Reindeer Not His Only Mode of Transport

Santa Claus, wearing a red suit trimmed with white fur, has been a symbol of Christmas since the early 1800s. He was originally a tiny elf who could fit inside a chimney, but he was later changed to a large man flying through the sky in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Ornaments and paper figures of Santa were holiday decorations.

By the 1920s, miniature bisque figures of Santa were made in Germany and Japan. The German figures had good detail, but the Japanese pieces were of poorer quality.

The small figures, about 2 inches high, pictured Santa in a variety of activities. He rode a car, train, motorcycle, sled, boat, airplane, polar bear, elephant or reindeer. He visited a lighthouse, a chimney, an igloo or a fireplace. He carried a sack of toys, or pushed or pulled a cart filled with toys. The figures were used as table ornaments, cake toppers or as part of village scenes around Christmas trees. Today, collectors pay about $200 for just one of these small 1920s figures.

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Question: When were iron Christmas tree stands used?

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Answer: Boards and stones were first used to hold Christmas trees. By the 1870s, the first iron stands appeared. A windup, revolving musical tree stand was patented in 1877. In 1899 a clever inventor patented a stand with a cup to hold water. A tin stand with water was patented in 1914. Many of the early stands were made for small trees that were displayed on a table top.

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Q My old wooden cigar box is 4 1/2 inches long by 7 1/2 inches wide by 1 inch deep. The colorful label on the hinged lid pictures a cupid, champagne bottle and box of cigars surrounded by a moon, steeple, birds and flowers. The words across the top read “Compliments of the Season.”

Inside the box there is a small label that reads, “O.L. Schwencke, 17th St., New York.” Can you tell me the age of the box?

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A O. L. Schwencke was a well-known lithographer who made high-quality lithographed labels from about 1884 to 1900. So your box probably dates from that period. O.L. Schwencke used the name Schwencke Litho from 1900 to 1908. The company was bought by Moehle Litho in 1908 and later by American Colortype in 1928. Your label, which is not printed with a brand name, was used on cigar boxes that were sold by many different retailers.

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Q Can you tell me about my 8-inch-high stoneware Christmas tree holder? One side is stamped “Red Wing Union Pottery Co., Red Wing, Minn.,” and “Patent Applied For.” The other reads, “Christmas Tree Holder” in cobalt blue.

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A Red Wing made your Christmas tree holder between 1912 and 1936. It was also made in green. The first type had no way to add water after the tree was up, so the design was improved with a hole near the top for water. The idea seemed good, but once the tree was in place, the owner complained of having to lie on the floor and slide under the tree to pour the water. The holders are hard to find today and are worth more than $400.

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Q Why does my old Christmas card picture a robin instead of toys or Santa Claus?

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A The robin was an early symbol of Christmas. According to an old legend, the robin brought fire to the Earth. The robin was burned, and that is why it has a red breast. Another traditional story said that the robin took a thorn from Christ’s crown and accidentally pricked its breast, turning it red. Robins were used on cards, Christmas ornaments and other holiday decorations.

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Q I bought an artificial Christmas tree in Chicago almost 40 years ago. It has silvery metal limbs that fit into a central wooden pole. Each limb is slivered to look like real pine needles. Once assembled, the limbs form a perfectly shaped tree. Can you tell me what the tree is worth?

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A Artificial Christmas trees were first used in America after the Civil War. Early ones were made of green-dyed feathers that were tied to form branches. After World War II, feather trees were replaced by trees made of wired crepe paper or visca, a strawlike rayon. By the 1960s, soft-spun fiberglass trees, three-ply vinyl trees and aluminum trees were available. We suspect that your tree is aluminum. Aluminum trees were made with shiny, fringed-foil “needles” and a central wooden trunk with holes to hold the limbs. They ranged in size from 2 1/2 to 8 feet tall. They sell today for $15 to $75, depending on size and condition.

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.

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Current Prices

Current prices are recorded from antique shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

* Depression glass plate, Holiday pattern, pink, 9 inches, $65.

* Big Little Book, Snow White & Seven Dwarfs, 1938, $75.

* Hummel figurine, Little Drummer, No. 240, vee over gee mark, $125.

* Coca-Cola Christmas counter display, bottle shape, 1930, 20 inches, $200.

* Columbia Special Deluxe bicycle, red and white, original labels, rear basket, c. 1940, $330.

* Vogue Ginny doll, walker, sleep eyes, blond hair, Dutch outfit, tagged, 1954, 9 inches, $400.

* Seder plate, man carrying child, Star of David around rim, Hebrew porcelain, c. 1885, 10 inches, $510.

* Catalin Sentinel radio, model 248, yellow body, amber grill, 1940s, 7 inches, $1,280.

* Fireplace mantel, white veined marble top and two columns, c. 1885, 50 by 72 inches, $1,500.

* Amish quilt, Star of Bethlehem pattern, red, blue, purple, pink, yellow rainbow, 1920s, 75 1/2 by 74 inches, $1,850.