Weathervanes were about more than just which way the wind was blowing

  • By Tim & Terry Kovel
  • Tuesday, July 28, 2015 5:46pm
  • Life

The most famous American weathervane is the Grasshopper that topped Faneuil Hall in Boston in 1742. Early weathervanes of the 1800s often had a cow, horse or eagle. But as more manufacturers started making decorative outdoor iron furniture, unexpected figures appeared in rooftop weathervanes. Indians, angels, Columbia, the State of Liberty and soldiers were popular. So were birds — roosters, pheasants, ducks and peacocks — fish, and even a dragon.

By the end of the 19th century, a weathervane often had a dual purpose. It indicated the direction of the wind and identified the use of the building from a roof-top pole. There were fire pumpers with horse and firemen, locomotives and street cars with motormen.

There was less need for weathervanes in the 1900s, but they still were popular rooftop decorations. In 1923, Yankee Stadium had a baseball bat weathervane, while a famous grocery store chain used an arrow with A &P marked on the feathers. The Howard Johnson chain weathervanes had a boy, chef, dog, lantern and lamplighter on the appropriate restaurants, motor lodges and combinations of buildings and Colonel Sanders was on the roof of many Kentucky Fried Chicken stops.

Weathervanes of all ages are very popular with collectors. Early folk-art examples bring thousands of dollars each, and more modern trademark examples sell for $500 to $800. But beware: Many modern copies have been made. A copper girl playing tennis (Victorian Love) topped an early 20th century weathervane that sold for $6,000. A zinc 1920s vane with the same figure but six inches shorter, sold for about $3,000. A recent copy of the girl made of copper with a patina sells for $1,595.

Q: I have a desk that I believe is called a “Boston Spinet.” It has one long drawer and a top that folds back to reveal a fitted interior. The manufacturer’s label on the bottom of the drawer reads “H.E. Shaw Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan.” It is quite faded on the back and sides from sun exposure. I think it would be better if it was refinished, but my daughter feels it shouldn’t be refinished. If it’s not a valuable piece, it would be more useful and beautiful if refinished. What is your opinion and idea of its value?

A: H.E. Shaw Furniture Co. was in business in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1919 to 1933. The company made Colonial and European Revival desks, secretaries and dining room furniture. Because of the sun damage, your desk is worth only about $200 to $300. If you plan to keep it, you should refinish it and enjoy it. A desk in good refinished condition is worth more in dollars than a faded, ugly desk.

Q: I have a figurine, 4 inches tall, of a rabbit in a ruffled blue apron. It is holding a Jell-O salad on a plate. A banner on the bottom reads, “A Jell-O salad makes a meal.” I would appreciate any history and the value.

A: Jell-O was born in 1897, when Pearle Bixby Waite, a carpenter and medicine maker in LeRoy, New York, trademarked a gelatin dessert. He and his wife, May, added either lemon, orange, raspberry or strawberry flavors to granulated gelatin and sugar and named the product Jell-O. In 1899, Waite sold the product and name for $450 to Orator Woodward’s Genessee Pure Food Co. He changed the company name to Jell-O Co. by 1923. Housewives liked it and it sold well. In 1925, the company was sold for $67 million to Postum Cereal Co., one of the first mergers that led to General Foods Corp. Jell-O was aggressively advertised in newspapers, radio and television. By the 1950s, cookbooks and women’s magazines were filled with recipes for Jell-O relishes, salads and entrees as well as desserts. General Foods had figurines based on their advertising to give away to their top 3,000 dealers. The figurines were made by Sebastian Miniatures of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Your 1954 figurine was made to go with a print ad featuring a similar rabbit and read, “When I’m eating Jell-O I wish I were a rabbit, because then I could enjoy my favorite vegetables in a glamorous Jell-O Salad!” The figurine sells for $200 to $400 and is among the most valuable Jell-O collectibles.

Q: During a decluttering binge, I found my old Shirley Temple doll from 1934 or ‘36. She’s in good condition. All of her curls are intact, no crazing on her body, but her blue eyes are cloudy. Her blue accordion pleated dress, petticoat and panties have yellowing. Shoes, socks and pink satin bows are fine. Would gently soaking the dress in a mild detergent be a no-no? I would like to give it to my granddaughter. What is the doll worth?

A: Vintage doll clothing is very delicate. Your doll’s dress is organdy. If it has mildew, brush it off and air it in the sunlight. You can’t do much about yellowing. It can be soaked in a solution of one tablespoon of mild detergent per gallon of water, but the accordion pleating may be compromised. Do not wring. It can cause wrinkles. The Ideal Novelty and Toy Co., later called Ideal Toy Corp., introduced Shirley Temple dolls in late 1934 and they were a huge hit. By 1935, Ideal had copyrighted the dolls and made them in seven sizes ranging from 11 to 27 inches. All 1930s Shirley Temple dolls are made of composition, a mixture of sawdust, glue and sometimes cornstarch, flour or resin. Your doll was made in 1935, wears a costume from the movie “Curly Top” and is found in two sizes, 13 and 16 inches. Your doll probably is worth about $225 to $350. If you have the original box or Shirley Temple button that came on the dress, the doll could sell for $1,000 or more.

Tip: Dust frequently if you live near the seashore. Salt air causes problems.

Write to Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel at Kovels, The Herald, 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.

Purse, lipstick red, lizard, fold over closure, cream leather interior, zipper, pouch pockets, mirror, coin purse, handle, Corina, 1960s, 8 x 8 3/4 inches, $60.

Pay telephone, wall mount, receiver, automatic, old chrome, push button, 5, 10 and 15 cents, $300.

Inkstand, 2 gilt bronze bell shape wells, dome covers, eagle finial, Napoleon III bust, onyx base, 9 x 16 inches, $315.

Tiffany glass bowl, gold iridescent, lobed, paneled, Favrile, c. 1920, 3 x 9 3/4 inches, $325.

Sterling-silver bowl, repousse grapevines, branch rim, footed, Black, Starr &Frost, 1900, 9 x 4 inches, $640.

Baseball photograph, panoramic, Cleveland Indians, 1922, 8 1/2 x 28 inches, $665.

Weathervane, eagle, spread wings, copper, gilt paint, c. 1890, 18 x 32 inches, $720.

Staffordshire cider jug, commemorative, “Glorious Defeat of the French Fleet, The Flowing Cann,” creamware, black transfer, everted spout, handle, c. 1800, 9 1/2 inches, $860.

Book rack, L. &J.G. Stickley, oak, open, slat sides, 42 x 21 inches, $865.

Silver tazza, grape pattern, flared rim, grape cluster pendants, swirl stem, Georg Jensen, Denmark, 11 inches, $4,560.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.