WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

WorthPoint – Discover Your Hidden Wealth

For hundreds of collectors, the Kentucky Derby means entertaining with treasured pieces of M.A. Hadley pottery.

The Hadley museum and pottery is a popular place especially during Derby week, as collectors arrive to fill out their patterns for Derby celebrations with friends and family. At one point, museum office manager Lynnette Faulkenberg said, limousines would form lines around the building while eager shoppers collected their pottery for Derby parties.

The durable, hand-painted plates, mugs, pitchers and julep cups are treasured by Louisvillians who’ve relocated and hold Derby Day celebrations all over the world. Collectors appreciate the craft and the simple, cheerful patterns offered by M.A. Hadley.

“It’s very collectible,” said Gene Hewitt who added that the pottery can be found in shops around the country.

Mary Alice Hadley was a painter in Louisville in the 1930′s but her true calling as an artist and designer for stoneware began in the late 30′s. According to Hadley Museum and Pottery general manager, Gene Hewitt, the business began when Mary Alice designed and fired a set of dinnerware for a party on the family’s boat. Her guests were charmed by the folk designs and glazes and asked for sets of their own.

“She started selling to friends in 1940 and the family bought her this building in 1944,” Hewitt said. Today the Hadley Museum continues to produce Hadley pottery and hires artists and art students to hand paint Mary Alice Hadley’s original designs.

If you have lost or broken a piece, it can be replaced. According to Faulkenberg, most of the older designs can be duplicated. The only M.A. Hadley pottery that the museum cannot reproduce is an award-winning brown fleck, because the clay to make it is no longer available.

A standard M.A. Hadley dinner plate sells for $25.50 but there are seconds to be had at the company’s headquarters. Older designs and those actually painted by Mary Alice Hadley herself are more valuable. In general, a collector can determine if a pattern is older by the clothing worn by the characters in the design. As far as determining whether or not Mrs. Hadley actually painted your piece, Hewitt says some of the retired artists can still tell her signature.

“We can usually determine if she signed it or not, but all of our artists still sign each piece with her initials and name,” Hewitt said. He added that while he did not know how much some of the older pieces were being sold for, that the value was increasing each year.

The Hadley “horse” pattern is particularly popular with collectors this time of year as the historic run for the roses brings Louisville, Kentucky and it’s local artisans into the public eye.

• You can find a list of specialty shops where you can purchase Mary Alice Hadley pottery here http://www.hadleypottery.com .

People start collecting Kentucky Derby glasses for a variety of reasons; maybe they ride horses, their mother may have had one, they could be from Kentucky, or simply enjoy the thrill of a race (not to mention a good Mint Julep!). No matter the reason, Kentucky Derby glasses are a hot collectible.

Kentucky Derby glasses were made for sipping mint juleps at the Kentucky Derby. The official glasses hold 12 ounces, and were introduced in 1938. (There are some collectors who disagree that the 1938 glass is “official” because it was meant to serve water instead of the cocktail.) Most of the glasses are made of clear glass and frosted. During World War II, when glass was being used in the war effort, the derby glasses were made of early plastic, or Bakelite, by Beetleware Corp. of New York. These plastic glasses vary in color, and are extremely desirable now. (A 1942 glass recently sold on Ebay for $1,625.00.)

Another uncommon material that was used was aluminum. These bring anywhere from $800- 2,500 depending on year and condition. There was no design on the glasses in 1946-1947. This causes a break in the continuity of some collections, as it is impossible to authenticate these glasses.

Dating the glasses produced after 1948 is rather easy, just add one year to the date of the last winner on the back of the glass. The value of most glasses produced after 1980 is under $30.00, although the rare one can fetch upward of $3,000.

There is an amazing online price guide that is complete with pictures and high and low values at Equillector

There is also an excellent book Kentucky Derby Glasses Price Guide by Blood Horse Publications for $16.95. (This book also includes values for Preakness, Belmont, and Breeder’s Cup.)

As with most antiques and collectibles, there are certain things that affect value. They are: availability, materials used, scarcity, condition, demographics, and design.

While you research these whimsical glasses here is a recipe:

Mint Julep

1 part Kentucky bourbon

1 part simple syrup

Fresh mint

Crushed ice

Place mint leaves and simple syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press leaves against the back of a spoon to release flavors. Pack cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw, and serve immediately. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Audra is a WorthPoint Worthologist.

It is billed as the most exciting two minutes in sports. And it is for 3-year olds only. We’re talking about the ultimate horse race known as the Kentucky Derby.

The race may just be two minutes, but the festival in Louisville, Kentucky begins two weeks in advance. Over the past 50 years, it’s grown into the biggest event in Kentucky with parties, dinners, honors, discussions, events, warm-up horse races, golf, balloon races, fireworks, paddle boats, cruising, mint juleps and, of course, souvenirs. Collecting Derby memorabilia is the second largest pastime in Louisville and it continues well after the hooves of the winner have fallen silent. Let’s review just a few of the official ones.

The Horse

The ultimate souvenir of any Kentucky Derby is the winner itself, a three year old colt, gelding, or filly. Exact figures of what it takes to breed a Kentucky Derby winner varies, but the value increases to the millions after the awarding of the blanket of 554 roses to the winner. This is one collectible that continues to appreciate once it is retired to pasture.

The Winning Ticket

Ah, but the second biggest collectible is at the pay window. Taking home the winnings from the Kentucky Derby is the ultimate collectible and it comes with free bragging rights. What a deal. Interesting, but I’ve never seen losing tickets auctioned online anywhere.

The Mint Julep Glass

All right, these are great collectibles for the rest of us. The mint julep is the favorite drink of the Kentucky Derby, so naturally there is a special glass made both for enjoying the drink and for collecting. Official Kentucky Derby mint julep glasses became instant collectibles when they were introduced in 1938. As with any collectible, there are variations each year. According to horse-races.net, there were aluminum and Bakelite glasses during World War II. The 1950 and 1951 glasses are the rarest, but 1974 had the most variations from two different companies due to a printing error. Read Audra Blevins blog about the mint julep glass and how to make what goes inside one.

The Official Silk Scarf

Silk scarves are a relatively new collectible for the Kentucky Derby. Chuck Starr of Collectors Gallery says the first officially sanctioned scarf was introduced by Churchill Downs about 1995. Only about 200 are made every year, which makes them very rare indeed. The only place to find the current, officially sanctioned Kentucky Derby 2008 silk scarf is through the exclusive distributor sanctioned by Churchill Downs at http://www.horseartgallery.com or ordering directly from Judy Starr at a cost of $350 each. Look for the twin spires graphic on each corner of the scarf to know it is authentic.

The Official Kentucky Derby Festival Pin

Each year the Kentucky Derby Festival issues a decorative commemorative pin. Beginning in 1973 with a plastic Pegasus pin, there are now festival, corporate, chairman and balloon pins, too. Get a pin starter kit for 2008 and included is a new addition, a lanyard. There are so many pins that it is hard to get ‘pinned’ down on just how many styles there are. Each pin is available individually or as part of sets from online auction sites. Visit their store and see a full selection of pins past and present.

The Official Kentucky Derby Festival Poster

Since 1981, when renowned artist Peter Max designed the first colorful festival poster, artists from around the country have competed to provide the right pre-race excitement every year. For 2008, artist Rick Garcia of Santa Fe, New Mexico contributed a colorful rendition that includes all of the elements of the Kentucky Derby Festival. His design will be featured on t-shirts, glasses, used in media advertising and on many more Derby collectibles. All of the past Derby posters are still available by visiting their store and ordering your favorite.

Finally

There are other Derby collectibles beyond the officially sanctioned ones. There is an early travel poster such as the one issued by the C&O Railroad that advertised Kentucky as a travel destination rather than the Derby itself, plus old tickets, programs, newspapers featuring the winner, hats, balloons, key rings, t-shirts, Beanie horses, books, whiskey bottles, shot glasses, photos, DVD’s, plates, software games, trivets and … who knows what else?

If the Kentucky Derby is the ultimate in horse racing, then it is also the ultimate in horse racing collectibles, too. So, get them while you can. Ready? Aaaand, we’re off!

Websites:

Official Kentucky Derby Festival site

History of the Kentucky Derby Festival

Kentucky Derby Officially Sanctioned Scarves

Kentucky Derby official posters, pins and other memorabilia

About the Kentucky Derby Museum with a video presentation

First up, a glass jigger from 1945 for measuring the all important Kentucky sippin’ whiskey for the making of mint julips, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. A very scarce item sold by Proxibid for $600.

Next up, is a 1940s era red mottled Beetleware glass. Any glass or specialty item from this era is particularly collectible as it was the beginning of Kentucky Derby collectibles. Sold by Proxibid for $1950.

And a winner in “The Kentucky Derby,” a lithograph from artist Haddon Sundblom depicting the winner of the 1941 Kentucky Derby, Old Rosebud coming around the clubhouse turn. Sold by Proxibid for $55.

An entire series of mint julip glasses from the 1982, 1992, 1993, and 1994 Kentucky Derby, 11 in all – sold by Proxibid for $50.

Aaaand, we’re off!

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1945-kentucky-derby-jigger

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1940s-kentucky-derby-beetleware-glass

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/kentucky-derby-haddon-sundblom-shows-old-rosebud-1941

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/lot-11-kentucky-derby-glasses-1982-92-93-94

Derby season gives Louisvillians a sense that –for a week or so, anyway– they are at the center of the world, or at least the sporting world. The hotels fill up, restaurants and bars raise their prices (although they deny it), limousines appear on the streets from all over the Midwest. There are parties galore after the spring meet opens at Churchill Downs (the weekend before the first Saturday in May), B-list celebrities like Kid Rock and Chaka Khan arrive at the airport, and people who live here either embrace it all, or leave town on vacation (some even rent out their houses for Derby Week). There’s a big parade, a balloon race, a steamboat regatta and a marathon, among other events.

And all growing out of a single Moment: pitting the nation’s best three-year-old Thoroughbreds against each other for a two-minute race. People who don’t even care about racing memorize the post positions, and bestow sudden celebrity on horse trainers Nick Zito, Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas.

Our four-hour daily morning news program — WDRB-TV’s Fox in the Morning — originates from the backside of the Downs the week before the Derby. At 5 a.m. we’re reminded of the rural roots of horse racing. We’re just feet from the stables with their attendant odors and the quiet pre-dawn sounds of bird chirps and horse neighs.

With 134 years of Derby tradition, it’s no wonder that collectors eagerly snap up any and all items relating to the Derby. Louisville has dozens of people who collect the plastic pins issued annually by the Kentucky Derby Festival (not connected to the horse race itself). Others accumulate the yearly-updated mint julep glasses sold at the racetrack and at every local grocery. Then there are the jockey bobble-heads, advertising signs and Derby winner prints, Derby saddle cloths and blankets. As always, ephemera like race-day programs and parimutuel tickets (especially from historic Derbys like Secretariat’s, 1973) carry the most value.

Local retailers like “Party Kits and Equestrian Gifts” and “Taste of Kentucky” specialize in Derby-bilia for parties.

Here are two dishes long associated with Derby entertaining:

Kentucky Derby Pie

(“Kentucky Derby-Pie” is a registered trademark of Kern Kitchens, Inc., but many versions abound.)

INGREDIENTS:

Single pie crust (which you can make from your own recipe, but a refrigerated store-bought crust is more than acceptable).

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
2 tablespoons Kentucky Bourbon (optional)

Beat eggs with cooled butter. Add flour & sugar. Beat until mixed well. Stir in pecans, chocolate & bourbon. Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake at 350∞ for about 30 minutes, or until set. Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, or both.

The Hot Brown

The “Hot Brown” (open-faced sandwich) was developed at Louisville’s historic Brown Hotel. In the 1920s, the hotel held dinner-dances, and when the dancing stopped, patrons had a taste for a late-night snack. Tired of the same old ham-and-eggs, chef Fred Schmidt invented the Mornay-sauce-topped “Hot Brown,” which is still served at the hotel today.

INGREDIENTS:

4 oz. butter
Flour to make a roux (about 6 tablespoons)
3 – 3 1/2 cups milk
1 beaten egg
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 oz. whipped cream (optional)
salt and pepper to Taste
Slices of Roast Turkey
8-12 slices of toast (may be trimmed)
Extra Parmesan for topping
8-12 Strips of fried bacon

Melt butter and add enough flour to make a reasonably thick roux (enough to absorb all the butter). Add milk and Parmesan cheese. Add egg to thicken sauce, but do not allow sauce to boil. Remove from heat. Fold in whipped cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

For each Hot Brown, place two slices of toast on a metal (or flameproof) dish. Cover the toast with a liberal amount of turkey. Pour a generous amount of sauce over the turkey and toast. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Place entire dish under a broiler until the sauce is speckled brown and bubbly. Remove from broiler, cross two pieces of bacon on top, and serve immediately.

We are very lucky at the Kentucky Derby Museum to have a great variety of artifacts. We have a wide range of trophies, a number of saddles, and silks in every possible color. Despite the fact that the collection is varied and numerous, I still have a few favorite objects.
I am in love with Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Glasses. The glasses came to the scene in 1938 and local legends suggest that they were used as water glasses. Many patrons at Churchill Downs could not resist the urge to take them from the tables in the track’s dining room. Churchill Downs decided to capitalize on this thievery and began charging patrons an additional .25 cents to each meal if folks wanted to keep the glass. A design was born for the glass in 1939 and they became an official souvenir. This souvenir has changed considerably over the years. In the early 1940s track management sought to reduce the amount of hazardous broken glass found in the infield, thus the aluminum tumbler was introduced. However, World War II brought with it a large increase in the price of aluminum and a ceramic-type tumbler was introduced in a variety of colors including: red, orange, blue, grey, pink, brown, black, and white. These glasses, produced by the Beetleware Company, have to be some of my favorite objects in the museum. They have a unique appearance that transcends both time and trends.
A tour of Kentucky Derby ephemera would not be complete without mentioning advertising signs. My favorite signs are the ones that date from the early 1960s though the 1970s. They typically are fashioned from embossed cardboard and feature winning horses in a relief detail. Generally these signs were used to advertise vices like cigarettes or alcohol. They have a charming almost folksy look to them and we house many in our collection.
Another one of my favorite objects is the 1925 Kentucky Derby Trophy; Flying Ebony won this trophy in a year for the record books. It was the first year that the Kentucky Derby was broadcast over the radio and it was the first year that the term “The Run For The Roses” was coined. 1925 was also the year that a very expensive colt won the Kentucky Derby. Flying Ebony was purchased for $21,000, which was a fortune at that time. After his victory in the Kentucky Derby he went on to lose every race after for the remainder of the season. He did have a great career as a stud and we are pleased to celebrate his history with his Kentucky Derby Trophy. The trophy is crafted out of 14k yellow gold and it sits on a beautiful jade base. It is currently on display in our museum and we are so proud of it.
Another fantastic object is a traditional Japanese geisha doll. This doll was given to the museum as a gift from Fusao Sekiguchi. Mr. Sekiguchi was the owner of the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. The doll is enclosed in glass and she is dressed in a lovely, colorful kimono. The Kentucky Derby Museum has all this and more, won’t you come and visit? With the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are open every day of the year.

The Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Avenue
Louisville, KY 40208

(502) 637-7097 Info
(502) 637-1111 Office

info [at] derbymuseum [dot] org