This Decoy’s Markings May Not Indicate Its True Origins

A reader looks for more information about his inherited duck decoy from Dr. Anthony Cavo.
Q: I’m looking to find more information on this duck decoy. My father left it to me when he passed.
A: Your decoy bears the name A.E. Crowel. But we caution you not to jump to any conclusions about the piece’s origins. A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) of East Harwich, Mass., was one of history’s greatest decoy makers and bird carvers. Crowell acquired his understanding of bird anatomy and plumage patterns during a lifetime observing and hunting Cape Cod’s abundant indigenous and migratory bird populations. As a master carver, Crowell’s work is in great demand by collectors and museums. Last year, one of his preening black duck decoys (c. 1905), featuring chip- and relief-carving on its crossed wings, sold for $480,000 at Guyette & Deeter Auctions.
Crowell’s early decoys were not stamped; to identify these works, you must be able to recognize his carving and painting techniques. In ensuing years, he used an oval burned-in stamp; an oval rubber stamp with a touch of modem advertising: “A.E. Crowell, Maker, High Class Decoys of every description, East Harwich, Mass.” (used on mantel birds); a paper label; and a rectangular steel stamp which indented the wooden base with: “AE. Crowell, Maker, East Harwich, Mass.” He did not mark some of his miniatures. On others, he penciled the species name on the base or signed it in ink: “AE. Crowell, Cape Cod.”
Crowell was a true artist and his work reflected that. It’s difficult to determine the quality of the decoy through your photographs, and the identification on the bottom of the decoy doesn’t correspond with what we know of Crowell’s marks. We encourage you to contact Guyette & Deeter or the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont, for more help determining its origins.
Our guest appraiser is Dr. Anthony Cavo, a certified appraiser of art and antiques and a contributing editor to Kovels Antique Trader. Cavo is also the author of Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People.
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Pristine Tonka Truck Retains its Nostalgic Wonder

Q: Hi Dr. Cavo, I have had this Tonka dump truck since I was a youngster. I so enjoy it that we display it prominently in our dining room cabinet. Could you tell me anything about Tonka? While I doubt I would ever sell it, I am curious about its value. Thank you!
A: Okay, now we’re talking. I’m not sure what it is about trucks that speak to so many of us. Even if we’ve never driven one, countless numbers of us are drawn to these Mid-century steel wonders. Is it the shape, the color, the durable construction (Tonka trucks from this era were made from 20-gauge automotive steel), or the simple nostalgia they evoke?
The Mound Metalcraft company was founded in 1946 in Mound, Minnesota, and originally made garden tools. In 1955, they changed their name to Tonka Toys Inc. in honor of Lake Minnetonka. The words “Tanka” and “Tonka” are Dakota Sioux words meaning “Big” and “Great.” A variety of logos were used on their trucks. The red, blue, and yellow logo on your truck was used from 1947 to 1957 and was designed by a Mound, Minnesota, resident named Erling Eklof. The waves on your truck’s logo symbolize Lake Minnetonka, and the seagulls represent the company’s three founders: Lynn Baker, Avery Crounse, and Alvin Tesch.
In 1958, the seagulls were removed from the logo, and the colors changed to red, white, and grey. In 1963, the colors changed again to red and gold. In 1978, the oval logo was eliminated altogether, and the toys bore only the company name, “Tonka.” Hasbro acquired Tonka in 1991, and in 2001, Tonka Toys was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
I have seen these in poor condition sell for $150 or more. Your truck appears to be in pristine condition. Given the condition and the one-owner provenance, your truck could easily sell for $450 to $550. If, by chance, you had the original box, the price would be in the $650 to $700 range. However, if there is someone in your family who would cherish this truck, consider sending it their way when you’re ready.
Our guest appraiser is Dr. Anthony Cavo, a certified appraiser of art and antiques and a contributing editor to Kovels Antique Trader. Cavo is also the author of Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People.
Do you have a question for Collector’s Gallery? Send your questions and photos via e-mail to ATNews@aimmedia.com. Please include as much pertinent information about your item as possible, including size, condition, history, and anything else that might help identify and value your item.

Carlton Rocket Bubble Gum 1-Cent Dispenser

Q: I recently paid $10 for this gumball machine at a yard sale. I don’t know anything about it other than I like the way it looks. Can you tell me what I bought and if I got a good deal? Thanks! A: Congratulations. You found a very fun example of Space Age design, part […]

Smoking Hot Gypsy Lamp is Quite Unique

Q: Hi Dr. Cavo: We are looking for an appraisal for a Gypsy woman smoking stand, light and lamp. This item has been in the family for many years, and we believe it to be between 80-100 years old, bought in Chicago. It is 42 1/2 inches tall, rests on a brass, bronze-looking pedestal, and weighs 22 pounds. All parts are original and in working order.

Thank you for your time.  -Dave

Gypsy Ashtray

A: Hi Dave: Your smoking stand is quite unique. I have seen this particular figure as a table-top piece as well as in the form of a stand like yours; however, it is rarely as complete as yours. The tray or the original beaded shade is often missing or replaced. The tray and the beautifully beaded, colorful shade are original to the piece. Some may consider the slag glass lamp in the base to be a bit excessive, but it adds splendidly to the overall appeal of this piece.
The figure holds a tray for ashes, which can be removed for cleaning. She is flanked by a pot for holding matches and a basket of sorts for cigars or cigarettes.
These figural pieces were made in Germany and Austria c. 1900-1920. I believe, based on the weight provided, that yours is spelter (white metal); as a bronze piece, this size would be much heavier. It is possible that the figure is bronze (the arms appear to have a bronze patina) while the base is spelter – which it seems to be. You can determine this by testing it with a magnet, which will stick to white metal but generally not to bronze. Whether or not a magnet sticks to it or not, it’s still very attractive.
The figure is cold painted, a technique using colorful enamel paints that was quite popular during the early 20th century, especially on bronze or spelter pieces originating in Austria.
This is the type of thing I would have bought, and my mother, who dealt in high-end art and antiques, would have said, “You need your head examined. ” She might have been correct because I am crazy about this piece. It is a style, however, that you either love or find ridiculous.
The table-top version of this piece (no stand, no lights) sells in the $250- $300 range. Yours has so much more to offer and is in such original, complete condition that I would appraise it at $450-$500 if it is spelter and up to $800 if it is bronze.
Our guest appraiser is Dr. Anthony Cavo, a certified appraiser of art and antiques and a contributing editor to Kovels Antique Trader. Cavo is also the author of Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People.
Do you have a question for Collector’s Gallery? Send your questions and photos via e-mail to ATNews@aimmedia.com. Please include as much pertinent information about your item as possible, including size, condition, history, and anything else that might help identify and value your item.

Old Tankard Holds Plenty of Mystery

Found on the Connecticut shore after a hurricane in 1938, this tankard overflows with mystery. Q: I have a 5 1/2-inch tall tankard that my grandfather found on the Connecticut shore after the 1938 hurricane. The inscription on the front looks like NYBC, June 18 ‘00 First Class. I wondered if it was a boat […]

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