IMSA newsletter - Mr Vesta`s Match Safes

INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION VOLUME XIII ISSUE 4
DECEMBER 201 1
BEWARE OF MARRIED MATCH SAFES
By George Sparacio
Reproduction, fantasy, and faked match safes/vestas have been marketed for at least 35
years. During the 1970s, sterling match safes with a DAB (David A. Bowles) maker's
mark started to appear. There were over 30 different examples of these figural match
safes made over a 25 year period. These match safes had complete English hallmarks
that identified them as to their production year and maker. Starting in the early 1990s, a
wide array of sterling match safes appeared on the market. Most of these were copied
from original examples and were only marked "sterling." A few years after their
introduction, "925" and "925 sterling" became
the common markings, sometimes including a
"GJ" mark inside a diamond. Brass and plated
examples of the same designs as the sterling
safes appeared during the late 1990s. Neither the
brass nor plated examples have any markings.
Several years ago, the creative juices started
flowing. Devious sellers took old sterling match
safes with complete English hallmarks and added
a compass to enhance their value. These match
safes were sold as vintage without any mention
that a compass was recently added. Examples of
these are still being sold.
The current scam is the addition (marrying) of
an enameled plaque or ornamentation to an old
hallmarked match safe or other small object,
such as a cigarette case, snuff box, stamp holder,
matchbox holder, needle case, perfume, etc.
Many of these enameled plaques have risque,
sporting, dog or stamp motifs. The enamel
plaques are usually old, taken from brooches or
other jewelry, but reproduction "enameled"
plaques made in China are now widely used.
'--___ The addition of plaques enhances their appeal to
I
VOLUME XIII ISSUE 4 - DECEMBER 2011
2
collectors and generally increases the retail price of
the object several fold. The fact is by attaching
plaques to original match safes, it actually destroys
their value. Based on one example [at right] loaned
to me by a fellow collector, the adhesive left behind
after the plaque has been removed permanently
damages the item. The plaque is made of some sort
of white material, resembling plaster or ceramic,
and is covered with a printed image under a clear
(celluloid?) covering. Under magnification, the
image shows tiny colored dots in a fixed pattern
[note lines on the woman' s torso] a modem process
and certainly not the supposed enameling.
Detection of recently applied enamel plaques is
very difficult as the workmanship is usually quite
good. A few signs - the plaque is disproportionally
large for the object; the plaque's edge design does
not match the design on the object; the plaque is not
seated or adhered smoothly; the enameling is
framed in metal - indi­
cate it may not be origi-.
'Irn~~s~~liYa pal.
,I
;=:;;;;;;;;;;;;;:===========----------.......
Pairs of sterling items with "enamels" applied. The bottom
I
pair are mirror images and framed differently.
Also, check th~
quality of the enameling,
as the new plaques
sometimes have a poor
or murky appearance.
Examples of these match
safes first started to
appear on eBay about a
year ago. EBay's listings
usually stress the
originality of the match
safe by emphasizing the
maker and hallmarks,
but they are mute as far
as the history of the
plaque. Originally there
were only a couple of
sellers of these fakes, bu~
their numbers havCW
grown. To date, it
appears all the eBay
INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION
3
Many newlywed enamels are set in metal frames, often in a distinctive rope motif.
sellers are from the U. K. If you check other items being sold or have been sold by one of .
these sellers, you will often notice numerous examples of similar fakes or other reproduction
match safes that confirm their "lack of knowledge" or their intent to deceive. Examples are
now flowing into the U. S. market through dealers that have unknowingly purchased such
items and are selling them at antiques shows and shops as originals.
The photos included with this article show examples from eBay that are most likely fakes.
Please keep in mind that these are only a small representation, and there are many, many
more different plaques and scenes. If any member has questions regarding suspected
reproduction match safes, please contact me, and I'll be happy to help.
More examples of safes believed to be modern "marriages." Note how the subject
matter of the enamels are highly cross-collectible, which would add to their appeal.
,
4
VOLUME XIII ISSUE 4· DECEMBER 2011
IMSA 2011 CONV'ENTION REPORT-ANAHEIM, CAUFORNIA
By Chris Russell; captioning by Andy Denes
On the morning of Friday the 4th of November, a group of collectors met at The Queen's
Gallery in the Muzeo, a museum in Anaheim. They had come from many places, but not to
visit Disney's Mouse and his friends or to ride the roller coasters. They had come to see an
exhibition of items relating to Victorian England belonging to Howard and Linda Knohl.
We were given a conducted tour by the curator and looked at items which painted a picture
of life in its many forms in Victorian England. This was done using art, china and many
items from that time. It showed the many different facets of life during that Victorian era.
However, the visitors soon found two cabinets containing many match safes. This caused
much discussion, particularly about the enamel tickets, views and gnardsm~n made by
Sampson Mordan.
Speaking as an Englishman it was lovely to see items
from so many different aspects of British life, and many
superb items from the Empire. The other interesting
area was the sticks and canes which also had other uses
- swords, guns, medical kits and one made from human
bones.
In the late afternoon, the Executive Committee met in
the lobby of our convention hotel. Neil Shapiro was
elected as our new president, and aU the other officers
were retained. Among other matters, Chicago was
tentatively chosen as the site of our next convention in
2013 with Wilmington, Delaware as a possible site for a
Above: Chit-chat in the hotel lobby
future meeting.
Friday afternoon. Clockwise from
upper left: George Sparacio,
George Gruel, Neil Shapiro &
Andreas Roubian. At left: Three
of Dr. Knohl's typically full match
safe drawers.
That evening, we all clambered
onto a bus from the convention
hotel to the Knohl' s home for a
reception and to view Howard's
collection of 20,000 match safes.
While some enjoyed the gardens,
the architecture, and a delicious
buffet dinner, others were left
to wander about to examine and
handle the match safe collection, and to open drawers and view a truly wonderful range of
items from this very comprehensive collection. It was a most fascinating collection and
,
INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION
5
Above left: We belp ourselves to tbe scrumptious buffet. Above right: Tbe IMSA niatcb safe cake
witb some sligbt damage. Please note - tbis could be easily repaired. Middle left: Howard's pool
table was recovered for tbe convention witb Frencb enamels in tbe foreground. Middle rigbt: Neil
Sbapiro cbecks out Howard's Japanese drawer. Next year, watcb for Neil's new book on Japanese
matcb safes. Below left: one of several drawers full of celluloid-wrapped matcb safes.
contained items of interest for all the
members. The time passed so quickly,
and we had to return to the hotel. On
behalf of all who visited, I would like
to say many thanks to Linda and
Howard for their welcome and
hospitality .
On the morning of Saturday the 5th,
we began our meeting as usual with the
Buy and Sell session. This allowed
members to get some interesting
additions to their collections and to
of interesting items.
,
6
VOLUME
XIII ISSUE 4· DECEMBER 201 1
Corky Vena tries to schmooze Howard Knohl, our gracious host, out of a few choice celluloids, while
Stephen J. Horvat visits with Howard's Little People.
.-.:
The main meeting started with our Show and Tell session, in which members discuss items
of note that are then passed around to everyone to handle and inspect. We began for the
British with a table piece showing Guy Fawkes seated on a barrel of gunpowder holding a
lighted match. An incautious idea but right for the 5th of November [Guy Fawkes Day], as
the original idea of the Gunpowder Plot
was to blow everyone up. Some drinking
flasks were shown which had images
that were also well known on match
safes. A table piece in the form of a
piano was shown, and there was much
discussion about its manufacture.
There then followed a large spelter hog
which acted as a smoking set and could
also hold several cigars. A British silver
table box with flaming wax vesta legs
from 1885 was shown, which was
opened by releasing a trigger on the
front. This was followed by a chicken
:;;;:::::;:=======_ _~_~===~a:n:.:d~
egg enamel, a silver egg and an
In a scene worthy of Leonardo da Vinci, interesting match safes are passed around and examined in
our Show & Tell session. From left to right: half of Linda Shuey, Julie Kimelman, Andy Denes,
George Gruel, Jeff Berger, Cindy Kolodziejski, Mike Rector, & Bill Baskin.
INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION
7
onyx safe. A lovely silver box presented to the Prince of Wales at a polo match in India was
shown. The exterior engraving gave most of the details, but they were supported by a note from
the organizer sending the box to the Prince. This tiny item completed the story of the piece. A
leaf-shaped item was shown and a small wooden vesta case by Bell and Black. The Show and
Tell session ended with two bar pieces - a French mechanical spinner and a bronze enameled
wizard. As always, we had been treated to a most interesting range of items.
Now to a most difficult subject to describe in words: Neil Shapiro tried to answer the question,
"What are the characteristics of a Japanese match safe?" They had 24 unique enameling
techniques, a wide range of manufacturing methods, as well as different aesthetics. In general
there were six generic styles including the material, the essence of the shape of another object,
and the flow of the decoration around. In simple terms, the only real way to understand this is to
see and touch the items.
We were then shown two unique and significant safes. Jerome Pascoe discussed his gold quartz
piece, probably made by Shreve, that had been presented to King Leopold of Belgium, and
which was featured on the front of our September newsletter. His tale was complete with the
fascinating and horrific tale behind this match safe. Secondly, George Sparacio discussed one of
four Tiffany safes commemorating a July 28, 1888 polo match. One of the members of the
winning team was Theodore Roosevelt at a time before he was a major national figure.
George's safe was the one personalized for Roosevelt.
Above left: Jerome Pascoe shares additional details on his magnificent King Leopold safe. Above
right: some of Bill Baskin's eye-opening array of table top safes.
Enamels followed with a look at the different styles and quality. This often depended on the
country of manufacture, as many French pieces would have been unacceptable in England. The
range of fake-type enamels about at the moment was also discussed. One main point was the
image was not what one would expect at the time of supposed manufacture.
Refreshed by lunch, we returned to look at the Little People match holders. There were about
120 designs and some were seen in about 18 variations. Their price ranged up to $1200, but
details of their manufacture were unknown. The consensus was that they were made in America
by a cottage industry.
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VOLUME XJIIISSUE 4 - DECEMBER 2011
8
Bill Baskin then showed some of his extensive collection of table- and bar-top items. They were
made in a range of materials and included many mechanical items. Also, many had other uses,
such as inkwells, candle holders, cigar holders and cutters. Many of these items made
Zimmennan table pieces look very small. It was great to see so many match holders that wert
designed for non-pocket use and to remember that matches had a wide usage in the home.
And finally to the business meeting, where several issues were discussed. In 2013 we hope to
convene in Chicago. Our web site will soon be undergoing a major overhaul, redesigned and
updated. There then followed a general discussion on raising awareness of our hobby, increasing
membership, and promoting more attendance at the conventions.
In the evening, to finish the meeting, Heritage Auctions hosted a wine and cheese reception and
displayed match safes that would be appearing in their December sale. We thank them for this
chance to view the lots and for their hospitality. And finally we dined and talked about our
hobby and many other things.
This just leaves me to thank all involved in the organization of this most enjoyable convention,
and I look forward to seeing you all in Chicago.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES NEW MEMBERS
Kolodziejski, Cindy (#309) Ken Hurbert
2009 Glyndon Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
Phone: 310-313-2951
Email: ckolo@verizon.net
Web: www.rubylane.comlshoplKirstenscorner
Interests: CollectorlDealer, Japanese, figural,
animals, bat, snakes, Neptune, cool ones!
McKenzie, John #(259)
12 Hempstead Lane
Hailsham
East Sussex BN27 3AB
England
Phone: 01323 842789
Email: jmckenzie789@btinternet.com
Interests: Silver enamel and rare figural
UPDATES
Jaffa, John (#297)
Suite 63
235 Earls Court Road
London SW5 9FE
England
Phone: 447867784000
Fax: 020 7373 2385
Lubetkin, Robert (#009)
2909 Woodland Ave #415
Des Moines, IA 50312-3885
Gold Match Sllfes, $8.50. A ' JPln l 1111" plc ktd f~
, (;,(" of II , tKtnordinary
bl r .l in, In o ur I t \\·( r y si or«.
T ht
nd nQlr mltch a" " art
n 101 ,I~ . -utifull I116Ik I nd
I U tallll:lih '1.Jhlonrd
JO o." l cb. Ind " nt I chlr,,.
Vidamour, Shaun A. (#310) Julie
Karibu Sana, Rue du Galaad, Castel
Guernsey
Channel Islands GY5 7FF
United Kingdom
Phone: 01481 254207 (H) 07781 124372 (M)
Email: savsawman@yahoo.co.uk
Interests: novelty, English makers, rare
~ m onl
I
At left - 1904 ad for Bloomingdale Brothers
Department Store, New York.
fo r fll l FU¥lnc .
,
INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION
9
THE RECENT H£RITA6E MATCH SAFE AUCTION \ 'ieritage Auctions held an auction on September 26, 2011 that included over 200 match
safes. Prices realized may be obtained by registering at Heritage's website: www.ha.com.
The following is from their post-auction press release - Thanks to Heritage 's Tim Rigdon.
One of the auction's most intriguing and well-anticipated offerings was Part One of Five
of a collection of rare Match Safes from a prominent East Coast Collection.
"Part one of this amazing collection featured a little more than 200 pieces, just a fraction
of the nearly 1,500 total pieces in this collection," said Rigdon, "which Heritage will
_0°
continue offering in our Silver & Vertu sales over the next year."
The grouping did not disappoint, bringing more than $294,000 altogether, led by a highly important and beautifully crafted Gorham Antler and Silver Match safe [at right] featuring a highly stylized and intricate Japanese warrior figure on the base, with a stylized carp on the top ­
considered one of the great "match safe masterpieces" in existence by leading match safe scholar Neil Shapiro ­
which brought an impressive $22,705 final price realized. Other highlights of the coUection included a rare California
Gold and Quartz match safe [at left], attributed to Shreve &
Co., San Francisco, CA, circa
1875, a masterpiece composed
of a geometric mosaic of rose,
moss and gold quartz panels
separated by gold bands to the
front, brought $14,938, while a
Georges Le Sache Tiffany
Gold and Enamel match safe,
Paris, France, circa 1900 [see
Neil's article in this issue] brought $13,145 for its
wonderfully crafted 18 karat gold with raised and chased
foliate design in cobalt blue over a chartreuse enamel
ground.
The next offering of Match Safes from a Prominent East
Coast Collection will be Dec. 7, with a special preview at
the Annual Convention of the International Match Safe
Association, to be held in Anaheim, CA the weekend of
Nov. 4-6.
,
VOLUME
10
XIII ISSUE 4 - DECEMBER 201 1
A TIFFANY MATCH SAFE STORY
By Neil Shapiro
A gold and enamel match safe with the Tiffany Co. 's name
stamped on one side of the bezel was recently offered by
Heritage Auction. There was a possibility that this safe could
have been made for the 1889 or 1900 Paris Exposition
Universelle. Close examination of the match safe and some
research revealed that neither was the case.
I
The bezel of this safe has three identifiable marks. On one side
of the bezel is the first identifiable mark - a diamond with the
letters "L S" within it. These are the initials of a well-known
French jeweler, Georges Ie Sache (1849 - c. 1920?), who made
objects for most of the important retail jewelers in France from
at least 1872 until his mark was retired in 1920. Second, below
and to the right of the diamond is a
double eagle-head assay mark. The
stamped double eagle-heads are
France's 18k (or higher) gold mark Image from Heritage Auction
for hinged or linked items made for online catalog, as are both
images of the bezel, at left.
the domestic market.
Third, on the other side of the bezel is "Tiffany & Co." [The mark
is somewhat unclear because it was apparently struck twice.] This
mark was used by the Tiffany Company for many years in one
form or another. Usually when Tiffany sold items made in France
they were marked "Tiffany & Cie. " rather than "Tiffany & Co."
Tiffany did have a retail shop in Paris, and Tiffany did sell items made for them by other
non-USA manufacturers, e.g., from England, France, Russia, and maybe other places as well.
Their mark for this type of ware was usually "Tiffany & Co." with the country of origin
under their name.
Tiffany participated in both the 1889 and 1900 Expositions, but it is easy to dismiss the
possibility that this safe was made for the 1900 Exposition. Tiffany had created special
marks for the items exhibited in the 1900 event, and this match safe does not bear any special
exposition marks.
However, they did not use special marks on their wares for the 1889 Exposition, and the
argument is less clear cut. First of all, they were interested in showcasing their own products
to gamer awards and recognition. They would gain nothing from having a match safe made
by Georges Ie Sache, a Frenchman, in their exhibit. Secondly, this match safe has only the
double eagle French assay marks and no import marks (usually an ET, in brackets). The
INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION
J]
French would have insisted upon import marks for the Expo exhibits. Fina]]y, at the
time of the 1889 Exposition, Paulding Farnham, Tiffany's designer, was crafting items in
an American Indian-style as well as some "Saracenic" or Moorish-style work. This
match safe is not in either style. For these reasons, a preponderance of the evidence
shows that this gold and enamel match safe was not made for the 1889 Paris Exposition
either.
However, there were Tiffany match safes made expressly for the 1889 Exposition. An
American Indian-style match safe currently exists in a private co]]ection, another exists
in a public museum collection, and others, in the same style, exist only as drawings in
the Tiffany Archives.
Paulding Farnham
safe - see the March
2007 newsletter.
Tiffany archival match safe drawings from Paulding Farnham:
Tiffany's Lost Genius by John Loring, Harry N. Abrams, Inc.,
New York, 2000, pp. 72-73.
Tiffany Raven's head safe c.1889 from Matchsafes by Deborah Sampson Shinn, Scala
Publishers, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, 2001, p. 25.
The materials in this safe are iron, gold, pearls, turquoise, and rhodonite.
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VOLUME
12
XJIJ ISSUE 4 · DECEMBER 201 1
IMSA NEWs, NOTES, -.\ NOISE • DUES REMINDER-Just a reminder that member's 2012 calendar year dues are _
now due. Payments are $50 for one year, $200 for five years, or $1000 for a lifetim
membership. Payments can bemailedtoIMSA.POBox4212.Bartonville.IL 61607­
4212. For those that find U.S. dollar payment difficult or prefer to pay through Paypal,
you may submit payment by Paypal providing you include the Paypal fee of 4% we are
charged. The amount when using Paypal would be $52 for one year or $208 for a five
year membership. The Paypal ID for payment is: IMSAoc@aol.com.
• OOPS-In the article on the Wilmot Patent Match Safe in our last issue, the initial digit
in the registered number was omitted. It should have read: 694143. Thanks to our
eagle-eyed founder George Sparacio for spotting this, and our apolo.,gies to Norrie
Crichton. The error was the editor's.
• MORE OOPS-Sam Brown points out that in his article (also in our last issue), the
correct address on the Catteau safe is 18 rue Marche au bois, not 48. The confusion was
caused by the small size of the continental script "one" used on the safe.
LEITER FROM THE .ANTlPODES: OLD £NOUSH TO OWN A MATCH HOLDER? Dear IMSA Members,
Some members in Britain may be familiar with one of the long standing youth groups,
namely the Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade. It's a Church of England (i.e.
Anglican) youth group with branches in Britain, Ireland and a few other countries. I have
seen many match holders with links to the Scout movement and particularly to Baden
Powell, but I had never before seen any match holder with links to any other youth group.
I was pleased therefore when I was recently presented
with a simple nickel vesta case with an enamel badge
with the words Church Lads Brigade. Having once
belonged to the Lads' Brigade, this particular vesta case
intrigued me. The person who gave me this vesta case
is an elderly and eminent historian, and she told me that
back in the 1880s, most children would leave school at
about the age of 13 years. A few might continue in their
education in public schools. Apparently there was
concern at that time that young boys would grow up
with very little spiritual guidance and with poor
physical development. To address this concern, a few
Brigades started to be established so as to provide _
young people with social, spiritual and recreationa
activities. I was informed that a Mr. Walter M. Gee and
the Reverend Thomas Milner established the Church
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _L_ads' Brigade in 1891 and then the Church Girls'
INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION
13
Brigade in 1901. The two brigades were later amalgamated in about 1978. The Brigades were
divided into groups based on age, commencing at age four years and up to 18 years.
~
design of the ?adge .on this Church Lads' Brigade vesta case is basi.cally the same a~ is used
l "ay on other Bngade Items. However some badges had the motto Fight the Good Fight, and
indeed a match safe of this description can be found in Sanders, Fig. 8/9, R2:4.
I suppose that it is unlikely that young children would have been issued with a vesta case. It's
more likely the vesta cases would have been used by the staff (19 years or older). This then
prompted me to ask, "In the 1880s, how old would you have to be before owning a match
holder?" Looking amongst my own modest collection and after visiting some collector friends, I
came to the conclusion that vesta cases and other match holders were occasionally presented to
young people of about 18-20 years old. Some were presented as sports prizes, and some were
.-;
given as birthday or Christmas presents.
It's tempting to ask the question "Why would an 18 year old lad have a vesta case?" but let's leave
that for another time. Meanwhile I challenge any IMSA member to look for similar examples of
match holders belonging to young people. Is there any member with a match safe or vesta case
that has provenance to prove that it once belonged to someone younger than 18 years old? I would
love to know.
Happy collecting,
Maynard.
INT£RNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION President:
Executive
Committee:
NEIL SHAPIRO
Email: nshapir1@nyeap.rr.eom
Vice President:
JOHN ANTONELLI
CHRIS RUSSELL
Email: ejrmatehbox@blueyonder.eo.uk
STEPHEN J. HORVAT
Secretary:
HOWARD KNOHL
DAVID STEIN
Email: dsstein@aol.eom
Membership Chairman:
CHRIS RUSSELL
TONY SCHMIDT
KENNY KOELLING
Email: IMSAmembership@Comeast.net
Treasurer:
GEORGE SPARACIO
Email: Mrvesta1@aol.eom
Please submit photos and
articles for the IMSA Newsletter
to: ANDY DENES, editor
1542 Frazier St.
Camarillo, CA 93012
Email: Matehbookholder@
yahoo.eom
IMSA Website:
www.Matchsafe.org
Webmaster: JOHN CAPANO
Email: jeapano@bhbl.org
Please submit address changes
and corrections to:
KENNY KOELLING
Email: IMSAmembership
@Comeast.net
This newsletter is intended for the enjoyment and edification of IMSA members. The information
~ovided comes from a variety of sources. Therefore, IMSA cannot guarantee the accuracy of any of the
IDformation presented herein, and the data presented should not be regarded as the def'mitive last word on
any subject. Diligence and care are used in the newsletter's preparation, but no 'liability or responsibility
is accepted for any errors or omissions by IMSA, its officers, members or editor.
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VOLUME XIII ISSUE 4 - DECEMBER 201 1
14
AM£lUCAN-MADE MATCH SAFES SILVER & 60LD By John Antonelli & Andy Denes
James E. Blake Co.
Attleboro, Mass.
1898-1936
SterlinE
James E. Blake was born in Chicopee
Falls, MA in 1851. He worked as a
salesman for the Attleboro jewelry firm
of Sturdy Brothers, married the boss's
daughter, and eventually bought a
controlling interest in the firm to give
birth to the James E. Blake Co.
Rainwater says, "About 1889, the firm
began the manufacture of articles in
silver, match boxes being among their ,.. -' ._.,.......'
first products." By 1894, Blake was
Post card with 1909 postmark.
being cited as one of the pioneer
,
silversmiths of Attleboro. In 1898, the firm incorporated in Rhode Island.
I
i....
. . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _......
In 1902, the firm applied for a trademark (granted in 1903 - registration number 40,370)
for the term SterlinE for use on "certain named match-boxes ... made of metal other than
silver or silver-plate."
TRADE-MARK. lOll " •• 102..
. REGISTERED JAN. 31. 1905.
THS JAMES E. BLAKE CO.
TABL~ ' ISIVES. FORIIS t AND SPOOlfS.
!"LIOATIOI rILI~ DIO. n, nOt.
Rainwater states, "On January 31, 1905 they were granted a Trade Mark patent (No.
44,102) for the manufacture of sterling silver and sterling silver inlaid with 14k gold
cigarette and vaniety [sic] cases, match boxes, men's belt buckles and pocket knives." As
can be seen above, her statement is wrong: 44,102 merely extended the SterlinE
trademark to table knives, forks, and spoons. Blake apparently did patent [unknown #] a
process for inlaying gold onto silver about 1906 and produced many matchbook holders
and other items employing that technique. No matchbook holders are known marked '
SterlinE, and no Blake match safes with gold inlay are as yet known to this author.
INTERNATIONAL MATCH SAFE ASSOCIATION
15
A fact that may be of use in dating Blake's work: The 1909 edition of Trade Marks of
the Jewelry and Kindred Trades shows the SterlinE mark, but not the Jebco monogram.
In contrast, the 1915 edition shows only the Jebco monogram, but not the SterlinE mark.
A 1912 article in Metal Industry magazine (vol. 10, p. 523) says, "The biggest business
event in Attleboro's month concerned the retirement of James E. Blake and the sale of
his share of the James E. Blake Company, silversmiths .... The silver concern was
purchased by Horace Remington & Sons of Providence." The James E. Blake Company
continued on without its namesake until about 1936.
}JP row - Sterling; Middle row - SterlinE, noting how ornate they are versus Blake's
~cerHng pieces; Bottom row - Sterling matchbook holders: the left pair shows Blake's
patented gold on silver technique & the one with appliqued flags includes a covered (if
not entirely secret) photo compartment. The caricature of the caddy speaks for itself.
,
VOLUME XIII ISSUE 4 • DECEMBER
16
20 t 1
MARKET TRENDS By
George Sparacio
This trend series is intended to provide a guide to current retail values. Values can fluctuate depending on
geographical location, market conditions and numerous other factors. Dealer and auction prices can vary
significantly and are affected by condition, demand and locale. Values listed assume all items are in
excellent condition, and prices are in U.S. dollars. Sizes are approximate. Sanders references are from
Pocket Matchsafes, Rejlections of Life & Art, 1840-1920. Note: 1M SA and its experts cannot assume
any responsibility for possible losses incurred through use ofthese trends.
DESCRIPTION
VALUE
Bloodhound, sterling by Unger Bros., #3231, 2 1/2 x 1 1/2". Sanders, Fig. 32/3, RJ:2 400-450 Candle matches, Grand Prix Paris, 1900, by Roche & Co., 3 1/8 x 1 5/8". 50-75
Cherub motif. sterling with gold gilt interior, by Gorham Mfg. Co., #B 1305, 2 5/8 x 1 3/4". Sanders, Fig. 4/12, R2:2 250-300 Chinese export, dragon motif, silver, LW maker's mark, 1 3/4 x 1 3/8". Fig. 1 100-125 Cigar piercer/ knife combo, sterling by Sampson Mordan, English hallmarks for London 1889,2 x 5/8". Fig. 2 500-550 Filigree with floral motif, silver, 1 3/4 xl". Sanders, Fig. 36/5, RJ: J 275-325 Flask in basket, figural, silver-plated, 2 x 1 114". 90-115 Gargoyles. sterling with gold gilt interior, by William Kerr, #3633, 2 112 x 1 3/4". 100-125 Horse head advertising Royal Sec, figural, nickel-plated, 2 3/8 x 1 1/8". Sanders, Fig. 28/5, R2: J
100-125 Krupp munitions, silver-plated, by N. Barstow Co., 2 5/8 x 1 5/8". Sanders, Fig. 1114, R2:3 65-85 Lady in garden, sterling with gold gilt interior, by James E. Blake Co., 2 5/8 x 1 3/4". Sanders, Fig. ] 5/12, R2:2 [Sanders' example is marked SterlinEJ 85-110 Lady seated on potty, figural, brass, 2 3/4 x I". Sanders, Fig. 1714, RJ:J 150-] 75 Masonic/AAONMS (Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine), sterling with gold gilt interior, by Webster Co., 2 3/4 x 1 3/4". Sanders, Fig. 8/4, R2:4 300-350 Morning glory motif, hidden photo, sterling by Battin & Co., #233, 2 112 x 1 5/8". Sanders, Fig. 4/14, RJ:4 [Sanders} example is not a hidden photo variety] 325~375
3
4
2000-2500 75-100 Signal flags, enamel on sterling, 2 1/2 x 1 ]/2". Fig. 5 650-750 Sovereignldgar cutter combo, sterling by Charles Cooke, English hallmarks for Binningham 1908, 2 114 x 2". Fig. 6 300-350 ViceslBachelor theme, sterling by Battin & Co., #261, 2 1/2 x 1 5/8". Sanders, Fig. 16/4, Rl:4 2
5
Race horse themellady smoking, trick opening, nickel-plated brass, 23/4 x 1 3/8". Sanders, Fig. 25/1, RJ:4 & Fig. 28/5, R3:2 Travelers Insurance, nickel-plated, by Whitehead & Hoag, 2 3/4 x 1 5/8". Sanders, Fig. 44/3, RJ:2 -: 75-95 Fish, figural, patinated brass, Japanese, 2 112 x 1 112". Fig. 3 New York Yacht Club burgee, enamel on sterling, 2 3/8 x 1 5/8". Fig. 4 1
6
60-75 300-350