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Antiques: Equipment for old-time hobbies

By Ralph and Terry Kovel, Special to the Times
Published October 6, 2007

There are many modern yarn winders, but part of the fun is finding the old, efficient, handmade winders and other tools. Old winders work well and are inexpensive; they may also remind you that spinning was a necessity in the old days.

Three Bears patterns

Q: I just found a set of uncut fabric for a set of Three Bears cloth dolls. I think they're early Kellogg's advertising premiums. Instructions for sewing are printed on the fabric between the front and back of the brightly colored doll patterns. I found a similar set on the Internet, but my bears are wearing different clothing. My Mama Bear is holding a bowl that reads "Kellogg's." She's wearing a red skirt with white stripes and a yellow shirt and cap. Papa Bear, holding a Kellogg's cereal box, is dressed in a red jacket and green-and-blue checkered pants. Baby Bear, also holding a Kellogg's bowl, is wearing a blue shirt and red-and-yellow polka-dot pants. The patterns are marked "Kellogg Co., London, Ontario, Canada." What are they worth?

A: Kellogg Co. was founded in Battle Creek, Mich., in 1906. It expanded into Canada in 1924. Your dolls are the same as the U.S. advertising dolls Kellogg's issued in 1925. A second set of cloth doll patterns for Goldilocks and the Three Bears, dressed differently and slightly shorter, was issued in 1926. Those are probably the dolls you found online. Originally the patterns were mailed to customers who sent in a dime and a box top for each doll. If your set included Goldilocks, the four dolls could sell for $200 or even more. Each of your bears might be worth about $50.

Blue Willow bonanza

Q: I have a set of Buffalo Pottery Blue Willow dishes marked with the year 1907. They're in good condition. What are they worth?

A: Buffalo Pottery Co. was founded in 1901 by the Larkin Soap Co. of Buffalo, N.Y. Larkin's owners, John Larkin and his brother-in-law, Elbert Hubbard, wanted to make dishes that could be given to customers buying their Larkin soap products. Dishes in the famous Blue Willow pattern have been made in England since the 1780s, but Buffalo Pottery claimed to be the first to make the pattern in the United States. Its "Old Blue Willow Ware," made from 1905 through 1917, was marked with the year of manufacture. Your dishes, from 1907, are valuable. A dinner plate, in excellent condition, can retail for more than $60.

Iridescent porcelain vase

Q: My aunt gave me an iridescent vase sometime around 1940. I always thought it was glass, but other people have argued with me. They think it's porcelain. The mark on the bottom is a crown and shield. The crown encloses the word "Turn," and the shield encloses the word "Vienna." Another mark is the phrase, "Made in Austria."

A: Your vase is porcelain, not glass. The mark was used between 1899 and 1918 at the Turn, Austria (now the Czech Republic), porcelain factory owned by Ernst Wahliss and his sons, Hans and Erich. Your vase probably was made between 1902 and 1910. In 1902, Wahliss bought hundreds of molds from the closed Royal Porcelain factory and started making reproductions of Vienna porcelain and figurines. After 1910, Wahliss cut back on porcelain production in favor of faience. Wahliss porcelain vases in excellent condition sell for $400 and up.

Send questions to Antiques, Ralph and Terry Kovel, c/o the St. Petersburg Times, King Features Syndicate, 300 W 57th St., 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Visit www.kovels.com to sign up and see more than 750,000 free antiques and collectibles prices and to receive free weekly e-mail updates with the latest information on the world of collecting.

FAST FACTS
Current prices

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Fishing lure, Heddon Lucky 13, wood, glass eyes, red head, three treble hooks, 1940s, 4 inches, $65.

Aluminum condiment tray, glass insert, No. 462, Rodney Kent, 12 by 5 inches, $90.

"Tom Corbett Space Cadet" game, 1953, Peerless Playthings Co., 1953, 10 by 1 inches, $430.

Western Electric wall telephone, No. 1317-P, oak case, c. 1895, 20 inches, $565.

Ideal Toni doll, plastic head, sleep eyes, platinum hair, accessories, box, 1950s, 20 inches, $895.

William Crawford single-level bus biscuit tin, red body, people in windows, 1920, 15 inches, $3,165.

William IV dumbwaiter, mahogany, three molded tiers connected by turned, tapered and blocked spindles, caster feet, c. 1860, 211/2 inches, $940.

French gilt bronze figural mantel clock, figure of Diana with bow and quiver, hunting dog at side, plinth base, wild boar medallion, bun feet, 1765, 19 by 15 inches, $1,525.

[Last modified October 5, 2007, 10:39:23]