Few early clay bird whistles remain

#Middlebury #Antiques

“I bought a wooden whistle, but it wouldn’t whistle” is part of an old children’s song that goes on to joke about buying a metal whistle. But a modern metal whistle used by a policeman looks very different from the wooden whistle made centuries ago. And today, if a whistle is wood, it usually is carved into an interesting shape or painted to hide the wood surface.

Bird whistles are still made, but of modern materials. This multicolored bird, a whistle that would whistle, sold for $212.

Very early whistles were made from a hollow reed or bird bones. By the 17th century, ceramic whistles were made, often in the shape of an owl or other bird. The center of the whistle held water. Blowing into a hole on its back made the water move and make a sound. There also were wind whistles handmade or molded from clay. Many have been made since the 17th century, but few of the early clay bird whistles remain. Most are not marked, but are decorated with an identifiable regional design.

Today you can find a lot of whistles made of pot metal, celluloid or plastic. An unmarked earthenware bird whistle with colorful paint decoration was sold at a Hess Auction Group auction that featured Pennsylvania wares. The 4-inch-long bird sold for $212.

Q: I’d like information about a Mary Gregory vase I own. It’s purple glass with white figures of a girl and boy playing tennis. The vase is cylindrical and is 8 inches tall and 5 inches in diameter. Can you tell me its age and value?

A: Mary Gregory glass was first made about 1870. Similar glass is being made today. All early Mary Gregory glass was made in Bohemia. Later it was made in several other European countries. The first American glassware with Mary Gregory-type decorations was made by the Westmoreland Glass Company beginning in 1957. These pieces had simpler designs, less enamel paint and more modern shapes. Vases like yours are worth about $300. The tennis game adds value.

Q: I’ve seen some interesting “antique” telephones online and was wondering if they work with modern wiring. I’d like to buy one if I can use it as a phone.

A: It depends on the mechanism and wiring in the phone. We tried hooking up two old phones and couldn’t get either of them to ring. There are sites online that show how to rewire an old phone so it works, and there are companies that will do the work for you. They also have replacement parts.

Current Prices
Ginger jar, dark green body, 5 country scenes, gold trim, Gerold, West Germany, 10 inches, $25.
Photography, tintype, Geo. W. Butler, sea captain, holding octant, tinted, Civil War era, $120.
Ride-on toy, St. Bernard, hard plastic, painted steel frame and wheels, handle bar, England, c. 1905, 19 x 24 inches, $325.
Decoy, merganser duck, wood, polychrome, gold and black, overlay, 17-1/2 inches, $740.

TIP: Be careful handling birdhouses, bird cages and bird feeders, old or new. It is possible to catch parrot fever (psittacosis) through a cut or even from breathing the dust.

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

© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.