If working, shelf clock worth plenty

Dear Collector: My mother just got this Welch mantle clock and would like to know its value before we have it repaired.

Veneered in several types of wood, I think your timepiece, with its Gothic arch, is called a shelf clock. Welch, a longtime Connecticut concern, produced many similar mercury-type pendulum clocks in the mid and late 19th century. In working order, value could exceed $300.

Dear Collector: Years ago at a yard sale I picked up a watercolor seascape by Henry Cady. Does it have any significant value?

Cady (1849-1935), a Rhode Island native, trained at the National Academy of Design in New York City. A marine and landscape painter, he exhibited in many venues, though worked mostly in his native state. Cady’s oil paintings have auctioned for over $1,000, and his watercolors fetch in the high hundreds.

Dear Collector: Enclosed is a photo of a segmented Popeye figure I found in my mother’s things after her death. I think it may date from 1920-1930. Do you know the history of this item?

Constructed of painted wooden beads strung together, your 1930s toy was part of a set including Olive Oyl, Wimpy and the Jeep. Manufactured by Jaymar, a Brooklyn game and toy maker, this colorful plaything, in near mint condition, is now valued at over $100.

Dear Collector: I hope my question isn’t too obscure, but is there a book that can help me in pricing cake plates? I recently acquired over 60 in a lot sale at auction, and have no idea who made them or what they are worth.

Barbara and Jim Mauzy, who’ve written quite a few references on glass, have a new one on just your subject. “Mauzy’s Cake Plates” (Schiffer, 2004, $29.95), with price guide, contains hundreds of photos.

Dear Collector: I have an English two shillings coin dated 1950, and wonder if you can tell me anything about it.

The likeness is that of George VI (1936-1952), the present monarch’s father. This cupro-nickel coin is sometimes referred to as a “florin,” from the Italian word for the little flower decorating the reverse. It’s interesting to note that one of the king’s titles, abbreviated in Latin around the obverse, is “Defender of the Faith,” which was originally bestowed upon Henry VIII by Pope Leo X in 1521 for countering the writings of Martin Luther. When religion and succession conflicted in the 1530s, Henry went on to found his own church, still retaining the now incongruous designation. Anyway, to make a long story short, your coin is now worth about 50 cents, in mint condition.

Dear Collector: We inherited an autographed photo of George M. Cohan, and wonder if it has any value.

Cohan (1878-1942), a prolific composer (over 500 songs) and showman, wrote “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Over There.” His claim of being born on the Fourth of July has been disputed, but that does not detract from the obvious patriotism expressed in many of his Broadway shows. One price guide lists his signed photo at $200. I feel this is too conservative and have seen higher figures at auction.

Recommended reading: “Star Wars: Super Collector’s Wish Book,” Geoffrey T. Carlton (Collector Books, 2003, $29.95). “Collecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain: Boxes to Vases,” Debby DuBay (Schiffer, 2004, $49.95). “Vintage Jewelry: 1920-1940s,” Leigh Leshner (Krause, 2002, $24.95)