Q: I found a Dr. Fisch's Bitters bottle in excellent condition. The patent reads 1866, the glass is amber and the cork is intact. How do I find out if it is original or a copy?
— Lisa, Tucson
A: Michael Polak (www. bottlebible.com), author of "Bottles: Identification and Price Guide," sixth edition (Krause, $22), examined an image of the fish-shaped bottle. "Based on the photo, which is excellent, the bottle doesn't look like a reproduction," he said, adding that, to make a definitive judgment, "having the bottle to look at is best."
In March 2009, a similar bottle sold at auction for $425. Catalog description read: "Dr. Fisch's Bitters — W.H. Ware — pat. 1866 — Reddish Root Beer Amber, Figural Fish, 11 3/4 inch, smooth base, applied mouth."
Polak notes that the reader's bottle is embossed "The Fish Bitters," while the $425 bottle reads "Doctor Fisch's Bitters." In the same sale, a darker amber version of the bottle, embossed like the reader's, sold for $3,500! See how nuance counts to collectors?
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"The reader's bottle is a semidark amber," he continued, "so it could be valued at $1,500 to $2,000." That makes the bottle a nice find indeed.
Most reproductions of the fish and other bitters bottles are made in China. Generally, repro bottles are lighter than originals, and their glass is thinner. Relief lettering on originals is higher than that on repros, and the applied top on originals looks seamless on copies.
"Repros are so good that even the experienced collector will get a second opinion," Polak said. So, to be sure, have a bottle collector who can eyeball the piece take a look.
Q: Are my opera-style binoculars marked "Made in Occupied Japan" collectible?
— Cybercollector, Richmond, Va.
A: Depending on the style and condition, they are. The original leather case is a plus. Check completed sales on eBay for similar glasses. I saw results ranging from $9.99 to $21.50. A truly great set could bring more.
Q: I'm moving and need to sell my beloved Drexel highboy. What is the resale value?
— Laura, Lighthouse Point, Fla.
A: Smart collectors know that top-quality reproductions of good furniture in excellent condition sell well — especially good vintage pieces from a high-end furniture maker. More affordable than real antiques, they provide a comparable look for less.
Olde Salem was Drexel's premium line of reproduction furniture back when a refined Early American look was hot. No age is given, but I assume the solid mahogany bonnet-top highboy dates from the 1950s or before.
Tastes change, and the fact that it is a large piece in a dark wood is the only negative I can think of. But quality furniture is always good, and it's not easy to find.
This May, Stanton Auctions in Massachusetts (www. stantonauctions.com) sold a four-piece set of Drexel's Olde Salem, including a pineapple post bed, highboy, low chest and mirror, for $1,130. We checked eBay and found a highboy plus king headboard listed at $3,250. Putting the highboy in a quality consignment shop at a price you can live with may be the answer.
Q: I discovered what I think are funeral ribbons in my late aunt's bureau drawer. Can you give me any history? Value?
— Karen, Williamsburg, Va.
A: You are correct: The Polish-language gold-printed black silk ribbon with fringe is a funeral Mass memorial commemorating a gentleman born in Stanislava who died in 1907 in Nashua, N.H. A fancier red, white and blue ribbon with attached button is another version. The value is as nostalgia. Options are donation to a Polish museum or posting the ribbons online at a price you can live with.
NEW: Buy antiques the way you shop for a refrigerator: www.liveauctioneers.com, a platform that delivers live auctions over the Internet, now has an Apple iPhone app.
Say a dealer quotes a price. Simply punch up the app and search sale results of more than 800 auction houses. Voilà! The going rate is at your fingertips. This is also a neat way to research an item you have and to bid live.
Danielle Arnet welcomes questions from readers. She cannot respond to each one individually but will answer those of general interest in her column. Send e-mail to smartcollector@comcast.net or write to Danielle Arnet, c/o Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611. Please include an address in your query. Photos will not be returned.
3/4 AUCTION ACTION
A 1961 Chrysler 300G two-door hardtop sold for $75,600 recently in a Leake auction in Tulsa, Okla. It had a 375-horsepower V-8 engine with long cross-ram intake. Billed as "the finest example of a 1961 Chrysler 300G car in the country," the automobile has multiple awards from auto clubs. Fully loaded with everything from Torqueflite automatic transmission with push-button controls to canted quad headlights, the car is fully drivable.