Santa Claus comes in many forms. While he is ultimately inspired by the historical St. Nicholas of Myra (today Demre, Turkey), a fourth-century Greek bishop, he is influenced by British, German, Dutch and Scandinavian folkloric figures.
According to today’s traditions, he lives at the North Pole. So it might seem odd that the country store Santa figure pictured here, which sold for $441 at Garths’ Auctioneers & Appraisers, holds an American flag. But the Santa Claus we know in the United States was developed here.
European immigrants brought their Christmas traditions with them. In 1823, American poet Clement Clark Moore published “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” probably better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” establishing the image of Santa Claus as “a right jolly old elf.”
Cartoonist Thomas Nast cemented this image in popular culture with his illustrations for Harper’s Weekly starting in the 1860s. L. Frank Baum, who set out to write a quintessentially American fairy tale with “The Wizard of Oz,” published “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” in 1902, depicting Santa as a foundling child raised by fairies and granted immortality after a lifetime of good deeds.
One of the most enduring images of Santa comes from the Coca-Cola advertisements designed by painter Haddon Sundblom starting in the 1930s. From Europe to the Americas, and from history to folklore to advertisements, Santa can make himself at home anywhere.
Q: Where can I find the value of a set of Peter Pan Records sung by the Caroleers?
A: The Caroleers were a group of mostly unknown vocalists who recorded children’s music for several companies during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. They recorded for Peter Pan Records beginning in 1952. The Caroleers recorded several Christmas albums in 78 RPM, 45 RPM, and LP formats. Millions of their records were sold. Many sell on eBay for $5 or less today. A few sell for about $10. Some sites ask much more. Rarity and condition determine price. Go to a local store that buys and sells vintage records to see what your set sells for in your area.
Q: I have two metal figurines of peasant children. Family story is that this boy and girl were on the mantle in the Black Forest area of Germany. They were brought to America when family immigrated in 1870-80s. They are about 9 inches tall. My mother told me they were made of “pot metal.” Are they of any value?
A: Pot metal, sometimes called “white metal,” is a type of alloy. Its composition varies, but it often contains zinc, tin, lead and copper. It has a low melting point, so it is easy to cast. In the late 19th to early 20th century, it was used for small decorative items like toys, costume jewelry, banks, match holders and clocks. Today, antique pot metal items sell for about $50 or less. The greatest value of your figurines comes from their place in your family’s history.
Q: I have a white porcelain peacock and would like to find information regarding its origin and its estimated value.
A: Many companies have made white porcelain peacock figurines, from inexpensive 20th-century giftware to antique East Asian manufacturers to fine European porcelain factories like Meissen or Capo-di-monte. The best way to find out more about a porcelain figure is to look for a maker’s mark, then consult a reference book or a website like the Marks section of Kovels.com to find the maker’s name and when the mark was used. If you can’t find a mark, you can try looking online for similar figurines that have sold at auctions or on sites like eBay. Look for features like whether the head is raised, lowered or turned, if the tail is closed or open and the shape of the base the figure stands on.
Q: I have four little glass bottles made in Taiwan. One also says “Ball and Claw Bitters” and another is shaped like a fish and says “Dr. Fisch’s Bitters.” I was wanting to find out the history of them and if they have any value.
A: Miniature bottles like these were made in the 1960s and 1970s and sold as decorations or in gift shops. The Wheaton company in New Jersey collaborated with glass factories in Taiwan to make them. These bottles are based on bitters bottles from the 1800s. Bitters was an herbal medicine that was packaged in unusually shaped, often figural, bottles. Your fish-shaped bottle is a reproduction of an authentic antique bitters bottle, Dr. Fisch’s Bitters, first made in 1866. The “Ball and Claw” bottle is not based on any known bottles. Miniature bottles like yours sell for about $10 to $20 each. Some sellers call them “potion” or “elixir” bottles.
TIP: Never leave salt in a silver saltshaker. It can quickly damage the silver.
On the block
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.
Quilt, Amish, eight “X” shape blocks, multicolor checks, red, purple, blue, indigo, gray, indigo backing, mid-20th century, child’s, 76 by 43 inches, $90.
Bicycle, tricycle, figural horse, ride on, plaster, painted saddle, multicolor, hair tail, 33 by 31 inches, $120.
Chinese Export, plate, waterfront scenes in center and side reserves, European style, armorial, crest, shield, 9 inches, $225.
Christmas, candy dish, lid, Santa finial, sleigh, milk glass, molded scrolls, scalloped, holly sprig, hand painted, Westmoreland, 6 by 3 ½ by 4 ½ inches, pair, $225.
Furniture, table, drop leaf, curly maple, dovetail drawer, wood pull, A-shape base, turned legs, box stretcher, peg construction, New England, 24 ½ by 36 inches, $335.
Clothing, shoe protectors, pattens, wood sole, painted, black, leather and cloth ties, iron rings on base, Europe, circa 18th century, 2 by 9 inches, $440.
Christmas, figurine, tree, rhinestones, green, red, clear, various sizes and shapes, five-point topper, gold tone setting, round foot, Czechoslovakia, 12 ¾ inches, $450.
Toy, wagon, delivery, newspaper, Detroit Times, white bed, red frame, four wheels, restored, child’s, $480.
Silver-Peruvian, demitasse set, Empire style, acanthus band, coffeepot, hinged lid, sugar and cream, round tray, Camusso, midcentury, coffeepot 7 inches, $630.
Rug, Hereke, light blue field, oval center medallion, floral vine border, West Anatolia, circa 1925, 18 feet 7 inches by 7 feet 7 inches, $1,260.
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