Artistic Tiles
Every obsolete device was once the latest technology. A clothes iron heated by charcoal might sound laughably old-fashioned today, but it was an improvement on the earlier sadirons. “Sad” was an old word for “heavy,” and sadirons got their name from the solid metal bases that had to be heated directly on a stove. Adding fuel, in the form of hot coals, directly to the iron made things a little more convenient but imagine the risk of getting coal dust on your freshly washed clothes. To say nothing of the smoke!
This brass-plated iron by J. Schwieger and E. Frost has a hinged lid that closes with a latch, keeping the coals safely inside, and a vent that allows air in to flow around the coals and directs smoke away from the ironing -- and from the person doing it. This iron sold for $248 at Hartzell’s Auction Gallery. It’s safe to assume it was bought by a collector, not for practical use.
Even though antique irons sell to collectors, most of us would prefer using today’s electric irons -- or, better yet, not having to iron at all. Maybe the greatest invention of all would be fabrics that never need pressing.
Q: I would like to know how much my upholstered sofa is worth. It was made by Schweiger furniture company and dated December 1977.
A: Schweiger was an upholstery manufacturer that started in Jefferson, Wisconsin, in 1899. They produced mid-priced living room furniture, including chairs, sofas and sleeper sofas. By the 1970s, they had additional plants in Virginia, Mississippi and Utah. The company closed in 2004. In 2018, the Schweiger Industries Plant III in Jefferson was added to the National Register of Historic Places. 1970s furniture does not often sell for high prices unless it is by a major designer. Upholstered furniture can be difficult to sell; it shows wear easily and is expensive to repair. Sofas like yours usually sell for less than $500.
TIP: Brass can be polished with this homemade remedy: Make a paste of equal parts salt, flour, and vinegar. Rub the paste on the brass with a soft cloth. Rinse completely. Buff with a clean, dry, soft cloth.
CURRENT PRICES
Silver-sterling, tea set, serving tray, rectangular, scalloped rim, open handles, teapot, coffeepot, sugar and creamer, miniature, 4 3/8 x 2 5/8 inches, $75.
Toy, Star Trek, playset, U.S.S. Enterprise, command center, console, six viewscreen scenes, box, Mego, 1975, $250.
Stoneware, jar, lid, Acme Pickles, barrel shape, ivory glaze, blue stencil lettering, The J. Weller Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, 13 inches, $380.
Box, Coast Salish, bentwood, cedar, oval lid and base, relief carved totemic figures, signed, Joe Campbell, Vancouver, B.C., 11 1/2 x 9 x 6 1/2 inches, $860.
Furniture, mirror, pier, Directoire, oak frame, painted, raised geometric medallions, pilasters, two-part glass, France, early 1800s, 66 x 43 1/2 inches, $1,970.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www. Kovels.com.
(c) 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
