THE COLLECTOR
Dear Collector,
I bought this dish at a yard sale; can you tell me anything about it?
Brightly glazed earthenware, majolica is often molded into naturalistic forms. During the mid-1800s, when majolica first gained widespread popularity, English potteries such as Minton and Wedgwood led the way in production. Later in the century, Americans entered into the market with their own wares. Griffin, Smith & Co. of Phoenixville, Penn., who made your begonia leaf plate, produced a large number of varied pieces in its short career: 1878-1889. Conservative value is more than $100, even if it has a small chip, or as dealers and collectors say, a “fleabite.” Not bad for sidewalk shopping!
Dear Collector,
Enclosed is a photo of a pair of bronze bookends. There are no markings; could you give me some idea of their age and worth?
I found your circa 1929 art deco iron bookends with a bronze finish listed as “Nude with Sash.” The same reference cites the pair as being worth $180-$270.
Dear Collector,
I have a 1947 “True Story Magazine.” Can you tell me what it’s worth?
The magazine’s Web site touts this periodical, which debuted in 1919, as “a modern woman’s guide to love and life.” Your edition, from a choice year, has a current value of $20.
Dear Collector,
I have a 1909 quarter with an eagle on one side and a woman’s head on the other; is it valuable?
Look for the mint mark beneath the eagle, which will assist in determining value. If it’s “O,” meaning it was minted in New Orleans, then your coin will be worth around $25; double the value of those produced elsewhere.
Dear Collector,
Can you trace the maker of this pitcher? There are the initials “BF” pressed into the clay.
I can’t see the complete back stamp (maker’s logo) but it’s clear to me that your piece came from the factory of Boch Freres, a Belgian ceramic maker sometime before 1891.
Dear Collector,
My late mother, who was born just before WWII, kept this odd looking kerosene lamp made by “Prairie State.” She mentioned that it passed down from her mother, though she never told me the purpose of it. Can you?
Your little lamp with its mirror and tin chimney was once employed to “candle” eggs, a process to determine if they were infertile: i.e. edible.
Dear Collector,
I got this large rubberized duffel bag while dumpster diving several years ago. It looks like it may have originally come from the Army or Navy, but there are no tags or markings on it.
What you have is a body bag, and if I were you I’d dispose of it pronto!
Dear Collector,
How old do you think this needlepoint cloth is?
I’d take a stab at it but if I were wrong you might NEEDLE me about it, so I’m going to pass on your question.