Page 2 "Detecting the Fakes"

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Doorstops Came: PAINTED UNPAINTED (Black) or ELECTROPLATED with Brass, Copper or Nickel
Painted Yourself	You could buy the doorstop unpainted & paint it yourself with a kit (paint & instructions) The Albany Foundry even went so far as to supply instructions on the cover of their 1926 catalog. To see those Original Painting Instructions: "CLICK HERE"
Factory Painted	First, a base coat was applied to the entire casting Usually, this base coat was white. But, some foundries used a different color. The only Purpose of this overcoat was: to protect the cast iron from Rusting Today, we know this process as using a primer coat on the metal. Judd usually used a Brown/Green. Hubley usually used a White. Second, the front of the doorstop was painted in various colors. They used tubes of oil paint or enamel (if a shiny surface was desired). Each different color was applied & allowed to dry. Thus, viewing a factory painted doorstop where its color has woren off, you should be able to see its base coat color underneath. Note: Hubley's Fish doorstops were specially finished to achieve a "high gloss" finish.
Electroplated	Electroplating creates one solid color. (The painted version with all its colors is prettier and much more desireable)
Values are drasticly by the Finish Black / Unpainted have practically no value Electroplated have minimum value Painted in Colors the most desirable & what the values are based on at this website

DETERMINING RE-PAINTING

Difference in Shade of a Standard Color
This should be the most obvisous to discover. Using pictures of the original doorstop at this site, its shade of colors should match the colors on the doorstop in question. For instance, the red color on Hubley's doorstops made by Fish, is the same shade of red for all 7 Fish doorstops.

Difference in Shade of a Painted Color
Note the paint on his legs, the legs have two different shade of cream color: one where the paint has gone over the original paint and the other over where the original paint is missing. This "Color Difference" is best illustrated in the example to the right. Note the cream color of paint on the legs There 2 distinct areas Dark & Soild Cream The Dark Area is the repainting over an UpPainted area The solid cream is over the Original Paint.

Difference in Shade of a Painted Color

Note the paint on his legs, the legs have two different shade of cream color: one where the paint has gone over the original paint and the other over where the original paint is missing.

Fish's Large Footmen Doorstop by Hubley This "Color Difference" is best illustrated in the example to the right. Note the cream color of paint on the legs There 2 distinct areas Dark & Soild Cream The Dark Area is the repainting over an UpPainted area The solid cream is over the Original Paint.

Beware of Shiney Paint
If the Paint is real Shinney, it is a possiblely because it is new and not a hundred years old. This doorstop is likely to be a Reproduction or has been Repainted. Repainting destroys the value of the doorstop

Compare Conditions Front versus Back
If the Paint is in great condition on the Front and the Back is a disaster (in bad shape). Then, you know the front & back have not aged properly together, signifing a possible a repaint of the Front.

Spray Painting:
In 1892, Francis Davis Millet is generally credited with the invention of spray painting. So, spray painting did exist during the Doorstop Era Probably, its only use would have been to apply the overall base coat. The Front of Original Doorstops had to be hand painted due to all the intricate features.

Smooth Surface
At the interface of the paint and where the paint is missing, there is a ledge where the surface of the paint steps down to the unpainted area. Ever so slight, it is there...you may be able to feel this ridge with your fingernail.. When repainted, the paint goes over both where the paint is missing, and the original paint. It would be impossible to accurately paint just the bare spots and not have some paint go onto the original paint. The Point -- A Continuous Shade of Paint should not have this Ridge.

Smooth Surface

At the interface of the paint and where the paint is missing, there is a ledge where the surface of the paint steps down to the unpainted area. Ever so slight, it is there...you may be able to feel this ridge with your fingernail.. When repainted, the paint goes over both where the paint is missing, and the original paint. It would be impossible to accurately paint just the bare spots and not have some paint go onto the original paint. The Point -- A Continuous Shade of Paint should not have this Ridge.

Woman with a Shawl Doorstop In another example: Note - the breaks in the paint surface especially along nose and on the chin showing clearly this as a repaint.