Ideal doll brings in big haul

Dear Collector, The 10-inch high Pinocchio doll in this photo has “Made by Ideal Novelty & Toy Co.” on its stomach. I would appreciate knowing his value.

Pinocchio, whose name in Italian means pine head or pine eyes, is the marionette turned boy that learns life’s lessons through wondrous travels and encounters. Your circa 1939 doll, which looks to be in very good condition, could be worth more than$250.

Dear Collector, I inherited this “La Belle China” platter from my father-in-law. Can you give me any information on its history?

A product of Wheeling Pottery of West Virginia, your flow blue piece probably dates from the 1890s.

Dear Collector, In 1965 a friend gave me a German 10 Rentenpfennig coin bearing a 1994 date. I’d like to know what the coin is worth and why the futuristic date.

Look again – your bronze/aluminum coin was issued in 1924. The stylized font is a bit confusing, but even without my magnifying glass I can see the correct date. Backed by mortgages on Government real estate, in lieu of gold, this type of currency is still found in large quantities. Current value is about $1.

Dear Collector, Enclosed are photos of a drinking mug purchased in an antiques store. Can you please give me an idea of its value?

Sometimes not everything in an antiques store is an antique. This Lord Nelson Pottery mug is a case in point; it bears a coded date of 1970. Whatever you paid is what it is worth.

Dear Collector, How much is my pack of Johnson Outboard Motors playing cards worth? I got it years ago from a neighbor and recently found them in the bottom drawer of my bureau.

According to one recent reference, your single deck is one-half of a double set manufactured in 1951. The same book suggests a high value of $50 for the double.

Dear Collector, My wife and I both like the feel of this green vase. A visitor to our house noticed it and said it may be Weller. What is Weller, and how old is it?

Weller (located in Zanesville, Ohio), a pottery famous for its artware pieces, was a cut above its competitors, McCoy, Hull, etc. Your circa 1910 Arts & Crafts vase, with its tactilely pleasing matt finish, is worth at least $1,000.

Dear Collector, Can you tell me the value of this Imperial Debonair camera? I’ve had it since high school, from which I graduated in 1964.

First marketed in 1960 for about $10, this American made camera employed 620 roll film. Both its body and bright red flash attachment are composed of plastic, as is the included carry bag. Not unusual or rare, today it’s worth less than $25.

Dear Collector, Can you identify the object in the included sketch?

This simple wooden instrument is a dibble: “a small hand implement used to make holes in the ground for plants, seeds, or bulbs.”