Antiques

Everybody has a Frederic Remington for Sale

Bronzes by Frederic Remington are among the most widely reproduced of all metal sculptures. Some unauthorized copies of his work have been traced to at least 1920. But since the copyright protection expired in the 1960s, the number of reproductions in the market has exploded. ...


Elaborate Reproductions of Garden Ornaments

The increasing popularity of garden and lawn ornaments has created an expanded market for reproductions of those items. Shown here is a reproduction Victorian era cast iron pedestal with gazing ball. Three Art Nouveau-styled mermaids are equally spaced around a 30" tall base. Other decorations ...


Figural Trade Signs

Authentic figural trade signs are recognized and prized as American folk art. They have been collected, admired and displayed in museums since the 1930s. Because of their popularity among collectors and use in interior design, original trade signs command high prices. Low wage workshops in ...




Collectibles

Reproduction Parrish Illustrations Sold in New Book

One of the largest sources of reproduction Maxfield Parrish illustrations are the various books which show his work. The most confusing of these have been so called poster books which have large 11 X 16 pages. Illustrations are printed in full color on one side of the page only which gives the ...


The Arabian Nights Book Illustrated by Maxfield Parrish Reissued

The Maxfield Parrish illustrated book The Arabian Nights, Their Best Known Tales was reissued by Charles Scribners Sons publishing in 1993. First printed in 1909 by Scribners, original copies of sell for $150-$250; the new reprints retailed for $25. ...


Recent Fakes and Reproductions of Collectible Brand Names

What's in a name? If it's the right name, big bucks. Perfectly ordinary tools, kitchenwares, and common household items that wouldn't normally raise an eyebrow can skyrocket blood pressures when marked "Griswold", "Winchester", "Keen Kutter", or "Old Sleepy Eye". ...




Dolls

New Dolls from Old Molds

Molds used to make pre-1940 celluloid dolls are now back in production. The doll shown here is one of at least two styles being reproduced. The other known new doll has the same hairstyle and general body shape but with hands clasped behind the back. Each of the known reproductions is 6 tall. ...


$2,700 Mechanical Toy a Fake

When the auctioneer said, "Sold.", Karen Delfinos parents thought they had bought their daughter a once in a lifetime birthday gift...a Victorian mechanical doll or automaton. ...


Wicker Toy by Furniture of Steel Wire

This new miniature vanity and stool were made of steel wire to resemble Victorian wicker. The vanity is 5 high; the stool, 1 high. A nickel is shown for size comparison. ...




Art

Miniature Oil Paintings

In July of 1998 ACRN reported on a series of "paintings" with "labels" of European frame shops. All of those images were produced on paper by a printing press. A thick transparent sealer was then hand brushed on the paper which left prominent brush strokes suggesting the image was hand painted in ...


What about all those Russian icons?

No matter where you go, it seems everyone has Russian icons for sale. They are even offered in mail order catalogs. Can they all be old and valuable? ...


Imitation Charcoal Sketches of Black Americans

A southern antique reproduction wholesaler is offering a series of Black American images resembling original pencil or charcoal sketches. The series depicts five different pre-Civil War plantation images of slave life. ...




Furniture & Lighting

New Coca-Cola Bent Panel Hanging Lamp Released

This new single-bulb hanging lamp was once newly introduced to the collectibles and gift market. It has full color images of Coca-Cola calendar girls on white glass panels. The glass is trimmed and supported in bronze toned metal. Overall size is 18 dia. by 12 high. ...


Confusing "Tiffany" Mark on Leaded Lamp Shade

The three vesta boxes, or match safes, shown below are currently being sold in England. Price in U.S. dollars in England is $2225 each. All are good quality silver plate; no markings of any kind are on the pieces. The insides of the new pieces have a frosty silver appearance with no sign of use or ...


A 1940s 'Honest' Reproduction?

A recent visit to a very reputable local antiques dealer turned up what appeared to be a real gem of a Hepplewhite tambour desk. Sitting among a large collection of fine period furniture, it would be easy for the uninitiated or casual buyer to accept the desk as the real thing. Especially given the ...




Glass

L.G. Wright Epergne Mold Put Back in Production by Fenton

An epergne mold originally used by L. G. Wright in the 1940s-50s is being put back into production by Fenton Glass. ...


art-glass-rolling-pins

All of these so-called art glass rolling pins showing up everywhere are new. Most are about 16 long with various body colors of clear, cobalt blue, red, green and other colors. Thick threads of one or more contrasting colors are swirled through the body. The handles are solid glass, the pin is ...


Confusing Jar Often Sold as Old

This covered glass jar with pheasant head finial was sold during the 1970-80s by Herters, a hunting and outdoor goods supplier. Although Herters business dates back to 1893, no old counterpart of the pheasant jar ever existed. When the jar drifts into the antiques market it is almost always ...




Jewelry

Costume Jewelry: Confusing Fakes and Copies

The costume jewelry market has seen an increasing number of pieces made from new molds taken from vintage originals. Dozens of familiar designs are being sold by operations in California, Florida and North Carolina, using production and assembly labor from different points overseas. Eisenberg, ...


Is it Bakelite?

How to decide if its old, repro, fake or a look-alike. ...


New Bakelite from old stock

There are more and more pieces of Bakelite being carved from blanks of old stock. Since this was first described in the February 2000 issue of ACRN, many readers have asked for more information. Shown here is a 1 wide red Bakelite bracelet recently carved from old stock. This piece is currently ...




Porcelain & Pottery

More Details on Latest Nippon Copies

Joan Van Patten (author Collectors Encyclopedia of Nippon Porcelain series) has provided more information on Nippon reproductions. ...


New Pottery Resembles Old Chintz

Chintz a generic name for primarily English china decorated all over flowers has been bringing record prices the last three years. ...


Mini Stoneware Advertising Jugs

A Kansas City potter is throwing miniature stoneware advertising jugs virtually identical to old originals. ...




Silver

Confusing Marks on Sterling Silver and Silver Plate

Typical examples of new silver and silver plate reproductions with new, faked or confusing marks. Clockwise beginning at upper left corner: figural napkin ring, JM hallmark; forged Tiffany hallmark; figural teapot pill box, REO Sterling; new matchsafe virtually identical to 19th century original by ...


Tiffany Silver Water Set Faked

While browsing around antique shows. I have seen a few tea sets in the Japanesque taste that, from a distance, appeared to be in the style of Tiffany silver. On closer examination, they turned out to be recently made sets manufactured in the electroforming process. Those sets were not stamped with ...


New Sterling Figural Pin Cushions

This new shoe pin cushion has lots of details; the new chick pin cushion is about average. Shoe marked .925; chick marked Sterling. There is also part of a country name on the shoe that appears to be Mexico but is not legible. ACRN paid about $10 each wholesale. Note that the shoe has a jump ring; ...




Fashion

Cheap new hatpins

There is another wave of cheap new hatpins now being offered in mail order catalogs and import trade shows. Three of the various styles available are shown above. Retail prices range from $8-$10. ...


Hatpins from Knife Handles

For years, faked hatpins have been pieced together from a wide variety of odds and ends. Buttons, broken costume jewelry, charms, and virtually anything else that could be welded, soldered or glued seemed to end up on a hatpin shank. The latest faked hatpins are being made up from sterling silver ...


More new purses

New purses made with glass beads have been reproduced since 1997. Most new pieces are manufactured by hand India. Many styles of new purses are made. The one shown here is done in black glass beads. The other, not shown, is made of white silk. ...