With folk-art collecting, fans write their own rules

It is sometimes the unique collectible at a show or sale that is a “must have” for an unsuspecting collector. Folk-art collectors often see “one-offs” that are too expensive, too large or too outrageous to fit into the house.

Recently, James Julia auctions had a “Late 19th-century American ... unique spool art chair.” It was too big, too unfamiliar, too gawdy and too uncomfortable-looking for most collectors. It was made of padded upholstered panels joined to make arms, a seat and a back. The frame was made with spool-turned legs, and other parts of the frame looked like real spools.

There was more – the chair featured gilt metal scrolling, cast metal serpents and brass rosettes, and its back was 53 inches high. It sold for $968. Folk-art collecting started in the 20th century, and there are few rules about what is considered “good” or “bad.” Collectors are writing these rules with their purchases.

Q. When were typewriters invented? I know mine is old. It is an AARoyal Quiet Deluxe, and it was bought by a relative in the 1940s to use at college.

A. Your typewriter is not very old to a collector. The first commercial typewriter in the U.S. was the Sholes & Glidden typewriter, made by E. Remington & Sons in 1874. It typed only uppercase letters.

Hundreds of types of typewriters were made, and many were very different in appearance and how they worked. The earliest ones did not have the letters in the order used today (the QWERTY keyboard).

Your typewriter was popular in the 1940s and would sell today for about $25. Unusual-looking, older typewriters can sell for thousands of dollars if they’re in good condition with the original decoration. About 10 years ago, a new group of typewriter collectors started buying working machines. They wanted to use them instead of a computer or electric typewriter. Those who learned to type on the old machines with a bell, typing sounds and the noise of the return couldn’t get used to the new improved machines. So there now are clubs, social events, type-ins, writing parties and even a typewriter orchestra. There is even a book and a movie about the typewriter revolution.

Q. What is the value of a ticket with Amelia Earhart’s signature on it? The ticket was for the dedication of the Canastota Municipal Airport in Canastota, N.Y., on Aug. 28, 1928. We lived a few miles from there and my parents gave me the ticket.

A. Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kan., in 1897. She took her first flying lesson in 1921 and bought her first plane that year. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, were attempting to fly around the world in 1937 when their plane was lost. The plane is believed to have crashed on an island in the Pacific Ocean, but the wreckage has never been found.

The value of an autograph depends on the importance of the person who signed it, its rarity and what it’s on. Signatures on important documents or letters are worth more than an autograph by itself. The dedication of the airport may add some interest. The autograph, not a photograph of it, must be seen by an expert to authenticate it. Contact an auction house or gallery that has sales of autographs to see what it is worth.

Q. I have a 9-inch-by-12-inch picture of Allan Jones and Kitty Carlisle singing a love song to each other from the movie “A Night at the Opera.” The Marx Brothers are at the top of the picture of the couple. It reads “Alone” at the top. It’s 9 by 12 inches and is in a nice frame. I think it was a poster for the movie. I also have the sheet music. What is it worth?

A. “A Night at the Opera” is a 1935 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie starring Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones and the Marx Brothers. The picture you describe is on the cover of the sheet music for “Alone,” one of the romantic songs sung by Carlisle and Jones. It’s fairly common and sells for about $5.

Q. I have a book called “Through the Year with Longfellow,” with readings for a full year and many color illustrations. It was published by DeWolfe, Fiske & Co. There is a portrait of Longfellow on the cover, and his signature is on the inside of the cover. I’d like to know if this book has any value and where I might sell it.

A. DeWolfe, Fiske & Co. was a publisher in business in Boston, Mass., from 1880 to 1905. It published a series of “Through the Year” 12-month books, including readings from Longfellow, Tennyson, Shakespeare and other famous authors. The book evidently doesn’t list the publication date, but most sources say it was 1890. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow lived from 1807 to 1882, so the signature in your book probably is just a facsimile. These books sell online for about $8 to $16.

Tip

If you have museum-quality wooden furniture, do not use modern furniture-spray polish. Use wax and apply it about once a year. Just dust it regularly.

Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer questions sent to the column. By sending a letter with a question and a picture, you give full permission for use in the column or any other Kovel forum. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We cannot guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. The amount of mail makes personal answers or appraisals impossible. Write to Kovels, The Vindicator, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

2017 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.