1930s.
During World War II, the production of gnomes in Germany suffered, and today most are made of plastic, cement or resin in Poland or China.
Today, with the help of the movie, the Travelocity Roaming Gnome and the popularity of joke "kidnappings" of garden gnomes, the small figures are seen in large and small home gardens. Collectors pay the most for old iron or terra-cotta gnomes. Prices range from less than $50 for small new ones to hundreds of dollars for old examples. Repainting does not lower the value.
Q: I was given an interesting extension table from my aunt's estate. The marks I found on it are "The Jefferson Wood Co., Louisville, Ky." and "Extensole Corp., Sparta Mich." Would it be worth my while to resell this table?
A: Extensole Corp. started out as Fine Arts Studio in 1936 and changed its name to Extensole in about 1946. It was purchased by another Michigan company in 1978. The company was known for its console and drop-leaf extension tables.
The Jefferson Wood Co. may have been the retailer that originally sold your table or it might have manufactured the table using an Extensole mechanism. Your table is less than 70 years old, so it's not an antique.
If it's in good shape, try selling it by advertising in your area. It's easier to sell furniture locally because of transportation costs.
Q: I have a Cavern Club membership card from 1963. This was the beginning of a new era in music, the "British Invasion." Many artists performed at the Cavern before becoming household names and the Beatles got off to a start there. The club was in a cellar under a warehouse in Liverpool. How much it is worth?
A: The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool on Jan. 16, 1957. The Beatles' first performance was on Feb. 9, 1961. Although John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr had all performed at the club with other bands, this was George Harrison's first appearance.
The original drummer was replaced by Ringo Starr in August 1962. The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club almost 300 times. Their last performance at the club was Aug. 3, 1963. The club closed Feb. 27, 1966. It reopened that same year, but closed again in 1973.
A new Cavern Club was built using some of the bricks from the old site. A shopping center with a large statue of the Beatles opened on the land above it in 1987. The club reopened to the public in 1991. The membership card has been reproduced. If you have one of the original cards, it could be worth more than $400.
On the block
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.
Stoneware ashtray, raised elk with letters BPOE, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, 1900s, 4 inches, $20.
Hollywood Stars playing cards, Mamie Van Doren, Rita Hayworth, Barbara Ruick, Cyd Charise and more, all in pinup poses, 1940s, $75.
Captain Marvel Magic Dime Saver bank, Captain flying across front in red bodysuit, fistful of money, Fawcett Publications, 1948, 2 5/8 inches, $225.
Arranbee Nancy Lee "Arthur Murray Dancing Doll," hard plastic, blond floss wig, blue sleep eyes, rosy cheeks, original rose velvet ball gown and gloves, c. 1950, 14 inches, $230.
Coca-Cola serving tray, sailor girl leaning against dock, holding fishing rod, 1940s, 10 1/2 x 13 1/4 inches, $255.
Skater's lantern, brass, blue glass bulbous shade, thumbwheel wick adjuster, swing bail, stepped molded font, original burner, marked "W.B.G. Corp.," Waterbury, Conn., 8 inches, $395.
New England corner chair, maple, birch and chestnut, stepped crest rail, continuous arm, circular handgrips, three baluster-turned stiles, square seat rail, c. 1800, 29 inches, $460.
Queen Anne brass and iron trivet, miniature English footman style, jointed brass carrying handles, curved front legs, four penny feet, mid 18th century, 9 x 7 inches, $515.
Whistle soft drink sign, "Thirsty? Just Whistle," tin, orange bottle and background, 1930s, 11 3/4 x 12 inches, $1,090.
Galle pottery vase, grasshopper reclining on throne carried by four grasshoppers, beetle holding lance riding on grasshopper, praying mantis, naturalistic ground with gray lilies, marked, 10 x 12 inches, $7,475.
Write to Terry Kovel, (The Herald), King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.
© 2011, Cowles Syndicate Inc.
Ceramic garden gnomes known as "Gartenswerg" (garden dwarf) were first made in Thuringia, Germany. Local storytellers said that helpful gnomes would secretly visit yards at night to do some garden digging and weeding.
German stories and garden gnomes soon spread to many parts of Germany, France, England, the United States and anywhere gardening was important. Painted cast-iron gnomes were being made by the 1880s. The English word "gnome" instead of the German word was first used in the 1930s.
During World War II, the production of gnomes in Germany suffered, and today most are made of plastic, cement or resin in Poland or China.
Today, with the help of the movie, the Travelocity Roaming Gnome and the popularity of joke "kidnappings" of garden gnomes, the small figures are seen in large and small home gardens. Collectors pay the most for old iron or terra-cotta gnomes. Prices range from less than $50 for small new ones to hundreds of dollars for old examples. Repainting does not lower the value.
Q: I was given an interesting extension table from my aunt's estate. The marks I found on it are "The Jefferson Wood Co., Louisville, Ky." and "Extensole Corp., Sparta Mich." Would it be worth my while to resell this table?
A: Extensole Corp. started out as Fine Arts Studio in 1936 and changed its name to Extensole in about 1946. It was purchased by another Michigan company in 1978. The company was known for its console and drop-leaf extension tables.
The Jefferson Wood Co. may have been the retailer that originally sold your table or it might have manufactured the table using an Extensole mechanism. Your table is less than 70 years old, so it's not an antique.
If it's in good shape, try selling it by advertising in your area. It's easier to sell furniture locally because of transportation costs.
Q: I have a Cavern Club membership card from 1963. This was the beginning of a new era in music, the "British Invasion." Many artists performed at the Cavern before becoming household names and the Beatles got off to a start there. The club was in a cellar under a warehouse in Liverpool. How much it is worth?
A: The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool on Jan. 16, 1957. The Beatles' first performance was on Feb. 9, 1961. Although John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr had all performed at the club with other bands, this was George Harrison's first appearance.
The original drummer was replaced by Ringo Starr in August 1962. The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club almost 300 times. Their last performance at the club was Aug. 3, 1963. The club closed Feb. 27, 1966. It reopened that same year, but closed again in 1973.
A new Cavern Club was built using some of the bricks from the old site. A shopping center with a large statue of the Beatles opened on the land above it in 1987. The club reopened to the public in 1991. The membership card has been reproduced. If you have one of the original cards, it could be worth more than $400.
On the block
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.
Stoneware ashtray, raised elk with letters BPOE, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, 1900s, 4 inches, $20.
Hollywood Stars playing cards, Mamie Van Doren, Rita Hayworth, Barbara Ruick, Cyd Charise and more, all in pinup poses, 1940s, $75.
Captain Marvel Magic Dime Saver bank, Captain flying across front in red bodysuit, fistful of money, Fawcett Publications, 1948, 2 5/8 inches, $225.
Arranbee Nancy Lee "Arthur Murray Dancing Doll," hard plastic, blond floss wig, blue sleep eyes, rosy cheeks, original rose velvet ball gown and gloves, c. 1950, 14 inches, $230.
Coca-Cola serving tray, sailor girl leaning against dock, holding fishing rod, 1940s, 10 1/2 x 13 1/4 inches, $255.
Skater's lantern, brass, blue glass bulbous shade, thumbwheel wick adjuster, swing bail, stepped molded font, original burner, marked "W.B.G. Corp.," Waterbury, Conn., 8 inches, $395.
New England corner chair, maple, birch and chestnut, stepped crest rail, continuous arm, circular handgrips, three baluster-turned stiles, square seat rail, c. 1800, 29 inches, $460.
Queen Anne brass and iron trivet, miniature English footman style, jointed brass carrying handles, curved front legs, four penny feet, mid 18th century, 9 x 7 inches, $515.
Whistle soft drink sign, "Thirsty? Just Whistle," tin, orange bottle and background, 1930s, 11 3/4 x 12 inches, $1,090.
Galle pottery vase, grasshopper reclining on throne carried by four grasshoppers, beetle holding lance riding on grasshopper, praying mantis, naturalistic ground with gray lilies, marked, 10 x 12 inches, $7,475.
Write to Terry Kovel, (The Herald), King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.
© 2011, Cowles Syndicate Inc.
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