Hi Stacy,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Tom Pendergast was the dominant political boss of Kansas City from roughly the 1910s through the late 1930s. He ran a powerful Democratic political machine based in the city’s “Pendergast machine,” which controlled local government, patronage jobs, police, and elections. William D. Boyle was a Kansas City political figure and a product of the Pendergast machine. He later became Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in the early 1950s. As you rightly mention, both were key to getting Harry S. Truman launched politically.

Livers Lighting & Bronze Co. was an American manufacturer of architectural lighting fixtures and ornamental bronze work based in Toledo, Ohio, active primarily in the early–mid 20th century (roughly 1910s–1950s). Livers specialized in cast bronze light fixtures, sconces, chandeliers, and decorative metal elements.

As far as provenance goes, this is interesting but I'm not certain how much it would add to the value of this six-light chandelier, which otherwise would have a fair market value of $400-600. In the case of most celebrity auctions, auctioneers typically offer things at a fairly low level to generate interest and it's anyone's guess as to how high something will actually sell for.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage Livers Lighting & Bronze Co six-light brass and walnut ship's wheel chandelier
circa 1930s
The ship's wheel form frame fitted with six lights and mounted with three verte-antico brass dolphins.
19-1/2 inches high by 29 inches diameter
CONDITION: Rewired but otherwise appears to be in good original condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 500-800*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia