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There's nothing like a hot drink on a cold day! How about a classic hot chocolate? Spiced apple cider? Maybe a warm cup of freshly steeped saffron? That last one might sound odd to us, but it's a popular drink across many cultures and has been for hundreds of years.
Saffron, a spice made from the stigma of a type of crocus, has been prized for its flavor, color, fragrance and purported health benefits since antiquity. As a drink, it can be steeped as an herbal tea (or, as some tea purists insist, tisane or herbal infusion) on its own or with other spices or herbs; or it can be blended with tea leaves to add color and flavor to the brew.
Saffron tea was fashionable for a time in Victorian England, with special teapots made specifically for it, like this one made by silversmith Charles Fox in the mid-1800s. It sold for $218 at World Auction Gallery. It is about 4-inches tall.
Saffron teapots were smaller than common teapots and meant to brew small quantities. Saffron tea would have been a luxury, taken only a little bit at a time. Throughout the long history of its use, saffron has always been, and still is, expensive. At some points in history, it has been worth its weight in gold, or even more!
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Q: I have not been able to identify the mark on a beautiful vase. It has the letters "RH" inside a shield underneath a crown, all in red. Any idea who the company is?
A: This mark was used by Robert Hanke Porcelain Factory from about 1900 to 1918. The factory was founded in Ladowitz, Bohemia, Austria (now Ledvice, Czech Republic), in 1882 and operated until 1945. They made decorative porcelain and giftware, some of which resembles the more expensive Amphora porcelain made in the nearby Turn-Teplitz region. Vases like yours generally sell for about $50 to $100 today. Pottery and porcelain made in the regions formerly called Bohemia and Czechoslovakia are popular with collectors. A club like the Czech Collectors Association (czechcollectors.org) may have more information.
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Q: I have two of the Rat Bis-Kit rat poison papier-mache statues. They both appear to be in good shape and even have the poison cube that the rats are holding in their hands. They have some cobwebs on them but other than that they look very good. I am sure the cobwebs will wipe off, but I didn't want to touch them because they are made of papier-mache.
A: You may have a treasure. Papier-mache advertising statues can be worth over a thousand dollars. You may want to contact a collectors' club like the Antique Advertising Association of America (pastimes.org) for more information. If you are planning to sell your statues, contact an auction house that specializes in advertising.
You are correct to be careful with your statues; one reason why antique papier-mache statues can be so valuable is because paper antiques are often delicate and rare to find in good condition. They should be kept away from heat and direct sunlight. Very high and very low humidity can be damaging; about 50% humidity is usually the best. Keep them away from liquids. If you want to remove dust and cobwebs, you can try gently wiping the surface with a soft, dry cloth, brushing the cobwebs away with a soft-bristled paintbrush or blowing them away with a hair dryer on its cool setting and lowest power. Do not use water or cleansers.
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TIP: Don't place any sticky tape on the top of a teapot. The decoration may come off with the tape. Secure a top with dental wax or earthquake wax.
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Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers' questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.