Alabaster Globes Hard to Replace!

Dear Nadja:

I was browsing in Northern Lights in Manchester, VT and — as a lover of antique lamps — I was fascinated by your book,”Antique Lamp Buyer’s Guide, 2nd Edition.” Flipping through the pages, I found myself looking for the style of this lamp I’ve had in my family for as far back as I can remember (it came from my grandmother originally, but I’ve no idea how it came into her life). Looking at your photos, I wondered if it might not be a reservoir and burner Astral or Sinumbral lamp (page 15 of this book).

I’ve been searching on and off for years to find a replacement for the cracked upper half of the globe on this lamp — it was shattered when I was a child and my dad swung his coat over it and down it crashed (I thought my mom was going to leave him then and there!), but I’ve had no luck. At this point, I would just welcome some kind of top that would fit — it wouldn’t have to be a perfect match! This lamp is alabaster and the cracked top darkens the light it can give off and it’s just such a shame.

I’ve attached 3 photos I took of it and I’d be so grateful if you took a moment to peruse them. If you have any thoughts or any contacts of yours you would share with me that would be helpful in my search to replace the shattered upper half of the globe, I would be most appreciative.

At any rate, thank you for your time. All the best to you…

Ruth

Ruth R.
Ardsley, NY

Dear Ruth-
I’m sad to say that I can’t give you any leads on where to find another globe for your lovely antique lamp. Maybe another reader perusing this blog will have some information for you, but in the meantime I will say that looking at the base of your lamp– I do not see where there is an oil reservoir (unless it is hidden within the bottom half of the globe) and thus I think it is an early electric light made between 1915 and 1930. (Does that jive with the timeline of ownership in your family?)
Wishing you continued enjoyment of your inherited treasure.
–Nadja Maril

Restoring an Antique Ship Model

This question recently arrived from a reader. To refer back to the article go to www. WhatsUpMag.com
Dear Nadja,

Came across your article about model ship building. I have two model ships that need repair. They’re not in bottles but they would be considered museum quality. Would you know anyone who does that sort of thing?

Thanks,

J.L.

If you are a reader of What’s Up? Annapolis or What’s Up? Eastern Shore, you are fortunate to live near the U.S. Naval Academy. Housed on the Academy campus is the U.S. Naval Academy Museum which includes a wonderful collection of ship models. According to their website, “Each of these priceless models was constructed within a few years of the ship or ship type it represents. For example, the 96-gun ship-of-the-line St. George was launched in 1701, and her model was completed about a year later. The models were crafted with remarkable precision. Careful attention was paid to detail, especially the carvings and fittings above and below decks. This supreme craftsmanship rendered the models into exquisite works of art, and today they often constitute the only surviving physical record of ships built during the classic Age of Sail.”
I would recommend that you contact the curator of the Rogers Ship Model Collection, Donald R. Preul, and ask for his advice on getting your models repaired. The phone number for his office there is 410-293-5260.

Value of Antique Beaded Purse

Enjoyed your article on the beaded bags of yore. I have a bag exactly like the one with the expandable top pictured on page 47. I would like to know it’s value. Thank you for any information you can give me.
Sincerely, Annie
For those who have not read the article on beaded bags:

Value of Antique Wicker Buggy

A carriage used for something other than baby!

I had E-mailed you after your article on wicker in the July 2009 What’s Up Annapolis magazine and gotten your reply that you would need to see pictures of my 1905 antique wicker baby buggy in order to assign an approximate value. I appreciate so much your willingness to help me! You stated you would reply in your blog.

As you can note from the pictures, we are using the buggy as a sort of “cabinet” for sound entertainment equipment. The wheels only show in one of the photos, but I think you can ascertain enough from the pictures to determine what you need to know. Also, would you have an idea what sort of care we should be giving the buggy as to keeping the wicker supple?

Thank you SO MUCH for your assistance.

Sincerely,
S. T.

For readers who have not read the article on wicker, please go to www,WhatsUpMag.com and look in the Home/Antiques section of the site.

Response:
Wow, I’ve never seen a wicker baby carriage used quite the way you are using it. It appears to be a focal point in your home and you are enjoying it. Usually these antiques are used for display purposes for a doll or teddy bear collection.
The white paint appears to be recent. Based on its vintage, the wooden handle. and the wheels this was probably a natural wicker, perhaps with a two tone decoration. I cannot tell from the equipment placed inside, what is the condition of the interior.
From a value standpoint, the more original an item is, the more value it has. I am going to make a very general estimate and state that your carriage is approximately worth (based on visual imagery only) between $175 and $275.
In response to your question regarding preserving the wicker, I think the temperature conditions are most pertinent. Any extreme swings between hot and cold or dryness and dampness will cause the wicker to expand and contract. Try to keep your buggy in a room where the humidity and temperature is fairly constant.
Enjoy, what seems to be a family heirloom.
N.M.

Rare Books Commanding Record Prices

Last week a soldier’s first edition of “The Federalist Papers” sold for $80,000 and edition of “Common Sense” sold at auction for $56,000. That’s over $1.2 million.

Heritage Auction Galleries in Dallas was pleasantly surprised by the positive buyers’ response to their recent Rare Books and Historial Manuscripts auction that included a 1st edition of the Federalist Papers. When the piece hammered at $80,000 ($95,600 with Buyer’s Premium) the applause in the room wasn’t only for the greatness of the lot, but also for the recipient of the full hammer price: Captain Nathan Harlan, an Indiana National Guardsman preparing to ship out for his second tour of duty.

Prior to the auction the lot had been conservatively estimated to bring $8,000-12,000, but the price rose amidst a flurry of international publicity and multiple bidders. Before the auction Heritage offered to waive its previously agreed-upon, customary seller’s commission in a show of support for Captain Harlan and his upcoming deployment; he gratefully accepted the offer.

“I can’t thank you enough for all of your help,” Captain Harlan wrote to Heritage. “You not only made special arrangements for me to receive the money because I will be overseas when settlement day comes, but you also waived the seller’s fee. That’s unbelievable in this day and age.”
The winning bidder is from the Baltimore, MD area.

“We have been moved and amazed by the reach of this story,” said James Gannon, Director of Rare Books at Heritage Auction Galleries.

Early American history showed sustained strength throughout the auction, especially in the form of an historic second edition of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, which brought $56,760, and a 1663 document signed by Mayflower pilgrim John Alden, the man widely credited as the first to set foot on Plymouth Rock, which went to an erudite collector for $15,535.

Superb examples of first edition fiction tomes were in great demand during the Rare Books section of the auction with a trio of books whose publication dates span the better part of 135 years. Chief among these books was the most recent, and certainly the most famous to modern day audiences: A first English edition hardcover copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, just one of an estimated 500 from the original printing, brought $29,875, showing the continuing strength of the premiere run of this popular series.

A remarkable first edition first impression of Charles Dickens’ masterpiece Great Expectations, in the original cloth no less, brought $23,900 from a determined bidder, while a first edition first printing of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ American classic Tarzan of the Apes, in its original dust jacket – one of just 5,000 original copies printed – rose to the occasion with a price of $20,912.

Two more intriguing lots finish the Top 10 of the Heritage June 16 event: The original Fort Knox Bullion Depository blueprints and a singular archive of writings from mid-19th Century Supreme Court Justice John McLean, spanning four decades (the 1820s through the 1850s) of his notable life. Both lots respectively brought $6,572.
It just goes to show you, that even in a weak economy, unusual items still sell for a lot of money!

A Question About Antique Toy Soldiers

The underside of one of the cast soldiers.

A Diverse Group of Collectible Metal Soldiers

I am trying to research and find out about my antique toy soldiers and their value. I played with these metal/tin type soldiers as a little girl in the 70′s. I believe they were my father’s. I was told then that they had a great value to them since they were antiques. The paint is worn off and I am wondering if they are “connoisseur figures”. Can you help solve this mystery for me, I have attached pictures above

Thank you!
M. H.

Thank you M.H. for your interest in learning more about antiques and sharing your photos. (Bloggers, if you’d like to read the original article the writer is referring to, please go to http://www.WhatsUpMag.com and look in the Antiques department in the Home section of the content listings. You’ll find other articles about antiques there as well.)
In answer to your question, you have inherited some collectible soldiers, but I am dubious as to their “great value”. From what I’ve seen, the more valuable soldiers consist of large sets, in excellent condition, with the original box. Your soldiers look well worn and well loved.
I do not, however claim to be a specialist in the field of antique toy and model soldiers. The best course of action I’d recommend is to do further research by consulting some reference texts on the topic. If there is any markings that designate a particular company or at least let you know whether or not the soldiers were made in America, that will get you started.
Even if you find that your soldiers are only in the $25 to $65 price range for the group; you have some heirlooms to pass down to your children with happy memories attached.
All the best-
Nadja Maril

Thoughts on Antique Maps