Antiques & Collecting: Centennial exhibition

Nations, like people, have special parties and observances to celebrate birthdays and other successes. In 1876, the United States celebrated its 100th birthday with the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia.

There have been many other exhibitions and fairs, and some collectors specialize in souvenirs, posters and even pieces of buildings or exhibits from these important national events.

Medals, photographs, postcards, even sugar packets and other special food-related items have been saved, as well as toys, books and clothing from the fairs, and they sell easily today.

Many items, like this red cloth bandanna, had pictures of presidents Washington and Grant, images of some of the exhibition buildings and, of course, the official name of the event. This bandanna souvenir sold at Conestoga Auction Co. for $71.

It can be stitched to a piece of unbleached muslin and framed as a picture — the stitching can be removed leaving it in nearly perfect shape — or it can be dry mounted and framed.

We bought a Drexel dining-room table and six chairs in the 1960s. The style is mid-century modern, but the chairs have unusual backs with spindles that are flattened about two-thirds of the way up. The table is 60 inches by 29 inches by 40 inches and has two leaves. It’s stamped underneath with “Drexel Declaration, 850-330-37, 2/61.” I’ve heard mid-century modern furniture is popular again. What is this set worth?

Drexel Furniture Co. began making moderately priced oak furniture in North Carolina in 1903. In the 1950s, Drexel began buying other companies, including the Heritage Furniture Co. After changes in ownership, Drexel became part of Authentic Brands Group in 2020.

Drexel’s Declaration line was designed in the late 1950s and was made of walnut with a choice of white porcelain or brass pulls on drawers. The line has the spare look of Danish modern, but the dining chairs are inspired by Shaker furniture.

The numbers stamped on your table include the model number and indicate it was made in February 1961.

Mid-century modern furniture is popular again, and pieces sell for high prices. A Drexel Declaration table and six chairs are worth about $1,000 to $1,500.

Tip: Keep humidity levels between 45% and 55%. Over 65% encourages mold, fungus and mildew. Too dry an environment encourages wood cracking, color change, flaking paint, yellowing of paper and destroys fabrics.

Current Prices

Advertising, soda fountain tumbler, 7 UP, green glass, cylindrical with pinched sides, white, UP logo with bubbles on each side, 1940s-1950s, 5 1/4 x 2 7/8 inches, $35.

Paperweight, scarab, blue matte glaze, impressed Grueby mark, 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches, $625.

Radio, Sparton Bluebird, round, blue mirror with painted wooden case, black ball feet, Walter Dorwin Teague for Sparks-Withington Co., 1934, 14 1/2 inches diameter, $1,875.