Presidents Day, still officially named George Washington’s Birthday, is celebrated on the third Monday in February. But it has not always been celebrated on that day.
George Washington’s birthday, Feb. 22, was first celebrated as a federal holiday in 1880. It was moved to the third Monday in February in 1971 as part of a law that made many holidays fall on Mondays so citizens could enjoy a long weekend.
In 1951 there had been an attempt to change the holiday to Presidents Day to honor all presidents, not just George Washington, but for years there were arguments about when to schedule it, what to name it and whom to honor.
In the mid-1980s, the use of the term “Presidents Day” instead of “Washington’s Birthday” spread across the country, spurred by stores advertising sales. While some states honor various presidents, usually those from the state, on the holiday, George Washington is part of all of the celebrations.
When Washington died, the public bought Staffordshire figurines picturing him, textiles with pictures of him ascending to heaven and many memorial medals and plates. Photographs did not exist, so these souvenirs, along with oil paintings, show how he looked.
Many of the souvenirs are inaccurate representations of Washington, but they’re of interest to collectors today.
Q: I recently acquired an antique buffet made in a traditional style. A nameplate in a drawer says “Joerns Bros. Furniture Co., Stevens Point, Wis.” Please tell me something about the maker and what the piece might be worth.
A: Brothers Charles, Paul and Frederick Joerns founded their furniture manufacturing company in St. Paul, Minn., in 1898. Within a few years, the company moved to Sheboygan, Wis., a center of furniture-making at the time.
After a fire at the Sheboygan plant, Joerns Brothers Furniture Co. moved again in 1927, this time to Stevens Point. Joerns made high-quality bedroom and dining-room sets until the late 1950s, when new management changed the company’s focus to less-expensive furniture.
Your buffet was made after Joerns moved to Stevens Point in 1927, so it is not technically an “antique” because it is not 100 years old. And its traditional style probably indicates that it dates from no later than 1940. But it is a good solid piece of furniture. If it’s in excellent condition, you might get several hundred dollars for it.
Q: I have two matching framed prints, one with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln and the other of George Washington. They both have plaques dating the Lincoln print in 1971 and the George Washington print in 1969. Do you know anything about these?
A: President Richard Nixon and his wife gave prints of famous presidential portraits to White House staff members as Christmas gifts each year he was in office. Each print was in a red presentation folder and included a parchment sheet with an explanation and embossed presidential seal.
Hallmark made 3,500 copies of Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of Washington for the 1969 gift. A print of Jefferson’s portrait was given in 1970, Lincoln in 1971, Theodore Roosevelt in 1972 and James Monroe in 1973.
Q: I have a Mary Marvel wristwatch that dates back to 1948. My parents had this watch for sale in their jewelry store in Berlin, Wis. It still keeps time. I’d like to know what it’s worth.
A: The character Mary Marvel first appeared in a Captain Marvel Adventures comic book published by Fawcett Publications in 1942. She was Captain Marvel’s sister and possessed the same powers as her brother.
Mary Marvel had her own series of comic books from 1945 until 1948. She continued to appear in other Marvel comics published by Fawcett until 1954. Mary Marvel wristwatches came with different colored bands and in different boxes. We have seen them with red, green, blue and black bands.
The earliest boxes had a Mary Marvel cover pasted over the original Captain Marvel cover. Value of your wristwatch is $200 to $300.
Write to Terry Kovel, (The Herald), King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.
&Copy; 2012, Cowles Syndicate Inc.
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.
• Flash cards of U.S. presidents, picture on front, biography and dates on back, Edu-Cards, copyright 1978, 44 cards, $15.
• Little Orphan Annie Pastry Set, pastry board, rolling pin, star cookie cutter, Transogram, original box, 1930s, $20.
• Abraham Lincoln penny bank, bust, bronze color, Banthrico, Chicago, 5 x 3 1/2 inches, $35.
• Curtain panels, red, white and blue stripes, stars, initials “USA,” pleated, white lining, 1970s, 27 x 45 inches, pair, $50.
• Gen. Ulysses S. Grant pressed glass plate, “Patriot &Soldier,” surrounded by stars, raised dots on edge, Bryce, Higbee &Co., c. 1885, 9 inches, $65.
• Navajo sterling-silver belt buckle, 5 turquoise stones, bear claw center, 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, $225.
• Effanbee Bubbles doll, composition, blue tin sleep eyes, open mouth with 2 teeth, pink dress with white lace, pink ribbons, pink mohair booties, 1924, 26 inches, $325.
• Majolica oyster server, 12 wells, Sarreguemines, signed, 1940, 14 7/8 inches, $380.
• Trench art U-boat, brass, gun rotates, swing-out periscope, World War I, 12 1/2 inches, $395.
• Chippendale-style sofa, camel-back, rolled arms, mahogany legs, green upholstery, down cushion, 20th century, 84 x 38 inches, $470.
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