American furniture often decorated with paintings

American furniture made with painted decorations is nothing new. From the days of the early 17th century until today, brightly colored paint has been used on furniture.

There are three types of painting: plain overall color; painting that imitates wood, marble or other finishes; and “fancy” painting that’s imaginative. Painted decoration could imitate fancy wood inlay or primitive country designs.

In the 1820s, painted scenes on Windsor chairs became popular. The “Salem” rocker, inspired by Windsor chairs, appeared. It has arms, a scooped seat and a wide top rail, the perfect place for a small painted picture. Sometimes the back as well as the front of the rail was decorated.

Painted designs and wooden rocking chairs were out of fashion by 1900. But modern copies of these chairs are again available.

Q: Could you tell me something about the little figurines called “Snow Babies”? Where were they first made and are they still being made?

A: The first Snow Babies were made of sugar candy and used as Christmas decorations.

The ceramic figurines you’re referring to were made from bisque (unglazed clay) covered with crushed bisque “snowflakes.” They were introduced in 1864 by Hertwig and Co. of Thuringia, Germany. Other German and Japanese companies copied the Hertwig designs, and today some of the original molds are being used in Germany to make new Snow Baby figurines.

Similar figurines called “Snowbabies” (note the difference in spelling) also have been made since 1986 by Department 56, part of the Lenox Group.

Q: I have a copy of the April 4, 1903, issue of the St. Paul Daily News. It’s printed on silk. I understand a silk copy was to be given to President Theodore Roosevelt on his visit to St. Paul that day. Was printing newspapers on silk common? I’m thinking of donating the newspaper to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., but need to know what it’s worth.

A: Printing souvenir copies of newspapers was more common in Australia than in the United States. Those printed here date from around the turn of the 20th century.

The St. Paul Daily News was published from about 1900 to 1933. The value of your newspaper depends partly on its condition, but even if it’s in tiptop shape, its value is hard to determine because few are ever offered for sale.

Q: I have some radio and television premium rings my father saved from his childhood. When I go to local flea markets, I never see them and I’m wondering if they’re worth anything. Two of my favorites are a silvery Superman “Crusader” ring and a Sky King “Signal” ring that glows in the dark and has a secret compartment.

A: Both of your rings, and possibly others in your father’s collection, are wanted by collectors. The two you identified for us are from the 1940s, when “Sky King” and “The Adventures of Superman” were both radio shows. Sponsors of those shows and lots of others offered premiums like rings to kids who mailed in box tops or labels.

Today, your Sky King ring is valued at $75 to $250, depending on condition, and your Superman ring is worth at least that much.

Ralph and Terry Kovel’s column is syndicated by King Features. Write to: Kovels, (Las Vegas Review-Journal), King Features Syndicate, 888 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10019.