Page 5 - Bee-SEPT2025

September 2025 To advertise call (775)727-8787 PAGE 5
The Sweet Smell of Success by Chuck N. Baker

Many years ago one of Picasso’s daughters unique to one person may not be unique to you.
came out with a line of perfume. Naturally it It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
was named after her dad, or after herself, if you The better the condition of the bottle, the
will. I didn’t collect perfume bottles but I pur- higher its potential value. Damage, chips, or
chased one just because I thought it would be wear can significantly decrease its worth. But if
worth something some day. I was right, except it’s rare and old, even a little damage can be of
somewhere along my life I lost track of the bot- value. Years ago I sold some nice looking col-
tle, and at the same time lost any profit I might lectible comics to a dealer. At the same time I
have benefited from. So the lesson is, if you’re had some additional comics that had torn pag-
going to collect anything, don’t lose it! es and even missing covers. The dealer told me
When it comes to perfume bottles, especial- they were worthless. I kept them for a few more
ly vintage or designer ones, they can be valuable years, and as time went on they became valuable.
and worth collecting. The value of a perfume Sure they were damaged, but they were rare. So
bottle depends on factors like age, designer, rar- if your collectible items are in poor shape, keep
ity, condition, and even the design itself. Some them anyway and sell them in your old age!
bottles can fetch high prices at auctions, while So, where to find perfume bottles? Estate
others might be more appealing to those inter- sales and thrift stores: These can be great plac-
ested in the history and artistry of scent. es to find hidden treasures, including vintage
It’s amazing that old stuff that cost a few bottles. Specialized auctions like those held by
pennies back in the day are now worth hun- the International Perfume Bottle Association
dreds and thousands and even more. Examples (IPBA) offer a platform for buying and selling.
are comic books and baseball cards. But antique Websites like eBay can be a good place to find
perfume bottles, especially those from the early and sell. Collecting perfume bottles can be a
20th century or earlier, often hold more value fascinating way to learn about the history of de-
due to their historical significance and rarity. sign, fashion, and the evolution of scent.
Limited edition or unique bottles, especially For more information, contact the IPBA at
those with intricate designs or unusual shapes, membership@perfumebottles.org.
tend to be more valuable. Of course what is

and the potteries that originally made it in the
17th and 18th centuries have since merged into
factories that are still operating today.

* * *
Q: I have a kitchen table set that belonged
to my mom. It is from the 1940s-1950s. The legs
and frame are maple, as are the chairs. The top
of the table, however, is metal which matches
POTTERY REPRODUCTIONS
the maple in color and is expandable to make
the table longer. She also has a matching maple
Keeping the past alive is part of the appeal hutch. Just wondering if this is worth pursuing.
of antiques. The most valuable, most desirable A: The kitchen table of the mid-20th century
collectibles are original antiques, but reproduc- served many purposes. It was used as a dining
tions can have their own interesting stories. table, a food preparation area, a gathering place
This figural vase by Henriot Quimper sold for family and friends, a worktable and much
for $42 at Richard Opfer Auctioneering, a low more. Tabletops made from materials like met-
price compared to antique Quimper pottery. al or laminate, which were easier to clean than
This style of pottery has been made in Quim- wood and more resistant to damage, became
per, France, since the late 1600s, but this vase popular. People always like the look of wood, so
is a 20th-century reproduction made to sell at finishes resembling wood were available. This
Colonial Williamsburg as a souvenir. The date kind of kitchen furniture was utilitarian and in- PHOTO CREDIT: Richard Opfer Auctioneering
of 1682 on its base is one of the details copied expensive. Furniture from the mid-20th centu- Henriot Quimper re-created a piece of pottery from
from the original piece of pottery in Colonial ry usually sells for low prices if it is not made the 1600s for collectors in the 20th century.
Williamsburg’s museum collection. It is called by a major designer. Tables like your mom’s sell
“Mr. Nobody” after a character from a popular for up to $150. Similar kitchen hutches sell for TIP: Don’t put pottery or porcelain with
play at the time. about $300. The entire set would sell for about crazed glaze in the dishwasher. It will crack even
The original piece was Delftware, a popular $600. more.
tin-glazed pottery usually decorated in blue and
white. Quimper pottery has a similar tin glaze, * * * (c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.