Schroeder’s Revised Price Guide Released

The 27th edition of Schroeder’s Antiques Price Guide has been released by Collector Books. Some updating has taken place, and some of the categories that previously were included in both this book and the Garage Sale and Flea Market Annual will now be found in one volume only. The Antiques Price Guide will continue to carry older items.

As those of you who have used the book for many years know, hundreds of advisors provide much of the information included in the price listings for the 500 categories in the book. Auction results, authors, researchers, collector clubs, internet sites and appraisers are all consulted, to make the data as accurate as possible.

Each year as I scan the new book, I’m surprised to find some new categories which I’ve never heard of or noticed previously. One that caught my attention this time was Gustavsberg Pottery, a Swedish company dating to the 1700s. Prices indicate that it is one worth paying attention to, since most pieces are valued at several hundred dollars or more. I hadn’t run across Fireglow before, either. it is a type of art glass that appears to be opaque, but glows with a red “fire” when it is held to a strong source of light.

A brief but comprehensive background is included for each topic, and every page is illustrated with two or more color photographs.

Whether you are buying or selling antiques, this is an excellent book to have. While some values have increased in the last couple of years, many others have stayed the same or decreased significantly, and up-to-date information is important.

Schroeder’s Antiques Price Guide (ISBN: 978-1-57432-614-7) is priced at $19.95. Check with your local bookseller or contact Collector Books, www.collectorbooks.com, online.

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It’s Time Again For Kitschmasland

Book Review

From the 1940s-1950s comes this skiing snowman ornament. He’s made of flocked cardboard with a plastic hat, chenille arms and ski poles. The value is given as $5-$10.

The second edition of Kitschmasland!, Christmas Decor from the 1950s to the 1970s, by Travis Smith, is a fun look at all those odds and ends of Christmas decorating possibilities that were available during those three decades.

What is kitsch? The author says Webster’s Dictionary describes it as “something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality.” He goes on to say that while it may start off as innocent, cool or fresh, at some point it becomes passé; however, after a decade or two or three have passed, it frequently takes on new status as collectors start to remember it. Those are the items that are covered in this book.

Aluminum trees, along and ceramic Santa mugs; felt reindeer from Japan; glass tree ornaments decorated with glitter and flannel tree skirts; plastic sleighs pulled by white plastic reindeer; Gurley wax candles and cardboard villages; red plastic Santa boots that held candy and homemade angels made out of beads. The list seems endless, but anyone who was decorating their house at Christmas time a few years ago will remember all these things.

All these things are now collectibles, and almost all are very affordable. Whether you are an avid collector or just want a trip down memory lane, you’ll enjoy this book.

Kitschmasland!, the revised 2nd edition is a Schiffer publication. It is priced at $29.95. (Soft back, ISBN: 978-0-7643-2978-4). Check with your local bookseller or order online from Schiffer at www.schifferbooks.com.

Donna Miller

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A Rose By Any Other Name Might
Still Be Haviland

Book Review

A typical Haviland pattern

There is probably no name in dinnerware more well known, and more confusing, than Haviland. It is estimated that between 30,000 and 60,000 different patterns of Haviland china exist! Haviland, A Pattern Identification Guide, represents a massive undertaking by Dean Six, Bob Page and Dale Frederiksen of Replacements, Ltd.

Just trying to track the history of Haviland is confusing, because there was not one but several different Haviland companies. The first was D.G. and D. Haviland Co., formed by David and Daniel Haviland is 1838 as a tableware importing company.
David opened a decorating firm in France in 1847 to produce products for their company, and as demand grew, he began operating his own porcelain works under the name Haviland Brothers and Co.

David’s two sons, Charles and Theodore, eventually took over the business but they had differing opinions on how it should be operated. Haviland Brothers and Co. closed its doors on the last day of 1891.

On the first day of 1892, Charles and his son George opened a new company - Haviland and Co. In 1893, Theodore opened his company - the Theodore Haviland Co. He was joined by his son, William. (And meanwhile, Jean, another son of George, had moved to Bavaria where he began the Johann Haviland Co., which operated until 1924.)

By 1931, Haviland and Co. ceased production (that was Charles’s and George’s firm.)
Theodore’s and William’s company managed to hang on during the Depression and in 1936, Theodore Haviland Co. began production in the United States. And in 1941, they purchased all the assets of Haviland and Co. - after 50 years, the two companies were again combined in ownership.

Haviland family members continued to control the company until 1972, when the fourth generation members decided to retire. Since that time, it has gone through several different ownerships, and is still operating under the name Haviland Limoges.

This book illustrates patterns used up through 1972. Identifying them was not an easy task. Among the confusing factors is the fact that the same patterns exist in different colors; many of the same patterns appear on different blanks; the same blanks may exist both with and without gold edge decoration or other colored trim; the placement of floral pattern decorations may vary; and several floral patterns start with the same decal, but cut off varying portions to make an almost endless variety of similar but different variations.

In the arrangement of the book, patterns that have been found are organized with like patterns near one another. While I didn't’ count the number of patterns shown, there are something over 5,000 patterns, in color However, one needs to know that there are thousands more Haviland patterns yet to be documented.

Clear directions for using the book are included, as well as a history of the company, a numeric index, and supplemental color images of products and historic literature. A separate price guide is also included.

Haviland, A Pattern Identification Guide, is priced at $49.99. (ISBN: 13: 978-1-889977-16-4) Check with your local bookseller or contact Replacements, Ltd., 1-800-737-5223 or www.replacements.com.

Donna Miller

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