As you are probably aware the most
successful collectors of antiques and collectibles are the
leaders, not the followers. By the time dealers get into a new
market, it’s too late, or almost, to find affordable items in
that category. Now that Antiques Roadshow and Ebay have
alerted buyers and sellers of prices in almost every category
what’s a beginner to do?
Study the antiques marketplace as if it
was the stock market. What don’t you see in the Price Guides ? Is
it possible there is anything not listed?
One still affordable category to
consider are cases. From the mid-19th century, hundreds of types
of cases were made. Some, of precious metals and with jewels
certainly are out-of-sight price wise. Others, with humorous
subjects, or of leather and cheap metals are affordable. There
are many affordable oldies such as Victorian calling card cases,
cigar and cigarette cases, spectacle or eyeglass, comb and brush
cases and stamp cases.
Think how “cool” it would be to remove
your business cards from an elegant mother-of-pearl or sterling
silver calling card case. Or, if you can afford it, try a gold
case.
Even in their day calling card cases
were a status symbol and not cheap.
These days you can still find Victorian
mother-of-pearl calling card cases in shops for under $100.
Look for intricately carved ivory
examples as well as papier mach’e.
More expensive will be cases set with
semi-precious stones. Other materials used were tortoise shell
and beadwork.
To recognize a card case look for a
hinged opening at one end or with a top that lifts off. Both men
and women carried them. There was a more simple look to the
men’s, often with a monogram, if they were metal.
By the turn-of-the century(19th) they
were produced and even sold in Sears Roebuck catalogs. However,
even some of those also had interesting motifs. At about the
same time leather card cases came into vogue. Just before World
War 1 combination vanity and calling-card cases were introduced
in sterling silver and silver plate.
To add interest to a calling card
collection, look for the cards. Many have survived in scrapbooks
or turn up in dresser drawers.
CLUES: There is still time to start
collecting cigarette cases. Look for the stylized Art Deco types
that combined color enamels with silver plate and nickel.
Prices are still low, depending where
you find them. Consider those that were presentation gifts. Look
inside for historic inscriptions and famous names. In the early
20th century some of the most elegant, and expensive were made
in Russia. Often you can recognize them by their use of “niello”,
a black, metallic alloy that was pressed into designs on silver.
Of course the ultimate then, and now, would be a Cartier
cigarette case in gold, with precious stones.
You may not recognize an early cigar
case if you see one. They were small to hold the smaller cigars
in use at the time. And, made of papier mach’e with colorful
decorations.
Another oddity were those made of seal
skin around 1900. Interesting are those of silver plate made
with cigar shaped , molded interiors, in a variety of metals.
Still around, waiting to be discovered,
are early spectacle cases. In the 19th century they were made in
Japan of decorated papier mach’e as well as tin, leather and
silver plate.
Use these cases or display them ,
mounted and framed.
If you have any questions, you can Email us at
antshoppe@aol.com
The Antique Shoppe
Newspaper
"Florida's Best Newspaper for Antiques
and Collectibles
PO Box 2175, Keystone Heights, FL 32656-2175
Phone: (352)475-1679 Fax: (352)475-5326
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Antique Shoppe Newspaper
