Some people might not consider Christmas over just yet. According to some traditions and a certain famous song, it lasts for 12 days. And, at least in the song, with each day comes extravagant gifts; the first of which is repeated every verse: a partridge in a pear tree.
It’s clearly the inspiration for this glass pear figurine with a tiny 18k gold partridge perching in a tree inside, which sold for $2,520, passing its high estimate, at Rago Arts & Auction Center. The figure was made for Steuben Glass Works of Corning, New York.
While their early iridescent and colored glass is sought by collectors, they were making mostly colorless crystal by the 1930s. Designer Lloyd Atkins joined the staff in 1948. He is known for his figurines, often animals; like this pear and partridge, which was first made in 1968. Steuben, now owned by the Corning Museum of Glass, still makes and sells pieces based on designs by Atkins, as well as some holiday-themed figures, but this is not one of them.
Q: We have certificates of shares of capital stock of Eimoda Oil & Gas Developing Co. issued May 10, 1915. I don’t know if there is any worth to the stock, or if there would be any worth to the certificate itself. I don’t find Eimoda Oil listed anywhere at all. I just can’t find where to start looking.
A: The only reference we have been able to find to Emoida Oil is the Emoida Oil and Gas Development Co. listed in a 1915 report by the Texas Secretary of State. Don’t be discouraged, though; old stocks may still have value. Your local library may have copies of print sources or subscriptions to online sources that can help. The Directory of Obsolete Securities or the Capital Changes database (formerly Capital Changes Reporter) may be useful. Standard & Poor’s (www.spglobal.com/ratings/en) or Moody’s directories (www.moodys.com) have information on mergers. And yes, the certificate itself may have value, too. Collecting stock certificates is called scripophily. Your stock may also interest collectors of general paper ephemera. You can get more information about scripophily from sites like oldstocks.com, scripophily.net, the American Stock & Bond Collectors Association (scripophilyusa.org) or the International Bond & Share Society (scripophily.org).
Q: I’ve been trying for months to find information on a particular bottle with a paper label for Arpad Haraszthy & Co. We don’t seem to have any local appraisers (Fort Wayne, Indiana) who can advise. I don’t know which online sources or appraisers are trustworthy. I think this bottle is historically unique because Haraszthy was a pioneer in the California winemaking business. Could you advise me where to inquire?
A: Arpad Haraszthy was born in 1840 in Hungary and came to the United States with his family in 1842. His father, Agoston, established vineyards in California. Arpad joined his father’s business in 1862. He later formed his own winemaking firm, which operated as Arpad Haraszthy & Co. from 1880 to 1894. He is credited with producing the first commercially successful sparkling wine made in California. Nineteenth-century commercial bottles can sell for high prices, and an intact paper label always increases the value. Bottle collecting is a specialized field, and collectors tend to be very knowledgeable. We recommend contacting a bottle collector’s club or specialty bottle auction. Look into The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors (www.fohbc.org) Antique Bottle & Glass Collector magazine (www.americanglassgallery.com/abgc), American Bottle Auctions (www.americanbottle.com), Antique Bottle Collector’s Haven (www.antiquebottles.com), or the National Bottle Museum (nationalbottlemuseum.org).
Q: I have three similar lamps. They are figurines minted on bases which were made to match. They are at least 70 years old. Can you tell who might have made them?
A: Unfortunately, we would need to see a mark to identify the maker. It is difficult to tell from a picture, but the figurines on your lamp base look like they are made of painted metal, probably spelter. Spelter is a zinc alloy that has been used in decorative arts since the 1860s. It can resemble bronze, but is softer and scratches more easily. It was often used for smaller, inexpensive replicas of bronze sculptures. Not many makers are known. Lamps with human figures on the bases were popular as late as the 1950s, which fits with your estimate of “at least 70 years old.” Lamp bases with similar human figures have sold for about $100 to $150.
TIP: Clean a clock face as seldom as possible. The brass trim may be coated with colored lacquer, and brass polish will remove the color.
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.
Purse, handbag, painted, folk art, red ground, blue flowers, red heart on reverse, black trim, metal closure, chain strap, Hugo Porcaro, 2003, 5¼ by 7 inches, $90.
Tiffany silver, bookmark, Atlas figure, clock on shoulders, on stepped base, bag, Tiffany & Co., 2¾ inches, $95.
Advertising, egg crate, Surety Cushion, hinged lid, latch closure, stenciled front and sides, holds four dozen eggs, 7 by 15½ by 12 inches, $150.
Lamp, chandelier, six-light, Venini style, three tiers, glass prisms, chains, circa 1970, 24 by 17½ inches, $255.
Clothing, scarf, silk, Oranges et Citrons, Oranges & Lemons, blue, fruits on trellis, Madame La Torre, Hermes, Paris, 34 inches, $350.
Toy, scooter, Go-Boy, pedal, wood deck, painted yellow, decals, metal frame, painted red, three wheels, The Go-Boy Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, $360.
Gustavsberg, vase, Argenta, cup shape, mottled teal, outlined panels, ring foot, marked, Wilhelm Kage, 6 inches, $705.
Clock, shelf, Empire style, two-train movement, bronze, patinated, gilt, winged putto pushing wheelbarrow with cask, pendant with winged sphinx supports, oval base, four bun feet, early 1800s, 17½ inches, $1,000.
Furniture, table, tea, George II style, mahogany, tray top, rectangular, shaped frieze aprons, pendant shell, cabriole legs, leaf carved, trifid feet, Ireland, 29 by 21 by 33 inches, $1,385.
Medical, sign, trade, optometrist’s, spectacles frame, metal, electrified, two-sided, 39½ by 80 inches, $3,070.
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