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ON THE BLOCKAUCTIONNEWS &TRENDSHere Comes Santa Claus.in a slew of illustrations and art that giveus a composite look at the jolly old elf.Actual photographs of Santa Claus, Leyendecker’s original illustration for theof course, are exceedingly rare, Dec. 19, 1948 American Weekly—a viewgiven the nature of his work—dis- of “mommy kissing Santa Claus” whiletributing gifts in the still of the night. But three young kids spied on them—soldfor generations, artists and illustrators for 131,450 at Heritage Auctions.have been giving us their impressionsThen there’s Frank Earle Schoonoverof what the jolly ol’ elf looks like. Their (1877–1972).Born in Oxford,N.J.,Schoon interpretations have varied wildly over over would study at the Drexel Institute inthe centuries.Philadelphia and becomeBy now, however, mostpart of the Brandywineof us attach fairly consisSchool culture.tent characteristics to Santa:In 1928, Schoonoverlong, white beard, rounddepicted Santa in a hotface, rosy complexion, andair balloon for the Dec. 7,big belly, all complemented1928 issue of The Popularby his white-trimmed redMagazine. His original 30 xsuit and tall black boots.26-inch oil on canvas wentThat image comes from theon to exhibit at a varietycollective work of artistsof Pennsylvania shows inwho have depicted Santathe 1960s and 1970s butfor widely circulated adverwas nearly lost in 1981. Atisements and popularfire in a Chadds Ford, Pa.,magazines and books. At Here’s how Schoonover’sshop called The Woodenthe high end of this niche: Santa was used on TheShoe damaged it, but theoriginal paintings by the Popular Magazine in 1928. painting survived, was conlikes of Norman Rockwellserved, and, in the 1990s,and Joseph Christian Leyendecker.exhibited at Brandywine Museum.Fast-forward to Oct. 26, 2013. TheA number of holiday-themed Rock well works have brought big dollars at painting’s owner had consigned it toauction. Among them is the 22¼ x 18½- Heritage Auctions, where it found aninch oil on canvas Deer Santy Claus, appreciative audience. By the the sale’swhich inspired a winning bid of 722,500 end, it had soared to 57,813.at Christie’s in 2012. Two years earlier,Collecting Santa images, however,need not be a budget-busting pursuit.Look no further than the comic bookmarket to find collectible examples. Dell’sSanta Claus Funnies from the niche’sGolden Age (1938–1955) and Silver Age(1956–1969) can be had for 50– 200.One recent 1948 example, graded VeryFine/8.0 on a scale of 10, sold for 167 atHeritage (see photo, p. 1).If graded closer to 10, however, suchcomics can command several hundreddollars: Heritage recently sold a 1960 edition graded 9.6 for 442 and a 1944 issuegraded 9.4 for 956; photo at top of page).The comics’ original price: 10 cents.Beyond his appearance as a vibrantrepresentative of Christmas, Santa some-Norman Rockwell: Deer Santy Claus.times got put to work, too. Consider the1918 government poster issued to rallysupport for the war effort. An example ata recent Hake’s Americana & Collectiblesauction (photo below) sold for 525.The illustration finds Santa delivering a message of conservationism: He’ssitting atop his sleigh, guiding his reindeer out of the path of a military vehiclepacked with soldiers. The poster’s textbarks: “Clear the Way” and “War hasrestricted production, fuel, labor, transportation—there’s every reason to clearaway Christmas shopping now.” Left: Leyendecker’s American Weekly cover,Dec. 18, 1848. Right: 1918 war-time poster.DECEMBER 2013ANTIQUES ROADSHOW INSIDER3

AROUND AND ABOUTICONIC AND SYMBOLICAnumber of cast zinc models. The only foundrywith whom Bartholdi had a contract was Parisbased Avoiron et Cie, which in the 1870s beganreproducing the statue in cast for direct sale.This example, also called the “four-foot model,”was among the early issues.BOOTH’s GANG. AND THEBROTHERS WRIGHTThe killing of Abraham Lincoln in 1865prompted an all-out search for assassinJohn Wilkes Booth. Within two weeks, Unionsoldiers tracked down Booth in northernVirginia, shooting and killing him on April26, 1865. Authorities also arrested eightconspirators, sentencing four of them to deathby hanging, an event captured by photographerAlexander Gardner (1821–1882) and hisassistant, Timothy O’Sullivan, on July 7, 1865.A rare grouping of four original prints ofthe execution highlighted a Swann AuctionGalleries event on Oct. 17, selling for 100,000(pre-sale estimate: 20,000– 30,000).The images are among the first examplesof photojournalism. They depict soldiers,witnesses, and reporters gathered around ascaffold holding the five condemned. Gardnerand O’Sullivan created three of these imagesmoments before the execution and one of themjust moments after the hanging.The executed included David Herold, whoassisted Booth in his escape attempt, and Mrs.Mary Surratt, who maintained the boardinghouse where the conspirators planned thekilling of Lincoln. Surratt was expected toPhotos courtesy of Swann Auciton GalleriesPhoto courtesy of Keno Auctionswide range of Americana changed handsat Keno Auctions’ October sale. Amongthe eye-catching pieces: a Frederic AugusteBartholdi “A” model of the Statue of Liberty.The 51-inch-tall zinc sculpture sold for 37,500, far exceeding the pre-sale estimate of 3,000– 6,000. The work is dated August 1876and bears the artist’s signature and copyrightnumber (9939G).After creating the Statue of Liberty,Bartholdi (1834–1904) produced a small4ANTIQUES ROADSHOW INSIDERreceive a last-minute Presidential pardon, butit never arrived. She became the first womanever hanged by the federal government. Alsoexecuted were George Atzerodt, charged withattempting to murder Vice-President AndrewJohnson, and Lewis Payne, convicted for hisassassination attempt on the secretary of state.The photographs sold at Swann werealbumen prints measuring 6¾ x 8¾ inches. Allof them bear Gardner’s credit, titles, date, andcopyright on the original mounts. The titles: No. 1, Arrival on the Scaffold No. 2, Reading the Death Warrant No. 3: Adjusting the Ropes No. 4: Thus It Be Ever with Assassins (pictured)On a more uplifting note, an Oct. 18 saleof travel posters at Swann featured a colorful poster centered on the Wright Brothers.Titled “The Nation, State and City Welcome theWorld’s Greatest Aviators,” the 31½ x 22–inchpiece, printed by The Walker Litho. Co. ofDayton, Ohio, sold for 35,000 (pre-saleestimate: 15,000– 20,000).The story behind the poster is an interestingone. The Wright Brothers’ first flight, in 1903,was met with some skepticism here inthe States. But after traveling to Europe todemonstrate their ability to take to the skies in1908, they were lauded as heroes. As Swann’scatalog tells us, the Wright Brothers “courtedmilitary contracts on both sides of the Atlantic,with Wilbur traveling to Europe and Orvillestaying back in America to do demonstrationsfor the U.S. government. They crisscrossedthe ocean as they attempted to lure patrons totheir project. Upon their successful return fromEurope they were greeted by President Taft inthe White House.”After that, the Wrights returned to theirhometown of Dayton, Ohio, for a massivetwo-day celebration that included parades,concerts, fireworks, and receptions. This posterwas their welcome home for the 1909 event. DECEMBER 2013

TOYSLATER PRODUCTIONCorgi Toys are still made today, althoughproduction switched from Wales to Chinamany years ago. The Corgi brand, in fact, hasbeen bought and sold several times over thelast 25 years, and is now owned by HornbyHobbies Ltd. in Kent, England. Corgi celebratedits 50th anniversary in 2006 by issuingreproductions of a number of its older models,including the first Corgi model, the number200 Ford Consul, which was made available inlight brown, gold, and even chrome plated.Catching Up With CorgiWhen it launched its Corgi Toys linein 1956, Welsh manufacturer Mettoystarted a long and profitable battlewith Meccano, maker of Dinky Toys.DEEPER DIVEFPhoto by Douglas R. Kellyor many years, enthusiasts and collectorswere able to go right to the source forinformation/trivia/details on Corgi Toys:Marcel van Cleemput. Corgi’s chief designerfrom 1956 until 1983, van Cleemput was theman responsible for many of the modelsand innovations that kept kids and parentsbuying Corgi Toys. He also was the author ofThe Great Book of Corgi, an exhaustive andwell-researched work that has become the goto source for all things Corgi. Van Cleemputrevised and updated the book a couple of yearsago, releasing The New Great Book of Corgi1956-2010 to wide acclaim in the collectingworld. With Van Cleemput’s passing in March2013, the toy hobby lost a true visionary.By Douglas R. KellyGeorge Romney, the president andchairman of American MotorsCorp. from 1954 until 1962 (andfather of 2012 presidential candidateMitt Romney), once famously said,“Nothing is as vulnerable as entrenchedsuccess.”That’s where British companyMeccano found itself in 1955 and 1956as the manufacturer of the hugely successful Dinky Toys series of models. (SeeCARDBOARDthe May and June 2013 issues Insider foraving the original box always enhances anmore on the Dinky story.). And then anold toy; it also, of course, tends to drive upthe price. As is the case with Matchbox models, upstart player in the die-cast toy business, the Mettoy Co., launched its Corgiolder Corgis can be found with their originalboxes, but be aware that there are several makers Toys series.From the start, the Swansea, Walesof reproduction boxes out there, too. Some ofbased Mettoy promoted its new Corgisthese are marked as repros, while others areas “the ones with windows,” and thenot; if a box looks new while the toy doesn’t,tread carefully. (To learn more about telling the buying public responded. What mayseem today to be a minor detail wasdifference, see “Repro Boxes: The Next-Besta game changer in 1956, and MettoyThing,” in the October 2011 issue of Insider.)—D.R.K. started eating into Meccano’s profits.HDECEMBER 2013ANTIQUES ROADSHOW INSIDERThe No. 200 Ford Consul was the firstCorgi model, launching the line in 1956and made in various colors until 1961.A mint boxed example such as the oneshown here can bring 200- 300.“First it was windows, then it wasinteriors,” says Stephen Lanzilla, executive director of the Boston Area ToyCollector’s Club. “Then it was ‘opening’features like doors and hoods. Thenit was accessories like luggage in thetrunk, and so forth. When the competition responded, Corgi upped the anteagain.”Corgi toys were distributed both inDouglas R. Kelly is editor of Marine Technologymagazine and a collector of popculture antiques. His byline hasappeared in such publications asModel Collector, AssociationsNow, Back Issue, and Buildings.5

Photos courtesy of Vectis AuctionsAmericancars suchas thisNo. 219PlymouthSuburbanwagonformedanimportantpart of theearly Corgiline.Several Corgis producedduring the late 1950scame with friction motors,hence the “M” in themodel number. This201M AustinCambridge soldfor 600 ata 2013auction.the United States and in the UnitedKingdom. In the 1960s, Mettoy quicklyexpanded its product line to includemovie- and television-inspired models(think the Batmobile and James Bond’sAston Martin) as well as larger models and sets. But the first eight to 10years of Corgi production—that 1956to 1965 period—is where many collectors’ hearts and wallets are focused.A NATURAL PROGRESSIONMettoy had been producing other toycars featuring clockwork and frictionmotors for a number of years beforelaunching the Corgi line. So it wasnatural, perhaps, for the first Corgimodels to come both with and withoutfriction motors.Those early models included suchBritish standards as a Ford Consul,a Riley Pathfinder, a Vauxhall Velox,and an Austin Cambridge. But Mettoyjumped into the export market as well,producing a Studebaker Golden Hawk, aCitroën DS 19, and a Chevrolet Corvair.Each model came individually boxedand included a leaflet showing the othermodels available in the series.As is the case with Dinky Toys, thephrase “Corgi Toys” would seem to indicate a product that is more playthingthan scale model. But Corgis actually6are both; from the beginning in 1956,Mettoy produced a product that offereda high degree of automotive accuracy.It was this realism that enabled thecompany to compete directly with thesimilarly realistic Dinky Toys.TRENDING UPNot surprisingly, the vast majority of1950s and ‘60s Corgis that turn up forsale today are missing the box and leaflet. Most also are in less-than-pristinecondition. Mint-condition originalswith original boxes, of course, bring thehighest prices, and the market has seenan uptick in values in recent years.“Prices are going up,” Lanzilla says.“I attribute that to the fact that most[dedicated collectors] have been looking for Dinky and Matchbox, not justhere in the United States, but overseasas well, particularly in the U.K. Many ofthese people have found that Matchboxprices have become higher and higher,and that certainly also applies to Dinky.So in the past five to 10 years, thesepeople have been looking more seriously at Corgis.”Corgi rarities costing 1,500 or moremake news on occasion, but originalexamples of some of these early models (with original box) can be had for 100 to 250. The key is to determinewhether the model you’ve come acrossin that antique shop or estate auction isoriginal or a restoration.While restored examples do havesomething of a following, their valuegenerally is a fraction of that of highend original models. Looking at photosof original pieces can help, but thereis no substitute for handling as manyCorgi toys as you can, which will enableyou to become familiar with original vs.restored paint, replacement vs. originalparts, and so forth.LOOKING FOR CLUESThe rivets used to attach a car’s body toits base plate can offer clues to a Corgi’soriginality. If the rivets appear to havebeen “messed with,” or are otherwisedamaged, there’s a good chance themodel was taken apart at some pointfor restoration or repair. Look for models with intact rivets.The No.233 Heinkel“bubble car”was oneof Corgi’sEuropeanentries inthe earlyyears.ANTIQUES ROADSHOW INSIDERDECEMBER 2013

Photos courtesy of Vectis AuctionsTake a close look at the model’s tires,too. Unless it was put away immediatelyupon purchase and never saw the lightof day again until now, the tires on a 50to 55-year-old toy should have at least aslightly “aged” look to them. Tires thatappear to be new or that don’t seem tovisually “match” the rest of the modelmay well be replacements.Early Corgis certainly are harderto find than those from the 1970s-to1980s period, so there are those whoprefer to go the auction route. Examplesthat turn up on eBay may or may not beoffered by sellers who are knowledgeable about Corgi, but dedicated auctionhouses such as Special Auction Servicesand Vectis Auctions, both based in theU.K., offer buyers added assurance thatthe item they’re purchasing is original.Although they couldn’t have knownit at the time, the makers of Corgi Toysprovided a snapshot—make that a lotof snapshots—of the world’s automobiles of the 1950s and ’60s. Childrenwho were lucky enough to receive aCorgi as a gift or who bought a modelor models with their own money experienced, in a small way, the open road ofthe adult world.Corgis also gave kids a way to keepup with the newest model coming downthat road. “What intrigues me about theearly years,” offers Lanzilla, “is they giveyou a way to contrast where they startedwith where they went. You can actuallysee the evolution year by year, and youalso can see how the rest of the industrywas playing catch-up to Corgi.” Top of page, left: Cars with two-color paintjobs generally sell for a premium over theirsingle-color counterparts. This early VauxhallVelox, though slightly chipped, brought 182at Vectis Auctions in 2013. Center: ThisChevrolet taxi that came with springsuspension (a novelty for a toy car in theearly 1960s) made 243 at a 2013 auction.Top right: a Karrier “Mister Softee” ice creamtruck. Pictured at left: This Ecurie Ecosseracing set featuring two Formula One carsand a Lotus sports racer brought 640 ata 2013 auction. Gift sets were a part of theCorgi line almost from the start.RANTIQUES ROADSHOWS INSIDE VOLUME 13NUMBER 4APRIL 2013SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 12 ISSUES FOR ONLY 2 9Collec tiblesof Antiq ues andfrom the Worldand Analy sisNews , Trend s,TY LECENTURY OFfurther intoALINE IS.YOUR DEADtickets toplan to apply fortours a Tribal Artsshow Trends: Viatory lensmanOzzie Sweet: Legendar Photographs:Esherickbest of Wharton Furniture: ThehitsRhead’s greatest Pottery: FrederickNews, Trends, and Analysis From the World of Antiques and CollectiblesSweet/Courtephotograph by OzzieN.J. Mickey Mantleof Rago Auctions, Lambertville,chair photo courtesyphothe record-setting(1880–1942), andSweet (1918–2013).Ozziey spawned legionshe 20th centur ers, craftsmen, tographer d above: examples of Rhead’sPicturea retail setof artists, design other creativeon display inandchairphotographers, on. We can’t begin Fiesta wareick wagon wheelEscheranlivesRagoatting;workle soldInsider,types whose1939 (this examponea single issue ofto fit them all into those whose legacy from ns in 2011 for 100,650); andYorkof Newbut we can sample and/or those who Auctioiconic portraitsMantle.take of Sweet’shas inspired trendss slugger Mickey of 20th-centuryThis month, weare in the news. multitalented furniture Yankeeof our triogeCoveraatp. 7.1970),a closer lookEscherick (1887–Rhead luminaries begins onmaker WhartonHurtenFrederickversatile potterT571013Order or extend yoursubscription by mail(coupon below), phone, or online.www.antiquesroadshowinsider.comANTIQUES6 issuesfor 14.95ROADSHOW INSIDE R112 issues for 29Name:Address:City:State:ZIP Code:E-mail (optional):Personal checksor credit cardsaccepted.C all 800-830-5125 or mail this coupon to :Antiques Roadshow Insider Subscription ServicesP.O. Box 8536 Big Sandy, TX 75755-8536IWFAQC1Customer service: 800-830-5125 Gift subscriptions available.DECEMBER 2013LTMsy Randall Swearingen.April 8 if yous Roadshow eventsone of the eight Antique this issue of Insiderreceivethis summer. Youyou haven’tearly April, so if tickets,in late March ors Roadshowyet applied for Antiqueyou dig into ourget to it—even beforeVisit pbs.org/antiques(Clickfeatures this month.application online. E.T. onto submit youre is 11:59 p.m.deadlinTour”;on “20132013.)Monday, April 8, instructions on how toYou’ll also findyou thed. In fact, we’ll giveapply via postcar here: You can apply forName”“short version” righta postcard to “Citytickets by sending Detroit ROADSHOW),ROADSHOW (e.g., MA 02021.N,Box 249, CANTOand the completeInclude your name be no smallershouldsaddress. Postcard and no larger than 4¼ xthan 3½ x 5 inchesmust be received no later6 inches, and they Write clearly—anythan April 8, 2013. illegible or incomplete maypostcards that aretobe disqualified.ion per householdOnly one applicat . Check the show’sone city, will be acceptede rules.web page for complettyThe complete eight-cie:2013 tour schedulMI June 1: Detroit,FLville,Jackson June 8:, CA June 22: AnaheimID June 29: Boise, le, TN July 13: KnoxvilRouge, LA July 27: Baton City, MO Host Mark L. Aug. 10: Kansas nd, VAWalberg Aug. 17: RichmoEON THE INSIDANTIQUES ROADSHOW INSIDERIt’s fadingthe 20ththe past, yeton, thankscentury livesects, andto forms, obj e wonhavtthaimageses in ourplacpermanentnth, wehearts. This mo namesecelebrate thre and colorwho put class life.into AmericanViator. EsherickFiesta photo by JaneON THELOOKOUTANTIQUES ROADSHOW INSIDEREXCLUSIVETREASUREHUNTINGTIPS!ove antiques, treasure-hunting, andgreat finds? Don’t miss an issue ofAntiques Roadshow Insider! 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POTTERYFrans Wildenhain did not sign every pieceof pottery he crafted, Bruce Austin says.“Based upon my experience, though, mostwere signed,” he adds. “The only two signatureson pots are ‘FW’ or his last name. Some largerpieces have his first name—not many, though.‘FW’ and his last name are most typical, withthe ‘FW’ used more often.”Is one signature earlier than the other?“One cannot date a pot by the signature used,”Austin says. “I know of early pieces signedwith the conjoined ‘FW’ and later pieces withhis last named spelled out. I know of virtuallyno pieces where he placed a date on them.So, the two signatures, I suppose, were usedinterchangeably.”Here’s a look at the most commonFrans Wildenhain signature.ARCHEOLOGICALFANTASIESRuth Duckworth’s (1919–2009) unglazedwhite porcelain would never be mistakenfor Frans Wildenhain’s pottery creations, buttheir clay murals showed remarkable similarities. Both were German-born modernists whofavored abstractions derived from nature andpioneered the large earth-tone mural. “Natureis very sexy,” Duckworth once said in an interview. Her masterpiece was Clouds Ov

call (toll-free) 800-830-5125. Single copies: 5. Bulk rates available for educational institutions and others; call 800-424-7887. Antiques Roadshow Insider reports on trends in the antiques and collectibles marketplace. We regret that . comics can command several hundred dollars: Heritage recently sold a 1960 edi- .