Old talcum powder tins have become more collectable
Hunting for treasures seems to be an inborn trait. Perhaps it’s from the need of the caveman to search, find food and store some for later use. For centuries, the very rich surrounded themselves with expensive art and artifacts to impress each other and “the peasants.”
Today, many people enjoy collecting a variety of things, like costume jewelry, bottles, tools, prints, pottery, 1950s furniture, advertising and sports and political items. Sometimes the best information about collections comes from the clubs and publications devoted to the subject. One subcategory of advertising we recently noticed are talcum powder tins, since lawsuits related to talcum powder have been in the news recently.
Talc is a mineral. It absorbs moisture, and in powdered form it has been used for centuries to keep skin dry. Some natural talc contains asbestos, which can be dangerous to health, so since the 1970s the talcum powder sold in stores has been processed to be asbestos-free. Collectors like old talcum powder tins because of their clever designs made to attract buyers. Tins were decorated with images of babies, flowers, nursery-rhyme figures and clever graphics.
Egyptian talcum powder made by Palmolive was in a tin that looks like an Egyptian column. Mennen’s early tins feature a seated baby that we are told was actually the brand owner’s child. A 1964 can of Beatles “Margo of Mayfair” talc has a drawing of the four Beatles. Look for tins by Watkins, Colgate, Johnson, Caswell-Massey and other major brands, and also brands from other countries or long- gone companies.
Prices range from $10 to about $150 for most tins offered online, but the rarest and most beautiful may cost as much at $800.
Q. About 40 years ago, I bought an oak lawyer’s rotary desk at auction. It was in awful condition, having been used in the office of a grain elevator for many years. I refinished it and used it as my office desk for many years. One side section of the desk swivels and the other side has a large drawer for files. Pasted inside one of the small drawers is a form for ordering accessory items from the E.H. Stafford Desk Co. of Muskegon, Mich. Any history?
A. The E.H. Stafford Co. was founded in 1890 and was reincorporated as E.H. Stafford Manufacturing Co. in 1904. The company made school, church and office furniture as well as opera chairs. It was in business until at least the 1920s. Because it’s an interesting desk, it probably would sell for $500 to $700.
Q. I’m trying to find information about my old copper barrel.
It’s stamped “Lippincott, 8 gal.” and “916 Filbert St.” It also has an eagle on it and the abbreviation “Phila.” Can you tell me who made the barrel and how old it might be?
A. Several members of the Lippincott family ran a business at this Filbert Street address from 1832 until about 1911. John and Charles Lippincott of Philadelphia made special copper machinery before expanding into the production of soda water, syrups and equipment for carbonating water.
Charles took over the business from John, his older brother, in 1865. He made ornate soda fountains with multiple spigots for different flavors. Charles Lippincott & Co. joined with three other companies to form the American Soda Fountain Co., a trust designed to monopolize soda fountain manufacturing, in 1891.
When Charles retired, his sons A.H. and F.H. Lippincott took over the business. They withdrew from the American Soda Fountain Co. in 1907 and moved to a different address in about 1911. By 1916 the company was no longer making soda fountains. Your copper bucket was made before 1911.
Q. I have a leather card case marked “Wilro Shop.” Can you tell me something about the maker and possible age of the case?
A. The Wilro Shop was founded in 1902 by sisters Rose and Minnie Dolese of Chicago. They made leather and metal goods, dower and wardrobe chests, pottery and other items. Tooled purses, card cases, desk sets and illuminated leather book covers were decorated in the Arts and Crafts style popular at the time.
Don’t ignore vintage transistor radios (1955-1963) if you see them at house sales or flea markets. Collector interest in all kinds of radios is growing and the supply of old radios is shrinking.
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.
• Sterling-silver ladle, Mechanic Sterling Co., 8 3/4 inches, $180.
• Federal stand, cherry, maple, drawer, scrolled legs, 28 x 19 inches, $180.
• B.O. Plenty walker toy, holding baby and gift, tin lithograph, clockwork, 9 inches, $210.
• Redware pitcher, applied hearts, scrolls, Pennsylvania, 1800s, 5 1/4 inches, $595.
• Madame Alexander Wendy bride doll, plastic, walker, garter, veil, white gown, box, 18 inches, $225.
• Sampler, alphabet, urn, flowers, butterflies, strawberry border, silk, linen, Caroline Malilda, age 8, 1835, frame, 19 x 13 1/2 inches, $300.
• Dog doorstop, seated, leash, collar, locket, stoneware, brown mottled, Albany slip glaze, c. 1890, 9 1/2 inches, $430.
• Bohemian pottery vase, amethyst, iridescent, wavy rim, bulbous base, Rindskopf, 7 x 14 inches, $440.
• Magnifier, tabletop, figural, nude girl, kneeling, reflecting pool, bronze, 3 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches, $525.
• Empire-style table, mahogany, gilt metal mounts, round, tri- part base, 18 3/4 x 33 inches, $1,000.
Write to Kovels, Observer-Reporter, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.