Now Starring: Celebrity Ornaments
Holiday ornaments continue to evolve. Angels, bells, stars and fancy balls now share space on Christmas trees with cartoon characters, advertising images and celebrity figurines.
Celebrity, nonreligious ornaments surfaced in the 1960s. Limited-edition ornaments were first offered in the early 1970s. Some ornaments include the year they were made, so future collectors will have no trouble dating them.
The values of such nontraditional ornaments have gone up slightly, but only a few celebrity-related rarities have become pricey.
One famous set comprises Italian blown-glass figures of the Beatles, based on an animated TV show that ran from 1965 to ’69. The 5-inch-high ornaments were made in several colors, some with blue or red suits, some with gold or silver suits. Each ornament held a musical instrument, which was easily lost.
The complete set of four with instruments is worth more than $1,000.
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Question: My dad gave me an old saddle with brass fittings and a 12-inch seat that is grooved in the middle. The saddle is stamped “Troop K23” on the front and back, and “Spalding 1917” on the stirrups. The hemp cinch and leather straps are very long and adjustable.
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Answer: You have a McClellan-style U.S. Cavalry saddle. The style originated during the Civil War. It is named for Civil War Gen. George McClellan.
The groove in the saddle’s center was meant to provide comfort for the rider. The adjustable leather straps were long because a cavalry horse could lose 150 pounds or more during a campaign.
A saddle such as yours sells for about $160.
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Q I have a matching green plate and bowl given to me by an elderly friend. I guess the dishes are more than 50 years old. The marks on the bottom are different. One says “Catalina,” and the other says “Catalina Island.”
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A The Catalina Pottery was founded on Santa Catalina Island in 1927. Between 1930 and 1937, the company made a full line of color-glazed dishes in several patterns.
Gladding, McBean and Co. bought the Catalina Pottery in 1937. For 10 years, Gladding, McBean made some of the Catalina lines using the Catalina trademarks.
No matter which company made your Catalina dishes, they are popular with collectors.
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Q I collect lipstick holders but haven’t been able to learn much about them. Most of mine are the standard shapes, either cylindrical or with four straight sides. Many are made of metal filigree with gaudy stones. I also have a few plastic novelty lipstick tubes. Can you give me any information?
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A Lipstick tubes with push-up or swivel mechanisms became popular during the 1930s. Costume jewelers and couturiers became involved in designing both single tubes and tubes combined with another accessory--a mirror, watch, flashlight, lighter, perfume flacon, pen, compact or tiny powder puff.
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Q Can you tell me about my 15-inch pewter coffeepot? The outside is shaped like a sloping barrel. The spout is short and is near the top of the pot. There’s a lion’s-head design under the spout. A female figure is on the top of the handle, and there’s a fancy finial on the hinged lid. The mark on the bottom reads “Patented Jas. Stimpson 1854 extended for seven years 01315.” Another mark on the inside reads “Patented Nov. 5, 1867, Reed & Barton.”
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A Your “coffeepot” is an ice-water pitcher. It is made of britannia metal, an alloy harder than pewter. Most britannia water pitchers were silver-plated, but the plating often wears off.
James Stimpson, a Baltimore inventor, was granted the first U.S. patent for a multi-walled ice pitcher on Oct. 17, 1854. His patent was used by various manufacturers. It was sold to the Meriden Britannia Co. about 1868.
The Reed & Barton patent was for a valve in the neck of the pitcher that kept warm air out but allowed easy pouring.
Your pitcher was probably made by Meriden. It is worth about $150. If you have your pitcher replated, it would be worth more.
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Q My grandfather bought a brass table lamp at a Boston pawnshop during the 1940s or ‘50s. The shade is made of sheets of white glass under a decorative brass frame. The mark on the bottom of the lamp says “Bradley & Hubbard Co.”
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A Bradley & Hubbard worked in Meriden, Conn., from about 1895 to 1930. The company made brass lamps and other brass items. Your lamp would sell for more than $500.
For a listing of helpful books and publications, include a self-addressed, stamped (55 cents) envelope to Kovels, Los Angeles Times, King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017.
Current Prices
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary because of local economic conditions.
* Boston Garden rodeo program featuring Gene Autry, 1948: $35.
* Kriss Kross strapper and razor, original box and instructions, dated 6-30-21: $40.
* Maxfield Parrish illustrated advertisement for Ferry Seed from People Home Journal: $55.
* Brass and cast-iron bilge pump, 1895, by Femyers & Bros., Ashland, Ohio: $75.
* Silver flatware cheese scoop, hollow handle, Vintage pattern, Rogers Bros.: $125.
* Farfel ventriloquist dummy doll, Jimmy Nelson’s TV dog with record box, 1950s: $210.
* Annie Oakley & Tagg lunch box, metal, Aladdin, 1955: $300.
* Steuben perfume, Verre de Soie, melon shape with flame stopper: $325.
* Chippendale mahogany mirror, line inlays, scrolled upper and lower crest and ears, circa 1780, 23 by 12 inches: $475.
* Mettlach 3-liter stein, No. 19490, etched, keeper of wine cellar, signed Warth, inlaid lid: $1,200.
Tip: To easily remove wax that has dripped on a candlestick, put the candlestick in the freezer for about an hour. The wax will flake off.
