The third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day. Most of us would agree that ice cream is an indispensable part of summer. Who wouldn’t recognize the jingle of an ice cream truck?
This ice cream vendor toy, which sold for $1,800 at Bertoia Auctions, has a slightly different, but still recognizable, image. The vendor drives a motorcycle instead of a truck, and the cart is labeled “Glace,” which is French for “ice cream” and leaves no doubt about where the toy was made. It was manufactured by Jouet Mecanique Lyon, commonly shortened to JML, of Lyon, France. The company was active from the 1930s to about 1960 and is especially well known for its wind-up motorcycles.
In some ways, it is fitting for an ice cream vendor toy to come from a French company. While the origins of ice cream can be traced to the chilled desserts popular in Persia circa 550 B.C., and possibly even earlier in China, France had an important role in spreading the treat throughout Europe. Legend has it that Marco Polo introduced ice cream to Italy, and Catherine de’ Medici brought it to France when she married the future King Henri II in 1533. By the 18th century, French chefs had modified the recipe and popularized it in Europe and the newly formed U.S. To this day, ice cream made with egg yolks is called “French,” as in “French vanilla.”
Q: I have an old 3-cent stamp. How can I find out the value? I know there are many stamp collectors out there, but I only have this one stamp that I need to know more about it. I would like to find out the true value by a reputable, knowledgeable source. Can you advise me on this request?
A: The most important factors in a stamp’s value are its condition and rarity. It takes an expert to evaluate a stamp and usually requires seeing the stamp in person, or at least a clear picture of it, to assess its condition. There are many reputable stamp dealers and publications. The American Philatelic Society (stamps.org) is a good place to start; they can help you find the right resources.
Q: I have two Blue Cornflower dishes. The first is marked “P-1 1/2-B” and is ½ quart. The second is marked “A-1-B” and is 1 quart. The lid fits both. I am curious as to what they are worth. So much information varies.
A: Blue Cornflower is a Corning Ware pattern made from 1957 to 1988. It was made from Pyroceram, a glass-ceramic material that was developed by accident at Corning in the 1950s. Pyroceram was originally used on rocket nose cones, but Corning soon realized its durability and resistance to temperature changes would make excellent kitchenware. It was marketed as safe to go from the freezer to the oven and, finally, to the table. It was made in many patterns. The “P” series dishes were made before 1973; the “A” series was made after. They have slightly different shapes; “P” series dishes have rounder corners and “A” series have wider handles. Certain lids can fit dishes from both series. Both of your dishes are from the Basic Cookware line. They sell for about $15 to $25 each. You’re right, there is a lot of varied information about the value of vintage Corning Ware. Some patterns were made only for a few years, so they are very rare and can sell for hundreds of dollars. Blue Cornflower is one of the longest-running and most popular patterns, so its value is relatively low.
TIP: To keep tin toys from rusting further, try this: rinse the metal, scrub, dry, then coat with a thin layer of petroleum jelly.
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.
Textile, blanket, Tlingit, button, five beaded appliques, bald eagle, two flowers, two wheat sheaves, black ground, red border, white button trim, felt, two hanging ties, 20½ by 26 inches, $55.
Advertising, sign, Mechanical Music Museum, Welcome banner, multicolor graphic, organ with five figures, blue ground, red trim, 72 by 48 inches, $60.
Lamp base, porcelain, urn shape, shaded green ground, pink and yellow flowers, leaves, gilt trim, pierced scrolled handles, square plinth, 37 inches, pair, $75.
Lamp, motion, glass cylinder, forest scene, log cabin, two inner sleeves, heat cap, spelter base, Scene-In-Action Corp, Chicago, 1930s, 10 inches, $120.
Pottery, bowl, blackware, geometric carvings, tapered base, signed, Frances Salazar, Santa Clara Pueblo, 4 inches, $190.
Furniture, candlestand, walnut, scalloped top, inlaid gameboard, turned stand, three legs, carved, England, 19th century, 28 by 21 inches, $220
Rug, Sarouk, center medallion, eight red petals, white field, midnight blue spandrels and border, Persian, 10 feet 1 inch by 8 feet 1 inch, $335.
Toy, truck, dump, Packard, blue, red wheels, hard rubber tires, decals, pressed steel, crank start, Keystone, 27 inches, $385.
Candelabrum, five-light, silver plate, repousse roses and leaves, round base, four-footed, marked, Talleres de los Ballesteros, Taxco, Mexico, 37 inches, pair, $795.
Advertising, sign, Bire-ley’s, Got a Minute?, Real Fruit Taste, four multicolor bottles, red banner, Not a Bubble in a Bottle, It’s Not Carbonated, yellow and blue border, tin, 36½ by 15 inches, $1,230.
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