Iron clown head sells for a lot

#Middlebury #Antiques

Part of the fun of bidding at auctions is seeing unusual, and perhaps useless, antiques selling for a lot of money. A very noticeable iron head of a clown with a mask, about 20 inches high, was offered in a Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, California. It was marked “J.T. Dickman, Pat’d Sep 19, 1911.”

This heavy 20-inch-tall head is made of iron. It was painted red and white. The auction catalog said it was a clown because of the pointed hat with a tassel. It’s a not-very-funny shooting gallery target that pictures a clown with a mask. The strange item was wanted by many collectors, and the high bid was $12,000.

Only the clown, squirrel and rabbit shooting gallery target shapes with the Dickman patent information are listed for sale online. The clown sold for $12,000.

Iron tools were the only antiques to be pricey before 1950. Tongs, building supports, fences, hardware, boot scrapers, safes and windmill weights were selling at antique shows. By 1900, iron was used to make frying pans and attractive pieces like bookends, doorstops, large statues of animals and garden furniture. Iron can be molded or shaped by hand, is heavy and durable, and is often used for manhole covers.

Q: I inherited two unusual 14-karat gold and pearl tuxedo studs from my father’s estate. They are square with what looks like a lace-edge handkerchief folded over in a triangle shape. A long pin with a pearl head is stuck through the “handkerchief.” I don’t want to scrap them. How can I find their value for resale?

A: Even though you don’t want to “scrap them,” it helps to know the meltdown value in order to determine the resale value of gold or silver items. You can take the studs to a jeweler to see how much the gold weighs and to find out the current meltdown value. The pearl also adds value. Jewelers often measure gold in troy ounces, which are heavier than standard ounces. The meltdown value of 14-karat gold fluctuates, but the value of a troy ounce is about $1,850. The jeweler may offer to buy them for a lower price because the jeweler must be able to make a profit. Most tuxedo stud sets include at least four studs and a pair of cufflinks. Since you have only two studs, they can’t be worn with a tuxedo shirt.

Current Prices
Backgammon game, Bakelite, yellow chips, cups, dice, cork playing surface, flowered case, 19 x 14 inches, $90.
Prov Saxe vase, woman in garden with dogs and birds, blue and gold beaded enamel, 3 1/2 inches, $120.
Lunch box, Joe Palooka, cartoon scenes, multicolor, tin lithograph, square with lid, two upright strap handles, 1948, 4 x 7 inches, $180.
Side table, tiger oak, four-leaf clover shaped top, reeded apron, spindle spool legs, shaped lower shelf, ball feet, c. 1890, 29 x 24 inches, $275.

TIP: When stacking dinner plates, put a piece of felt or paper between each plate. Never put more than 24 plates in one stack.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.

© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.