Some advertising icons have obvious connections to their brands, such as Mr. Peanut from Planters Peanuts or the RCA Victor dog with its head tilted while listening to a phonograph. Others, less so, such as the Clydesdale horses and Dalmatian dogs featured in Budweiser promotional items, such as this hanging lamp with “The World Champion Clydesdale Team.” The lamp sold for $625 at a Potter & Potter auction.
What do horses and dogs have to do with beer? The answer comes from the 1930s. The Anheuser-Busch beer company, owner of the Budweiser brand, turned to making alcohol-free products during Prohibition.
Its repeal in 1933 was still cause for celebration. August A. Busch, Jr. gave his father, the CEO of Anheuser-Busch, a hitch of Clydesdale horses pulling a beer wagon as a gift. The field delivered the first post-Prohibition Budweiser beer.
A horse-drawn beer wagon proved to be an effective marketing tool, and the company got another issue to do promotional tours. Dalmatians joined the tours in the 1950s, referencing the old practice of breweries having dogs to protect their horses and wagons during deliveries.
In 1986, the Budweiser Clydesdales made their first appearance in a Super Bowl commercial, reaching an even wider audience. The company still has Clydesdale teams touring to this day.
Question: We received a set of “Country Lane” dishes from Brock in California when we were married in 1951. There are many pieces including plates, dishes, coffee pots, etc. My nieces are not interested in them so I would like information on their value. They are in excellent condition.
Answer: Brock of California started before 1945 as Southern California Pottery Company Inc. in Lawndale, California. He made oven and kitchen utensils. Bert J. Brock was president of the company until 1949. Production included “California Brockware” and “California Rustic” tableware. The company name was changed to BJ Brock Company by 1950.
Brock dinnerware was used on the set of the television show “I Love Lucy” in the early 1950s and can be seen on the kitchen shelves and on the table in several episodes. The company closed around 1955. Individual pieces of Brock’s nationally themed tableware sell for modest prices: plates from $8 to $10, a cup and saucer from $6 to $8, and serving pieces for a little more a lot. Tableware sets are hard to sell. It’s easier to try a consignment shop to see if they can sell it.
Q: I bought a shallow cut glass plate at a thrift store for $15. It has a ring handle on one side. A friend told me that the pattern looks like Irving’s “White Rose.” Can you tell me the age and possible value of this dish?
A: The Irving Cut Glass Company did business in Honesdale, Pennsylvania from 1900 to 1933. Several glass factories were located in the surrounding area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many companies cut and etched their designs on blanks made by C. Dorflinger & Sons. Your shallow dish with a ring handle could be a diaper, candy or nut dish. Your dish is about 100 years old. Depending on size and condition, it could be worth $75 or more. A signature adds value.
Q: On a recent thrift trip, I saw something I’d never seen before: A CorningWare Blue Willow Warming Tray with Cord. The tray, functional and with its cord, was only $5.99. I gave up on that and kicked myself. What do you think?
A: I think you should have bought it. The CorningWare tray is worth at least $25 elsewhere. It’s not rare, but CorningWare is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Prices for vintage pieces are on the rise. The blue willow is one of the most recognizable models. I love the history of this line
. Corning Glass Works developed the glass for Thomas Edison’s light bulb. In July 1913, at the encouragement of a scientist’s wife, Bessie Littleton, Pyrex was born. More than 750 million CorningWare parts have been produced. In 1998, due to declining sales and the repurposing of manufacturing plants, Corning sold the CorningWare and Pyrex lines to World Kitchen, LLC.
TIP: If you have valuable old glass, store it in a safe environment. It should be stored or displayed where there is air movement to dry the surface. Bottles and glass containers should be stored with caps and stoppers open.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer reader questions submitted to the column. Send a letter with a question describing the size, material (glass, ceramic) and what you know about the item. Include just two pictures, the item and a close-up of any marks or damage. Make sure your name and return address are included. The questions answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at [email protected]
Current prices
Current prices are recorded from antique shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations due to local economic conditions.
Christmas treeceramic, painted green, textured finish, multicolored lights on branch tips, five-point star base dated 1975, 15 inches, $65.
Jewelryearrings, dangles, gemstones, oval lapis, round striated red stone, faceted square amber stone, faceted teardrop clear stone, three diamonds, 18K gold plated French wire setting, hallmarked, Iradj Moini, France, 1 ½ inch, $165.
Marbleribbon swirl, Christmas Tree, six ribbons, three colors, white with two green and four red ribbons, National Line Rainbow, Peltier Glass Co., Ottawa, Ill., c. 1930, ¾ inch, $285.
the bankSanta, standing, cast iron, painted, red suit, black boots, coin slot in green toy bag on back, black round base, 11 x 4 inches, $360.
Christmas tree standmetal frame, curved white panel inset, painted Santa, sleigh and reindeer, lights, rotates, electric, bakelite switch, needs rewiring, 1930s, 7 x 17 inches, $435.
Roseville Pottery planter and pedestal, pine cone, green and tan glaze, raised pine cones, branch handles, 29 x 13 x 13 inches, $780.
Royal Doulton porcelain figurineChristmas Day Woman With Sashes, Purple Skirt With Embossed Christmas Ornaments, White Petticoat, Fur Jacket And Sleeve, Royal Doulton Green Stamp, Nada Pedley, 9 Inch, $810.
Clocktall case, Federal, cherry, split swan neck pediment, carved rosettes, three finishes, molded columns, arched door, tin dial, Roman numerals, globes, moon phase, flowers, swept calendar hand, pendulum veneer door grain between legs with beveled corners, early 1800s, 95 x 11 x 20 inches, $1,185.
CarpetPersian, Heriz, cornflower blue medallion in navy floating medallion, brick red field, ivory corners, angular spandrel with scalloped leaves, two fawn guard borders with flower heads, red border with herati design, 146 x 108 inches, 1,800 USD.
Furniturepair of display cases, ebonized wood, bronze cherubs and scrolls, flower-inlaid porcelain plates and blue borders, single door with corrugated glass, France, 1800, 44 x 35 x 16 inches, $2,040.