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January, 2017 The Antique Shoppe Page 11
THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE—
BY ANNE GILBERT
OUT OF FASHION SMALL CASES ONCE A NECESSITY
Beginning in the mid 19th century there were hundreds of types of small cases made
to serve a variety of needs from holding calling cards to cigars. Some are still useful, like
toothpick cases. Depending on what they were made of they are usually an affordable
collectible. Least expensive would be those made of leather and cheap metals.
Consider how impressive it would be to remove your business cards from an elegant
antique mother-of-pearl or sterling silver calling card case! Or, if you can afford it, try a
gold case. Even in their day calling card cases were a status symbol and not cheap.
Collecting possibilities are intricately carved ivory examples as well as papier Art Deco card case.
-Decorative Design Works.
mache’. Other materials used were tortoise shell and beadwork. To recognize a Indianapolis, IN
card case look for a hinged opening at one end or with a top that lifts off. Both
men and women carried them. Those made for men often had a monogram if they Mid-century modern offers cigarette cases in such
were metal. novel materials as Italian Murano glass and designs
Silver and silver plated cases were often heavily engraved or decorated with reflecting the motifs of the era. Popular were flying
novel raised designs of repouss’e work. saucers, satellites and amoebae.
By the late 19th century they were produced and even sold in Sears Roebuck You may not recognize an early cigar case if you see
catalogs. However, even some of them had interesting motifs. At about the same one. They were small to hold the smaller cigars in use
time leather card cases came into vogue. Just before World War I combination at the time.
vanity and calling-card cases were introduced in sterling silver and silver plate. An oddity were the cigar cases made of seal skin
There are colorful Art Deco cases still available for as little as $20. around 1900.
CLUES: There is still time to start collecting cigarette cases from the past. Still around, awaiting discovery, are the early
Look for the stylized Art Deco types that combined color enamels with silver- spectacle cases. In the late 19th century they were made
plate and nickel. interesting would be those given as presentation gifts. Inside you in Japan of decorated papier mache’ as well as tin,
may discover historic inscriptions and famous names. leather and silver plate. Those of papier mache’ were
During the early 20th century some of the hand painted. The same types were also made in China.
most expensive and elegant were made in Cases of leather and pressed paper often had button flaps.
Russia. Often you can recognize them by their Victorian silver card By the 20th century spectacle cases were
use of “niello”, a black, metallic alloy that case with engraving of made of aluminum and plastic.
was pressed into designs on silver. Of course Buckingham Palace. C. 1848. There are still discoveries awaiting at flea
the ultimate then, and now, would be a Cartier English. -Bonhams Auctions, markets and garage sales.
cigarette case in gold, with precious stones. Toothpick case. French. Gold. C. 1819-1838 London, UK
-Bonhams Auctions, London, UK
JEWEL ANTIQUE MALL Laura A. Collum
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