Vintage apothecary memorabilia can be popular, but caution is needed when handling | News, Sports, Jobs - The Express

2022-08-28 01:20:25 By : Ms. Cindy Kong

“Doctor Yourself,” encourages an old cabinet, made to hold the Munyon Remedies in a drug store. The cabinet lists the “remedies” it contains according to the ailments they claim to “Relieve Immediately.” You won’t find any ingredients lists, warnings or drug facts here. These are Munyon’s Homeopathic Remedies from the early 20th century.

James M. Munyon was a businessman with a talent for marketing and a staff of chemists and physicians. He started selling homeopathic medicines in the 1890s. After some legal trouble following the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act, he had to sell his products as “remedies” instead of “cures.” This isn’t the only controversy associated with Munyon. Hawley Harvey Crippen, a homeopath at Munyon’s London office, was convicted of murder and hanged in 1910. This history hasn’t made Munyon’s advertising any less appealing to collectors; this cabinet sold for $1,850 at Morford’s Antique Advertising auction.

Antique apothecary and drug store memorabilia are popular collectibles, but be careful! Antique medicine bottles and other packaging may contain harmful substances. Keep them away from children and pets. Handle them carefully; wear rubber gloves and clean the cabinets in a well-ventilated area.

Q: I bought several Ashton Drake bride and fashion dolls. I paid more than $200 for each one. I would like to sell them. Can you tell me what their resale value could be?

A: Ashton Drake began making dolls in 1985. The dolls are carefully detailed and made from quality materials. The company also makes realistic baby dolls for adult collectors and children. Ashton Drake fashion and bride dolls have recently sold for $25 to $100.

Q: I found a large bowl (over 16 inches in diameter) marked “Colonial Pottery Stoke, England” and “Genoa.” The seller wrote on the label “Blue Transfer Ware Bowl.” It’s in good condition with just the normal little stress crack along the bottom. Do you know the approximate year it was made and its value?

A: Colonial Pottery was located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. F. Winkle, a partner in a pottery in nearby Hanley, moved to Stoke to run the Colonial Pottery in 1899. The name became F. Winkle & Co. in 1890. “Colonial Pottery” was used as a mark from 1890 to 1925. The company made earthenware and opaque porcelain. It was in business until about 1931. “Genoa” is the name of the pattern, not the place it was made. The transfer pattern of flowers and leaves was made in blue and white and also in red and white. Your large bowl is probably part of a washstand set. A five-piece washstand set included a pitcher, large wash basin, small pitcher, mug and bowl with a lid. A pitcher and bowl set sold for $70 a few years ago.

Q: I have a cream-colored vase with a young woman and pink flowers painted on it. It’s about 18-inches tall, has a slender neck with curved handles and gold trim. On the bottom it has “Belleek” printed along with a mark that looks like a painter’s palette. There’s a circle with intersecting letters, but they’re too hard to read. Can you give me any information about this vase?

A: The mark you describe was used by the Ceramic Art Company of Trenton, New Jersey, from 1894 to 1906. The intersecting script letters are “CAC” for Ceramic Art Company. Creamy white pottery has been made in Belleek, Ireland, since 1863. American pottery companies made china like Irish Belleek but warmer in color. After 1929, Belleek Pottery Limited was the only porcelain company that could use Belleek with a capital “B” on its marks. The Ceramic Art Company was founded by Walter Scott Lenox. After 1906, the Lenox name was added to the Ceramic Art Company mark. Vases similar to yours have recently sold for $750.

Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.

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