THE COLLECTOR

Dear Collector,

I remember when I was a child, my grandmother would take me to the movies where they gave out dishes. Enclosed is a photo of a saucer, part of a set that I had stored in the attic since 1962. Are these dishes worth anything today?

Back in the Depression, motion picture theaters had “Dish Night,” where they offered free dinnerware as an incentive to their patrons; a practice which continued into the 1950s. Your dishes, though unmarked, appear to have been made by Homer Laughlin, a West Virginia pottery noted for its famous Fiesta line. Remnants of these giveaway sets are stored in attics, cellars and garages all over the country. Your dishes are worth $3 to $5 per plate; with serving pieces nearly double that value.

Dear Collector,

I have a 1957 one-cent coin: is it worth more than a penny?

Not likely.

Dear Collector,

My parents got this Sierra Vista locomotive cookie jar as a wedding gift 50 years ago. It is priceless to our family, but I am curious about its present worth.

Established in 1942, this California ceramic maker was in business for less than 10 years. Your charming train engine is valued at $100 in one price guide.

Dear Collector,

I received an “Official Boy Scout Signaler” from my parents on Christmas 1934, and used it for about two years. Since then it has been stowed away.

Your boxed pair of Morse keys were made by M. M. Fleron & Sons of Trenton, N.J., and originally sold for $3.50 (a sum equivalent to nearly 8 gallons of milk or 44 loaves of bread in 1934). Right now they’re worth about $50.

Dear Collector,

Here are photos of my grandmother’s clock. Can you place a dollar value on it?

Manufactured by New Haven during WWI, this wood-cased mantle clock is in the Quincy pattern (pronounced “Quinzy” by many New Englanders). In working order it’s worth $50-$75.

Dear Collector,

Back in the ‘40s, when I was a young girl, I joined the Hopalong Cassidy “Troopers Club” sponsored by a bread baker called Barbara Ann (which happens to be my name). I’ve kept my membership card all these years; does it have any value?

Just one of many products which advertised Hoppy (Dairylea milk, Bond bread and Post Toasties were some others); Barbara Ann was based on the West Coast. Your near perfect card is now worth $75.

Dear Collector,

Do these Abraham Lincoln bookends have any value? I know they are old because they belonged to my mother’s uncle.

Your bronze set featuring a contemplative Lincoln on one end and a representation of his log cabin and the White House on the other, dates from 1918. Current value is $175.

Dear Collector,

I found this ink bottle some years ago while walking in the woods. It resurfaced when I was cleaning out my cellar recently. How old is it?

This multi-sided aqua bottle once held a product manufactured by Bixby Ink of New York in the decade following the Civil War.