Meakin dishes

Q: I have a set of Alfred Meakin dishes in the Lombardy pattern. How can I find out how much my pieces are worth? — Betty, Willmar, Minn.

A: I have a sentimental attachment to dishes made by the Alfred Meakin company. My great-grandmother chose the “tea leaf” pattern as her everyday china when she got married in the Oklahoma Territory in 1895. I still have several of her original pieces and cherish them.

To answer your question, Alfred Meakin began producing earthenware at Tunstall, Staffordshire, England, in about 1873. The company still exists.

Paul G. Bailey is a member of the American Society of Appraisers and has been specializing in British ceramics for more than two decades. He might be able to help you. Write to him in care of Antique Appraisal & Estate Services, 12819 SE 38th St., PMB 320, Bellevue, WA 98006.

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Q: I have a cowbell dated 1878 that originally belonged to my grandmother. Is it valuable? — Adra, Oakland, Md.

A: Bob Bamford is president of the American Bell Association and might be able to help you. His address is P.O. Box 19443, Indianapolis, IN 46219. George A. Coupe is a serious collector and can be reached at 1243 1st St. SE, Washington, DC 20003.

Q: What do you know about California Dresden dishes. — Suzi, Minneapolis

A: Each time I get a question about older china, I grab two books from my collection: Kovel’s New Dictionary of Marks: Pottery & Porcelain 1850 to the Present by Ralph and Terry Kovel. It is published by Crown and offers hundreds of company marks, making it fairly easy to identify various pieces.

For more detailed information, there’s nothing quite like Lehner’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Marks on Pottery, Porcelain & Clay by Louis Lehner. This hefty book is invaluable and generally sells for $24.95.