Miss Liberty, an obscure but valuable symbol
PTerry & Kim Kovel
atriotic symbols such as the Statue of Liberty, the American flag, the bald eagle and Uncle Sam are easily recognized today, but our first symbol, Miss Liberty, is almost forgotten.
Before the Revolutionary War, the word “liberty‚” was the battle cry. Perhaps because a female figure was used to represent liberty in ancient Greece and an Indian Princess for the colonies, the early representation for America’s symbol was a woman.
The figure was known as Columbia, Goddess of Liberty, Liberty or Miss Liberty. She usually held a sword, wreath, shield decorated with stars and stripes, and wore the Phrygian liberty cap.
By 1875, cast zinc figures of an American Lady Liberty were being made in New York by the William Demuth Company. Demuth was an artist who made many statues for use as lawn decorations, ships’ decorations and decorations for buildings and parks. He later made figures for cigar stores and beer parlors that were a little less than 4 feet and sometimes as tall as 6½ feet.
Once the Statue of Liberty was in place in 1886, the Goddess of Liberty was almost entirely forgotten. She appeared again in posters and folk art during World War I. A large zinc Goddess of Liberty was auctioned at Garth’s in Delaware, Ohio, for $25,200.
Q: I think I have an original Howdy Doody doll from around 1955. Can you give me the value?
A: “Howdy Doody“was a children’s television show broadcast from 1947 until 1960. Howdy was a redheaded, freckle-faced marionette wearing cowboy clothes.
Effanbee made Howdy Doody dolls from about 1948 to 1951. The doll was 19½ inches tall and had a cloth body, composition head and composition hands. Plastic dolls were made in the 1950s. Howdy Doody marionettes also were made.
An early, used Effanbee doll in good condition and with the original box is worth about $300. Without the box, it’s worth about $200.
Q: I have a 1930s CocaCola tray that has “Drink Coca-cola” printed on the top and bottom. A girl is sitting holding a bottle of Coke on her lap. She is wearing a yellow dress and a wide brimmed hat. It’s about 13¼ by 10½ inches. There are a few scratches on it. Does it have any value?
A: This tray is known as “Girl in Yellow Hat” or “Girl at Shade” and was made in 1938 by American Art Works of Coshocton. There are collectors who specialize in Coca-cola items, and trays in good condition sell well.
If the scratches on your tray are noticeable, the value is lower. In good condition, the tray retails for about $200 to $300, but excellent copies have been made. They are sometimes marked on the rim.
Q: I have a collection of Chokin pieces. Are they worth anything?
A: Chokin is a term for a type of metal engraving done in Japan as early as the 12th century. It was used to decorate swords and armor.
It’s also the name for a line of 20th-century ceramic plates and other ceramic items stamped “The Art of Chokin.” They are made in Japan and are part of the Chokin Collection from Dynasty Gallery in San Francisco. They are “collector” plates, not meant to hold food. Collector plates aren’t as popular as they were several years ago, and most have dropped in value.
Chokin ware sells online at sources such as Ruby Lane and ebay. If you want to sell your collection, expect to get about half the retail price. It takes time and effort to try to sell things yourself, unless you can find a resale shop or an antiques shop that will buy them or take them on consignment. Sometimes it’s easier to donate them to a charity and take the tax deduction.
Chokin plates sell for $1 to about $30. CURRENT PRICES
Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.
• Mary Gregory black glass box: coffin shape, black, children, ivy vine swags, gilt brass, bale handles, lock, 5 by 5½ inches; $260
• Tea caddy: tortoise shell, pagoda shape, silver inlay, mother-of-pearl, cartouche, 7½ by 4½ inches; $1,000
• Clock: banjo, dial, green paint, weight driven, pendulum, 33 inches; $1,410
• Rockwood porcelain plaque: enamel; trees; path; grasses; purple, yellow, green, blue; Louise Abel; frame; 1927; 8 by 4 inches; $1,540
• Surveyor's compass: star, engraved, sun rays, needle, figural snake, circa 1788, 13¼ inches; $2,820
• Lacquer box: gilt decoration, towns, armies, boats, palaces, rivers, landscape, black background, brass handles, circa 1811,
8 by 13 inches, $2,820
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel, authorities on collectibles, write for the King Features Syndicate. Visit www.kovels. com.