Searching for Collectibles (403)
You won't find this piece in most books on Coca-Cola collectibles is because it was never made by or authorized by Coca-Cola. It is what collectors call a "fantasy item," a new piece created solely by reproduction wholesalers. Despite the prominent 1901 and earlier dates, no old counterpart to this piece ever existed in the 19th century or any other time.
A new pickle castor frame is now available. Unlike other new castor frames which are nickel plated, this particular model is plated with real silver. The frame measures 13 inches overall with an insert opening of 3 inches. New frames are selling for $25 each and include the six-inch tongs shown below.
A $24 kitchen tool from India is being widely represented as an early American herb crusher priced at $350 to $950. A Michigan dealer of 37 years experience told ACRN she saw these new pieces at five separate shows in one week in Vermont. One dealer told her he turned down $400 for his example.
The Marine Corps buckle shown here is a previously unknown Tiffany fake. The majority of the fake buckles marked Tiffany date from the mid to late 1970s although production continued at least through the 1980s.
A variety of new pub jugs, a British word for pitchers, with color advertising on the side have arrived from England. Advertising on vintage jugs used in neighborhood pubs was usually limited to items logically sold in a pub such as beverages, mostly alcoholic, and occasionally tobacco. Images on the new jugs feature images taken from many products never sold in pubs such as lawn tennis posts, hair dyes. lawn mowers and poultry feed.
The November 2003 cover article on Halloween reproductions included new crescent moon die cuts. When that issue went to press, we were unable to locate the specific originals from which the reproductions were copied.
Call it nostalgia or antique and apparently people will buy any new product. We thought it was strange in August 2001 when we found reproduction cast iron valve covers from early 20th century American waterworks being made into small tables (see ACRN August 2001). But now you can buy a similar reproduction copied from the Paris waterworks.
Four more cast iron figural arches for bridge lamps are in the market (for others, see October 1999 ACRN). Like the previously reported pieces, this group is also copied from originals used in lamps during the 1920s through the 1930s.
Copies of vintage aviation-related silver pins are appearing in the market. Shown here are a 3-inch blimp and a 2-inch Pan Am Clipper-type seaplane.
Reproductions of Pairpoint Puffy lamps are now being sold at Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse. Advertising circulars distributed in November 1999 promoted several different shade styles complete with base for $99.97.