RINKER ON COLLECTIBLES — Column #1524

Copyright © Harry Rinker, LLC 2016

Forgotten Giants - Part I

Forgotten Giants is our roots, those individuals whose contributions laid the foundation of the antiques and collectibles business.  It identifies the pioneers who blazed the trail and shaped the course of this fascinating hobby turned industry; to introduce them to contemporary appraisers, auctioneers, collectors, dealers, and others.  The goal of the series is to resurrect these individuals from obscurity and return them to the place of honor they deserve.

The first columns in the series will focus on the authors of reference books that were instrumental in establishing and defining major collecting categories and tradecraft philosophy.  As the series progresses, individuals from other aspects of the trade will be acknowledged.

[Author’s Aside:  I had the privilege of knowing many of these individuals.  Some served as my mentors.  When appropriate, I will share my personal remembrances.]

I first met Henry J. Kauffman (November 14, 1908 to May 23, 2001) while serving as the Executive Director of the Historical Society of York County [PA] in the early to mid-1970s.  I knew Henry primarily as a collector of Pennsylvania long rifles, Pennsylvania German objects, pewter, and tools.  Henry was a character. One would expect nothing less from someone of Pennsylvania German descent.

Henry’s home was in Lancaster County, east across the Susquehanna River from York County.  The two counties enjoy a modern day War of the Roses competitiveness.  Henry was a turncoat.  Born in York County, he went to school in Lancaster County and remained.

Henry began his studies in 1926 from Millersville State Normal School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1932.  He taught industrial arts in public schools in Connecticut and Pennsylvania from 1929 to 1942.  Henry received a Master of Science degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania (1937).  In 1942, he became a professor of industrial arts at Millersville, retiring in 1973.

Henry understood that every antique had multiple stories to tell.  The physical object was only the start.  Henry wanted to identify and share all the lessons an object could teach.  Telling these stories resulted in the publication of more than 300 journal articles and 20 books.

A partial bibliography includes: “Pennsylvania Dutch American Folk Art” (1946, revised 1964); “Early American Gunsmiths” (1952); “Early American Ironware, Cast and Wrought” (1966); “American Copper & Brass” (1968); “The Colonial Silversmith: His Techniques & His Products” (1969), “The American Pewterer: His Techniques & His Products” (1970); “Early American Andirons and other Fireplace Accessories” (1974); “The American Farmhouse” (1975); and “American Axes: A Survey of Their Development and Their Makers” (2007).  Most titles were reprinted by a variety of publishers.  “The American Pewterer” and “The Colonial Silversmith” were among the first books I read when I realized my career path would focus on antiques and collectibles.

As an historian of science and technology, I am fascinated with how objects are made just like Henry.  “The Colonial Silversmith” provides detailed drawings for the manufacture of forks and spoons, plates and basins, cups and beakers, porringers and bowls, mugs and tankards, and teapots and coffeepots.  Almost 50 years later, it still is the go to book on the subject.

Henry shared.  He always made time to talk with anyone who showed an interest in the things he loved.  His passion was contagious.   His wife Elizabeth Zoe Toomer shared his interest.  Henry and Elizabeth had no children.  He donated his firearm, pewter, and furniture collection to Lancaster County.  The collection was housed in an old Mennonite Barn on the property of Rock Ford Plantation, home of General Edward Hand, George Washington’s Adj. General.  I visited it several times.  A trust fund was set up to maintain the collections.  In a cruel twist of fate, Lancaster County Parks sold the Kauffman collection in the years following his death.  Ironically, the County continues to enjoy the revenues from the sale of Kauffman’s books.  It should be ashamed.

Henry Kauffman, artisan, author, collector, philanthropist, teacher, and scholar, is a giant.  “Was” is not a word that applies to any of the individuals whose biographies will appear in this series.

I wonder how many people in the trade would provide the correct answer to: “Name the first American television series about antiques.”  The answer does not lie within the rash of HGTV programs, including my “Collector Inspector,” that aired in the 1990s and early 2000s.  Credit goes to George Michael’s “Antiques” that aired on National Public Television from 1963 through 1985.  “Antiques” is only one contribution made by George Michael (1919 to October 13, 2010), a member of the national Auctioneers Hall of Fame, that resulted in awakening America’s interest in collecting antiques.

When recruiting books for Wallace-Homestead in the 1990s, I was asked to recommend classic titles that deserved to be reprinted.  George Michael’s “Basic Book of Antiques” (1978) was my first recommendation.  Reprinted by Wallace-Homestead in 1993 as the “Basic Book of Antiques and Collectibles,” it was reprinted a second time by Krause Publications under the title “Mr. Antiques’ Basic Book of Antiques and Collectibles.”  George, a New England gentleman in every sense of the phrase, deserves this Mr. Antiques titles.  Just like the television show “Antiques,” the “Basic Book of Antiques” was mandatory reading in the late 1970s and 1980s for anyone wishing to become a member of the antiques and collectibles community.

Following a distinguished career in the American Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Merchant Marines, and Royal Canadian Engineers, George spent five years in radio and television in Schenectady, New York.  In 1950, he opened the Stafford County Auction Exchange in Rochester, New Hampshire.  In 1967, he moved his business to Merrimack, New Hampshire.

When asked what he considered his greatest contribution to the trade, Michael selected his founding and editorship of the “National Antiques Review.”  Beginning in July 1969, the publication gave voice to some of the earliest antiques and collectibles reporters.  George’s goal was to provide the best information about what antiques and collectibles were worth, when they were sold, and where.  “National Antiques Review” ceased publication in 1977.  While not the first antiques periodical, the “National Antiques Review” was the foundation for “Maine Antique Digest” and “Arts and Antiques Weekly” which followed.

George’s antiques musings appeared in multiple publications.  He edited the periodical the “Antique Gazette” for a brief period.  His weekly column was featured in the “Christian Science Monitor” from 1967-1969 and then in the “Boston Globe” until 1971.  He also wrote for the “Manchester Union Leader” and “New Hampshire Sunday News.”

George Michael was an educator.  Charming, debonair, approachable, and tolerant were among the attributes that allowed him to serve as a mentor.  I am proud to count myself among his many protégés.  George, a great storyteller, was instrumental in providing me with the back story of the development of collecting and the antiques and collectibles industry in the United States.  Every conversation with George was a learning experience, filled with challenges to research and discover more about the information he provided.

George’s bibliography is not extensive.  It is the impact of his titles and not their number that counts.  The list includes: “Antiquing with George Michael” (1967); “The Treasury of New England Antiques” (1969); “George Michael’s Treasury of Federal Antiques” (1972); and “Basic Book of Antiques” (1974).  Passion and love of product is evident in all his work.

George loved to dance.  During the latter part of his life, he was engaged by numerous cruise companies to serve as a dance partner for ladies traveling without an escort.

I miss talking with George Michael.  The good news is that all I have to do is pick up my copy of the “Basic Book of Antiques and Collectibles” to renew my acquaintance.  I recommend you allow him to introduce himself to you by doing the same.

Each Forgotten Giants “Rinker on Collectibles” column will focus on two to three individuals.  Marion Hartung and Richard “Dick” Bueschel are next, to be followed over time by Dorothy Hammond, William Heacock, Ruth Webb Lee, and Albert Christian Revi.

Do you have someone you would like to nominate for my Forgotten Giants series?  Email your recommendations to harrylrinker@aol.com.

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.  Selected letters will be answered in this column.  Harry cannot provide personal answers.  Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned.  Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5955 Mill Point Court SE, Kentwood, MI  49512.  You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered.

You can listen and participate in WHATCHA GOT?, Harry’s antiques and collectibles radio call-in show, on Sunday mornings between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Eastern Time.  If you cannot find it on a station in your area, WHATCHA GOT? streams live on the Internet at www.gcnlive.com.