Lamps Burned Lard in Mid-1800s
Whale oil and other burning fluids were used for light at the beginning of the 19th century, long before electricity was available. But around 1835, a different lamp fuel gained popularity--lard.
Burning fluids were dangerous because they were explosive if handled carelessly. Lard was almost solid, and therefore safe. It could be made at home on the farm and could be stored. But the thick lard had to be encouraged to flow up the wick to the flame. Many special, patented lard-oil lamps were invented in the 1840s to 1860s. Most lard-oil burners were made to bring heat to the fuel. The wick holders were often wide and flat. Some of the lamps used a plunger to force the lard into the wick.
Lighting changed in the 1860s, when kerosene became the fuel of choice for lamps used in cities and towns.
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Question: I remember reading the Nancy comic strip in the 1950s. I have a Nancy-Sluggo board game that was given to me by an older cousin. It is in very good condition, with all its game pieces. Can you give me some information about the game and comic strip?
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Answer: Ernie Bushmiller introduced Nancy in his comic strip Fritzi Ritz in the 1920s. In 1940 she became the star of her strip and remained popular through the early 1960s. Sluggo was her tough sidekick. Your board game was made by Milton Bradley about 1944. It is worth about $50.
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Q I have an old piece of costume jewelry that reads, “Remember Harbor.” Can you tell me if it has any special meaning?
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A Perhaps you have a piece of World War II jewelry. A popular slogan was “Remember Pearl Harbor.” The slogan was to remind Americans that the bombing of ships by the Japanese in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, started the war.
Decorative pieces of jewelry were made with the word “Remember,” a large pearl and the word “Harbor.” This type of costume jewelry pin sells for about $50 to $60.
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Q My oblong ceramic plate was designed to serve fish. It is decorated with a painting of fish jumping in water. The red mark on the bottom has a lion in a shield and the words, “Carlsbad China, Austria.” Can you tell me who made the plate, when it was made and what it’s worth?
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A Your fish plate was made by Bawo & Dotter, a porcelain factory in Fischern, Bohemia. The company operated from 1833 to about 1914. The city of Carlsbad is spelled “Karlsbad” in German. It was the center of the Bohemian porcelain industry before World War I. At the time, Carlsbad was in the Austrian Empire, which is why the word “Austria” is in the mark. The plate would sell for about $100.
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Q We have been collecting tins, and since tobacco, coffee, peanut butter and oyster tins are getting so expensive, we thought we would collect a different type. How old are popcorn tins? Can we find many different brands?
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A Popcorn was first sold in cardboard boxes. In the 1920s, some makers started using cans. Most cans were made to be sold in grocery stores. The brand names were often those used by the stores for other types of food. The large tins are still used, especially at Christmas, because popcorn stays fresh longer in a tin container.
You might also consider collecting the boxes and round cardboard containers. Some collectors even save the bags. The Antique Advertising Assn. of America recently pictured and priced more than 160 popcorn-related containers in their newsletter.
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 antique shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary because of local economic conditions.
* Davy Crockett glass tumblers, 1955, set of six, $125.
* Dutch Boy Paint figure, composition and wood, trademark figure, blue hat and overalls, white shirt, yellow shoes, 25 inches, $220.
* Roseville vase, oval body, two handles, cream stylized fleur-de-lis design, green and tan ground, brown and blue ovals, circa 1931, 5 1/4 inches, $435.
* Sioux moccasins, sewn, full beaded, rawhide soles, geometric red, white and blue design, circa 1920, $510.
* Art Deco club chair, upholstered and ebonized wood, padded arms, loose seat cushion, short block feet, 1930s, $690.
* The Beatles Kaboodle Kit lunch box, vinyl, lithograph on front of all four Beatles, by Standard Plastic Products, 1965-’66, $975.
* Carnival-glass bowl, Peacock on the Fence pattern, ruffled, aqua opalescent, circa 1912, 9 inches, $1,500.
* Blanket chest, pine, black flame grain, red ground, yellow initials on lid, penciled name inside, “Susan Slanter 1826,” 22 inches by 43 inches by 16 inches, $1,695.
* Lenci cloth doll, series 300 Rodolfo, felt swivel head, painted features, blue side-glancing eyes, accented nostrils, closed mouth, 17 inches, $2,100.
