The Antique & Collectible Jewelry Video Series

"The Antique and Collectible Jewelry Video Series"
With a special website feature on "Collecting Photographic Jewelry"
--Tips from Larry J. West and Patricia A. Abbott, noted photographic jewelry experts and collectors. Excerpts are based on a July, 1997 article by Jane Spies in cooperation with Larry West and Patrica Abbott that appeared in Warman's Today's Collector as part of a continuing series on "Collecting Old Jewelry."

What is Photographic Jewelry?

Photographic jewelry is jewelry that contains a photographic image such as a daguerreotype, ambrotype, tintype, or paper image. It could be worn by men, women, and children, and came in many different forms -- including bracelets, brooches, buttons, earrings, stickpins, viewers, rings, pendants, and pins. While all types of photographic jewelry are collectible, attention frequently focuses on daguerreian jewelry, because any people find it the most beautiful, says West. Daguerreian jewelry is simply a piece of jewelry that contains a daguerreotype, an early type of photograph invented by Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre in 1839.

What's It Worth?

There is a large range of monetary values for photographic jewelry - ranging from the inexpensive to the very expensive. See values listed below.

How old is it?

Knowing the type of image contained in the jewelry -- whether it's a daguerreotype, paper image, ambrotype, or tintype -- will give you clues for dating the picture and the setting. Daguerreotypes (images on silvered copper plate) were most popular circa 1839 to 1857. Ambrotypes (images on glass) were popular from about 1854 through 1865. Tintypes (images on tin) were popular from about 1856 into the 1900s. Paper images were used from the 1850's to the present.

Tips on Collecting Photographic Jewelry:

Authors and experts, Larry West and Patricia Abbott, offer the following advice, which can be helpful for both novice and advanced collectors.

* Look for photographic pins and lockets. They are easier to find and more affordable than some other forms of photographic jewelry. Plus, they can be worn with lower risk of damage. For example, the price of a gold-filled daguerreian pin, without hair, can range from about $150 to $500.

* Photographic cuff-links with paper images, circa 1890 to 1920, are fun and still relatively easy to find. They're affordable, too -- perhaps only $20 to $50.

* If you find a daguerreian ring, consider yourself fortunate. It can sell for $1,500 or more. According to West, "If you talk to collectors, the ultimate dream of most of these people is to own a daguerreian ring. That, to them, is the pinnacle of collecting in this arena."

This large 2 3/4-by-3 1/2 inches, daguerreian, open-faced pendant, circa 1845-1855, is a common type, but very beautiful. Often these large pendants have a compartment on the back where a lock of braided hair will show through. Made of gold, it is valued at $1000. Photo courtesy Larry West and Patricia Abbott.

* Open-faced pendants with daguerreian portraits are a "lot of fun," says West, and can still be found at affordable prices -- some for as little as $225. These pendants are often large in size, and can be safely worn on a chain, in contrast to, say, jewelry with hair settings, which would be damaged by wear. (Some pendants have braided hair or a lock of hair showing through on the back).

* Consider collecting watch-related items that have photographic images. These may include watch fobs, keywinds, and watch-case lockets. Watch fobs, which West describes as a piece of jewelry attached to a chain, can still be found, but the daguerreian ones are more difficult to find than those with ambrotypes or tintypes.

Keywinds were used to wind some watches and are rare and very collectible.

This watch keywind with a daguerreotype and an engraved message with name and date is very rare. Photo courtesy Larry West and Patricia Abbott.

Hair Jewelry - Victorians made and wore jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, and rings - made of hair from loved ones, commercial sources, or horsehair. The hair was so intricately woven that many people today do not even recognize what it is. Here is an example of a high-contrast daguerreotype with the "casing" made of woven hair. It has a gold back and is in excellent condition. It's rare, circa 1850-1860. Size is 2" by 2 and 3/4". Value is $800.

For a copy of the complete article, "Collecting Photographic Jewelry," please send a check or money order for $4.95 made payable to Spies Productions to:

Spies Productions, P.O. Box 306, Hubbard, Ohio 44425
or e-mail Lark5000@aol.com

For appraisal or technical information regarding photographic jewelry write to:

Larry J. West, FDR Station, Box 7371, New York, NY 10150

For video production -- or consulting, publicity, and marketing services for your project, book, or video, contact:
Jane Spies of Spies Productions. (write to Spies Production's address above or e-mail Lark5000@aol.com).

Executive Producer: Jane Spies

“...Whether you’re a long-time jewelry collector or just starting out, these videos are a worthwhile investment and a ‘must have’ for anyone purchasing vintage jewelry.” - Ellen Plante, Columnist, Victorian Homes, (Winter, 1995).

“...Ms. Bell’s video series does more than bring the book to life; it is the next best thing to having Bell’s collection and expertise at your beck and call any time you wish.” - Maine Antique Digest (Sept., 1995) - Peter J. Theriault, FGA, GG

C. Jeanenne Bell, graduate gemologist, appraiser, noted author, and trusted authority with over 30 years experience in all aspects of the antique jewelry business, wrote one of the first national appraisal study guides on antique jewelry and is the author of Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry 1840-1950. Because of its tremendous popularity, her book has recently been published in its 4th edition, fully expanded, revised with a section on cameos that you won’t want to miss. The book has been described by Peter J. Theriault, FGA, GG, as a “must for any jewelry reference library,” (Maine Antique Digest, December, 1994). In addition to her book Bell bases her video series on her renowned antique jewelry seminar, redesigned for video to enjoy at your own convenience, over and over again.

“...a fascinating overview of the social history of Victorian jewelry... the equivalent of a comprehensive seminar” - Allison Kyle Leopold, Victoriana Author, Columnist, Victorian Homes, (Summer, 1995)

Volume 1 of the video series, “Victorian Jewelry,” presents a full hour and a half of jewelry circa 1837 to 1901. See beautiful cameos, mosaics, hairwork jewelry, coral, lockets and much ore as the video camera zooms in to show details and directs you to the correct locations...all in full color. Learn what clues to look for to accurately date old jewelry.

Bell shows you how clasps and hinges have evolved over the years and can be excellent clues for dating jewelry. Learn how looking at the back of a piece can help you date it. Ms. Bell also provides tips to help you determine whether a piece of jewelry has been changed.

Hear a lively discussion about reading hallmarks and tips on how to circa date old watches. In addition, Bell advises you on how to distinguish between materials that are often confused with one another such as: jet, bog oak, and gutta percha. See wonderful historical photographs, tintypes, and daguerreotypes of people wearing the jewelry and fashions of the period, backed by lovely Chopin preludes and waltzes. See colorful fashion plates from Godey’s magazine and Peterson’s. Plus uch more...

“...I enjoyed it immensely and I’ll view it many times. It’s more than worthwhile.” - Lucille Tempesta, Vintage Fashion and Costume Jewelry Newsletter and Club, (Spring, 1995)

Volume 2 of the video series, “ Edwardian Art Nouveau, and Art Deco Jewelry,” presents a full hour of jewelry circa 1887 to the 1930’s. Bell’s discussion of the psychology behind the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles gives you an excellent base to understand the jewelry of each period. See beautiful lavalieres, watch pins, marcasite jewelry, dress clips and more. Learn about platinum, white gold, and enameling techniques such as plique-a-jour and cloisonne. Examine motifs commonly used in the jewelry of the time, such as Egyptian revival and good luck motifs. Learn about hallmarks and collectible makers’ marks and more about dating and evaluating old jewelry. See beautiful Edwardian bracelets - signet, crossover, and cameo. See sash pins, slide chains, and wonderful auction jewelry.

See Bell demonstrate the testing of jewelry aterials, such as bakelite and amber, in part 2 of the video.

A printed price guide is included with each video!

Each video is $29.95 plus shipping and handling.

FOR INFORMATION OR TO ORDER, CALL:

330-534-8948
(Operators answer 24 hrs a day.)

Email: Lark5000@aol.com

Antique Images, Inc.
P.O. Box 4290
Pittsburgh, PA 15203