Silver-plated pitchers were made by Reed & Barton, a company founded in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1822. The pitchers look like the double-faced stoneware pitchers made by the Martin Brothers in England between 1875 and 1915. Similar pitchers were also made by Royal Doulton.
The silver examples are known as “Sunny Jim.” Many figural pitchers, steins and mugs had names that were used in advertising brochures. The silver pitchers were pictured in magazine ads in the 1920s and ’30s. They were discontinued in the 1950s but may have been made until the 1980s.
Three slightly different versions were made with different rims. These are probably the first two types of the pitchers. The third variant, which was probably at the end of the production, has a handle with a higher curve that was attached to the rim only at the outermost area of the scroll.
Q: I inherited a lot of piano sheet music when my mother passed away, much of it from the World War II era. Titles include “Bell Bottom Trousers,” “March of the Free,” “Wings of Victory” and “I Am an American.” Is anyone interested in collecting these?
A: Some old sheet music is collectible, but most sell online and in flea markets, antiques shops and house sales for a few dollars. Subject, cover art, rarity and condition help determine the price. Some collectors look for music on a particular subject, but many collectors buy sheet music for the cover art. Covers with artistic illustrations or pictures of historical events, old cars or trains, or political events increase the value. Someone who is interested in patriotic music from the World War II era might be interested in your music. It’s hard to sell the music yourself unless you’re used to selling online. You might try a consignment shop in your area.
Q: I’d like to know the value of a ceramic stein that’s about 9 inches tall and pictures hunters on horseback and their hounds. “Savitt” is painted beneath the scene. An engraved pewter lid is attached to the handle. “Fox-Hunting” is written around the top of the stein and “Moving off the Meet” around the bottom. The bottom of the stein is marked “Larsons of Sweden Inc. 1969” and “Made in Germany.” What is it worth?
A: Steins have been made for over 500 years. Many have been made in Germany, some by famous factories and many by lesser-known factories. An unknown German factory made this stein for Larsons, a Swedish company that doesn’t seem to be in business now. The picture on your stein was done by Sam Savitt (1917-2000), an artist, illustrator and author who specialized in works featuring horses. Steins sell at auction for a wide variety of prices, from less than $100 to several hundred dollars, and in rare cases, for thousands of dollars. Steins like yours sold recently for $10 to $75.
Q: I have five bicolor stemmed goblets from Utility Glass Works that are Vaseline glass with teal bases. They aren’t named, but I believe they are the UGW-01 pattern. Can you tell me more about them and their value?
A: Utility Glass Works was in business in Lonaconing, Maryland, from 1920 to 1929. The company leased a glass factory that operated under different names from 1914 to 1918. At first, it made non-glare lenses for automobile headlights. Later, pressed glass and blown glass tableware were made. Some pieces had acid-etched or cut decorations. Production stopped in 1929. Sloan Glass Co. operated the factory later. The factory burned down in 1932. The goblets are selling for $20 to $30 if the pattern is not recognized. Some early patterns sell for more.
Q: What’s the value of a sugar and creamer marked with a red star and “R.S. Prussia” on the bottom?
A: The mark with a red star over a green wreath outlined in red and “RS Prussia” written in red was used by the Reinhold Schlegelmilch porcelain factory from the 1880s to 1917. Schlegelmilch opened a factory in Suhl, Prussia, in 1869. A second factory was opened in Tillowitz, Silesia (now Poland), in 1894 and this mark was used on some of the porcelain made there. Much of the porcelain made in Tillowitz was exported to the U.S. Exports peaked about 1905. When World War I broke out, production in Suhl stopped, but production in Tillowitz continued. The Polish government took over the factory in 1945. The R.S. Prussia star and wreath mark has been copied and used on reproductions and fakes since the 1960s. There is a club for collectors, the International Association of R.S. Prussia Collectors, Inc. (RSPrussia.com). Depending on the decoration, R.S. Prussia salt and pepper shakers sell for about $20.
Tip: The less you handle an antique or collectible the better. Always pick it up with two hands.
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.
Advertising crock, Wesson Oil, For Making Good Things To Eat, stoneware, white glaze, blue band and lettering, straight sides, rolled rim, 4 by 4 inches, $25.
Rug, penny, felt, six-sided, made up of multicolored circles within circles, gray, purple, burgundy, orange and black, circa 1885, 32 by 36 inches, $300.
Coca-Cola advertising cooler, Drink Coca-Cola on sides, metal, red paint, nickel-plated mounts, galvanized steel interior, lift lid, raised handle, Acton Mfg. Co., Kansas, 19 by 17 by 12 inches, $335.
Furniture, pie safe, poplar, two doors each with three punched tin panels, wide drawer over two paneled doors, paneled sides, late 1800s, 72 by 39 inches, $465.
Staffordshire sauce bowl, ladle and tray, landscape, Passaic Falls, Pass in the Catskill Mountains, blue transfer, domed cover, feather handles, flower finial, 6 by 8 inches, $510.
Picture, silhouette, mother, seated, two children, one on her lap, one holds doll, cut and applied paper, inscribed Mrs Tringhams-Wythe 1828, burl frame, 13 by 16 inches, $750.
Purse, shoulder tote bag, Chanel, black caviar leather, large stitched CC logo on front, black leather interior with zipper pocket, 12 by 16 by 4 inches, $1,040.
Tiffany glass bud vase, shaped goose neck, bulbous and stretched mouth, silver iridescent, pulled stripes, Favrile, marked, circa 1901, 14 by 5 inches, $2,500.
Sterling silver center bowl, oval, paneled sides taper to pedestal base, swollen morning glory band at top, marked, Gorham, Martele, 1909, 6½ by 10 inches, $2,950.
Automobile gas globe, Magnolia Gasoline, milk glass, two lenses, white magnolia blossom, green leaves, red letters, metal mount with original red paint, 16½ inches, $4,270.
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