May 30, 2015 5 min read

Every profession has its special language. Doctors discuss broken legs with terms like femur or tibia. School teachers now talk about “core curriculum” while real estate brokers have to know about “land contracts” or “joint ventures.”

Collectors have to learn the descriptive words used in auction catalogs and ads like “attributed to,” “mint in the box,” “enhanced” or “pyro.” “Mint in the box” usually refers to a toy that was put away in the original box. So both the box and toy are in mint (perfect) condition. “Enhanced” is a jewelry or glass term that means the quality or color of the material has been improved by radiation, heating or other methods. “Pyro” is short for pyroglaze, used after the mid-1930s.

Soda bottles often are identified with words or pictures written with this mixture. “Attributed to” means the painting, sculpture, vase or other artwork may be the work of an artist, but is unsigned. The seller can’t be positive it was made by a famous English pottery like Minton or a designer like Christopher Dresser, but it looks like it was. Auction catalogs have a page of definitions, explaining why captions say things are “painted by,” “attributed to,” “from the school of,” “replaced,” “restored” or “in the style of.”

Another list explains the differences in ways to bid, rules of shipping, and extra charges like “buyers’ premiums.” These terms help to avoid misunderstandings and legal problems. Read the front and back parts of catalogs or online listings before you bid, or use an auction to sell your collection.

Q. I have Lincoln Logs set No. 3C in the original cylindrical cardboard container with tin lid. The set originally contained 129 pieces, but a few pieces are missing. The box reads “Made by Playskool” and has two patent dates, 1,351,086 and 2,012,160. What are these patents for? What is the set worth?

A. U.S. Patent 1,351,086 was granted to architect and toy designer John Lloyd Wright of Chicago in 1920 for his design of a “toy cabin construction” set made of notched “logs.” He was the son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The sets were sold by John Wright’s company, the Red Square Co., in 1918. (A red square was a mark used by his father.) The company name later became the John Lloyd Wright Toy Co. The name “Lincoln Logs” was registered in 1923. The other patent was granted in 1935 to James B. Forbes of Chicago and assigned to John Lloyd Wright, Inc., for the invention of a method of constructing the gable ends of a peaked roof. Playskool bought John Lloyd Wright, Inc., in 1943. Milton Bradley obtained the rights to Lincoln Logs in 1968 and Hasbro obtained the rights in 1984. Lincoln Logs are now sold by K’NEX. Your set was made between 1943 and 1968. The original box adds value, but the set won’t sell for a lot of money because it’s incomplete. Value: $50-$75.

Q. Our historical society has a copper repousse statue of “Lady Justice” holding a sword in one hand and balance scales in the other. The statue is about eight feet tall and is in excellent condition. It was originally installed on top of the County Courthouse in 1909. When the courthouse was torn down, the statue was preserved by the historical society. I know there are statues like this on courthouses in many part of the country, but I haven’t been able to determine their origin. What can you tell me about them?

A. Lady Justice is one of the most common statues displayed on courthouses. It’s sometimes called Themis, an ancient Greek goddess. “Blind Justice,” a similar figure wearing a blindfold, was made beginning in the 1700s. These statues have been made by various sculptors since early Greek and Roman times, so unless the statue has a maker’s mark, it’s impossible to tell who made it.

Tip: A way to date a package or poster-black and one other color were used on lithographed packaging in the 1890s but four-color lithography was not used until about 1930.

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

• Ice cream maker, hand crank, steel frame, wood bucket, handles, silver paint, Ward Way, c. 1913, 12 qt., 24 inches, $45.

• Chair, rattan, back & seat upholstered cushions, wings sides, arms, 1900s, 33 inches, $105.

• Sundial, Zodiac signs, Ye Are Born Under a Good Star, cast bronze, Louis F. Rogot, 1917, 12 inches, $490.

• Radio, Fada, Catalin, 1000 bullet, burgundy, butterscotch, Bakelite, c. 1940, 14 1/2 inches, $720.

• Toy, boy fishing, on cart, cast iron, bell, N.N. Hill Brass Co., 8 inches, $1,005.

• Currier & Ives print, Some of the Right Sort, campers, cabin, dogs, frame, 25 x 33 inches, $1,020.

• Chinese export platter, Famille Rose, passion flower, rock garden, rectangular, c. 1755, 14 1/2 inches, $1,320.

• Whirligig, policeman, blue, white paint, aluminum, wood stand, c. 1920, 7 1/2 inches, $2,455.

Write to Kovels, Observer-Reporter, King Features Syndicate, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019.