Dear Mrs. Davenport,
My grandmother passed away recently; she was 101 years old. She had many antiques, but this old lamp always interested me, and I have yet to find another one like it anywhere. Do have any information you can give me regarding this piece? It has no markings on the bottom, and I can’t see anything inside it.
Thanks for your expertise!
Michelle, Nolensville
Dear Michelle,
Your grandmother’s TV lamp with Oriental children on a black ceramic boat was made by Premco Co. in Chicago around 1954. Many lamp bases are for sale in the $15 to $35 range. The original seven-tier, collapsible shade, though, makes this lamp special and worth $80 to $100. TV lamps were proudly displayed on the most prominent place in most homes of the ’50s. Many of them had a bulb in the base for softer light so as not to distract from the TV’s black-and-white picture.
Hi, Connie Sue!
My mother’s aunt brought this back from India more than 50 years ago. It has been in my mother’s attic for as long as I can remember. We have always wondered about its value. We would love to hear any info you may have on one of these. It does have “Made in India 577/a.c.” dotted on two of the prongs.
We read your section in The Tennessee Magazine every month!
Thank you very much,
Christina
Christina,
These claw-shaped bells were worn by elephants to announce their presence and scare away tigers … as if an elephant might sneak up on you. They were made in graduated sizes and hung on long, plied cording. With the mark “Made in India” engraved into the brass, the maker intended to sell this bell to English-speaking folk — tourists I should think. They sell for $12 to $45 in shops and online today.
Dear Connie Sue,
I am sending you a picture of a pair of bookends I have purchased. They have an Armor stamp on the back along with the Armor tag on the bottom that says “Made in New York.” They are circa 1915.
Thank you,
Deborah
Dear Deborah,
Most popular in the early to mid-1900s, bookends are resurfacing as must-have collectibles. For many decades, we have displayed our massive accumulations of books on walls of shelves. Most of us had so many books, they spanned the shelves, leaving little space for decorative bookends. Now, as people downsize, offering books to our heirs, they choose a few to keep and need bookends with which to sandwich them.
This rare set modeled after Apollo and Artemis (Diana) by Armor was made before 1930 when the company moved from New York to Massachusetts. Although they may sell for less than $100 at auction, from a dealer of bookends the price may be more than $400. Estate sales, where everything must go, are the place to buy interesting bookends.
Want to learn more about your antiques?
Send your inquiry with photos to the mailing address or email below. Only published appraisals are free. Private appraisals are available for a fee. Call 615-672-1992 for an appointment. No appraisals are given over the phone.
Connie Sue Davenport, P.O. Box 343, White House, TN 37188
615-672-1992 • email: [email protected]
Connie Sue Davenport, ISA AM, offers antique appraisal events, private appraisals and estate sale consulting services to individuals, businesses and organizations. Sign up for “IT’S JUST STUFF,” her FREE quarterly newsletter, at www.ConnieSue.com.
