COMPLIMENTARY COPY
Pocket Watches Facts And Tips “What’s It Worth” Antiques Minute By Mike Ivankovich
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2021 • VOL. 52, NO. 5
Special Folk Art Ceramic Vase Made At The Maurice Knight Chemical Stoneware Plant In Akron, Ohio Carl Funk’s Sewer Tile Vase Is Dated 1935 By Justin W. Thomas In the late 19th and 20th century, people who worked in sewer pipe factories used leftover clay at the end of the day to make a wide assortment of decorative objects, some of which were given as gifts. These pipe factories were found all over the United States, although the most prominent production seems to have taken place in western Pennsylvania and Ohio, most actively from 1890 to 1950. The forms that were made include figures of animals, banks, vases, mugs, flowerpots, birdhouses, doorstops, bookends, and other shapes. Many of the sewer pipe pieces were created as personal items for family members and friends. They were given to children, likely as birthday presents and for other holiday celebrations. Some of these special objects were even created as wedding gifts. These pieces often reflect the personality and creativity of the person who manufactured My niece, Alexis, pictured with the sewer tile them, which goes outside the norm vase made by Carl Funk for his wife, Marie Funk. of the traditional everyday utilitarian potter, who manufactured specif- choice material for most American ic household forms that were then cities. This is what ultimately led to a boom in the industry, creating a sold to the general public. thriving job The manmarket in ufacture of many regions these whimsiof the councal and spetry, which in cial objects the end gave was largely these clay the result of workers the technology opportunity and urbanizato show their tion. With the creative side onset of 19th c e n t u r y Workers from the Maurice Knight Chemical Stoneware with leftover urbanization Plant surrounding large urns manufactured about World clay. However, in America, War II. sewer tile especially during the Industrial Revolution, production is in some ways an extencame a larger disease issue, specifi- sion of the American stoneware cally in metropolitan areas. Because industry, seeing that when many of this, sewer technology progressed stoneware kilns closed in the late rapidly, and by the late 1800s, vitri- 19th century, a number of the potters fied clay or sewer pipe became the transitioned to work at the sewer tile factories. They brought along with them the novelty and craft they had learned working for stoneware companies, where afterhours creativity was very much a part of that industry, as well. The decorating Maurice A. Knight’s first plant was on Kelly Avenue in Akron, Ohio. Continued on page 2
Ashley King, “the Clock Trader” from Quakertown, Pa., has repaired more than 12,000 c l o c k s a n d watches and was recently on my “What’s It Worth? radio show talking about pocket watches. It is thought that the pocket watch was first invented in the 16th century, and its usage became widespread with the help of the later transportation industry, in particular the railroads and the need to keep the trains running safely and on time. Pocket watches include a case and movement, which were usually made by different companies, which means that the serial numbers on both will often be different. Lower serial numbers can often be more valuable than higher serial numbers. Cases hold the movement and can be made of gold
(10k-14k-18k), gold fill, gold plate, sterling silver, or silverplate, among other materials. If a case is marked 10k-14k-18k or some other gold marking such as “585,” the case is gold and by itself will have precious metal value. If a case is marked “Warranted 20 Years” or something similar, the case is gold plate, and they are “warranting” that the gold plate won’t wear off the case in that span of time. Movements are the interior clock parts that make the watch keep time, and movements by better makers can often be more valuable than the case. A good movement without a case can always find a replacement case. “Jewels” were used in the movements, and more jewels are typically better than fewer jewels. While the normal number of Continued on page 2
AAN Current News
Part One Of Dick Shaner Estate on page 6
Two Abner Zook Dioramas Sell For Combined $67,650 By Witman Auctioneers No Internet Bidding At Live Sale By Karl Pass No one can dispute the power of the internet, and online bidding certainly isn’t going anywhere; however, Witman Auctioneers didn’t need it on Jan. 16 at their action-packed sale in Manheim, Pa. There was no This Abner Zook (1921-2010) winter snow scene 3-D diorama with internet bidding red covered bridge sold for $34,650. at their multiconsignor sale. Two of the stars artist. It’s a seller’s market for were Abner Zook dioramas. One works by Zook. Abner Zook (1921came from a Manheim collector, 2010) and his identical twin, the other a collector in Lititz. Aaron (1921-2003), were Amish Both were purchased from the sculptural artists who specialized in highly elaborate and intricate threediamensional diorama models. The dioramas can weigh over 100 pounds, and special reinforced brackets are needed to hang them, not to mention a Continued on This Abner Zook (1921-2010) Autumn mill scene 3-D diorama sold page 2 for $33,000.
“Batman” No. 1 Shatters Caped Crusader’s World Record on page 7
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Receives Its Most Significant American Decorative Arts Bequest on page 8
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 4 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 7 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 7
FEATURE RESULTS: Zettlemoyer Online-Only Auction - Page 6
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 7 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 11