'Tis the Season

The holidays are upon us, and shoppers everywhere are humming along to the sounds of the season.  In the not so distant past, those sounds included the familiar “cha-hing” of mechanical cash registers, replaced by the nearly silent computers, credit card swipers and printers of today.

National Cash Register was founded in Dayton, Ohio in 1884 when John Patterson bought the National Manufacturing Company, maker of “Ritty’s Incorruptible Cashier.”  Patterson had witnessed the devastating effects of cashier theft during his time as manager of a coal company store - with the establishment losing $6,000 per year (a huge sum at that time!).  His Dartmouth education proved beneficial to growing one of the largest companies in the world when Patterson instituted such cutting edge business practices as “daylight factory” buildings and sales training schools.  By 1911, National Cash Register had sold over 1 million registers and employed nearly 6,000 people; controlling 95% of the US market.  Although NCR relocated its corporate headquarters to Georgia in 2009, it remains an important part of Dayton, Ohio history.

Today, vintage cash registers by the now world-famous National Cash Register Corporation are highly collectible for their aesthetic, as well as their reminder of a simpler way of life.  Prized examples reflect the cutting edge development of technology for which NCR became renowned; but, the incredibly detailed embossing, elaborate keyboards, and impressive cabinets push prices to higher levels than most other manufactured registers.  Even if shopping is not your cup of tea, ring up your own version of holiday memories with a piece of Ohio history.

Always on the cutting edge of technology, National Cash Register designed this register in 1912 with elaborate embossing, a marble penny shelf and mechanized price display.  Sold, Garth;s, $1,175.

Home for the holidays

Few holidays are filled with the nostalgia of Thanksgiving.  As much an annual homecoming as a day to express gratitude, the thoughts of a hearty meal, cozy fire and family are enough to make most Americans place everything on hold for the day and just be together.  

150 years ago, hundreds of thousands of Americans were unable to spend Thanksgiving with their closest loved ones; as most of the country engaged in the Civil War.  One can imagine the poignancy on Thanksgiving Day, 1884, when a group of ladies in Cardington, Ohio, presented a mother with a handmade quilt emblazoned with the names, companies and regiments of nearly three hundred Ohio Civil War soldiers, including her son, Captain James St. John (96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry).   Surely Amanda St. John of Cardington, Ohio, was as grateful for their friendship and a precious memento, as they were for her family’s sacrifice.

Civil War memorabilia is quite collectible, with a focus on firearms, uniforms (including buttons) and military ephemera.  However, family archives and personal mementos have a wide audience, appealing to anyone with an interest in the history of this important era.  

With it’s central location and large population, Ohio played a key role in the success of the Union Army - sending over 300,000 soldiers to battle.  As we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the market for newly discovered items with strong regional connections is stronger than ever.

This important Grand Army of the Republic quilt was presented to Amanda St. John of Cardington, Ohio, on Thanksgiving Day, 1884.  Listed on the quilt are the names of hundreds of Civil War soldiers, including her son, Capt. James St. John.  Sold, Garth’s, $1,528.

Westlake Cache

140 years ago, a handful of women met in Hillsboro, Ohio, to lay the groundwork for the first large-scale organization of women.  Focused on social reform through strict adherence to Christianity and a complete abstinence from alcohol and tobacco, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was declared the following year (1874) at a national convention in Cleveland.  By the time prohibition became official, the group had grown to over 300,000 members - a powerful force in favor of the Prohibition movement.  After Prohibition, numbers steadily declined, with an active membership today estimated to be around 5,000.

With a legacy as strong as the WCTU had maintained, it was a bit of a surprise when, in the 1970s, the heirs to the estate of an early member in Cleveland found nearly a dozen cases of unopened pre-Prohibition whiskey and gin  in her basement.  Hoping to avoid embarrassment if news of the cache went public, the heirs turned to her estate attorney for advice.  He quickly pulled together a group of friends to help the family quietly remove the clandestine liquor from the home and “make it disappear.”  

Flash forward to a Westlake estate, in the fall of 2012, when a portion of that liquor resurfaced.  Helping his father vacate their family home of more than 40 years, a son was directed to a hidden storage space in the basement that held his father’s portion of the 1970’s WCTU member’s cache.  With a bit of research, the son quickly discovered that the whiskey and gin, bottled in 1906 from two midwestern distilleries could be a hot commodity in today’s climate of boutique beverages.  In the fall of 2013, the “Westlake Cache” will emerge to the public and be split once again when Garth’s Auctioneers & Appraisers offers the well-aged 107 year old spirits at public auction.  

A portion of The Westlake Cache sold at Garth's First Annual Gentleman's Auction on November 1, 2013.  The collectible bottles labeled "Gin" sold for $150 (gavel) each.  Bottles labeled for "Whiskey" sold for approximately $900 each.

Curating a Lifestyle: On the Hunt

Few other collecting categories have seen such a consistently bullish market as firearms, with buyers today apparently willing to go to any length to win prized examples at auction.  Some speculate that the current market is heavily influenced by the political landscape or a powerful NRA (National Rifle Association), but the rise in collectibility and value of antique firearms would be difficult to link to either of these factors exclusively.  Undoubtedly there is a crossover audience among buyers of modern, functional firearms who may make decisions based on political concerns and the buyers of early, historic examples who are feeding a passionate hobby.  The distinction that could be made is that collectors of antique arms tend to set their sights on historic context, rarity, quality of manufacture and a beautiful design (incidentally, many of the same factors that influence collectors who purse antique furniture, art and decorative accessories!).

The history of firearms dates back to primitive, hand-held cannon devices in the eastern world; but, for the purposes of discussing the collecting market, we tend to focus on 18th and 19th Century arms from America and Europe.  Until the Industrial Revolution, the production of firearms was dependent upon cottage industry (albeit some larger than others) of regional gunsmiths who tailored offerings to their audience.  Rifles were produced for the long-range accuracy needs of military engagement; the shotgun (and it’s predecessor, the blunderbuss) were generally reserved for sporting and hunting (or, short-range protection).  Once large-scale manufacturers entered the scene in the mid-19th Century, the arms race was on.  Arguably, no other individuals have had more influence on the firearms industry in the past 200 years than these trailblazers:  Samuel Colt, Horace Smith, Daniel Wesson, Oliver Winchester and John Browning.  The eponymous companies created by these men have become virtual powerhouses that continue to dominate the field today, and whose 19th Century firearms are the epitome of a seasoned collector’s focus.  

As fall approaches, and the traditions of hunting and gathering in advance of an annual Thanksgiving feast come to mind, head out on your own hunting adventure for a beautiful and rugged piece of history to adorn the mantle.  With a bit of study, you may be surprised by the options available in this broad category for everyone from a novice collector to the firearms aficionado.

The Winchester Repeating Arms Company earned its place in firearms history when their rugged, early repeat-fire rifles became known as “The gun that won the West.”  This “Yellow Boy” Model 1866 is aptly named due to the unusual use of a bronze alloy for the receiver.  Sold, Garth’s, $7,638.

Much like antique furniture, the value of antique firearms can be affected by highly figured wood, solid manufacturing techniques and overall design aesthetic.  This special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 sold with a letter from the factory in which it was made.  Sold, Garth’s, $5,288.

 On the verge of bankruptcy due to cotton gin litigation, Eli Whitney applied his concept of interchangeable parts to the manufacture of muskets in the mid 1790’s.  After his death, Eli Whitney, Jr. continued to operate the Whitney Arms Company until 1888 when the company was sold to arms behemoth, Winchester.  The Whitney-Kennedy lever action rifle (manufactured 1879 - 1886) was considered to be one of the most well made of its time.  Sold, Garth’s, $4,465.

While a sure-fire option (pun intended) for close-range targets, the blunderbuss (Dutch for “thunder pipe”) lacked accuracy beyond about 15-20 yards due to the spray of the ammunition exiting the flared muzzle, and became obsolete by the 19th Century.  This English example dates to the late 18th / early 19th Century.  Sold, Garth’s, $3,525.

Sporting guns such as the over-under shotgun, remain in production today and are sought by gun enthusiasts who use them.  Inlaid with a silver deer, this example was produced in the 19th Century by Altoona, Pennsylvania gunsmith J.M. Watson.  Sold, Garth’s, $572.

 This percussion rifle, made by George Claspill, a Fairfield County, Ohio gunsmith in the second quarter of the 19th century, is a terrific example of quality craftsmanship.  The silver inlaid decoration (including the patriotic eagle) certainly ensured generations of preservation.  Sold, Garth’s, $2,703.

 Generally speaking, firearms that predate 1898 are considered to be “antique” and exempt from the Gun Control Act of 1968 under the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (commonly known as the ATF).  What does this mean for you?  It means that the purchase, sale or transport of antique guns can be conducted by individuals and companies without a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and without a background check and other ATF transfer paperwork and procedures.  However, there are some exceptions to this rule, particularly when a gun has been modified to accept modern ammunition, or in the case of some muzzle loaders that were manufactured in a way that will accept modern ammunition.  As with any other collecting category, we always recommend purchasing antique firearms from a reputable and knowledgeable resource.

Anyone up for a second round of fireworks?  On September 10, 2013, fireworks would be an appropriate way to celebrate the bicentennial of America’s second independence from the British empire: the Battle of Lake Erie.  A pivotal moment in the War of 1812, the Battle of Lake Erie saw one of the greatest heros of American military history make his mark on the history books when Oliver Hazard Perry famously and tenaciously fought back the British Navy on his crippled ship, the USS Lawrence.  So brave and patriotic were Perry’s actions, that he (and the battle) became an icon of American freedom.  Maker’s from Staffordshire, England to New York emblazoned their wares with scenes from the battle, and Perry’s famous battle flag “Don’t give up the ship!”

Today, items relating to Perry (including anything with his signature coiffure) and the war of 1812 command intense interest from collectors of Americana.  Lasting for more than 32 months, the War of 1812 was America’s last tete a tete with Britain, and solidified our status as an independent and capable nation.  Bicentennial celebrations of the war and it’s notable influence (including the Battle of Baltimore, which was the inspiration for “The Star Spangled Banner”) are occurring all around the country, with most of Ohio’s fanfare concentrating on Perry’s illustrious victory on the lake.  

While opportunities to learn more about the war abound, a notable exhibit at the Rutherford Hayes Presidential Library will close on October 7.  “The War of 1812 on the Ohio Frontier” includes hundreds of objects that help to illustrate Ohio’s importance to the war.  Whether your pending travels take you near Fremont, or not, stop by to learn more about America’s second independence day.

This horn cup was in the home of an unsuspecting collector in St. Louis, Missouri, who had no idea of the significance of Ohio to the War of 1812.  Presented to General Green Clay, a Kentucky militia General who successfully defended Fort Meigs from relentless and cunning British and Indian attacks, the cup sold at auction for $38,775.

This 19th Century portrait of famed Naval hero, Oliver Hazard Perry, was sent to Garth’s by a collector in Chicago who identified the sitter only as “a naval officer.”  Recognizing the Commodore immediately, Garth’s specialists identified Perry and the painting brought $7,931.

Astute marketers in the 19th Century capitalized on Perry’s fame, including scenes from the Battle of Lake Erie and Perry’s profile on everything from porcelain to clocks.  This example was made in Connecticut, just a few years after the war.  It sold for $264 at auction.

It’s summer in Ohio and many of us have one thing on our mind:  state fair.  More than 800k visitors across the two week celebration make the Ohio State Fair one of the largest in the country; and, with thousands of dollars in prize money up for grabs, the livestock exhibits are among the most popular.  Discriminating farmers have always taken pride in raising animals with impressive physicality; but, in the 19th Century one notable itinerant artist took their animal admiration to a whole new level.

While other artists traveled the countryside, offering to paint portraits of heads of household and their beloved wives and children, Henry Dousa preferred to paint prize steers, horses and homesteads.  French-born, Dousa settled in Indiana, but roamed throughout Ohio (particularly Central Ohio) memorialized some of the most impressive livestock our great state had to offer.  His peculiarly stiff style does incorporate a naivete that appeals to collectors of early American folk art; and, his attention to detail has secured his significance across many generations.  Many of the works by Dousa that have come to market have come directly from the families whose ancestors hired him more than 100 years ago - and command prices ranging from a few thousand to nearly $100,000.

If you head to the Ohio State Fair, take a moment to admire this year’s league of prize-winning livestock.  While you are there, make time for a trip across the street to the Ohio Historical Society and take note of our rich agricultural and artistic heritage.

This portrait by Henry Dousa memorializes “Young Hamilton,” a winner at the 1893 World’s Fair.  Sold at Garth’s, $7,343.

In this cropped view, the detail in Dousa’s work is apparent.  The painting of Dr. Hunter’s farm in Mechanicsburg, Ohio hung on the wall of the home shown here until it sold at Garth’s in August of 2008 for $29,375.

“Big Frank” was painted by Dousa in 1892 and brought $4,700 at Garth’s.

Reclaiming the Age of Excess: Collecting Art Deco and Nouveau

“Can’t repeat the past? ….Why of course you can!” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

When movie mogul Baz Luhrmann endeavored to adapt one of America’s great novels to the big screen for a 21st Century audience, he may or may not have intended to reopen the socio-political discussions Fitzgerald sought to inspire; but, the parallels are hard to ignore.  Set in the roaring 20s, amidst the glamour and luxurious social scene of Long Island (just before the Great Depression chilled even the most hardy West Egg stock), older audiences may bristle at the reminder of their highflying, cares-to-the wind days that came to a screeching halt with the Great Recession.  Like Fitzgerald, Luhrmann’s undertones may not be fully appreciated until we get a bit more distance from those challenging days; but, his effect on pop culture (likely his true intention, anyway) is evident on the runways and on newsstands everywhere.  From Tiffany to Prada, luxury brands are capitalizing on the Gatsby effect, but collectors may find, to their surprise, a great buying opportunity in the decor that styled Gatsby’s infamous mansion.

While Gatsby’s actual decor is open to the imagination, given his propensity for jet-setting opulence and his proximity to The Gold Coast he would have likely been among the stylemakers of the era.  Decor and fashion during the roaring 20’s were a direct reflection of the successes of the industrial era: recent technological and mechanical advances made anything seem possible, and stodgy classicism and staid Victorian restraint gave way to the sexier, edgier, and more modern lines of Art Deco and Art Nouveau style.  The Arts and Crafts movement had offered an appropriate buffer and transition, but for a brief, celebratory decade, we looked ahead with optimism and took risks never before considered.  And, then - in an instant, it was over; and we somberly returned to a refrained, pragmatic reality.  

Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles (see sidebar for a brief discussion of the differences) require a fairly sophisticated eye.  While many may find individual examples aesthetically pleasing, few embrace them in the context of everyday living and as an overall decor.  As a result, the market is what industry experts refer to as “thin” (meaning the number of buyers is few, relative to other segments of the market); and, prices today are relatively affordable for the quality and sophistication of most items from the period.  So, embrace your inner Gatsby and reclaim the treasures of a romantic, optimistic period of American culture - with a singular, statement piece or by recreating the magic of Gatsby’s glamour for your jet setting lifestyle.

Sidebar:

The Arts and Crafts movement began the 1860s with a few thought leaders, most notably William Morris, who rejected the rising industrial era factory-made furnishings of the day.  While much of the world was amazed at the efficiency and speed with which items could be made, Morris and his peers were frustrated and dismayed at a lack of concern for quality, natural design and aesthetic spirit.  Their resulting style movement harkened back to medieval concepts: construction techniques were not only a focus of the maker, but became a part of the design; ornamentation was used sparingly, but when used, called on nature for inspiration.  Although the Arts and Crafts movement persisted until the 1930s in mainstream design and philosophy, during the first quarter of the 20th Century, it inspired two additional styles:  Art Nouveau magnified the reflection of nature in design; somewhat bridging the design gap between the foliate nature of the Victorian era and the simpler, more sophisticated lines of Arts and Crafts; and as the economy prospered, the simple lines of Arts and Crafts gave way to a more modern, geometrical interpretation - almost futuristic in the approach - Art Deco.

This cold painted bronze sculpture is a great example of how the Art Deco movement brought the more natural, curvilinear transition style of Art Nouveau into a more modern design.  Sold at Garth’s, $7,931.

An Art Deco cabinet, in simple, geometric form, makes a sophisticated modern statement thanks to the figured mahogany surface.  Sold at Garth’s, $940.

This elegant bronze by Art Nouveau artist, Harriet Whitney Frishmuth embodies the curvilinear nature that marks the style.  Sold at Garth’s, $4,700.

This Arts & Crafts bookcase by the acclaimed Stickley manufacturing company is a wonderful example of the form meets function simplicity of the movement (note the clean lines and natural wood tone).  Sold at Garth’s, $11,750.

An Austrian vase in the form of a stylized lily is a pleasing example of the subtle sophistication lent to the Arts & Crafts movement by Art Nouveau design.  Sold at Garth’s, $940.

A rare and important Art Nouveau library table by California artisan Julius Stark with wood specimen from 24 different Yosemite area trees, along with the common and scientific names of each, inlaid and carved into the top.  Sold at Garth’s, $11,163.

Spirited Collecting: Vintage and Antique Spirits and related items

Whether you are whipping up a mint julep for Derby season or settling into a hot toddy by the fireplace at the holidays, bourbon (and other spirits) are, for many of us, a special addition to any celebration; but, are you familiar with the lengthy history of distilled spirits?  Although records provide evidence of beer and wine production almost 5,000 years ago, it was not until the 8th Century that the distillation process was developed.  Used, in some way, by nearly every major civilization, the very names of the liquors produced by this method give us a clue about how early people embraced it: whiskey means, literally, “water of life.”  The earliest products of these efforts, as well as the vapors they produced, were probably first used for medicinal purposes.

Eventually, of course, we began consuming spirits like whiskey, gin, and vodka alongside wine and beer, and into the late 19th Century, having a drink before dinner, with dinner or after was fairly commonplace.  Industrious farmers had been supplementing their income (and lining the cellar walls) by distilling and packaging spirits for decades.  In fact, the average Virginia distillery in the early 19th Century produced about 650 gallons of whiskey per year, valued at roughly $475 (the equivalent of $7500 today).  By mid century, private label liquor producers were capable of much larger production and shipment to merchants in major centers of commerce for resale.

As our collective love affair with cocktails grew, so did the Prohibition sentiment.  Local attempts to outlaw the sale of alcoholic beverages met with dogged determination: one tavern owner in Massachusetts got around the laws in his town by charging patrons to see a striped pig - but, drinks were free. Nationally, the prohibition movement won political favor with the adoption of the 18th Amendment (prohibiting the purchase, production and transportation of intoxicating liquor), but, by all accounts, it was a complete failure.  While accurate statistics from the period are sparse, most historians agree that not only were more people drinking by the end of Prohibition - they were also drinking more.  The overall economic effect of the 18th Amendment was devastating, and it was ultimately repealed in 1933.

For antique collectors, the rise and fall (and rise again) of the alcohol industry, along with the effects on lifestyle, provide a multitude of intriguing collecting possibilities. Early whiskey flasks, tasters and advertising material offer buyers with 19th Century interests the opportunity to round out a collection with other material culture of the period.  For the nonconformists among us, Prohibition-era documents, bottles and related paraphernalia (yes, including unopened wine and liquor - see sidebar) are a great reminder of how easily societal sentiment can jeopardize the freedoms we often take for granted.  Whatever your reason, consider exploring the world of spirits to quench your collecting thirst.  

Sidebar:  Late last year in Westlake, Ohio, one of life’s great surprises awaited a dutiful son who walked his elderly father one last time through their home of 30+ years that had been emptied only days earlier.  Directing his son to an obscure spot behind a panel and under the game room stairs, the father told of an opportune purchase in the 1970s that had been tucked away and nearly forgotten.  “The Westlake Cache”  (as it became known) was saved from certain destruction when the father and a few of his friends negotiated for more than 4 cases of pre-Prohibition rye whiskey and gin from the heirs to a prominent Cleveland estate whose family had been instrumental in the establishment of The National Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).  Hoping to avoid an embarrassing public acknowledgement of the extensive cache, the heirs happily struck a quick deal with the men who were determined to “assist with this worthy mission to save the liquor from its current predicament and certain death at the hands of the criminally sober.”  Sadly, the father passed away in December, 2012, shortly after he shared the secrets of the Westlake Cache with his son.  Garth’s is pleased to bring the Westlake Cache to auction in the fall of 2013.  For more information about the collection, or to inquire about bidding, contact info@garths.com.

"The Westlake Cache,” a collection of more than 4 cases of Old Quaker Whiskey and Coronet Gin, bottled more than a decade prior to the start of Prohibition.  Selling at Garth’s Gentleman’s Auction (Fall 2013), with a total estimated value of approximately $50,000.

A golden amber pressed glass whiskey taster (approx. 2” high), c.1875-1900. Sold at Garth’s, $150.

An “Original Prescription Form For Medicinal Liquor,” written for Waide McCutcheon just prior to the repeal of the 18th Amendment.  Selling at Garth’s Gentleman’s Auction (Fall 2013), Est: $100 - $200.

A blown “pillar mold” (Pittsburgh) glass whiskey measure (approx. 4” high), circa 1850.  Private collection, $400.

A fruitwood, pocket-size cased set of “Hydrostatical glass bubbles for ascertaining the Strength of Spirits” by William Twaddell, Glasgow, circa 1795.  The delicate, blown glass graduated bubbles are each numbered to correspond to a rating on the enclosed chart, ranging from “Grogg” to “Proof Whiskey” to “High Wines.” Private collection, $450.  

Nestled along the Tuscarawas River in the eponymous county in northeast Ohio, the historic but tiny village of Zoar is a popular quiet summer retreat; with the season highlighted by the well-attended summer harvest festival and antique show during the first week in August.  Founded in 1817 by German religious dissenters known as The Society of Separatists, today it is home to approximately 175 residents.  In recent years, historic Zoar has been threatened by flooding from an aging levee, and a Federal study that suggests a repair to the levee is not a cost effective solution.  For Ohio historians and Americana collectors, the loss of Zoar as a historic village represents a significant threat to the preservation of an important piece of American history and culture.

The German immigrants who settled Zoar in the early 19th Century produced a distinctive body of material culture, with roots in their European and Christian heritages.  Zoar furniture is marked by bold geometric design, dense hardwoods and large scale; textiles and accessories are simple in design and function, but often adorned with the star of Bethlehem or other religious symbols. Today, the material culture emerging from Zoar has come to be quite respected and commands considerable prices in the antiques market.

This summer, take the short drive to historic Zoar while you still can.  It is a wonderful step back in time that you won’t want to miss.  For more information about Zoar collectibles, visit garths.com/collecting.  To follow the efforts to save the village of Zoar, visit savehistoriczoar.com.

This highly refined diminutive cupboard, dating to the mid-19th Century was constructed of walnut, pine and poplar in Zoar, Ohio.  Sold, Garth’s, $3,995.

This folksy mid-19th Century candlestand from Zoar, Ohio, features a two-tiered top, scroll-cut legs and a wonderful, original salmon paint.  Sold, Garth’s, $5,053.

The heart cutout decoration and original finish helped to push this kraut cutter, originating from Zoar, Ohio, to $392 at Garth’s.

Biography of an Object Summer Writing Contest

Selling over 15,000 objects per year, it would be logical for the staff of Garth’s to get a little tired of the topic of antiques and collectibles.  “Never,” comments Amelia Jeffers, President of the internationally renowned auction firm.  “We have the greatest jobs: every day is like Christmas!  Working with diverse consignments, we learn something new every day.”  Hoping to propagate their passion for history and material culture, the Garth’s team developed a summer writing contest for kids of all ages:  author a fictional biography of an object, based on factual information regarding it’s origins.  In September 2012, the inaugural winners in three categories (adult, teen and child) were awarded prize packages that totalled more than $3,000 including e-books, gift cards and subscriptions to the who’s who of antique periodicals.  The most popular prize?  Having their stories published.  Garth’s is bringing the contest back by popular demand in 2013.  For more information about the Biography of an Object Summer Writing Contest, visit www.garths.com/contest.

As the school year ends and Ohio’s children are released from the confines of the classroom, the freedom of summer brings to mind the free spirited nature of folk art - which, by definition, has been created by untrained, unschooled makers.  With simple tools and everyday materials, generations of inspired plain folk have produced an array of impressive, and often whimsical, works of art.  Considering the multitude of choices available (from wood to glass, fabric, paper and more), it seems improbable that we could identify a medium that may surprise you - but, here it goes.

Sewer tile is a porous clay pipe that has been molded, glazed and fired for the utilitarian purpose of plumbing water and waste underground since at least 4,000 BC, and in the U.S. since the 19th Century work of building America’s infrastructure began.  During the industrial revolution, sewer pipe was big business in Ohio, thanks to our plentiful deposits of the dense red clay that is most useful for making high quality clay pipe.  Workers in Ohio’s sewer pipe factories took a few liberties with “extra” clay, creating wonderful works that they gave as gifts or took home for personal use.  Production of “end-of-day” pieces peaked in the first quarter of the 20th Century, and have become a niche collectible today.

Inspired by the fine ceramics of English potters, sewer tile makers commonly produced dogs and lions in the “Staffordshire” fashion.  Another popular form was the tree trunk, usually formed as a vase, but also as lamps.  Unusual examples we have seen at Garth’s range from eagles, squirrels, a humidor and even chairs.  The rich red-brown glaze and folksy design lend these works to a variety of decor preferences - and, clearly, make terrific conversation starters.

This sewer tile lion was modeled after earlier, reclining lions made popular by artists in Mogadore.  It sold to a lucky bidder in Garth’s January 2013 Americana Auction for $295.

This pair of sewer tile lamps are in the popular tree trunk sewer tile form and were made early in the 20th Century.  They sold at Garth’s for $325.

In the Americana antiques industry, we often joke that if you want to increase the value of an object, put an eagle on it.  America’s patriotic fascination certainly affected the value of this sewer tile eagle when it sold at Garth’s in January for $700.

As school winds down across Ohio, during this time of year we are often reminded of our agrarian roots that were the basis of summer “vacation.”  Certainly, in the 19th Century, students were not afforded much of a vacation over summer, but their teachers were prone to provide a small token of reward to send the students off with a feeling of accomplishment that would (hopefully) attract them back to the classroom in the fall.

Jeff and I began collecting “Rewards of Merit” about a decade ago.  These small pen and ink (and sometimes watercolor) drawings were gifts from teachers, who often “moonlighted” as artists, to their students.  The drawings were usually simple and small (about 4” x 6”), but the pride they gave the students was huge.  Shown here are three rewards of merit, all by the same Ohio maker and bearing the name of the student for whom it was made and year in which it was given.  Two will sell in Garth’s May Ohio Valley Auction, celebrating the arts and history of this region; one is from our personal collection.  It is a thrill to bear witness to the simple but significant pleasures enjoyed by those Ohioans who came before us.  

A vibrant and crisp watercolor of a perched bird on a branch was made for  “Benjamin Florey, 1837.” Selling on May 17 & 18, 2013 in Garth’s 8th Annual Ohio Valley Auction.

This reward of merit uses a line and color palette that references European thought, but employs a simplicity that is distinctly American in design, reflecting the youthfulness of our country at the time it was made.  The reverse retains the handwritten script “Mary Mary 1834”, most likely the student for whom it was made. Selling on May 17 & 18, 2013 in Garth’s 8th Annual Ohio Valley Auction.

Thought to be the earlier work of the same teacher as the two examples shown above, what a difference a decade can make. The reverse retains the same handwriting, for a student named “Polly Polly 1825”. Private collection, estimate $800-1,200.00.