#Middlebury
Morning coffee has been a necessity for centuries, and there have been numerous patents for coffee-making machines. The first American patent was given to Thomas Bruff Sr. in 1798. Coffee grinders, also called coffee mills, were needed to grind the coffee beans to cook with water to make coffee. The mills were hand-cranked until 1938, when the first electric models were made.
This 10 1/2-inch-high patriotic coffee mill with chromolithographed pictures of President Teddy Roosevelt on the tin sides was made by Bronson-Walton Co. of Cleveland, probably around 1900.
Most collectors search for early wall-mounted or box-type mills. They were made of wood or glass with a cast iron crank. Coffee-mill companies also used ceramics, plastic or attractive metals later in the 1900s. Most coffee mills had the name of the brand of coffee on the front or at least the word “coffee.” “Koffee” is not a misspelling; it is the German word for coffee.
On the back or side of the coffee mill there usually is a serial number that can be dated with the help of information found online or in “The MacMillan Index of Antique Coffee Mills,” a book by Joseph E. MacMillan. There also may be colorful pictures like the ones seen on a patriotic coffee mill, which was decorated with a flag and a picture of Theodore Roosevelt on his horse. It recently sold for $265 at a Hess auction.
Q: I have a pair of shoe roller skates with wooden wheels. There is a metal plate on the bottom with the number “5” and “Chicago Roller Skate Co., Ware Bros., Pat. Aug. 15, 1914, Made in U.S.A.” What can you tell me about them?
A: Ralph and Walter Ware bought The Chicago Roller Skate Co. in 1905. Their brother, Robert, joined the business in 1909. Roller skating was a popular pastime, and Chicago had several roller rinks. Skates with wooden wheels were made to skate on the wood floor in roller rinks. The company also made racing skates, clamp-on skates for skating on sidewalks, parts for skates, lawn sprinklers and a few other products. Your shoe skates probably were made between 1914 and 1920. The company was bought by National Sporting Goods in the 1990s. Vintage shoe skates like yours sell for under $200.
Current Prices
Wood carving, dentist pulling a tooth, knee on chair, signed J. Pinal, 9 3/4 inches, $120.
Scarf, silk, pink, nautical, waves, sea shells, central circle, Parures Oceanes, Hermes, 36 x 36 inches, $200.
Pocket watch, Mickey Mouse, steel case, Mickey figure in dial, pin lever and manual wind, Ingersol, 1935, 2-inch diameter, $650.
Birdhouse, English cottage, two porches, bay windows, black roof, Miller Iron Works, 11 x 14 inches, $1,560.
TIP: An item that is at least 100 years old is considered an antique. If it’s at least 50 years old, it’s usually considered vintage, and anything under that is just collectible.
Looking for a holiday gift? “Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2019” is the most complete and best-illustrated price guide available – with 16,000 listings and more than 2,500 full-color photographs – from the most trusted name in the industry.
© 2018 King Features Synd. Inc.
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