Tin Balloons Took Flight as Playthings

The revolutionary spirit in France in the 1790s included not only the idea of freedom from royal tyranny, but also attempts to fly. Experiments with hot-air balloons made air travel a reality. By the 19th century, a balloon ascent was a popular part of civic events, like the opening of an exhibition.

It was not until 1867 that the average person could have a balloon trip. Rides in a securely anchored balloon were offered at the Paris World’s Fair that year. French balloonists traveled to Germany to give shows. Paul Feller went up with his giant balloon, called Mars, in 1895. The next year, E.P. Lehmann, the German toy maker, offered a tin balloon toy for sale. It was decorated with the word “Mars.”

A string was attached to the ceiling of a room, and as it was pulled, the balloon slowly went up. If the string was released, the balloon would come down. A toy man in the gondola waved a flag as the balloon moved. The toys were made until 1900. This year, a Mars balloon toy in good condition sold for almost $3,000.

*

Question: My husband and I are remodeling our 1926 home. In the old window frames, we found 28 metal license plates that read, “Repeal the 18th Amdt. for Prosperity.” The plates are orange and black. They are as wide as modern license plates, but only about 3 1/4 inches high. What are they?

*

Answer: The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1919, banned the manufacture, sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages. By the end of the 1920s, many Americans saw Prohibition as a failure. In 1932, the Democratic Party platform called for the repeal of Prohibition. The political collectibles you found probably date from that year. They are called license-plate attachments and were hung on the back of autos next to or under the standard license plate.

*

Q I just bought a water pitcher in the honeycomb pattern. Below the handle is etched “Pat. 1865.” I have never seen a piece of 19th century pressed glass marked in this way.

*

A This patent was one of the most important 19th century patents for pressed glass. It was issued to William Gillinder, a glassmaker, on Dec. 5, 1865. It was for a tool that was a combination of a blowpipe, a plunger and a snap clamp. This made it possible to mold both the pitcher and the handle while the glass was hot. Before that, the handle had to be added to the finished body of the pitcher.

This invention was important in developing later machinery that made pressed glass. Pitchers and other items made using this tool had the patent information etched near the base of the handle. A similar pitcher sold recently for $120.

*

Q Years ago at a house sale, I bought several German figural Christmas-tree ornaments. One of the molded glass ornaments is shaped like a roly-poly clown. He’s wearing a white costume with a black hat. Across his chest is the number 500,000. What does the number mean?

*

A The number 500,000 became bitterly symbolic to Germans after World War I. It refers to the number of German marks it cost to buy a single loaf of bread. Your ornament must have been made about 1920.

*

Q I have two colorful celluloid Christmas ornaments that my parents always hung on our tree. One is a parrot and the other is a monkey. Each hangs from a large ring through a hole near the tail. They are 75 years old and are beginning to crack. How can I preserve them?

*

A Thick celluloid items tend to become brittle over the years. Once cracks form, they can’t be mended. To prevent deterioration, don’t hang your ornaments where it is hot or sunny. Be sure to store them away from light, heat and high humidity. Wrap them in acid-free tissue paper. Don’t put them in plastic bags, and don’t pack them in cardboard boxes.

*

Q A few years ago, I bought a wooden rocking chair at a house sale. The seller called the chair a “sewing rocker.” Three bowed, horizontal slats form the chair’s ladder back. The seat is a solid, round, slightly indented piece of wood. There’s a gold sticker on the back that reads, “Manufactured by High Point Bending & Chair Co., Factory and Home Office Branch, Siler City, N.C.”

*

A High Point Furniture Co. worked in High Point, N.C., from about 1890 to 1930. It is possible that your chair was made at a branch of that company, since Siler is not far from High Point. The terms “sewing rocker,” “nurse rocker” or “ladies’ rocker” were often used in 19th century furniture catalogs. Short, armless rocking chairs were used by women for chores that could be performed while sitting down. Your chair would sell for $100 to $200.

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.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Current Prices

Figures are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary because of local economic conditions.

* “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” sheet music, St. Nicholas Music, 1949, $15.

* Sterling-silver baked-potato server, First Frost pattern, Oneida, $35.

* Hummel Christmas bell, No. 775, Ride Into Christmas, boy riding sled, box, 1989, $50.

* Woodhall’s Dairy milk bottle, elves baking while wearing top hats, Canada, 1936-1950, pint, $140.

* Ruby glass berry set, Ruby Thumbprint pattern, boat shape, 5 pieces, $175.

* Coca-Cola display, Santa sitting in rocker, cardboard, die cut, stand-up, 1957, 8 inches, $200.

* American Flyer train set, locomotive, 3 passenger cars, O gauge, 1932, $510.

* Cookie cutter, gingerbread man, sheet iron, American, 1930s, 6 inches, $535.

* Barbie doll, side part, bubble cut, bendable legs, blue eyes, blond hair, 1965, 11 inches, $685.

* Dumbwaiter, mahogany, 3 tiers, urn-turned shaft, cabriole legs, feet with casters, c.1890, 45 inches, $2,350.