THE COLLECTOR
Dear Collector,
Could you please give me an approximate value on my teapot? It was purchased by my grandfather in the 1950s or earlier.
If bought new, it was probably in the 1940s, because that’s when your Roseville piece was made. Decorated with the pattern name’s signature magnolia, your artware pot lists at $350. A matching creamer and sugar bowl would add another $200 to its value.
Dear Collector,
What do you think this “Mister Ed” game is worth?
If complete, your circa 1962 Parker Brothers board game based on the television show featuring a talking horse is a stable $25.
Dear Collector,
Can you tell me how old my Sunset Trail cigar can is? I picked it up at a yard sale years ago for 50 cents.
Dating from early in the 20th century, this colorful tin is now worth at least 500 times more than your initial investment.
Dear Collector,
This dish, marked “Made Exclusively for Westinghouse by The Hall China Co.,” was given to customers who bought the first refrigerators. Could you tell me its worth?
Patented in 1877 the electric refrigerator came into household use around 1915. Westinghouse contracted with Hall China of East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1938 to do a line of fridge-friendly storage and serving wares. Your light blue covered dish is mentioned in the literature as a food “leftover” in Hall’s Phoenix/Patrician design. Value is a cool $40-$60.
Dear Collector,
What is the value of a silver dollar dated 1878?
This was the first year of the famous Morgan Dollar, named after its designer, George T. Morgan. As always with coins, condition is paramount in determining value; and that is why one dollar is priced at $15, while another of the same mintage goes as high as $1,000. Without more information on your coin, I really can’t give you a true valuation.
Dear Collector,
I recently ran across a copy of “Modernistic Recipe-Menu Book of the DeBoth Homemaker’s Cooking School.” I know how old it is; the copyright is listed as 1929, but is it worth much?
For several decades, Jessie Marie DeBoth officiated over a yearly event held in Detroit, which was more “show” than school. Audience participation, musical performances, giveaways and cooking demonstrations were part of her flamboyant presentations. Your book, lengthy title and all, is worth about $40.
Dear Collector,
What can you tell us about the Lightning Change Maker shown in the enclosed photos?
Manually operated via three banks of colored keys, this circa 1920 device was used primarily by employers of that era, who paid their workers in cash (this was before today’s universal practice of payroll checking). This machine removed the “fumble factor” when making up pay envelopes, guaranteeing the exact amount, plus it tracked and totaled all coins paid out. Your operating change maker, empty, has a value of $100.