Yellow fan clock dates to 1950s

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This yellow “Fan” clock designed by George Nelson for the Howard Miller Clock Co. brought $3,625 at auction. It originally was made to run on electricity, but batteries can be substituted so the cord doesn’t show.

Some of the most popular clocks made after 1944 in the mid-century modern style were designed by an architect and journalist. George Nelson (1908-1986) graduated with a degree in architecture in 1931. He went to Europe and wrote magazine articles praising the famous designers and introducing both their ideas and his to the U.S. He suggested the open-plan house, storage walls and family rooms, which all are popular today. Herman Miller, the furniture maker, asked him to become the design director of his company. And that was the beginning of his many still-collected designs, like the “Marshmallow” sofa, “Coconut” chair and the ‘Ball” clock.

Howard Miller Clock Co. produced over 30 different wall clocks based on his idea of an almost-round face with geometric additions or subtractions and simple hands. Some were just a group of sticks with colored balls at the end that radiated from the center to form a circle. There was no frame, no glass and no numbers. Each design for a clock was made in many different colors. The “Fan” clock was designed in about 1954. It looks like a folded star-shaped cutout. A yellow Fan clock sold for $3,625 at the Los Angeles Modern auction in Van Nuys, California, in 2016. A black version sold at the same auction brought only $2,250. The original clocks ran on electricity, but you can substitute a battery so no cord will show. Save and reinstall the old parts before you sell the clock or the value will be less.

Q: I have three Mr. Peanut glass jars with “Planters,”” a picture of Mr. Peanut and “75th anniversary” embossed on both sides. They are about 8 1/4 inches tall and have lids. The dates 1861 and 1906 also are on the jars. What are they worth?

A: You’re reading one of the dates wrong. The 75th anniversary of Planters was in 1981. If you read 1981 upside down, it looks like 1861. The company started as Planters Nut and Chocolate Co. in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1906. Mr. Peanut was adopted as a trademark in 1916. The company was bought by Standard Brands in 1961. Standard Brands merged with Nabisco in 1981. Some of the Mr. Peanut jars have been reproduced. These jars sell for $5 to $10 each.

Current Prices

Soap dish, Union Porcelain Works, white, green transfer emblem, oval, rolled rim, marked, c. 1905, 3 1/2 x 5 inches, $25.
Doorstop, mouse, sitting up, cast iron, painted, shaped base, bottom lined with felt, c. 1905, 4 inches, $60.
Bread slicer, cast iron, turned wooden handle and slice tray, curved blade, Alexanderwerk, Germany, 1930s, 11 x 15 inches, $160.
Mandolin, wood with gilt designs, steel strings, serpentine top and turned handle, American Music Co., 1800s, 22 x 13 inches, $240.

TIP: If the shine has worn off a spot on an old Formica tabletop, try using auto-body rubbing compound on the spot.

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