Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove • Page 3B AUGUST 2016 'Yankee Pioneers' shelf clock has high face value Q.: I love the column that appraises antiques. Would you let me know how much to insure my clock for? It has a woman's head on each side, it works good and the key is original. Thank you. — G.W., Waukesha A.: The Seth Thomas Clock Co. in Plymouth Hol- low was one of the Con- necticut clock firms called "Yankee Pioneers." This group experienced rapid growth from 1882 to the 1920s. No longer did con- sumers remain clockless but could purchase a reli- able 9-by-13-inch table clock for the average price of $6 to $15. Early pub- lished catalogs propelled sales that advertised them as a beautiful piece of pur- poseful furniture. Shipped by the thousands to over 30 countries, shelf clocks were among the first mass- produced items in Ameri- ca. Your clock is fabricated of adamantine, a rigid cel- luloid veneer glued to a painted wood case that was a Seth Thomas exclusive process. Decorated with faux patterns, color choic- es were simulated onyx, slate or marble. Usually there were three choices of metal side-end ornaments to select from: A.) Lion's head holding a mouth ring, B.) Lion's head holding a bar in its mouth, and C.) The rarer option is not a woman's head but the alle- gorical figure of Mercury, who wears a winged-hel- met symbolizing speed — possibly representing how "time flies"? Treasured by past own- ers, current technology has made shelf clocks out- dated with countless exam- ples coming into the mar- ketplace. Most are in poor condition from being shuf- fled from attics to base- ments or modified by repairs and updates. Senti- mental value has also been lost to time. Highly unusu- al, your splendid example has had TLC and is in near mint condition, not even scuff marks. Insurance replacement value is $500.00. Note: In 1851 there were 31 clock factories. Four years later in 1856, there were only 13. Following the stock market crash in 1929, there were three left that are now divisions of larger corporations. * * * Q:. I purchased this condiment set from an estate sale in 1994 and was told that it had been a wedding gift for an 88-year- old lady. All pieces are in perfect condition — no chips or cracks and paint color is still vibrant. I paid $90 and have cherished it. — D.R., Waukesha A.: The good news is that your set looks beautiful — most likely too beautiful to be the age represented. The original ceramic pieces were called canister or cereal sets with much more fitted lids. A wedding gift from that era would have some visible crazing and the salt box attached board was not on early examples. The first wave of these kitchenware reissues arrived for American housewives in the 1960s. The 1990s welcomed a second influx of even more attractive selections. There are still imports being brought in that have an extremely high luster or iridescent finish, all with a variety of inconsistent Ger man marks and numbers; either printed on or impressed in. Early pieces used block lettering, canister sizes were larger and many had cork stop- pers on the oil and vinegar bottles. Cursive lettering and bright floral designs usually represent newer models. Present-day antique malls, online outlets, and consignment shops have a selection of these decora- tive reissued jars. The mar- ket still bears about $80 for an extended set like yours. (Barbara Eash is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America, specializing in appraisals of antiques and collectibles and has exten- sive experience writing and speaking about antiques.) Submit an item for consideration Do you have an item or collec- tion of items that could be shared in a future newspaper column? Let Barbara Eash hear about it! To have your item or collection considered send the following information: up to three, sharp, well-lit photos of front & back of the item(s), measurements as well as any history or hearsay, length of ownership and your full name, address and daytime phone number. Mail: Wauke- sha Antique Shop, ATTN: Bar- bara Eash, 1427 E. Racine, Ave. Unit E-2, Waukesha, WI 53186 or email: beap- praisals@gmail.com. If your item(s) are considered for a future column, we will contact you. No purchase of items will occur. 250966001 BARBARA EASH Antiques Appraised Condiment sets flooding market, dropping values To subscribe, call 262-542-2500 or go online at: gmtoday.com/subscribe The FREEMAN Waukesha County's Daily Newspaper Have a news tip? Tell Katherine all about it. Managing Editor Katherine Michalets Phone: 262-513-2644 Email: kmichalets@conleynet.com Twitter: twitter.com/Freeman_Biz Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WaukeshaFreeman Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WaukeshaFreeman

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