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Beauty Of 1930s Vanity Lies In Eye Of Beholder

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By JAY MOORE, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 29, 2007

Updated: 12/28/2007 05:55 pm

I bought my vanity at an antiques shop for my daughter-in-law, but she declined the gift. The dealer could not tell me much about it. I like the piece and would like information about it.

B.A.D.

Land O' Lakes

It is American manufactured furniture dating from the mid to late 1930s. It may have been part of a matching bedroom suite that included one or two beds, a dresser and side tables.

It is made of wood solids and plywood, covered with fancy veneer. It includes an etched mirror. I cannot identify the maker without a label, since many factories made similar furniture.

Vanities became popular during the 1920s, furniture designed for women to sit and apply makeup. By the 1960s, they were obsolete, thanks to small bedrooms and big bathroom mirrors.

It would retail for $200. By the way, I like old stuff and will not decline a gift.

My two vases are marked "Hotel Abraham Lincoln, International Silver Co." They appear to be made of pewter and are well-used.

B.H.

Clover, Va.

This pair of silver-plate britannia or white metal bud vases probably was manufactured in the 1920s, give or take a few years. Obviously, most of the silver-plate has worn off because of wear and washing.

A large group of New England silversmiths, in a deal spearheaded by Meriden Britannia, a major producer of silver-plate, established International Silver in 1898. International is now owned by Syratech Corp.

International's commercial division produced much silver-plate, and I am sure that it catered to more than a few hotels named after President Lincoln. I cannot identify the location of this particular hotel.

The pair would retail for about $15. Silver-plate bud vases of the same age, marked by railroad and steamship lines, sell for more.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear digital image (.jpg file) to athome

@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (plain-paper prints or Polaroids may not be used). Send to Jay Moore, BayLife, The Tampa Tribune, P.O. Box 191, Tampa FL 33601. Sorry, no per

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