“Kitsch” is a term that refers to something that’s overly sentimental or vulgar or in just plain poor taste. Paintings on velvet of Elvis Presley, plastic pink flamingos and hula girl statues were all once considered kitsch, and laughable.
But tastes change, and today some of these things ar
e now acceptable collectibles, although you would not expect to see them in an art museum. It is the humor in an example of kitsch that makes it interesting and gives it a place among collectibles.
The hula girl is a tourist symbol of Hawaii, and the related dolls, lamps, paintings, grass sk
irts and leis are collected. Pink flamingo garden figures, a symbol of Florida to most Americans, are sold in all parts of the country.
Kitsch is the opposite of conservative taste, and sometimes it takes many years before it is not laughed at. Those who bought funny 1880 advertising posters for quack medicines or figurines of exotic dancing girls in the 19th-century art-nouveau style are now seeing some of their “outlandish” choices displayed as art.
Many art-nouveau bronze dancers bring high prices today. So if you dare, collect what appeals to you even if it is kitsch. Tastes change, and prices change, too.
Q: I received a pair of carved ivory earrings as a gift during World War II. They’re marked “Kitagawa Ivory Work Shop.” What do you think they’re worth?
A: The Kitagawa family of Tokyo has operated an ivory importing business since the late 19th century. You say you received the earrings “during World War II.” Either the earrings were made before the war and were given to you later or you were given the earrings after the war ended.
Japan and the United States were enemies during World War II, and trade between the two countries was impossible. The earrings could be valuable, but their price depends on not just their age and maker, but also their style and quality.
Q: Can you tell me when printed paper labels and stickers were first used to label products like ceramics and furniture? I have seen some decorative labels on pieces that I think date from the early 1900s, but I didn’t think paper labels were used back then.
A: Lithographed paper labels have been used on products since at least the 1880s. The practice started in Europe and was soon picked up by U.S. lithographers. These early labels were attached to products with a gum adhesive.
The first self-adhesive labels were introduced by R. Stanton Avery in the 1930s. Avery’s company became today’s Avery Dennison Corp., which still makes adhesives.
Q: Please tell me the difference between the Miss America Depression glass sherbet plate and the coaster. I notice the coaster is higher priced, but pictures I have don’t show me the difference in the two pieces.
A: The Miss America coaster and sherbet plate are the same size, 5 3/4 inches in diameter, but the coaster has six raised ridges to support a drinking glass. Miss America pattern was made by Hocking Glass Co. of Lancaster, Ohio, from 1935 to 1938.
The coaster was made in crystal (clear glass) and pink. The sherbet plate was made in crystal ($3), pink ($9), green ($8) and Royal Ruby.
The coasters are worth more than sherbet plates of the same color, but the Royal Ruby sherbet plate ($60) is worth the most. Reproductions have been made of some Miss America pieces.
Q. I have a jacquard coverlet with the name “Peter Lorenz-1845” woven into the corner. Can you tell me something about him?
A: The jacquard loom, used to weave coverlets and other fabrics, was invented in 1801 and came into widespread use in the United States in about 1820. Designs were made by using punched cards to control the weaving.
Coverlet makers usually put their name, location and the date in a corner of the coverlet. Sometimes a motto was included in the corner block. Peter Lorenz is the name of the weaver of your coverlet. He was born in France in about 1801 and later immigrated to the United States.
Records indicate that he traveled across Ohio, Illinois and possibly Indiana. The U.S. Census lists him as living in German Township, Ohio, in 1850, 1860 and 1870. One of his coverlets costs about $750 today.
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.
• Wilton cake-decorating pan, aluminum, comical Volkswagen Beetle shape, 1976, $25.
• Clarice Cliff pie bird, black, yellow beak, funnel vent, white base, registry mark, W.R. Midwinter, Burslem, England, c. 1946, 6 1/2 inches, $45.
• Eisenberg brooch, Austrian crystal rhinestones cut into ovals, circles and pear and bell shapes, rhodium-plate setting, signed, 1945-58, 2 1/4 inches, $180.
• Harold Lloyd tin bank, press wire on side and tongue sticks out, put coin on tongue, release lever and coin is swallowed, Selhumer & Strauss, Germany, 1910s-20s, 5 1/2 inches, $230.
• Gorham yo-yo, sterling silver, steel works, monogrammed, 1920s, 2 1/4 inches, $395.
• Ken doll, blond flocked hair, original swimsuit, beach jacket and sandals, original box and black wire stand, Mattel, 1961, $500.
• Northwood glass perfume bottle, mother-of-pearl, blue, white and red swags, flower-embossed sterling lid, 7 inches, $525.
• American Renaissance armchairs, carved and burled walnut, faceted top rail, leaf-carved stiles, tapered legs, attributed to A. & H. LeJambre, Philadelphia, c. 1870, pair, $956.
• M’Gregor Happy Foot figural store display, gold papier-mache, smiling face, arched eyebrows, black base with McGregor Socks logo, 17 inches, $975.
• Stoneware flask, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, Southwestern map, 1894, $3,300.
Write to Terry Kovel, (The Herald), King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.
© 2011, Cowles Syndicate Inc.
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