THE COLLECTOR
Dear Collector,
Enclosed is a picture of a vase we found in the basement of our 1920s family home. Stamped on the bottom is “Cameo.” Can you please give me some information on this item?
For your sake I hope you omitted two items: the maker’s name, Thomas Webb & Son, and whether there is a butterfly, Webb’s signature mark, on the reverse of your vase. If these things apply, then conservatively your contrasting cranberry and white cameo (layered glass cut in relief) could be worth several hundred dollars; which is a fair estimate for pieces made in the late 19th, early 20th century by this notable English glass manufacturer. If neither is found, then you probably have a modestly valued vintage vase purchased in Woolworth’s.
Dear Collector,
Am sending photo of “Bonnie Braids” doll with original 1951 box; could you give value?
An Ideal product, Bonnie was in production from 1951 to ‘53. This doll, based on funny pages detective Dick Tracy’s daughter, included Ipana toothpaste and toothbrush (remember Bucky Beaver?) along with various articles of clothing. Current price ranges between $100 and $150.
Dear Collector,
What can we do to remove the mildew odor from our large collection of magazines and booklets?
Go to you local hardware or home improvement store and pick up some mildewcide (alternate spelling, mildecide). Follow the instructions on the package, and that should take care of your problem.
Dear Collector,
I have a $10 Federal Reserve Note, series 1934C. Just wondering it it’s worth more than ten dollars?
Not much more, say $12 for a bill in circulated condition.
Dear Collector,
How would I go about starting a camera collection?
Buy them – one at a time.
Dear Collector,
I have a “Dracula Mystery Game” safely stored away. Though I played with it as a kid, it was only once or twice, and no damage was done. Was I right in keeping it all these years?
Issued in 1963 by Hasbro, your monste-themed board game has a listed value of $300.
Dear Collector,
I copied these marks off the back of an old platter that first belonged to my grandmother, then my mother, and now me, which makes it nearly 100 years old; can you research it?
The backstamp in question is that of Riessner, Stellmacher and Kessel, makers of porcelain situated in Turn-Teplitz, Bohemia (modern Trnovany, Czech Republic). The century-long history you suggest is right on the mark.
Dear Collector,
My son bought this antique Ansonia clock from a junk dealer, after which he cleaned it up and got it working again. How old is it?
The enclosed photos are somewhat blurry, so I have to choose between two model names. It’s either “Express” or “World,” both of which date from about 1885.
Dear Collector,
My father-in-law worked for Eisenhower and his 1956 presidential campaign where dad received this button. Does it have any value?
Depicting the name “Ike” on an elephant, this keepsake pinback is now worth $75.