January 2003 Alerts on Confusing Collectibles

An imported reproduction of an antique advertising piggy bank is selling for $18. The cast iron bank, 6 inches long by 3 inches high, is embossed “Buy at Norco and Save” on the side. The new bank is painted pink but has been “distressed to resemble its antique progenitor,” according to the Sundance mail-order catalog (800-422-2770). In other words, it looks old. An original bank is for sale on the Internet for $25. It was made by Northco Foundry & Specialty Co. of Pottstown, Pa.

A warning about small German all-bisque dolls: Some new dolls made from prewar molds are being sold as originals. After the reunification of Germany, prewar doll factories that sat idle in the former East Germany were scoured for old dolls and molds. At least one factory, the German Doll Company, has reopened, manufacturing new dolls from reworked old molds. These dolls are marked with a blue roly-poly stamp and are priced much lower than originals, so they shouldn’t confuse collectors. But original molds from other prewar doll factories are being misused. Some dealers are aging new dolls and selling them as originals. Be especially careful if you’re shopping for all-bisque snow babies, bathing beauties, half-dolls, candy containers, and tiny dolls mounted on cardboard. Think twice if the doll feels cold and very grainy. Old bisque is very smooth. Ask questions-and walk away if you’re worried. (Sherry Minton, Antique Trader, November 6)

Fake Clarice Cliff jugs in Bizarre Geometric designs are showing up at shows in the United Kingdom. Clarice Cliff pottery is popular this side of the Atlantic, too, so keep a lookout. The have a full Bizarre backstamp and are selling for $300 to $450, which is far less than a genuine jug is worth. The only other clue is that the fakes look too new to be genuine. (Collect It magazine, www.collectit.co.uk)

Remember the famous Burma Shave signs that lined highways with rhymes and puns? The glass jars that held the shaving cream before 1960 are now being reproduced in India. Some of the new ones are even embossed “Made in the USA” on the bottom. The jars are confusing fakes, but the lids are poor copies painted dull brown.