Discover Vintage America – August 2011
Signed vintage postcards appeal to collectors
Q. My teenage son recently began collecting old, illustrated postcards, usually from the mid-20th century. His “discoveries” are from garage sales and flea markets. He looks for cards with a holiday theme, such as Christmas or Halloween. Recently, he found a fourth of July patriotic card. It is the first postcard he has found with an artists’ signature. It is signed Ellen Clapsaddle and features the words GAR on it. Who is she and what is the postcard’s value? – A.C., Palm Beach, FL
A. Your son hit the jackpot of postcards. Clapsaddle (1865-1934) is considered one of the most important postcard illustrators. She specialized in children’s subjects using holiday and other themes from the late 19th to early 20th century. Her cards were sold in sets of six and created images for thousands of postcards. She worked for the International Art Company and did a series of July 4th cards. The many collectors of postcards consider the Golden Age to be 1901-1915. In the 1910s and 1920s, postcards were so popular there were postcard stores. The initials GAR stand for the “Grand Army Of The Republic.” A collector would pay $20 or more for this postcard. A complete set would be worth more than $100.
Q. This beautiful pair of candelabra was a wedding gift to my grandparents and I recently inherited them. They aren’t silver and they don’t tarnish. On the bottom is the name “Hagenauer.” What kind of metal are they? Is Hagenauer the designer or maker? What is their age and value? – D.G, Kansas City, MO
A. Your candelabra are chrome-plated and were made in the 1930s or 1940s by Austrian sculptor Franz Hagenauer (1906-1986). Chrome objects first became popular in the 1930s with young couples who couldn’t afford sterling silver. In those days chrome cost only a few dollars. It made a comeback as a collectible two decades ago and prices keep going up.
First made by the chase Brass and Copper Co., in Waterbury, CT, chrome attracted top designers in America and abroad. When World War II started, chrome was replaced by aluminum. By 1945 there were many makers of chrome items, from cocktail shakers to sculptures and bookends. At auction, your candelabra could fetch from $900 to $1,200.
Q. This dark purple glass bear jar was tucked away in my late grandmother’s drawer. No one in the family knows anything about it, except that it is old. A dealer told me it was probably “Sandwich Glass.” What does that mean and how old is it? Is it better than a garage sale item and what is its value? – B.T. - Evanston, IL
A. Your glass bear is a pomade jar and was made by the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, sometime between 1850 and 1870. It is one of the many types of whimsical jars with lids made in the form of animal or reptile figures.
However, during its 65 years of operation, many other techniques were used, including blown-molded, cut overlay, ruby-stained and blown-molded opal. Its many forms included whale-oil lamps, vases, lacy-pattern cup plates and figural candle sticks. Your bear jar could sell at auction for $200 or more.
Anne Gilbert has been self-syndicating the ANTIQUE DETECTIVE to such papers as the Chicago Sun Times and the Miami Herald since 1983. She has authored nine books on antiques, collectibles and art and appeared on national TV. She has done appraisals for museums and private individuals.
Do you need more information on an antique or collectible item? For a personal reply, send a photo, history, size, signatures and $25 to Anne Gilbert, P.O. BOX 740136, Boynton Beach, FL 33437-0136.