Your Satsuma vases could be valuable
Q: I have a pair of Satsuma vases that are at least 50 years old. I would like to know their value. — Sandra, Brattleboro, Vt.
A: Satsuma is pottery that was named for a warlord who brought skilled Korean potters to Japan during the 17th century. It is generally tin-glazed, finely crackled with a cream, yellow-cream or gray-cream color. Satsuma figurines were popular as exports during the Victorian era.
Two sources that might be helpful are Joseph Belperio, 1303 Hawthorne Court, Sewell, NJ 08080; and Bill Eberhardt, c/o Harry A. Everhardt & Son, 2010 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.
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Q: I would like to find the value of an old smoking stand that I purchased during the 1940s. — Margaret, Gibson City, Ill.
A: Most smoking stands sell in the $50-$150 range depending on condition, design and desirability.
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Q: I have several pieces of milk glass manufactured by Fenton. Where can I get current values? — Marie, Fairfield Glade, Tenn.
A: One of the better groups is the National Fenton Glass Society, P.O. Box 4008, Marietta, OH 45750. Margaret Whitmyer has written two books about Fenton glass and is a nationally known collector. Write to her at K&M Antiques, P.O. Box 30806, Columbus, OH 43230.
I also recommend Warman’s Fenton Glass by Mark F. Moran (Krause Publications, $24.99). It has current prices for more than 1,000 items, with histories, colors and designs of the various issues. This fascinating book is brimming with more than 800 illustrations, all in full color.
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Q: I have several very old pewter pieces that I am interested in selling. Do you have the name of someone I can contact? — George, Longwood, Fla.
A: Louise Graver is membership chairwoman of the Pewter Collectors Society of America, 504 West Lafayette St., West Chester, PA 19380. Two of the better dealers are Allan & Ita Fogel, owners of Twin Tankard Antiques, P.O. Box 4847, Silver Springs, MD 20914.