John Sikorski: ‘Patent pending’ has no effect on collector interest

Q: I have this Cira-I Palace print by Maxwell Parrish. The interesting frame on this print makes it hard to value. It is in the original frame, and on the back is printed "patent pending on this frame." When looking at the print, the graphics and colors bleed onto the frame, creating an extending picture. It is as if the frame is part of the print. I was hoping you could put a value on this unusual frame and print, and would be interested in selling it for me. Thank you for your time. — N.S., Internet

A: Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) produced oil-on-canvas paintings, book illustrations, murals, magazine covers and advertising illustrations. His paintings were widely published in print form in large quantities by many companies. The prints in the last 40 years or so have gone up and down in popularity, some selling into the $100-plus range. Circes Palace, the one you have, appears to be faded, and the frame is in average condition. The label “patent pending” is relative to the frame design and has no effect on collector interest nor dollar value. Potential dollar value in as-is condition is below $50.

Q: I enjoy reading your article in The Gainesville Sun. I purchased a used copy of “The Executioner's Song” by Norman Mailer online a few weeks ago. When I finished page 834 and continued reading, the script sounded familiar. It was then I realized that I was reading page 803 again. Pages 803 to 834 were repeated in the copy that I have. When I reached 834 again, the book skipped to page 867. I can only assume that the book was missing 33 pages.

In the back of the book there were photo credits listed, but my copy had no photographs, so I guess they were on the missing pages. There also were misspelled words and words used out of place; for example, “Gary went to buy a battery. He came back and told his co-worker that he had found a honey a K-mart for $29.95.” This was a Pulitzer Prize-winning book. Is there any collectors' interest in a misprinted book? Just curious. — D.B., Internet

A: I suggest you contact the Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association. The website is floridabooksellers.com. Good luck.

Q: I am sending this email at the suggestion of my mother. She has a large collection of June McKenna Santa figures that she is interested in selling. Are you able to help point us in the right direction? Thank you for your time, sir. — L.T., Internet

A: Lots of people have large collections of June McKenna Santa figures. They can be found for sale on various Internet websites. I found no collectors looking to buy McKenna Santa figures. Perhaps Replacements Limited in Greensboro, North Carolina, has them on their list to buy. The phone number is 1-800-replace. Just tell them what you have and they will respond.

— John Sikorski, with more than 35 years of experience, is an Ocala-based antiques advisor, consultant and broker. Send your questions to Sikorski's Attic, c/o The Ocala Star-Banner, 2121 SW 19th Ave. Road, Ocala, FL 34471-7752, or email absantique@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: John Sikorski: ‘Patent pending’ has no effect on collector interest