THE COLLECTOR

Dear Collector,

Enclosed are photos of a covered china bowl that belonged to my grandmother and was passed onto my father at her death around 50 years ago. Could you tell me how old it is, and its value?

According to the backstamp (OE&G, Austria), your hand-painted keepsake was made just before World War I by Oscar and Edgar Gurtherz of Altrohlau, Bohemia, now the city of Stara Role in the Czech Republic. With importing connections in New York City, the Gutherzes produced decorative household and table porcelain for the American market. Current value on this piece (too large for a sugar bowl and too small to be a vegetable dish) is between $50 and $75.

Dear Collector,

How can I determine if my “Have Gun Will Travel” calling card is real?

Since the late 1950s, when Hotel Carlton’s most famous resident, Paladin (no first name, or is it no last name?), offered his gun for hire on television, these cards have been reproduced ad nauseam. The original premiums were included in Rinso Blue, a popular washday product of the times, and can fetch a high of nearly $30.

Dear Collector,

Bet a million bucks you can’t tell me who made this radio (photos enclosed), or when.

I’ll take your bet. You have a 1948 “Thriftee” with plastic case. This model (5A4) was made by Garod Radio Corp. of Brooklyn, N.Y. Containing five tubes, your AM radio is capable of operating on either alternating or direct current. Listed value is $40-$50. Now, pay up.

Dear Collector,

I got this old gun as repayment for a debt almost 35 years ago. I’ve never fired it, and am not even sure if bullets are still being made; is it worth anything?

Looks to me like you have a Mosin-Nagant carbine, possibly their Model 1910. This Russian military arms maker also supplied rifles to Poland. Your 7.62 caliber firearm appears to be in very good order, putting its value at $150.

Dear Collector,

Can you give us some background on a Joseph Pennell? We’ve a print or etching done by him that’s been in the family for at least three generations.

Pennell, a Philadelphian born in 1860 (some references place his birth in 1857), spent many years in Europe, mainly in England. He also traveled extensively in the U.S., and even visited Panama, sketching the canal and its workers. An illustrator, etcher, author, teacher and lecturer, upon his death in 1926, Pennell left behind a very large body of work. I suggest that you take your art to a competent appraiser.

Dear Collector,

Could you please let us know if this trolley bank is worth anything?

Dating from the 1920s, your cast iron penny bank bears the words “Main Street” on its side, which helped me track it down to A.C. Williams. First located in Chagrin Falls (can’t say this town’s name enough), Ohio, Williams moved to the nearby city of Ravenna where they continued manufacturing banks and toys. The fare on your tiny trolley is almost $300.