by Lisa C. Cantwell
About the author: Lisa is the owner of Coal Black Horse Antiques and a Maryland state-licensed antique dealer.
Dear Reader: This is a column to help you determine the history and value of your heirlooms, attic finds, flea market purchases or antique items. Please send a picture and description of your piece, such as how you acquired it and any details about its history to tomandlisa@wildblue.net I’ll research any item, whether it’s a piece of furniture or a painting, tool, doll, figurine, or an article of clothing. An approximate value will be determined to inform you if it’s a “Trinket or Treasure.” Please submit all pictures and questions by the 15th the month for possible publication in the next monthly issue of The Catoctin Banner. All inquiries will be answered, however, not all may be published in the Banner due to space considerations. Please include your name or initials and where you reside. Thank you and happy treasure hunting!
“I found this brass iron while cleaning out my mother-in-law’s garage after the sale of her home. Can you tell me its age and what it’s worth?” — Anonymous, Blue Ridge Summit, PA
What a TREASURE! According to my sources, this is a “sad” iron or charcoal iron and was most likely made prior to the late 1800s, when the first electric iron was invented. “Sad” is an old English word, meaning “solid.” The earliest known irons date from the Middle Ages. Glowing coals were placed inside by lifting the hinged lid, with air holes on the sides to keep the charcoal smoldering. The wooden handle stayed cool to prevent burns. At one time, your iron had a brass plate to rest on. In days past, Monday was usually washday, with Tuesday being a day reserved for ironing. Many homes owned more than one of these irons, so if one cooled, the ironing task would not be interrupted. These brass irons weighed five to nine pounds, so more than one woman or girl could be found with sore arms by evening. Little girls in the 19th century would have been fortunate to have a miniature salesman’s sample of an iron as a toy. Sad irons were still in use up until the 1950s, in more isolated areas of America that didn’t have electricity. Since there is no maker’s mark or name, my best summation is that it was made in India or England. The current, fair market value of your iron in its current condition is between $25 and $75, although more ornate irons and those with maker’s names can bring upwards of $125.
“I inherited these dolls and was told they were bought in Europe after WWII. I can’t find any maker’s name on them. Are they valuable?”
— LCL, Cascade, Maryland
What a TREASURE! This beautiful pair resembles Lenci dolls, which were created in 1919 by Elena Scavini, who wished to make a doll that could be played without breaking. Popular china and porcelain dolls of the time were fragile, so many ended up in the display cabinet. Lenci dolls have felt faces and signature “side-long” glancing eyes. They were very expensive, especially before WWII, but many were made over the eighty-three-year history of production, so they are not so rare. Lenci dolls were so immensely popular, even Shirley Temple had one! An original Lenci has an identifying tag on its clothing or some were stamped with a mark on one foot. If your dolls have neither of these, then it’s probably not a Lenci, but a doll collector might find them desirable due to their felt construction, beautiful expressions, and ornate clothing. Your dolls appear to be in excellent condition, too. An original Lenci pair could bring as much as $3,000 or more. A Lenci “Sam” character doll brought $19,000 at auction in 2011. After searching some on-line auction and sales sites, I did find a “Lenci-like” similar pair that brought $1,500, but I think that was rather lucky, with the right buyer desiring those particular imposters. Expect most knock-off’s to run $12 to $350 apiece. If you don’t plan to sell them, find a nice case and keep them from moisture for a lovely display.
“This is my great grandparent’s clock. I’d like to get it repaired, but don’t know its value. What type is it?”
— TVC, Sabillasville, MD
What a TREASURE!! You have a French Crystal Regulator mantel clock, which dates from the turn of the century. These spring-powered clocks had an eight-day time and strike movement. The compensating pendulum had two “jars” that were originally filled with mercury. The case is brass, with beveled glass sides and door. Expect to pay approximately $150 to $350, depending on the extent of repairs. The value of this clock could be as much as $600, but without maker’s identification is more likely to bring $250 to $350, according to my sources. Because of its sentimental value, I recommend that you invest in its repair.
