#Middlebury #Antiques
Although antique dealers tell us early 1900s oak furniture doesn’t sell – average Chippendale pieces are not wanted and fancy French designs of the past are out of style – some average examples and even good copies can be useful and a good investment.
An original Wallace Nutting table is actually a copy of an earlier piece of furniture, but there are collectors who want his work. A Nutting tavern table auctioned recently for $469.
In 1899, Wallace Nutting started photographing, hand-coloring and selling scenes that had a “Colonial” look. He bought and borrowed the furniture and accessories, and sold thousands of the pictures. There were some historic flaws in the pictures, like hooked rugs in front of the fireplace in an early 1700s scene. Eventually, he started to make and sell accurate copies of his furniture. Today, there are collectors of Wallace Nutting furniture as well as the photographs.
In the 1920s, Peter Hunt decided to paint early wooden furniture with the colorful peasant designs he developed. It became popular as a style, and today, Peter Hunt furniture sells for more than the type of furniture he repainted. Costume jewelry also was made to look like expensive gold and gem-set originals. Nowadays, the best of signed costume jewelry can sell for thousands of dollars. A Wallace Nutting tavern table made in the early 20th century as a copy of an 18th-century table sold at a Garth’s auction for $469.
Q: We have the first two albums recorded by the Beatles in excellent condition. What is their value and how would we go about selling them?
A: These albums sell at auctions for over $1,000. Their value depends on rarity and condition. The first Beatles album released in the United States was “Introducing the Beatles,” by Vee-Jay Records on Jan. 10, 1964. Capitol Records released its first Beatles album, “Meet The Beatles,” on Jan. 20, 1964. It released “The Beatles’ Second Album” on April 10, 1964.
“Introducing the Beatles” was made with three different backs. The backs of the first covers were blank because the album was rushed into production to get it out before anyone else. Later back covers had ads or titles in columns. Recent prices for the album range from $1,250 to $5,250. The highest price was for a very rare “column back” stereo version of the album in original Sears sleeve. It sold for $52,500. “The Beatles’ Second Album” sold for $2,000-$5,750. “Meet the Beatles” sold for $275.
Current Prices
Doll, Navajo, stuffed cloth, blue velvet blouse, red bottons, striped cotton skirt, beaded necklace, woolen black hair, 1950s, 12 inches, $84.
Toy truck, fire pumper, red, silver, white rubber tires, wooden rims, cast iron, Hubley, 1930s, 5 inches, $150.
Medical, prosthetic leg, maple, leather, metal hinges at knee, shoe, brown, c. 1900, 31 inches, $282.
Silver pitcher, cylindrical, quilted, twist handle, Earl Evans, Alfredo Ortega & Sons, Mexico, 7 1/2 inches, $1,020.
TIP: Always put plastic dishes on the top rack of the dishwasher. Test any old dishes to be sure they will not warp or melt in the dishwasher.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.