Terry and Kim Kovel

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This chair is made of a local wood, cypress, and local material for the seat by a Louisiana craftsman who sold inexpensive handmade furniture in the early 1800s. It sold for $427 in a recent sale of Louisiana antiques by Neal Auctions. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Cypress furniture still being used outdoors and in the garden

This 19th-century ladderback chair is made of cypress wood, which is rot-resistant, hard and durable.

This chair is made of a local wood, cypress, and local material for the seat by a Louisiana craftsman who sold inexpensive handmade furniture in the early 1800s. It sold for $427 in a recent sale of Louisiana antiques by Neal Auctions. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This 1-gallon stoneware crock has the impressed mark of Daniel Shenfelder pottery, proving it was made about 1870 in Pennsylvania. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Stoneware crock ‘attributed’ to Daniel Shenfelder pottery

It was not definitely identified, but the auction house is has sold many Shenfelder Pottery works like it.

This 1-gallon stoneware crock has the impressed mark of Daniel Shenfelder pottery, proving it was made about 1870 in Pennsylvania. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This folk art whirligig shows President Theodore Roosevelt with his monocle and top hat riding a cycle while holding a red paddle that catches the wind and spins. It sold at auction for hundreds of dollars. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Teddy Roosevelt whirligig circa 1901 auctions for nearly $900

The figure of 26th U.S. president is holding a red counterbalance vane that turns the bike with the wind.

This folk art whirligig shows President Theodore Roosevelt with his monocle and top hat riding a cycle while holding a red paddle that catches the wind and spins. It sold at auction for hundreds of dollars. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
Silly as it may seem, milk glass can be one of many colors. It is an opaque glass first used in the 1800s and now prized in collections of barber bottles of the Victorian era. This 10½-inch-high milk glass barber bottle with a colorful label under glass sold for $200. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Glass-covered labels preferred for bottles made in 19th century

Makers liked to give products a permanent label, not just a pasted, handwritten or printed paper label.

Silly as it may seem, milk glass can be one of many colors. It is an opaque glass first used in the 1800s and now prized in collections of barber bottles of the Victorian era. This 10½-inch-high milk glass barber bottle with a colorful label under glass sold for $200. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This circa 1876 Simon’s Centennial Bitters bottle represents George Washington when he was commander in chief of the Continental Army, 100 years before. The red amber shaded to yellow amber bottle is 10 inches high and auctioned for $2,640.

The Father of His Country inspired a $2,640 booze bottle

George Washington was honored with an amber bottle of “Simon’s Centennial Bitters, Trade Mark.”

This circa 1876 Simon’s Centennial Bitters bottle represents George Washington when he was commander in chief of the Continental Army, 100 years before. The red amber shaded to yellow amber bottle is 10 inches high and auctioned for $2,640.
There are matching dining and coffee tables, several types of chairs, and more in the Gazelle group. The various styles of chairs sell for about $5,000 each. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Dan Johnson chair made in the 1950s worth upwards of $4,000

The artist used thin, patinated metal, iron or aluminum for arms, legs and seats, and added caning or fabric upholstery.

There are matching dining and coffee tables, several types of chairs, and more in the Gazelle group. The various styles of chairs sell for about $5,000 each. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This Yellow Coach bus made by Arcade is 13 inches long and in great condition. It sold for $600 at Bertoia Auctions in 2020. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

This Arcade yellow double decker bus was made about 1926

In 1921, Arcade Manufacturing Co. decided to make toys that were copies of real vehicles and everyday items.

This Yellow Coach bus made by Arcade is 13 inches long and in great condition. It sold for $600 at Bertoia Auctions in 2020. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
Scherenschnitte is a special type of German paper cutting art, and old and new examples are both seen at auctions. This modern example sold for just $40. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

G.B. French made this scherenschnitte in the 20th century

The Kovels were surprised French’s paper cutting art was at auction, when artwork from the 1800s is more popular.

Scherenschnitte is a special type of German paper cutting art, and old and new examples are both seen at auctions. This modern example sold for just $40. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This wooden cabinet with decorations and the name Sherwin-Williams is easy to date. A salamander is carved on the door suggesting a date before 1905 when the logo was changed. We wonder why a paint company used a salamander and not a chameleon that changed colors. Did the artist draw the wrong creature? (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Sherwin-Williams cabinet features salamander logo circa 1870

The paint company’s famous world globe covered with dripping paint replaced the amphibian in 1905.

This wooden cabinet with decorations and the name Sherwin-Williams is easy to date. A salamander is carved on the door suggesting a date before 1905 when the logo was changed. We wonder why a paint company used a salamander and not a chameleon that changed colors. Did the artist draw the wrong creature? (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
The Paris porcelain vase pictured is 13 inches high and 7 inches in diameter, large enough to hold a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant. The decoration is very formal and realistic. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Vintage Paris porcelain can be a mystery to some collectors

It’s mysterious because most pieces aren’t marked and sometimes they’re sold as Vieux Paris or Old Paris.

The Paris porcelain vase pictured is 13 inches high and 7 inches in diameter, large enough to hold a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant. The decoration is very formal and realistic. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
The 44-inch-tall antique wicker carriage has an adjustable hood. It auctioned for just $61.50 at a Conestoga Auction Co. sale. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

19th-century baby buggy a nice gift for this year’s first born

The 44-inch-tall antique wicker carriage has an adjustable hood. It auctioned for just $61.50.

The 44-inch-tall antique wicker carriage has an adjustable hood. It auctioned for just $61.50 at a Conestoga Auction Co. sale. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This hardworking Santa in an orange and blue outfit is carrying toys with a donkey not a reindeer. The 8-inch toy was made in Germany. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Most expensive Christmas collectibles? The older ones, of course

A tree from 1832 started the U.S. Christmas decorating custom that has grown into a billion-dollar industry.

This hardworking Santa in an orange and blue outfit is carrying toys with a donkey not a reindeer. The 8-inch toy was made in Germany. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This 11-inch-high antique rainbow spatterware water picture with bands in five different colors sold for more than $5,000 at a Conestoga auction this year. Notice the double G-scroll handle, an added value feature. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Just how old is an antique rainbow spatterware water pitcher?

The collectable was first made in the late 1700s, but most found today dates from about 1800 to 1850.

This 11-inch-high antique rainbow spatterware water picture with bands in five different colors sold for more than $5,000 at a Conestoga auction this year. Notice the double G-scroll handle, an added value feature. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
To deposit a coin in the Bonzo bank, you had to push his tummy. His tongue would come out of his mouth to deposit the coin inside. Many similar banks were made picturing other comic characters. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Mechanical bank of the first famous Bonzo sells for $1,800

The dog decorating the front of the tin bank was a comic cartoon star from the 1920s to the 1940s.

To deposit a coin in the Bonzo bank, you had to push his tummy. His tongue would come out of his mouth to deposit the coin inside. Many similar banks were made picturing other comic characters. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This toy tourist bus was made about 1910 by the Kenton Hardware Co. in Ohio. Not all of the passengers were part of the original toy, but suitable replacements had been found. It is a rare toy, so rare it auctioned for a little over $1,000. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Double-decker toy bus made about 1900 sold for over $1,000

The toys made after 1895 often resembled tourist buses used in a few large cities. It had a motor.

This toy tourist bus was made about 1910 by the Kenton Hardware Co. in Ohio. Not all of the passengers were part of the original toy, but suitable replacements had been found. It is a rare toy, so rare it auctioned for a little over $1,000. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
Condition has become the most important feature when determining price. Fame, rarity and history are also considered when setting a price. Sometimes a price is high because there are two determined bidders. This maguey fiber tapestry, "Moon," after Alexander Calder, sold at a Rago auction in 2017 for $4,688. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Limited edition rug in Alexander Calder’s design sells for $16K

“Moon” was one of 14 rugs Calder had made by Guatemala weavers for an earthquake relief fund in 1972.

Condition has become the most important feature when determining price. Fame, rarity and history are also considered when setting a price. Sometimes a price is high because there are two determined bidders. This maguey fiber tapestry, "Moon," after Alexander Calder, sold at a Rago auction in 2017 for $4,688. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
There have been copies of the antique Suffolk pig bottles in other colors of glass. The original bottle is 10 inches long and has a smooth base. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Medicines from the 1800s sold best in pig-shaped bottles

It encouraged sales because there was a belief in the 1880s that pigs bring prosperity and wealth.

There have been copies of the antique Suffolk pig bottles in other colors of glass. The original bottle is 10 inches long and has a smooth base. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)
This pottery vase by Vally Wieselthier has typical, colorful Wiener Werkstatte decorations. It was made around 1925 in Austria. (c) 2020 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

Prominent German artist’s pieces seldom turn up at auction

After moving to the U.S. in 1929, Vally Wieselthier was a big hit in artistic circles. One of her vases recently sold for $1,037.

This pottery vase by Vally Wieselthier has typical, colorful Wiener Werkstatte decorations. It was made around 1925 in Austria. (c) 2020 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.
This silver-plated serving piece is called a box but it doesn't look like one. It held English biscuits, but if the sides opened, the cookies inside would fall down. Each of the shell-shaped bowls had a hinged, pierced flap that kept the heat and the biscuits in place when the sides were opened and became flat bowls to serve the cookies. The flaps are often missing when the biscuit box is sold.-

These British ‘biscuit boxes’ are cookie jars by any other name

And fancy silver ones can sell for as much as $256 at antiques auctions.

This silver-plated serving piece is called a box but it doesn't look like one. It held English biscuits, but if the sides opened, the cookies inside would fall down. Each of the shell-shaped bowls had a hinged, pierced flap that kept the heat and the biscuits in place when the sides were opened and became flat bowls to serve the cookies. The flaps are often missing when the biscuit box is sold.-
The pumpkin-head dancers are wearing their original blue felt and cotton sailor outfits. They are 8 1/2 inches tall and in excellent working condition, so a collector paid $1,920. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)

Halloween dancing couple with pumpkin heads sells for $1,900

The toy from early 1900s is on a wheeled platform, so the pumkin-head dancers go in circles when wound up.

The pumpkin-head dancers are wearing their original blue felt and cotton sailor outfits. They are 8 1/2 inches tall and in excellent working condition, so a collector paid $1,920. (Cowles Syndicate Inc.)