Pre-Victorian folk-art cupboards please collectors

Most Americans in the 17th and early 18th centuries had very small houses with no clothes closets and little storage space. Storage consisted of built-in corners, shelf units, chests and often was located under the eaves or the stairs.

Odd-shaped cupboards were made to fit into the space. They did not use the wall as part of the cabinet. A piece was made so it could be moved. Folk-art cupboards of all kinds made before Victorian times are popular with collectors. The most efficient cupboard is made from square or rectangular sections. The simple panel door framed by four narrow boards is preferred. Even the sides are made from rectangular panels.

In May 2016, Garth’s Auctions of Ohio sold an “under-the-stairs” cupboard. It was made of pine and painted a mustard color finish. The three doors in the front are made with applied molding to match the panels on the side. The inside has a red wash.

The doors open so that all of the extra space inside can be used. The color and condition made this cabinet a popular auction item. Even though there was no maker’s identity, it sold for $1,140, several times estimate. An oddly shaped piece like this often sells for a low price.

Q. I have a piece of Niloak pottery, which has some stains that look like drips, possibly from furniture polish. Is there a way to clean this?

A. Niloak Pottery was made at the Hyten Brothers Pottery in Benton, Ark., from 1910 to 1918, and again from 1921 to 1947. The pottery was made from Kaolin, a soft, white clay. The name “Niloak” is “kaolin” spelled backward. To clean Niloak pottery, use a soft cloth dampened with water. If the drips are furniture polish, they may be hard to remove since the polish probably contains oil, wax or another water-resistant ingredient. Some people recommend using a mild solution of water and dish detergent. Don’t soak the pottery, avoid rubbing the surface too hard and be sure to blot it dry.

Q. I recently discovered the work of Peter Max, the artist. I know he made posters, paintings and other art but I am interested in the commercial things he made like greeting cards and shoes.

A. Peter Max has a very easy to spot style – cartoon figures, psychedelic colors and stars, sunsets, hearts, bubbles and other unusual patterns mixed together. He was born in Germany in 1937 and moved with his parents to escape the Nazis. His family then went to Israel, Paris and finally New York City where he went to high school and art school. By 1962, he had a studio and created advertising illustrations, labels, and commercials. His work was so popular that he was featured in Life magazine in 1969. Some of the things you can look for are wrapping paper, sunglasses, paper napkins, women’s jeans, multicolor Wrangler shorts, scarfs, men’s shirts, bed linens, curtains, needlepoint patterns, jigsaw puzzles, clocks, trash cans, umbrellas, Borden Yogurt coolers, Jell-O and Swiss Miss cereal packaging, dinnerware, cookware and much more. Almost everything is signed with a cursive writing of “Max,” or the name “Peter Max” printed in a rectangle with rounded corners. A good poster today can cost $500 to $1,500; an original signed painting is more than $5,000. The original 1970s Randy Mfg. Co. sneakers in the box sold for more than $800 three years ago. Many of these things can be found at house and garage sales for bargain prices.

Q. While at an estate sale, I bought a Hall six-cup ceramic teapot. The bottom is stamped with pattern No. 0113, and the color is maroon with a gold patterned detail. There also is “M8” stamped on the bottom rim. When was this made?

A. You have a Hollywood teapot first made by Hall in the 1920s. It was made in 4-cup, 5-cup, 6-cup and 8-cup sizes. Hollywood teapots were made in solid colors as well as with decal decorations. At one time, Hall was the world’s largest manufacturer of teapots. The value of your teapot is $25 to $35.

Q. I have a “1969” Polaroid camera. Is it worth anything to a collector?

A. Polaroid was founded in 1937. The first Polaroid Land cameras were sold in 1948. They were named after Edwin Land, who invented the instant camera and demonstrated it in 1947. The name “Land” wasn’t used on Polaroid cameras after Edwin Land retired in 1982. Film and batteries for old Polaroid cameras can be bought on Amazon and other sites. A Polaroid 350 model, which was made from 1969 to 1971, in perfect condition, sells online for about $50 to $75.

Correction: In a recent column we mentioned Wild Bill Hickok and his horse. Unfortunately, we used the wrong name. His horse was Buckshot. His sidekick, played by Andy Devine, was Jingles P. Jones.

Tip

Don’t wear rubber gloves when polishing silver. Vinyl gloves are OK.

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