Pewter Sunflower Ashtray

Description:

My object is a sunflower made of pewter.  I was told that it was used in the smoking rooms of the '20's as an ashtray.  The petals came off and were used as individual ashtrays.  The flower can be displayed as open or closed.  It is about 10" long and is in excellent condition.  I haven't found any identifying marks. 

Appraisal:

This piece is very interesting. Without being signed by a maker, I would expect it to bring around $200 at auction. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball

Description:

My father presented me with a Ruth and Frick signed Baseball.  My father obtained it upon his brother’s death circa 1952.  The ball is stamped with the National League Logo, the Spaulding Logo, the "Sinclair" (?) Babe Ruth Baseball Contest Logo.  The ball is signed "Ford C. Frick Pres" under the league logo, "Sincerely Babe Ruth" in an open sector and "Jimmy Cunningham July 5th 1937." in another open sector.  I have contacted the Baseball Hall Of Fame where I was referred a selection of appraisers including Ms. Pepau and, from there, to you.  

Description:

Single signed Babe Ruth balls can sell in the $30,000 at auction and multiple signed balls can also sell for high values.  Unfortunately, there are fakes out on the market so it would be important to get your ball authenticated.  This recommendation and appraisal is based on the photo and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Generator

Description:

I can't figure out what this is - and maybe it's a worthless piece of junk - but it intrigued me just the same. It was labeled as a magnet but it is actually a hand-cranked generator that I can connect wires to and it still produces a current. I just can’t figure out where it comes from and what it was meant to provide power to. It is obviously very old. It has connectors where wires can be attached and the front and back which appear to be brass.

Appraisal:

This is a tricky one.  While it clearly is a generator it is hard to tell where it came from or what function it served.  It looks to date to the first half of the 20th century but I would expect it to be stamped or marked in some way if it was a production item.  That makes me believe that perhaps it is a one-off or a limited production piece made for a very specific task.  At auction I would expect it to sell for around $20 as a curiosity. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Blue Decorative Glassware

Description:

This is a three piece set of Blue glass collectibles with flowers painted on them. They all have labels on them that say they are Arnart 5th Ave-hand blown-hand decorated-Japan. The vases have gold around top and middle. The ash tray has gold around top. The vases have thin glass and ash tray is heavier glass. The vases are 7" tall and the ash tray is 5" across.

Appraisal:

Arnart was not the maker of your glass set but the importer.  Started in the 1950's the company brought in and marketed a wide range of glass and porcelain decorative articles.  While hand-made and nicely done they would not bring much at auction, probably around $40.  This is based on the photos and information provided
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Blackware Plate

Description:

This is a black glossy and matte, circular, hand-made, 5 3/4" diameter, blackware plate of "feathers" design with circle in the middle. I have owned it since 1992. The name of the artist is Maria Martinez (AKA "Maria Pottery"; or "Maria / Popovi" when she worked with her son). It is approximately 5 3/4" diameter, and is approximately 3/4" high, rounded. It is made of pottery/plate with matte-black design on a polished black surface – her signature pottery called "blackware." It is signed "Maria Popovi" on the back. I think it is in very good condition. It has some minor imperfections in the middle – I don't know if they're scratches/dents, or just imperfections from the artist making the piece.

Appraisal:

The lovely San Ildefonso blackware plate with feather decoration signed Maria/Popovi for Maria Martinez and Popovi Da would have an auction estimate of $2,000-4,000, if in good condition. Many of her larger works bring more, but this is a lovely example of their style. This estimate is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Staffordshire Pottery

Description:

This is the only picture I have of this piece of Staffordshire pottery.  My sister bought it at an antiques store in England about 10 years ago.  Any information you can give would be appreciated.

Appraisal:

The Staffordshire pottery jardinière is molded and has transfer decoration of a bouquet of flowers. Judging from the photograph it seems to have been produced in the middle of the 20th century, and would sell at auction for around $75.  This is based on the information and photo provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Rabbit Painting

Description:

French Ship Painting

High Chair

Description:

This high chair is over 70 years old. It has a leather seat, wood frame, and wheels. It turns into a seat with tray and also a potty. It is in fair condition.

Appraisal:

This chair seems to be a 20th century production, a Chippendale style, and would have an auction estimate of $60-80.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Green Lamp

Description:

This lamp is 12 1/2 inches high. It is green with gold trim. I don not know the age of it, but it is in good condition. There is a round label with "Marble Alabaster Onix" and Jim, Tirrenia Italy" on it.

Appraisal:

This lamp is a 20th century production, from the photos it seems to be post 1950, and would sell at auction with an estimate of $30-50. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Drop Leaf Table

Description:

This hepplewhite drop leaf table has the original knob on drawer. It measures 46" long and 36' wide and it is 30 1/2 inches tall. I did not open fully because I could not move it. Please note the long white mark on picture was dust I over looked. I think it is made of mahogany or walnut wood. It is very heavy.

Appraisal:

For an American Mahogany Hepplewhite Drop-Leaf table, 19th century, an auction estimate would be $600-800. This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Hudson Valley Painting

Description:

This Hudson Valley oil painting is painted on wood.  It has the original frame which is gold gilded.  The frame is 21 1/2 " long by 17 1/2" wide. I can't find a signature.

Appraisal:

This is a very pretty painting, but without a signature it is very hard to determine what it is worth. As a purely decorative painting, it would be worth perhaps $1000, but if it is by an artist who is known, it could be worth a great deal of money.  If we could see it we could provide more information.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Black American Sculpture

Description:

This is a Black Americana sculpture which was purchased in Connecticut in 1990 from a dealer in Black Americana.  He obtained her in Kentucky in the 1960s. We think it's made of alabaster. The stone under the gold color varies white to grey. There may have been different paint techniques applied varying from brown gold, to metallic flakes in the paint. She has carved eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips, ears and hair, weighs over 6 1/2 pounds and is about 9 inches tall. The stand is about 6 tall. The rod through the wood base is secured with a molten ore of some kind.

Appraisal:

This is a very interesting sculpture but unfortunately with the information given it is hard to come up with a value.  Were it signed, or if its provenance went back past the 60's, we might be able to figure out who made it and when.  As purely a decorative object, a painted stone bust with little history, I would estimate it for auction at $300/500.  This is based on the photos and information provided.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Horse Weathervane

Description:

This is a very old weather vane passed down from my great grandfather. He had a horse ranch in Washington. From what I can see the horse is made of galvanize.  I don’t see a signature. I was told some years ago it was well over 150 years old. The long black base with sharp end is 27 inches long back leg to front leg, 1 foot tail with curve, 6 inches for the back leg spread, 6 inches from back of the tail to center of mouth and 14 inches long from the bottom of the left front leg, to the top of ear is 11/1/2 inches.

Appraisal:

Metal Vase

Description:

This is a small metal vase with gold inlay which I bought at an estate sale.  It stands 4 inches tall and 3 1/2 inches at its widest point. It is in perfect condition, like new. The tag on the bottom states "Made in India."

Appraisal:

As your vase is marked Made in India we can say it was made after 1891, the year the McKinley Tariff Act began requiring that all goods brought into the country needed to be marked with their country of origin.  That said this piece was made for export and, judging by the images, I would think it is probably mid-20th century.  Based on the photos and information provided, at auction I would expect it to bring $20/40.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers